Best of #theroolife: May 18-24

Since launching the Ursa Sleep System on Kickstarter, the most common question we've received has been the rhetorical "$600?!" So we thought we'd break down how we landed on what some folks are considering an above average price tag. With everything that's included, we'll show you how we're actually beating the competition on comfort and on price. By a lot. Now that we’ve shown you the price comparison, let’s get into the main differences between Ursa and the competition.   Complete Integration When you buy five different products from five different brands, you end up with a Frankenstein sleep system that was never intended to work together. And no one wants to go to sleep with Frankenstein in their tent. Ursa’s asymmetrical zippers combine each component into one cohesive sleep system intentionally designed for the best night’s sleep.   Premium Foam With six total inches of premium foam, including a 4” self-inflating base pad and a premium 2” memory foam topper, Ursa offers double the amount of separation between you and the ground when compared to other complete sleep systems (ones that offer an integrated quilt and hood) on the market.   Easy Setup No one wants to bring a bulky pump to camp, and with Ursa, you don’t have to. The self-inflating base pad makes setup a breeze, needing only 3-5 breaths to top it off to your desired level of firmness. If you’re looking for memory foam comfort at camp and a simple setup, Ursa is the only option on the market.   Single vs. Double You shouldn’t have to choose between a single and double camp bed. Ursa allows you to have solo trips and overnights with your partner alike—the only sleep system on the market that can be combined with a second to make a complete bed for two.   Oversized Camp Pillow The camp pillow has been long overdue for a revamp, and the Ursa pillow is just that—designed to be as comfy as your pillow from home but packable enough for any adventure. Soft-touch fabrics combined with two inches of premium foam separate it from the crowd of camp pillows that make you feel like you’re sleeping on a balloon. Plus, the adjustable air core means you can fine tune it for your specific sleep style.   Summary We started dreaming this product up over a year ago when tent camping in Big Bend National Park. When we looked at what was offered in the marketplace, we saw huge gaps that we wanted to address. Ursa combines premium foam, super soft fabrics, and intuitive integration to guarantee your best sleep under the stars. Plus, Ursa is backed by our Adventure Grade lifetime guarantee. To take advantage of Early Bird pricing on Kickstarter, back now! You’ll score a discounted price and a FREE Ursa Pillow.   Learn more about the Ursa on Kickstarter now!

When you start smelling charcoal in your neighborhood on a nightly basis, you know it’s peak backyard season. There’s no better place to enjoy time outside than in your own outdoor space, hanging out with friends and family. Even in urban environments, your backyard has the potential to provide the daily nature relief you’re probably craving—a slow evening watching the fireflies dance after hustling through your busy day to day. We know you have a lot going on, which is why we think it’s even more important to press pause on the to-do list and make room in your schedule for time outside. Swiftlet and a Roo Hammock The Swiftlet is a no brainer for any backyard—especially one void of trees. If you’re working from home, your Swiftlet will be your go-to place to lounge for those long phone calls and lunch breaks. This portable hammock stand has lightweight, go-anywhere capabilities that make it perfect for moving around the yard, from lounging poolside to roasting mallows at the fire pit. With the addition of a Roo hammock, this will quickly become the most popular piece of outdoor furniture you own. Hang the Roo Double when you want company, and opt for the Roo Single when you’re looking for some me time. We know you need it. Roo singles are currently 20% off! Shop the whole Memorial Day Sale here. Field Blanket We’re not in full-on summer mode yet, so having a backyard blanket is nice for those brisk evenings. And even when the temperatures are hitting triple digits, your Field Blanket will make for the most comfortable picnic spot in the neighborhood. The water repellent ripstop shell provides the durability you need on the underside, while the microfleece offers a soft place to soak up the sun. Plus, with its DWR coating, your Field Blanket is protected from both the spring showers and the unexpected spills. No matter what you throw at it, this do-all blanket will never stop performing. Shop our Memorial Day Sale for 20% off. Field Blanket Jr. No more worrying about your hand-woven alpaca throw—we’ve got just the right blanket for your little one’s adventurous side. Just like its namesake, the Field Blanket Jr. is soft, durable, and ready for backyard and basecamp adventures alike. We made this version especially for our smaller campers—just the right fit and equally spill friendly. If you’re tired of your nice blankets getting literally dragged through the mud, you can take comfort knowing this smaller blanket will fit just right when in poncho mode. Plus, if it happens to get dirty (we know it will), the Field Blanket Jr. washes easily in no time at all. Whether they’re hanging it up to build a fort or donning it as a cape, Field Blanket Jr. is ready to play. It’s also 25% off during our Memorial Day Sale. Solo Stove Bonfire Backyard fires in spring are essential, and the Solo Stove Bonfire makes the experience even more enjoyable. Most fire pits are prone to annoying levels of smoke due to poor air flow, and Solo Stove has fixed that with their line of backyard products. Bonfire burns efficiently, keeping the smoke to a minimum, so you never have to bounce from one side to the other with a slight change in the wind. Additionally, the storage bag makes it incredibly easy to pack up the Bonfire and take it on adventures! Throw in some s’mores supplies, and you’ve got yourself a backyard party everyone will want to join. Backyard weather doesn’t last all season, so take full advantage while you can. Other must haves we love for any outdoor space are yard games like Kubb and Cornhole, a grill of your choosing to take meals outside, and string lights to keep the hangs going all night. Tag us in your backyard photos on Instagram or with #TimeOutside—we can’t wait to see what you come up with! And shop our Memorial Day Sale, now through May 31, for more savings on your favorite outdoor gear.

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and here at Kammok, we want to give it up for all the adventure moms out there. But what is an adventure mom? This title isn’t reserved for the women strapping their toddler to their back for a 14er in the Rockies, although these awesome moms are definitely included. Adventure isn’t exclusive to national parks and backcountry trails—it happens every day when people step unknowingly into something new and exciting. Motherhood itself is one of the greatest adventures of all, marked with thrilling summits and impressive finish lines. We put this gift guide together to help you celebrate all the moms in your life, hopefully with something to make the adventure a bit more enjoyable. Photo by @EverydayAdventureFam. Kammok Swiftlet: For the mom who needs some me-time. What hardworking mom doesn’t deserve a break from the hectic day to day? The Swiftlet Portable Hammock Stand is exactly what she needs to kick back and relax in her own quiet space—trees optional. At only 15 pounds, the Swiftlet can pack up and go anywhere, from her indoor reading nook to her favorite beach access. And when she’s ready for company, the Swiftlet's 300-pound weight capacity makes it the perfect place at camp for a snuggle sesh. The Swiftlet can be used in sit mode or lounge mode making it a great option for soccer moms who need a comfortable chair for game day as well as a nap spot for a midday break. Combine the Swiftlet with any of our Roo hammocks for a go-anywhere oasis your mom will love. BioLite HeadLamp 200: For the busy mom. Let’s get real—all moms are busy. Whether they’re working long hours, taking care of the kids, or running around town tackling their to-do list, moms’ days are jam packed. The BioLite HeadLamp 200 extends the time our active moms can spend outside, lighting the path for a predawn hike or shining bright for a night jog on the trail. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 40 hours which means no more buying and throwing away alkaline batteries. Plus, the 3D Slimfit Construction provides for a near-weightless feel, making it the most comfortable headlamp for any occasion. The BioLite HeadLamp 200 is the perfect upgrade for any outdoor mom’s kit. Photo by @JayKolsch. Osprey Arcane Tote Pack: For the mom who needs an extra hand. If your mom leaves the house every day with both hands full and something tucked under each arm, it’s time to upgrade her to the Arcane Tote Pack. The tuckaway straps make it easy to switch from backpack mode to tote mode, so whether she’s headed to the office or going out for a quick hike, this bag will keep up. The Tote Pack features a laptop sleeve, internal organization, a scratch-free zipper pocket for her phone or sunglasses, and an external shove-it pocket for quick access to essentials. Lastly, the durable fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles, making the Arcane Tote Pack a sustainable choice for your mom’s new favorite everyday bag. Forsake Meridian: For the mom on the go. Just like the moms in our life, these shoes can do it all. The Meridian’s slip-on stretch collar makes getting out the door a cinch, and the Peak-to-Pavement Outsole promises she’ll be ready wherever the adventure leads. These shoes are super breathable while maintaining rugged durability, meaning they’re built for all-day comfort and the abuse that comes with excessive wear. Put it this way: She’s never going to want to take these off. And for the travel moms who want to pack light, this stylish shoe will take her everywhere—from the airport to a day of sightseeing and back again. The Forsake Meridian is going to be her new do-it-all shoe. United by Blue, The Container Kit: For the snack mom. Moms have been keeping us happy and fed since day one. They have a knack for sensing when we’re about to get cranky and have expert timing for handing over a juice box or cheese puff. The Container Kit from United by Blue is essential for any mom taking snacks on the go. This high-performance lunch box sports fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, and it’s just as durable and stain resistant as it is environmentally friendly. The kit includes two stainless steel, double-insulated containers that can keep hot things hot for up to 12 hours and cold things cold for up to 24 hours. Whether she’s feeding her little ones or heading to the park for a solo lunch, The Container Kit is a must have for our nurturing moms.

As many as 300,000 Americans contract Lyme disease from infected ticks each year, according to CDC modeling. Much of the Eastern half of the country has a large chunk of these cases.  However, only a small fraction of Lyme cases are reported to federal health authorities. Elsewhere in the United States, people contend with potentially fatal tick-borne illnesses like Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Mosquitoes inhabit every corner of the country, spreading potentially serious pathogens like West Nile and Zika viruses and general bite-induced misery. Meanwhile, fire ants terrorize backyards in the southern United States. And they’re joined by too many other insect pests to name. In this year of social distancing, backyard camping is a great way to spend time with your family and enjoy the outdoors. The good news is that suppressing outdoor pests isn’t as difficult or costly as you might imagine. And there are natural ways to get rid of these annoyances. These natural backyard pest control solutions will increase your enjoyment while keeping your kids and pets safe from harm. 1. Moisture Control and Standing Water Management Mosquitoes love standing water. It’s where adults breed and lay their eggs and where larvae spend their lives before transitioning to adulthood. They don’t need much water, so it’s important to identify and control sources of moisture and standing water, even if they don’t seem troublesome. You can’t do much about standing water beyond your property lines. If you live near a pond or swamp, you’ll need to get used to mosquito activity. But you can follow these tips to make your yard as inhospitable to breeding mosquitoes as possible: Dump and Scrub. The CDC recommends dumping standing water from human-made vessels, such as birdbaths and flower pot saucers, at least once per week and thoroughly scrubbing the empty containers. No soap is required, though nontoxic insecticidal soaps can help. Add Oil. If you don’t want to dump the water, drizzle about one teaspoon of olive or vegetable oil into standing water. The oil kills larvae without harming birds or plants. Add Vinegar. Another solution if you don’t want to get rid of the water is to add vinegar to standing water sources. You want to achieve a ratio of about one part oil to five parts water, so this isn’t practical for larger bodies of water, but it should work fine for your birdbath. Mosquito Dunks. These “bacteria bombs” kill mosquito larvae without harming kids or pets. Add them to standing water and let them work their magic.   2. Brush Management Standing water is to mosquitoes as dense underbrush is to disease-carrying ticks. During the cool season, ticks retreat to leaf litter for warmth and protection. They lurk on grasses and ground-hugging vegetation in warmer months waiting for unsuspecting mammals to brush by. Homeowners keen on making their backyards safe for camping need to reduce or eliminate places for ticks to breed and ultimately to find new victims. Here’s how: Edging. Take a trimmer to high weeds and brush along the perimeter of your yard at regular intervals throughout the growing season. Mowing. Mow your lawn regularly, keeping grass ankle-high or lower. Gravel Borders. Create a gravel barrier at least 3 feet wide between your yard and surrounding wooded areas. If this is impractical, use wood chips instead. Stacking Wood. If you keep firewood or downed wood on your property, stack it neatly to discourage tick-carrying rodents from setting up shop. Raking. Rake your grass and cultivate areas to remove leaf litter, grass clippings, and other tick-friendly habitats. 3. Fire Ant Suppression Years of steady northward expansion have brought invasive fire ants, known as red imported fire ants, into contact with backyard campers across a broad swath of the southern United States, from central Texas to Virginia. According to the World Health Organization, fire ants sting as many as 60% of people living in colonized areas. Backyard campers eager to avoid joining their ranks can try two eco- and people-friendly remedies to suppress their colonies: Hot Water. This remedy is only kid- and pet-friendly when kids and pets aren’t around. For each mound you’d like to treat, you’ll need to heat several gallons of water to a near boil, then pour it slowly onto the mound to drench and hopefully penetrate the soil. This measure will also kill nearby grasses, but that may be a small price to pay. Organic Treatments. Though they’re not as effective as EPA-regulated chemical pesticides, two compounds do work to suppress fire ant colonies: d-limonene (citrus oil extract) and spinosad (a microbial byproduct). Follow package instructions carefully. 4. Encouraging Predation Insect-loving predators are the ultimate backyard pest control solution. Bats are voracious consumers of mosquitoes and other biting flies. They’re polite enough to do their work at night too. To encourage them to frequent your yard, Good Housekeeping recommends doing the following: Plant Night-Blooming Flowers. A night-blooming garden should draw night-feeding insects, which in turn will encourage bats to hang out. Popular options include primrose, honeysuckle, dahlia, and raspberry. Put Up a Bat House. Place a bat house (whether purchased pre- or partially assembled or built from scratch) on a south-facing second-story wall or exposed pole near your yard’s edge. The optimal height is 15 to 20 feet above the ground. Final Thoughts Your backyard is yours to enjoy. You shouldn’t have to live in fear of it. Nor should you feel compelled to invest in drastic pest control solutions that could put your children and pets at risk. Thankfully, these kid-friendly pest mitigation solutions really do work. Get started today, and look forward to making your backyard yours once more. Jeremy Kallen is a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast who uses a number of strategies to watch out for ticks and pests.