Bear Relaxing in Hammock

Brian Wilson · Appalachian State
I'm definitely glad to see more competition in the light hammock market, but I fail to see how this is a "revolutionary" idea. The video on the Kickstarter page touts this as being an original and "Revolutionary" design, but Eno and Trek Light have been making hammocks identical to this for years. The Kammock promo literature and video even sounds strikingly similar to the Eno marketing literature (highlighting the exact same features). What's more, Kickstarter's own guidelines read that "Kickstarter is not a place for soliciting donations to causes, charity projects, or general business expenses" and while this project is not a direct solicitation for donations to a cause, the fact that they are going to take part of their proceeds and donate them to a cause is a major selling point for the project. Kickstarter is supposed to be for creative projects- somewhat original ideas. It just seems to me that they are making up for the lack of original idea by trying to sell their product by promising charity donations.
Reply · 5 · · August 26 at 1:54pm

Alex J Cameron-Sinclair
That's the problem with For-profit charities endeavors. They don't ask to donate but they do make a good case to support them by buying their products. It's like Tom's Shoes yea they are like any canvas based shoe company but instead of being completely centrally profit minded they try to make a better world with the notion that the more you support them the more you can help other.

I'll take a compromised price/originality or look any day of the week if it means the actions I take are for the betterment of the rest of people on this planet.
Reply · · August 26 at 6:10pm

Brian Wilson · Appalachian State
Well, if you want to help by donating to charity...you could just donate to charity. My point was that they are being deceitful by pitching this as an original product that isn't original. That devalues the overall mission of Kickstarter.
Reply · 1 · · August 26 at 6:46pm

Brian Wilson · Appalachian State
And FYI, buying from TrekLight means you are donating trees to areas in need because of deforestation. But I don't buy products because I want to donate to charity. That type of consumer driven philanthropy just seems like a half-hearted, disingenuous attempt to make oneself feel good. If I want to actually help "the betterment of the rest of [the] people on this planet," I help by donating my time or donating money directly to reputable charities.
Reply · 1 · · August 26 at 7:03pm
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Ty Clark · Artiste at SAMO4PREZ Artist
Loke it! Kammok on TechCrunch! ohhhhh yeah!
Reply · 2 · · August 26 at 11:37am

Nolan Pittman · Nashville, Tennessee
I got the same product (I mean, basically the same), with built in straps and toggles for hanging from Byers of Maine for like $40 on Amazon. This was like 2 years ago. The hammock market has been robust among backpackers for probably over a decade.
Reply · 1 · · September 14 at 7:24am

Nolan Pittman · Nashville, Tennessee
So, in other words, I 2nd what Brian said below
Reply · · September 14 at 7:24am

J Grant Hickman · Belton, Texas
Blown away by the love from TechCrunch and the Mobsters through Kickstarter!
Reply · 1 · · August 26 at 1:46pm

Joey Kraft · Coffee Roaster at What's the Buzz Coffee Co.
How did y'all get an article from TechCrunch?
Reply · · August 26 at 2:18pm

J Grant Hickman · Belton, Texas
The Kammok Mob is amazing and made it happen
Reply · · August 29 at 6:01pm

Ty Clark · Artiste at SAMO4PREZ Artist
The Kickstarter campaign has been ridiculous http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/26/kickstarter-kammok-a-hammock-for-outdoorsmen-and-city-folk-alike/.
Reply · · August 26 at 11:42am

Greg McEvilly · Texas Tech
Wow... Thanks Tech Crunch for a great article! Thanks to our Kammok Mobsters for helping us spread the word!
Reply · · August 26 at 1:32pm

Laura Haar Malone · Dallas, Texas
Such a great product! I can't wait to have one! I'll hang it in my backyard, replace my couch, hang it in place of my office chair and probably have my neighbors do it too.
Reply · · August 26 at 1:50pm

Josh Singleton · Farmer at Spring Fed Farms
oh really? :)
Reply · · August 26 at 2:10pm

Young Chung · Aurora, Colorado
$85 isn't a bad deal for a light hammock AND straps set. Diamond ripstop fabric is nice, I have a light rain jacket made with the stuff and it's durable.
Reply · · August 26 at 5:04pm

Joel Malone · UT Dallas
Thanks for the post Tech Crunch!

As mentioned, you can find more information on KickStarter.com or go to Kammok.com.
Reply · · August 26 at 1:21pm

Joel Malone · UT Dallas
You can also find Kammok on Facebook! Like us there to stay updated on future products and developments.
Reply · · August 26 at 1:24pm

Jeffrey Lynn Johnston
Awesome TechCrunch feature on an awesome company! GOOO KAMMOK! =)
Reply · · August 26 at 11:40am

Matt Levy
this is a cool product and the people are good...
Reply · · August 27 at 11:29am

Trek Light Gear
Congrats to the Kammok team for introducing so many new people to the world of lightweight hammocks. But don't forget, Trek Light Gear has been making our portable, lightweight hammock for 8+ years (the similarities in Kammok's design may surprise you) and you can purchase it immediately at a lower price point along with a number of great accessories. As a thanks to TechCrunch for spreading the hammock love, we'll even give you 15% off right now with the code TECHCRUNCH. And if you're thinking "Yeah, but I want to buy a hammock from a company that donates its proceeds to charity" - our Buy A Hammock, Plant A Tree program means that every single hammock sold will plant trees in areas around the world that desperately need reforestation!

We truly salute Kammok for its pre-release successes and we're flattered by their matching design (and color choice!) but be sure to check out the tried and tested Trek Light Hammock - featured everywhere from the NY Times to Penthouse! :)

www.TrekLightGear.com
Reply · · August 26 at 12:46pm

Jeffrey Lynn Johnston
Ew.

What a bullshit "congratulation." I prefer to do my business with a company that doesn't try to poach its fledgling competition's positive press.

Spam is spam, Trek Light. I hope your passive-aggressive "marketing" scheme bites you in the ass.
Reply · 2 · · August 26 at 1:12pm

Seth Haber · Boulder, Colorado
Sorry you feel that way Jeffrey - there's honestly nothing malicious about our attempt to educate people. Anyone who knows me or the Trek Light Gear brand knows that I've always respected and supported every single competitor in the lightweight hammock world, the goal has always been to get the word out to as many people as possible about the benefits of spending time in and traveling with a hammock.

But truthfully we've had an incredible influx of phone calls and emails from confused people who have seen the Kickstarter campaign or the press Kammok has received and they're shocked to find out that it's not as 'new' as they thought. We've even had a number of people from the 'Kammok Mob' call in to accuse us of copying the Kammok design and trying to profit off of it. There's no hard feelings on our end, it's simply a case ...See More
Reply · 4 · · August 26 at 2:21pm

Alex J Cameron-Sinclair
If you had a problem it why not just sue instead of publicly being passive aggressive about it?

And I don't remember any news article about Trek creating a marketing campaign that benefits clean water for developing nations. The wonder of the product and its success in Kick-starter was their connection with Miir and that for the price of $85 you got a Hammock, a limited ed. stainless steel water bottle, and the support of a great cause.

Sure make a case that we should all buy from you for a cheaper product while taking money way from children. Its a hammock, grow up you have a bigger business then them.
Reply · 1 · · August 26 at 2:45pm
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hermanbrandy26633923 (signed in using Yahoo)
I cant believe this! me and my sister just got two i-pads for $ 42. 77 each and a $ 50 amazon card for $ 9. the stores want to keep this a secret and they don't tell you. Go here C o ol C e n t. c o m.
Reply · · August 29 at 6:34am