The hammock has always been a symbol of leisure, relaxation and easy living. The exact origin of National Hammock Day is unknown, but it is known that Hammock day is not a day for work. Hammocks were originally developed by native inhabitants of Central and South America for sleeping. The first hammocks were woven out of bark from a “hamack” tree, hence the name. Later this material was replaced by many different fibers that were more abundant.

Hammock’s are used all over the world and for many purposes. Not only can you use a hammock as a great afternoon lounge spot, but many people use hammocks as their everyday bed. In fact, hammock’s are proven to help people fall asleep faster, as well as improving sleep quality. The gentle rocking motion of a hammock encourages a deeper state of sleep than sleeping on a stationary bed. Now, who wouldn’t be interested in that? As if that wasn’t enough, here is a list of six benefits of sleeping in a hammock:

1. Faster Sleep
2. Zero-Pressure Points
3. Deeper Sleep
4. No More Bed Making
5. Hammocks Are Good for Your Health
6. Comfort
7. If you think about it, hammocks have a smaller eco footprint in comparison to a tent or another form of camping shelter. Less fabric and materials go in to making a hammock than most other shelters or sleeping systems out there. Not to mention if you sleep in a hammock, off the ground, you are saving the vegetation below, as well as protecting yourself from the elements, bugs and wildlife.

So when July 22nd rolls around this year, and every year, take a few minutes to sit back and unwind on a hammock. Let the benefits and relaxation take over your busy mind and just simply “hang out.”

Happy National Hammock Day!

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Calling all Grand Trunk fans! Our favorite holiday, National Hammock Day is quickly approaching and what better way to celebrate than a photo contest filled with $3000 worth of prizes!

How can you win? Upload a photo of your Grand Trunk gear and get your friends to vote. The 31 photos with the most votes will win! Don’t have Grand Trunk gear? Show us a picture of where you would travel with your gear if you had some!

How do you enter? There are three different ways you can enter to win the contest:

1. Facebook Tab

2. Use the hashtag #GrandTrunkNHD and tweet us a picture @grandtrunkgoods.

3. Use the hashtag #GrandTrunkNHD and tag us on Instagram @grandtrunkgoods.

 What are the prizes?

Winners will be announced on July 20th… Just in time to celebrate National Hammock Day!

Grab your camera, your favorite gear and get ready to win!

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The Beach Bum Dad

If your dad loves the sun and sand, he’s going to need some sun protection. While sunblock is a great idea, it is less than impressive as a gift. Grand Trunk’s Parasheet is a great gift to give to your dad. Unlike the usual beach towel, the Parasheet allows you to fill the corner pockets with rocks or sand so that it doesn’t fly away. 

The Chill Dad

After  a long day of work, most dads just want to relax. The Grand Trunk Double Hammock is a durable and comfortable way for your dad to relax outdoors. Our hammocks are high strength and come with nautical strength carabiners.

The Outdoorsy Dad

Props to this special kind of dad! He’s the one that taught us how to pitch our first tent and build a fire. We recommend the Uinta Quick-Set 4 Man Tent for your outdoorsy father. This tent is a total game-changer. This tent’s easy set-up will ensure that your father spends less time figuring out his tent and more time having a beer around the campfire.

The Travelling Dad

For the dad always jetting off on vacations or business trips, the gift of comfort is the most valuable. The Grand Trunk Hooded Travel Pillow serves a lot of comfort as well as convenience. Whether its a plane, train, or automobile, your dad can get some shut eye in peace thanks to the memory foam lining and fleece shell on the Hooded Travel Pillow.

There are many kinds of fathers out there – but none as special as your own. Find him something he’ll genuinely enjoy this year! We hope you find the perfect gift for your dad – no matter what he’s into.

Happy Father’s Day from Grand Trunk!

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Here are five survival tips tips to guide you through your next hostel experience!

1. The safety of you and your belongings should always be a priority. Most hostels provide lockers. You may even be able to rent a lock for them. Just in case, always bring a lock of your own! Once your belongings are secure, be sure to look out for yourself. Remember not to leave any cash or credit cards laying around. Keep all of your important documents and electronics secure and stowed in travel pouches for easy organization.

2. Bring a towel. Towels are not always provided at hostels. Always come equipped with Grand Trunk’s Pack Towel. It’s made of soft microfiber fabric that leaves you dry, and has a button closure so you can wear it around your chest or waist without fear that it will fall down in front of those really hot German backpackers.

3. If things seem grim…brush your teeth with bottled water. If you suspect that the water quality is dismal, use bottled water to brush your teeth. Ingesting unclean water can result in e. coli, parasites, cholera, dysentery, among other things. Always be wise about your health. Look up water conditions at your destination before travelling.

4. If the water quality is fine in your hostel, it is wise to invest in a water bottle. Most hostels have water and other beverages for sale, but if you are not able to part with the money – a sturdy Stainless Steel Water Bottle will save you cash. Buying a reusable water bottle is one of the smartest investments you can make when you travel. It is an eco-friendly and useful way to stay hydrated when you are roaming around the city and wilderness alike.

5. Hostels often require you to bring your own bedding. Or, trust us, you want to bring your own even if they do provide it. The Bamboo Sleep Sack is lightweight and won’t take up much room in your luggage, and it will be a clean and comfortable solution for your bunk.

We hope these tips helped you! Good luck on your next adventure!

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Check out all the great photos we received in April!

Winning Photo!

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Whatever the case, being spontaneous does not mean that you have to be unprepared. And for that, we’ve gathered our top five camping essentials.

1. When you get a group of guys together to set up tents at your campgrounds, there’s always a competition. Who has the coolest tent? Who can set it up faster? Rest assured that you’ll win the race with the spacious Uinta Quick-Set 4 Man Tent.

2. In an effort to stay green, no camping trip is complete without reusable cookware. We suggest the Zebra Stainless Steel Tiffin Box food carriers and the Multi-Purpose Spoon to decrease your carbon footprint.

3. Weight can be a limiting factor for many journeys. Packing an ultra-light Collapsible Camp Stool can take pounds off of your load.

4. Nights in the great outdoors can get cold. For that, there’s the Bamboo Blend Travel Blanket. It’s so soft and warm and – oh! – there’s a foot warmer pocket!

5. When your weather conditions are nice enough, the Parachute Nylon Double Hammock is a fun alternative to sleeping in a tent.

Free spirits, rejoice! This list is all you need to be ready at a moment’s notice for any camping adventure that awaits! See you on the other side, friends!

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Check out all the great photos we received in March!

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We all know that airports and planes can be cold! UsedYorkCity.com enjoys the added level of warmth that the Hooded Blackout Pillow provides: “An added bonus is the micro-fleece hoodie that comes along with it.  If you’re anything like me, airplanes leave you shivering in your seat, so any added layer of warmth is greatly appreciated.”

In addition to comfort and warmth, another prized feature of the Grand Trunk Hooded Blackout Pillow would be the privacy that the built-in hood provides. How many times have you wanted to just block out the rest of a plane, train or bus? Trailsnet.com says that the Grand Trunk Hooded Blackout Pillow, “gives you your own little personal private space so you can rest peacefully without distracting lights and sound to keep you awake.”

Packing light? Trailsnet.com deems the Grand Trunk Hooded Blackout Pillow as a “traveler’s best friend.” Also, UsedYorkCity.com implores travelers to “invest in your comfort and sanity,” by getting yourself a Grand Trunk Hooded Blackout Pillow. You never know when you may need a moment alone before you arrive at your destination!

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