Published Sunday, May 31, 2026. This week at Lotz Outdoors we added five new brands to the catalog between May 24 and May 30: Kokopelli, Vargo, CHUCKIT!, Grand Trunk, and Kammok. Together they bring 60 new products into the store, covering packrafts, ultralight titanium cookware, premium fetch toys, and the two leading camping hammock systems in the United States.
Kokopelli expands our paddle sports lineup with self-bailing inflatable packrafts that fit in a backpack. Vargo brings American-designed titanium cookware and stoves for thru-hikers counting every gram. CHUCKIT! anchors a real outdoor pet section with the original patented ball launcher. Grand Trunk and Kammok arrive together to give us full coverage of the hammock category from value-tier travel hammocks to premium B Corp climbing-grade systems. Read on for the full brand profiles, our staff picks, and how each new brand connects to the gear we already carry.
This Week's New Brands at a Glance
| Brand | HQ | Founded | Primary Category | Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kokopelli | Longmont, Colorado | 2012 | Packrafts | Read |
| Vargo | Lewisburg, Pennsylvania | 2002 | Titanium cookware | Read |
| CHUCKIT! | Arlington, Texas (Petmate) | 1998 | Ball launchers | Read |
| Grand Trunk | Salt Lake City, Utah | 2001 | Travel and camping hammocks | Read |
| Kammok | Austin, Texas | 2011 | Camping hammocks | Read |
Kokopelli
Colorado-designed inflatable packrafts that pack to the size of a paper-towel roll yet handle Class I to IV+ whitewater.
Brand Overview
Founded: 2012 · HQ: Longmont, Colorado · Founders: Kelley Smith and two childhood friends, out of a Denver garage
Kokopelli launched in 2012 when Kelley Smith and two childhood friends started sewing their first packraft prototypes out of a garage in Denver, Colorado. The company now operates from Longmont, with designs developed in-house and built at partner factories in China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Kokopelli is credited by packrafting historians with popularizing the self-bailing floor and standardizing the TiZip waterproof internal storage zipper across a mainstream product line, bringing features previously reserved for custom builds to accessible price points. The brand won a Colorado Companies to Watch award in 2022 after reporting 50 percent year-over-year growth, and was the first packraft brand to reach REI shelves in 2017. (Sources: Kokopelli Our Story Winterbear packrafting history US Manufacturing Report)
Categories & Collections
Primary categories: Packrafts, paddle sports, paddles, dry bags
Shop on Lotz Outdoors: Paddle Boards, Boating, Fishing
Featured Products
Why We Added This Brand
Packrafts sit at the intersection of hiking, paddling, fishing, and bikerafting, a true crossover that neither our paddle-only nor camping-only brands address. Adding Kokopelli captures customers planning multi-sport backcountry trips and gives us a price ladder from the $749 XPD up to the $1,999 Rodeo, three very different customer conversations under one brand.
What Stood Out To Us
The Kevlar X-Series construction combines a 210D DuPont Kevlar Aramid-Nylon sidewall with an 840D Kevlar-TPU floor, stronger than standard TPU and lighter than PVC, producing Class I to IV performance in a sub-6 lb package. GearJunkie named the XPD the Best Budget Packraft of 2026 at under $800, while the Rodeo earned attention as the most advanced whitewater packraft on the market. That kind of range, from entry value pick to enthusiast flagship, is rare inside a single brand. (Sources: Paddling Life Rogue Lite X review GearJunkie Best Packrafts 2026)
Best For
- Weekend multi-sport adventurers who combine hiking or biking with river crossings and want a sub-6 lb packraft (Rogue Lite X or Hornet Lite) that fits inside a standard backpacking pack.
- Whitewater paddlers stepping up from recreational kayaks who want a Class III to IV+ boat they can carry to put-ins no shuttle can reach (the Rodeo).
- Fly-fishing anglers and lake explorers on a budget who need a stable, packable platform like the XPD that fits in a truck bed or float plane.
How It Fits Our Catalog
Kokopelli connects directly to our existing paddle sports, fishing, and camping inventory. A Recon or Nirvana pairs naturally with our paddles, PFDs, dry bags, and fishing tackle, while the Alpine Lake collapsible paddle rounds out a complete kit for any customer already shopping our paddle boards or kayaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Kokopelli packraft weigh and what does it pack down to?
Entry models like the Rogue Lite X start at around 5.5 lbs and pack to roughly the size of a paper-towel roll. The XPD weighs 13 lbs with a 24 by 10 inch pack size, and the Rodeo comes in at about 12.6 lbs at 25 by 8 inches.
What water conditions can each model handle?
The XPD and Rogue Lite are rated for flat water and Class I to II. The Nirvana Self-Bailing handles Class I to IV. The Rodeo is rated for Class I to IV+. All boats carry a 300 lb capacity rating.
Where are Kokopelli packrafts manufactured?
Designs are created in Longmont, Colorado, then built at partner factories in China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Each boat is pressure-tested before shipping.
Vargo
Pennsylvania-based titanium ultralight cookware and stoves designed for thru-hikers who count every gram.
Brand Overview
Founded: 2002 · HQ: Lewisburg, Pennsylvania · Founders: Brian Vargo, after thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 1995
Vargo Outdoors was founded in 2002 in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, by Brian Vargo, a 1995 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker who saw firsthand the need for lighter gear. The company remains founder-owned and designs every product around a single material philosophy: grade-5 titanium paired with the simplest functional shape possible. Manufacturing happens at partner facilities in China, but design, testing, and customer service stay in Lewisburg. Vargo achieved full Climate Neutral Certification in August 2023, one of the few small-batch ultralight gear makers to reach third-party carbon-neutral status. (Sources: Vargo Our Story Garage Grown Gear brand bio Vargo Climate Neutral certification)
Categories & Collections
Primary categories: Titanium cookware, alcohol and wood stoves, sporks, tent stakes, ultralight backpacks
Shop on Lotz Outdoors: Camping, Backpacking, Cookware
Featured Products
Why We Added This Brand
Most outdoor retailers stock aluminum MSR or GSI products. Vargo provides a distinct premium tier for gram-counting thru-hikers and weight-obsessed ultralight customers who specifically seek titanium. Their broad catalog (titanium tent stakes at a few dollars each through cook systems in the $40 to $100 range) also makes Vargo a natural add-on alongside our existing shelter and sleep systems.
What Stood Out To Us
Vargo is credited as the first American company to make a titanium alcohol stove (the Triad, 2003), the first titanium wood stove (the Hexagon), and the first genuine water-bottle-and-cooking-pot hybrid (the BOT). Outside Magazine called the BOT the only cookware you will ever need for a backpacking trip of any length. The brand also pioneered the integrated-strainer pot lid that has since been copied across the industry. (Sources: Outside Online BOT feature Trailspace brand history)
Best For
- Appalachian Trail and PCT thru-hikers counting every ounce who want one vessel that serves as both cookpot and water bottle (the BOT).
- Ultralight weekend backpackers building a sub-200-gram cook kit with a single titanium pot, spork, and canister stove.
- Minimalist bikepackers using the BOT as a multipurpose hydration and cooking vessel on long-distance rides.
How It Fits Our Catalog
Vargo plugs straight into our camping and backpacking inventory. A BOT or Ti-Boiler pairs with our existing fuel canisters, ultralight tents, and sleep systems, while the Titanium Eagle Spork is a perfect impulse-add at the checkout for any customer building out a backcountry kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vargo titanium cookware safe to cook in?
Yes. All Vargo hard goods are Grade 1 or aerospace-grade titanium. Titanium is BPA-free with no volatile organic compounds or phthalates, meeting both European and American food-contact regulatory standards.
How does the Vargo BOT actually work?
The BOT is a 1-liter titanium pot that doubles as a sealed water bottle. A silicone ring and screw-top lid let you carry water in it, then cook in the same vessel at camp. Outside Online describes it as suitable as a solo cook kit for any trip length.
Does Vargo offer a warranty?
Vargo promotes titanium as lifetime-durable and stands behind its products with a manufacturer's warranty. Titanium itself is highly corrosion-resistant and biocompatible, so it tends to outlast multiple generations of aluminum cookware.
CHUCKIT!
Inventor of the modern ball launcher and the proprietary Ultra Ball, with a fetch-focused lineup that spans land, water, and air.
Brand Overview
Founded: 1998 · HQ: Arlington, Texas (Petmate) · Founders: Mark Oblack, who patented the original ball launcher
CHUCKIT! grew out of a 1997 prototype built by Mark Oblack in Seattle, who wanted a way to throw a ball farther for his own dog without bending down to pick it up wet. The product launched commercially in 1998 under the name Canine Hardware. Petmate acquired the brand in December 2012, and Petmate itself was acquired by Platinum Equity in September 2021. Today CHUCKIT! operates out of Petmate's Arlington, Texas headquarters and ships globally. (Sources: Petmate Platinum Equity announcement Wind Point Partners acquisition release Pet Age evolution article)
Categories & Collections
Primary categories: Ball launchers, fetch balls, water-retrieval toys, frisbees and discs, indoor and outdoor dog toys
Shop on Lotz Outdoors: Pet Gear, Dog Toys, Camping
Featured Products
Why We Added This Brand
Most outdoor specialty retailers stock gear for humans and overlook dog owners completely. CHUCKIT! directly addresses the large segment of hikers, campers, and trail runners who bring their dogs and need fetch toys rated for outdoor terrain. The brand has over 25 years of continuous retail presence, and the Ultra Ball is a true replenishment SKU that drives return visits.
What Stood Out To Us
Mark Oblack's 1998 Classic Ball Launcher was the first patented device that let owners throw balls up to three times farther without touching the slobbery ball, a concept that defined interactive fetch toy design for two decades. The Ultra Ball uses a high-bounce, puncture-resistant natural rubber core with a textured shell that fits CHUCKIT! launcher cups exactly, creating a closed ecosystem that drives accessory and replacement-ball purchases. (Sources: Pet Age)
Best For
- Hiking and trail-running dog owners with high-energy breeds (Labs, Shepherds, Vizslas) who want to throw 100+ feet without bending down for a wet ball.
- Campers and outdoor families who need structured dog activity at the campsite, including water-retrieval toys for lakes and rivers.
- Dog owners with limited mobility who need mechanical assist to provide adequate exercise for athletic breeds.
How It Fits Our Catalog
CHUCKIT! anchors a real outdoor pet section inside our store, alongside leashes, dog packs, and outdoor feeding gear. It also gives us a stocking-stuffer-friendly price tier ($12 to $25 launchers, $5 ball replacements) that complements higher-ticket camping and paddle sports purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which balls work with which CHUCKIT! launcher?
Ultra Balls and standard tennis balls fit the Classic Launcher. The Pro Launcher accepts both, and sport-specific balls (glow, water, etc.) fit specific launcher models. All launchers come in Small, Medium, Large, and XL to match ball and dog size.
How far does the Pro Launcher actually throw?
The Classic Launcher throws roughly three times farther than an average human arm throw. The Pro Launcher with its 18 to 26 inch arm extends that range further. Exact distances vary by user arm strength and ball wetness.
Are CHUCKIT! Ultra Balls safe for aggressive chewers?
The Ultra Ball uses high-density natural rubber rated for aggressive chewers, with a textured shell that improves grip. As with any toy, supervise play and replace the ball if you see significant wear.
Grand Trunk
Salt Lake City hammock pioneer with TrunkTech ripstop nylon and a full ecosystem of straps, tarps, and stands.
Brand Overview
Founded: 2001 · HQ: Salt Lake City, Utah · Founders: Kevin Kaiser and Jon Neff, after meeting while backpacking in Thailand
Grand Trunk launched in 2001 as The Travel Hammock, founded by Kevin Kaiser and Jon Neff after the two met backpacking in Thailand. The brand rebranded to Grand Trunk in 2010, named after one of Asia's oldest trade roads. In 2020, Utah entrepreneurs Andy Stroman (CampSaver founder) and Bruce and Dale Majors acquired the company and moved headquarters from Skokie, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah. Co-founder Kaiser stayed on through the transition. Most product is manufactured in China and Vietnam, with the premium ONEMADE line assembled in the United States. (Sources: Inside Outdoor Magazine ownership change Best Camping Hammock Gear brand guide)
Categories & Collections
Primary categories: Travel and camping hammocks, suspension straps, rain tarps, bug nets, camp chairs and blankets
Shop on Lotz Outdoors: Hammocks, Camping, Backpacking
Featured Products
Why We Added This Brand
Grand Trunk bridges the travel hammock and camping hammock gap better than any single brand on the market. Their roots in Southeast Asia backpacking gear meet a now-technical camping lineup, so a single hammock works equally well at a campsite, on a beach, or in a hotel garden. Entry doubles around $65, the TrunkTech single at $60, and the ONEMADE premium line at $119 give us a clean ladder from gift price points up to serious camper budgets, all with a full lifetime warranty on flagship products.
What Stood Out To Us
Current co-owners describe Grand Trunk as the pioneers of the parachute nylon hammock, introducing the lightweight packable hammock category to the broader outdoor market more than two decades ago. The proprietary TrunkTech 40D Diamond Ripstop Nylon is tested to hold 40 lbs of static weight per square inch, and Popular Mechanics described it as ultralight and silky soft compared to standard 70D parachute nylon. The brand also offers a USA-built ONEMADE line, a rare option in a category dominated by overseas production. (Sources: Popular Mechanics TrunkTech review GearJunkie TrunkTech review TreelineBackpacker ONEMADE review)
Best For
- Weekend car campers and festival-goers who want a sub-$70 double hammock that two friends can share, packs to fist-size, and handles 400 lbs.
- Ultralight backpackers who want a single hammock under 12 oz using TrunkTech Diamond Ripstop.
- Hammock campers wanting a complete outfitter setup from one brand, including tree straps, bug net, rain fly, and a tree-free stand.
How It Fits Our Catalog
Grand Trunk pairs naturally with our existing camping, backpacking, and sleep system inventory. A double hammock plus tree straps becomes a complete camp upgrade alongside our tents and sleeping pads, while the Evolution Down sleeping bag hammock extends our cold-weather sleep options into a year-round hammock setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight can a Grand Trunk hammock hold?
The classic double parachute nylon supports 400 lbs, the TrunkTech single is rated for similar loads, and the ONEMADE Double is also 400 lbs at 15.7 oz packed weight. Always confirm rating against your suspension system.
How far apart should the trees be?
Trees should typically be 12 or more feet apart depending on hammock length and your suspension system. Use the included straps and adjust ride height by moving carabiner clip positions on the daisy chain.
Where are Grand Trunk hammocks made?
Most products are manufactured in China and Vietnam, designed in Salt Lake City. The premium ONEMADE line is assembled in the United States using their proprietary TrunkTech ripstop nylon.
Kammok
Austin-based B Corp making climbing-grade camping hammocks from patented GravitasX recycled nylon.
Brand Overview
Founded: 2011 · HQ: Austin, Texas · Founders: Greg McEvilly, after falling out of a low-quality hammock on a camping trip
Kammok was founded in 2011 in Austin, Texas, by Greg McEvilly, who fell out of a low-quality hammock on a camping trip and saw both a product gap and a humanitarian application for better hammock design. The brand remains independent, runs a flagship store at 1401 East 7th Street in Austin, and is both a certified B Corporation and Climate Neutral certified. Every Kammok purchase funds UBUNTU Life in Kenya, and the brand is a 1% For The Planet member. (Sources: Kammok About page EASTside Magazine profile Fox Business founder profile)
Categories & Collections
Primary categories: Camping hammocks, hammock tents, rain tarps, suspension straps, sleeping quilts and blankets
Shop on Lotz Outdoors: Hammocks, Camping, Backpacking
Featured Products
Why We Added This Brand
Kammok fills the premium camping hammock slot ($79 to $129) with patented fabric, climbing-grade hardware, and a triple-bottom-line story (B Corp, Climate Neutral, 1% For The Planet) that justifies the price premium over ENO DoubleNest or Grand Trunk basics. Strong independent review presence and existing REI distribution mean the brand sells itself once a customer holds the fabric.
What Stood Out To Us
CNN Underscored named the Roo Double the Best Camping Hammock, citing the patented GravitasX 40D diamond ripstop nylon as surprisingly soft, cool to the touch, and breathable, made from 100 percent pre-consumer recycled nylon and Bluesign-approved. The hammock system carries a 500 lb capacity using Dyneema cord end connections and Kanga Claw carabiners rated to 4,720 lbs of force, the highest-rated attachment hardware in production camping hammocks. (Sources: CNN Underscored best hammocks Outdoor Gear Lab Roo Double review Field Mag recycled Roo feature)
Best For
- Comfort-focused hammock campers who prioritize a soft, breathable sleeping experience and want the most comfortable two-person hammock available.
- Sustainability-minded outdoor customers who seek Bluesign-approved, Climate Neutral, B Corp certified gear.
- Backpackers and backcountry campers building a complete ultralight hammock sleep system (Roo Double plus Python Straps weighs just 26.2 oz total).
How It Fits Our Catalog
Kammok rounds out the top of our hammock category, complementing Grand Trunk's value lineup with a premium tier. The Mountain Blanket and Joey Gear Sling also expand our camp comfort and cold-weather inventory, while the Sunda 2.0 hammock tent appeals to customers crossing over from traditional tent camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kammok's GravitasX fabric compare to standard parachute nylon?
GravitasX is a 40D diamond ripstop nylon made from pre-consumer recycled nylon waste, ground into chips, melted, respun, and dyed without harmful chemistry (Bluesign-approved). Reviewers consistently describe it as softer and cooler to the touch than 70D parachute nylon.
What is the weight capacity of the Roo Double?
The Roo Double is rated to 500 lbs. The hammock weighs 17 oz on its own and 26.2 oz with the Python 10 Straps. Carabiners are rated to 4,720 lbs of force, well above the working load limit.
Does Kammok offer a warranty?
Yes. Kammok backs the Roo Double hammock with a lifetime manufacturer's warranty. Python Straps and other accessories carry brand warranties as listed on each product page.
Staff Picks This Week
Five products our buying team is personally excited about, one from each new brand.
- Nirvana Self Bailing Blue by Kokopelli, $1,299.00
- Titanium Ti-Boiler by Vargo, $69.95
- Chuckit! Breathe Right Ball Medium for Dogs - Durable Fetch Toy by CHUCKIT!, $11.99
- Trunk Straps - Hammock Suspension Straps by Grand Trunk, $29.99
- Mountain Blanket by Kammok, $149.95
Why These Five Brands Matter Together
This week's additions are not random. Each brand fills a specific catalog gap and connects directly to gear we already carry. Kokopelli packrafts extend our paddle sports collection into a backcountry crossover category that no kayak or stand-up paddle board can replace, perfect for customers already shopping our fishing gear for remote alpine lakes. Vargo titanium cookware drops into our camping inventory as the premium ultralight tier alongside MSR and Jetboil, giving thru-hikers a single-material American-designed alternative.
CHUCKIT! opens a meaningful outdoor pet section, a category most outdoor specialty retailers ignore even though a significant share of campers and hikers travel with dogs. Grand Trunk and Kammok arrive as a paired hammock strategy: Grand Trunk anchors the value and lifestyle end of our hammock collection with 20+ years of parachute nylon expertise, while Kammok delivers the premium B Corp tier with climbing-grade hardware and recycled GravitasX fabric. Together they cover every price point and use case in modern hammock camping.
If you want a deeper look at the brands we added in earlier weeks, you can browse our full New Brands blog series. Every Sunday we publish a roundup of the previous week's additions.
Start Shopping the New Arrivals
About Lotz Outdoors
Lotz Outdoors is a full-service outdoor gear retailer specializing in paddle sports, camping, fishing, hunting, archery, and pet gear. We add new brands every week and publish this roundup every Sunday so customers can see what's new in the catalog at a glance. Have a brand you want us to carry? Reach out through our contact page.
