Our Story

REDEFINING RELAXATION SINCE 1999

The year was 1999. The Pinholster brothers set off in a rickety van full of hammocks, ready to revolutionize the world of hammocking. They set up shop at music festivals and various community gatherings, first in their home state of Florida, then traveling throughout the southeastern United States – the van serving as a storefront by day and sleeping quarters by night. Somewhere along the way, a hammock counter-culture was introduced: taking it wherever your adventures lead you.

As avid travelers themselves, the founders of Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) based the first product line around the ideal hammock for their lifestyle: easy to pack and adventure-ready. Over time, ENO took something great – hammocks – and made them even better by designing and patenting the very first knotless hammock straps, making it easier than ever to relax in a hammock.

Over the past 25 years, ENO has transformed from a small operation selling hammocks out of a ramshackle minivan at community gatherings and festivals to the global brand you know today with a talented team of 16 and a bustling headquarters nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.

Our product line has grown from hammocks to include hammock accessories like bug nets, insulation and rain tarps, ultralight camping gear, hammock-inspired camp chairs, outdoor blankets, and even ways to hammock at home with hammock stands and hanging kits for indoors or outside.

Throughout our journey, ENO has played a pivotal role in shaping the outdoor industry. We've challenged the status quo of outdoor recreation by creating a hammock counter-culture,  redefined outdoor comfort, and inspired countless adventurers to explore from backyard to backcountry and everywhere in between. Our hammocks have become synonymous with relaxation, and our brand with inspiration and adventure.

ENO is an outdoor company comprised of outdoor enthusiasts – in other words, we love spending time in nature and we know our fellow ENO Nation members do, too. That’s why we feel it’s important to help protect and preserve our favorite wild places. We are always looking for different ways to serve and support the outdoor community, both locally and globally. From our start-to-finish sustainability practices to our nonprofit partnerships, we don’t just talk the talk – we walk the walk. We also aim to give the members of ENO Nation the freedom to relax wherever they choose. You want to get out there, explore, connect and relax – and we want to help you get there, from backyard to backcountry and everywhere in between.

We are passionate about people, the planet, and creating a future where everyone can enjoy their time outside. Through our partnerships, we’ve committed to promoting Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion in the outdoors, protecting and preserving our environment and public lands, and serving and supporting our communities through outdoor education and experiences.

Since 2018, we have partnered with Trees for the Future (TREES). For each hammock sold, a portion of proceeds is donated to our partner Trees for the Future in support of their mission to train farmers in agroforestry and sustainable land use - so that they can grow vibrant regional economies, thriving food systems, and a healthier planet. Since our partnership began in 2018, ENO has funded over 3,308,514 trees, restoring over 700 acres of land, lifting over 5,500 people from poverty and hunger, and capturing over 119,635 metric tons of CO2 over a 20 year period. 

As a member of 1% for the Planet, we give 1% of our sales each year to support an array of environmental causes. Every purchase supports high-impact environmental nonprofits that help our planet thrive.

We’ve also created special edition Giving Back Hammock Collection For each hammock sold, a portion of the proceeds is donated to the respective partner. Our partners have included: the National Parks Foundation, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Leave No Trace, Outdoor Afro, Brave Trails, and Roots Studio with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the Gond Community of India.

In support of our larger Outdoor Industry, we have partnered with the Outdoor Industry Association, Conservation Alliance, and Outdoor Business Alliance of WNC.

At ENO, we understand that every choice we make impacts the people we love, places we recreate, and products we make. Our goal is to make your choice easy with responsibly-made gear you can count on.

It all starts with our products – more specifically, the materials we use. We source high quality, responsibly-made materials (including post-consumer recycled content and bluesign®* approved fabrics) to make sure that our products are sustainable and long-lasting.

As a bluesign® System Partner we are focused on reducing their impact on people and the environment. We are required to set measurable and actionable goals leading to a reduction in impact on people and the planet. We also routinely test our gear with an accredited third-party lab so that we can stay on top on priority chemicals of concern, as established by the outdoor industry.

When designing new products, we repurpose materials whenever possible (check out our Packable Tote), our products are designed to minimize waste, to be able to be repaired or even recycled. These programs make sure that you can enjoy your ENO products for years to come while also helping to divert used gear from landfills.

We voluntarily abide by an internationally accepted Vendor Code of Conduct that promotes a fair, safe, respectful, and non-discriminatory working environment for the workers involved in making our products.

From designing durable long-lasting gear to offering product recycling and repair programs, we're working to protect the welfare of our community and the planet from the beginning to the end of our product lifecycle.

Looking ahead, ENO remains committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability in outdoor comfort and exploration. We'll continue to make the best hammocks and outdoor gear with the least negative impact on people and the planet.

We're excited to continue inspiring the next generation of adventurers and creating a future where everyone can enjoy their time outside.