I’ve been testing outdoor gear since I realized how much I liked hiking. And that I’d probably like it more if I had some better gear. As a former REI employee and always a gear nerd, I’ve tried a heck of a lot of gear over the years. In these posts you’ll find gear reviews, packing lists, and my favorite products I’ve used.
Not seeing something? Always feel free to reach out.
Have you ever packed for a quick hike and realized halfway through that it wasn’t going to be quite so quick? Maybe the trail took longer than expected, you ate your only snack before the climb, or sunset suddenly felt a little too close. After…
A tent and sleeping bag are pretty hard to forget when you’re packing for a backpacking trip. The tiny things? Much easier. And a sleeping pad patch isn’t very helpful sitting in a drawer at home when your pad goes flat in the middle of…
For a lot of women, one of the biggest questions about backpacking isn’t the tent or the sleeping bag – it’s how you’re actually going to take care of your body out there. How do you stay clean? What do you do about periods, chafing,…
What’s something that every outdoors lover with too much gear needs? A gear wall! My gear collection has grown exponentially since making my way into the outdoors world. Working in the outdoor industry and being exposed to new and fancy upgrades to everything tempts me…
Planning your John Muir Trail gear list can feel overwhelming fast — especially if you’re trying to build a women’s backpacking setup that’s light enough for big Sierra passes but still warm, durable, and comfortable on trail. Between the bear canister, long food carries, high-elevation…
It’s that time of year again – REI Co-op’s Biggest Sale of the Year! The Anniversary Sale runs from Friday, May 15 – Monday, May 25, 2026 and is always packed with the best deals for summer hiking and camping gear and you can save…
