Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears

Do beautiful outdoor photos actually help protect wild places or is that just something we tell ourselves to feel better? Gear Abby digs into the surprising history of photography, conservation, and whether social media really makes a difference. Then: what happens when your hiking partner bails right before a dream trip? Shawnté shares honest advice for tackling fear, finding courage, and startin...

Why do you actually need a bear canister in the Sierra? Shawnté breaks down the wild (and very human-caused) history behind food-conditioned bears and why proper storage matters more than ever. Then: what do you do when a climbing gym regular crosses the line from annoying to straight-up creepy? Gear Abby delivers a no-BS guide to shutting it down and standing your ground. Plus, what’s in Shawnté’...

Should you geotag your favorite outdoor spots on social media or keep them secret? Do compression socks actually help runners, or are they just a glorified shin hug? And if your gear closet is full of old-school backpacking equipment, what ultralight innovations are actually worth upgrading? This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté Salabert and producer Colin True tackle the outdoor internet’s favorite ar...

What should you do if a storm rolls in while you're backpacking with no shelter in sight? How do you convince a partner to join you on a longer backpacking trip if they’re worried about trail hygiene? And how exactly do you get comfortable… going to the bathroom outside? This week on Gear Abby , outdoor educator Shawnté Salabert tackles lightning safety and storm strategy in the backcountry, offer...

Do you really need an InReach if your phone has SOS? How worried should paddlers be about alligators? And what’s that strange building on top of Mount Whitney? This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté Salabert breaks down backcountry communication devices and whether your smartphone is enough, explain how to paddle safely in alligator country, and dig into the surprisingly wild history behind the hut on t...

Should we rip down the railings in national parks and let natural selection take over? This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté tackles a heated question about safety features on public lands and debates where personal responsibility ends and park management begins. Then, a Camino hopeful writes in with a blister crisis after breaking in new boots. Shawnté dives deep into fit, heel locks, insoles, trail r...

This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté tackles a salty question about whether trail running has lost its “cool factor” now that it’s gone mainstream and whether gatekeeping the sport is just aging-contrarian energy. Then things get real: a listener shares how sobriety is changing his ski season and friendships. Shawnté digs into ski culture, alcohol pressure, and how to protect your joy on the mountain...

This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté tackles one of the most thoughtful (and emotionally charged) listener questions yet: how outdoor folks can show up when politics, safety, and public spaces collide. Joined by Garage Grown Gear founder Lloyd Vogel , the conversation digs into why the outdoors has always been political and what real allyship can look like. Then, things take a sharp (and familiar) tur...

On this episode of Gear Abby , Shawnté tackles four listener questions that range from trail life to public lands policy: Do brick-and-mortar outdoor retailers still matter in an era of DTC everything? What’s the best outdoor-themed true crime to read when you’re not alone in the woods? Is the Kula Cloth actually hygienic? Shawnté is joined by Kula Cloth founder Anastasia Allison to break down the...

Are there any truly ethical outdoor brands or is sustainability mostly marketing? This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté Salabert digs into what “ethical” and “sustainable” actually mean in the outdoor industry, how to spot greenwashing, and which brands are genuinely trying to do better. Then, Shawnté mounts a passionate defense of Death Valley National Park , breaking down why the desert is far more a...

What should you actually eat on a long trail? Is there a way to learn downhill skiing without blowing your entire budget? And how do you find a sports bra that truly supports a bigger chest for high-impact sports? This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté Salabert breaks down trail food favorites and regrets, shares realistic advice for trying to ski on the cheap, and welcomes sports bra expert Dr. LeJean...

Is it ethical to have a campfire anymore? Do you really need electrolyte drinks on every hike? And what happens if you don’t win a coveted thru-hike permit? This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté Salabert tackles campfire ethics in the age of mega-fires, breaks down hydration myths (spoiler: pickles beat Pedialyte), and walk a hopeful thru-hiker through the very real logistics of hiking the Pacific Cres...

It’s a special holiday episode of Gear Abby ! This week, Shawnté and Colin turn the mics on each other to reflect on the year in the outdoors. They cover the weirdest listener emails (including a truly unforgettable deep dive into elk mating habits), the biggest outdoor stories of the year, and their favorite gear picks from trail shoes to backpacks and sandals. They also look ahead to 2026, talki...

Do thru-hikers lose their “trail cred” if they car camp? What’s the most responsible way to offload extra outdoor gear without sending it straight to a landfill? And how do you train for a spring trail race without freezing your ass off all winter? This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté Salabert tackles outdoor gatekeeping, gear hoarding, and cold-weather running with equal parts honesty, humor, and pra...

This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté tackles three absolute heaters: the ethics of climbing chalk, the surprising brilliance of ponchos (and the even more surprising brilliance of rain chaps ), and what to do when nature calls in the dead of winter and the ground is frozen solid. Also: curling, scuba fears, PVC tubes full of poop, and a love letter to wind shirts. Today's Lineup! Chalk Ethics 101: Hid...

This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté tackles four wildly different but totally relatable outdoor questions: from scattering ashes in national parks to finding love on trail, staying safe on frozen lakes, and picking the right rain shell without losing your mind. In This Episode: Scattering Ashes in National Parks: Yes it's legal in most parks (with a permit). Trailside Romance: Myth or Magic? Love can...

On this weeks episode of Gear Abby Shawnté celebrates Women-Led Wednesday with adventure book recs, a beginner snowshoe deep dive, and what to do when you stumble into an elk harem. In This Episode! Women Adventure Writers You Need to Read: Memoirs from river guides, thru-hikers, and survival badasses Snowshoeing 101: How to pick the right snowshoe deck size for your weight + conditions. Wildlife...

This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté explores outdoor etiquette, gear hot takes, and how to get creative outside without losing your mind or your tent floor. On The Docket! The Permit Problem: A listener’s “asshole brother” hates paying for permits, but Shawnté lays out why those fees matter (from protecting wildlife to funding trail crews) and why caring for public lands means ponying up. The Ground...

This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté tackles three very different outdoor dilemmas and reviews a new meal replacement. From embracing your inner luxury camper to surviving bad backcountry water to a new edition of 'What's in my pack?!' On the docket! Can Bougie Be Outdoorsy? Shawnté helps a listener navigate the tension between high-end comfort and dirtbag authenticity with tips for easing into the ou...

This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté and Colin take on everything from trail etiquette to mountain-town elitism with a heavy dose of laughter, crankiness, and wisdom. Special guest Katie Burrell (comedian, skier, and Weak Layers creator) joins the show to talk about mountain-town culture, toxic coolness, and how to actually find kind people to ski and bike with. Episode Highlights Angry Rae Returns: S...

This week on Gear Abby , Shawnté celebrates hitting double digits with stories that prove adventure takes many forms. From near-death river crossings to, uh, 'creative' trail recreation. Episode Highlights Scariest Moments Outdoors: Shawnté relives a terrifying Sierra river crossing that dethroned her mountain lion encounter. Hikers With Benefits: Advice for couples looking to, ahem, elevate their...

This week Shawnté welcomes the Kilian Jornet to Gear Abby (yes, seriously). They cover mountain running, mindset, and how to lighten up both your pack and your attitude. This weeks questions cover: Kilian’s Beta: How to safely merge trail running and climbing, build mountain confidence, and stay humble in the peaks. Bidet Bonanza: Gear Abby's definitive backcountry butt-care guide Tick Talk: We ta...

This week, Shawnté dives deep into the strange, useful, and occasionally awkward corners of outdoor life from rattlesnake etiquette to National Park wedding logistics, backcountry inflatable flamingos, and proper trail repair kits. In this episode: Trail Encounters : What to do when a rattlesnake blocks your path. Merino Undies : Outdoor writer Sam Schild joins to talk durability, chafing, and the...

This week on Gear Abby Shawnté and Colin tackle outdoor ethics, bear safety, true confessions, and real-food fueling you’ll actually eat. Here's the rundown: More Michelino: What should happen when athletes break trail rules (education > prosecution). Bear cans: When to carry them even if not required (+ quick gear picks). Confession booth: Gear Abby reveals her biggest on trail sin: A very rea...

Just in time for fall Shawnté and Colin dive into listener questions about some of the most peculiar, practical, controversial outdoor dilemmas and whole bunch of mating tarantulas. This week’s questions: Naming Peaks – Can the average hiker name a mountain? Shawnté breaks down the tangled history of U.S. place names and what it takes to get one officially recognized. Thru-Hiking & Trash – Do...