Beyond The Trailhead

Is Outdoor Retailer still worth attending? That’s the question a lot of outdoor brands have been asking. In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Lindsay Hubley and Sunny Stroeer of Outdoor Retailers to talk about the future of Outdoor Retailer and why they believe trade shows are evolving. We talk about: • Why Outdoor Retailer changed locations • Why some brands stopped attending...

What does it take to build one of the most recognized brands on trail? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, we sit down with Chris Schabow, CEO of Enlightened Equipment, to talk about the real story behind the brand… and the journey that almost didn’t happen. From sewing gear in a basement… To quitting a stable career… To helping lead one of the most trusted ultralight brands in the world… Chr...

USE CODE BEYOND20 for 20% on your sawyer most of your Sawyer orders What if the gear you carry on trail could actually save lives? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Katie Houston (trail name “Oats”), Community Director at Sawyer, the company behind the iconic Sawyer Squeeze. We dive into how a simple water filter became one of the most impactful tools in the outdoor industry...

What do you do when you lose 75% of your business overnight? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Shaun Durkee, founder of Angry Pika Food (formerly Alpenfuel). What started as a side hustle selling backpacking meals turned into a full-blown business… until tariffs, a rebrand, and a legal battle forced everything to change. This episode dives deep into the real side of building...

Use code BEYOND15 to save 15% off your next order on essentialprovisions.com . What happens when you realize the food meant to help people… might actually be hurting them? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Robin Gentry McGee, founder of Essential Provisions. Her journey started with a life-changing moment after her father’s traumatic brain injury… and what she discovered ins...

In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Daniel Farber, owner of Aarn Packs, one of the most unique and innovative backpack companies in the hiking world. If you’ve ever seen a backpack with balanced front pockets and wondered why it looks so different from traditional packs,this episode explains everything. Aarn Packs were designed around a simple but powerful idea: balance the we...

In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Dan Durston, founder of Durston Gear and the mind behind some of the most talked-about ultralight tents in the backpacking world. If you’ve spent time on trails like the Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail, chances are you’ve seen an X-Mid tent in the wild. But the story behind Durston Gear is just as fascinating as the gear itself. Dan...

In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Ben McMillen, founder of Hilltop Packs, one of the most recognizable custom gear companies in the ultralight backpacking world. Hilltop Packs is known for their one-of-a-kind custom printed food bags, stuff sacks, backpacks, and ultralight gear that hikers proudly carry on trails across the world. But the story behind the company is just as...

🎙️ Episode 20 – Luke Pearsall | Founder of Trail Goods Company What happens when you pour everything into your dream… and it almost disappears overnight? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Luke Pearsall, founder of Trail Goods Company, to unpack one of the most honest founder stories we’ve had on the show. Luke went from a 20-year career in commercial photography to building...

Guest: Louise Barton — Founder of Farm to Summit Join us for an inspiring conversation with Louise “Lou” Barton, founder of Farm to Summit, a Durango-based company making dehydrated backpacking meals sourced from local farms and up-cycled produce. Lou shares how a 23-day Yellowstone backcountry research trip — and watching her coworkers struggle on low-quality trail food — sparked the idea for Far...

In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, Craig sits down with Jacob Muth, founder of Leichtmut, a small but innovative brand creating ultralight camera bags for hikers and outdoor photographers. Jacob shares how frustration with heavy camera carry systems and wet gear on trail pushed him to start designing his own solutions. What began as a MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) hobby turned into a real busine...

🎙️ Beyond the Trailhead Podcast — Episode 17 Guest: Gilad Nachmani — Founder & CEO of Cnoc Outdoors / Minimal Gear In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, Craig sits down with Gilad Nachmani, founder of Cnoc Outdoors, one of the most recognizable names in ultralight hydration and backpacking gear. Gilad shares the real story behind Cnoc — from launching the original Vecto water container on K...

🎙️ Beyond the Trailhead Podcast — Episode 16 Guest: Tayson Whittaker — Founder & CEO of Outdoor Vitals In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, Craig sits down with Tayson Whitaker, founder and CEO of Outdoor Vitals, for one of the most honest conversations yet about building a gear company the hard way — slowly, intentionally, and without shortcuts. Tayson shares what it was really like start...

In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, Craig sits down with Lisa-Jae Eggert, founder of 3 Moms Organics and creator of TickWise, a plant-based bug and tick spray born from a life-altering personal battle with tick-borne disease. Lisa-Jae shares her harrowing journey—from a single tick bite that led to years of misdiagnosis, neurological Lyme disease, and devastating health consequences, to build...

🎙️ Beyond the Trailhead Podcast — Episode 14 Guest: Nora Fierman — Founder of NEVE In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, Craig sits down with Nora Fierman, founder of NEVE, a plant-based smoothie pouch designed for athletes who want real nutrition in the backcountry. Nora shares the full, honest story behind NEVE—from noticing athletes fueling with baby food in the backcountry, to spending six...

Guest: Jim Wirth — Creator, GiantMouse Join us for a deep and fascinating conversation with Jim Wirth, co-founder and CEO of GiantMouse Knives — a boutique knife brand known for thoughtful design, premium materials, and unforgettable storytelling. In this episode, Jim shares how a lifelong passion for knives, a chance meeting at a New York knife show, and a bold leap from the corporate world led t...

Guest: Tim Hunt — Lead Designer, SlingFin In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, Craig sits down with Tim Hunt, lead designer at SlingFin, to break down how some of the most respected tents in the outdoor industry actually come to life. This conversation goes deep into design thinking, real-world testing, and the constant problem-solving that happens long before a tent ever hits the trail. Tim w...

Guest: Devin Ashby — Creator & Owner of Backcountry Exposure In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, Craig sits down with Devin Ashby, the creator behind Backcountry Exposure — a brand built one stitch at a time, often late at night, at a sewing machine in his own home. Devin shares the real, unfiltered journey of turning a decade of YouTube experience into a growing soft-goods business. We t...

🎙️ Beyond the Trailhead Podcast In this episode, Craig sits down with Josh Bryson, the creator of FKT Gear, a brand redefining what trail sunglasses should be. Frustrated with flimsy frames, foggy lenses, and gear that couldn’t keep up with real mountain conditions, Josh set out to engineer sunglasses that are tougher, clearer, lighter — and built specifically for hikers, runners, and adventurers...

In this episode, we sit down with Shawn Willette, the solo founder, designer, and engineer behind one of the most talked-about ultralight innovations in recent years — the AntiMatter Chair from No Matter. Shawn takes us through: • The exact moment the idea for the AntiMatter Chair hit him • How he engineered a chair that weighs almost nothing but holds full body weight • The brutal realities of be...

🎙️ Beyond the Trailhead Podcast — Episode 8 Guest: Derek Tillotson — Creator & CEO of Haven Tents In this episode, Craig sits down with Derek Tilson, the inventor behind Haven Tents, the lay-flat hammock tent that has changed the way thousands of people camp. From rough sketches and field tests to scaling a full outdoor brand, Derek shares the real story behind building one of the most innovat...

🎙️ Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Guest: Natalie Barral Summit day on Mount Whitney turned into one of the wildest survival stories we’ve ever shared on Beyond the Trailhead. In this episode, Craig talks with Natalie, a hiker who faced a brutal storm, a sprained ankle miles from the trailhead, and a night on the mountain that ended with a helicopter rescue. From hail and lightning to trail angels an...

🎙️ Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Guest: Brian Davis — Co-Owner, Hollow Socks Join us for one of the most passionate and entertaining episodes yet with Brian Davis, the co-owner and inventor behind Hollow Socks — the ultralight, breathable socks designed to keep your feet dry, cool, and comfortable no matter how far the trail takes you. In this episode, Brian shares his creative journey — from desig...

🎙️ Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Guest: Mike Glavin — Founder & CEO, Zenbivy Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mike Glavin, the creator and CEO of Zenbivy, the company redefining backcountry sleep with its modular, ultra-comfortable sleep systems. In this episode, we dive into Mike’s journey — from years of working for major outdoor brands to taking the leap and building his own. He sh...

🎙️ Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Guest: Deed — Founder & CEO, RecPak Join us for a powerful conversation with Deed, the creator and CEO of RecPak, the high-calorie, ultralight meal system built for serious expeditions, thru-hikes, and demanding backcountry missions. In this episode, we dig into the origin of RecPak — how a search for reliable nutrition on long expeditions turned into a full-sca...