April 6th, 2022 Edition
It’s Earth Month and we’re celebrating all the things we love about this beautiful planet. Let’s start by looking at the world through the lens of an artist. We’re excited to feature the work of Chris Burkard with his latest book Wayward, now available in our shop. As Reid, our Senior Product Manager said, “[Burkard] captures the experience of a moment in time in a way that few photographers can, reminding me how raw and beautiful our planet is. It makes me want to experience those places myself.” We’re with ya, Reid! We’ll definitely join you on those adventures! Want to know what Burkard packs for his adventures? Scroll down to read his 5 Favorite Things.
10 Ways to Reduce Your Single-Use Plastic Consumption
Plastic has infiltrated every ecosystem on the planet and if we’re going to continue enjoying it, we need to make changes to the way we live. Trail Runner recently shared 10 ways to reduce single-use plastic consumption and it’s a wonderful reminder of how we can do our part to stay connected to the natural world. A few small changes go a long way.
Chris Burkard's 5 Favorite Things
We like to ask world-class athletes, adventurers, and gear experts (i.e., our co-workers and friends) for recommendations on the products they love. Adventure photographer, conservation advocate, social media tour-de-force: Chris Burkard is all of these, but deep down he’s still your chill best friend from SLO, which adds a surprisingly relatable edge to the wild tales in his new book Wayward, now available in our shop. He sat down with us recently to share his 5 must-haves for every adventure.
Sony RX100 VII
This is the first piece of gear I put in my bag before leaving for any adventure, big or small. On trips, I keep this in my pocket at all times to document all the little in-between moments. It's small and dependable and even though I'm usually traveling with a slew of digital camera gear, I absolutely love having this compact point and shoot on me at all times.
Purist Maker Vacuum Water Bottle with Element Top - 10 fl. oz.
I can't travel without this small thermos. I've used all sorts of insulated water bottles and thermoses over the years and I absolutely love this one. It's small and packable, but on trips to cold places like Iceland, it's essential to bring a small thermos to put warm drinks in. I always fill it with tea, lattes to warm me up throughout the day. It's also great for stopping at cafes and cutting down on single-use waste.
Noise Cancelling Headphones by Bose or Apple
Noise-canceling headphones - Bose or Apple - both are amazing. I own both of them and always need a pair.
I also always just bring a backup pair of silicone earplugs for sleeping. Whether on the plane, in a tent, or anywhere else, noise-canceling headphones are a must in my day-to-day kit.
Nitecore NB10000 Ultra-Slim Power Bank
Another essential item I never travel without is my Nitecore portable charger. Always on the go, having something like this to charge my devices is a must and I've found this one to be a perfect amount of charging size while also being lite and compact. It’s made with carbon fiber which cuts down on its weight and keeps it durable.
Justin's Classic Almond Butter Squeeze Packs
Last but not least, peanut butter or some nut butter always makes it into my bag. I love the travel-size ones but have been known to bring a full-size jar with me too. It’s my emergency food—energy in a pinch. It can be hard to find decent food when I’m on the go, so I like to stash nut butter here and there for times when I can’t get the food my body wants.
Wayward by Chris Burkard
Along with personal stories of hypothermia, trashed gear, and even jail time, Wayward vibrates with lush images of beaches and mountains in far-flung locales like Russia and Iceland, and each copy is signed by the man himself.
Nomadix - The Only Towel You Need™
After an impromptu backcountry swimming hole dip, you could air dry or share someone else’s already damp towel. But why would you? The packable, quick-drying, multifunction Nomadix towel is equally at home on the beach, trail, or in a yoga session—and its butter-soft fabric comes entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. And since it’s slip, sand, and pet-hair resistant, it truly lives up to its billing— The Only Towel You’ll Ever Need™.
Hiking the Mountain in My Backyard Became the Crux of My Recovery
Andrew J. Bernstein had to relearn how to walk after a driver struck and nearly killed him. Hiking the trail outside his front door became a goal he never thought he’d achieve and he shares his inspiring tale with Outside.