What is the Ultimate Backpack?

Published 2022-05-09
By: Zach Lazzari I’m a gear junkie. That’s a problem because I live on the road full-time. Saving space in my camper is critical, which is why choosing the perfect backpack is so important to me. I can only carry one backpack and prefer something that will handle ultralight overnight trips but also has the […]

The Importance of Recreating in Small Towns

Published 2022-03-27
By Brand Ambassador, Lindsey Davis Ouray, Colorado, is a hidden gem. Boasting to be the ‘Switzerland of America,’ it’s an old mining town and a gateway to southern Colorado’s stunning San Juan Mountains. The nearly 1,000 person population experiences such extreme seasons that there is historically a stark shut down during the winter. That was […]

Good Luck Bucks

Published 2022-02-07
By: Paul Kemper Traditions take many forms. For some, it’s opening day deer camp at the family cabin. For others, it’s meeting at the end of the year to catch up on the season’s hunts. For Montana natives Doug Krings and Dan McMaster, it’s been chasing critters with a stick and string. This year, Doug, […]

How to Stay Warm When Backpacking in the Cold

Published 2022-01-20
By: Zach Lazzari Backpacking through the summer months rarely requires a serious cold-weather strategy. While an occasional snowstorm might surprise backpackers, the midday sunshine typically eliminates the discomfort. Negative temperatures and challenging cold weather tend to arrive in the fall and continue through spring. Backpackers, hunters and explorers can extend their seasons in the backcountry […]

The Holiday OVERLOAD(ed) Survival Guide: Three ways to GTFO for a Different Kind of Cheer

Published 2021-12-21
It’s that time of year, the most wonderful time. Kid’s jingle belling and everyone telling you to be of good cheer. But is it REALLY the most wonderful time of the year? With over 20 major events globally between November and February, let’s be honest – we are OVERLOAD(ed). There are plenty of resources online […]

My Gear for a 3-day Backpacking Trip with Sam Alexander

Published 2021-12-15
By: Zach Lazzari Three days is the ideal time frame for many backpackers. It fits into a long weekend but allows for enough time to dig deep and push some limits. You can barebones an overnighter, but adding a few days requires extra planning for clothing, sleep systems and food. I sat down with Sam […]

Meet Green Beret Veteran Sam Alexander

Published 2021-11-23
Sam Alexander is a veteran of the U.S. Army who served as a Green Beret (Special Forces). After returning home from the Army, he got a business degree to benefit his native tribe, the Gwich’in. The Gwich’in are the northernmost Indian Nation living in fifteen small villages scattered across a vast area extending from northeast […]

Love is King: Operation ROAM

Published 2021-11-08
Love is King aims to eliminate fear and establish safety for Black, Indigenous, and all people of color in the outdoors. L.I.K. is committed to creating a reimagined outdoor environment focused on participation, representation, and inspiration. Historically, BIPOC voices have not always been invited to government spaces, especially where decisions are made about land, wildlife, […]

Lightening the Load

Published 2021-10-18
How the MYSTERY RANCH OVERLOAD® feature helps you haul more and hurt less. Load Carriage™ is the cornerstone of the MYSTERY RANCH design philosophy; it’s at the core of what makes our packs different. We specialize in building packs that adapt to awkward and changeable loads. Origins: OVERLOAD® is the conception story of the patented […]

Backcountry Meals From Military Missions to the Arctic Circle: Part 4

Published 2021-09-21
Photo by: Dudley Edmondson By: Zach Lazzari Running backcountry expeditions around the globe calls for a simplified approach to enjoying and appreciating a few flavors. Just ask Chad Brown, MYSTERY RANCH ambassador and founder of Soul River Inc., as well as Love is King. He runs multiple outdoor-based non-profit organizations while organizing and leading expeditions […]