Podcast

Originally released on January 15, 2024, this solo State of the Union records Outdoor Vitals’ view of the 2023 outdoor-market slowdown and its intended direction for 2024. It covers inventory pressure, the company’s private direct-to-consumer model, performance-first design, longer development cycles, 2023 releases, and then-future product, content, event, challenge, and membership plans in clearly historical context.

Originally released in January 2024, this conversation follows Teemu Hartikainen’s progression from a difficult first attempt on Sweden’s roughly 800-mile White Ribbon to a lighter, more mobile second attempt completed in 52 days. It examines sled-versus-backpack logistics, shelter changes, fuel and moisture demands, repeated-day efficiency, and the then-upcoming Norway expedition while keeping route plans, gear claims, and winter practices in historical context.

Originally released in December 2023, this conversation follows Jeff Garmire, Luke Pearsall, and Tayson through the historical development of ReadyWise athlete-collaboration meals. It explores recipe iteration, ingredient and production constraints, trip fit, rehydration, hungry-sampling bias, and Jeff’s personal endurance-food experience without treating old product claims or elite nutrition practices as current guidance.

Originally released in November 2023, this conversation follows Kristian Morgan’s repeated Appalachian Trail attempts and the southbound fastest known time he had recently completed. His story shows how specific failure review, legitimate fallback goals, crew relationships, repeatable daily systems, and adaptation can make a difficult objective more resilient.

Originally released in November 2023, Tayson and Derek worked through gift ideas for backpackers, hikers, campers, children, and people who enjoy being outside. Their conversation is most durable as a guide to matching a gift with the recipient’s real trips, repeated frustrations, fit needs, and willingness to buy a small comfort upgrade for themselves.

Originally released in October 2023, Tayson and Brigham break outdoor sleep into a complete system: pad insulation, bag or quilt ratings, dry clothing, campsite choice, moisture, and comfort. Their conversation also covers pad tuning, bedtime routines, small warming aids, sleep accessories, and protecting an inflatable pad before it fails in the field.

Originally released in October 2023, this conversation follows Ben Vaughan from a 22-year Navy career into the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, and Hayduke trails, then into dog mushing in Alaska. Tayson and Ben discuss reducing pack weight through experience, choosing footwear for the individual, responding to cold and snow hazards, navigating remote canyon terrain, and learning a specialized job from the ground up.

Originally released in October 2023, this conversation follows Ryan Van Duzer’s path from Peace Corps service and a ride home to public-access television, YouTube storytelling, ultrarunning, and bikepacking. Tayson and Ryan discuss low-overhead creative work, chosen difficulty, human connection on the road, bikepacking gear, and the historical story behind The Long Way Home.

Originally released in September 2023, this product deep dive traces how a cold, wet Highline trip shaped Outdoor Vitals’ thinking about lightweight lower-body insulation. Tayson and Brigham discuss the historical Highline Thermal Leggings design, including warmth-to-weight tradeoffs, brushed fabric, fit, layering, camp and sleep use, and changing insulation as activity and weather shift.

Originally released in September 2023, this conversation follows Jeremiah and Bridgette Stringer’s Camino de Santiago walk, from choosing a more comfortable long-route format to building a daily rhythm around towns, lodging, meals, and shared miles. Their account shows how route design, flexible comfort, trail friendships, quiet time, and a common purpose can make a long trip work for two people with different relationships to backpacking.

Originally released in September 2023, this conversation follows Devin Ashby’s path from outdoor education and early gear videos into full-time Backcountry Exposure work and gear-company management. It also revisits a cold-water incident in the Paria River corridor, group decision practices, an unexplained-fatigue trip, and the difference between personal gear impressions and verified product performance.

Originally released in September 2023, this conversation follows Jonathan Conti’s path into winter backpacking, travel near Everest Base Camp, and a difficult solo trip in Idaho’s Bitterroot Mountains that led him to activate a Garmin inReach SOS. The account examines changing snow and water conditions, the limits of satellite communication, a disputed local response, and how pre-trip contacts and honest debriefing can preserve options without promising a particular rescue outcome.