Beyond The Trailhead – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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 shares how his obsession with ultralight backpacking gear started on hiking forums and long trails, eventually leading to the invention of the X-Mid tent design — an idea that first formed while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
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We dive into the early days of the brand, licensing the design to a larger company, and the moment Dan had to remortgage his house to launch Durston Gear independently.
This episode is packed with insights for hikers, gear nerds, and anyone curious about building a company in the outdoor industry.
🏔️ In this episode we cover
🥾 How the X-Mid tent idea started while hiking the PCT
🎒 The evolution of ultralight backpacking gear
🏕️ Designing tents that balance weight, simplicity, and durability
📦 The risks of launching a gear brand
💸 Remortgaging a house to fund the first Durston Gear product launch
🌲 How community feedback shaped Durston Gear
🧠 Advice for entrepreneurs creating products in the outdoor industry
Dan also shares stories from the trail and explains why simple design often wins over complicated gear.
🌄 Connect with Durston Gear
Website
https://durstongear.com
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/durstongear
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@durstongear
🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead
▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6
📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast
🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com

For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors — you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

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 fascinating as the gear itself.
Ben shares how a photography studio, a print shop, and a simple idea to customize backpacking gear turned into a thriving outdoor brand.
We dive into the early days of Hilltop Packs, the explosive growth during COVID, and the huge risk Ben took when a Dyneema shortage threatened the entire company.
🏔️ In this episode we cover
🥾 How Hilltop Packs started in a basement
🎨 The origin of custom printed backpacking gear
📈 How COVID unexpectedly launched the brand forward
🧵 The challenge of sewing and producing one-off custom gear
📦 Why Hilltop focuses on small customizable items
⚠️ The massive risk Ben took buying nearly $100k of Dyneema
🧠 Lessons from running multiple businesses at once
🌲 The mindset required to grow an outdoor brand
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a gear company from scratch or why so many hikers carry Hilltop gear — this episode is packed with insight.
🌄 Connect with Hilltop Packs
Website
https://hilltoppacks.com
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/hilltoppacks
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@hilltoppacks
🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead
▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6
📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast
🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com

For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors — you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

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 walks us through how SlingFin approaches structure, materials, storm-worthiness, and why design decisions are rarely simple — even when they look that way from the outside. We talk about: ⛺ How SlingFin designs tents for real conditions, not just specs 🧠 The design tradeoffs most people never think about 🧪 Prototyping, field testing, and learning from failure 🌬️ Why small structural changes can make or break a tent 🎒 How experience in the field directly shapes better gear If you’ve ever looked at a tent and wondered why it’s built that way — this episode pulls back the curtain. Whether you’re a gear nerd, designer, engineer, or just someone who sleeps outside a lot, this one is packed with insight. 🔗 Connect with SlingFin 🌐 Website: https://www.slingfin.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slingfin ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SlingFin 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@beyondthetrailhead 🍎 Apple 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obristimagery 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com

Let’s go beyond the trailhead.

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 talk about what it’s like fulfilling 300+ bag orders solo, why small design details matter more than flashy features, and how years of relationship-building in the outdoor industry helped him survive legal battles, business pivots, and burnout. This episode dives into: 🧵 What it’s really like being a one-man gear brand (with a little help from family) 🎒 Why Devin is intentionally not making backpacks 🧠 The thinking behind food bags, ditty bags, and modular organization ⚖️ Navigating trademark issues, scaling limits, and work–family balance 💡 Why Devin has 6–7 new product ideas but refuses to rush them 🤝 How genuine relationships (not transactions) shape long-term success If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of cottage gear brands — or dreamed about building something of your own — this episode is honest, grounded, and incredibly relatable. 🔗 Connect with Backcountry Exposure 🌐 Website: https://backcountryexposure.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountryexposure ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BackcountryExposure 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obristimagery 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com • SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more gear creators & outdoor founders Thanks for tuning in — let’s go beyond the trailhead.

🎙️ 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 pushing their limits. Josh breaks down: 🕶️ The exact moment he realized trail sunglasses needed a serious upgrade 🔧 How he engineered frames + lenses that survive real outdoor abuse 🌤️ Why clarity, contrast, and trail visibility matter more than people think 📦 The challenges of sourcing materials and building a product pipeline as a solo founder 💡 The unexpected lessons learned while launching a gear company from nothing 🌄 The FKT mindset — and how it shapes his design philosophy Whether you’re a thru-hiker, trail runner, gear nerd, or someone who has broken way too many sunglasses on trail — this story is going to hit home. 🔗 Connect with FKT Gear 🌐 Website — https://fktgear.com 📸 Instagram — https://instagram.com/fktgear 📘 Facebook — https://facebook.com/fktgear 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obristimagery 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com SUBSCRIBE for more creators, innovators & outdoor entrepreneurs Thanks for tuning in — let’s go beyond the trailhead. #BeyondTheTrailhead #FKTGear #TrailSunglasses #OutdoorGear #UltralightGear #BackpackingGear #TrailRunningGear #GearInnovation #Podcast

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 being a one-person outdoor gear company • Sourcing materials, solving engineering failures, and navigating manufacturing • The emotional highs, lows, and “why am I doing this?” moments behind the brand • What’s next for No Matter — and why innovation always comes with risk If you love stories of grit, clever engineering, and the passion behind outdoor gear creation, this is an episode you won’t forget. 🔗 Connect with No Matter / AntiMatter Chair 🌐 Website: http://www.nomatterproducts.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomatterproducts 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead • SUBSCRIBE for more stories from outdoor creators, innovators & trail legends Thanks for tuning in — let’s go beyond the trailhead. #BeyondTheTrailhead #AntiMatterChair #NoMatterGear #UltralightGear #Backpacking #OutdoorInnovation #GearDesign #EntrepreneurStory #HikingGear #Podcast

🎙️ 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 innovative sleep systems in the backcountry world. We dive into: 🌲 How the idea for a flat-lay hammock was born 🛠️ The biggest challenges in designing a brand-new type of tent 💡 What it took to launch Haven Tents into a global community 🏕️ The outdoor industry lessons no one talks about 🔥 Derek’s advice for creators, builders, and anyone chasing their own idea If you love gear, innovation, or stories of entrepreneurs who push the outdoor industry forward — this episode is for you. 🌐 Connect with Haven Tents & Derek Tillotson Website: https://haventents.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haventents TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haventents Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haventents YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HavenTents LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haven-tents • SUBSCRIBE for more episodes with outdoor creators, innovators & adventurers Thanks for tuning in — let’s go beyond the trailhead. #BeyondTheTrailhead #HavenTents #CampingGear #OutdoorInnovation #HammockCamping #BackpackingSleepSystem #Podcast

🎙️ 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 and real lessons in backcountry safety, this is one episode you won’t forget. ⚡ Hear how quick decisions, the right gear, and a little luck made all the difference. 🌲 Learn what to pack, what to expect, and how to keep calm when things go sideways. 🎧 Listen to more Beyond the Trailhead episodes: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 📸 Follow Natalie’s baking & adventure journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classicnb_jadore_manger 🎙️ Follow Craig & Unchong Obrist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obristimagery Website: https://obristimagery.com ✅ • Share this with your trail-partner or gear-head friend Thanks for tuning in — let’s go beyond the trailhead!

🎙️ 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 designing innovative cycling and outdoor gear to launching Hollow Socks, a company born from his obsession with solving one of hiking’s biggest problems: sticky, sweaty feet. His energy and enthusiasm are contagious as he talks about the process of invention, the lessons he’s learned building products that people truly love, and what it means to turn frustration into innovation. Whether you’re a hiker, cyclist, or just someone who’s ever hated sticky feet — this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and a ton of inspiration from a mind that never stops creating. 🔗 Connect with Hollow Socks 🌐 Website: https://www.hollowsocks.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollowsocks 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollowsocks 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hollow-socks ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HollowSocks ✅ • Share this with your trail-partner or gearhead friend Thanks for tuning in — let’s go beyond the trailhead! #BeyondTheTrailhead #HollowSocks #OutdoorInnovation #GearTalk #Podcast

🎙️ 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 shares the story behind Zenbivy’s innovative design philosophy, what makes their sleep system truly unique, and how his incredible team continues to push the boundaries of comfort and performance in the outdoors. We also talk about lessons learned in the outdoor industry, creative leadership, and the balance between innovation and simplicity. Whether you’re a weekend camper, a thru-hiker chasing miles, or just someone who appreciates a good night’s sleep under the stars — this episode is packed with insight, passion, and inspiration. 🔗 Connect with Zenbivy 🌐 Website: https://alnk.to/af19ott 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenbivy 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenbivy ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Zenbivy 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zenbivy • Share this with your trail-partner or camping crew Thanks for tuning in — let’s go beyond the trailhead! #BeyondTheTrailhead #Zenbivy #OutdoorIndustry #BackcountryGear #Podcast