Ryan Jordan
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How Fishnet Works (Part 2): Layering for Moisture, Thermal Management in Cold-Weather Backpacking
Fishnet base layers offer a structural solution to the long-standing tradeoff between warmth and moisture control. By emphasizing airflow and vapor transport, they maintain comfort across cold, dry, and humid environments where conventional wicking fabrics fail. This article explains the thermophysiology of fishnet design and provides evidence-based strategies for layering in alpine and variable weather conditions.
Outdoor Gear Journalism: Developing Trust Standards
The integrity of gear reviews is currently experiencing a decline in consumer trust. Consequently, the GearTrust framework, which is substantiated by research, has been developed to conduct credibility audits and elevate consumer confidence.
A Case Study in Backcountry Emergency Triage and Decision-Making: Fall-Induced Facial Trauma
Ryan Jordan details a fall-induced facial injury, the triage process, decision not to evacuate, and critical self-care lessons.
Stealth Camping
Learn how to stealth camp through minimizing your impact, concealing your camp and preserving solitude.
Naturopathic Sleep Aids for Backcountry Use
Enhance performance and recovery in the backcountry through naturopathic sleep aids including melatonin, theanine, glycine, magnesium & botanicals.
Inflatable Sleeping Pads for Backpacking
The product category of inflatable sleeping pads is trending towards larger, warmer, and more comfortable pads - with very little weight penalty. This market report surveys available products and provides use case guidance, context tips, and feedback heuristics for optimizing comfort.
Satellite Messaging Devices (“Messengers”)
This market report summarizes the category of satellite messaging-centric devices, i.e., devices that focus on satellite messaging as its primary, rather than secondary, function. This is in contrast to navigation-centric devices (which usually offer integrated mapping on the device), such as the Garmin inReach Explorer or Garmin GPSMap.
The Metabolic Energy Mile (MEM) Framework: A Systems-Based Approach to Measuring the Cost of Walking a Mile
The Metabolic Energy Mile (MEM) Framework redefines hiking effort beyond distance. It integrates terrain, fatigue, and environment for accurate energy cost prediction.
Backpacking Chairs: A Comprehensive Guide to the Science of Seated Recovery, Ultralight Chair Design, and Market Landscape
In ultralight backpacking, chairs are often dismissed as luxury. This guide reframes them as recovery tools — exploring their impact on performance, biomechanics, and thermal management. From sit pads to suspended seats, we analyze the design tradeoffs and field use cases that shape the modern camp seating landscape.
El Coyote Alphalite Quilt Review
A review of the El Coyote Alphalite 900+ Quilt, including warmth and value analysis, sizing insights for petite hikers, and performance feedback after 20 nights in the field.
Market Report: State-of-the-Art Fabrics for Hiking Backpacks and Backcountry Shelters
Ultra-light backpack and shelter fabrics: Explore materials, performance, and construction. Nylon, polyester, UHMWPE, coatings & more.
Topographic intervention: reconciling terrain and neurobiology with your mental and emotional health needs
Walking is often prescribed as a catch-all fix for mental and emotional distress. But when generic advice like “go for a walk” doesn’t work, it’s not your fault - it’s the prescription that failed. This essay explores a more intentional framework: topographic intervention. By aligning terrain with specific emotional states - like using uphill climbs to metabolize anxiety or forested trails to cradle grief - walking becomes more than movement. It becomes medicine. Discover how matching physiology, emotion, and landscape can unlock walking’s real power for healing.
Backcountry Lighting (Flashlights and Headlamps)
Comprehensive guide to backcountry lighting technology and products. Learn about headlamps, lumens, battery types, and the best models for hiking and camping.
Advances in Materials and Manufacturing in Ultralight Backpacks: A Technical Review and Case Study
A technical analysis of material and manufacturing innovations in ultralight backpack design, with a case study of the Arc'teryx Alpha SL 30. This report examines fusion bonding, molecularly bonded UHMWPE laminates, and the engineering tradeoffs shaping the next generation of ultralight packs.
Handwear Systems for Backcountry Travel: Protecting Your Hands in Sun, Cold, Rain, Snow, and Wind
Learn how to build a lightweight, versatile handwear system for backpacking that protects your hands from sun, wind, rain, snow, and cold. This guide covers layering strategies, material science, field-tested tips, and real-world lessons to keep your hands functional and protected on the trail.
Gossamer Gear Whisper Review (Updated)
The Gossamer Gear Whisper is a 1-person, 2-pole, floorless full-perimeter shelter made with Dyneema Composite Fabrics. It includes an attached noseeum mesh netting skirt, is pitched with 7 stakes, and weighs 9.8 oz (280 g).
Armless Sunglasses: Rethinking Eyewear for the Backcountry
Explore a lighter, more durable, and comfortable alternative to traditional eyewear for backcountry travel in this review of Ombraz armless sunglasses.
Wind Shirts for Backpacking
Wind shirt performance - design, technology, features, standardized breathability and air permeability data (MVTR and APR testing).
Collateral Damage: How Tariff Policy Is Gutting America’s Outdoor Gear Innovators
Ryan Jordan breaks down the impacts of the 2025 US tariff chaos on the cottage industry for backpacking gear.
Down-Filled Backpacking Quilts (Market Survey and Gear Guide)
This comprehensive market survey features 60+ models of down-filled backpacking quilts, 27+ brands across North America and Europe. Includes analysis (warmth, weight, value), expert recommendations, market overview, and more.
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