Ryan Jordan
Latest
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.
Inflatable Sleeping Pads: Finding Comfort when Sleeping on the Ground (Updated)
The product category of inflatable sleeping pad is trending towards larger, warmer, and more comfortable pads - with very little weight penalty.
Backcountry Lighting Technology and Products: State of the Market Report and Gear Guide
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.
Traction Spikes
An in-depth guide to traction spikes for hiking, backpacking and running in all seasons. Compare models, materials, and performance attributes with insights from field testing to find performant options for different use cases.
No Normal Coffee Paste Review
No Normal Coffee Paste is a compact coffee alternative that requires no brewing. It can be eaten directly from its tube or mixed with water (cold or hot), or spread on or into other food for a quick caffeine boost or coffee flavor injection. It offers a convenient way to consume real coffee without the weight or complexity of traditional brewing methods.
Off the Beaten Path in the Colorado Rockies
Ryan and Chase explore the central Rockies deep off trail surrounded by talus and goats.
LightBench: A Laboratory Testing Procotol for Comparing the Performance of Flashlights and Headlamps
In this technical brief, we quantitatively evaluate the performance of lights considering brightness, battery life, and weight into an objective Lightbench Index.
How Fishnet Works (Base Layer Fabric Structures)
This article explores how fishnet base layers offer superior moisture management and comfort for cold-weather backpacking by promoting rapid moisture vapor transport and minimizing condensation.
Ultralight, Ultra-Performance Backcountry Electronics (Revised and Updated)
In this updated gear guide, I'll provide some insight into the backcountry electronics I use, discuss their use cases, and explain why I chose those brands and models.
