Sam grew up in Chicago. His love of the outdoors didn’t blossom until he started bicycle touring in his early 20s. After a couple of years in graduate school deciding he did not want to be an academic, he set off on a 7,000-mile cross-country bike tour. After that, it was on. Sam moved to Colorado, where he started mountain biking. He immediately decided to bikepack the 500-mile Colorado Trail, of course. While riding a detour around a wilderness area, he vowed he would start backpacking to one day thru-hike the CT. Well, two years later, he was thru-hiking that trail. Then, he thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. Then, he thru-hiked the CT, again. Along the way, he also started rock climbing. Because, it’s Colorado, so why not? He still goes out on his bikepacking rig when not on foot, too, pedaling dirt roads far out there. You can find him out adventuring somewhere in the American Southwest if you look long enough.
Author Profile
Sam Schild
Review Editor
Showing 1-15 of 57 by Sam Schild
The Ultimate Backpacking Checklist for 2024
If you are gearing up for backpacking, our comprehensive backpacking list will keep you on track.Editors' Choice
Filson Summer Packer Review
This hat stole our hearts and takes home one of our top honors as our favorite hat for all-around use. This hat is...10 Best Backpacks of 2024
We're always looking for the best backpacks to fuel our adventures. We tested hundreds of models this year and these...Editors' Choice
Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 Review
This is one of the best budget models we've used in all our head-to-head testing.Best Buy
Teton Sports 55L Scout Review
This model isn't the most comfortable or lightweight, but it costs less than half the price of many other backpacking...Top Pick
Mountainsmith Scream 55 Review
A style that ultralight backpackers will love with the support a traditional backpacker will appreciate.Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2024
Over the past decade, we've spent hundreds of days testing 16 of the best backpacking packs to give you the needed...Editors' Choice
Granite Gear Blaze 60 Review
The Blaze 60 is a sweet pack that checks all the right boxes. It's super-light and can carry a heavy load comfortably...Best Buy
REI Co-op Flash 55 Review
The REI Flash 55 is an affordable, comfortable, lightweight, versatile backpack. We wouldn't want this pack for long...Top Pick
Osprey Atmos 65 AG Review
This pack notable for its comfort, incredible set of features, and its exceptional ventilation. The Anti-Gravity frame...Best Solar Panels for Camping
Looking to harness energy from the sun to power your off-grid camping needs? We've researched and tested the best...10 Best Solar Chargers of 2024
We're always looking for the best solar charger to power our adventures. We tested tons of models this year, and these...Best Running Jacket of 2024
To find out which running jacket is the best, we selected the highest-rated offerings in the market and put them to...Best Down Jackets for Men of 2024
Our experts reviewed 16 of the most promising down jackets available to find the best fitting, the warmest, and the...10 Best Down Jackets of 2024
We're constantly testing the best down jackets on all our adventures. We tested down jackets for women and men, and...
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