Ian Krammer profile photo with him smiling on a hiking trip with a canyon wall in the background
Ian Krammer
Gear Analyst

Ian is a peak bagger and gearhead who loves sharing his passion for big adventures and playing in the outdoors. His deep connection with nature, attention to detail, and years of experience as a professional researcher are what drive Ian’s thoughtful review process.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, he grew up visiting the Canadian Rockies before his family moved to Colorado Springs in 1998, where he fell in love with the Colorado Rockies. He went to school for Philosophy and English and is thrilled to spend his days thinking deeply about the most exciting outdoor gear for hiking, backpacking, and beyond.

Ian spent 4 years hitchhiking across all 50 states, living and working everywhere from the 200-foot-high canopy of the California Redwood trees to a short commute from the White House. After returning to Colorado, he climbed the state’s 58 14,000-foot peaks and hasn’t stopped chasing summits since. He’s currently on a mission to climb all 768 ranked and unranked 13,000-foot peaks, with about 100 left.

Off the clock, Ian looks forward to rambling around with his best friend Blodgett, a spry blue heeler canine named after a mountain, obsessing over his next route, or looking for the best cheeseburger in town.

Articles by Ian Krammer

NEMO Hornet OSMO 3 Review

NEMO Hornet OSMO 3 Review

Author
This tent is a dream for hikers who prioritize weight savings but don’t want to give up livability. The attention to detail is evident in the high-quality construction and plentiful interior pockets.
Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20 Review
A man with glasses and a beanie on sits up in his tent. His eyes are closed.

Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20 Review

Author
This is one of the highest-quality down bags we tested. It has an awesome warmth-to-weight ratio and a plush feel that’ll have you sleeping like a baby.
Sea To Summit Spark 15 Review
Standing outside of his tent at camp, a man zips up his sleeping bag in the morning light.

Sea To Summit Spark 15 Review

Author
If you’re a backpacker looking for one of the lightest and warmest sleeping bags out there, this is a top contender.
NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise Review
A man sits up in a sleeping bag with the footbox outside of his tent, looking off in the distance. His shoes are off to the side and there is a lake and low mountains behind him.

NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise Review

Author
Whether car camping or backpacking, you’ll sleep like a baby with this extra roomy sleeping bag.
Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 Review
Two people pack up their sleeping bags in a green tent with a large desert butte visible in background.

Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 Review

Author
Despite being lighter and more affordably priced compared to many winter bags, it has an outstanding warmth-to-weight ratio, and features like the no-snag zipper, included compression sack, and ethically sourced down are just the cherry on top.
Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20 Review

Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20 Review

Author
This bag excels with its 800-fill-power insulation and thicker 20-denier nylon shell, which offers a level of durability that most backpacking bags can only dream of.
Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20 Review
A woman stands outside with mountains in the background, holding up a blue sleeping bag, while she looks off int he distance.

Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20 Review

Author
This bag is lighter than many other synthetic options, packs down decently small, and offers top-of-the-line features – all at a minimal price tag.
Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 Review

Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 Review

Author
This bag features a generous draft tube, draft collar, and a fitted cut that eliminates dead space so you’ll stay as warm as a glowing ember all night long.
Men’s Brooks Cascadia 18 Review

Men’s Brooks Cascadia 18 Review

Author
These are some of our favorites. We’ve logged over 6,000 miles in them across the CDT, PCT, and Colorado Trail.
Men’s HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX Review

Men’s HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX Review

Author
These shoes are comfortable, waterproof, and durable. They’re perfect for medium to long hikes on established trails in all sorts of weather conditions.
Men’s Keen Targhee IV WP Review

Men’s Keen Targhee IV WP Review

Author
These classic leather kicks are perfect for rugged, technical backcountry conditions and provide some of the best waterproofing of any hiking shoes we tested, making them ideal for wet trails and cooler weather.
Men’s Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Review

Men’s Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Review

Author
We’ve used these shoes to scramble long Class 4 ridge traverses at 13,000’ in the Colorado Rockies, hike hundreds of miles on local trails, and even tackle half marathons.
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