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

Sea To Summit Spark 15 Review
Stock image of Sea to Summit Spark 15

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
Stock photo of the NEMO Disco 15 sleeping bag with a white background

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
A woman unfurling the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 backpacking sleeping bag over a tent with a beautiful mountain view behind her.

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

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.
Men’s Danner Trail 2650 Review

Men’s Danner Trail 2650 Review

Author
These are versatile hiking shoes that are exceptionally stylish and comfortable whether you’re thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail or walking the dog to the coffee shop.
Men’s Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Review
Closeup of a hiker's feet in the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew socks and Salomon X Ultra shoes on the rim of the Grand Canyon

Men’s Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Review

Author
These are comfortable out of the box. Their supportive, springy midsole and stable outsoles guarantee a smooth and cushioned ride that makes them amazingly versatile.
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