Ian Krammer profile photo with him smiling on a hiking trip with a canyon wall in the background
Ian Krammer
Lead 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 named after a mountain, obsessing over his next route, or looking for the best cheeseburger in town.

Articles by Ian Krammer

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.
Men’s Merrell Moab 3 Review
Man's legs from knee down steps across a deep gap between large sandstone boulders wearing the Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes.

Men’s Merrell Moab 3 Review

Author
These shoes offer robust, breathable performance from burly mesh and leather uppers and provide solid protection from rocks and pokey bushes.
Men’s La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Review
A hiker from the knees down walks on a trail in a forest setting.

Men’s La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Review

Author
With oversized toe caps, reinforced heels, aggressive lugs, and stout rock plates, these shoes are built for the high country: their exceptional traction and off-trail performance are game changers.
Men’s Hoka SpeedGoat 5 Review
Muscular hiker legs traversing an alpine meadow in the HOKA Speedgoat 5 hiking shoes

Men’s Hoka SpeedGoat 5 Review

Author
These shoes offer thick, responsive midsoles with excellent cushioning and impact absorption on rough trails. Their roomy toe box and chunky lug pattern provide top-tier traction, and fast-drying, breathable uppers make them feel breathable and airy.
Men’s Saucony Peregrine 14 Review
Man bent over tying long shoelaces on the Saucony Peregrine 14.

Men’s Saucony Peregrine 14 Review

Author
With a responsive feel and a secure fit, these are the shoes for fast-paced activities like running, hiking, and backpacking across low deserts in May or chasing mountain summits in August.
Men’s Altra Lone Peak 8 Review
A hiker poses at an overlook with large red rocks in the background.

Men’s Altra Lone Peak 8 Review

Author
See why these are some of our favorite zero-drop hiking shoes from day hikes to thru-hikes.
MSR FreeLite 2 Tent Review

MSR FreeLite 2 Tent Review

Author
This is a lightweight and compact semi-freestanding tent. It’s great for backpacking solo or keeping pack weight down if you don’t mind a tight squeeze with your hiking partner.
A Complete Guide to Hiking the Grand Sawtooth Loop

A Complete Guide to Hiking the Grand Sawtooth Loop

Author
The Grand Sawtooth Loop in Idaho is a little off the beaten path for those who want to step away from crowded national parks. It’s an exhilarating and burly trail with majestic passes and towering peaks galore.
6 Safety Tips For Hiking with Kids

6 Safety Tips For Hiking with Kids

Author
Our top safety tips for hiking with your kiddos will ensure that they have an experience that will cultivate a lifelong passion for the wilderness.
Best Hiking Shoes for Kids of 2024

Best Hiking Shoes for Kids of 2024

Author
Kiddos need reliable footwear out on trail as much as adults. Check out our review of the best hiking shoes for kids so your little one can cruise along with you on your next adventure.
Big Agnes Tiger Wall vs. NEMO Hornet OSMO vs. MSR FreeLite

Big Agnes Tiger Wall vs. NEMO Hornet OSMO vs. MSR FreeLite

Author
We compare and score three of the top backpacking tents on the market to determine which one is the best overall.
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