Marion Tucker
Gear Analyst

Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Marion grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of the Midwest, spending her childhood learning to camp, kayak, and canoe and, later, working as a guide in the Northwoods. With a background in motion picture and still photography, much of Marion’s professional experience comes from working behind the camera, but she remains an avid outdoors-person with a strong environmental ethic and interest in issues of equity and access to wilderness spaces.

Marion’s passion for backpacking, paddling, and climbing have taken her across the United States and abroad- everywhere from Wyoming’s Wind River Range to the alpine of New Zealand’s South Island. This time on backcountry trails and waters has introduced her to a wealth of stories, sights, and skills that come with being enmeshed in the outdoors and connecting to the people met along the way.

Whether working on a film set or scrambling through a boulder field, Marion maintains her love of stories and moves through the world with curiosity and a desire to share her experiences. She currently lives out of her van, searching for the next mountain peaks and waterways to explore.

Articles by Marion Tucker

Owala FreeSip Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle Review
A person wearing crack climbing gloves and with taped fingers holds the Owala FreeSip Vacuum Insulated water bottle by its carrying handle.

Owala FreeSip Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle Review

Author
Fun and colorful, this water bottle’s innovative spout makes it a standout with dual options for both chugging and straw sipping
Nalgene Wide Mouth Water Bottle Review
A person wearing a climbing harness holds the Nalgene Wide Mouth water bottle.

Nalgene Wide Mouth Water Bottle Review

Author
Functional, affordable, and lasting, this water bottle is one of the most durable bottles available – an all-time classic.
Lifestraw Go Series Water Bottle Review
The LifeStraw Go Series water bottle sits on a rock with a climber sorting their gear in the background.

Lifestraw Go Series Water Bottle Review

Author
Clean drinking water is a necessity, and this bottle – with its built-in filter – ensures your water is safe to drink whether you’re traveling in the front or backcountry.
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle Review
The Hydro Flask Wide Mouth sits on a rock with a partially frozen waterfall in the background.

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle Review

Author
Stylish, durable, and practical – with its superior insulation and a design that’s both robust and attractive, this water bottle will keep you hydrated for years to come.
Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Water Bottle Review
The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth, with its lid off, sits on a rock with a partially frozen waterfall in the background.

Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Water Bottle Review

Author
Your new companion for everyday hydration, this stylish water bottle stands out with an eye-catching design that offers durability and insulation for hot and cold drinks.
HydraPak Flux Water Bottle Review
The Hydrapak Flux water bottle rests on a sweater with mesas in the background.

HydraPak Flux Water Bottle Review

Author
Robust and pliable, this soft body water bottle uniquely blends durability and flexible design into an ultralight option for your backpacking and travel needs.
Grayl GeoPress Water Bottle Review
The Grayl GeoPress sits on the ground with mountains in the background.

Grayl GeoPress Water Bottle Review

Author
This water bottle’s comprehensive filtration eliminates any worry when it comes to staying hydrated in the backcountry or traveling with limited access to clean water.
Glaceau SmartWater Bottle Review
A side view of a hiker wearing the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 drinking from a smartwater bottle in a grassy desert landscape

Glaceau SmartWater Bottle Review

Author
Bare bones, light weight, and surprisingly rugged, this bottle transforms from a single-use plastic into the ultimate ultralight hydration system.
CamelBak Chute Mag Renew Water Bottle Review
A person wearing a climbing harness holds the CamelBak Chute Mag Renew water bottle in their hand with a wide canyon expanse in the background.

CamelBak Chute Mag Renew Water Bottle Review

Author
This plastic bottle is reliable, budget-friendly, and a great all-around option for both everyday and outdoor hydration.
Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2026
A woman snuggled up in the Exped MegaSleep 25/40 sleeping bag inside of a camping tent with a view of the high desert in the background

Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2026

Additional Author
Our team of experts has spent thousands of nights in the woods and slept in over 40 sleeping bags to find the best from brands like NEMO, REI, Kelty, The North Face, and more.
Best Camping Tables of 2026
The GCI Outdoors Master Cook Station set up in a lakeside campsite with the Camp Chef Everest 2x stove, a cookset, a YETI Tundra Cooler, lantern, etc.

Best Camping Tables of 2026

Additional Author
From sunrise coffee to sunset dinners, we set the table with this budget-friendly guide. So dine under the stars with a durable, compact, and lightweight camping table…
Best Coolers of 2026
The Hydro Flask Carry Out 20L sits on top of the RTIC Ultralight 52. The Coleman Steel Belted cooler is in the middle, with the RTIC Soft Pack sitting on top of the Coleman 316 Series 70QT to the right.

Best Coolers of 2026

Author
Whether you’re hitting the road for a few days or just going out for an afternoon picnic, we’ve assembled a list of the top-performing coolers for all your outdoor cold-storage needs.
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