Miles Knotek
Gear Analyst

Miles is a born and raised Alaskan who is passionate about all things outdoors. He was fortunate enough to be raised in the middle of the Chugach National Forest which fostered his love for the outdoors from an early age.

A career in environmental education has brought Miles across the Mountain West and he currently resides in his home state of Alaska. Some of his most memorable hiking experiences include section hiking the Te Araroa in New Zealand and learning how to fend off pesky keas and possums, attempting an off-trail traverse of the second largest uninhabited island in the US, and searching out backcountry hot springs on various trips in the western US.

Miles is passionate about sharing the outdoors with others and empowering everyone to spend time outside. When not outside, Miles enjoys baking with his wife and finding a new science fiction book to get lost in.

Articles by Miles Knotek

Men’s REI Activator Pants Review
A closeup of the side pocket on a pair of hiking pants.

Men’s REI Activator Pants Review

Author
Warm enough for cool days on the trail, these pants are a worthy companion when the weather turns south and you need protection from the elements.
Men’s Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated Pants Review
A closeup of a unique pocket on a pair of pants.

Men’s Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated Pants Review

Author
Built for extremes, these men’s hiking pants are perfect for those who spend all day in the toughest environments, running chainsaws or bashing through dense brush.
Men’s prAna Stretch Zion Standard Pant Review
a closeup of the seat of a pair of pants.

Men’s prAna Stretch Zion Standard Pant Review

Author
With its relaxed cut and elastic material, these pants offer great mobility but blend the timeless style of a more casual pant.
Amazfit T-Rex 3 GPS Watch Review
A watch face showing heart rate.

Amazfit T-Rex 3 GPS Watch Review

Author
With its impressive features and reasonable price, this watch is a top contender for those who want a premium watch without the price tag.
Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS Watch Review

Garmin Forerunner 165 GPS Watch Review

Author
With a high-performance screen and extremely accurate metrics, check this watch out for your next daily fitness tracker.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 GPS Watch Review
A closeup of the display of a watch.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 GPS Watch Review

Author
This slim, lightweight fitness tracker is great for recording your daily stats and has a vibrant display for analyzing all your health metrics.
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Watch Review
A man stands on a trail showing a GPS watch.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Watch Review

Author
Waterproof, shock resistant, and can solar charge through the watch face, this is the perfect watch for long backcountry adventures where durability and accuracy are paramount.
Suunto 9 Peak Pro GPS Watch Review
A closeup of a watch worn on a wrist while stretching.

Suunto 9 Peak Pro GPS Watch Review

Author
Who says style and performance are mutually exclusive? Find out what makes this watch a stand-out performer while being sleek enough to wear out on the town.
Coros Pace 3 GPS Watch Review
A watch face showing battery life remaining.

Coros Pace 3 GPS Watch Review

Author
This watch is a reliable companion for multiple training days without recharging, perfect for the daily trainer who requires exceptional battery life.
Coros Apex 2 Pro GPS Watch Review
A watch sits on a mossy rock.

Coros Apex 2 Pro GPS Watch Review

Author
Impressive battery life meets excellent design to bring one of the top-performing GPS watches for backcountry enthusiasts.
A Wild Weekend in Montana: The Beaten Path Trip Guide
A woman hikes off trail through alpine scenery

A Wild Weekend in Montana: The Beaten Path Trip Guide

Author
The Beaten Path in Montana is a gorgeous weekend adventure that avoids the crowds of neighboring Yellowstone National Park. It’s a 2-3 day point-to-point hike.
Wild Alaska: Bomber Traverse Trip Guide
A iced over lake with glacial background.

Wild Alaska: Bomber Traverse Trip Guide

Author
This challenging trail can be done in a weekend. If you live in or are visiting Alaska, we recommend training up and getting out to this wild place.
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