outdoorperks

Tested on trails. Built for adventure.

A column by Clay Masterson

The author

About the author

outdoorperks.com is a personal column written by one person — they pick the topics, write every piece and stand behind every word.

Clay Masterson

Backcountry Conditioning Expert & Gear Pragmatist

Covers: Trail Running · Hiking & Trails · Camping & Wilderness · Outdoor Fitness · Gear & Equipment

A former wildland firefighter turned ultra-endurance coach who treats the outdoors as the ultimate proving ground rather than a scenic backdrop. He brings a no-nonsense, biomechanics-first approach to everything from navigating scree fields to selecting a sleep system that will not fail at altitude.