Beyond The Trailhead

craig obrist
  • 5.0 (3)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Beyond the Trailhead Podcast is where the outdoor world comes alive. We sit down with the people shaping the industry—founders, designers, and adventurers—to hear the stories behind the gear and the journeys that inspire it. From trailhead conversations to trail-tested reviews, this series dives into what makes the outdoor community unique, real, and worth exploring. Whether you’re a gear junkie, a weekend warrior, or someone who just loves trail talk, this is your spot to discover what’s happening beyond the trailhead. Guest suggestions or you would like to be on the show email at info@craigobrist.com

  1. Gryphon Gear Creator & Owner Gary Benninger | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 32

    1D AGO

    Gryphon Gear Creator & Owner Gary Benninger | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 32

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Gary Benninger, creator and owner of Gryphon Gear, a small handmade gear company known for quilts and sleeping bags built with serious warmth in mind. Gary’s story goes way back from reading about Admiral Byrd’s South Pole expeditions, to working as a research scientist at NASA, to spending more than 100 nights sleeping on snow. His love for cold-weather adventure eventually turned into a company focused on building sleeping bags and quilts that are not just light, but actually warm when the temperature drops. We also dive into: • How Gryphon Gear got started • Why Gary has such a passion for cold-weather camping • The science behind down, loft, heat loss, and overfill • Why Gryphon Gear uses 80% overfill in their bags and quilts • What a vapor radiation barrier actually does • Why condensation matters in winter sleeping bags • The difference between warmth ratings and survival ratings • Handmade gear, custom sizing, and small business realities • Why marketing is often harder than making the product This episode is packed with gear science, old-school outdoor stories, winter camping wisdom, and the kind of technical knowledge only someone like Gary can bring. If you’ve ever wondered why some sleeping bags keep you warm and others don’t… this one is for you. Connect with Gryphon Gear Website: https://www.gryphongear.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gryphongear Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15. Don’t forget to: • Like 👍 and Subscribe 🔔 • Share this with your hiking crew Let’s go Beyond the Trailhead.

    1h 6m
  2. Symbiosis Gear Creator & Owner Sarah Berkeley | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 31

    MAY 19

    Symbiosis Gear Creator & Owner Sarah Berkeley | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 31

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Sarah Berkeley, creator and owner of Symbiosis Gear, a woman-founded backpacking gear company making packs for people with boobs. Sarah’s story started on the Pacific Crest Trail, where she went through three different backpacks and still couldn’t find one that fit her body well. She saw men using small, sleek ultralight packs, but when she looked closer, the designs often didn’t offer the adjustability or fit she needed. So she reached out to a company with a simple design suggestion. They never wrote back. Instead of waiting for someone else to fix the problem, Sarah eventually built the pack herself. We also dive into: • Why many ultralight packs don’t work well for women’s bodies • The story behind Symbiosis Gear • What makes the Aspen backpack different • Why S-curve straps and adjustability matter • The reality of launching a product as a small brand • Ordering 500 backpacks and realizing that might be a lot • Getting scammed through a “try before you buy” app • Why women-specific gear still matters in the outdoor industry • The balance between listening to mentors and trusting yourself This episode is full of founder lessons, gear design insight, business mistakes, and honest conversation about building something that should have existed a long time ago. If you’ve ever worn a backpack that just didn’t feel like it was made for your body, this one is for you. Connect with Symbiosis Gear Website: https://www.symbiosisgear.com The Aspen Backpack: https://www.symbiosisgear.com/products/the-aspen Find a Retailer: https://www.symbiosisgear.com/pages/find-a-retailer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symbiosisgear Garage Grown Gear: https://www.garagegrowngear.com/collections/symbiosis-gear Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    58 min
  3. Bearvault's Marketing & Sales Grant Breidenbach | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 30

    MAY 12

    Bearvault's Marketing & Sales Grant Breidenbach | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 30

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Grant Breidenbach, Sales and Marketing Manager at BearVault, the company behind some of the most recognized bear-resistant food containers in the outdoor industry. If you backpack in bear country, there’s a good chance you’ve carried a BearVault… loved it, hated it, sat on it, stuffed it into your pack, or fought with it at the end of a long day. Grant shares the story behind BearVault, how the company started from a need to reduce human-bear conflict in the Sierra, and why their mission is about more than just protecting your food. It’s about keeping bears wild and keeping people safe outdoors. We also dive into: • The history of BearVault • The 5-year design process behind the new BV ONE • Why bear cans are required in so many wild places • How bears actually test these products • The truth about “bear-proof” vs. bear-resistant • Why the BV ONE collapses as your food stash shrinks • What went wrong during freezing rain testing • Counterfeit bear cans and why certification matters • The challenge of marketing a product people already own This episode is packed with gear design, wildlife education, product testing stories, and plenty of funny bear-can reality. If you’ve ever complained about carrying a bear can… this one is for you. Connect with BearVault Website: https://bearvault.com BV ONE: https://bearvault.com/products/bv-one Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearvault Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1h 16m
  4. Garage Grown Gear's Lloyd Vogel | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 29

    MAY 5

    Garage Grown Gear's Lloyd Vogel | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 29

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, we sit down with Lloyd Vogel, CEO of Garage Grown Gear. The platform that has helped launch and grow some of the most innovative brands in the outdoor industry. What started as a small side hustle in a basement turned into a powerhouse marketplace supporting 300+ small outdoor brands and Lloyd’s story is one every founder needs to hear. We dive into: • How Garage Grown Gear actually started (hint: it involved a giveaway) • The reality of building a business from scratch • Why small brands struggle to scale — and how to fix it • The truth about competition, copycats, and innovation in ultralight gear • What separates brands that make it… from the ones that don’t Lloyd also shares behind-the-scenes insight into how they discover new brands, what makes a product stand out, and why most founders burn out before they succeed. If you’re building a brand, love gear, or just want to understand how the outdoor industry really works this episode is packed. 👉 “Adversity isn’t a setback… it’s the process.”  🎙️ Follow Lloyd & Garage Grown Gear Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garagegrowngear Website: https://www.garagegrowngear.com Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1h 17m
  5. Outdoor Retailers Lindsay Hubley & Sunny Stroeer | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 28

    APR 27

    Outdoor Retailers Lindsay Hubley & Sunny Stroeer | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 28

    Is Outdoor Retailer still worth attending? That’s the question a lot of outdoor brands have been asking. In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Lindsay Hubley and Sunny Stroeer of Outdoor Retailers to talk about the future of Outdoor Retailer and why they believe trade shows are evolving. We talk about: • Why Outdoor Retailer changed locations • Why some brands stopped attending • The creator economy changing outdoor marketing • Why influencers now matter just as much as retail buyers • Their partnership with Popfly • Why small brands may actually benefit the most • The future of retail, media, and outdoor storytelling • How brands can actually win at trade shows today They also address why some people feel OR “lost its magic” and what they’re doing to rebuild it. This was one of the most interesting business conversations we’ve had on the podcast because it touches retail, creators, marketing, and where the outdoor industry is headed next. Learn More: Outdoor Retailer https://outdoorretailer.com Popfly https://popfly.com Garage Grown Gear https://www.garagegrowngear.com Founded Outdoors https://www.foundedoutdoors.com Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1h 18m
  6. Enlightened Equipment CEO Chris Schawlow | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 27

    APR 15

    Enlightened Equipment CEO Chris Schawlow | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 27

    What does it take to build one of the most recognized brands on trail? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, we sit down with Chris Schabow, CEO of Enlightened Equipment, to talk about the real story behind the brand… and the journey that almost didn’t happen. From sewing gear in a basement… To quitting a stable career… To helping lead one of the most trusted ultralight brands in the world… Chris shares the ups, the risks, and the moments that changed everything. We also dive into: • How Enlightened Equipment actually started • Why quilts changed backpacking forever • The real challenges of scaling a gear company • Product design, mistakes, and constant refinement • Why doing fewer things REALLY well matters • The story behind the Torrid jacket • Leadership, risk, and building a team you trust If you’ve ever used a quilt on trail… there’s a good chance it traces back to this story. Follow Chris + Enlightened Equipment Website: https://alnk.to/eZKBiae Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enlightenedequipment Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enlightenedequipment Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1h 11m
  7. Sawyer Products Community Manager Katie Houston | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 26

    APR 8

    Sawyer Products Community Manager Katie Houston | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 26

    USE CODE BEYOND20 for 20% on your sawyer most of your Sawyer orders What if the gear you carry on trail could actually save lives? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Katie Houston (trail name “Oats”), Community Director at Sawyer, the company behind the iconic Sawyer Squeeze. We dive into how a simple water filter became one of the most impactful tools in the outdoor industry and how it’s being used around the world to bring clean water to communities in need. Katie shares her story from eating dry oats on the Appalachian Trail (yes… really) to helping lead a brand that donates over 90% of its profits to clean water initiatives globally. We also get into: • The real story behind the Sawyer Squeeze • What actually happens inside your filter • Why most people use their gear wrong • How Sawyer responded during Hurricane Helene • The impact of clean water around the world • The reality of working in the outdoor industry • And how one small piece of gear can change everything Some of these stories are wild… and some hit pretty hard. If you’ve ever carried a Sawyer filter, this will completely change how you see it. Follow Katie / Sawyer Sawyer Products: https://www.sawyer.com/ Sawyer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawyerproducts/ Make a Tax Deductible Donation to www.sawyerfoundation.org (Katie): https://www.oatshikes.com/ 💬 Drop a comment: Have you ever used a Sawyer filter on trail? Listen to Beyond the Trailhead YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1h 3m
  8. Angry Pika CEO/Founder Shaun Durkee | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 25

    APR 1

    Angry Pika CEO/Founder Shaun Durkee | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 25

    What do you do when you lose 75% of your business overnight? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Shaun Durkee, founder of Angry Pika Food (formerly Alpenfuel). What started as a side hustle selling backpacking meals turned into a full-blown business… until tariffs, a rebrand, and a legal battle forced everything to change. This episode dives deep into the real side of building an outdoor brand. We talk about: • The moment everything started to fall apart • Losing 50–75% of website traffic overnight • The forced rebrand from Alpenfuel to Angry Pika • The reality of tariffs and product costs • Building high-calorie backpacking food from scratch • Why most outdoor businesses don’t make it This one is raw, honest, and a must-watch if you’re building something of your own. 🥾 Check Out Angry Pika Food Website: https://angrypikafood.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angrypikafood Dealer Locator: Available on website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angrypikafood 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors — you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    50 min
See All (32)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Beyond the Trailhead Podcast is where the outdoor world comes alive. We sit down with the people shaping the industry—founders, designers, and adventurers—to hear the stories behind the gear and the journeys that inspire it. From trailhead conversations to trail-tested reviews, this series dives into what makes the outdoor community unique, real, and worth exploring. Whether you’re a gear junkie, a weekend warrior, or someone who just loves trail talk, this is your spot to discover what’s happening beyond the trailhead. Guest suggestions or you would like to be on the show email at info@craigobrist.com

Information

  • Creator
    craig obrist
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 craig obrist

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