28 episodes

Broken Laces is a hiker's podcast featuring stories from those in the outdoor industry. Hear how policy advocates, park rangers, trail angels, weekend backpackers, thru-hikers, and authors work within the outdoors + hike and brewery recommendations each episode.

Broken Laces: a Hiker's Podcast Broken Laces Podcast

    • Sports
    • 5.0 • 13 Ratings

Broken Laces is a hiker's podcast featuring stories from those in the outdoor industry. Hear how policy advocates, park rangers, trail angels, weekend backpackers, thru-hikers, and authors work within the outdoors + hike and brewery recommendations each episode.

    U.S. Hike Draft (S3, Ep25)

    U.S. Hike Draft (S3, Ep25)

    We had such a good time drafting national parks last year (Episode 17), we had to do it again. This time, we're drafting hiking trails, on a 50 mile budget.


     


    Jeremy Jones (see Episode 1) and my brother Jeff Smith (see Episode 17) join me for four rounds of drafting our favorite hikes. Well, we included a bonus round too!


     


    Each person had 50 miles to spend (where we counted trail mileage, not hiking mileage), and amazingly enough, there were some hikes that were stolen from one another.  Tune in to see what was picked and what state/region took home the most picks.
     
    How would you spend your 50 miles?


     

    • 58 min
    Hiking Trainer, Rowan Smith, Founder of Summit Strength (S3 Ep 24)

    Hiking Trainer, Rowan Smith, Founder of Summit Strength (S3 Ep 24)

    Rowan Smith, the founder of Summit Strength, is one of the world’s only specialist hiking coaches. With over 10 years of experience as a Personal Trainer, Rowan coaches hikers from across the globe, creating 100% tailored coaching. He targets individual’s physical and mental strength, with clients fulfilling bucket list adventures such as Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, the Pacific Crest Trail and many more.
     
    On the podcast we talk about his journey to becoming a professional hiking trainer, his approach to training day hikers to professional backpackers, how to deal with pain on the trail, and how to get proper training — even without mountains nearby. Enjoy!

    • 37 min
    Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation initiative, Jessie Grossman (S3 Ep 23)

    Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation initiative, Jessie Grossman (S3 Ep 23)

    Jessie is the US Program Manager for the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation initiative (Y2Y), whose mission is to connect and protect habitat across 2,000 miles (3,200 km) and inspire others to engage in similar work.


     


    Jessie’s conservation experience and academic background integrate forest ecology, biodiversity, species conservation, and climate change into collaborative projects in forest and watershed restoration, wildland protection, and human-wildlife coexistence. She currently lives in Idaho and enjoys incorporating her connection to its people and landscapes into her work with Y2Y.


     


    Jessie joins the pod to talk about this awesome Y2Y initiative, the complexities of managing many relationships among hundreds of parties across multiple jurisdictions, and the wonderful rocky mountain range that she monitors in the Idaho / Montana area.

    • 27 min
    Hiking the Collegiate Loop (S3 Ep 22)

    Hiking the Collegiate Loop (S3 Ep 22)

    In Season 2, I detailed my hike of the 220+ miles of the John Muir trail. This season, I'm excited to share my most recent hike of the Collegiate Loop, a 160 mile loop (obviously) that is part of the much longer, 500 mile long Colorado Trail.


     
    In this episode, I share the route details (miles, elevation, clockwise/counterclockwise), how to plan your hike (resupplies, research resources), and provide day-by-day details of my 8 days on the trail.


     
    See photos here for a play-by-play as I walk you through each day on the Collegiate Loop!


     


    #collegiateloop #collegiate #coloradotrail #CDT #longtrail #colorado #thruhike #solohike

    • 45 min
    Wyoming & Packrafting w/ Snake River Brewery's, Luke Bauer (S3 Ep 21)

    Wyoming & Packrafting w/ Snake River Brewery's, Luke Bauer (S3 Ep 21)

    Snake River Brewery's Luke Bauer joins the podcast to talk about a hodgepodge of his favorite things, including craft beer, Wyoming hikes, and packrafting.


     


    Luke has worked in the craft beer industry 12+ years, as well as several years in the outdoors industry, specifically with the American Alpine Club and recently, the American Packrafting Association.


     


    Luke is a climber, paddler, hiker, and backpacker, among other things, and he's definitely a friend of the show. As you'll hear in the podcast, he's more than capable of serving as the Wyoming correspondent, as he shares places beyond Yellowstone and the Tetons (although they're amazing too)!


     

    • 36 min
    Backpacker Magazine Gear Editor, Eli Bernstein (S3 Ep 20)

    Backpacker Magazine Gear Editor, Eli Bernstein (S3 Ep 20)

    Eli Bernstein joins the podcast to talk (nerd out) about backpacking gear. In the conversation, we chat about Backpacker Magazine, how he ended up there, how they review and test gear, and general tips for consumers when picking gear.


     




    Eli has worked as Backpacker's gear editor for four years. He spends most of his time trying to hike, ski, and climb in scenic places with as few people around as possible, all the while testing gear and not trying to fall too in love with it.




     


    I found Eli's enthusiasm and knowledge about gear a really engaging listen, and I think you'll pick up a few nuggets on what you may need to pay more attention to in your next gear purchase. Plus, his trails and ales selection has already been marked on my hiking to-do list.


     

    • 32 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
13 Ratings

13 Ratings

Patrice La Vigne ,

Wide Array Of Guests!

Riley has secured some amazing hikers as guests for his show! Can’t get enough of hiker stories!!

themundaneadventurer ,

Such a diversity of interviews! Love

I love the approach this podcast takes to the outdoor industry. It’s so holistic, exploring the industry from micro and macro lenses. Riley is a great host, asking great concise questions and listening to people’s responses. The bit “trails and ales” is also fantastic. I would love to see more interviews from the individuals who work in the park system carrying out the important mission of protecting our cultural and landmark histories. Keep it up!

Skenter ,

Great Outdoor Guests

Riley has a great list of guest that are connected and enjoy the great outdoors. He talks with them so that they share their personal experiences, joys, beauty and downfalls when experiencing the outdoors.

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