Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears

Rock Fight Club
  • 4.8 (22)
  • Wilderness

Gear Abby: Outdoor Advice Without the BS! Sick of outdoor podcasts that gate keep, worship influencer gear lists, or make you feel like you don’t belong? Yeah, we do too. That’s why Gear Abby exists. With Gear Abby you won't get an ounce of shame or gear snobbery. It's just unfiltered advice, honest conversations, and the occasional 'WTF' moment in the wild. Hosted by outdoor journalist and adventure junkie Shawnté Salabert, this show answers the real questions you’re too embarrassed to ask out loud. From weird gear issues and trip prep anxiety to calling out elitist nonsense in outdoor culture. Shawnté approaches your burning outdoor questions with that sort of loving big sister vibe. And if Shawnté doesn’t have the answer? She’ll drag in someone who does. Whether you hike, paddle, run, or just want to feel less weird in REI - Gear Abby’s your new outdoor bestie. Gear Abby. Because there are no dumb questions. Just smart advice.

  1. Switchback New Orleans Reaction: Did The Show Work In Year 2? - Outdoor Unfiltered

    2d ago ·  Bonus

    Switchback New Orleans Reaction: Did The Show Work In Year 2? - Outdoor Unfiltered

    What is the purpose of an outdoor trade show beyond sales? Live from the floor of Switchback in New Orleans, Eoin Comerford sits down with thru-hiking expert Shawnté Salabert (Gear Abby) to break down the hits, the misses, and the future of the outdoor tradeshow. In this episode of Outdoor Unfiltered, Eoin and Shawnté dive deep into reactions of the exhibit hall. From the highly anticipated US Participation Report presented by Kelly Davis to navigating the timing clash with regional shows like GOA, they examine what it takes to build a true national show. Plus, the duo doesn’t hold back on their unfiltered booth reviews, praising the stunning blonde-wood aesthetics of Snow Peak, Fjällräven, and Teva, while calling out the underwhelming setups from other brands. Tune in for an inside look at the latest gear innovations shaking up the market, including Dometic’s interchangeable tumbler system, GRAYL’s Carry Project pack line, Butt Napkins’ upcoming submarine bidet wand, Date Fix’s intense food culture mission, Rumpl’s clever cape clips, and the mouth-watering backpacking meals from Lux Fly. Whether you are a specialty retail buyer, a major outdoor brand, or a gear junkie, this episode is your ultimate backstage pass to the business and culture of the great outdoors. Then later in the show, Eoin sits down with Switchback Event Director Sean Smith to share his impressions and break some news about a time change for next year. Connect With UsWe would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries or whatever's on your mind! Connect with Eoin Comerford: LinkedIn Profile Our SponsorsSupport the brands that make this show possible: ENDVR – The network that connects brands, retailers, and frontline associates to power sell-through across your wholesale channel. Visit www.endvr.io.Crux Retail – Creating bold retail displays for bold brands. Visit www.crux-retail.com.

    41 min

  2. 5d ago

    Flashback Friday: Gear Abby Episode 3!

    New to Gear Abby? Then enjoy this trip back in time to our third episode! Shawnté Salabert and producer Colin “P.I.G.” True are back with another round of Gear Abby, where the gear questions get real... and sometimes a little gross. This week’s adventures include: • The Triple Crown of Hiking – Do you really need to hike the AT, PCT, and CDT to earn your stripes, or is the whole “Triple Crowner” thing kind of overrated? • Chafing in the Wild – From sticky thighs to “fire crotch,” Shawnté breaks down how to prevent, treat, and laugh about the outdoor chafe life. • Strava Love & Hate – Is tracking your runs and hikes inspiring, or just another way to feed the ego monster? Shawnté shares her thoughts on “Kudos culture.” • Cutting Switchbacks – The eternal debate: is it really that bad if you shave a little distance? Abby has some strong words for the shortcut crowd. This episode is for anyone who’s ever chafed, bragged on Strava, questioned the Triple Crown mystique, or been tempted by a too-good-to-ignore shortcut. Click here for Gear Abby's footnotes and even more from this episode! Send your questions to deargearabby@gmail.com and they might make it onto a future episode! Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

    35 min

  3. Jun 12

    Wild Didn't Ruin Thru-Hiking (You Did) Plus: What's In Your Pack?!

    This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles one of the most persistent debates in backpacking: did Cheryl Strayed's Wild ruin thru-hiking? Then it's time for a surprisingly deep dive into backpacking water filters, freezing temperatures, storage tips, and how to avoid turning your water treatment system into an expensive paperweight. Finally, Colin asks the all-important question: "What's In Your Pack?" which somehow leads to a passionate discussion about street corn grits, Renaissance Faires, and the backpacking meal Shawnté can't stop thinking about. As always, there are no dumb questions—just smart advice. Email your buring outdoor questions to Gear Abby! deargearabby@gmail.com Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

    37 min

  4. Jun 5

    Ice Planet Barbarians & Other Outdoor Emergencies

    This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté and Colin tackle some truly important outdoor questions: Why does the PCT seem to have a norovirus outbreak every year? Should beginner climbers always wear helmets outside? And if you were abducted by the Ice Planet Barbarians and taken to their frozen world, what three pieces of gear would you bring? Along the way, they discuss AI-generated Ansel Adams prints, shirtless climbers, trail hygiene, college outdoor clubs, and why hand sanitizer isn't enough when norovirus comes calling. As always, there are no dumb questions... just smart advice. Send your questions to deargearabby@gmail.com! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

    36 min

  5. May 29

    Goobies, Boobies & Bike Rides

    Big Titty Mountain. Mushroom poop tabs. No-drop bike rides that definitely drop people. This week, Gear Abby explores weird outdoor place names, the science behind mycelium-powered bathroom kits, and how to handle a cycling group that isn't living up to its promises. Plus: thru-hiker drama, Poo Poo Point, mastodon boners, and a (not-so) shocking amount of poop-related expertise. Send your questions to DearGearAbbyMail@gmail.com. There are no dumb questions, just smart advice. Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

    42 min

  6. May 22

    Dirty Underwear & Good Decisions

    This week on Gear Abby, we tackle one of the toughest trail dilemmas yet: what should you do when you come across a hiker who clearly looks in distress but refuses help? Then it’s time for an extremely important backpacking discussion: how many pairs of underwear should you bring on a trip, really? Gear Abby dives into trail hygiene, dirty chonies, wet liners, and why changing underwear at the trailhead can feel like a spiritual experience. Finally, Shawnté welcomes Rawlogy founder and fitness coach Marek Bowers to talk about building strength in midlife, why protein suddenly matters so much, and what active women over 40 should focus on to keep hiking, climbing, and adventuring strong for years to come. As always, send your questions to DearGearAbbyMail@gmail.com because there are no dumb questions, just smart advice! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

    47 min

  7. May 8

    Creepy Stairs In The Woods & Chicago Crime Scene Bear!

    Are those random stairs in the forest actually haunted or just leftovers from long-forgotten buildings? This week on Gear Abby, we dig into the eerie legend of “stairs in the woods,” exploring where the spooky stories came from and why your brain reacts so strongly when you see them on trail. Next, one ski-trip debate gets settled once and for all: does alcohol really hit harder at altitude? Shawnté breaks down the science behind blood alcohol levels, dehydration, and why mountain drinking can feel rougher than expected. Finally, a first-time backpacker worries that deodorant, sunscreen, and moisturizer might attract bears. Gear Abby explains what really draws bears in and why you can probably keep your face lotion without becoming bear bait. Got a question (or a spooky trail story) for Gear Abby? Send it to DearGearAbby@gmail.com... because there are no dumb questions, just smart advice. Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

    35 min

  8. May 1

    The Deadliest Parks, The Most Stubborn Hikers & Wearing A Rain Skirt!

    What’s the deadliest national park in the United States? This week on Gear Abby, we kick things off with a dark-but-fascinating question about where people are most at risk in our national parks and why the answer might surprise you. Next, a listener needs help convincing her stubborn boyfriend to use trekking poles on a Grand Canyon hike even though his knees suggest he absolutely should. Finally, Shawnté's favorite segment, What's In My Pack?! returns! Shawnté makes the case for one of the weirdest but most versatile pieces of gear around: the rain skirt. Got a question for Gear Abby? Send it to deargearabby@gmail.com—because there are no dumb questions, just smart advice. Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

    42 min
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4.8
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About

Gear Abby: Outdoor Advice Without the BS! Sick of outdoor podcasts that gate keep, worship influencer gear lists, or make you feel like you don’t belong? Yeah, we do too. That’s why Gear Abby exists. With Gear Abby you won't get an ounce of shame or gear snobbery. It's just unfiltered advice, honest conversations, and the occasional 'WTF' moment in the wild. Hosted by outdoor journalist and adventure junkie Shawnté Salabert, this show answers the real questions you’re too embarrassed to ask out loud. From weird gear issues and trip prep anxiety to calling out elitist nonsense in outdoor culture. Shawnté approaches your burning outdoor questions with that sort of loving big sister vibe. And if Shawnté doesn’t have the answer? She’ll drag in someone who does. Whether you hike, paddle, run, or just want to feel less weird in REI - Gear Abby’s your new outdoor bestie. Gear Abby. Because there are no dumb questions. Just smart advice.

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