Ian Krammer profile photo with him smiling on a hiking trip with a canyon wall in the background
Ian Krammer
Gear Analyst

Ian is a peak bagger and gearhead who loves sharing his passion for big adventures and playing in the outdoors. His deep connection with nature, attention to detail, and years of experience as a professional researcher are what drive Ian’s thoughtful review process.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, he grew up visiting the Canadian Rockies before his family moved to Colorado Springs in 1998, where he fell in love with the Colorado Rockies. He went to school for Philosophy and English and is thrilled to spend his days thinking deeply about the most exciting outdoor gear for hiking, backpacking, and beyond.

Ian spent 4 years hitchhiking across all 50 states, living and working everywhere from the 200-foot-high canopy of the California Redwood trees to a short commute from the White House. After returning to Colorado, he climbed the state’s 58 14,000-foot peaks and hasn’t stopped chasing summits since. He’s currently on a mission to climb all 768 ranked and unranked 13,000-foot peaks, with about 100 left.

Off the clock, Ian looks forward to rambling around with his best friend Blodgett, a spry blue heeler canine named after a mountain, obsessing over his next route, or looking for the best cheeseburger in town.

Articles by Ian Krammer

Hiking Boot & Shoe Soles for Grip, Traction & Different Terrains

Hiking Boot & Shoe Soles for Grip, Traction & Different Terrains

Author
The soles of your shoes are literally where the rubber meets the trail. Learn more about what to look for in the bottoms of your hiking footwear in this in-depth article on grip, traction, and terrain.
How to Lace Hiking Boots & Shoes
A hiker in a red rain jacket sitting on a rock to tie his Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots

How to Lace Hiking Boots & Shoes

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How many ways can you tie your shoes? If you like to hike, you’ll need more than one.
How to Clean Hiking Shoes & Boots
Closeup of a hiker's feet crossing a creek in a muddy pair of Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 hiking boots

How to Clean Hiking Shoes & Boots

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In this guide, we walk you through how to take care of your footwear – so your footwear can take care of you.
Men’s La Sportiva Spire GTX Review
Closeup of a hiker tying the laces of the La Sportiva Spire GTX hiking shoes

Men’s La Sportiva Spire GTX Review

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The La Sportiva Spire GTX have received high praise in both the fastpacking and hiking worlds – but do they live up to the buzz?
Best Rain Jackets of 2024
A backpacker wearing an orange Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket in Yosemite National Park

Best Rain Jackets of 2024

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From drizzles to downpours, we’ve got your back. Our team of seasoned hikers weathered the storm to find the best rain jackets for performance and protection.
Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Tent Review

Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Tent Review

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Bottom Line The Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo stands out as a roomy, no-frills backcountry tent for budget-conscious backpacking pairs. It’s one of the most spacious tents on our best backpacking tents guide thanks to the arched brow poles, which offer a generous amount of headroom, and the expansive interior rivals much pricier models. CleverHiker […]
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Tent Review

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Tent Review

Author
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is one of the lightest double-wall, 2-door tents on the market. This makes it ultralight, convenient, and easy to pitch. It also has more headroom than much of the competition due to its long brow pole that pulls out the sidewalls.
REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent Review

REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent Review

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Bottom Line The REI Trailmade 2 is the perfect crossover tent for folks who are starting to backpack but also love car camping. It’s a budget-friendly shelter that overperforms its price point for durability, ease of setup, and comfort and easily earns a spot on our best backpacking tents guide. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has […]
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent Review

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent Review

Author
Combining lightweight design with exceptional comfort and weather protection, this tent is livable and easy to love.
Zpacks Classic 20 Sleeping Bag Review
A man shakes out a sleeping bag in a grassy field on a hot summer day.

Zpacks Classic 20 Sleeping Bag Review

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The Classic is one of our top choices thanks to its ultralight construction and an industry-leading warmth-to-weight ratio.
Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2024
A woman snuggled up in the Exped MegaSleep 25/40 sleeping bag inside of a camping tent with a view of the high desert in the background

Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2024

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Your sleeping bag can be as comfortable and warm as your bed at home. Whether you sleep cold, on your side, or love to cuddle…
Best Hiking Sandals For Men of 2024
A hiker in the Chaco Z/1 Classic sandals resting on mossy tree roots overhanging a creek

Best Hiking Sandals For Men of 2024

Author
Our trail-tested hiking sandal recommendations go the distance to help you find the perfect pair among our top picks for your next adventure.
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