Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears

Should we rip down the railings in national parks and let natural selection take over? This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles a heated question about safety features on public lands and debates where personal responsibility ends and park management begins.
Then, a Camino hopeful writes in with a blister crisis after breaking in new boots. Shawnté dives deep into fit, heel locks, insoles, trail runners vs. boots, and yes… a little strategic lubrication.
Finally, a retail worker wonders if attending the outdoor industry trade show, Switchback, on their own dime is worth it. Is it career growth, industry networking magic or just crashing the party?
Risk management, foot management, and trade show strategy... only on Gear Abby!
Send your questions to [email protected]... because there are no dumb questions, just smart advice.
Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles a salty question about whether trail running has lost its “cool factor” now that it’s gone mainstream and whether gatekeeping the sport is just aging-contrarian energy.
Then things get real: a listener shares how sobriety is changing his ski season and friendships. Shawnté digs into ski culture, alcohol pressure, and how to protect your joy on the mountain without compromising your recovery.
Plus: in What’s In My Pack?, Shawnté tests a new handheld hydration system (yes, with actual freezer science) and admits when she’s wrong about insulated bottles.
Send your questions to [email protected]... because there are no dumb questions, just smart advice.
Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles one of the most thoughtful (and emotionally charged) listener questions yet: how outdoor folks can show up when politics, safety, and public spaces collide. Joined by Garage Grown Gear founder Lloyd Vogel, the conversation digs into why the outdoors has always been political and what real allyship can look like.
Then, things take a sharp (and familiar) turn back to trail reality with a listener question about poop emergencies; including etiquette, survival tactics, and how to handle the most awkward moments imaginable.
Shawnté also answers questions about Alex Honnold’s high-profile Netflix skyscraper climb before wrapping things up with a listener question about permits.
Heavy topics, hard truths, and yes… poop. Just another day at Gear Abby.
Send your questions to [email protected]... because there are no dumb questions, just smart advice.
Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

On this episode of Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles four listener questions that range from trail life to public lands policy:
Do brick-and-mortar outdoor retailers still matter in an era of DTC everything?
What’s the best outdoor-themed true crime to read when you’re not alone in the woods?
Is the Kula Cloth actually hygienic? Shawnté is joined by Kula Cloth founder Anastasia Allison to break down the facts.
And finally, Shawnté digs into the controversial decision to raise national park entrance fees for international visitors, unpacking the equity, logistics, and politics behind the policy — and why the math (and the vibes) don’t add up.

Send your questions to [email protected]... because there are no dumb questions, just smart advice.
Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Are there any truly ethical outdoor brands or is sustainability mostly marketing?
This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté Salabert digs into what “ethical” and “sustainable” actually mean in the outdoor industry, how to spot greenwashing, and which brands are genuinely trying to do better.
Then, Shawnté mounts a passionate defense of Death Valley National Park, breaking down why the desert is far more alive (and beautiful) than its name suggests and exactly how to convince a skeptical travel partner.
Finally, a thru-hiker weighs the classic dilemma: sleeping bag or quilt? Shawnté explains how quilts work, why the bottom of your sleeping bag isn’t doing much anyway, and whether making the switch is worth the weight savings.
We wrap things up with another edition of "What's In My Pack?!" This week's item: The Sunbrella.
Got a question? Email [email protected]... because there are no dumb questions, just smart advice.
Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.