Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears

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.

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 deargearabby@gmail.com... because there are no dumb questions, just smart advice.Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

What should you actually eat on a long trail? Is there a way to learn downhill skiing without blowing your entire budget? And how do you find a sports bra that truly supports a bigger chest for high-impact sports?This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté Salabert breaks down trail food favorites and regrets, shares realistic advice for trying to ski on the cheap, and welcomes sports bra expert Dr. LeJean Lawson for a deep dive into fit, fabric, and why “divide and conquer” matters when it comes to breast support. Practical advice, real talk, and plenty of enchilada dreams.Got a question? Send it to DearGearAbby@gmail.com.Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

It’s a special holiday episode of Gear Abby!This week, Shawnté and Colin turn the mics on each other to reflect on the year in the outdoors. They cover the weirdest listener emails (including a truly unforgettable deep dive into elk mating habits), the biggest outdoor stories of the year, and their favorite gear picks from trail shoes to backpacks and sandals.They also look ahead to 2026, talking consistency over clout, favorite adventures, recovery from injury, and why sometimes the best outdoor goal is simply getting outside with people you love.Come for the gear talk. Stay for the elk erotica.Got a question? Send it to DearGearAbby@gmail.com.Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear, Gossamer GearThanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles three absolute heaters: the ethics of climbing chalk, the surprising brilliance of ponchos (and the even more surprising brilliance of rain chaps), and what to do when nature calls in the dead of winter and the ground is frozen solid. Also: curling, scuba fears, PVC tubes full of poop, and a love letter to wind shirts.Today's Lineup!Chalk Ethics 101: Hidden cost: the environmental toll of chalk manufacturing.Poncho Town, Population: You. Final verdict: wear whatever keeps you dry — fashion is between you and your god.Winter Poop Protocol: Emergency snow option: dig deep, break it up, bury responsibly (last resort only).What’s in Shawnté’s Pack?: A full ode to the humble wind shirt.Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear, Gossamer GearGot your own question for Gear Abby? Send it to deargearabby@gmail.com and it just might end up on the pod.Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.