Backpacker Radio

Topo Athletic: Use code "Trek15Hike" for 15% off at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
Segments
Trail Goss #6: Is the Triple Crown Overrated?
Trek Propaganda: What 800 Miles of Fart-Flavored CDT Cow Troughs Taught Me About Water Filtration by Katie Jackson
QOTD: Do you like pumpkin spice?
Sun Hoodie Review: Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake
Triple Crown of the weirdest wedding traditions
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Advertise on Backpacker Radio
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Brad & Blair from Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Lloyd Vogel, CEO and co-founder of Garage Grown Gear, the online retailer feeding your obsessions with ultralight and cottage gear.
In this one, Lloyd walks us through building the business from his basement when his mom was helping keep sales alive, he opens up about the values misalignment that led Garage Grown Gear to stop carrying Enlightened Equipment, and Lloyd makes the case for assless rain chaps as a piece of gear that deserves more love. 
We also cover how he's made himself nearly unreachable while remaining very much available on LinkedIn- and why he ditched his smartphone for a dumb phone, the surprising little gadget that outsells every individual product on the site by revenue, and he unveils his prediction for the next big innovation in UL gear. 
We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda on what 800 miles of fart-flavored CDT cow troughs taught Katie about water filtration, a Question of the Day on whether pumpkin spice deserves the hype, a sun hoodie review of the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake, and a Triple Crown of the weirdest wedding traditions.
Topo Athletic: Use code "Trek15Hike" for 15% off at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
[divider]
Interview with Lloyd Vogel
Garage Grown Gear
Lloyd's Instagram
Lloyd's LinkedIn
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:55 - Reminders: Join us LIVE in Denver with Andrew Skurka, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:09:00 - Introducing Lloyd
00:11:00 - What isn't appealing about a thru-hike?
00:13:35 - Why have you sworn off technology aside from LinkedIn?
00:20:00 - Discussion about connecting with thru-hikers without having thru-hiked
00:22:30 - Have there been negative consequences from your technology system?
00:25:00 - How does a product make it onto GGG?
00:29:25 - What is Garage Grown Gear and how did it get started?
00:33:20 - Did you merge with or acquire GGG?
00:36:05 - How did Garage Grown Gear operate the business model better?
00:37:30 - Which brands had immediate buy-in?
00:40:35 - How did you know to stick with the project versus jumping ship?
00:46:10 - Was there ever a point when your partner ever worried about your entrepreneurship?
00:49:20 - How did you set up the agreement with Enlightened Equipment?
00:53:10 - Do the businesses you work with ever ask you for business advice?
00:58:50 - What have been some of the biggest product successes?
01:02:20 - How do you pick which products to feature?
01:04:10 - Have you ever parted ways with a brand because their morals didn't align with yours?
01:09:14 - What does GGG do to amplify their mission of promoting the outdoors?
01:11:10 - What was it like to realize you could give away profits to causes you support?
01:12:56 - What are some of your most popular products right now?
01:20:25 - At what point did you realize the difference between gear enthusiasts and backpackers?
01:23:38 - What has GGG's role been in the rise of ultralight?
01:27:00 - What item do you think should be selling more?
01:28:30 - Why is it better for a consumer to order from GGG compared to directly from the brand?
01:34:25 - Have you considered private labeling anything?
01:36:00 - Do you do product exclusives on GGG?
01:38:15 - What is the most pervasive misconception about GGG?
01:43:30 - What gear do you see exploding in the next few years?
01:47:10 - When did you switch from the freebie being the lemon packet versus the toothbrush?
01:49:20 - Tell us about being a board member for the Superior Hiking Trail
01:51:30 - Where do you want GGG to be in five years?
01:53:15 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance enhancing or outdoors hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: What 800 Miles of Fart-Flavored CDT Cow Troughs Taught Me About Water Filtration by Katie Jackson
QOTD: Do you like pumpkin spice?
Sun Hoodie Review: Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake
Triple Crown of the weirdest wedding traditions
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Advertise on Backpacker Radio
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Brad & Blair from Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.

Topo Athletic: Use code "Trek15Hike" for 15% off at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
Segments
Trail Goss #5
Trek Propaganda
Do You Actually Like Thru Hiking, or Do You Just Like the Party Scene? By Peg Leg

A Typical PCT Thru-Hike Cost $10,000 in 2025. Here's How We Did It for Just $6,000 Each by Anna McKinney Smith

QOTD: Do you know what a triple deucer is?
Triple Crown of employees you are the most annoyed to interact with
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Advertise on Backpacker Radio
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Brad & Blair from Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Eliza "Swerve" Sweeney, a textile design graduate who's taking on the CDT with an almost entirely homemade kit, including her backpack, tent, quilt, and even her underwear.
In this one, Eliza walks us through skipping her final physics exam to squeeze the PCT into her summer break, turning her senior design project into the gear she's now trusting to get her across the country, and learning to let herself take a damn zero after spending an entire thru-hike racing to get back to school.
We also cover the joys of stuffing a puffy jacket inside a tent at four in the morning while down feathers get in your hair and mouth, her innovative hiking pants design meant to remove friction at the hips, and her hiker bro quiz, which reveals that Sauce is twice the bro I am.
We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda on whether you actually like thru-hiking or just the party scene, how one couple hiked the PCT for roughly $12k (which is shocking- a budget thru-hike), a Question of the Day touching on the elusive triple deucer, and a Triple Crown of employees you're most annoyed to interact with.
Topo Athletic: Use code "Trek15Hike" for 15% off at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
[divider]
Interview with Eliza "Swerve" Sweeney
Eliza's Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:30 - Reminders: Take the 2026 AT Thru-Hiker Survey, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:08:55 - Introducing Eliza
00:13:20 - What's your trail name origin story?
00:14:20 - Did hiking the AT inspire your degree?
00:19:20 - Discussion about hiking the PCT in 100 days
00:23:00 - How has your CDT daily mileage compared to your earlier thru-hikes?
00:25:20 - Are you working in college to fund your thru-hikes?
00:28:00 - Discussion about fabrics
00:33:30 - What machinery did you use to create your pieces?
00:37:45 - What does the design process look like?
00:39:25 - Tell us about how you made your hiking underwear
00:42:00 - Were you nervous to start the trail with untested gear?
00:43:12 - How long did it take to make everything?
00:47:40 - Which gear item was the most time consuming and why?
00:51:00 - Discussion about quilt design and creation
00:53:15 - What was the biggest surprise pain in the ass?
00:56:45 - What fabric did you use for your tent?
00:59:30 - What are your career goals?
01:01:25 - How fast could you do the shorts if you made it more efficient?
01:02:20 - Tell us about making the fanny pack
01:04:50 - Tell us about making the down jacket
01:11:50 - Have you thought about what your dream job would be?
01:13:12 - How did you choose the fabric for your rain jacket?
01:15:30 - Discussion about shirt and pant fabrics
01:21:00 - Tell us about your overall baseweight
01:26:00 - What's your favorite luxury item?
01:29:27 - What is your hiker bro quiz?
01:46:49 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
Do You Actually Like Thru Hiking, or Do You Just Like the Party Scene? By Peg Leg
A Typical PCT Thru-Hike Cost $10,000 in 2025. Here's How We Did It for Just $6,000 Each by Anna McKinney Smith
QOTD: Do you know what a triple deucer is?
Triple Crown of employees you are the most annoyed to interact with
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Advertise on Backpacker Radio
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Brad & Blair from Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.

LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com.
Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
Segments
Trail Goss Episode 4: Influencer Fined for Petting Mount Rainier Marmot
Trek Propaganda: Dale "Grey Beard" Sanders, 91, Becomes Oldest Person to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail by Katie Jackson
QOTD: How long do you think you could evade the feds on trail after committing a white collar felony?
Trail Work Thing of the Week: Colorado Fourteeners Initiative
Triple Crown of minor discomforts that are actually major problems
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Advertise on Backpacker Radio
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Brad & Blair from Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.