My name is Jim and I created Gear Signal in March of 2018. After I got started backpacking I bought a bunch of gear and ended up replacing almost all of it because it sucked.

I realized that most of the stuff I had read online about backpacking gear wasn't written by people who actually used the stuff or even went backpacking! 

Picture of myself arriving at Twin Crater Lakes in the Rawah Wilderness - Summer 2017

Finishing up lunch and getting ready to hit the trail at Chickenbone Lake on Isle Royale with my buddy Dustin - Summer 2018

After hundreds of hours reading on Reddit, watching Youtube videos and devouring every review I could find, I started to figure out what gear was good and what stuff sucked.

I made Gear Signal to help you find the best backpacking gear for your needs so you don't waste money on crappy gear and you don't spend too much on stuff you won't use.

What makes Gear Signal different?

Well I'm a real dude with a regular job. I've got a wife and 2 kids and I live in Michigan which means I can't do much backpacking during the winter.

I try to go on at least 1-2 trips every year with at least 1 of them being a big 5-7 day trip. After my trip I come back here and document everything about the trip. The pre-trip planning, what the trip was like and what I wish I had known when I went.

Final day of my first big backpacking trip. Spent a couple nights on North Manitou Island - Summer 2016

First overnight trip with my wife on the Manistee River Trail - Summer 2015

There's no better guide than someone who has done it so if you're interested in going to any of the places you see in these pictures then you'll want to take a look at my guides. Enjoy!