Brandon Chase

Brandon is a guide, writer, and endurance athlete from Maine. In a previous life, he was a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State and had the opportunity to explore over 60 countries while serving at U.S. Embassies in Egypt, Cyprus, and Pakistan.   Along with a 98-day thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, he has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, hiked the West Highland Way, fastpacked in the Himalayas, and trekked around New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.S. While abroad, he picked up an affection for endurance athletics and regularly competes in ultramarathons at 50k, 50 mile, and 100 mile distances around the globe. In addition to leading wildlife and rafting trips in the Pine Tree State, he is a guide and instructor forAndrew Skurka's backpacking trips and Plan Like a Pro course.

Posts

Patagonia R1 Thermal Full-Zip Hoody Review

Patagonia R1 Thermal Full-Zip Hoody Review

The Patagonia R1 lineup has earned legendary status in the outdoor world, renowned for its versatile mid-layers and fleece garments that have been a

Nov 7, 2024 : Brandon Chase
Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket Review

Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket Review

When it comes to outdoor gear, few brands command as much respect as Arc'teryx, and the Beta SL jacket is a prime example of their commitment to

Oct 8, 2024 : Brandon Chase
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 Pack Review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 Pack Review

The backpacking brand that thru-hikers know and love, Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG), has recently broken the mold of their tried-and-true lightweight

Sep 18, 2024 : Brandon Chase
Topo Athletic Pursuit 2 Trail Runner Review

Topo Athletic Pursuit 2 Trail Runner Review

I won’t sugarcoat it: I’m a big fan of Topo Athletic footwear. My admiration began during my 2018 Appalachian Trail thru-hike, when I urgently sought

Aug 5, 2024 : Brandon Chase
Zpacks Duplex Lite Tent Review

Zpacks Duplex Lite Tent Review

Zpacks, a renowned name in the backpacking community known for their innovative and lightweight pack and shelter designs, has solidified its place as

May 29, 2024 : Brandon Chase
Q&A With Heather “Anish” Anderson On Her Summer FKTs

Q&A With Heather “Anish” Anderson On Her Summer FKTs

Heather "Anish" Anderson is a legend in the FKT world. Learn about her incredible summer of setting records on sections of the AT and PCT.

Oct 2, 2023 : Brandon Chase
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Rain Jacket and Pants Review

REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Rain Jacket and Pants Review

REI is a leading outdoor retailer known for its high-quality and innovative rainwear. Their much-loved XeroDry line of jackets and pants have been

Sep 4, 2023 : Brandon Chase
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P Tent Review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P Tent Review

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P Tent is an ultralight and durable shelter designed for hikers seeking lightweight reliability. HMG is known

Aug 1, 2023 : Brandon Chase
Astral TR1 Scuffler Trail Runner Review

Astral TR1 Scuffler Trail Runner Review

Astral's TR1 Scuffler takes the company's watersports heritage and applies it to the trail, boasting exceptional breathability and traction.

Jul 19, 2023 : Brandon Chase
Inov-8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2 Hiking Boot Review

Inov-8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2 Hiking Boot Review

Founded in 2003, Inov-8 is a British company that designs and manufactures high-performance footwear and apparel for running, hiking, and other

May 25, 2023 : Brandon Chase