Sam Schild

Contributing Writer

Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He has thru-hiked the PCT, CDT, Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice.

He has biked and bikepacked over 50,000 miles in the last decade, completing the Colorado Trail by bike, the Kokopelli Trail twice, a 7,000-mile cross-country bike tour, tons of other bikepacking in the American Southwest, and bike commuting everywhere he can. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from Temple University, and before becoming a freelance outdoor writer was an academic, teacher of writing, high school teacher, and a bike mechanic. When he’s not thru-hiking or bikepacking, you might find him running long distances on trails closer to home.

Instagram: @sia_lizard

Blog: samschild.com

Gear Reviews

Gear Reviews
I tested the Black Diamond Distance 15 Backpack while running mountains across Colorado
Sam Schild
I tested the Black Diamond Distance 15 Backpack while running mountains across Colorado
Sam Schild

We tested the Black Diamond Distance running vest in the 5- and 15-liter sizes to assess carry comfort, pocket accessibility, load stability, and more.

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Sam Schild
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL Bikepack Tent Review: Easy to Pack, Fast to Pitch
Sam Schild
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL Bikepack Tent Review: Easy to Pack, Fast to Pitch
Sam Schild

Is the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL Bikepack tent worth $500? Our field test covers packability, storms, setup, and how it stacks up to the Copper Spur and NEMO.

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Sam Schild
Best Men's Trail Running Shoes of 2026
Sam Schild
Best Men's Trail Running Shoes of 2026
Sam Schild

Find the best men’s trail running shoes for rocky trails, gravel, mud, and long runs, with tested picks for grip, cushioning, hiking, and more.

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Sam Schild
I Tested the Yakima EXO OpenRange Deluxe Camp Kitchen All Summer to See if It’s Worth the Price
Sam Schild
I Tested the Yakima EXO OpenRange Deluxe Camp Kitchen All Summer to See if It’s Worth the Price
Sam Schild

Is the $1,199 Yakima EXO OpenRange Deluxe worth it? We tested this hitch-mounted camp kitchen for three months, from setup to cook-table stability.

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Sam Schild
I tested the Yakima EXO SwingBase while living full time on the road
Sam Schild
I tested the Yakima EXO SwingBase while living full time on the road
Sam Schild

We tested the Yakima EXO SwingBase, the hitch-mounted foundation for Yakima's modular EXO cargo and bike system.

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Sam Schild

Where to go

Where to Go
Bikepacking the Lower Deschutes River Trail
Graham Hodge
Bikepacking the Lower Deschutes River Trail
Graham Hodge

Find out what makes bikepacking the Lower Deschutes River Trail unique — and why it’s Oregon’s best trail for your first overnight mountain biking trip.

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Graham Hodge
Bikepacking The Kokopelli Trail
Sam Schild
Bikepacking The Kokopelli Trail
Sam Schild

The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, in western Colorado and Moab, Utah on singletrack and jeep roads

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Sam Schild
Treeline Review Staffauthor, frequent contributor