Sam Schild

Contributing Writer

Katie Brown on a winter run in her home mountains in Utah. Photo by Craig Lloyd.

 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
Hest Dually Camping Mattress Review
Sam Schild
Hest Dually Camping Mattress Review
Sam Schild

In-depth, long-term review of the Hest Dually mattress. We test for comfort, portability, and ease-of-use and cleaning for camping, camper vans, vanlife, and base camping.

Sam Schild
Trelino Evo S Composting Portable Toilet Review
Sam Schild
Trelino Evo S Composting Portable Toilet Review
Sam Schild

Long-term review of the Trelino Evo Composting portable toilet for camping, overlanding, and vanlife. We test ease of use, stability, durability, odor control and leakproofness.

Sam Schild
Best Bike Frame Bags of 2024
Sam Schild
Best Bike Frame Bags of 2024
Sam Schild

We review top-rated bike bags to find the best mountain bike frame bag, best for gravel bikes and road bikes, and top tube bags for all kinds of bikes and riders.

Sam Schild
Best Bike Saddle Bags and Seat Packs of 2024
Sam Schild
Best Bike Saddle Bags and Seat Packs of 2024
Sam Schild

Small seat-mounted bags for road biking, and full-size saddlebags for bikepacking, mountain biking, and gravel riding.

Sam Schild
Best Men's Trail Running Shoes of 2024
Sam Schild
Best Men's Trail Running Shoes of 2024
Sam Schild

If your feet aren’t happy, you won’t be happy. A comfortable pair of trail running shoes is crucial for a good experience while on the trail. We'll help you find them.

Sam Schild

Where to go

Where to Go
Bikepacking the Colorado Trail
Sam Schild
Bikepacking the Colorado Trail
Sam Schild

Bikepack the 500-mile Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango. Ride your mountain bike on one of the most scenic Colorado bike trails. Whether you’re doing the Colorado Trail race or biking in sections, this guide includes campsites, water, resupply, gear and more.

Sam Schild
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

Sam Schild
Treeline Review Staffauthor