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
Best Running Belts of 2026
Sam Schild
Best Running Belts of 2026
Sam Schild

Running belts are game changers. You can carry more stuff, or at least a smartphone, and still feel like you're only wearing the clothes on your back.

Sam Schild
The La Sportiva Prodigio 2 Trail Running Shoes Fixed Everything I Disliked About the Original
Sam Schild
The La Sportiva Prodigio 2 Trail Running Shoes Fixed Everything I Disliked About the Original
Sam Schild

We tested the La Sportiva Prodigio 2 trail running shoes, which perform well over nearly any trail terrain at any distances, making them great for just about any trail runner.

Sam Schild
Best Bike Panniers of 2026
Sam Schild
Best Bike Panniers of 2026
Sam Schild

We review the best bike panniers for bike touring, commuting, bikepacking, and getting groceries. We consider capacity, waterproofness, secure mounting and access.

Sam Schild
Best Bike Saddle Bags and Seat Packs of 2026
Sam Schild
Best Bike Saddle Bags and Seat Packs of 2026
Sam Schild

We tested 20+ small seat-mounted bags for road biking, and full-size saddlebags for bikepacking, mountain biking, and gravel riding to find the best bike bags for all kinds of riding.

Sam Schild
Best Bike Frame Bags of 2026
Sam Schild
Best Bike Frame Bags of 2026
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

Where to go

Where to Go
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
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
Treeline Review Staffauthor