The very first time I was in the Arctic, I wasn’t even walking yet. I was riding along in my dad’s child carrier backpack. But what truly sparked my love for the North came a little later, when I attended my children’s wilderness camp before confirmation. That week of hiking in the Arctic wilderness opened my eyes to the beauty and challenge of the outdoors, and it set me on a path I’ve been following ever since.

After completing my military service, I’ve spent over fifteen years exploring the outdoors in every way I could. From day hikes to week-long backpacking trips, across all four seasons, on foot, by fatbike, and on wilderness skis, the experiences have been as varied as the terrain. Along the way I’ve tested clothing and equipment in real conditions and learned a great deal about what truly works when the weather turns rough and reliability matters most.

My approach to gear is straightforward: I’m not trapped in any one outdoor ideology. I blend traditional bushcraft skills with tactical gear and use ultralight innovations where they make sense. The goal is always the same: use field-tested, reliable equipment that works when it matters. That’s why this website exists. Every piece of gear I write about has been used and tested, often for years, before I recommend it. You won’t find generic listicles or untested products here.

These days, my adventures also include teaching my young kids the same skills and respect for nature that I learned. We carry the fire forward, passing on the knowledge, the experiences, and the joy of being outdoors.

-J