Mike Unger

Contributing Writer

Mike Unger modeling various fitness watches. Photo by Liz Thomas.

Mike Unger left his high-stress corporate job to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2006. That experience forever changed him, and he purposefully re-arranged his life to allow for as much adventuring as possible. Today, he’s hiked over 28,000 miles on North American long trails and is one of a handful of people who is a Double Triple Crowner, having hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails twice each.

He’s also picked up another passion along the way: long-distance bikepacking, including the 1,850-mile Pacific Coast route. When he’s not hiking or biking, he’s probably planning his next trip and/or researching gear.

 

Twitter: @MikeUngerPDX

Gear Reviews
Best (and Brightest) Headlamps of 2024/25
Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz
Best (and Brightest) Headlamps of 2024/25
Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz

We spent 200+ nights testing the best headlamps for brightness, battery life, comfort, and ease of use for backpacking, hiking, running, climbing, and camping.

Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz
Osprey Exos Pro and Osprey Eja Pro Backpacking Backpack Review
Liz Thomas and Mike Unger
Osprey Exos Pro and Osprey Eja Pro Backpacking Backpack Review
Liz Thomas and Mike Unger

In-depth, long-term review of the Osprey Exos Pro and Eja Pro backpacking backpack for thru-hikes and lightweight backpacking trips.

Liz Thomas and Mike Unger
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction Backpack Long-term Review
Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction Backpack Long-term Review
Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz

The HMG Junction backpacking backpack is a favorite of thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers who want water-resistant and durable Dyneema material in a simple design.

Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz
Granite Gear Crown3 60 Backpack In-Depth Review
Mike Unger
Granite Gear Crown3 60 Backpack In-Depth Review
Mike Unger

Our favorite lightweight backpacking backpack for hikers on a budget, the Granite Gear Crown3 60 is a full-featured pack that weighs ~2 pounds with removable features to get even lighter.

Mike Unger
Gossamer Gear Mariposa Backpack In-depth Review
Mike Unger
Gossamer Gear Mariposa Backpack In-depth Review
Mike Unger

In-depth review of the Gossamer Gear Mariposa lightweight backpacking backpack for comfort, durability, ventilation, pocket organization, and long-term use on thru-hikes.

Mike Unger
Best Lightweight Backpacking & Thru Hiking Backpacks of 2024
Mike Unger
Best Lightweight Backpacking & Thru Hiking Backpacks of 2024
Mike Unger

We researched, tested, and used our own experience to find the best lightweight backpacks for backpacking. We researched 20 packs to find the best overall for most people, best Dyneema (DCF), high volume, heavy loads, budget, frameless ultralight packs for multi-day trips in the backcountry.

Mike Unger
Danner Trail 2650 Hiking Shoes Review
Mike Unger
Danner Trail 2650 Hiking Shoes Review
Mike Unger

Looking for that perfect trail shoe – one that's not too light and not too heavy? The Danner Trail 2650 has that just-right balance.

Mike Unger
Best Hiking and Backpacking Watches of 2024
Mike Unger
Best Hiking and Backpacking Watches of 2024
Mike Unger

We put in 70 hours of research and 400 days of trail testing to review the best GPS and ABC watches for hiking, backpacking, and multisport outdoor activities.


Mike Unger
Shokz OpenFit Headphones Review
Mike Unger
Shokz OpenFit Headphones Review
Mike Unger

In-depth review of the Shokz OpenFit earbuds, wireless bluetooth headphones for situational awareness including hiking and biking. We consider battery life, sweat and waterproofness, and more.

Mike Unger
Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker Tent Review
Mike Unger
Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker Tent Review
Mike Unger

In-depth gear review of the Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker tent, among the best solo shelters for backpacking, bikepacking and thru-hiking backed 1000+ miles testing

Mike Unger
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Tent Review
Mike Unger
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Tent Review
Mike Unger

We’ve tested the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo over thousands of backpacking and bikepacking miles. It’s roomy, durable, easy to pitch, and storm-worthy.

Mike Unger
Appalachian Trail Gear List & Strategy 2024
Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz
Appalachian Trail Gear List & Strategy 2024
Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz

Updated for 2024, our gear list and strategy for the Appalachian Trail prepares you for a thru-hike or long distance section of the AT. As weather and ecosystems change, so should your gear. Here’s what we’ve learned from 5 thru-hikes and 11,000 AT miles of trial-and-error.

Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz
PCT Gear List and Strategy for 2024
Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz
PCT Gear List and Strategy for 2024
Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz

More than just a gear list, read our comprehensive gear strategy for the Pacific Crest Trail. As weather and ecosystems change, so should your gear. Here’s what we’ve learned in 20,000 PCT miles of trial-and-error.

Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz
PCT Southbound Gear List & Strategy 2024
Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz
PCT Southbound Gear List & Strategy 2024
Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz

One of few people to thru-hike the PCT northbound and southbound weighs in on the differences in gear and strategy. Here’s the gear, strategy, and plan for PCT NOBO vs. SOBO.

Mike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi Hudetz
Six Moon Designs Swift X Backpack Review
Mike Unger
Six Moon Designs Swift X Backpack Review
Mike Unger

Comfort, durability, volume, and customizable options make the lightweight Six Moon Designs Swift X backpack our favorite for backpacking and thru hiking.

Mike Unger
Best Bluetooth Headphones and Earbuds for Outdoor Activities of 2023
Mike Unger
Best Bluetooth Headphones and Earbuds for Outdoor Activities of 2023
Mike Unger

We tested the best wireless earbuds, behind the neck, and Bluetooth headphones for thousands of miles, while running, hiking, biking, and working out.

Mike Unger
The Best Touring Bikes
Mike Unger
The Best Touring Bikes
Mike Unger

We rode 1000s of miles for this review of the best touring bikes from Trek 520, Surly, and Fuji Bikes. From the most affordable to the best for long distance.

Mike Unger
Garmin Instinct GPS Watch Long-Term Review
Mike Unger
Garmin Instinct GPS Watch Long-Term Review
Mike Unger

After 8 months and 8 million steps, we still believe the Garmin Instinct is the best hiking GPS watch for most people. Here’s pros and cons after long-term use with this ABC watch.

Mike Unger
Featured
Ouachita Trail Backpacking Thru-Hiking Guide
Ouachita Trail Backpacking Thru-Hiking Guide

Starting in Talimena State Park, the Ouachita National Recreation Trail runs 223 miles through West Oklahoma and follows the Ouachita Mountains. The hiking trail avoids towns and roads, complicating resupply but resulting in true, necessary solitude.

Oregon Desert Trail Backpacking and Thru-Hiking Guide
Oregon Desert Trail Backpacking and Thru-Hiking Guide

The Oregon Desert Trail (ODT) is a long-distance (750-mile) hiking route extending through the Oregon Badlands to Owyhee State Park. It is a remote and challenging trek through central and southeastern Oregon’s high desert highlights.

Blue Mountains Trail Backpacking & Thru-Hiking Guide
Blue Mountains Trail Backpacking & Thru-Hiking Guide

The 565-mile Blue Mountains Trail (BMT) is Oregon’s newest thru-hike trail. Leaving Wallowa Lake State Park, it forms a spiral to finish at John Day. It passes through the lands of the Nez Perce, and Confederated Tribes of Umatilla and Warm Springs.

Treeline Review Staffauthor