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
Altra Lone Peak 8 Trail Running Shoe Review
Becca Downs & Sam Schild
Altra Lone Peak 8 Trail Running Shoe Review
Becca Downs & Sam Schild

The newest Altra Lone Peak is one of the best iterations yet with improved durability,

Becca Downs & Sam Schild
Best Fleece Jackets of 2024/25
Sam Schild
Best Fleece Jackets of 2024/25
Sam Schild

We test 18 jackets to find the best fleece for hiking, running, camping, climbing and in town. We consider micro grid fleece, polar fleece, sherpa fleece for windproof and water resistance and extra warmth.

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
Best Men's Down Vests of 2024
Sam Schild
Best Men's Down Vests of 2024
Sam Schild

We review 15 down vests and synthetic puffer vests for hiking, camping, winter and city use. We test and judge puffy vests by fit, warmth, style, waterproofing

Sam Schild
Best Bike Panniers of 2024
Sam Schild
Best Bike Panniers of 2024
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

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 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.

Graham Hodge
Treeline Review Staffauthor