In 2018, my husband and I had planned a long-awaited weekend camping trip in the mountains. It was our first real escape from city life—just a short getaway, but one we’d been dreaming about for months. We imagined quiet trails, fresh air, and a sky full of stars.

Reality had other plans.

To feel prepared, we packed everything we could think of: first aid kits, bulky coolers, extra storage bags, and too many clothes. It took nearly a whole day to pack two full suitcases worth of gear. Once we arrived at our destination, we quickly realized that we went about it all wrong. Most of our gear was bulky, heavy, and completely impractical for hiking.

We had no convenient place for power banks or phones. Our tent struggled to keep us dry when a light rain started. We lay awake far into the night cold, damp, and miserable. In the morning, things didn’t look any better with single-use items we’d brought for convenience scattered about the campsite.

We drove home in silence. Somewhere along the way, we came to an undeniable realization: For short trips like ours, security doesn’t come from carrying more gear—it comes from carrying the right gear.

The outdoor recreation market feels polarized. Products are either overbuilt and heavy, designed for long expeditions, or cheaply made, overlooking safety, usability, and environmental impact. Nothing truly serves the everyday travelers—families, couples, and beginners who just wanted to get out, breathe, and come home safely.

That’s when my husband said, “If no one’s making it, let’s make it ourselves.”