Why Gear Works: Inside the Mind of Backpacking’s Science Guy
- UNPLUG. Magazine
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever searched for the perfect hiking backpack or wondered why one tent handles wind better than another, there’s a good chance you’ve stumbled upon My Life Outdoors, the popular YouTube channel run by Steven Smith. Known for his clear explanations, engaging style and knack for blending outdoor passion with scientific detail, Steven has become a trusted voice for hikers and backpackers across the country.
His journey into the outdoors started in an unexpected way. Growing up in Texas, where Friday night football reigns supreme, Steven never played organized sports. Instead, his parents took him on camping trips, whitewater rafting in the Texas Hill Country and skiing in Colorado.
"I fell in love with the outdoors early."
Kayaking became his first real outdoor obsession, and the need to pack compact overnight gear for river trips eventually led him to backpacking.
From his first trip on foot into the backcountry, Steven was hooked. “Backpacking is about simplicity,” he says. “You only worry about three things—what you’ll eat, where you’ll sleep and putting one foot in front of the other. Everything you need is with you at all times.”
That philosophy, combined with a love of storytelling, eventually turned into My Life Outdoors. Steven first launched it as a blog in 2009. A friend encouraged him to move into video, knowing Steven had a background in radio, television and film. In 2019, he posted his first YouTube video. By 2021, after committing to weekly uploads, the channel began to grow rapidly.
What sets My Life Outdoors apart isn’t just gear reviews—it’s how Steven approaches them. He digs into the science of outdoor equipment: why it works, how it fails and how it keeps hikers safe.
“Vacation photos are nice, but gear is something people can see themselves using,” he explains. “They can decide, ‘That would work for me’ or ‘No way.’”
Today, Steven creates content full-time, with YouTube as his main platform. His approachable delivery and passion for the outdoors have even led some fans to call him “the Steve Irwin of backpacking gear.”
Beyond reviewing gear, Steven spends as much time as possible in wild places—often avoiding heavily trafficked trails in favor of pristine wilderness. Whether navigating the rugged Olympic Coast, trekking through Glacier National Park’s jagged peaks or wandering Colorado’s Holy Cross Wilderness, he finds peace in the solitude and clarity the backcountry offers.
"Backpacking strips life down to the essentials. It’s not for everyone, but everyone should try it once. You disconnect from the noise, connect with nature and carry everything you need on your back. There’s nothing like it.”
Steven Smith’s Top 5 Hikes in the U.S.
Holy Cross Wilderness, Colorado – Remote, pristine and less crowded than other Colorado hot spots, with stunning alpine lakes.
Olympic Coast, Washington – Rugged shoreline, sea stacks, rope climbs and tide-timed routes make this a challenging but unforgettable adventure.
Glacier National Park, Montana – Jagged peaks, turquoise glacier-fed lakes and scenery unlike anywhere else in the country.
Sierra Nevada, California – Home to the John Muir Trail and Yosemite’s granite giants; wild, high-elevation beauty.
Missouri Lakes Trail, Colorado – Accessible alpine gem in the Holy Cross Wilderness with crystal lakes and wildflower-filled meadows.
Stay Tuned
Coming in our Summer issue: Steven Smith dives deep into the science behind his Top 10 gear recommendations—from the physics of ultralight backpacks to the engineering that keeps your tent standing in a storm. Whether you’re a weekend hiker or a seasoned thru-trekker, you’ll see exactly why the right gear works.
You can watch Steven’s in-depth gear reviews and backpacking advice on his YouTube channel My Life Outdoors, and follow his adventures on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook at @MyLifeOutdoors.
