Maggie Slepian

Maggie Slepian

Title: Contributing Editor

Location: Montana

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Backpacking, bikepacking, trail running, camping, climbing, archery
  • Education: Bachelor of Arts, English / Creative Writing
  • Years of Writing: 15
  • Years of Gear Testing: 10+
  • Previous Publications: New York Times, Outside Magazine, Longreads, Backpacker, Lonely Planet, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, The Strategist, Runner’s World, Travel + Leisure, The Trek, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling Magazine, Adventure Cycling, Backpacking Light, Wide Open Spaces


Why I Chose This Career

I have always enjoyed backcountry travel and writing, and somehow figured out a way to turn it into a career between writing, editing, and gear testing. 


How I Began My Career

I started as an intern with a local outdoors magazine. After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail I took a job as the managing editor for an outdoor publication and continued as a full-time freelance writer from there.

Recent Articles

Teaser Image

Backpacking Tent Weight Comparison Chart

Last Updated: July 17, 2025

If you’re researching backpacking tent weight, you’ve come to the right place. Below we’ve put together detailed tent weight comparison tables covering most models available for summer of 2024. For comparison's sake, all are two-person, three-season...

Teaser Image

Best Women’s Hiking Pants of 2025

Last Updated: May 9, 2025

Women know the struggles in finding a good pair of hiking pants: Fit, comfort, and storage considerations all can be difficult to dial in. But the market has improved significantly of late, with a range of designs that offer impressive performance and...

Teaser Image

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad Review

Last Updated: February 4, 2025

Therm-a-Rest is well known in the backpacking space for their lightweight sleeping pads, and perhaps no design is more ubiquitous than the NeoAir XLite NXT. Built with ultralight backpackers in mind, this pad is popular for its impressive warmth-to...

Teaser Image

Best Running Shoes of 2025

Last Updated: May 7, 2025

Running is among the most approachable forms of fitness, requiring only a pair of quality shoes to get you going. But the sport’s widespread popularity has led to a dizzying array of shoe brands, styles, and available features. Below we break down our...