Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears

Shawnté Salabert is an outdoor journalist who built Gear Abby around a simple idea: answer the gear questions that people feel too embarrassed to ask out loud. The show positions itself as an advice column for your ears, tackling everything from trail etiquette to which rain jacket actually works in a Pacific Northwest downpour, all without the gatekeeping attitude that sometimes plagues outdoor communities. Episodes run 39 to 54 minutes, and the format typically features Shawnté either working through listener questions solo or bringing in guest experts for specific topics. The range is impressive — one week might cover hiking nutrition and hydration strategy, the next could tackle sustainable gear practices or the mental health benefits of getting outside. The "What's In My Pack?" segment provides concrete product recommendations grounded in Shawnté's own trail experience, which adds a layer of accountability you don't always get from shows that rely on press samples. With 25 episodes and a perfect 5.0-star rating from 12 reviews, Gear Abby is a newer show (part of the Rock Fight Podcast Network) that's already resonated with listeners who want outdoor advice delivered with humor and honesty. Shawnté's journalism background comes through in how she structures episodes — topics are well-researched, opinions are backed up, and the occasional political or social commentary about outdoor access feels earned rather than performative. The show explicitly aims to be welcoming to newcomers, which sets it apart from podcasts that assume you already own a full rack of cams and know what a belay device is. If you're getting into outdoor activities and want a knowledgeable, unpretentious guide to gear and culture, Gear Abby is a strong starting point.