Have you ever chalked up gear discomfort to your body being the problem: the chafing, the shoulder pressure, the hip belt that just won't cinch down far enough?

It's not you. It's the gear.

Sarah Berkeley (trail name: Mellow!) is the founder of Symbiosis Gear, an ultralight backpacking gear company designing packs and accessories that actually fit women's bodies.

Sarah went through three backpacks on the Pacific Crest Trail before she decided to stop waiting for someone else to solve the problem! She founded Symbiosis Gear, an ultralight backpacking gear company built specifically for women's bodies.

See Her Outside is partnering with Western Colorado University's Outdoor Industry MBA — a remote degree program built for people who want to lead, build, and create in the outdoor space. If you've ever thought about building a career or business in the outdoor industry, WCU's Outdoor Industry MBA was made for you.

Sarah and Angie talk about:

The heavy backpacking and camping gear Sarah started her outdoor adventures withThru-hiking the Vermont Long Trail solo and running into gear problemsSarah’s journey to ultralight gear after meeting other hikersTips for solo hiking after experiencing urban assaultGoing through three backpacks on the PCT and finally deciding to build her ownGear and safety: The moment she fell through a snow bridge in the Sierra and had to make a fast callWhy the outdoor industry isn't designing for womenHow Symbiosis Gear fits differently: curved straps, adjustable sternum, and a waist belt that fits every body sizeLessons from building a product-based business and what’s ahead

Check out these resources:

🌐 Symbiosis Gear

📱 Symbiosis on IG

📱 Sarah on IG

➡️ The Cairn Project on IG

✨ The Cairn Project's newsletter

🥾 Become a Trailblazer

📅 Summit Scholarship Foundation

🎓 Western Colorado University Outdoor Industry MBA

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Check out the Summit Scholarship Foundation.

Share this episode with a woman in your life who has a wild business idea she hasn't acted on yet.

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Id. d’épisode : 1000761802919

GUID : 0cf3f9e4-2e56-4809-9ee1-8f63e1694637

Date de publication : 16/4/2026 à 13:07:00