Durston gear

About Durston Gear - Elevating Your Backcountry Experience

Durston Gear, a brand synonymous with innovation and dedication, emerges from the creative mind of Dan Durston, a seasoned adventurer and gear enthusiast based in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. With over two decades of experience in hiking, gear development, and outdoor exploration, Dan brings a unique perspective to the world of ultralight gear.

Founder's Background: Dan Durston's passion for the outdoors is not only reflected in his technical expertise but also in his extensive outdoor accomplishments. His journey includes hiking the 2600-mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2014 and achieving the first yo-yo of Canada's Great Divide Trail (1100 km x 2) in 2017, accompanied by his wife T, who is also an integral part of the Durston Gear team.

Innovator and Adventurer: Dan's trailblazing spirit goes beyond gear design. He holds the Fastest Known Time on the 90 km Stein Traverse (19 hours) and boasts the title of a 5x fastest finisher in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Open, a ~100-mile off-season traverse of the Montana Rockies. In 2022, he developed a 150 km high route extension of the Continental Divide Trail / Great Divide Trail through the Canadian Rockies.

Family-Centric Business: Durston Gear is a family affair, with Dan's wife T playing a vital role in the business. An accomplished hiker and trail runner, T's solo hikes, including the Great Divide Trail (2019-2020), showcase her commitment to adventure. Her contributions to Durston Gear span product development, customer support, order fulfillment, and crafting accessories like the Stargazer kits.

Design Philosophy: Dan Durston's design approach combines technical expertise with extensive field experience, resulting in equipment that is simpler, lighter, and more functional. Grounded in a first-principles design philosophy, each piece of gear addresses real-world challenges. Durston Gear only releases products that passionately improve upon existing equipment.

Quality Manufacturing: Durston Gear collaborates with world-renowned outdoor gear factories, the same ones trusted by respected brands like Arcteryx, Samaya, MSR, and Black Diamond. This ensures the highest quality standards in the production of Durston Gear, maintaining a commitment to excellence.

Constant Innovation and Improvement: Durston Gear's unique approach centers around continuous innovation and improvement. Informed by in-house development and user feedback, the brand focuses on creating a select number of genuinely innovative products. The commitment is not just to release gear but to consistently update and refine, striving for optimal functionality and minimal weight.

Choose Durston Gear for a transformative backcountry experience, where every product embodies the spirit of adventure and the pursuit of excellence.