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Austin Parker

Austin Parker

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual

Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling heavy gear uphill in bad weather. He served in the U.S. Army as an intelligence analyst and electronic warfare specialist. Following his military service, Austin saw the light and moved home to Salt Lake City to chase deep snow and desert cracks. When not enjoying getting rained or snowed on he is probably geeking out about the latest apparel fabric innovation or obsessing over shaving the last few ounces off his backpacking load. An amateur fly fisherman and outdoors photographer, he seems to always have his tenkara rod and Gopro handy. His work has also appeared with Gear Patrol, Active Junky, MOTUS, and Outdoor Retailer Magazine.

Man chopping a tree

How to fell a tree with an axe – the steps and tips you need

Whether you need to gather firewood, get rid of problem trees, or become a better outdoorsman, here's how to fell a tree with an axe.
A man cycling in winter surrounded by snow.

The Best Cold Weather Cycling Gear to Buy

With the right gear, cold weather cycling can be the best workout you'll get all year. Time to get out on those frozen trails and icy back roads.
roofnest rooftop tents review rearclosedvan

Hitting the Road is Easier with Roofnest’s New Rooftop Tents

Roofnest's new Eagle and Sparrow hard-shell rooftop tents provide the best night's sleep on the road no matter where you're headed. Take it from us — whether you're roadtripping, glamping, or overlanding, these are the tents you want on your vehicle.
Comfort camping gear, campfire comforts, hammock in campsite

Campfire Comforts: Our Favorite Luxury Items For Summer Camping

With these 6 great camping gadgets, “roughing it” in the woods doesn’t have to mean surviving like a monk on herbal tea and wild, tasteless berries.
backcountry denim, Backcountry-Denim-Jeans

Help Our Wild Places Grow and Get The Best Damn Jeans Ever with Backcountry Denim

Backcountry Denim's Dyneema fiber jeans are the most durable pair of denim you'll ever own. And they do good for the environment. Learn more here.
Pursuit Series, camelbak

Escape Outdoors this Summer with Camelbak’s Pursuit Series

Camelbak and The Outbound just launched the ultimate summer getaway with their Pursuit Series. Get ready to camp, SUP, and climb your way to adventure.
Chaco

Hit the Shore this Spring in a Cool Collab by Chaco and United by Blue

United By Blue and Chaco teamed up to bring us the best collaboration of the summer. Get a peak at new sandals for chasing surf and sand this season.
cairn subscription box

Outdoorsman, Get a Monthly Gear-Up with Cairn Subscription Box

If ever you needed an excuse to get out and expand your gear knowledge and adventure horizons, Cairn is the perfect vehicle to do that.
cotopaxi-allpa

Meet Your New Favorite Adventure Travel Pack: The Cotopaxi Allpa

The all new Cotopaxi Allpa is a well designed pack built for adventure travel. No matter where you're heading, this is what you need on your back.
wood carving kit

Celebrate Nemo’s 15th Anniversary with this Amazing Wood Carving Kit

The Spoon Shaper wood carving kit reflects both Nemo's commitment to innovation and their love of distinctive hard-working products.
Polygiene Mountain Equipment Eclipse

Wear More, Wash Less: Fight The Funk With Polygiene

Polygiene's innovative anti-stink technology will keep you on the trail without letting everyone within a mile find you by following your smell.
The Outpost

The Outpost is the Future of the Outdoors Experience

The Outpost's model of partnering adventurers, brands, artists, athletes, and a weekend of fun in the wilderness is the future of the outdoors.
Dale of Norway

Classic Wool: Dale Of Norway

Like a well tailored suit, a finely knit sweater will last your for years. Dale of Norway's high quality Norwegian wool pieces need to be in your closet.
Ski Mountaineering

The Best Ski-Mountaineering Races In North America

Ski-mountaineering racing is one of the fastest growing winter sports. If you're looking for your next winter sufferfest, we've got you covered.
Valentine's Picnic gear

The Best Valentine’s Picnic Gear

A picnic in the snow could spell disaster for your Valentine's date, unless you know your lady friend is an outdoorswoman, & you have the right picnic gear.
Winter Train

This Winter Stop Making Excuses And Train Like A Pro

When the thermometer drops, your motivation to get our and train can take a nosedive. We've got gear and training tips for serious winter athletes.
Douchebag

Db Equipment’s Douchebag Is The Last Ski Bag You’ll Ever Need

Despite the funny name, the Douchebag is the most versatile, durable, stylish ski bag on the market.
Outdoor Retailer 2017

Best Of Show: Outdoor Retailer Spring 2017

Any adventure-minded individual will gush at the outdoor gear presented at the Outdoor Retailer Spring 2017. So read up and start writing your wish list.
Lost 40 boots, vasque

Banish The Cold with Vasque’s Lost 40 Boots

Vasque Lost 40 Boots are built to take extreme cold and snow - and keep you warm no matter how long you're out in the elements.
best ski helmets

The Best Ski Helmets for 2022

Whether you're just getting on skis for your first time or are a seasoned pro, you need a good ski helmet. Here are our picks for the best ski helmets.
NWT3K

You Need NWT3K’s Custom Outerwear For Your Next Ski Trip

NWT3K's ski outerwear is our new favorite for powder skiing, and is fully customizable and made in the USA.

The Manual’s 2016 Dog Holiday Gift Guide

Top Dawg gifts for man's best friend with The Manual's Dog Holiday Gift Guide. Get Fido what he truly deserves.
Heimplanet

Go Anywhere And Do Everything With Heimplanet’s Motion Packs

Heimplanet's new Motion Series are built for any adventure you can throw at them.
Hinterlands

Hinterlands Is Your Ticket To Uncommon Adventure

Hinterlands new adventure guiding platform connects you with the best outdoors adventures effortlessly.
Muckboots Arctic Excursion

Protect Your Feet This Winter With Muckboots’ Arctic Excursion Boot

Keep your feet happy this winter with Muckboots' new Arctic Excursion boot.
Mountopia

Dynafit’s Mountopia Is Your Ticket To Adventure

Dynafit's Mountopia Program is your ticket to mountain adventure. What are you waiting for?
Nemo Concerto

Nemo’s Concerto Is The Sleeping Bag You Need Right Now

Nemo's Concerto sleeping bag is the ul
5.11 RUSH 12

The 5.11 RUSH 12 is the Ultimate Urban Emergency Prep Bag

The 5.11 RUSH 12 Pack is the ultimate way to build your emergency "Get Home Bag." Fill it with our suggested selection of emergency supplies and tools.
YETI Hopper Flip, yeti cooler review

YETI’s Hopper Flip 12 is The Best Soft Cooler

A well designed soft cooler is your ticket to a portable party. We recently tested YETI's new Hopper Flip 12: here's The Manual's latest Yeti cooler review.
Fall Duffels

The Best Duffels For Fall Adventures

A good duffel is essential for your adventure gear. We tested a few of the best duffels on long weekends in the mountains & these are three of our favorites
Diamondback Andean

Diamondback’s New Andean Is a Purpose-built Speed Demon

By eschewing the road racing rules and focusing directly on the triathlon market, the Diamondback Andean is an industry defining speed demon.
OMEALS

The Great OMEALS Taste Test

We tested new camping food brand OMEALS against our favorite trail meals.
Director of Toughness

Columbia’s Director of Toughness: The Best Outdoor Job

Apply to be Columbia's new Director of Toughness and take a 9 month adventure across the globe.
Coleman National Park Centennial Series

Coleman National Parks Centennial Series

Coleman teamed up with the National Parks Service to bring us some great camping gear for the 100-year anniversary of our National Parks.
Big Sky, Montana

Off-Season Mountain Fun in Big Sky, Montana

If you're looking for a long weekend of mountain biking, golf, and good cocktails, Big Sky, Montana should be at the top of your list.
Yakima rack system

Get Organized On The Road With Yakima Rack System

From crossbars to cargo boxes, newly redesigned Yakima rack systems are the ultimate road trip gear for organizing tools and accessories.
the best of outdoor retailer summer 2016 show

The Best of Outdoor Retailer 2016

The best new gear from the massive Outdoor Retailer 2016 summer show in Salt Lake has us itching to get out on an adventure soon.
Cotopaxi Inti

The World’s Most Versatile Tent: Cotopaxi Inti

Cotopaxi's Inti tent is the most versatile backcountry shelter on the market-expandable, lightweight and ultra packable.
smith optics, olympic collection

Smith Optics Launches Limited Edition Olympic Gear

Smith Optics launched a limited edition Olympic Collection for Rio. We've got the lowdown on this beautiful, podium worthy gear.
Road Trip Lessons

What We Learned on a 4,200 Mile Road Trip

We headed out on a 4,200 mile road trip to test some of our outdoorsman skills and gear. Here's the lessons we learned out on the road.
Forsake hiking boots

Hit the trail with Forsake’s Fall 2016 line

Forsake's award winning line of casual hiking boots is completely redesigned for Fall 2016. See why we're stoked to get in a pair.
Mountainsmith

Mountainsmith Roots Collection

Mountainsmith's Roots Collection returns to their heritage pack design, and updates some of their early classics for the everyday adventurer.
sup gear, supping, stand up paddle board

Portable Paddling: Our Favorite SUP Gear

You need more than just a board to get out on the water. Here's our favorite SUP gear to keep you paddling upright all day.
lululemon men

Becoming a Mindful Athlete: lululemon men

lululemon's men's line has quietly built up a massive following. We took a tour of their design center to see what sets them apart.
BULLS Bikes Wild Cup 2

Rip Serious Singletrack with BULLS Bikes

BULLS Bikes are making some serious all-mountain trail bikes. We hopped on their latest Wild Cup 2 to put the performance to the test.
paddle in style with the boardworks shubu sport

Paddle in style with the Boardworks SHUBU Sport

Boardworks new SHUBU Sport inflatable paddle board is a nearly perfect inflatable stand up paddle board.
our favorite summer mountain biking gear of 2016 version 1497975040

Our Favorite Summer Mountain Biking Gear of 2016

Next time you're heading out to turn your cranks for a few miles, take along some of our favorite mountain biking gear to make the trails even more fun.
GoPro Mountain Games

Finding Adventure at the GoPro Mountain Games

The GoPro Mountain Games are the premier adventure destination for extreme sports lovers
Goal Zero

Light The Night With Goal Zero

Goal Zero's solar panels, batteries, and lanterns are the ultimate solution to staying powered up from backyard to backcountry.
Pladra Flannel

America’s Best Flannel: Pladra

Pladra has reinvigorated the flannel work shirt. Get your American Made, premium flannel today.