Dan Durston 2.0: Durston Gear's Cult Following, Gear Innovations, and Design Philosophy (BPR #321)

Sep 1, 2025

Join Dan Durston, the founder of Durston Gear and a passionate gear designer based in the Canadian Rockies, as he shares his exciting journey from biologist to entrepreneur. He reveals how he built a cult-like following among backpackers and the challenges of scaling his business while maintaining customer connections. They dive into innovative gear designs, explore quirky backpacking ideas in a fun segment called 'Piranha Pool', and reflect on recent adventures at PCT Trail Days, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the hiking community.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Risking Everything To Launch A Tent

Dan remortgaged his house and quit his biology job to fund production of the X-MID Pro tent.
He faced sleepless nights and extreme anxiety the night before launch worrying the tents wouldn't sell.

ANECDOTE

Launch Day Website Meltdown

The website crashed on launch from overload, causing duplicate orders and costly credit-card fees.
Durston lost roughly $20,000 in fees and briefly had payments frozen by the card processor.

ADVICE

Scale Customer Support With Triage

Use saved answers and support software to scale customer replies for recurring questions.
Route simple order and shipping queries to staff and escalate technical or 'spicy' emails to the founder.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined once again by Dan Durston. Dan is the man behind Durston Gear, a backpacking gear brand that has exploded in popularity amongst long-distance backpackers over the last handful of years.

Dan gives us the rundown on how his business and life have changed since he was last on the show, when another company was exclusively selling his designs via a third-party manufacturer, including taking a second mortgage out on his house, quitting his job as a biologist, and going all in on slinging packs, tents, and poles to his loyal cult-like following. Dan shares some insights on why he thinks he’s developed such a loyal following amongst this community, the struggle of trying to strike a healthy work/life balance, and the challenge of balancing scaling his company while maintaining the hands-on customer service experience his customers have come to expect. Chaunce and I unveil a new segment with Dan- Piranha Pool- where we pitch some of burning backpacking innovations and Dan is forced to invest in either of our ideas on the spot.

Sassafras and I wrap the show with the best section hikes on the PCT, we break down our weekend at Cascade Locks for PCT Trail Days, the triple crown of jobs we definitely couldn't do, Sass previews a Trek blog post that angered a lot of the Internet (and why she loved it and agreed with it) and a listener gives us some very important grocery store history.

LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.

Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.

Ombraz: Use code “BACKPACKER30” for $30 off at ombraz.com/discount/backpacker30.

[divider]

Interview with Dan Durston

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:55 - Recap of PCT Days

00:24:20 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:25:15 - Introducing Dan

00:27:30 - Tell us about your evolution since 2020

00:32:30 - How do you get past fear and decide to take big risks?

00:35:43 - How did the first day of orders go?

00:41:20 - When did you know that you had to quit your full time office job?

00:42:45 - What is it about customer service that’s so important to you?

00:49:20 - Why do you think you’ve developed such a cult following?

00:53:50 - How do you balance your following with scaling bigger?

00:56:05 - Are you concerned about burnout?

01:01:00 - What are your sleeping bag thoughts?

01:04:50 - How are your products innovative compared to the competition?

01:15:25 - Can you say something nice about Gossamer Gear?

01:17:00 - Pitch us on ultralight trekking poles

01:22:00 - What would you consider to be a standard lifespan of a trekking pole?

01:24:45 - What’s the dumbest way you’ve ever broken a piece of gear?

01:28:20 - Piranha Pool: If you had a million dollars to invest in Zach & Chaunce’s gear ideas, how would you divvy up the money?

01:42:17 - What are the main differences between your backpack and the competition?

01:50:15 - Stay Salty Question: What is your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors at large?

01:53:40 - How do you feel when you see people’s terrible tent pitches?

01:54:38 - How will you maintain customer service as your company grows?

01:55:45 - Do you feel like there’s some flattering imitation of your gear happening?

01:58:22 - What’s been your favorite part of the interview you’re currently in?

Segments

Trek Propaganda

The 12 Best Weekend Section Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail by Kelsey Nannini
Men in their 50s Talking to Women in their 20s by To-Go

QOTD: Pick 2 for sleep: perfect pillow, perfect air temp, perfect mattress

Triple Crown of jobs you couldn’t do

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

[divider]

Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.

Leave us a voicemail!

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.

Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.

Advertise on Backpacker Radio

Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.

Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.

Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.

Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.

A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clever Innuendo, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Go Bills, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns

A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.