Austin Parker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Author/Co-Author of 144 articles
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.
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.
Three Wheeled Fury: Ural Motorcycles
We were lucky enough to spend a weekend with a Ural Motorcycles sidecar bike. After gunning it up our first steep hill, the two wheel drive had us swooning.
Mile High Whiskey: High West Distillery
When you think of Utah, high quality spirits probably don’t factor in to the list of attractions. Between five national parks and more than four hundred inches of snowfall at Utah’s ski resorts, we couldn’t blame you for overlooking Park City’s High West Distillery and Saloon, at least until now. As Utah’s first distillery since […]
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.
The Video Round Up: October 31st 2015
Whether you're looking for your next photography gadget, a little taste of adrenaline from longboarding and skydiving, check out the Video Round Up.
Outsmart the Trout: Redington Fly Fishing
If you’re lucky enough to live near a river, lake, or shore with good fishing, you’re lucky enough. One of the great summer hobbies every man should take up at least once is learning to fish. If you’ve ever picked up the works of famed author and fisherman Norman Maclean, then you know that the […]
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.
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.
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.
Pack It In: Gear Essentials for Climbing
Maybe you caught some of the Psicobloc Masters Series broadcast this year. You might have even stumbled on Chris Sharma’s mind blowing cave climbing in Oman. You know that you want to get started on your own vertical limit project (just please, don’t ever watch the movie), but you don’t know where to start. If […]
Pack It In: Winter Summit Day
Trekking in the snow can be a dull affair without the right gear. Lucky for you we've got all the right stuff for a winter summit day.
Outdoor Dads: Father’s Day Gift Guide
It's time to give the gift of gear to the outdoor dads and husbands in our lives. Just be prepared to try and keep up camping and hiking for another season.
Pack It In: NYC Marathon Essentials
We've got a list of our favorites for long distance running, so you can get out for that next marathon with confidence in your gear to smash that PR.
Road To Adventure: SUP Gear
We got into SUPing this summer as a way to build strength and endurance for the water portion of our adventure race. After fly fishing at 10,000 feet, hauling camping gear across frigid lakes, and even taking a spin down a gnarly river, we are stoked to get on our boards as much as possible.
Road to Adventure: Race Day Essentials
We've assembled a list of all the race day essentials: tweaks we made from our usual mountain biking and trail running gear to keep us moving on race day.
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.
Pack It In: Canyoneering
Inspired by our friends at the National Geographic Adventure Blog, we packed up our canyoneering gear and disappeared into Capitol Reef National Park.
Sleep Under The Stars: The 6 Best Tents of 2016
Tents are your most essential piece of survival gear. Make sure you're taking the best one you can find into the backcountry.
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.
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.
Pack It In: Winter Cycling
When the thermometer drops, it's time to upgrade your winter cycling gear. Don't let cold, wet conditions keep you off your bike.
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.
Winter Stoke: Outdoor Retailer 2015
Every six months, the Outdoor Retailer show descends on Salt Lake City. We were lucky enough to join in the madness to get a look at the best new gear.
The Gear You’ll Need: Outdoor Retailer 2014
Every six months the outdoor world – gear designers, retailers, buyers, athletes, and the media – descends on Salt Lake City for a sneak peak of next year’s must have gear. Outdoor Retailer is a whirlwind of top secret product unveilings, gear testing, and sizing up the competition. For the locals, this just means a […]
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.
Abominable Labs: Fog Free Riding
Foggy lenses are the ultimate day ruiner on any ski trip. Featuring a new powered lens, the Abominable Labs F-BOM will keep your powder hunting days clear.
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.
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.
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.
Weekend kit: Surviving in a mountain town
Whether you’re a Jackson or Aspen local or just trying to avoid looking like a tourist, read on for the best mountain town gear.
Cover More Ground: Salewa
The boot gurus at Salewa were kind enough to help us select the best boots for mountain adventures. Get out of the office and onto the trail.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.