Maggie Slepian

Maggie Slepian

Title: Contributing Editor

Location: Montana

Expertise & Background

  • Topics of Expertise: Backpacking, bikepacking, trail running, camping, climbing, archery
  • Education: Bachelor of Arts, English / Creative Writing
  • Years of Writing: 15
  • Years of Gear Testing: 10+
  • Previous Publications: New York Times, Outside Magazine, Longreads, Backpacker, Lonely Planet, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, The Strategist, Runner’s World, Travel + Leisure, The Trek, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling Magazine, Adventure Cycling, Backpacking Light, Wide Open Spaces


Why I Chose This Career

I have always enjoyed backcountry travel and writing, and somehow figured out a way to turn it into a career between writing, editing, and gear testing. 


How I Began My Career

I started as an intern with a local outdoors magazine. After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail I took a job as the managing editor for an outdoor publication and continued as a full-time freelance writer from there.

Recent Articles

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Best Women's Rain Jackets of 2025

Last Updated: September 17, 2025

Let’s face it: It rains, and sometimes it pours. Thankfully, a good rain jacket can provide a solid layer of defense against the elements. Our female editors have tested dozens of designs on trails near and far to bring you our 18 favorites below...

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Best Wheeled Coolers of 2025

Last Updated: September 30, 2025

If your cooler must-haves include easy portability and large capacity, a wheeled cooler is the way to go. Like standard hard-sided models, many of today’s top wheeled coolers can keep ice frozen for several days...

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Best Women’s Hiking Leggings of 2025

Last Updated: August 20, 2025

While hiking pants have come a long way since their inception, it’s no secret that many women still struggle to find a good all-around fit. Enter hiking leggings, which provide a nice dose of added support thanks to their snug fit and are made with...

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How to Pack a Backpack

Last Updated: July 17, 2025

One of the first steps to enjoying a backpacking trip is learning how to load your pack properly. There are a lot of considerations that go into a well-packed backpack, from nailing the capacity and balancing your pack's contents to keeping critical...