Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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The secret to gifting great gear? Asking someone who’s tried it all. In this holiday episode, REI gear tester and outdoor writer Emily Pennington (@brazenbackpacker) shares her favorite finds and how to choose gear that keeps on giving, season after season.

Hear Emily’s full Wild Ideas Worth Living episode with host @shelbystanger wherever you listen to podcasts.

Hear Emily's full Wild Ideas Worth Living episode with host @shelbystanger wherever you listen to podcasts.

Connect with Shelby: instagram.com/shelbystanger

Connect with Emily:
• Website (brazenbackpacker.com/)
• Instagram (instagram.com/brazenbackpacker/?hl=en)
• Purchase a copy of Emily’s new book, Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks (https://a.co/d/feE8U5n)

Listen on Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chatting-gear-gifting-with-emily-pennington/id1183017174?i=1000739269933

Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6hZlFVKrT1tcF4lBoFt07D

Listen to more Co-op podcasts: rei.com/blog/podcasts

This episode is sponsored by nikon (rei.com/b/nikon/c/all), @capitalone and the REI Co-op Mastercard (rei.com/membership/mastercard?trackingId=podcast).

Become an REI Member: rei.com/membership

This is an REI Co-op Studios production
Producer: Jenny Barber
Editor: Amy Enser
Executive Producer: Joe Crosby

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