Bridging the Divide Between Hunting and Backpacking (Rec)
Kevin Timm has been a friend of the By Land Podcast since the early days. I had no idea what I was doing when he first agreed to come on the show, but here we are years later, and Kevin is back again, sharing his insights and making an impact in the outdoor community. Kevin is the founder of Seek Outside—a company that’s become synonymous with reliable backcountry shelters built to withstand some of the harshest environments you can find.
This conversation goes way beyond gear. We dive into the often unspoken divide between hunters and recreational adventurers, the realities of public land access, and the importance of building gear you can actually trust in the backcountry. Kevin’s perspective, shaped by years of experience in both worlds, offers an honest take on how we can all benefit from getting outside—whether we’re hunting, backpacking, or just exploring for the fun of it.
Key Takeaways
Bridging the Divide: Kevin shares his thoughts on why the outdoor community is often split between hunters and recreational users, and why it doesn’t have to be that way.
Durability Above All Else: Seek Outside’s gear is designed to be used hard and to hold up in extreme environments.
Innovative Zipperless Design: Kevin explains the thought process behind Seek Outside’s patented zipperless shelter entry and why it makes such a difference in the field.
Minimalist Gear with Maximum Function: Why simplicity and thoughtful design are the key to gear that actually works—and gets used.
Conservation and Public Land Access: Kevin highlights the complexities of public land issues and why both hunters and recreational users should care about access and conservation.
Kevin Timm, owner of Seek Outside at the end of a successful Caribou hunt in Alaska.
Bridging the Divide Between Hunting and Recreation
One of the themes Kevin and I come back to again and again is this idea that there shouldn’t be a line between hunters and recreational users. We’re all doing the same thing—getting outside, connecting with nature, and challenging ourselves. But, as Kevin points out, marketing has played a role in creating that divide, often framing one side as the enemy of the other. It’s a frustrating reality, especially for those of us who find ourselves in both camps. Whether you’re glassing for elk or hiking the PCT, we’re all sharing the same landscapes, and we’d be better off focusing on what unites us rather than what separates us.
Building Gear You Can Trust
Kevin didn’t start Seek Outside because he wanted to slap a logo on some gear and call it a day. He started it because he saw a gap. Hunting gear wasn’t light or functional enough for serious backcountry use, and ultralight backpacking gear wasn’t durable enough for the demands of hunting. Seek Outside was born from the idea that you could have both.
On a personal note, I found Seek Outside when I was looking for a better shelter option for my backcountry hunting trips—something that could handle the weather, give me a bit more room, and not leave me questioning my choices at 2 AM in the middle of a wind storm. The Redcliff was my first purchase, and I’ll never forget unexpectedly testing it on Mount St. Helens in heavy winds during a quick overnight trip.
That night, I found myself hunkered down on a ridge, listening to my brand-new tent take a pounding for hours. Despite guy lines snapping from the force, this 7-foot-tall Redcliff handled it like a champ. That’s when I knew this was something different. Years later, I had a similar experience with the Cimarron during a backcountry hunt, and in both scenarios, the tents held firm.
Innovative Design: Zipperless Entry
Seek Outside Sunlight 2P with a zipperless design and an integrated nest. Photo by yours truly, taken on the Loowit Trail.
One of Kevin’s most impressive contributions to shelter design is Seek Outside’s patented zipperless door system. If you’ve spent any time in the backcountry, you know zippers are often the first thing to fail—whether it’s from dust, snow, or just heavy use. Kevin came up with a system that replaces zippers with a simple cord and toggle mechanism. Not only does this cut weight and simplify design, but it also strengthens the overall structure of the shelter.
Kevin explains how they field-tested the zipperless design in harsh winter conditions, ensuring it works in real-world scenarios. It’s now featured on several of Seek Outside’s shelters and is one of those innovations that makes you wonder why more brands aren’t doing the same.
Minimalist Gear That Performs
We also get into the importance of minimalism in gear design. Kevin’s packs, like the Flight 3, are prime examples of how you don’t need to sacrifice function to keep weight down. At under three pounds, the Flight 3 carries loads that would cripple most ultralight packs, without destroying your shoulders and hips in the process
We talk about the difference between packs designed to win spreadsheet battles and those designed to perform in the real world. Spoiler alert: the lightest pack isn’t always the best pack, especially if it leaves you wrecked at the end of the day.
Gear Mentioned in This Episode
Kevin and I covered a lot of ground when it comes to gear, so here’s a quick breakdown of what came up in the episode, plus a few extras.
Redcliff
A spacious, pyramid-style shelter that thrives in rough weather. I personally tested mine on Mount St. Helens in brutal winds, and Kevin shares more stories of Redcliffs outperforming traditional mountaineering tents.
👉 Learn about the Redcliff
Cimarron
A slightly smaller and lighter pyramid shelter perfect for solo hunters or small groups. It offers plenty of space without compromising on durability or weather protection.
👉 Learn about the Cimarron
Silex
A single-person trekking pole tent that’s quick to pitch, it is a mix between a tarp and a tent, and its zipperless design reduces the overall weight.
Sunlight
A fully integrated two-person shelter with an inner tent. Kevin field-tested it on a fly-in hunt in Alaska, proving it’s tough enough for serious adventures.
👉 Learn about the Sunlight
Flight 3 Backpack
A minimalist pack designed for thru-hikers and hunters alike. Sub-3lb weight, but capable of carrying heavy loads comfortably—something most ultralight packs can’t claim.
👉 Learn more about the Flight 3
Honorable Mentions
On a personal note, here are a few pieces of Seek Outside gear worthy of checking looking into.
Why Conservation and Public Land Access Matter
Image Courtesy of Alex Moliski
Toward the end of the conversation, we shift to a topic that’s close to both of our hearts: public land access. Kevin highlights the complexities of landlocked public lands, corner crossing laws, and the role hunters often play in funding conservation efforts. Whether you’re a hunter or a hiker, public land access affects us all. If we don’t pay attention to these issues, we risk losing the very places we rely on for adventure and solitude (recent news on Corner Crossing issues HERE).
Parting Thoughts: Why We Do This
At the end of the day, Kevin and I share the belief that spending time outside makes us better people. It’s not about antlers on the wall or bagging the highest mileage days—it’s about the experience. The friendships. The connection to something bigger. And if we can build gear that helps people get out there and stay out there, even better.
🎙 Listen to the full episode → HERE or scroll up to the top of HERE
Show Notes and Links
Introduction: Welcoming Kevin Timm back to the podcast and revisiting his journey with Seek Outside.
The Outdoor Divide: Discussing the divide between hunters and recreational adventurers and how marketing plays a role.
The Origins of Seek Outside: Kevin’s motivation for creating gear that excels in harsh conditions.
Tents That Survive Anything: A breakdown of the Red Cliff and Cimarron shelters and their legendary durability.
Packs that Redefine Comfort: How Seek Outside integrates backpacking and hunting designs to create sub-3lb packs that carry heavy loads comfortably.
Simplifying Gear Needs: Why minimalist pack designs are often superior to overbuilt models full of pockets.
Conservation Conversations: The importance of public land access and issues like corner crossing and landlocked land.
Valuing Experience Over Trophies: Kevin’s reflections on why outdoor experiences matter more than external validation.
Thanks for stopping by!
If you found this helpful or inspiring, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment below or contact me at emory@byland.co.
- Emory, By Land
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