Backcountry Exposure started as a humble passion project by adventurer Devin Ashby as a way to share his deep love and honest insights about outdoor gear with friends, family, and a growing online community.
But it didn’t take long for Devin to realize that the videos he was creating to accompany his written gear reviews were resonating more than the blog itself. Embracing the shift, he decided to set the writing aside and focus fully on video content.
“I launched the Backcountry Exposure YouTube channel in October of 2014,” says Devin, who at the time was working in the outdoor industry managing climbing gyms and trying to find balance between his job, content creation, and family life.
With consistency, dedication, and a deepening passion, the channel grew into a trusted resource for gear reviews, outdoor tips, and trip inspiration. Then in 2017, a new creative itch emerged—one that would eventually shape the next evolution of Backcountry Exposure.
“I wanted to make my own hammock,” says Devin. “So I borrowed a close friend’s machine, did a ton of research, and dove in. I quickly realized I loved working with raw materials and creating a usable product.”
In 2018, after immersing himself in the world of DIY gear, Devin co-founded a small soft goods business with a close friend. But after six months—and a frustrating legal hiccup—the business shut down, and Devin moved on to other projects.
Then in 2020, during the pandemic, Devin was furloughed from his job. With some unexpected time and a renewed sense of purpose, he returned to sewing—this time selling handmade bags on Etsy.
“I was surprised at the traction my bags were getting there,” says Devin. “So I ramped up production a bit and did well.”
What began as a side hustle started to take on a bigger role in his creative work. He realized he had the opportunity to design soft goods that were simple, functional, and durable—gear built from personal experience, with the kind of trail-tested practicality that organized hikers crave.
“I am a super organized person, especially when it comes to being on trail,” explains Devin. “I enjoy having all my gear in specific areas and bags, and I believe there’s a space for good organization for hikers.”
Naturally, Devin began crafting zippered food bags, ditty bags, pouches, and pods designed to compartmentalize a backpack and streamline life on trail.
“I create my products from my personal experience in the field,” says Devin. “Thinking of what size bag or solution works best for electronics, poop kits, first aid and such. Then create a solution that’s simple and not overdone, but will last for years and years.”
That commitment to practicality and quality is what continues to fuel the soft goods side of Backcountry Exposure—and the positive feedback has been one of the greatest aspects about starting up.
“It feels cliché to say this, but it really is true—when customers come back to you saying how much they enjoy your product and how it’s helped them—often it feels like, ah, it’s just a piece of fabric with a zipper—but it can actually make a difference in the experience someone has on trail by helping them be more organized, or it’s just a higher quality product than what they had previously.”
The durability of Devin’s work is one of the things he’s most proud of.
“The first bags I made were back in 2018, and I get comments periodically from some of those early customers saying they are still using those early bags, and still going strong,” he says. “That to me means everything. While I want as many people using my gear, it’s more important to me that it lasts a really long time, and reduces waste and consumption.”
Despite running Backcountry Exposure as a solo operation—managing everything from design and production to content creation and shipping—Devin still makes time for what matters most.
Time, he admits, is one of the hardest parts of starting up. “I am running my YouTube channel full time, but I am also a dad and husband. Balancing the workload of everything but still making my kids and wife a priority is tough. I am super grateful for how supportive my wife is of my ambition and passion to create and use it as the means of supporting our family.”
With her support, Devin made the leap to full-time content creation in July 2023. Now, in 2024/2025, he’s taking Backcountry Exposure’s soft goods to the next level, offering hikers and outdoor lovers rugged, thoughtfully designed gear built for real adventures and real longevity.
“As with any small business, growth and the desire to grow and reach more people,” Devin says of what’s ahead. “But also turn that into giving back to the community and public lands. And… more YouTube content.”
Looking further along the horizon, Devin has big dreams and aspirations for Backcountry Exposure and the positive impact he knows it can have on people and the planet.
“In three years, I want to be able to say that I/we gave it our all to create rad products, but also an active participant in the community in supporting hikers having a quality experience in the backcountry,” says Devin. “I want to look back and be proud of what I’ve accomplished and that it was for good, even if it’s as simple as saying I made zippered pouches that helped someone be a little more organized on their hike.”
Ali Becker is a freelance writer and adventure storyteller who spends half the year backpacking and bikepacking and the other half sleeping in strangers' beds as a professional house sitter. She and her partner, Mathieu, share their ups and downs on their IG channel at @trip.longer and hope to inspire others to get outside, adventure in nature and find their own freedom.
