Happiness comes in many forms, and for many it comes in the form of a great outdoor challenge with Mother Nature as the ultimate backdrop. We asked a few outdoorsy Zapponians about their most memorable hiking and climbing experiences to date along with their top outdoor gear picks; below are their stories:

Patrick:

“I have been climbing for the last 10 years. My brother got me into it after I graduated from high school. It has been an amazing physical and mental journey to get to the point I'm at now. I have also had the pleasure of exploring some of the most beautiful places in the U.S. while on climbing trips.

This sparked an urge to document the areas and physical feats I was viewing, so I began a passion in photography as a result. The great thing about the outdoors is that there are so many cool sports to help you experience them."

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

P: When I completed a 5.14 rock climb. I spent over a year working on it. The climb is Mon Pote Assis at Mt. Potosi right outside of Las Vegas.

What do you love most about climbing?

P:  Climbing brings me to the most beautiful places in the country/world.

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

P: Evolv Shaman, Prana Flex Short and SunCloud Polarized Optics Pit Stop

Anji:

“…You never lose sight of where you are or take your environment for granted when you are getting blown over by 60 mph winds, overcoming fear of exposure or getting attacked by a Cholla Cactus.”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

A: Completing the 8,000 Meter Challenge.

What do you love most about hiking?

A: I love hiking for many reasons…the physical and mental challenges, pushing personal boundaries, and the privilege of witnessing such unique and beautiful terrain. Hiking rewards me with the best mind and body workout I could ever hope for where I can decompress and reconnect with myself and the natural world.

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

A:  Outdoor Research Solar Roller Hat, Mountain Hardware Fluid 26, and Merrell Moab Ventilator

John:

“…The sense of perpetual motion and path-finding soothes my inner wanderlust.”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

J: Going to Tanzania to hike Kilimanjaro. I felt like the king of the world!

What do you love most about hiking?

J: Being outdoors and hiking helps me clear my head from a busy week. 

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

J: Inov-8 Bare-Grip™ 200, Inov-8 F-Lite 195, and Inov-8 Roclite 335 GTX

Melissa:

“Growing up in NYC amidst the hustle and bustle of taxi cabs  and subways, the highest height that had been reached by me was the top of the Empire State by elevator.

Hiking was the furthest thing from my mind as my heels avoided the potholes and cracks in the street while traipsing through the city.

Life brought me to Vegas, it was not the lights and fanfare of the strip that motivated me to move here, but the mountains.  “I want to go up there!”, I exclaimed to my tour guide as I motioned to a beautiful mountain off in the distance.  She rolled her eyes  and continued pointing out the attractions of  the strip…”

What do you consider to be your most memorable moment in the great outdoors?

M: The 8000 Meter  Challenge provided  me the chance to trade in my heels  for some trail runners.  On my first hike (Black Mountain), it surely felt as if death was emanate and my life would end on that mountain! All the cursing, and pain felt on the way up fell by the wayside as my feet hit the summit. The feeling of accomplishment was immeasurable, in that moment, life didn’t seem so bad. I DID IT!!

What do you love most about hiking?

M: The feeling of joy, pain, humbleness, and love each time a summit is reached!

What are your three favorite outdoor products?

M: The North Face Women’s Tyndall Mid, Patagonia Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket, and Black Diamond Women’s Distance Trekking Pole

The North Face Men's Half Dome Hoodie

Everyone knows that The North Face is a brand that is synonymous with the great outdoors and outdoor enthusiasts. But did you know that The North Face is an avid supporter and partner of Outdoor Nation? Outdoor Nation is an organization founded by a community of young “Outsiders”  where young people can fuel their passion for the outdoors.

The North Face is one of Outdoor Nation’s founding partners and inventors, supporting the nationwide initiative to mobilize youth in an outdoor movement. Outdoor Nation hosts summits across the country, lead various outdoor outings and award innovative young “Outsiders” for their great ideas towards the movement.

Getting the nation’s youth excited to partake in outdoor activities and live the outdoor lifestyle is an effort that The North Face and Outdoor Nation are truly passionate about. As the Outdoor Nation puts it, it’s a movement toward outdoor social networking!

Check out outdoornation.org to learn more!

Petzl has been developing innovative tools and techniques used by those seeking excitement in entering the vertical world for over 50 years. Petzl is closely associated with adventure, exploration, rescue and many notable exploits in the worlds of rock climbing and alpinism. Each Petzl product is designed to meet an exact and precise need with all possible uses and associated risks analyzed. One obvious need when it comes to headlamps is rechargeability. The new rechargeable CORE battery is designed to be a USB-chargeable battery that reduces the impact of traditional disposable batteries. The Petzl Tikka XP 2 headlamp integrates two light sources as well as a wide-angle lens with a simple open-close feature, allowing the user to choose between a long distance focalized beam and flood beam proximity lighting. These headlamps will last up to 160 hours at an economic level! Check out the video below about the technology behind Petzl’s CORE technology:

Black Diamond has been changing outdoor sports since 1957 by continuing to excel in all areas of climbing, skiing, and the like. The Infinity 50 pack just won Outside Magazine’s 2010 Gear of the Year award for its innovative Active Frame Technology and ergoACTIV suspension with OpenAir backpanel. Rather than using a traditional waist belt, the Infinity 50 pivots to keep the pack hugging your back. The low-friction shoulder straps that run through the bottom of the pack continuously change length and stay comfortable while moving your shoulders and arms. Blending the volume of a traditional lightweight backpack with the latest in superior design and technology, the Black Diamond® Infinity 50 is all about comfort and mobility in a big package. The hip belt stash pocket, side stretch pockets and front compression stretch pocket will pack everything you need for any adventure. Coming in at just 3.9 pounds, the Infinity 50 is one of the best packs around. Check out all the great Black Diamond gear in the Outdoor Shop on Zappos.com. 

Jeremy Collins has traveled the world as an artist and an avid climber. It’s no wonder he has been commissioned by Evolv to design their 2011 campaign. Collins brought each shoe to life with hybrid insects that feature Evolv products as the body of beetles and butterflies. If you want to learn more about Jeremy Collings, check out his new book INTUIT1ON that shares ten years of his climbing inspired art– via his studio, maps, magazine illustration, and climbing themed cartoons with essays from John Long, Christian Beckwith, Duane Raleigh, Matt Samet, Jonny Copp, Alison Osius, Dean Potter, Steph Davis, Marshall Mckinney and Tim Keel. You can view most of his work and stay up to date with his travels at www.jercollins.com. His most recent film (sponsored by Patagonia) Border Country is a true work of art that demonstrates Collins’ affinity for friendship and passion for nature. For your viewing pleasure, we present Border Country by Jeremy Collins:

As sweltering summer temperatures make an exit, it’s time to go camping! Be sure to check out the Outdoor Shop on Zappos.com for everything you’ll need to brave the elements or just kick back fireside. Here are a couple of our picks for must-have items on your next excursion:

1. Therm-A-Rest® NeoAir ™ - The Therm-A-Rest® NeoAir ™ mattress makes comfort one less thing you'll need to compromise when traveling fast and light. Therm-A-Rest®'s patent-pending reflective barrier returns warmth to your body and reduces heat loss to the ground, keeping you three times warmer than any other uninsulated air mattress. And the best part, this mattress folds down to the size of a 1-liter bottle to save you room in your daypack.

2. Marmot Down Yurt – Sleep easy knowing that this versatile Down Yurt sleeping bag from Marmot™ is equally at home for car camping or just lazing around the house. The Down Yurt opens to a 600+ fill power goose down Queen-sized comforter and has a temperature rating of 40° F / 4.4° C. This DriClime comforter comes packaged in a convenient duffle bag of its own for easy storage.

3. Jetboil Backcountry Gourmet Set - The Backcountry Gourmet Cooking Set offers all the tools you need to whip up a feast at your next campsite. This kit includes the award-winning Personal Cooking System (PCS), the FluxRing® Fry Pan, Pot Support and Stabilizer, and Jetset Utensils. The Jetset utensils are specially designed to compliment Jetboil cooking vessels, with long, telescoping handles and tips shaped to scour curved surfaces. The kit weighs only 26.3 oz so you can take it anywhere.

4. Victorinox SwissChamp - Handle anything and everything with the ever-versatile and always-handy SwissChamp from Victorinox™. This all-in-one space saver has 33 useful tools including a fish scaler for your creek-side adventures, can opener, corkscrew, magnifying glass and much more.

La Sportiva® just celebrated their 80th anniversary, but rather than resting on their accolades, they continue to improve on their already excellent products. Born in 1928 in a small mountain village in the Italian Dolomites, La Sportiva® remains passionate about providing the best technical footwear for mountain sports.

The breadth of the La Sportiva® product quiver is unsurpassed. They make boots for Everest; they make climbing shoes for pushing the 5.15 envelope; and they make running shoes that deliver a great ride on anyone's favorite trail. Whatever footwear the outdoor consumer needs, La Sportiva® has the highest quality, most innovative product to meet the need.

The La Sportiva Batura packs quite a punch. The Batura is the ultimate mountain boot for high elevation alpinism, winter mountaineering and ice climbing. The upper is constructed of high tenacity nylon, insulated anti-dragging felt, insulated PE and an insulating aluminum Layer while the gaiter is an elastic cordura with Schoeller® Dynamic® and a water repellent membrane. The Vibram® Impact Brake System sole will keep you from slipping in the toughest conditions. Check out La Sportiva’s great selection of outdoor products on Zappos.com.

Before you embark on your next hike, make sure you are protecting yourself from the sun with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing. Of course wearing any garment will shield your body from the sun, but UV rays can still effect people who spend time at high elevations or fair-skinned people. Luckily, the world’s leading outdoor brands such as Patagonia, Columbia and The North Face are using UPF materials to disrupt UV radiation in style.

The Patagonia Sun Shelter Shirt is a lovely lightweight garment that features 40+ UPF protection using 57% all-recycled polyester. From belted sleeves to a mandarin collar, the Sun Shelter is the perfect way to stay safe and look stylish during the sunny months. If you prefer short sleeves, the Sol Patrol Shirt offers 30+ UPF protection with durable ripstop fabric and adorable princess seams to complement your summer look.

Perhaps you like to get out and run while the weather is perfect. The Columbia Silver Ridge Short-Sleeve Crew utilizes Omni-Shade UPF 30 sun protection along with their patented Omni-Dry and Omni-Freeze technologies to keep you cool and dry. Pair it together with the North Face Men's Paramount Peak Convertible Pant and you’ll be able to tackle any situation with ultimate protection from the sun. These pants can be converted to shirts with the ease of a zipper. The midweight abrasion-resistant nylon fabric with a DWR finish and a UPF 30 while granting full range of motion for all outdoor activities. Zappos.com is proud to offer a wide selection of UPF clothing so you can still be your active self, even in the summer months.