When the world shut down during the pandemic, Robin Williams found herself searching for a way to get outside and move again. What started as a simple backpacking trip to Lost Maples in Texas quickly turned into something much bigger.

In this episode of the Just Hyke Podcast, Melanie talks with Robin Williams from Trekker Joe’s, a small family-run business creating handcrafted backpacking gear designed by hikers, for hikers.

Robin shares how a heavy first backpacking trip sparked their journey into lightweight gear design, how their family business grew from a few handmade products on Etsy, and what it’s really like building an outdoor brand while balancing work, family, and life.

They also talk about lessons learned from the trail, solo hiking safety, and why sometimes the best ideas come from  ...