There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes! I’m here to make sure you hike in comfort and safety. Together with other outdoor experts I offer in-depth hiking gear reviews, and useful hiking safety guides and practical tips. Think of InsiderHiking.com as your one-stop-shop to find the best hiking gear, plus all the information you need to hike safely – including hiking with your pets and children.
InsiderHiking’s mission
My name is Kirsty Tuxford and my mission with InsiderHiking.com is inspire and empower outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to foster a deeper connection with nature by hiking.
I aim to fulfil this mission by working with outdoor experts to offer comprehensive gear reviews, practical tips, safety and orienteering advice, and inspirational destination-focused articles.

My story
The idea of InsiderHiking.com came to me while I was on a hike.
While I’m a huge fan of all outdoor activities and also a qualified sailing yacht skipper and experienced kayaker, what I love so much about hiking is that you don’t need hugely expensive or cumbersome equipment. Hiking is just so accessible to most people. And the benefits of getting out into nature are huge. You can get equal pleasure from a short stroll on a flat path as you can from a challenging trek up a mountain. You can think of hiking as a sport, or as something you do to relax and clear your head – and you gain experience, knowledge and fitness without even realizing.
I travel a lot and I meet people all the time who tell me they would love to hike, but don’t know how to start, or are afraid they might get lost. I’d like InsiderHiking.com to be a guide for everyone from the least to the most experienced. The site is also designed to help you buy the most durable and comfortable hiking gear – I’ve spent hours researching and reviewing clothing and equipment so you don’t have to.
Who I am – my credentials
I have a background in environmental conservation, and have organised beach clean-ups and awareness-raising events, as well as reviewing and editing text for environmental charities.
I have 20 years’ experience working in publishing as a writer and editor for numerous newspapers, magazines, guide books and global developmental organizations such as UNESCO and the UN. My two niche specialties are outdoor activities and sustainable development.
I guide hikes informally and I frequently try new routes on my own. I also have professional experience in activity tourism, offering sailing, mountain-biking and hiking to guests. I’ve hiked in North America, South America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, Europe and the UK.






Responsibility
InsiderHiking.com prioritises editorial integrity. That means that quality of information comes first.
The articles on this site are researched first-hand by me, and whenever more detailed expertise is required, I get the facts checked by experts who will be credited for their input within the article. As a former journalist and editor I would never write an article containing facts that are not verifiable.
InsiderHiking.com editorial standards:
- All facts are backed by official reports or scientific papers, and links to those sources are given.
- Professional editors or outdoor experts review every article.
- Articles are updated and revised regularly, and the date of the latest revision is published in the article.
- When we review products, we also reach out to others who have experience with those products so we can consider a variety of user experiences and opinions. Learn more about our review process.
- Affiliate marketing funds the operation of InsiderHiking.com, but commissions never influence product recommendations.
- InsiderHiking has a policy against accepting sponsorships to avoid any conflicts of interest.
InsiderHiking.com sustainability standards:
- We are focused on protecting the wilderness, and will always recommend ways that hikers can have minimal impact on the environment and follow ‘leave no trace’ principles.
- Before recommending a product, we evaluate the sustainability policies of the brand/manufacturer to ensure we only recommend ethical gear.
- Where possible, we will recommend cruelty-free products, such as vegan shoes without animal skins, for example.
Thanks for stopping by! Keep checking in and remember – it’s amazing where your feet can take you!
Kirsty
What to do now?
You’re here because you’re interested in hiking – either to gain experience or maybe to buy some new hiking gear.
Great! We have you covered! Read further:
- Read our latest hiking tips and advice to help you find practical information on everything from safety, to hiking food and which equipment to use.
- Check out our hiking gear reviews to find the right clothing and equipment for your needs.
We hope you enjoy InsiderHiking – and please, if you have any suggestions for what type of content you’d like to see here – we are all ears – let us know here.
Thanks for being here!