Quick Summary
- With a penchant for simplicity in all aspects of her life, Diana Davis was drawn to Hyperlite Mountain Gear because of their streamlined and purpose-driven designs that make adventuring easier. But even more than that is her belief that lightweight gear will do less harm to her body so she'll be able to keep doing what she loves outdoors long into her later years.
Words by Diana Davis, Photos from Diana Davis, Brett Davis
I’m Diana Davis, an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys pretty much everything one can do outdoors.
My favorite outdoor pursuits are trail running, bikepacking, packrafting, and I love multi-sport adventures like bikerafting or bike canyoneering – utilizing bikes as my shuttle vs. cars.
I am happy in magical, natural places – mountains, lakes, rivers, and deserts. My most common escapes are to the open, public lands in the southwest – most often Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.
I use HMG tents and packs regularly. It is rare for me to be on a trip without an HMG Ground Cloth, Stuff Sack Pillow, and multiple Pods. One of my weekend warrior hacks is effective because of the Pods. Just this last weekend, I was out with a friend who almost forgot her headlamp and remembered to grab it at the last second. I keep my “go to” camp gear packed and loaded in a Pod – headlamp with extra batteries, pocketknife, small TP kit, journal and pen, band-aids, sun block, ChapStick, nail file, hand sanitizer. I don’t have to worry about forgetting any of the little items. I can grab and go!
I like simplicity, and I try to cultivate it in all areas of my life. I believe in minimalism. I want all my gear to serve a purpose, and I want to use it and reuse it. Hyperlite makes light, simple, durable, reliable, and quality-sourced equipment.
I met my life and outdoor adventure partner on a weekend camping trip. I had a poorly fit and poorly packed backpack. I had danglers. I had heavy gear. I had a great time, but my back hurt, my feet hurt, and my knees ached.
I work in the medical field, and I see people after accidents and trauma, as well as overuse injuries. I see people who have been hard on their bodies for decades. If you have the financial resources, you can buy the latest bike, skis, a pack, or tent. These products will typically function better than the old ones with lighter materials and improved features. Our bodies don’t work that way. A knee replacement is never going to be as good as keeping your knees healthy.
In my 20s, I just wanted to get outside anyway I could. Now, in my almost 40s, I think about getting outside for as long as I can and remaining in the best shape that I can. Quality gear makes a difference in the quality of the experience. It’s not just about buying good gear for now. It is buying my own future health. Everything I can do to simplify, reduce weight, and improve fit helps keep my body ready for adventures long into my later years.
