You’ve seen the thumbnail. A guy standing on a Ridgeline, probably looking at a sunset, with a pack that looks way too small for a multi-day trek. If you’ve spent any time in the backpacking corner of the internet, you’ve likely stumbled across Matt Off the Trail. But lately, things have been quiet. People are asking if he’s still hiking, what happened to that custom ultralight setup he obsessed over, and if the "off the trail" brand is even a thing anymore.
The truth is, Matt represents a very specific niche of the outdoor community. He’s the guy who doesn't just walk the Pacific Crest Trail or the AT; he’s the guy who looks at a map, sees a blank spot between two contour lines, and decides that’s where his Tuesday belongs.
It’s messy. It’s sweaty. Honestly, it’s kinda dangerous.
Why Matt Off the Trail Still Matters to Backpackers
Most people stick to the blazes. You follow the white paint on the trees, you stay in the shelters, and you eat your cold-soaked oatmeal with everyone else. But there’s a subculture of hikers who find that... well, boring. Matt Off the Trail built a following by showing the reality of route-finding.
Navigation isn't just looking at a screen. It’s a skill.
🔗 Read more: Burnsville Minnesota United States: Why This South Metro Hub Isn't Just Another Suburb
I’ve seen dozens of creators try to mimic this style. They buy the Garmin InReach, they get the expensive topographical maps, and then they realize that bushwhacking through rhododendrons in the Smokies is basically a nightmare. Matt made it look like a puzzle worth solving. He wasn't just about the miles; he was about the "why" behind the wandering.
The Gear Misconceptions
People always ask about the gear. "What pack is he wearing?" or "Is that tent actually waterproof?"
Here is the thing about off-trail hiking: your gear gets absolutely trashed. If you’re following Matt Off the Trail, you know he doesn't use the pristine, catalog-ready equipment you see in REI advertisements. He uses stuff that’s been patched with Tenacious Tape five times.
- Packs: Usually high-denier Cordura or heavy-duty DCF. Lightness matters, but when you're dragging a bag through briars, "ultralight" often means "shredded."
- Footwear: Forget the heavy boots. He’s almost always in trail runners with deep lugs. Why? Because you need to feel the ground when you’re side-hilling on a 30-degree slope.
- Navigation: It’s a mix. A lot of followers think he just "wings it," but the reality is hours of pre-trip planning on CalTopo.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Off Trail" Lifestyle
There is a massive misconception that going off-trail means you're just stomping through nature, destroying everything in your path. This is a huge point of contention in the Leave No Trace (LNT) community.
💡 You might also like: Bridal Hairstyles Long Hair: What Most People Get Wrong About Your Wedding Day Look
Actually, done right, it can be more sustainable than the high-traffic "trench" trails that are eroding across the country. But it requires a level of ethics most casual weekenders don't have. You have to walk on durable surfaces. You can't just hack a path through a virgin forest.
Matt’s content often touched on this nuance, though it sometimes got lost in the excitement of the "hidden" locations.
The silence from his channel recently has sparked some rumors. Did he get injured? Did he just burn out on the "content grind"? Honestly, being a professional hiker is exhausting. You spend 10 hours walking and 4 hours editing by a headlamp. That’s not a vacation; it’s a job with really bad benefits and a lot of mosquitoes.
The Evolution of the Content
If you look back at the early days of Matt Off the Trail, the production was raw. It was shaky GoPro footage and heavy breathing. As he grew, the quality jumped—drones, 4K b-roll, the whole nine yards. But some fans argue that the "soul" of the channel stayed in those early, gritty videos.
📖 Related: Boynton Beach Boat Parade: What You Actually Need to Know Before You Go
There’s a lesson there for anyone trying to document their own adventures.
We don't want perfection. We want the moment the stove fails at 10,000 feet. We want the honesty of a failed creek crossing.
Getting Started Without Getting Lost
If you're inspired to take your own "off the trail" journey, don't just walk into the woods. That’s how people end up as a headline.
- Master the Map: Don't rely on your phone battery. Learn to read a compass and a paper map. It’s a dying art, but it’s the only one that doesn't need a satellite signal.
- Start Small: Find a local park with a "social trail." Practice navigating between two known points using only a bearing.
- Tell Someone: The "Matt" style of hiking relies on a safety net. Always leave a trip plan with someone who isn't going with you.
The legacy of creators like Matt Off the Trail isn't just the cool shots of mountain peaks. It’s the reminder that the map isn't the territory. There are still places that haven't been geotagged to death, provided you're willing to work a little harder to find them.
If you're looking to upgrade your own kit for more rugged terrain, start by assessing your current pack's durability. Look for wear points on the bottom and shoulder straps—if they're thinning, it's time to switch to a higher-denier fabric before your next bushwhack.