Courtesy of Outlandish
How to Escape The City and Hit The Trails, According to Outlandish
The Bed-Stuy duo shares a beginner's guide to getting out of Brooklyn and finding the right hiking destinations for you
For many Brooklyn residents, the closest they come to a hike is commutes, visiting that one friend who lives on the fifth floor of a walk-up, or what the bouncer tells them to take as last call nears. Yet, there are so many options, and picking a place in the woods to wander or a previously unknown mountainside to traverse can seem daunting, but it’s not something you need to navigate on your own. Outlandish, one of three Black-owned outdoor shops in the country, hosts both hiking and trail-running groups–Hikeish and Trailish–in collaboration with Salomon and Hoka, respectively, from their Crown Heights outpost. They’re the one-stop shop for all things gear, the great outdoors, and a New York community that loves them dearly.
Owners Ken Bernard and Benje Williams met while working in the footwear department at REI. Born and raised in Bed-Stuy, Bernard didn’t hike for the first time until well into his teens. Williams, on the other hand, has vivid memories of getting caught in a torrential downpour out on a hike with his family. Having such different introductions to natural wonder, exploration, and path-finding made it especially important to create space and access to nature for Black people in their initial conversations about launching Outlandish. Now, both as residents and business owners in Brooklyn, here’s how they recommend getting out of the city and on the trail.
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The apps
Yes, a lot, and maybe even the entirety of, the point and enjoyment of getting outdoors and into nature is smashing that DND button (or some personalized equivalent like Williams and Bernard do). However, if you’re new to the trails, there are some pretty useful apps to explore before, after, and even—brace yourself—throughout your journey.
“I like AllTrails+ because of the ease of use,” Bernard says. AllTrails+ has an extensive database of trails and endless reviews. Komoot does too, but it’s also great for planning your own route, and both are great for reviews and to be used as social platforms. Strava is fun for recording your route, too. It’s also perhaps those times when you miss the marker and travel a bit off the beaten path. “I just love seeing a nice, pretty loop on Strava. There’s something so fulfilling and rewarding about that,” Williams admits.
“I’ve actually found myself when I’m on the trails a lot now using this app called Plantify, which helps me identify a lot of the plants that are on the trail,” Bernard notes. For those with feathered curiosities, Merlin Bird ID has a similar function, but for identifying any bird you spot by photo or call.
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The fit
Though it may seem obvious, footwear is a surprisingly overlooked aspect of dressing for the trails. “Whenever folks come into the shop and ask, ‘What’s the first thing I should get?’ I’m like, ‘Let me just wrap up my arm and take you straight to the shoes,'” Bernard says.
It doesn’t stop at the sole, though. Bernard works his way up the fit.”Socks are like tires of your car, you don’t buy a really nice car to put shitty tires on it,” he says. They carry socks from William Ellery, a Brooklyn-based brand he loves. For your tops and bottoms, they recommend dressing in layers and moisture-wicking tech across the board. Headwear is great for sun protection, but don’t stop there. “Sunscreen is so important, not just for hiking, but for life. It protects the largest organ on your body!” Bernard insists. And, because you can never be too careful, he also carries a small first aid kit–just in case.
A portable charger is also worthwhile, and Bernard typically brings a headlamp (he’s fallen asleep on a trail before). Oh, and, for the love of god, bring and drink some water; like a cartoonish and unreasonable amount you could only aspire to finish.
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How to find your spot
Conveniently, there are a ton of groups available to New Yorkers hoping to venture out of the five boroughs (or even to a trail within them) alongside other city folk, from novice hikers to trailrunners, and even those who like a little scramble on their route.
In addition to the group excursions Outlandish hosts, there’s a variety of meetups to hit the trails if you’re not ready to do so on your own. Los Angeles-based Hike Clerb, a “decolonial BIWOC-led outdoor collective and 501c3 reimagining an equitable and inclusive outdoors,” has New York events and hike leads. There’s also Hikerkind, a Bushwick-based clothing brand with hike groups in multiple cities, including their hometown. They provide the group with a meeting place and a range of transportation options, whether it’s the train, car, or carpool.
There are plenty of spots right off the Metro-North and LIRR. If venturing out on your own, your best bet is using a combination of AllTrails+ to find your hike and Google Maps to determine your route to the trailhead.
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How to actually enjoy yourself
When hiking with a group, in particular, Williams says it’s easy to “end up talking about filing your taxes and how much your rent costs.”
“One of the guides simply suggests to notice things,” he says flatly. Beyond what you’re seeing, Bernard says to pay attention to the softer stuff, like your breathing and how you feel in your body. Both emphasized how much they enjoy—and strongly recommend—meeting nature with curiosity. Looking into the history of the land you’re hiking provides context for what you’re seeing.
But above all else, make sure to carry out what you carry in, follow your trail markers, download your maps in advance, and just have some fun out there.
