Associate Gear Editor

Ashley Thess

CONNECT:

/

About
Ashley Thess is the Associate Gear Editor for Outdoor Life, where she edits and writes gear reviews. Originally from Missouri, she now lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she keeps an unruly gear closet.

Experience
Thess attended the University of South Carolina where she majored in English and minored in Business Administration. She sailed competitively and was voted Commodore of the team her senior year. After interning at a local academic publisher to focus on literary criticism, she was hired there after graduation. Thess later moved to Washington, D.C. and went to work for NRA Women, the National Rifle Association's online women's magazine. She was promoted to associate editor where she wrote and edited stories on conservation, self-defense, and recreating outdoors. In 2022 she joined the OL gear team. Now she performs in-depth testing on camping, backpacking, and hiking gear. Outdoor gear can be a confusing, spec-oriented space, and Thess hopes to include more people in the outdoors by breaking down those barriers while satisfying her own inner gear nerd.

Education
Thess graduated from University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Business Administration.

Highlights
Interests include backpacking, hiking, camping, skiing, and kiteboarding.
Enjoys trying new things and spending all her time outside
Previous work experience: NRA Women

About
Ashley Thess is the Associate Gear Editor for Outdoor Life, where she edits and writes gear reviews. Originally from Missouri, she now lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she keeps an unruly gear closet.

Experience
Thess attended the University of South Carolina where she majored in English and minored in Business Administration. She sailed competitively and was voted Commodore of the team her senior year. After interning at a local academic publisher to focus on literary criticism, she was hired there after graduation. Thess later moved to Washington, D.C. and went to work for NRA Women, the National Rifle Association's online women's magazine. She was promoted to associate editor where she wrote and edited stories on conservation, self-defense, and recreating outdoors. In 2022 she joined the OL gear team. Now she performs in-depth testing on camping, backpacking, and hiking gear. Outdoor gear can be a confusing, spec-oriented space, and Thess hopes to include more people in the outdoors by breaking down those barriers while satisfying her own inner gear nerd.

Education
Thess graduated from University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Business Administration.

Highlights
Interests include backpacking, hiking, camping, skiing, and kiteboarding.
Enjoys trying new things and spending all her time outside
Previous work experience: NRA Women

Stories by the Author

Menciones en los medios de comunicación

Outdoor Life: REI Fourth of July Sale: Deals on Bote, Chaco, and Sawyer

Before you head to your favorite watering hole or campsite to unplug this Fourth of July, check if any gear upgrades on your list currently cost less.

|

June 30, 2025

Menciones en los medios de comunicación

Outdoor Life: REI Fourth of July Sale: Deals on Bote, Chaco, and Sawyer

Before you head to your favorite watering hole or campsite to unplug this Fourth of July, check if any gear upgrades on your list currently cost less.

Meet the experts

Meet some of our contributors

Get advice, reviews, outdoor lessons and expert feedback from a supportive community.

Anna McKinney Smith

Shop some of our faves

Sistema de filtración de agua Squeeze

MINI Four Pack (Purple)

Single MINI (Purple)

MINI Four Pack (Teal)

Creado para el aire libre

No collection of products tells nature's microscopic dangers to buzz off and be gone like Sawyer – from insects to bites and stings, and harmful water bacteria to the sun's UV rays.

See ALL Products

Filtros de agua

Repelente de insectos

Primeros auxilios

Protector solar

Síguenos en Instagram

Más que una empresa de actividades al aire libre.

@sawyerproducts