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First social hike. You’re invited. 🌿

We’re kicking things off at SuperNova Coffee at 8am - grab a coffee or a scone, say hello to a new face - before heading out to explore some of the quieter trails around Evergreen Brick Works. About two hours on foot, good conversation, and we’ll wrap up right at the Vintage & Artisan Market just in time to browse some great local work.

📍 Meet: SuperNova Coffee | 8:00am
🏁 End: Evergreen Brick Works | ~10:00am

We’d love to see you there! 🌿 by @trailcraftco

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4 months ago

Calling all women who’ve been curious about the backcountry, as well as the ones ready to level up on their next trip! ☎️✨

May is almost here, and you know what that means… camping season is basically knocking at the door. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to gain more confidence for your next trip, save the date: we’re hosting a clinic to talk through essential backcountry camping skills in partnership with MEC on May 27th, 7-9pm at 300 Queen St W.

Registration link in bio! 🏕️

#backcountrycanada #ontariocamping #ontarioparks #torontoevents #outdoorsforeveryone by @trailcraftco

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6 months ago

I’ve been away exploring Latin America for a little while… but Ontario summers have a particular kind of magic that’s hard to shake, and I’m excited to be back! 🌿

And as I’m watching the days get a little longer and the air a little warmer, I’m reminded just how lucky we are to have all of this on our doorstep. Summer camping plans are officially in the books, and I genuinely can’t wait to share this season with you all! 🏕️🇨🇦

#campingadventures #ontarioparks #ontariohiking #portaging #backpacking by @trailcraftco

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7 months ago

Left the city to chase the last peaceful bits of winter 🌨️

The warm weather and spring rains are starting to catch up, and so we got a little wet halfway through but that’s just how it goes this time of year! Good layers and good company go a long way, and a little rain makes you that much more grateful for the small things, like a campfire at the end of it all. 🔥

How are you making the most of the last bit of winter before it’s gone?👇🏼

#snowhike #weekendcamping #chasingwinter #ontariocamping #weekendescape by @trailcraftco

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7 months ago

Learning how to layer well is one of the most useful skills you can build as an outdoor person - and it’s not as complicated as the gear industry wants you to think.

Here are a few things worth knowing when putting your system together.

When most people think about staying warm, they think about blocking out the elements - wind, rain, cold temperatures. But sweat is just as much of a problem. Water conducts heat away from your body 25 times faster than air... so a damp base layer isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s actively working against you, draining body heat and leaving you chilled. A good layering system manages moisture before it becomes a problem, not after.

Every layer has a specific job. But a system you never adjust isn’t really a system. Hiking environments are dynamic - the weather at the base of a mountain can be completely different from the top, and your body‘s output changes just as much along the way. Pushing hard on the ascent? Strip back to your base layer or a light mid-layer. Stopping for a rest? Add your insulating layer before you feel cold. Windy or wet? That‘s when your shell earns its keep.

Finally, none of this works if you‘re not taking care of your gear. That DWR treatment that makes water bead off your jacket degrades over time... and once it’s gone, your outer layer starts absorbing moisture instead of shedding it. The same goes for small tears, broken zips, and worn seams. A jacket with a compromised seam isn‘t keeping anything out. Wash your kit with a technical cleaner every 10-20 days of regular use, or more frequently if you’re putting in hard, sweaty days. And remember to toss it in the dryer - heat will reactivate the DWR coating! (It’s a common misconception that heat will damage or shrink the garment.) And if the tumble dry doesn’t work, re-treat with a DWR spray or wash-in treatment. Small repairs, regular washes, a bit of heat... good gear lasts a long time when you look after it.

We covered all of this and more at our recent workshop with @mec - and there’s more coming. Follow to stay in the loop. 🏔️

#backpackingtips #outdoorclothing #layeringseason #meccommunity #getoutside by @trailcraftco

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7 months ago

Is she just a gorpcore girlie or a knowledgeable layering queen? 🏔️👀

Shoulder season is that in-between magic - snowfields melting into wildflowers, sun on your face but wind on your neck... The fit has to work.

Sure, these outfits look cool… but not all of them are built for the outdoors. Some might leave you freezing, others sweating — the right layering system, paired with the right fabrics, makes all the difference.

If you’ve ever:
• piled on layers but just ended up cold and sweaty
• packed your entire closet “just in case”
• or wondered how to make what you already own actually perform

This workshop is for you.

We’re diving into Shoulder Season Layering — how to build a system (not just an outfit), regulate your temperature on the move, and make smart swaps depending on activity + conditions. No pressure to buy new gear. Just practical knowledge so you can use your kit with intention, and upgrade thoughtfully if you want to.

Come learn how to hike comfortably through the in-between.

Because the goal isn’t just to look the part… it’s to move well out there.

Details + RSVP in the link ✨

#gorpcore #gearknowledge #hikinggear #outdoorgear #functionalfashion by @trailcraftco

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7 months ago

Master the art of layering for shoulder season adventures!

Join TrailCraft Collective at MEC Downtown Toronto to learn:
⭐️ How the layering system actually works
⭐️ Choosing the right fabrics for changing conditions
⭐️ When to add/remove layers on the trail
⭐️ Tips for spring, fall, and unpredictable weather

All levels welcome!

Link in bio to RSVP. Space is limited.

#HikingToronto #BackpackingTips #OutdoorSkills #TorontoHiking #MECCommunity by @trailcraftco

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8 months ago

These photos look effortless. They weren’t.
Iceland’s highlands taught me lessons I wasn’t ready for. Behind these sweeping vistas are the moments that humbled me - the kind you don’t post about, but probably should.

• Light rain turned to snow turned to relentless wind. My hiking poles weren’t just helpful - they were the only thing keeping me upright. Six hours of exposure, and I understood why that word is a survival term. And then, mental fatigue made me careless. I plunged knee-deep into glacial melt. Both boots, both socks soaked. That kind of biting pain on cold, wet feet can follow you for miles.

• The 7 extra pounds I’d been carrying “just in case” - food I never ate, gear I never touched - caught up with me. My achilles ached with each step and my pace slowed. Seven pounds doesn’t sound like much until it’s been on your back for 50+ kilometers.

And yet. This was one of the best trips of my life. The raw beauty, the challenge, the way you feel so small and so alive at the same time - it’s magic. But here’s what made it possible: I had the right gear (those hiking poles saved me), I knew my limits, and I was with people who knew theirs. The struggles didn’t ruin the experience - they were part of it. And the things that went wrong? Those were the preventable ones.

Here’s the truth: you can’t prepare for everything nature will throw at you. Weather shifts. Bodies tire. Mistakes happen. But you CAN minimize the risks. You can learn to pack smarter, read conditions better, and build the skills that turn uncertainty into manageable challenge instead of crisis.

That’s why I’m building this community. So you don’t walk into the wilderness wondering if you’re ready. So you have the knowledge to make informed decisions and the confidence to trust your judgment. We can’t control the trail, but we can control how prepared we are when we step onto it.

What’s one lesson a trail taught you the hard way? 👇

#backpackinglessons #multidayhike #TorontoOutdoorCommunity #IcelandHiking #LaugavegurTrail by @trailcraftco

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8 months ago

On one of my earliest camping trips, I found myself on Flowerpot Island, the least experienced among friends who had grown up outdoors. I didn’t know which questions to ask, or when to trust my instincts. When they assured me it was safe to leave our food out, I stayed quiet. By the time we returned from a hike, the squirrels had claimed it all. The next day, rain fell in a steady, relentless rhythm, soaking the forest and the trail. My so-called rain jacket offered little protection, and I spent most of the day stiff, damp and uncomfortable, the chill seeping into my clothes and settling into my bones.

I remember wishing I was more prepared, more confident, more at ease in the outdoors. Over time, I learned that even small skills - knowing how to prepare for weather, using proper gear, storing food safely, and trusting my instincts - can transform uncertainty into quiet confidence, and make outdoor experiences far more enjoyable.

Nature will always have lessons to teach, and some of them we learn the hard way. But my hope for women in this community is that their journeys are as smooth as possible, without unnecessary risk and with the most room for wonder, so they can fully experience all that Mother Nature has to offer.

#TrailCraftCollective #GetOutsideAndGrow #Hiking #OutdoorLife #CampingAdventures by @trailcraftco

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9 months ago

I didn’t grow up camping or spending weekends outdoors. The outdoors felt distant - I didn’t have the gear, access, or people to go with.

I found my way in later, mostly by luck, and often as the only woman in the group. That experience was okay for me, but I know it’s enough for many women to quietly opt out.

I started this community to change that, so women feel empowered to explore and be inspired by the outdoors.

You belong out here too. 🌿
Follow along to see what we’re building.

#TrailCraftCollective #WomenWhoHike #GetOutside #OutdoorCommunity #CampingAdventures by @trailcraftco

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9 months ago

There’s more out there.
We’ll show you how.

#ExploreMore #AdventureTogether by @trailcraftco

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9 months ago