Vasque announced its roster of ambassadors for the Thru-Hike Syndicate’s 2019 season.

Now entering its sixth season, the Thru-Hike Syndicate is a brand partner-powered program supporting a select and diverse group of thru-hikers attempting to complete some of the most iconic long trails throughout the United States. The Thru-Hike Syndicate is supported by Vasque, Osprey Packs, NEMO Equipment, Leki Trekking Poles, and Darn Tough Vermont.

“For Osprey, the long distance thru hiker has always been important to us because not only do they inspire us and our products, but they put two lifetime’s worth of use or more on the gear they utilize in a single six month time period providing the valuable feedback from the field that can only make our products-and the end user experience- better,” said Sam Mix, outdoor marketing manager at Osprey. “We have been involved in the Thru Hike Syndicate since its inception and it means a lot to us to have the opportunity to work with such a diverse and amazing group of THS Ambassadors and the brands involved whose dedication to create innovative, high performance gear reflects their love of adventure and devotion to the outdoors.”

“When we started this quest six years ago, we had no idea it would gain the momentum that it has. Vasque is honored to once again can play a small role in making these hikers’ experiences as memorable and life-changing as ever,” said Joe Peters, head of marketing at Vasque. “Being able to engage with the hikers on what drives them on their treks is invaluable to the way we go about making the footwear that can handle the various obstacles that so many of these trails provide. We are honored to be in such great company with Osprey, Nemo, Leki, and Darn Tough – and feel that this collection of brands serve as a testament to the industry’s support of the ongoing self-discovery that takes place during these epic journeys. It’s all about the fearless hikers on the trail, and we pride ourselves in being as close to them as they are to the trail; helping them each and every step.”

“Being a part of the Thru Hike Syndicate is part of who we are at Darn Tough,” said Courtney Laggner, brand manager at Darn Tough. “The syndicate, and its partners, align perfectly with what we believe in. This partnership is a great way for us to put product on trial and have first hand, real time product testing. The thru-hike community is as tough as they come, and we have tough in our name. It’s a perfect fit.”

The 10 ambassadors chosen for the 2019 season were chosen from a pool of nearly 400 applicants. Each ambassador was chosen based on a combination of factors, including their trail selections, hiking experience (the roster includes a mix of experienced thru hikers and first-timers), passion for the outdoors, photographic and storytelling abilities, compelling personal stories and unique perspectives. In total, the 2019 ambassadors plan to hike over 18,000 miles and 8 trail systems.

The Ambassadors selected have the opportunity to utilize the latest and best gear from each sponsor company on their thru hikes while representing each sponsor brand on the trail.

Thru-Hike Syndicate 2018 Ambassador Roster:

  • Aaron Grafing – Superior Hiking Trail & Colorado Trail
  • Felicia Grajeda & Kyle Cuadal – Pacific Crest Trail
  • Hannie Glenn – Appalachian Trail
  • Justin McCormick – Pacific Crest Trail
  • Laura Morrison – Continental Divide Trail
  • Marte Conradi – Pacific Northwest Trail
  • Nalini Ravindrath – Wonderland Trail
  • Ryck Proctor – Appalachian Trail
  • Travis Gohr – John Muir Trail