Will Coleman
Hi, I’m Will, I’m currently living the van life in Colorado. I enjoy mountaineering, splitboarding, climbing, trail running and type 2 fun! I’m 28 years old and spend as much time outside as possible. I moved to Colorado in 2014 from Mississippi and grew up in the mid-south. I have been snowboarding since 2000 and the mountains have had my heart ever since. You can find me anywhere from riding Colorado’s high peaks to climbing desert towers, to climbing in the PNW!
Articles by Will Coleman
Will’s Engearment archive captures an active period of vanlife, climbing, and alpine pursuits from 2019 — featuring reviews of climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry gear he tested in the Colorado Rockies, Cascades, and beyond. Here are his most recent articles:
Luna Mono Sandals — Absolutely Great Running in Sandals!
November 29, 2019 — A skeptic converted. Inspired by Born To Run and a friend who was a sandal runner, Will dove into the world of minimalist sandal running.
The Call of the Van — Real-World Perspective on Vanlife
November 20, 2019 — Engearment’s resident vanlife expert looks beyond the picture-perfect social media posts to share the real reasoning behind going against society’s standards.
Mile High Mountaineering Salute 34 Backpack — Burly Construction
November 11, 2019 — A highly durable Cordura-fabric pack still looking brand new after six weeks of hard testing. MHM nailed it out of the gate.
Camelbak Octane XCT Hydration Pack
November 6, 2019 — A lightweight, ergonomic hydration pack for long-distance running, mountain biking, and minimalist hiking — Will’s go-to distance running pack.
Skullcandy VERT Headphones — Earbuds that Rock!
October 10, 2019 — Finally, earbuds designed for adventurists, with a glove-friendly controller Will clipped to his hat for trail running.
HOKA One One Challenger ATR 5 — Winning Over this Skeptic
October 3, 2019 — Will’s first pair of Hokas and first cloud shoe — skeptical at first, converted to believer after high-mileage testing.
HIMALI Altocumulus 2.0 — Impressively Warm and Packable
October 3, 2019 — Will had just finished reviewing the original when HIMALI dropped the 2.0. A budget-friendly puffy from a brand he’d been following closely.
MSR Advance Pro 2 Tent Review
August 27, 2019 — Will tested this tent in the Tetons, Rockies, Cascades, and on Rainier — it handles the rowdiest conditions despite its deceptively simple design.
Patagonia Ascensionist 55L — New Alpine Pack
August 25, 2019 — The black hole of alpine packs. Patagonia nailed the new size — feature-rich but with everything removable for overnight alpine missions.
MSR Access 2 Tent — Ski Touring Dream Tent
August 23, 2019 — An ultralight 4-season tent with opposing entries and vestibules that promote head-to-toe sleeping. Minimal profile to resist wind.
FOEHN Brise Shorts
August 8, 2019 — Will reviews a newer outdoor clothing manufacturer out of Quebec, Canada, on its path from Kickstarter to recognized brand.
Julbo Aerospeed Reactiv Sunglasses
August 6, 2019 — Will’s favorite piece of gear to date at the time — a long-time Julbo fan’s enthusiastic take on the Aerospeed with Reactiv photochromic lenses.
KITSBOW Lightweight Haskell Shorts
July 31, 2019 — A cycling short with lifestyle appeal. Equally at home around town, on MTB trails, or on gravel roads in central Colorado.
Engearment Podcast: Will Coleman, Purveyor of Type 2 Fun
July 4, 2019 — Will’s own podcast appearance with Sean Sewell — growing up in the South, following his heart to Colorado, and spending most of his time in the alpine.
Costa Del Mar Spearo 580G Sunglasses
June 28, 2019 — Great polarized glasses that Will tested across climbing, biking, and driving over two months.
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 — Engearment Interviews
June 20, 2019 — Coverage of OR Summer Market 2019, including 60+ meetings with brands including Sierra Designs, Mystery Ranch, and many more.
Cannondale Topstone 105 Bike Review
May 26, 2019 — A Colorado trail section in late May, a building snow squall, and Will reflecting on a versatile gravel bike that handles changing conditions.
Just The Tips: Van Life Tips with Will Coleman
May 24, 2019 — After 3 years of vanlife, Will shares practical tips — from shopping for deals at the grocery store to staying organized on the road.
Salomon Speedcross 5
May 14, 2019 — Stiff at first, broken in nicely after 12 miles. Will logged miles in Nevada, Utah, and Colorado — super aggressive with superior traction.
Mammut Serenity Dry 8.7 Rope — Fast and Light
March 27, 2019 — Tested across alpine ice, long multi-pitch routes, and cragging — Will’s verdict is the alpine is where this rope shines.