Hi, I’m Kristen Bor
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m an outdoor enthusiast, van lifer, and mom, and in 2014, I started Bearfoot Theory to help more people get outside.
The outdoors has had such a profound impact on my life, and it’s my hope that Bearfoot Theory becomes a helpful and welcoming resource for you, whether you’re planning an epic hike, a National Park road trip, or dreaming about van life. Thanks for being part of this amazing community—I can’t wait to share the journey with you.
let’s connect!
Why I started Bearfoot Theory
The outdoors has literally changed my life, and I want to help change yours.
I didn’t grow up in an outdoorsy family, and shortly after college in 2005, I found myself 40 pounds overweight and stuck in unhealthy patterns. Everything began to change when I went on my first backpacking trip. It was tough, but it gave me a taste of those feel-good endorphins that come from time on the trail, and that’s when I was hooked.
I wanted to hike harder trails, so I started hiking more and more to build the strength and endurance I needed for the adventures I dreamed about. Slowly, I lost the weight and gained a newfound appreciation for what I was capable of when I set my mind to it.
When I moved to Washington DC in 2010 for a job, I slipped back into old habits. The long hours, happy hours, and lack of outdoor time started to take their toll. I wasn’t hiking, I wasn’t eating well, and I felt a growing sense of disconnect from myself. After three years of this routine, I knew I needed a change.
I started biking in DC’s Rock Creek Park as a way to clear my head and get moving again. Those rides gave me the space to reflect on what I truly wanted out of life. It became clear that the outdoors wasn’t just a nice escape—it was pivotal to my health and happiness. I realized I needed to spend more time outside, not just squeezing it in here and there.
The idea for Bearfoot Theory came to me after discovering some other travel blogs, and I thought, “Why not me?” I’d kept a blog for fun during a 2 month trip in Indonesia, and I had always enjoyed taking photos.
So, I made the leap. I quit my job, left DC, and decided I’d give it a try, combining my growing passion for the outdoors with a desire to share my journey. I wanted to inspire others to get outside, showing them that the benefits of nature—better health, mental clarity, and more joy—are accessible to everyone, no matter where they’re starting from.
Since then, the outdoors has completely transformed my life. It’s where I’ve found confidence, resilience, and the happiest, healthiest version of myself. Starting Bearfoot Theory was my way of documenting that journey and creating a resource for anyone else looking to make nature a bigger part of their life.
I hope Bearfoot Theory inspires you to step outside, try something new, and discover how transformative nature can be.
Road Trips & Slow Travel
I prefer road trips over planes, enjoying the freedom to explore at a slower pace and fully soak in the experience. For me, it’s about meaningful connections, not rushing from one place to another.
Outdoor Adventures
My trips revolve around hiking, backpacking, and paddling—activities that exciting yet approachable for the average outdoor enthusiast – whether it’s a challenging multi-day trek or a simple paddle on a quiet lake.
Dispersed Camping with a Mix of Comfort
I love the solitude and immersion of free, dispersed camping, but I’m not opposed to the occasional Airbnb or cute hotel when comfort calls or I need a shower.
Responsible & Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel
I prioritize sustainable travel and always follow Leave No Trace principles. While I check out popular spots, I seek out hidden gems and quieter trails to balance the experience.
Fun Facts About Me
Did you know the name Bearfoot Theory comes from the Grateful Dead dancing bear tattoo on my foot?
mountains or beach?
mountains, definitely
FIRST BACKPACKING TRIP
Near Mt. Rainier, 2005
FAVORITE food
vegan bolognese
Favorite band
Phish
background
B.S. Chemistry / M.S. Environmental Management
# of nights I’ve slept in a van
1,526
FAVORITE PLACES I’ve lived
TOP 3 all-time ADVENTURES
FAVORITE places for van life
My journey
AS AN OUTDOOR TRAVEL BLOGGER
Here’s how I traded my heels for hiking boots.
2010-2014: Worked in DC
I have a Masters degree in Environmental Management, and from 2010 to 2014, I worked for two different Congressmen in Washington DC. While I valued the work, I felt stuck—stressed, caught up in political talk and happy hours, and far from the adventurous life I dreamed of. Craving change and more freedom, I quit my job, moved to Las Vegas, and taught myself how to build a travel blog from scratch.
2014: Launched the Blog
I launched Bearfoot Theory in June and picked up a part-time job at REI and a number of freelance travel writing gigs to make ends meet. That September, I spent 22 life-changing days backpacking the John Muir Trail, and while I hadn’t made a dime from my blog yet, the trip made one thing clear: I needed the outdoors to be more than an occasional escape—it had to be a regular part of my life for my health and happiness.
2015: Moved to Utah
I poured all my time into building my blog— documenting my adventures while learning SEO, growing a newsletter, and creating a social media community. Affiliate income from my John Muir Trail gear list and my first sponsored post with Cotopaxi gave me hope that this could be a viable career path. I wanted to be closer to the mountains, so I moved to Salt Lake City.
2016 – Started van life and led my First Group Trip
I took a three-month solo trip around New Zealand in a rented camper van, and it was my first taste of van life—I was hooked. When I got back, I bought a Sprinter Van, converted it into a home on wheels, and moved into it full-time. I shared a tour on YouTube which quickly went viral, gaining over a million views and giving my website a major traffic boost. I also launched my first Bearfoot Theory group trip to Everest Basecamp.
2017 – 2018: Traveled North America
I sold my first Sprinter Van and partnered with Outside Van to build a new one, incorporating everything I’d learned from my first build. As I spent 8 months a year in my van (with winters in SLC), I started writing extensively about van life, landed a sponsorship with REI that continues to this day, and led group hiking trips to incredible destinations like Southern Utah, Alaska, and Patagonia.
2019: Open Roads Fest
I organized a van life festival called Open Roads Fest in Idaho, bringing together the top brands in the van life space and over 450 vanlifers and outdoor enthusiasts for an unforgettable weekend. It was a ton of work, but so rewarding that I decided to do it again in 2022.
2020 – 2022: Blog reached new heights
Starting in 2020, as record numbers of people began heading outdoors, my blog saw incredible growth as readers searched for hiking, backpacking, camping, and van life advice. I hit a milestone of over half a million page views in a single month and expanded my team to keep up with the demand, all while continuing to travel. During that time, I got my third Sprinter Van, became a dual citizen with Canada, explored BC and Alberta, road-tripped the entire East Coast, and hosted another Open Roads Fest. Oh, and I also got pregnant and celebrated with a babymoon in the Italian Dolomites!
2023: I became a mom
In January, I took on the challenge of redesigning my blog without a web designer, and I’m so proud of how it turned out. In February, my son was born, bringing more joy into my life than I ever imagined. When he was just four months old, we embarked on a two-month van adventure through the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver Island. While the trip was full of memorable moments, van life with a baby also came with its challenges, and we decided to head home early. For the rest of the year, we put our travels on hold, settled into a new home in the mountains near Park City, and enjoyed exploring the beauty right in our backyard.
2024: Adapting to challenges and Gearing up for new adventures
In 2024, I traveled less than I have since starting my blog a decade ago. It was a challenging year, as Google rolled out a series of updates that hit small publishers hard. With AI dominating search results, I returned to running Bearfoot Theory as a one-woman operation, focusing on making my blog posts as helpful and relevant as possible. On a brighter note, I traded in my Sprinter Van for a Rossmonster Baja LX adventure truck and am gearing up to hit the road full-time again in 2025!
Business Inquiries:
contact [at] bearfoottheory.com
I am available for public speaking, interviews, and brand collaborations. To discuss your needs or to get a copy of my Media Kit, email me or visit Bearfoot Theory’s services page.