Maggie is an avid outdoor adventurer and a dedicated nature enthusiast. As a young girl growing up just a few hours south of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, she completed an American Canoe Association mastery paddling course. As a teenager, she started teaching canoeing skills and leading hiking expeditions in Girl Scouts. Attending Iowa State University, Maggie earned her BS in Biology and a Masters in Physical Anthropology. For eight years, Maggie worked in numerous research laboratories, assisting in scientific studies of everything from local frog communication strategies and white-tailed jackrabbit life cycles to bison seed dispersal in tall-grass prairies and the mechanism behind temperature sex dependence in turtles. Completing her Master's thesis on chimpanzee behavior took her to the savannahs of Senegal and the forests of Zambia, all the while guiding backcountry paddling and backpacking trips for ISU's Outdoor Recreation Program. After leaving her home state, Maggie designed and led hands-on study abroad courses, guiding and teaching high school and college students while backpacking in Andean cloud forests, trekking in Lesotho's high mountain ranges, swimming in Galapagean waters, and exploring Caribbean jungles. She spent several years managing youth backpacking and educational programs in the Lake Tahoe area, planning, outfitting, and guiding teens on multi-day expeditions through the Sierra Nevadas. Maggie has slept under the stars in all hemispheres, living out of a backpack, a teardrop trailer, and a camper van. She's an avid hobbyist runner, racking up miles on the pavement and on trails, and medaling in local races — just for fun. With over 15 years of professional guiding experience under her belt and close to 30 years spent paddling, cycling, running, hiking, skiing, and road-tripping around the world, Maggie has been bringing her passion for finding the right gear for any situation to GearLab since 2016.
Showing 1-15 of 286 by Maggie Nichols

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This is a simple sun shirt that does what we expect from a sun shirt for a lower cost than most, making it a great...
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REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie for Women Review
A smooth, soft shirt with a baggy, comfortable fit, this more affordable top takes advantage of the breeze to help...
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O'Neill Basic Skins L/S Crew for Women Review
If you're into being in the water a lot, this is our favorite rash guard for water activities. From paddling to...
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Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie for Women Review
Impressively, this hoody is light and breathable enough to wear under a hot sun without feeling like you're melting...
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Looking to travel? Let us help you prepare with our Ultimate Travel Packing list!
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Rab Vital Hoody for Women Review
The Rab is an impressive performer, with excellent wind and water resistance. Available for a relatively low cost...
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Patagonia Houdini for Women Review
The Houdini was first introduced years ago. It's been a favorite ever since. This hard-charging windbreaker is still...
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Fjallraven High Coast for Women Review
The High Coast is a fashionable windbreaker that combines decent functionality with a style you can be at home...![the ultimate camping gear checklist for [year]](https://d1nymbkeomeoqg.cloudfront.net/photos/24/10/362565_20297_M2.jpg)
The Ultimate Camping Gear Checklist
Looking for the best camping gear on the market? Waste no time and get in here to see the best of the best when it...
The Best Duffel Bags
A dependable duffel bag will take you and all your gear on the best adventures and will also make everyday travel a...
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