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Co-founder & editor · Digital nomad

Greg Kinsey

Greg is the co-founder and editor of Barefoot Backpackers. He’s a digital nomad, hiker and skier who has lived in Australia, India, France, Italy, Mexico and Argentina.

Portrait of Greg Kinsey, co-founder and editor.
Greg
First big tripAt 18, with just a backpack
StudiedBachelor of Business Administration
Worked inBanff National Park
Has lived inAustralia, India, France, Italy, Mexico & Argentina
Background

About Greg

Greg’s travels began at 18, when a summer trip with friends after high school turned into a lifelong path of exploration. He’s been drawn to new cultures, new languages and wild places ever since.

Between adventures he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration and worked in Banff National Park, which grounded his love of adventure with practical skills and a deeper connection with nature.

For Greg, each day is an opportunity to live in the present moment and learn something new.

He has since volunteered on organic farms, trekked through remote mountain ranges and spent time in ashrams, and he has lived in Australia, India, France, Italy, Mexico and Argentina as a digital nomad.

Today Greg covers practical travel, outdoor gear, barefoot shoes and travel tech for Barefoot Backpackers. Off the page, he’s learning languages, dancing, practicing yoga, or out skiing, hiking and running.

81 guides

Latest from Greg

A sheep standing in the snow with its flock behindWool, Alpaca & CashmereWool Explained: Benefits, Uses, and Why It Works Better Than Synthetic FabricsLearn the benefits of wool for everyday and travel wear. This wool guide explains how wool works and how it compares to…A climber on an indoor bouldering wall with colorful holds.Outdoor GearEssential Climbing Gear That Supports Comfort, Movement, and FocusThe best climbing gear for 2026: durable belay glasses, ultra thin linen socks, premium chalk, chalk bags, hangboards, and finger tape.Worn leather barefoot office shoes with laces on rough concrete.Barefoot ShoesBarefoot Shoes Dress Shoes for MenThe best barefoot dress shoes for men, for the office and events, with picks from Vivobarefoot, Xero, Groundies and WHITIN.Soft white cotton in a woven basket.Cotton & LinenCotton or Polyester: Why Choose Natural FibersCotton or polyester? How the two fabrics compare on breathability, comfort, durability and care, and why we choose natural fibers.Folded white towels on blue yoga mats in a bright studioYogaBest Yoga Mat Towels for Hot Yoga and Everyday PracticeTop yoga mat towels that actually grip when sweaty. Microfiber with silicone nubs & 100% cotton rugs for hot yoga, vinyasa &…Brown leather Vivobarefoot hiking boot in the snow.Barefoot ShoesBarefoot Shoes for WinterDiscover the best barefoot shoes for winter. Stay warm and grounded with minimalist, waterproof, and insulated barefoot bootsAn alpaca in a green field with a blurred background.Natural FibersAlpaca vs Llama: Key Differences & Wool ComparisonExplore alpaca vs llama: finer, softer and often warmer than cashmere. Learn how to clean alpaca wool & compare to merino for…A woolly sheep in a snowy landscape.Merino WoolMerino Wool vs Wool: Which Natural Fiber for Backpackers?Merino wool vs wool for travelers: how they compare on softness, warmth and itch, where each comes from and how to care…A hiker with a backpack above an alpine valleyMerino WoolBest Merino Wool Sweaters for Men (2026)Barefoot Backpackers' merino wool sweater for men guide, including crew necks, sweaters with hoods, and base layers, all 100% Merino wool...Goats grazing on rolling mountain hills among colorful plants.Natural FibersIs Cashmere Wool? Understanding Its Natural OriginsUncover the truth about cashmere wool. Why it’s soft, lightweight, and warm, and how to care for this natural fiber responsibly.Blue Vivobarefoot running shoes on a wooden deck against a red brick wall.Barefoot ShoesBest Casual Barefoot Shoes for MenThe best casual barefoot shoes for men for travel and everyday wear, from Vivobarefoot, Xero, WHITIN and more.Blue pure wool slippers with grippy sole on the counterWool, Alpaca & CashmereThe Best Wool Slippers: 8 Felted and Boiled Wool PicksOur 8 favorite wool slippers, from Glerups and Haflinger to a budget boiled merino pair, with sole types, fit tips and which…Silhouette of a person doing yoga outdoors on a cotton yoga mat.YogaBest 100% Cotton Yoga Mat Options in 2026Top 100% cotton yoga mat & rugs for hot yoga, Ashtanga & travel. Plastic-free, machine-washable, foldable alternatives to synthetic mats.Compact outdoor hydration and navigation gear.Gift Guides33 Best Outdoors Gifts for MenLooking for the best outdoors gifts for men? Discover 33 gift ideas for hikers, campers, travelers, and outdoor adventurers for every budget.Landscape barefoot Vivo shoesBarefoot ShoesBest Hiking Barefoot Shoes for MenThe best barefoot hiking shoes for men from Vivobarefoot, Xero and Merrell, compared on grip, ground feel and protection.Beige cashmere fabric with a tag reading 100% cashmereNatural FibersBest Cashmere Sweaters for Men (2026)Discover the best cashmere sweaters. Soft, warm 100% pure cashmere crewnecks, hoodies, & turtlenecks that last years.Wool gloves holding a cup of tea on snow with snowflake decorations.Wool, Alpaca & CashmereBest Wool Gloves for Winter: 100% Natural FibersTop natural-fiber wool gloves for men & women. 100% merino, cashmere, alpaca and cashmere-lined leather options that stay warm and softMeditation practice on a natural rubber yoga mat in a yoga studio.YogaBest Natural Rubber Yoga Mats for 2026: Durable, Eco-Friendly ChoicesDiscover the best natural rubber yoga mat for grip, durability, and sustainability. Reviews of Manduka, JadeYoga, and cork-rubber options.Greg snowboarding with Ski goggles landscapeSki & Winter8 Best Snow Ski Goggles (2026): OTG, Lenses and Top PicksThe 8 best snow ski goggles for 2026 with over glasses pairs, Smith MAG lens systems, a women's fit and a photochromic…A yoga mat, foam blocks and a cotton yoga blanket.YogaBest Natural Yoga Blankets: 100% Cotton & WoolDiscover the best yoga blankets made from 100% natural cotton and wool. Handwoven options for restorative poses and meditation support.Ski equipment with skis on roof rack in snowy mountain landscape under clear blue sky during winter.Ski & WinterBest Thule Ski Carriers for Secure Roof TransportFind the best Thule ski carriers for roof racks, cargo boxes and hitch mounting to find your perfect set up for the…A woman meditating on a sandy beach at sunset with a cotton throw blanket.Wool, Alpaca & CashmereBest 100% Cotton Throw Blankets for Year-Round ComfortDiscover the best 100% cotton throw blanket picks for home & travel. Breathable, soft, all-season options.Soft folded cashmere throw blankets.Wool, Alpaca & CashmereBest 100% Cashmere Throw Blankets in 2026Discover the best 100% cashmere throw blankets including blanket 30x40 and blanket 50x60 sizes. Practical guide to quality & care.A young woman in a beige trench coat and lambswool scarf sitting in a park in autumn.Wool, Alpaca & CashmereBest 100% Lambswool Scarf Options for Winter WarmthExplore the best 100% lambswool scarves for winter. Compare warmth, softness, sizing, care tips, and top natural wool picks.