For many of us, an ideal job would be tied to our passions, so work doesn’t feel like work.

For Justin Schemenauer, first came a love of appreciating the freedom of dirt beneath his feet, mile after mile. Then came the love of creating ultralight gear to make his hikes easier. In 2020, he launched his online company, Beyond the Trailhead (www.bttgearco.com) to sell his wares, all handmade in Justin’s Chippewa Falls apartment. He jokes that his bedroom looks like a warehouse; his closet is full of fabric.

About six years ago, after turning 31, he took leave from his IT job and gave up his apartment to hike the entire Ice Age Trail over two months. When he returned, his girlfriend broke his heart. In retrospect, it turned out all right. He swapped his camp lantern for her sewing machine. Even for a crafty Chippewa kid and former top-notch art student, teaching yourself to sew is no minor feat. Justin started with stuff sacks, then tents. The first ones, he says, were a total disaster. But he kept at it. Then came raincoats (for humans and dogs—tested on his pup, Bella), mitts and hoodies.

"TRAIL TIME – ESPECIALLY SHARED ACROSS GENERATIONS – IS ALWAYS WORTH IT."

JUSTIN SCHEMENAUER

ENTREPRENEUR

Now he draws his designs and creates his own patterns. His hoodies, made with Polartec Alpha Direct fabric, garner rave reviews from hikers who welcome the ultralight fleece and perfectly placed pockets. One fan wrote a 500-word love rant: “The pockets (are) designed by someone who actually hikes and actually do what they are supposed to.” This hiker goes on, “You will not find anything meaningfully lighter or better and with more options to customize and a nicer dude making it.”

Another writes, “There are other alpha direct hoodies out there, but the little extras . . . make it all worthwhile. Kangaroo pocket for all my little things, check! Built in venting neck gaiter, check! Customizable snap colors to match my pack, you betcha!”

Beyond the Trailhead is doing so well that Justin was recently able to quit his full-time job to focus entirely on his one-man business. He still sews on that same hand-me-down machine. 

"We had it all: water crossings, forest tunnels, hills ... and the full range of emotions that come with putting miles on your feet and carrying everything you need on your back."

JUSTIN SCHEMENAUER

ENTREPRENEUR

Once ordered, gear is made and delivered within four weeks—much less than the usual turnaround time for a cottage brand.

In April, Justin took a four-day father/son trip through the Harrison Hills segment of the IAT with his 14-year-old Denim, Justin’s good friend Alex, and Alex’s 9-year-old E.

Justin says, “We had it all: water crossings, forest tunnels, hills … and the full range of emotions that come with putting miles on your feet and carrying everything you need on your back.”

That’s easier with the ultralight gear Justin makes. Along the way, he field-tested a new hoodie that was released this summer. It keeps you warm when you need it but also allows airflow.Justin says how proud he was for Denim to carry all his own gear and sleep in his own tent for the first time. And to see E “crush his first backpacking trip with grit.” There might have been some tears, but, Justin says, “There were also breakthroughs, belly laughs, and some serious trail growth, especially from the kids.”

Whether on a day hike or on a 6-month trek, hiking is often a transformative adventure. Justin says, “Trail time — especially shared across generations — is always worth it.”