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.
Author Profile
Maggie Nichols
Senior Review Editor
Showing 1-15 of 292 by Maggie Nichols
The Ultimate Travel Packing List for 2024
Looking to travel? Let us help you prepare with our Ultimate Travel Packing list!Best Water Gear of 2024
Enjoy a day on the water. Our ultimate list of the best water gear is adventure worthy. We considered everything you...Best Duffel Bags of 2024
A dependable duffel bag will take you and all your gear on the best adventures and will also make everyday travel a...The Ultimate Camping Gear Checklist for 2024
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...10 Best Fleece Jackets of 2024
Over the last ten years, we've bought and tested more than 124 fleece jackets to bring you the best options on the...Best Fleece Jackets for Women of 2024
Seeking a deliciously warm fleece jacket? After looking over the best contenders on the market, we chose 13 of the...Top Pick
Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody - Women's Review
This dynamic fleece has all the right features to make it exceptionally useful and comfortable no matter the weather...Editors' Choice
Rab Neutrino Pro - Women's Review
This is an impressively warm lightweight sewn-through down jacket that is appropriate for both high alpine and...Best Windbreaker Jacket For Women of 2024
Searching for the essential layer for just about any three-season adventure? For the last 9 years, we've tested the...Best Camping Blankets of 2024
Want to stay cozy by the campfire? We do too. We purchased 15 of the best camping blankets available on the market for...Best Sunglasses for Men of 2024
Searching for the perfect shades? We sifted through hundreds of options before selecting these 14 most promising pairs...Top Pick
Xero Z-Trail EV - Women's Review
Offering the true barefoot experience, these ultralight flexible sandals give you protection and traction without...Best Laptop Backpack of 2024
We've loaded up our laptops, binders, and books in each of these for work, to travel across the globe, and to battle...Best Camping Shower of 2024
Go from camping to glamping by bringing a camp shower with you on your next outing. We've reviewed the top camping...Top Pick
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Spinner Review
This sophisticated, highly durable yet expensive carry-on has a unique and highly effective compression system, making...
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