Leah Balagopal

Leah Balagopal is a Brooklyn, NY-based climbing coach, surfer, art conservator, and Field Mag Contributor.


Recent articles by Leah

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The 9 Best Packable Down Jackets for Men & Women

The Best Packable Down Jackets for Any Adventure

From alpine summits to frigid cities and everything in between, these down jackets are guaranteed to keep you toasty (and to pack away later)

The 20 Best Rental Cabins in Texas for a Lone Star State Getaway

The Best Cabins for a Luxe Lone Star State Getaway

From Hill Country to Big Bend, Austin to Marfa, there's no shortage of awesome areas to visit and places to stay in Texas

The 10 Best Board Shorts for Men, According to Actual Surfers

The 10 Best Board Shorts for Men, According to Actual Surfers

Ideal for surfing, beaching, and transitioning through town, these board shorts will earn you chafe-free style points in and out of the water

The 10 Best Surf Bikinis & Swimsuits for Women, Tested

The 10 Best Women's Swimsuits Actually Designed for Surfing

Through trial and (a lot of) error, these are the best surf swimsuits that are comfortable, flattering, and actually stay on your body

The 8 Best Double Sleeping Bags for Camping Couples

The 8 Best Double Sleeping Bags for More Comfy Couples Camping

These full-featured, two-person sleeping bags make spending the night in nature as comfortable—and cuddle friendly—as at home

FERAL Wetsuit Review: I've Finally Fallen in Love With Winter Surfing

The Best Winter Wetsuit Is From a Tiny Brand You've Never Heard Of

The small San Francisco brand uses Japanese Yamamoto neoprene to cut weight & improve warmth—here's how their 5/4/3 suit tested in icy waters near NYC

Inside Kings Glassing, New York City's Resident Surfboard Workshop

Inside the NYC Workshop Where Sought-After Surfboards Are Made

Maui-raised and Brooklyn-based, brothers Aaron and Drew Austin are hand building some of the East Coast's most creative surfboards

"Island Time" by Vivian Kim Reveals the Raw Natural Beauty of Kaua'i

Vivian Kim's New Photo Book Captures Youth Culture & Island Living on Kaua'i

Comprised of 230+ film photographs, this limited edition hardcover offers a unique snapshot of Hawaii's Garden Isle and the people that call it home

Artist William Mullan Is Documenting the World's Strangest Apples

A Chat With the Artist Documenting the World's Strangest, Most Beautiful Apples

These rare looking and unique tasting apples will change everything you know about the image of an apple

Pro Tips & Gear to Make Camping With Kids Fun & Easy(ish)

Tips, Tricks, & Gear to Make Camping With Kids Fun and (Mostly) Stress Free

Getting outside with young kids isn't always easy, but these parents have some advice for whatever outdoor adventurer you may be planning

The 10 Best Ponchos for Surfing, Camping, and Other Outdoor Adventures

The 10 Best Ponchos for Surfing, Camping, and Other Outdoor Adventures

One of the most slept on articles of gear/clothing, the poncho is an essential item for staying warm, dry, and cozy, at the campsite, beach, and home

5 Rules for Shoulder Season Layering from a Pro Outdoor Photographer

A Pro Outdoor Photographer's Tips & Gear Recs for Shoulder Season Adventures

Learn the do's and don'ts for staying comfortable, dry, and warm in shoulder season weather without carrying an overloaded pack

Rumpl x NASA Artemis Puffy Blankets Celebrate a Return to the Moon

Rumpl's New NASA-Approved Puffy Blankets Celebrate Man's Upcoming Return to the Moon

With the upcoming first manned moon mission in over 50 years, new space-inspired blankets will have you dreaming of other orbits

Artist Travis Weller on Trail Running, Finding Flow & New Roark Collab

Artist Travis Weller on Trail Running, Finding Balance & His New Roark Collab

A conversation with the acclaimed California transplant on the release of a new apparel collaboration with Roark's Run Amok line

Adidas Honors Breast Cancer Fighters & Survivors with Trail Footwear

These New Trail Shoes Are Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Adidas and Five Ten revamped their most popular shoes for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking to support the battle against breast cancer

The 10 Best Sports Bras for Athletic Women: Tested & Approved

Tested & Approved: The 10 Best Sports Bras for Climbing, Yoga, Hiking, and More

Because it's not easy to find a sports bra that's comfortable, supportive, and fits well (especially when you have muscles)

Matador's Beast28 Helium Is a Superlight Daypack for Hiking & Climbing

Matador's Beast28 Helium Is One of the Lightest Frame Backpacks for Hiking & Climbing

This Colorado gear maker continues to push the boundaries of sleek design and adventure gear with a new pack that's super-light and super-durable

Q&A: Francois Lebeau on Becoming One of Climbing's Top Photographers

Francois Lebeau Talks Rigging Fixed Lines & Photographing Climbers Around the World

The celebrated French Canadian discusses his early days in Montreal, tricks to getting good images outdoors, documenting climbs in iconic destinations

The 10 Best Gym Bags for However & Wherever You Get Fit

The 10 Best Gym Bags for However & Wherever You Get Fit

Whether you're hitting the climbing gym, headed to the track, doing chin-ups on a tree branch or going to Gold's, these bags will get your gear there

Laru Beya Collective Is Breaking Barriers for Black Surfers in NYC

The Laru Beya Collective Is Paving the Way for a Diverse New Generation of Surfers

With love, gratitude, and respect for the ocean and community, Laru Beya Collective is helping young Brown and Black surfers reclaim the waves

10 Unique Glamping Destinations in Mexico for an Outdoors Escape

Explore the Rich Landscapes of Mexico with These Unique Glamping Sites

If you're looking for a unique experience that isn't your average hotel, resort or run of the mill airbnb—we've got just the thing for you

The Best Camping Cookware for Tasty Campsite Meals

14 Camping Cookware Essentials You Didn't Know You Needed

Less isn't always more—elevate your next outdoor meal with these useful, sometimes unnecessary but always cool camp cookware essentials and upgrades

onX Backcountry App Review: Off-Trail Navigating in Big Sky Wilderness

onX Backcountry GPS App Review: Off-Trail Navigating in Big Sky Wilderness

Testing the new navigational tool in Montana for an intimate look at its 3D mapping and wayfinding features, info on trails and public lands, and more

13 Great Day Hikes Near Portland, Oregon for a Quick Escape

13 Great Day Hikes for a Quick Escape Near Portland, Oregon

Waterfalls, scrambles, leisurely hikes, and more, explore the rich nature that surrounds Oregon's largest city