LandTrust Team Summer Gear Picks: How We Wind Down After Work

Summer is a season of hard-earned rewards. At LandTrust, we know firsthand what it means to put in the work—on the land, in the field, or behind the scenes supporting our landowners and sportsmen. And when it’s time to unplug and enjoy the land ourselves, we make it count.

Whether it’s floating a river, casting for bass, hiking new terrain, or setting up camp with the family, summer is our chance to reconnect with the outdoors in a more personal way. And when it comes to gearing up for those moments, there’s one place the LandTrust team consistently turns to: SCHEELS. From rugged boots to relaxing river docks, SCHEELS helps us do summer right.

Check out our team's favorite summer gear picks and the LandTrust listings we're excited to use them at this season.

Collin Trottier – Landowner & Customer Success Associate

🔹 Summer Gear Pick: Men’s On Cloudhorizon Hiking Shoes – Frost/Cobalt from Scheels
🔹 Where He’s Headed: Homestead Ranch – Central Montana

🔹 How He’s Using It:
Collin's go-to for summer? A rugged pair of On Cloudhorizon hiking shoes built for long treks and rolling terrain. He plans to lace them up at Homestead Ranch, where 10,000+ acres of scenic, wild country await. With sweeping views, game trails, and open prairie, this is the perfect spot for Collin to get out, stretch his legs, and explore the land firsthand—exactly the kind of experience we love connecting people to at LandTrust.

Josh Roberts – Landowner Onboarding Specialist

🔹 Summer Gear Pick: BOTE Hangout Dock Inflatable Platform from Scheels
🔹 Where He’s Headed: Gasconade Oxbow – Missouri

🔹 How He’s Using It:
For Josh, summer means getting on the water—and the Gasconade Oxbow is calling. His gear pick? The ultra-relaxing and ridiculously fun BOTE Hangout Dock. Whether he’s floating lazily through the oxbow, casting a line for bass, or just soaking in the sun with friends, this inflatable dock is the perfect setup. It's stable, portable, and built for unforgettable river days—just like the kind you'll find in this slice of Missouri heaven.

Rob Rotarius – Chief Technology Officer

🔹 Summer Gear Pick: Danner Men's Mountain 600 Hiking Boots – Saddle Tan from Scheels
🔹 Where He’s Headed: Diamond H Grass & Cattle Ranch – Southeastern Montana

🔹 How He’s Using It:
Rob's summer mission? Breaking in a fresh pair of Danner Mountain 600s—badly needed, by his own admission. His ideal proving ground: Diamond H Grass & Cattle Ranch, where 6,000+ acres of rolling pasture and coulees offer endless hiking opportunities. Whether he's trekking the ridgelines or scouting the scenery, Rob’s set for miles of exploration in rugged comfort and style.

Cody Hebert – Product Lead

🔹 Summer Gear Pick: The North Face Wawona 8-Person Tent from Scheels
🔹 Where He’s Headed: Newton’s Lake – Southeast Kansas

🔹 How He’s Using It:
It looks like a great place to take my entire family for some fun on the water and camping. Kayaking and canoeing are a massive plus on the calm water for the kiddos to learn something new!

Nic De Castro – Founder & CEO

🔹 Summer Gear Pick: YETI Roadie 60 Wheeled Cooler – White from Scheels
🔹 Where He’s Headed: Newton’s Lake – Southeast Kansas

🔹 How He’s Using It:
Whether he’s hosting partners or making memories with his own crew, Nic’s pick is all about keeping the good times rolling—literally. The YETI Roadie 60 is his go-to for ice-cold beverages and snacks that can handle the Kansas heat. He’s heading back to Newton’s Lake, where the mix of lakeside leisure and wide-open space offers the perfect escape from the day-to-day hustle. A wheeled cooler, a peaceful shoreline, and great company? That’s a CEO-level summer setup.

Chad Chriestenson – VP of Operations & Strategy

🔹 Summer Gear Pick: St. Croix Bass X Spinning Rod – 6'10" Medium Light, Extra Fast from Scheels
🔹 Where He’s Headed: Hayfox Ranch – Central Montana

🔹 How He’s Using It:
Chad’s summer game plan is clear: smallmouth bass on light tackle. He’s loading up his St. Croix Bass X Spinning Rod and heading for Hayfox Ranch, where private river access and pristine Montana water make for top-tier angling. This extra-fast, medium-light setup is perfect for responsive casting and a strong hookset—key ingredients for landing those aggressive smallmouths in moving current. For Chad, it’s strategy meets solitude on the water.

Bethany Swaney – Paid Ads Contractor

🔹 Summer Gear Picks:
• Smith Optics Lowdown 2 Sunglasses – Polarized Ignitor ChromaPop
• MSR PocketRocket 2 Backpacking Stove Kit
🔹 Where She’s Headed: Shady Lane – Central Nebraska

🔹 How She’s Using Them:
Bethany’s the type who packs smart and stylish. Her first pick? The Smith Lowdown 2s, built with ChromaPop tech to cut glare and boost contrast—ideal for spotting wildlife or just enjoying the view at Shady Lane. But she didn’t stop there. Her second must-have is the compact and ultra-efficient MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove Kit—perfect for brewing morning coffee or a quick trail meal under the Nebraska sky. Whether it’s a day hike or an overnight, she’s prepped for comfort and self-reliance.

Taylor Moyer – Landowner Marketing & Partnerships Manager

🔹 Summer Gear Pick: Vuori Men's Kore Shorts – Black from Scheels
🔹 Where He’s Headed: Hayfox Ranch – River Float & Rafting Experience – Central Montana

🔹 How He’s Using It:
After a long day of ranching in denim, Taylor’s looking to unwind in style—and comfort. His must-have? The Vuori Kore Shorts, lightweight and ultra-soft for that post-work reset. He’s taking them to the Hayfox River Float & Rafting Experience, where Montana’s fresh waters offer the perfect way to cool off and recharge. Whether it's a lazy float or a full-on rafting run, these shorts are built for ease, movement, and soaking in every minute of riverside relaxation.

Wrapping It Up: Work Hard, Play Even Harder

At LandTrust, connecting people to the land is more than a mission—it’s a lifestyle. And while we spend most of our days supporting landowners and sportsmen across the country, summer reminds us to slow down and enjoy the land ourselves.

Whether it’s a peaceful paddle with the family, a solo hike through big country, or a rod in hand chasing bass, these moments of recreation remind us why we do what we do. With gear from SCHEELS and access to one-of-a-kind private land experiences through LandTrust, our team is making the most of every summer moment.

So here’s to hardworking days, laid-back weekends, and gear that helps you soak it all in.

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