Austin Palmer

Austin brings curiosity, a critical eye, problem-solving skills, persistence, and determination to his role as Senior Review Analyst. He has tested more than 1,000 consumer products in his 10 years at GearLab and never tires of getting his hands on the latest tech: high-performance keyboards to electric skateboards, and fitness trackers to sewing machines. Austin's passion for gear began after he entered the world of PC online gaming. His love of gaming and problem-solving soon led him to build his computers and develop an appreciation for how quality components could deliver exceptional performance. His passion for gear also expressed itself when he hiked both the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail and the completed hiking of the 2,660-mile Pacific Crest Trail, where he relied on state-of-the-art solar chargers, external battery packs, and GPS navigation devices. Austin is the ultimate gear guy, a coveted reviewer, and a person who believes the details matter when it comes to in-depth scientific testing of gear.