Every trail builder knows the feeling.

A section has been damaged by water. Braking bumps have grown into deep holes. Rocks are pushing through the tread. A corner that once flowed now feels rough, loose, and tired.

The problem may be obvious. The harder question is what it will take to fix it.

Maybe the crew is working deep in the woods where hauling fresh material is difficult. Maybe a trail center cannot afford to keep a popular line closed for a week. Maybe the builders have the right machine on site, but not the right way to process the material beneath them.

This is the problem PTH Products hopes to address with the PTH Excavator Crusher EC-S, a compact attachment designed for mini excavators.

There are trail tools that look good in a catalog, and then there are trail tools that earn a permanent spot in the trailer because they solve real problems in the field. The Rake by Camelot Tools falls firmly into the second category.

The new Dakine 25-liter Builder Pack is the little sister to our favorite 45-liter Dakine Builder Pack. When you want a little less bulk with a little more stability, this is the pack I reach for every time.

Trail builders rarely start their day near an outlet. More often, the morning begins at a remote trailhead or in our neck of the woods, a base camp tucked deep into a cold, damp Pacific Northwest forest. When that is the reality, hot water is not a luxury. It is part of the workflow.

This field note looks at a simple question trail crews may be asking. As more crews rely on battery systems and vehicle-based power, does electric camp gear actually make sense in the field?

To answer that, I spent a cold morning brewing coffee off-grid with the Stoke Voltaics Kettle Pot, paired with Off the Grid coffee from Treeline Coffee Roasters (I know, a “rough” morning). What follows is less a traditional gear review and more a trail builder workflow story.

Packable trail tools have quietly become one of the most interesting categories in trail building. As more trail work happens in remote zones, on bikes, or during informal volunteer days, the need for lightweight, mobile tools has grown alongside it.

The Sweet Protection Arbitrator MIPS is a true two-in-one helmet, giving riders full-face confidence and half shell versatility. Trail Builder Magazine tested it at Timberline Bike Park and local Portland trails, finding it durable, lightweight, and comfortable for long days. Perfect for trail builders who ride after a dig day.

It’s easy to overlook a belt … until it fails halfway through a trail day. If you’ve ever had to re-tighten an old canvas belt mid-dig while balancing a McLeod on your shoulder, you know what I mean. That’s where Arcade’s belts come in. They’re not trying to be flashy. They’re trying to do their job and disappear into your day. And they do.

Some gear fades into the background in the best way possible. You don’t have to think about it, adjust it, or wrestle with it mid-ride or mid-dig. That was my experience with the Guardian knee pads from Avision MTB. They’re the kind of pads you forget you’re wearing until they save your knees or your day.

I’ve worn a lot of knee pads over the years, most built for either hardcore descents or casual trail riding. Some fit like armor. Others feel like a glorified sleeve. The Guardian sits somewhere different: sturdy enough to protect when you need it, but easy and intuitive in a way that just works, especially when you’re bouncing between riding and trail building.

There’s something about a good pocket tee that just does it for me. Maybe it’s the subtle nod to utility. Maybe it’s the aesthetic. But if you’re anything like me, someone who splits time between photography, bikes, and post-ride burritos, a shirt like the Anti-Tech Tech Tee just works.

Trail builders need gloves that can handle real work. We tested Trail Manos’ leather work gloves while scouting trail damage and fixing drainage, and they delivered. No break-in needed, solid grip, and all-day comfort. Whether you’re a pro or a volunteer, these gloves are worth the upgrade.