In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, Craig sits down with Jacob Muth, founder of Leichtmut, a small but innovative brand creating ultralight camera bags for hikers and outdoor photographers.
Jacob shares how frustration with heavy camera carry systems and wet gear on trail pushed him to start designing his own solutions. What began as a MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) hobby turned into a real business focused on ultralight, waterproof, and quick-access camera bags for people who refuse to leave their camera behind.
We dive into:
📸 Why most camera bags fail on trail
💧 How Jacob designed a zipper-free, waterproof system
🧵 The trial-and-error of sewing and prototyping gear himself
🌍 How a crisis and career pivot led to launching Leichtmut
📦 Learning advertising, pricing, and scaling as a one-person brand
🎒 Why ultralight hikers are told to ditch their camera — and why Jacob disagrees
If you’re a photographer, thru-hiker, or dreaming about building your own gear brand, this episode is packed with honest lessons and creative problem-solving.
🔗 Connect with Leichtmut
🌐 Website: https://www.leichtmut.de
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leichtmut.gear/
🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead
▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6
📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast
🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com