Interview: Lewis Smart (@outsideintel)
Behind the stories of Outside Intel is Lewis Smart, a creator whose knack for blending rugged exploration with thoughtful storytelling has built a loyal following of adventure seekers and style enthusiasts alike.
At Blacksmith Store, we’ve always admired those who embody a sense of purpose and authenticity, and Lewis is no exception. His content isn’t just about epic views and off grid adventures, it’s about the gear that gets him there, the mindset that keeps him going, and the personal stories that show his journey.
In our conversation, Lewis shares how the outdoors has shaped the way he interacts with life, opens up about the intersection of adventure and style, his approach to content creation, and why the right gear makes all the difference.
Do you think the rise of outdoor inspired fashion reflects a deeper cultural shift towards reconnecting to nature?
For sure, I think lockdown played a massive part in this. Once we were withdrawn from normal life, I think it put things into perspective for most people. You can take away the pubs, restaurants, gyms and so on but nature will always be there. I think people had to start taking advantage of the outdoors and then realised how bloody good it is. With that comes a need for functional clothing and with that comes trends and styles which can be translated into everyday life as well as nature.
The outdoor lifestyle definitely has a cult uniform. What are your outdoor
uniform staples?
I’m not a big fan of big logos or heavy on the branding. It’s all about the fit for me these days. Not really outdoorsy as such but you can always find me wearing a Soar cap, love the way they fit and really comfortable to run in. We’re leaving puffer season but I’m always a fan of a down jacket. I love the way they fit and are always super comfortable. I recently got hold of this Montane Alpine 850 Nano and I haven’t taken it off since. It packs down to nothing so great on camping trips but also just commuting everyday. It’s also a citrus colour and I am a sucker for a bold colour.
Do you think functionality and fashion can go hand in hand when exploring the outdoors?
Yeah definitely. For me, function definitely comes first but of course when you look good, you feel good, I guess it adds even more comfort from an internal perspective anyway.
What’s one piece of gear that’s been with you through everything? What’s the story behind it?
Jetboil was one of the first things I ever bought. You’d be surprised how useful it is to have the ability to quickly boil water. Whether it’s for coffee, dehydrated meals or even to just fill your water bottle up to stick in the bottom of your sleeping bag on a cold night.
Blacksmith Store champions quality, utility and style, how do these values align with your own approach to lifestyle, and the content you make?
‘Buy cheap, buy twice’ is always an ethos to consider when purchasing anything with utility. It’s always worth investing in premium gear from the get-go. Cheap alternative will only ever last so long or fulfill your needs for a short amount of time. In terms of my content, I find it’s a similar scenario. If you take short cuts, the final product is never what it should be. Sometimes editing videos or photos can take me hours but I would rather that than stick any old tripe out.
How do you see the intersection of outdoor exploration and urban fashion evolving?
Tough question, but I guess within outdoor exploration there are many subcultures; fishing, water sports, foraging to name a few. I guess as more people start to discover their niches within the outdoor category, these little sub-hobbies will also have style revelations.
What inspires you right now?
I’ve had my challenges with creative block over the course of the past few months, but I’ve been looking outside of my usual space for inspiration. Watching movies, listening to music, reading books completely outside of what I am used to consuming. Challenging myself also really keeps me inspired. I love constantly testing myself to see what I am capable of, it’s been one of the biggest things that's helped raise my self esteem and helped me grow as a person.
If you created a soundtrack for your adventures, which three songs are a must have?
Honestly, this is an unfair question because I could name so many. But if you’re going to make me choose: 1. Sigur Ros - Ba Ba 2. New Order - Your Silent Face 3. Led Zeppelin - Ramble on
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Featuring Lewis Smart (@outsideintel)
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