Adventurer Spotlight #2

Welcome to the Adventurer Spotlight, an interview series with Adventurers from my newsletter about their life with their Subaru. Here, we find out more about the person behind the wheel and get inspired to embark on new adventures.

New Spotlights are posted on a regular basis; follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my free newsletter to stay up-to-date.

👋 Introduction

I’m Quinn Wageman, @slippers.outside on Insta. I picked up “Slippers” as a trail name on a backpacking trip in the Wind River Range (WY). Tl;dr I forgot my trailrunners, had to wear my Converse sneakers for the 35-mile backcountry hike over four days, and a woman came up behind us saying “I saw the footprints and was wondering who the hell was wearing slippers out here!” My buddies didn’t let that one go, hah!

🚗 Which Subaru do you own? What do you like most about it?

I have the OG 1st-gen 2013 XV Crosstrek Premium in Marine Blue Pearl. I love that it can get me to any trailhead. I also love the community and love that everyone has for theirs.

Why did you choose a Subaru? How many have you owned?

This is my first! I’ve had several friends rave about their Subies, but one buddy caught my attention with his modded XV. After getting serious about hiking/backpacking in my mid-30s, I decided it was time for me to get one. A recent call to Subaru customer care resulted in some maintenance costs being covered (non-warranty), which has pretty much won me over for life.

🔧 Have you made any modifications?

I have! A 1.5” LP Aventure lift, bumper guard and skid plates, 15” Motegis with Cooper Discoverer AT3s (235x75x15), Diode Dynamics fog lights, Yakima LoadWarrior roof rack, and a recent addition of a DirtComplex tire swing that I love. I also added a Hayden A/T transmission fluid cooler, which has helped keep me from overheating when taking on elevation gain in 100+ degree Vegas heat.

➕ What would you like to add to your setup?

I have additional fog and ditch lights that I’d like to add, as well as a rear skid plate to protect the transmission. A new suspension is also on the horizon, which I’m now in the process of researching – I welcome any/all advice out there! Unfortunately I’ve had some maintenance come up just as I was crossing 100k miles, which is delaying the upgrades.

🗺️ Favorite road trip? Or favorite thing to do in your Subaru?

I love cruising around Red Rock Canyon or heading up to Valley of Fire, both just outside of Las Vegas – the sights never get old. My most memorable road trip is from 2020 when I lived in the Bay Area. A friend flew in and we cruised around to Big Sur, Pinnacles National Park, Sequoia NP, and Kings Canyon NP before heading back. I also love escaping the desert heat up to the Spring Mountains, just 45 minutes outside Vegas for dispersed camping and hiking, which is a regular thing for me.

🥰 What’s your favorite picture of your car?

Tough to choose just one, but this one’s up there, heading out of Sequoia NP and into Kings Canyon NP.

🎁 Wrap Up

My thanks to Quinn for being in the Spotlight and sharing his Subie story with us! Be sure to give him a follow on Instagram @slippers.outside to keep up with future adventures.

We’ll have another Spotlight next month. If you’d like to be featured, reach out to me! Keep in mind features are exclusive to subscribers of the free Subie Adventures newsletter. Not yet subscribed? You can do that today!

🖼️ Image Gallery

Images are copyright Quinn (@slippers.outside), used by permission. New Spotlights are posted on a regular basis; follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my free newsletter to stay up to date.