Welcome, Beta Tester
You're early. That's a good thing.
Here's everything you need to know.
What is Trailkeep?
Do you juggle Lighterpack for gear, Notes for itineraries, and texts to let someone know you're okay?
Are satellite communicators overkill for your trips, but going without any safety backup feels risky?
Trailkeep fills the gap—combining gear planning, trip planning & management, and safety features in one platform. Designed for spotty connections and minimal battery drain.
The flow is simple: plan your pack, create your trip itinerary—with optional co-editing—set when you'll be back, share with contacts, and check in along the way.
Why it matters: Search and rescue teams are mostly volunteers with limited resources, and detailed info—your route, last location, gear—makes their job a lot easier.
Your Toolkit
- • Modern LighterPack alternative (imports supported)
- • Checklist mode to mark items as packed before you go
- • Store gear to reuse across future gear lists—compile lists faster
- • Create multi-day itineraries with waypoints
- • Invite others to help plan—real-time collaborative editing
- • Start trip, check in each day, share progress, and stay in touch
Safety Features
- • Safety Timer sends an automatic Overdue Alert if you don't check in
- • Resets each time you complete a day—extend if plans change
- • Share your trip with the community without revealing any details
- • Print for your car or share digitally with people you meet on trail
- • Shows status only—full information only appears when you're overdue
Not a navigation app.
Trailkeep handles the planning, coordination, and safety side of your trips.
Who Built This?
I'm Werner, a solo developer from Estonia. I started long-distance hiking 7 years ago in the Lake District, where my first trip taught me the hard way — I battled hypothermia because I had no idea what I was doing.
It's embarrassing to admit that wasn't my last mishap. A few more stupid mistakes later, I started thinking differently about safety — not paranoid, just practical.
Who Should Test This?
Anyone who plans multi-day trail adventures. You don't need to go every weekend or be ultra-technical—if you plan ahead, even casually, this works.
Technical Details
Built with Next.js 15 (App Router), React, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS 4. Backend runs on Supabase (PostgreSQL + Edge Functions). State management uses TanStack Query for server state and Zustand for client state. Service worker handles offline caching. The stack prioritizes speed, clean architecture, and minimal dependencies (13 total vs industry average of 50+).
Works on all modern browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge. Mobile-optimized for iOS Safari and Android Chrome. Installable as a PWA (Progressive Web App) - add to home screen for app-like experience. Responsive design works on phones, tablets, and desktops.
Built for real hiking conditions where battery and connectivity matter. The app barely drains battery—around 2% per day (3x better than messaging apps, 10x better than GPS trackers). Optimized for multi-day trips where every percent matters.
Everything works with no signal. The app caches locally and syncs automatically when you're back in range. It loads fast even on 1-2 bars because there's minimal bloat—designed for spotty trail connections where every percent of battery matters.
What to Expect
Here's what beta testing means and how you can help
This is Beta Software
Give Feedback
Found a bug or have an idea? Choose your preferred channel:
We read every submission
Spread the Word
Love it? Hate it? Share your experience! Word of mouth helps us grow. The more testers, the better the product becomes.
We're iterating quickly and your input directly shapes the product.
Known Issues
None yet—but you'll likely find some
Found something broken? Use the feedback button in your dashboard dropdown, post on r/Trailkeep, or email info@trailkeep.com for critical bugs.
What's Coming Next
Here's what's coming next:
January 2026
- Beta testing invites
- Initial feedback gathering
Right Now (February 2026)
- Collaborative editing launched—real-time trip planning with others
- Gathering feedback across devices and use cases
- Bug fixes based on tester reports
Public Launch (March 2026)
- Dedicated mobile app (Capacitor)→ Enables automatic location tracking when overdue
- Exit beta with all current features stable
- Open registration for anyone
Post-Launch (Spring 2026+)
- Public user profiles (trips and stats)
- Community features based on feedback
Roadmap adapts based on feedback. Your input shapes priorities.
Beta Testing FAQ
Common questions answered
How long will beta last?
Approximately 2 months, ending around March 2026. The goal is to gather feedback, fix bugs, and polish the existing features before public launch. No new features will be added during beta - just making what exists work smoothly.
Will my data be saved?
Yes, we'll preserve your data through launch unless we notify you otherwise. Major schema changes may require a reset (highly unlikely), but you'll get advance notice.
Can I share this with others?
Absolutely! Share away. Word of mouth is how we grow. Send them this link to join. The more diverse testers (different devices, different hiking styles, different countries), the better Trailkeep becomes.
Do I need to test regularly?
No requirements or commitments. Use the app as you naturally would for your real trips. Any feedback helps, even if occasional. Quality over quantity.
What do I get for testing?
Lifetime Pro access (no charge, ever) + permanent Pioneer badge. Your data stays safe through launch, and your feedback directly shapes what gets built next.
Bonus: Share feedback on r/trailkeep and you're entered to win a $250 Durston Gear gift card (drawing March 15, 2026).
What if I find a bug?
Use the feedback button in your dashboard dropdown (Dashboard → User Menu → Feedback). For urgent issues, email info@trailkeep.com directly. Both are monitored closely and critical fixes get prioritized.
How do I use this on mobile?
Install it as an app on your phone. On iOS: Open in Safari → Tap Share → Add to Home Screen. On Android: Open in Chrome → Menu (3 dots) → Install App. This gives you an app icon and better performance. The web version works fine too, but the installed version is faster and more battery-efficient.
Ready to Start Testing?
Your feedback shapes the future of Trailkeep. Let's build something great together.