Stick Nation: The Rise of Stick Reviews on Instagram
Last summer, during a hiking trip to Arches National Park in Utah, Stick Nation was born. Boone Hogg, Logan Jugler, and some friends were joking around as they made their way to Delicate Arch when the idea of reviewing sticks as one would a valuable antique or sculpture came to them.
What started as a lighthearted joke quickly turned into something more serious as Mr. Hogg and Mr. Jugler created Official Stick Reviews on Instagram. The account, which bills itself as “the internet’s go-to for stick reviews,” has quickly amassed 40,000 followers who eagerly submit photos and videos of sticks for review.
The duo, with Mr. Hogg managing the social media accounts and Mr. Jugler handling the content, have established various metrics for judging sticks, including size, shape, color, and texture. They even have pseudoscientific tests like the McMurray Bend and the Tennison Curve Scale to evaluate the sticks.
What started as a wilderness jest has now become a sincere appreciation for the simple beauty of sticks. Mr. Hogg and Mr. Jugler have been surprised by the passion and enthusiasm of their followers, many of whom share personal stories about their love for sticks.
As the creators and followers of Official Stick Reviews continue to develop lore around the concept of the stick aficionado, they have created merchandise like T-shirts and bumper stickers. But ultimately, they are letting the community of “stick-heads” in Stick Nation guide the direction of their journey.
So, if you find yourself appreciating the beauty of a fallen branch or twig, you’re not alone. Join Stick Nation and see where the love of sticks takes you.
