I’m a 27-year-old who lives for weekend hikes, lake kayaking, and last-minute camping trips—and for years, traditional dating apps left me frustrated, unable to find anyone who shared that passion. That all changed when I tried XFUN.
Most dating apps felt like a never-ending cycle of surface-level chats that went nowhere. I’d send a message about my latest hike to Mount Hood, excited to talk trails or gear, and get a generic “That sounds fun!” in reply—if I heard back at all. Profiles were filled with selfies at bars or vague lines like “I love adventures,” but no one ever dug into what that actually meant. Once, I matched with someone who claimed to “adore nature,” only to learn they meant walking their dog around the neighborhood. It wasn’t just disappointing—it made me feel like I was wasting my time.
One app I tried was slightly better (it let women send the first message, which cut down on ghosting), but even that didn’t fix the core issue: fake interests. I chatted with a woman for a week about wanting to try rock climbing, only for her to cancel our plans the night before, admitting she was “terrified of heights.” It felt like everyone was pretending to like the outdoors for clout, not because it was part of who they are. I was ready to delete all dating apps entirely until a friend mentioned XFUN.
I downloaded XFUN on a lazy Sunday afternoon, not expecting much—and within 10 minutes, I knew it was different. The women here aren’t just “into nature”—they’re living it. One profile had photos of a girl backpacking through the Pacific Northwest, her boots caked in mud, with a bio listing her go-to trail snacks (she swears by dried mango, same as me!). Another talked about her goal to hike all 10 of Oregon’s “waterfall trails” this year. They were young, energetic, and genuine—no performative selfies, no empty promises about “loving adventures.”
What really hooked me, though, is how XFUN makes me excited to connect, not just swipe. It has a “Adventure Buds” tab where you can post upcoming trips, and last month, I shared a plan to hike Silver Falls (my favorite trail, with 10 cascading waterfalls!). A girl named Mia commented, “I’ve been wanting to check that out—can I tag along?” We met at the trailhead at 8 a.m., laughed as we navigated slippery paths, and ended up grabbing hot cocoa at a nearby café afterward. It was the most natural, fun interaction I’d ever had from a dating app—no awkward small talk, just two people geeking out about waterfalls.
Unlike traditional apps, XFUN doesn’t make me feel like I’m “performing” for attention. The users here care about real connections, not just likes. I joined a local XFUN group for kayakers, and now we meet every other Saturday—last week, we paddled to a hidden cove and grilled burgers on the shore. Even casual chats feel meaningful: a girl from the group helped me pick out a new sleeping bag for winter camping, and I told her about a secret fishing spot I found last year.
For any outdoor lover tired of swiping through fake profiles and empty conversations, XFUN is a game-changer. It’s not just a dating app—it’s a way to meet people who get your passion. Next weekend, I’m going creek trekking with Mia and two other friends from the app. A month ago, I thought I’d be hiking alone forever. Now? I can’t wait to see where the trail—and XFUN—takes me next.