Home > Backpacking

20 Most Essential Trail Skills

Published: November 12, 2013
By Dave Collins

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.
Learn more about us

20 Most Essential Trail Skills

We just announced the content for CleverHiker seasons 2 & 3! Follow this link to SectionHiker.com to see the article that was posted today with a full list of episode titles and content summaries. Our next series is called Essential Trail Skills I & II and it’s going to be rad. We’re currently in the process of editing 20 HD videos teaching the most important backpacking skills for the trail. The release date will be in early 2014.

Check out the content on SectionHiker and let me know what you think! Feel free to leave a comment on SH, tweet out the article, or leave me a note here.

Have a great week!

Why trust us?

We understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously.

  • Our recommendations are completely independent and based on hands-on experience.
  • We test outdoor gear for a living – we’ve logged over 20,000 trail miles and 1,000 nights in the wilderness.
  • Our team has thru-hiked some of the most iconic long trails, including the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Long Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Arizona Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, as well as extensive peak bagging, and international treks.
  • We field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.
  • We travel to industry trade shows to stay up-to-date on product innovations.
  • We continuously update our guides throughout the year and when new products launch.
  • We treat recommendations to our readers as if they were for our family and friends.
  • We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to feedback. If you think we’ve missed a worthy product or got something wrong, we’d love to know about it.

Related Content

How to Lace Hiking Boots & Shoes
A hiker in a red rain jacket sitting on a rock to tie his Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots

How to Lace Hiking Boots & Shoes

How many ways can you tie your shoes? If you like to hike, you’ll need more than one.
How to Clean Hiking Shoes & Boots
Closeup of a hiker's feet crossing a creek in a muddy pair of Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 hiking boots

How to Clean Hiking Shoes & Boots

In this guide, we walk you through how to take care of your footwear – so your footwear can take care of you.
La Sportiva Spire GTX Hiking Shoes Review
Closeup of a hiker tying the laces of the La Sportiva Spire GTX hiking shoes

La Sportiva Spire GTX Hiking Shoes Review

The La Sportiva Spire GTX have received high praise in both the fastpacking and hiking worlds – but do they live up to the buzz?
Zpacks Duplex Zip Tent Review
A hiker adjusting the Zpacks Duplex Zip in a plateau with mountains in the background.

Zpacks Duplex Zip Tent Review

We put 500 miles on the Zpacks Duplex Zip to see how it stacks up against the best ultralight tents on the market.
Durston X-Mid Pro 2 Tent Review

Durston X-Mid Pro 2 Tent Review

If you’ve been in the ultralight scene for more than a minute, chances are you’ve heard about the Durston X-Mid Pro 2.
100 Best Gifts For Hikers, Backpackers & Campers 2024

100 Best Gifts For Hikers, Backpackers & Campers 2024

Give the gift that gets them outside with our guide to the best gifts for hikers and backpackers.
7 Best Trekking Poles of 2024
A female backpacker hiking up to the top of a red, rocky mountain pass in Glacier National Park using the REI Flash Carbon trekking poles

7 Best Trekking Poles of 2024

We’ve rigorously tested these trekking poles over thousands of miles to find the sturdiest and most lightweight options. Get more stability on tough terrain…
10 Best Rain Jackets of 2024
A backpacker wearing an orange Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket in Yosemite National Park

10 Best Rain Jackets of 2024

From drizzles to downpours, we’ve got your back. Our team of seasoned hikers weathered the storm to find the best rain jackets for performance and protection.
ZPacks Arc Blast Backpack Review

ZPacks Arc Blast Backpack Review

At a mere 16.4 ounces, the ZPacks Arc Blast is an ultralight backpackers dream come true. The ZPacks Arc Blast is one of…
Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Tent Review

Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Tent Review

Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is revered in the ultralight backpacking world for its palace-like spaciousness…
SOTO Windmaster Backpacking Stove Review

SOTO Windmaster Backpacking Stove Review

Soto Windmaster is touted as one of the absolute best backpacking stoves for its superior wind performance.
Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Loop Backpacking Guide

Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Loop Backpacking Guide

The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Loop is one of our favorite hikes we’ve ever done in Oregon. Out in this Eastern Oregon paradise, you’ll encounter crystal clear lakes, vibrant fields of wildflowers, ample opportunities to view wildlife, and sweeping views of the Blue Mountain Range.

Get the best content from CleverHiker & around the backpacking world

Subscribe

Social media is great, but our bi-weekly newsletter is a much better way to stay in the know.

Sign up to get our curated emails with the best content from CleverHiker and around the backpacking world. You’ll be turned on to new videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring outdoor stories and much more. So get in the mix!