Your go-to resource for all things backpacking, hiking, and camping
Our mission is to connect people with nature by providing information and inspiration.
CleverHiker encourages backpackers, hikers, and campers to experience nature at its finest.
Cleverhiker’s Mission
Skill-based Tutorials
OUR STORY
CleverHiker was created in 2012 by outdoor enthusiast Dave Collins as a resource for backpackers and hikers of all skill levels. Dave had recently completed a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, and he wanted to share his knowledge and experience with others.
CleverHiker started with two tutorial video series: Lightweight Backpacking Basics and Essential Backpacking Skills. These videos quickly became popular, and Dave soon expanded the site to include comprehensive trip guides and in-depth gear reviews.
Today, CleverHiker is one of the leading online backpacking, hiking, and camping resources. With hundreds of articles and videos, there is something for everyone, from first-time campers to experienced thru-hikers.
Our Responsibility
CleverHiker encourages backpackers, hikers, and campers to experience nature at its finest. We believe that everyone has a responsibility to protect the wilderness, and we do our part by providing resources on low-impact travel, Leave No Trace methods, wilderness conservation, and trail maintenance volunteer opportunities.
We also regularly donate to trail organizations and environmental conservation groups. We hold great reverence for Mother Nature and those who safeguard our wild places. We believe that all of us need to be stewards of the natural world to protect our wilderness for generations to come.
Here are some of the ways you can help:
- Pack light. The less weight you carry, the less impact you’ll have on the trail.
- Leave no trace. Follow the Leave No Trace principles to help keep our wilderness clean and pristine.
- Donate to trail organizations. Your donations help to maintain and improve our trails.
- Volunteer for trail maintenance. Give back to the wilderness by helping to keep our trails in good condition.
- Educate others about Leave No Trace. Share your knowledge with other backcountry travelers to help them protect the wilderness.
Our Approach to Testing
We test all of the products that we review. Our process involves market research, developing test plans, and, of course, rigorous field testing. Our gear analysts are some of the most experienced in the industry, and their insights are backed by the knowledge and experience that comes with a lifetime spent enjoying outdoor spaces.
We are a reader-supported website and do not accept payment from manufacturers to promote their products.
When you click on some of the links on our pages and make a purchase, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is what keeps our website running and enables us to continue providing independent, high-quality gear reviews, trip guides, and outdoor resources free of charge.
Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for being a part of the CleverHiker community.
Tested. Trusted. Trail Ready.
We provide honest and unbiased recommendations. We don’t accept payments for reviews, our site is free from distracting advertising, and we thoroughly test every product we recommend.
Earning your trust through authenticity is what we’re all about.
CONNECT WITH US
Let us know what you’d like to see! We are highly experienced outdoor experts, but we also consider ourselves lifelong learners. If you have feedback on how we can improve any of our resources, we’d love for you to reach out.
The best way to stay connected is to sign up for our newsletter below. Also, follow us on social media and you’ll never miss a trip guide, gear review, or tutorial video.
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