For many of us, it’s been drilled into our heads since day one that backpackers wear boots. That’s just what you do. You need the toughness and the ankle support and the water protection, right? That’s why it blew my mind a few years back when I learned that thru-hikers cover thousands of trail miles every year in running shoes. Now, after many years and many miles, I feel very confident saying: Ditch the boots and don't look back.
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The CleverHiker Top Picks page is reserved for our personal favorite backpacking gear. When we hit the trail, this is what we carry in our packs.
Packing a top-notch tent is one of the best ways to increase comfort, safety, and enjoyment on backcountry trips. So when you're in the market for a new shelter, pick up one of the Best Backpacking Tents of 2019.
Looking for some deep trail sleep? Then snuggle up with one of the Best Sleeping Bags & Quilts of 2019.
If you're planning to hit the trail this year, you’ll probably want one of these badboys on your back. Here's my list of the Best Backpacks of 2019.
Nobody likes waking up with numb hips. Get the restful trail sleep you’ve earned with one of the Best Sleeping Pads of 2019.
Choosing your footwear will be one of the most important gear decisions you'll make. Check out the Best Hiking Shoes and Boots of 2019 to find the shoe for you.
A steamy cup of java on a crisp, quiet morning is just about the perfect start to any day in the wilderness. So pick up one of the Best Backpacking Stoves of 2019 and make that moment happen.
Staying hydrated and avoiding parasites in the backcountry is critical. We explain the key differences of each water treatment method and share our personal favorites in our list of the Best Water Filters of 2019.
A reliable rain jacket and a warm down coat will protect you against the elements, keeping you dry, safe, and warm in the wilderness. Check out our list of the Best Jackets of 2019.
Take your backcountry chillin' game to the next level with one of the Best Backpacking Hammocks of 2019.
A solid daypack should be a staple of every outdoor enthusiast's gear collection. Ranging from minimalist to fully featured, we bring you our trail-tested Best Daypacks of 2019.
We explore several key differences in women-specific gear. Check out some of our favorite items in our guide to the Best Backpacking Gear for Women.
Your backcountry meal plan should balance weight, nutritional value, caloric density, and convenience. We outline critical considerations and our favorite food choices in our Best Lightweight Backpacking Food Guide.
Trekking poles can add a lot of stability and comfort to your hike. We tested dozens of trekking poles to narrow the list down in terms of durability, comfort, weight and value to determine this year's Best Trekking Poles.
We put together this list to showcase some solid budget tents that strike a good balance between cost, weight, weather protection, and durability. If you’re on a tight budget or new to backpacking, check out our Best Budget Tents of the year.
Outdoor adventure gifts are the best kind around. The gift ideas listed in the CleverHiker Gift Guide are can’t miss recommendations for anyone that enjoys backpacking, hiking, and camping. So give a gift that gets someone outdoors this year. Give the gift of adventure!
If you’ve spent any time in the woods, you’ve probably made some epic backcountry blunders. I certainly have. In fact, the only reason I’m able to give any “clever” hiking advice is because of all the laughably bad mistakes I’ve made over the years. At one point or another I’ve fallen victim to every one of the blunders listed below (and then some!).
Completing a thru-hike will be one of the most profoundly rewarding achievements of your life. You’ll spend months communing with nature, build jaw-dropping endurance, and develop lasting friendships along the way. Mustering up the courage to set out on your first thru-hike just might be the best decisions you ever make.
For many of us, it’s been drilled into our heads since day one that backpackers wear boots. That’s just what you do. You need the toughness and the ankle support and the water protection, right? That’s why it blew my mind a few years back when I learned that thru-hikers cover thousands of trail miles every year in running shoes. Now, after many years and many miles, I feel very confident saying: Ditch the boots and don't look back.
A lightweight down coat should be at the center of any good backpacking list. You’ll wear it just about every night on the trail. It’ll keep you toasty warm, even after spending hours jammed into the bottom of your pack. So, considering how essential your down coat is and how often you use it, let me ask you this; when was the last time you washed it?
Yeah… that’s what I thought.
Lightweight backpacking video guides and reviews of the best ultralight tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, and more.
We're Dave & Annie, the outdoor adventurers behind CleverHiker. We love backpacking, international travel, useful gear, and all things nature. Read more...
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Annapurna Range - Nepal
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn." - John Muir
Half Dome - Yosemite NP
At CleverHiker, we believe that backpacking adventures provide some of life’s most rewarding experiences. Our goal is to help make your adventures as rewarding and enjoyable as possible, and to inspire you to plan your next excursion.
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The Pacific Northwest is an adventure junkie’s paradise. It’s a breathtakingly diverse playground of craggy granite peaks, high alpine lakes, meadows socked with wildflowers, rugged windswept coastline, and more shades of green than your eyeballs can handle.