Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides
Do You Really Need a Tent Footprint & How to Choose
Do You Really Need a Tent Footprint & How to Choose
Published:
November 7, 2019
Let’s face it, tents are expensive. You want your tent to last as long as possible, but spending another $40+ on something you…
Zenbivy Light Bed Quilt Review
Zenbivy Light Bed Quilt Review
Published:
November 5, 2019
Love being warm and cozy but hate the feeling of constricting mummy sleeping bags? Zenbivy’s new Light Bed System might be the answer you’re looking for. The Zenbivy Light Bed (you choose your quilt and sheet) offers the temperature regulation and freedom of movement of a quilt, but it stays tucked in and retains heat more like a traditional mummy bag when the temperature drops.
Titcomb Basin Backpacking Guide – Wind River Range, WY
Titcomb Basin Backpacking Guide – Wind River Range, WY
Published:
November 4, 2019
With dense forests, granite slabs, high alpine meadows and lakes cradled beneath craggy granite peaks, The Wind River Range, or The Winds, as they’re called by fans, are jammed with bucket-list day hikes and backpacking trips that reward you with epic views and unbelievable beauty.
Gossamer Gear G4-20 Backpack Review
Gossamer Gear G4-20 Backpack Review
Published:
November 1, 2019
Gossamer Gear’s G4-20 new backpack has been designed for ultralight backpackers by ultralight backpackers.
Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody Review
Arc’teryx Proton LT Hoody Review
Published:
September 16, 2019
Arc’teryx recently released the Proton LT Hoody (men’s and women’s), which is their most durable, insulated climbing jacket to date. The Proton provides lightweight synthetic insulation for a range of activities from climbing to snow sports to backpacking.
North Coast Route Backpacking Guide – Olympic National Park
North Coast Route Backpacking Guide – Olympic National Park
Published:
August 28, 2019
The North Coast section of Olympic National Park – from Shi Shi Beach to Rialto Beach – is not your ordinary walk on the beach. This route features some of the most rugged and isolated coastal landscapes in the country. From tidepools full of life to sea stacks miles out in the ocean, every headland you round offers another breathtaking view.
NEMO Hornet 2P Tent Review
NEMO Hornet 2P Tent Review
Published:
August 13, 2019
The NEMO Hornet 2P is a great option for solo ultralight backpackers who like having a little extra space at camp. We liked the previous version of this tent, and NEMO has made some really great design improvements this year. The 2019 Hornet offers more headroom and corner struts in the foot for easier setup without adding any weight. You can find the Hornet on our list of the 10 Best Backpacking Tents.
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol vs. NEMO Switchback Review
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol vs. NEMO Switchback Review
Published:
July 10, 2019
Closed-cell foam sleeping pads are a popular option among thru-hikers and lightweight backpackers on a budget, and the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol has dominated that market for many years with very little competition. New in 2019, the NEMO Switchback offers some long overdue updates. We were curious to see how the two matched up, so we tested them side by side to determine a winner.
Osprey Exos & Eja Backpack Review
Osprey Exos & Eja Backpack Review
Published:
June 28, 2019
The Osprey Exos 48 & 58 (men’s) and Eja 48 & 58 (women’s) are extremely comfortable, lightweight backpacks…
35 New and Exciting Products From Outdoor Retailer 2019
35 New and Exciting Products From Outdoor Retailer 2019
Published:
June 26, 2019
The CleverHiker team spent last week walking the halls of Outdoor Retailer in Denver, drooling over all the awesome new gear coming to the backpacking world in 2020. Outdoor Retailer is one of the largest gear conferences in the world and last week we were fortunate enough to meet up with some of our favorite companies to get a sneak peek at their upcoming innovations.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction Backpack Launch
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction Backpack Launch
Published:
June 24, 2019
On Friday, June 21st, Hyperlite Mountain Gear just released a new ultralight backpack to their line and they’re calling it the Junction. The Junction features an almost identical setup to the excellent Southwest and Windrider backpacks, but has a versatile pocket configuration that will allow for ventilation and visibility in the front mesh pocket, and durability and privacy in the side pockets.
Big Agnes Q Core SLX Sleeping Pad Review
Big Agnes Q Core SLX Sleeping Pad Review
Published:
June 13, 2019
The Big Agnes Q Core SLX is a super cushy sleeping pad that differentiates itself from other pads with its large side rails that help keep users centered.
Therm-a-Rest Vesper Quilt Review
Therm-a-Rest Vesper Quilt Review
Published:
May 29, 2019
Therm-a-Rest’s new Vesper Quilt is one of the lightest, most packable quilts on the market. Therm-a-Rest accomplished this by using a simple, effective design with a trim cut, free of all non-essentials, and by using the highest quality materials available.
Feathered Friends Flicker Quilt Sleeping Bag Review
Feathered Friends Flicker Quilt Sleeping Bag Review
Published:
May 28, 2019
The Feathered Friends Flicker Quilt Sleeping Bag is an excellent trail quilt with a great design that will help you sleep comfortably in the wilderness under many different conditions. We absolutely love how it can be opened fully like a blanket or cinched up tight like a mummy bag to hold in heat on chilly nights. It’s a very smart, comfortable, effective, and well-designed quilt sleeping bag.
Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20°F Sleeping Bag Review
Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20°F Sleeping Bag Review
Published:
May 22, 2019
The Hyperion is the newest sleeping bag in Therm-a-Rest’s Fast and Light line and it’s one of the lightest and most compressible bags we’ve ever tested. The Hyperion comes in two temperature ratings (20°F and 32°F), which both use very high-quality 900-fill-power down to make them extremely warm while keeping weight to an absolute minimum.
REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL Tent Review
REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL Tent Review
Published:
May 9, 2019
REI recently launched the new Quarter Dome SL 2 Tent, which is almost a pound lighter than their popular Quarter Dome 2 model. The SL is a good fit for ultralight backpackers on a budget, as it’s among the most affordable options in the double-wall, ultralight tent world.