New backpacking videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring stories and more.
After years of honing our backpacking gear to find the balance of weight, comfort, and preparedness, these are the items you’ll find in our backpacks. We put together this Ultimate Backpacking Checklist to help you organize your gear so you have everything you need - nothing more and nothing less.
Read MoreWe’ve come to really love Katadyn’s Micropur Water Tabs because they take up almost no pack space, they weigh next to nothing, and they can’t break or fail like a filter can. These tabs will purify your water, meaning they’ll kill everything - even viruses.
Read MoreIf you’ve got your sights set on a difficult hike or an epic backpacking trip, it’s smart to prepare your body in the weeks and months leading up to it by doing some training. When you’re in tip-top shape, you can truly enjoy the experience instead of worrying about being sore and exhausted.
Read MoreHuman-caused wildfires impact millions of acres of forest each year. With a little extra prep, attentiveness, and care, we can all make a large impact on the future of our natural spaces. In this article we’ll outline how to safely enjoy a fire outdoors.
Read MoreLong-distance hiking is a beautiful thing, but overcoming the challenges of a thru-hike requires a lot of research, planning and dedication. We put together this guide to help get you started. Below, you’ll find tips about choosing a start date, buying gear, what to expect on the trail, and so much more.
Read MoreTaking your dog for a rainy hike or a jaunt in the snow is incredibly fun and a great way to keep them active during the winter. But adventuring with your pup in cold, wet conditions comes with its own specific challenges. Here are a few tricks we’ve learned to keep our dogs comfortable, happy, and healthy on winter hikes.
Read MoreThe Black Diamond Spot 350 is one of our favorite headlamps for backpacking because it’s bright, has a long burn time, and it’s full of convenient features. And at only $40, the Spot is a steal for such a powerful and durable headlamp. We named the Spot 350 the best value on our Best Headlamps list.
Read MoreEvery year hundreds of hikers set out to complete an end-to-end hike on Vermont’s Long Trail, and they’re rewarded with sweeping views of the Green Mountains and White Mountains of New Hampshire, spectacular fall foliage in the later months, and a journey they’ll surely never forget. In this guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know to be successful on the Long Trail.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for a pair of trekking poles with a great balance of strength and low weight, you can’t go wrong with the Gossamer Gear LT5s. These carbon fiber trekking poles have quickly become our go-tos for 3-season backpacking, and we’ve put them through hundreds of miles of hard use over the years. We named the LT5s the best ultralight trekking poles overall on our Best Trekking Poles list because of their low weight, comfort, and durability.
Read MoreThe Snow Peak Litemax is one of the lightest and most compact backpacking stoves on the market. This tiny powerhouse can boil a liter of water in just under five minutes, and then it folds away nicely to fit into pretty much any cookpot when you’re done. Because of how lightweight and compact the Litemax is, it's one of our top picks on our Best Backpacking Stoves list.
Read MoreThe Katadyn BeFree water filter has become one of our go-tos for ultralight backpacking. This microfilter has an incredible flow rate, and it can be cleaned in the field. Because you can drink straight from the top like a sports bottle. That means, you can spend less time squeezing or pumping and more time enjoying the trail. The BeFree earned a top spot on our Best Water Filters list for its low weight, convenience, and compact size.
Read MoreThe Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo is one of our favorite ultralight one-person tents. It packs down small, it's easy to pitch, and it's got a great amount of space inside for a single hiker and their gear. It also holds up better in bad weather and has less condensation issues than some of our other favorite single-wall tents from our Best Ultralight Tents list.
Read MoreA photo speaks a thousand words, especially when it comes to recalling the details of your adventures. A trip may only last for a few days, but great photos will bring back the feels for a lifetime. Learning to capture professional looking photos takes time, but it’s a skill worth growing if you want to better share your experiences, inspire others, and record your memories.
Read MoreThis moderately easy and short loop route around Three Fingered Jack offers nearly unending mountain and lake views. You’ll not only get up close and personal with craggy Three Fingered Jack as you circumnavigate the peak, but you’ll also catch glimpses of the surrounding Cascade Range volcanoes around every corner.
Read MoreFollowing the tips in this guide will prepare you and your pooch for the trail and build confidence to take them on longer hikes and backpacking trips. After all, a long walk with their best friend is your dog’s dream come true.
Read MoreWhether you’re day hiking to a favorite waterfall or bagging a difficult summit, carrying the proper equipment is absolutely critical. For first-timers and sage backcountry traveler alike, dialing in essential day hiking gear is an important part of any pre-trip preparations.
Read MoreThe McKenzie River Trail ventures through old lava flows, past views of crystal-clear blue waters, and traverses lush old-growth forests. It’s a relatively short and easy backpacking trip that you can hike over a long weekend if your time is limited, and it’s one of the few routes that’s accessible in spring and early summer in the Pacific Northwest. Plus, it offers a tempting opportunity to take a dip in a hot springs pool towards the end of your trip.
Read MoreWashing a down sleeping bag is actually surprisingly simple. Don’t let your trusty down sleeping bag get ruined with grit and grime from the trail. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to revitalize and refresh your sleep sack.
Read MoreWinter camping is a unique experience that creates life-long memories. We love snowshoeing, building camps, and gathering with friends in our snow kitchens over steaming food and hot drinks. Winter camping might seem difficult at first, but it’s actually pretty simple and surprisingly comfortable with the right gear.
Read MoreWhen you go into the backcountry during the harshest season of the year, it pays to have the right equipment to keep you safe, comfortable, and having fun. Whether you’re experienced, or you’ve never been winter camping before, working through a thorough checklist like the one below will give you peace of mind when preparing for an adventure. We hope it makes packing for your next winter camping trip quick and easy.
Read MoreLightweight 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 on our About page.
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