Summer Gear Advice, Backpacking Trip Inspiration & More!

A woman in the KEEN Clearwater CNX Sandals with a tube to float the river

Hi Friends!

We hope you've been out having fun, exploring, and staying active this summer. August is one of our favorite times of the year for outdoor recreation - the mountains are accessible, the biting bugs are starting to wane, and temps tend to be warm so we can travel light.

We thought this would be the perfect time to revisit some of our most popular summer topics (see below). If you need advice on all things camping and backpacking, we're here to help!

Be sure to check out our new reviews of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Tent and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad. The latest models of both of these tried-and-true products have had some key upgrades that we're pretty excited about.

As always, thanks for following along and enjoy your time in the wilderness!

- CleverHiker Team

A riverside scene with a woman sitting in a tube with her dog next to a Rovr Rollr Cooler

Best Coolers
Tasty food, cold drinks, and the great outdoors - the perfect trifecta! Whether you’re heading out for a picnic or a full-blown expedition, a quality cooler makes all the difference. We found the best coolers on the market and put them head-to-head.

The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Backpacking Tent in a backcountry campsite

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
Backpacking Tent Review
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is one of the lightest double-wall 2-door tents on the market. But is it worth its spendy price tag? And will its thin materials hold up to the rigors of the trail? Read on to see our testing results.

A backpacker heading down a trail towards the mountains

Backpacking Trip Guides
Need some inspiration for your next trip? We provide in-depth backpacking guides to some of the most beautiful places on our planet. Each guide includes all the pre-trip details you'll need to plan an awesome backcountry adventure.

A backpacker blowing up her Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad Review
The XTherm NXT has one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios of any sleeping pad on the market, but is it the right pad for you? We put it to the test on our trips to see how it holds up to real-world conditions.

The lower half of a male hiker wearing hiking sandals next to a Pacific Northwest creek

Best Hiking Sandals
(Men's list/Women's list)
We hiked thousands of miles through mountains and streams in a plethora of different sandals - getting all sorts of fun sandal strap tan lines - to bring you these lists of the very best men's and women's hiking sandals.

Closeup of foil packet meals on a table with a man and his dog sitting in chairs by a campfire in the background

How to Make Tasty Foil Packet Camping Meals
We’ve been making these dinners for decades and they’re always a hit! We love that they’re quick to prepare, pre-portioned so they’re easy to serve, and they make the chore of dishwashing almost nonexistent.

GEAR PICK OF THE WEEK

YETI Hopper Flip Soft Cooler

The YETI Hopper Flip has become one of our favorite pieces of gear this summer because it lends itself well to our active outdoor lifestyles.

We have the 12 L size, and it's perfect for picnics and day trips to the lake. The Hopper does an excellent job of keeping stuff cold without being overly heavy or bulky, and the wide shoulder strap makes it comfy to carry.

The Hopper isn't cheap, but we love knowing that it’ll last for years of trips and adventures. Learn more about it on our list of the Best C oolers.

View at REI

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