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

Our mission is to connect people with nature by providing information and inspiration. We are committed to making outdoor recreation easier, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone.
We do this by providing:

Skill-based Tutorials

Our detailed tutorial videos and articles will teach you the skills you need to safely and confidently enjoy your backcountry trips.

Comprehensive Trip Guides

Our trip guides have everything you need for planning your next adventure, including detailed itineraries, permit information, difficulty ratings, and much more.

In-depth Gear Reviews

Our reviews are independent, unbiased, and come from one of the most experienced gear testing teams you’ll find anywhere. We’ll make sure you find the right gear for your needs and budget.
Our resources will help you plan your next unforgettable outdoor adventure.

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.

Who we are

Dave Collins

Founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief
Dave is CleverHiker’s founder and he oversees day-to-day operations of the site. This includes content creation, gear testing, photography, web design, social media, advertising, strategic planning, employee management and more.
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Against a summer mountain backdrop in the Colorado Rockies, a man in purple and black rain jacket and green sunglasses hikes towards camera while smiling

Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Chief Operating Officer & Managing Editor
Ben has over a decade of leadership experience in the outdoor industry and oversees CleverHiker’s content creation and operational systems. He brings a practical perspective combining qualitative field testing and rigorous quantitative analysis to his process.
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Ian Krammer profile photo with him smiling on a hiking trip with a canyon wall in the background

Ian Krammer

Senior Gear Analyst
Ian is a peak bagger and gearhead who loves sharing his passion for big adventures and playing in the outdoors. His deep connection with nature, attention to detail, and years of experience as a professional researcher are what drive Ian’s thoughtful review process.
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Bailey Bremner

Gear Analyst
Bailey “PseudoSloth” Bremner is a Colorado-based adventurer. She has thru-hiked established trails such as the Continental Divide Trail and Colorado Trail.
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A kneeling woman smiles at the camera while hugging her panting dog in a field with golden late summer light

Meg Carney

Gear Analyst
Meg Carney is an outdoor and environmental writer with a passion for environmental advocacy. She’s been a freelance writer for outdoor industry publications and brands for over seven years and has a distinct focus on sustainable product design and environmental advocacy.
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Man with beard wearing a green jacket and baseball cap looks pensively off into the distance while sitting in the open door of a travel van

Ben Dawson

Gear Analyst
Ben is a full-time traveler, father, and adventure journalist/photographer based in the western United States. He has a passion for conservation and utilizes his writing to help make the outdoors a more accessible space for all types of people.
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Alice Hafer

Gear Analyst
Simultaneously pursuing a career as a professional rock climber and outdoor journalist, she’s lived in more than 12 countries to write and climb.
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Miles Knotek

Gear Analyst
Miles is a born and raised Alaskan who is passionate about all things outdoors. He was fortunate enough to be raised in the middle of the Chugach National Forest which fostered his love for the outdoors from an early age.
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Brett Kretzer

Gear Analyst
Brett is a writer, hiker, and all-around outdoor enthusiast. Growing up in the mountains of western Maryland, with the Appalachian Trail in his backyard, he’s always felt a kinship with dense forests and rolling hills.
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David Young

Gear Analyst
David is a writer based in Fort Collins, CO. He specializes in outdoor adventure and travel writing. He has been published in Men’s Journal, Forbes, SKI Magazine, 5280 Magazine, USA Today, and The Denver Post.
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Casey Handley

Senior Gear Analyst
Casey is an experienced hiker and gear expert who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the CleverHiker team. She has a passion for ultralight backpacking, years of experience working at REI, and a deep understanding of what people need and want from their gear.
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Heather Eldridge

Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant at CleverHiker, Heather contributes to all aspects of our content creation, including research, analysis, testing, writing, photography, and more. Heather also leads the CH communications department, answering reader questions and building relationships with innovative outdoor brands.
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Annie Hopfensperger

Editorial Assistant
Annie supports content creation, photography, and day-to-day operations. She grew up in Wisconsin, where her family instilled a deep appreciation for spending time outdoors.
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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.

Man's legs from knee down steps across a deep gap between large sandstone boulders wearing the Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes.

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.