PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Collins (CLEVERHIKER.COM)   REI shuts its doors every year on Black Friday and encourages members and employees to #optoutside. Whether that means heading out for a family camping trip, hitting the trail for a day hike, or tackling that trail run you’ve been thinking about, REI will help you get outdoors and do what you love with their Gear Up Get Out Sale from Nov. 10-20.  And with the holiday season just around the corner, this is also a great time to get a head start on holiday shopping. With deep discounts on hundreds of items, you’re sure to find something fo ..read more

PHOTO CREDIT: HEATHER ELDRIDGE (CLEVERHIKER.COM)   Get excited REI members - it’s coupon time! This weekend only (September 23-24th) REI members can get 20% off one full-price item using coupon code: SEPT23.  Oh yeah, and if you’re not an REI member yet, don’t fret! You can pick up a lifetime membership for $30 and still get to use the 20% off coupon. Plus you’ll get to enjoy all the benefits of being a member, and receive a bonus card worth $30 toward a future REI purchase. Here’s how it works: Thru Sept 28, 2023, make a $50 purchase at REI  Add a lifetime membership for a ..read more

PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)   The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Loop is one of our favorite hikes we’ve ever done in Oregon. Out in this Eastern Oregon paradise, you’ll encounter crystal clear lakes, vibrant fields of wildflowers, ample opportunities to view wildlife, and sweeping views of the Blue Mountain Range. The Strawberries are a little off the beaten path, but this trip is well-worth the drive if you’ve got a long weekend. PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM) Quick Facts Distance: About 20 miles (varies depending on which side trails you take) Day ..read more

PHOTO CREDIT: HEATHER ELDRIDGE (CLEVERHIKER.COM)   Summer is nearing an end, but that doesn’t mean the adventures have to stop. Fall is one of our team’s favorite seasons to explore in since it means cooler weather, fewer crowds, and less bugs on the trail.  On top of that, one of REI’s best sales of the year - the Labor Day Sale - is happening from August 25-September 4th and includes some of our favorite backpacking, hiking, and camping gear. In addition to deep discounts, REI members have access to some exclusive sale items, and they’ll receive an extra 20% off one outlet item wi ..read more

PHOTO CREDIT: HEATHER ELDRIDGE (CLEVERHIKER.COM)   The Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is revered in the ultralight backpacking world for its palace-like spaciousness, low weight, and affordable price tag. We were first intrigued by the Lunar Duo over a decade ago when we saw it while thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Since then, we’ve pitched it hundreds of times on trips throughout the Rockies and all over the Pacific Northwest. Read on to see how the Duo stacks up against dozens of other backpacking tent designs we’ve tested over the years. Quick Specs MSRP: $395 LISTED WEIGHT: 2 lbs. 1 ..read more

  PHOTO CREDIT: Heather Eldridge (CLEVERHIKER.COM) The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is one of the lightest double-wall, 2-door tents on the market. This makes it ultralight, convenient, and easy to pitch. It also has more headroom than much of the competition due to its long brow pole that pulls out the sidewalls.  But is the Tiger Wall worth its spendy price tag? And will its thinner materials hold up to the rigors of the trail over time? We put the Tiger Wall UL2 to the test in rugged conditions to see how it would hold up compared to the leading tents in this popular category. Quick ..read more

PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)   The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT has one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios of any sleeping pad on the market, but is it worth the spendy price tag? We put the new Xtherm NXT to the test to see how it holds up to real-world conditions. QUICK SPECS MSRP: $240 MEASURED WEIGHT: 15.5 oz. (pad only) LISTED WEIGHT: 16 oz. (pad only) R-VALUE: 7.3 DIMENSIONS: 72 x 20 x 3 in. View at REI View at Amazon PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM) PROS Very warm - Backpacking sleeping pads really don’t get much warmer than the Xtherm N ..read more

PHOTO CREDIT: Heather Eldridge (CLEVERHIKER.COM)   Squeeze filters have quickly become one of the most popular filtration methods among hikers and ultralight backpackers. It isn’t any wonder why; they’re small, lightweight, and super convenient for quick water grabs on trips with plentiful water sources along the way. The Platypus QuickDraw MicroFilter System is similar to other popular squeeze filters on the market but stands out for its fast flow rate, durable build, and easy maintenance. Quick Specs MSRP: $50 WEIGHT: 3.6 oz. (including 1 L reservoir) View at REI View at Amazon Pros UL ..read more

PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM)   Spoiler alert: we really dig the REI Co-op Flash 2. This tent is ultralight, has a convenient design, and is very well-priced for the specs and quality.  While some may be lamenting the loss of the crowd favorite REI Quarter Dome SL 2 from REI’s lineup of lightweight offerings, we say the Flash 2 is the big improvement we didn’t know we needed. Quick Specs MSRP: $399 LISTED WEIGHT: 3 lbs. 4.2 oz. (all components) MEASURED WEIGHT: 3 lbs. 6.7 oz. (all components) DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 88 x 52/42 x 40 in. (wider at head, narrower at foot) V ..read more

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVE COLLINS (CLEVERHIKER.COM)   The snow is melting and the parks are opening - it’s time to get outside! We’re just as stoked as you are for summer hiking and backpacking season, and REI has you covered with some great deals on gear to get you on the trail. REI’s 4th of July sale runs from June 23rd - July 4th.  REI Members have access to some exclusive sale items, so if you haven’t joined yet - now is the time. We scoured the deals and narrowed this list down to the gear we're most excited about. PHOTO CREDIT: CASEY HANDLEY (CLEVERHIKER.COM) Not a Member yet? Oh ye ..read more