🤝 Meet A CleverHiker Analyst

& Father’s Day Preview

Behind every CleverHiker review is a passionate, gear-obsessed human. In this series, meet our dedicated team of analysts, writers, and editors making sure our recommendations are spot-on and trail-tested.

Say Hi to Gear AnalystBrett Kretzer

👋 Who’s Brett?

A lifelong adventurer with deep roots in the Appalachians, Brett is a talented writer and long-distance hiker. He grew up roaming the forests of western Maryland with the AT in his backyard. From 2014 to 2021, he toured the country as a bluegrass musician before falling in love with the rugged beauty of New England’s peaks and diving headfirst into the world of backpacking. Since then, he’s logged thousands of miles across the U.S. and Europe chasing new trails and fresh alpine air. An ultralight gear nerd through and through, he’s constantly fine-tuning his kit and testing the latest innovations. When he’s not writing or exploring the backcountry, you’ll find him climbing rocks, skiing powder, or picking tunes at a mountain jam.

🎙️ Interview
We caught up with Brett in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he’s spending 3 months teaching music to children, exploring the Himalayas, and testing gear.

What drew you to gear testing with CleverHiker?

I love every single part of backpacking – from hiking long days over mountain passes to setting up camp and making a good cup of coffee. Dialing in your kit allows you to do everything more efficiently in the backcountry, ultimately making the experience more enjoyable. By constantly testing new gear, I’m able to learn how to optimize the backpacking experience and share that info with fellow adventurers.

How has testing gear professionally changed the way you backpack?

I now have a deeper understanding of the subtle differences between different types of gear, which allows me to plan and pack more efficiently for the conditions. I’m also much more open-minded towards new innovations, replacing pieces of gear in my kit that I thought I would keep forever with new gear that surprised me.

What's your favorite piece of outdoor gear?

I’m not attached to any one specific cookset, but I think the ability to make hot drinks is a must-have. When the weather turns and you end up hunkered down in the cold and the rain, there is no better morale boost than a hot cup of coffee or tea. I also love hiking with a fanny pack. It’s not only convenient to keep gear within arms reach, but it gives peace of mind knowing all of my most important gear never leaves my person.

What upcoming adventures are you most excited about?

I just finished the Manaslu Circuit - a 100-mile circuit in the Himalayas - which was a dream trip for me. Walking through small Tibetan villages nestled amongst the tallest mountains on Earth was an eye-opening experience. Back in the states this year, I plan to do the Wind River High Route in Wyoming. About two-thirds of the 100-mile route is off trail, giving the trip a more adventurous feel, and forcing me to use my navigational skills.

What’s one tip you want to share with others?

It’s important to know how to plan for a trip, but plans will probably change. You need to know how to adapt  when things don’t go as expected, learn to stay positive, and accept the journey for what it is.

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📸 Want more behind-the-scenes access, in-depth reviews, and questionable dance moves? Instagram’s where we let it all out.

👀 First Look: 2025 Father’s Day Gift Guide

Trying to level up your Father’s Day game this year? Whether you want to keep it simple or spoil the dude in your life, we’ve got dozens of outdoor  gifts to choose from. We even pulled together the ultimate inspo for outdoor-themed gift baskets that’ll blow your dad’s socks off 💨🧦

Visit CleverHiker for all the latest 2025 best of lists.

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