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Lightweight Backpacking & Camping
LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING AND CAMPING offers insight into gear selection and techniques that can be used to reduce pack weight and decrease the margin of risk that occurs by taking less weight in the backcountry. This book is an ideal primer for the lightweight backpacking student who desires to build a solid foundation of knowledge about equipment and skills.
From the Preface: The Benefits of Going Light
Some hikers, upon converting to the ultralight style of backpacking, become rabid proselytizers for the cause, convinced that everyone needs to get their base pack weight below 10 pounds to avoid the eternal damnation of 65-pound packs. Though it may border on blasphemy—since a good chunk of my recent life has been devoted to creating ultralight gear and getting it into the hands of like-minded enthusiasts—I’m not convinced that everyone needs a small base pack weight. If you are young, in great physical shape, your trips consist entirely of relatively short distances into the backcountry to establish base camps for day trips, and you already own a bunch of traditional backpacking gear, you can probably save yourself the trouble of reading this book.
Good for the Body
Good for the Environment
Good for the Mind
Good for Simplicity
Good for Relationships
Good for More
Since the journey to lightness is largely a cerebral one, where does one start? Self-education is critical to avoid getting in a situation where you didn’t bring enough gear to be safe for your experience level. Your journey should be one of baby steps, learning and trying a couple of new things on each trip, finding what works for you and what doesn’t. There are many online email lists that are a great resource. Basically, any list having to do with long hikes—such as the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, or Appalachian Trail—will have a following of experienced ultralighters. There are beginning to be significant books with the latest information on ultralight backpacking, like the book you are holding now. Dive in and start your own journey to lightness!
-GLEN "HOMEMADE" VAN PESKI
Founder, Gossamer Gear
From the Preface: The Benefits of Going Light
Some hikers, upon converting to the ultralight style of backpacking, become rabid proselytizers for the cause, convinced that everyone needs to get their base pack weight below 10 pounds to avoid the eternal damnation of 65-pound packs. Though it may border on blasphemy—since a good chunk of my recent life has been devoted to creating ultralight gear and getting it into the hands of like-minded enthusiasts—I’m not convinced that everyone needs a small base pack weight. If you are young, in great physical shape, your trips consist entirely of relatively short distances into the backcountry to establish base camps for day trips, and you already own a bunch of traditional backpacking gear, you can probably save yourself the trouble of reading this book.
Good for the Body
Good for the Environment
Good for the Mind
Good for Simplicity
Good for Relationships
Good for More
Since the journey to lightness is largely a cerebral one, where does one start? Self-education is critical to avoid getting in a situation where you didn’t bring enough gear to be safe for your experience level. Your journey should be one of baby steps, learning and trying a couple of new things on each trip, finding what works for you and what doesn’t. There are many online email lists that are a great resource. Basically, any list having to do with long hikes—such as the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, or Appalachian Trail—will have a following of experienced ultralighters. There are beginning to be significant books with the latest information on ultralight backpacking, like the book you are holding now. Dive in and start your own journey to lightness!
-GLEN "HOMEMADE" VAN PESKI
Founder, Gossamer Gear
495 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2005
13 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 8, 2008
The best part about backpacking is lugging a 40 pound sack full of all kinds of crap with you all over God's green earth. There's nothing like shedding the pack - your decimated body practically floats off the face of the mountain when you take it off.
Still, I appreciated the suggestions of what lightweight clothes to buy next time I hit the lotto.
Still, I appreciated the suggestions of what lightweight clothes to buy next time I hit the lotto.
January 19, 2021
I read this many years ago and I thought it was a groundbreaking book--at least for me it was. He went into the basics of walking and why lighter shoes are better than heavier boots. He went on like this throughout the book and dispelled myth after myth teaching you how to hike, camp and backpack more sensibly and with so much more enjoyment. I thought it was one of the greatest books on minimalism before minimalism became the thing. There are other equally talented backpackers and outdoors-man but Ryan writes with an engineer's mind and engineering precision. If you like the outdoors and want to enjoy it--read this book.
December 1, 2008
This is a fairly quick read on the fundamental elements of lightweight backpacking. It's essentially a compilation of articles from the backpackinglight online journal, occasionally updated to reflect the author's current tactics or updated technology. The book focuses primarily on lightweight tactics and the associated gear choices, and provides a nice overview of the things one has to think about - food, clothing, and shelter - when backpacking.
The Good:
- still contemporary, although the last few years may have brought about some new fabrics or gear that the book does not cover. It does discuss the eVENT waterproof-breathable fabric, which is what I know of to be the latest big innovation, so it's probably not missing much
- mostly a realistic outlook on balancing comfort and fun with going lightweight - which the authors would say increases comfort and fun, anyway
- comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics, with later chapters even covering couple's and women's specific tactics
- not too verbose or overly technical
- gives the reader tactics and ideas without simply relying on statements about the latest expensive lightweight gear and spartan backpacking
- surprisingly good first aid section for a lightweight-specific book
The not-so-good:
- occasionally refer the reader to an article in their subscription journal instead of talking about a subject in more detail
- some fairly clear allegiances to certain companies - when discussing sleeping pads for the first time they don't even mention therm-a-rest, for example, which even lightweight backpackers frequently purchase
- some editing mistakes and content formatting issues - one chapter has endnote numbers with no endnotes, probably left over from the journal article
- moderately preachy at times, especially the chapter concerning backpacking efficiently
- more tactics could have been useful, such as dealing with certain situations, packing techniques, etc
I think this was a solid book that gives a backpacker something to consider when purchasing their gear or planning for a trip. While certainly biased towards certain companies and ideologies, it's a worthwhile read for any backpacker.
The Good:
- still contemporary, although the last few years may have brought about some new fabrics or gear that the book does not cover. It does discuss the eVENT waterproof-breathable fabric, which is what I know of to be the latest big innovation, so it's probably not missing much
- mostly a realistic outlook on balancing comfort and fun with going lightweight - which the authors would say increases comfort and fun, anyway
- comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics, with later chapters even covering couple's and women's specific tactics
- not too verbose or overly technical
- gives the reader tactics and ideas without simply relying on statements about the latest expensive lightweight gear and spartan backpacking
- surprisingly good first aid section for a lightweight-specific book
The not-so-good:
- occasionally refer the reader to an article in their subscription journal instead of talking about a subject in more detail
- some fairly clear allegiances to certain companies - when discussing sleeping pads for the first time they don't even mention therm-a-rest, for example, which even lightweight backpackers frequently purchase
- some editing mistakes and content formatting issues - one chapter has endnote numbers with no endnotes, probably left over from the journal article
- moderately preachy at times, especially the chapter concerning backpacking efficiently
- more tactics could have been useful, such as dealing with certain situations, packing techniques, etc
I think this was a solid book that gives a backpacker something to consider when purchasing their gear or planning for a trip. While certainly biased towards certain companies and ideologies, it's a worthwhile read for any backpacker.
December 22, 2013
This is a good book to start looking into decreasing weight for backpacking. It systematically addresses each area of consideration from water to tent to first aid. Although I have already purchased particular items for backpacking, this is a good reference to consider when needing advice for future purchases. Most of the gear suggestions in this book are not available in the average outdoor specialty store and can cost quite a bit in the effort to make something lightweight or ultralight. I did like the section for women, because these considerations are often forgotten or ignored in these types of books.
Pros: good reference and considerations for decreasing backpack weight, easy to read, section for women included, book is not afraid to cover it all to help one be prepared, comprehensive guide on several subjects such as tents that I have not seen else where
Cons: many of the gear suggestions are specialty order and online (could limit trying items out), book assumes all new purchases will be made and cost, some lightweight options seem extreme when they claim that lightweight is not going to damper your experience
Pros: good reference and considerations for decreasing backpack weight, easy to read, section for women included, book is not afraid to cover it all to help one be prepared, comprehensive guide on several subjects such as tents that I have not seen else where
Cons: many of the gear suggestions are specialty order and online (could limit trying items out), book assumes all new purchases will be made and cost, some lightweight options seem extreme when they claim that lightweight is not going to damper your experience
March 24, 2012
Not surprisingly, this reads like a collection of articles from backpackinglight.com (BPL), which is more or less what it it. If you are new to light weight backpacking, like what you have seen at BPL, then you will appreciate this book because it is an excellent systematic summary of the content you will find in their website. Each chapter is well written, but the voice changes chapter by chapter because they were written by different people. This can be ok, but sometimes having a single voice, and deeply connected themes are helpful. I found this book covered a light weight approach to backpacking fairly well. Given BPL tendency toward science I was hoping this book would have more deep analysis than the average backpacking book. There was a bit more, but I didn't find it radically different than several other decent books on backpacking.
October 31, 2008
If you ever thought that packing a tent was for sissies, this book is for you. Filled with lots of good tips for experienced outdoorsmen and the slightly insane. The book suffers from a lack of cohesion and clarity due to the multiple authors who write each chapter. The pack lists are the best part of the book, really boiling down what you need to survive in the wilderness. Some of the claims stretch the authors credulity however....I mean, come on, a 5lb kit? Give me a break.
July 12, 2011
This quick read took me over a year based on the fact that my health did not allow me to keep packing. I hope the lightweight nature of the packing in this book will allow me to get back on the trail someday, but not any time soon. This is a good source of information on lightening your load on the trail while maintaining your safety and even enhancing your preparedness. The lightweight packing lists in the back of the book are a great resource.
December 31, 2011
Unlike the motorcycle camping book I read this fall - this book provides some very detailed, practical information about the considerations, methods and design of equipment and selection of gear for backpacking. I feel like I learned a lot more about gearing up not just for lightweight backpacking but for motorcycle camping and hiking generally. Tons of really great information - super helpful.
April 2, 2008
ed. by Ryan Jordan. Various experienced outdoors- men and women were invited to write essays on aspects of lightweight backpacking and camping. There were many useful suggestions for ways to reduce pack weight without sacrificing safety.
May 29, 2008
Decent information, but as other reviewers have commented - it's confusing because of the different voices that write each chapter. Some get into agonizing detail, some don't cover info that should be obvious.
November 9, 2009
Absolutely essential for anyone interested in ultralight or lightweight backpacking. Covers everything from the biomechanics of backpacking, to eating and hygiene, first aid, and of course equipment. It's an interesting read and full of info on the latest developments in equipment and clothing.
March 1, 2009
A smart guide to cutting pack weight and soaking up the outdoors.
January 4, 2011
Good Guide... Not exactly where I am at right now though.
May 5, 2015
Not bad! A good collection of essays about lightweight packing, including some good systems thinking.
June 3, 2013
This book has saved me a lot of money.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews