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Lightweight Backpacking and Camping
The days of carrying monster packs into the wilderness are officially over! New Book Completely Redefines How to Enjoy Backcountry Travel
--- "Backpacking should be comfortable, safe, and fun." So say the backcountry experts at Backpacking Light Magazine in their new book, Lightweight Backpacking & A Field Guide to Wilderness Equipment, Technique, and Style . And they should Backpacking Light Magazine is recognized as the outdoor industry's leading authority in lightweight hiking and backcountry travel, and has helped thousands of outdoor enthusiasts discover the joy of going light. "The notion that you need to carry 40 or 50 pounds of gear into the backcountry to be comfortable and safe is absolutely ridiculous," says the book’s Editor, Ryan Jordan, who is also the Publisher of Backpacking Light Magazine and the outdoor industry's chief proselytizer of today's exploding lightweight backpacking movement. "Gear manufacturers continue to contaminate the market with too much gear that is overbuilt, overdesigned, overpriced, and overweight. Backpackers deserve to be told the other side of the that you can do more with less, and that a pack weight of less than 15 pounds (not including food and water) is easily accessible even to beginners." A book about lightweight backpacking should be smart, fat, and heavy. This new book redefines modern day backpacking as safe, comfortable, and fun – but with a much lighter pack. And, it doesn't take a casual approach to the 436 pages of content educate backcountry users of all levels about the gear and technique required to make them experts. Lightweight Backpacking & Camping fills major gaps in existing outdoor literature by - Multiple, balanced perspectives that appeal to a wide range of experiences, skills, and personal styles. - In-depth content that provides basic, intermediate, and advanced discussions of skills that grow with the reader. - Up-to-date information about the best lightweight gear and apparel, including the manufacturers that make it and the retailers that carry it. Lightweight Backpacking & Camping is the most comprehensive and rigorous text ever published on the subject. In addition to chapters about gear and basic skills, consider its more advanced why the biomechanics of walking justifies the use of running shoes instead of boots; how an examination of thermoregulation science suggests why today's high-tech synthetic clothing is too heavy and poorly engineered; how super-ultralight backpacking with a five pound pack can allow someone in average physical condition to hike a 30 mile day, and why some inclement weather conditions can be ideally suited for sleeping under an ultralight tarp, rather than a heavy tent. Lightweight Backpacking & Camping not only sets the standard for backcountry education, it raises the bar to heights never before seen in the outdoor industry. Unlike other texts, Lightweight Backpacking & Camping justififes its claims with good science, proper technique, and rationale not marketing, hyperbole, and guesswork. Yes, lightweight backpacking works for everyone. Lightweight backpacking (often, with a pack weight of less than 20 pounds) is the fastest growing trend in backpacking. Going light makes backcountry hiking more accessible to families, Boy Scouts, and aging baby boomers – groups normally excluded from enjoying the backcountry because of their inability to carry absurdly heavy backpacks. Lightweight Backpacking & Camping is targeted not only to "heavy school" backpackers trying to get the motorhome off their back, but also to advanced wilderness travelers trying to do more with less. To that end, the volume is as well-suited for beginning hikers as it is to elite mountain athletes.
--- "Backpacking should be comfortable, safe, and fun." So say the backcountry experts at Backpacking Light Magazine in their new book, Lightweight Backpacking & A Field Guide to Wilderness Equipment, Technique, and Style . And they should Backpacking Light Magazine is recognized as the outdoor industry's leading authority in lightweight hiking and backcountry travel, and has helped thousands of outdoor enthusiasts discover the joy of going light. "The notion that you need to carry 40 or 50 pounds of gear into the backcountry to be comfortable and safe is absolutely ridiculous," says the book’s Editor, Ryan Jordan, who is also the Publisher of Backpacking Light Magazine and the outdoor industry's chief proselytizer of today's exploding lightweight backpacking movement. "Gear manufacturers continue to contaminate the market with too much gear that is overbuilt, overdesigned, overpriced, and overweight. Backpackers deserve to be told the other side of the that you can do more with less, and that a pack weight of less than 15 pounds (not including food and water) is easily accessible even to beginners." A book about lightweight backpacking should be smart, fat, and heavy. This new book redefines modern day backpacking as safe, comfortable, and fun – but with a much lighter pack. And, it doesn't take a casual approach to the 436 pages of content educate backcountry users of all levels about the gear and technique required to make them experts. Lightweight Backpacking & Camping fills major gaps in existing outdoor literature by - Multiple, balanced perspectives that appeal to a wide range of experiences, skills, and personal styles. - In-depth content that provides basic, intermediate, and advanced discussions of skills that grow with the reader. - Up-to-date information about the best lightweight gear and apparel, including the manufacturers that make it and the retailers that carry it. Lightweight Backpacking & Camping is the most comprehensive and rigorous text ever published on the subject. In addition to chapters about gear and basic skills, consider its more advanced why the biomechanics of walking justifies the use of running shoes instead of boots; how an examination of thermoregulation science suggests why today's high-tech synthetic clothing is too heavy and poorly engineered; how super-ultralight backpacking with a five pound pack can allow someone in average physical condition to hike a 30 mile day, and why some inclement weather conditions can be ideally suited for sleeping under an ultralight tarp, rather than a heavy tent. Lightweight Backpacking & Camping not only sets the standard for backcountry education, it raises the bar to heights never before seen in the outdoor industry. Unlike other texts, Lightweight Backpacking & Camping justififes its claims with good science, proper technique, and rationale not marketing, hyperbole, and guesswork. Yes, lightweight backpacking works for everyone. Lightweight backpacking (often, with a pack weight of less than 20 pounds) is the fastest growing trend in backpacking. Going light makes backcountry hiking more accessible to families, Boy Scouts, and aging baby boomers – groups normally excluded from enjoying the backcountry because of their inability to carry absurdly heavy backpacks. Lightweight Backpacking & Camping is targeted not only to "heavy school" backpackers trying to get the motorhome off their back, but also to advanced wilderness travelers trying to do more with less. To that end, the volume is as well-suited for beginning hikers as it is to elite mountain athletes.
434 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
13 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 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.
June 22, 2007
Excellent and complete treatise on everything lightweight backpacking. Excellent book for people who have a real interest to learn more in-depth about lightweight and ultralight backpacking. If you are curious about lightweight backpacking and don't know what it is you should start with Lighten Up! by Don Ladigin and illustrated by Mike Clelland. After you have finished Lightweight Backpacking & Camping, you should check out the book's website: backpackinglight.com. Overall, the book is highly recommended!
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 - 16 of 16 reviews