Product Description
Thе days οf carrying monster packs іntο thе wilderness аrе officially over! Nеw Book Completely Redefines Hοw tο Enјοу Backcountry Travel
— “Backpacking ѕhουƖԁ bе comfortable, safe, аnԁ fun.” Sο ѕау thе backcountry experts аt Backpacking Light Magazine іn thеіr nеw book, Lightweight Backpacking & Camping: A Field Guide tο Wilderness Equipment, Technique, аnԁ Style. Anԁ thеу ѕhουƖԁ know: Backpacking Light Magazine іѕ recognized аѕ thе outdoor industry’s leading authority іn lightweight hiking аnԁ backcountry travel, аnԁ hаѕ hеƖреԁ thousands οf outdoor enthusiasts discover thе joy οf going light. “Thе notion thаt уου need tο carry 40 οr 50 pounds οf gear іntο thе backco… More >>
Lightweight Backpacking аnԁ Camping: A Field Guide tο Wilderness Equipment, Technique, аnԁ Style
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Andy Skurka’s doesn’t mention he worked for Mr. Jordan at Backpacking Light Magazine. While he may indeed have a high regard for Mr. Jordan, I believe Mr. Skurka’s former business relationship with Mr. Jordan should disqualify him from commenting on this book.
Rating: 1 / 5
This is definitely the new bible for
everybody that wants to enjoy the
outdoors with a light pack.
Packed with useful advices how to get
rid of weight, packlists and gear tipps.
Thumbs up
Rating: 5 / 5
This is not a useful book for the eastern Backpacker, who has been carrying 55-60 lb. on the AT and wants to reduce his pack to a 20-25 lb. pack load, without going to the poor house in the process. The book lacks personality and feelings about why we backpack.
This is a highly analytical book on the technical aspects of Lightweight Backpacking in the west. Be less clinical and enjoy the experience a little more.This book is for those who mainly buy at the high end and at a few select sources. It is also assumes that most backpackers live or pack near or west of the continental divide. It does not mention our many fine supply houses in the east, nor the different environments we encounter in the east.
Rating: 2 / 5
There have been several books published specifically about lightweight backpacking, the first one being Ray Jardine’s “Beyond Backpacking,” which was the spark for the lightweight revolution in the outdoor industry. There are also some good books on the subject by Chris Townsend and Don Ladigan.
I’ve read them all, and I can confidently say that Lightweight Backpacking & Camping is the new standard. In particular, it includes multiple perspectives (which is important b/c lightweight backpacking is not a one-size-fits-all approach, sorry Ray), more up-to-date information (the quality and availability of lightweight gear has improved remarkably since the publishing of two of the books, and the third book does not go into great detail on gear), and an unprecedented understanding of the skills and technologies that go hand-in-hand with lightweight backpacking.
I would consider myself a very advanced backpacker (my last hike was 7,800 miles over 11 months, through the winter) but I still have learned a lot from this book. The text seems to grow with you — Jordan et al. start with the most basic fundamentals (like the biomechanics of walking) and build these fundamentals out into comprehensive and in-depth arguments (like exactly why smaller, lighter, and skinnier/taller packs are better than big, heavy, fat/short packs). These guys have put some *serious* thought into these subjects — some of their insights about skills and gear are pretty awesome.
If you are a novice, intermediate, or advanced backpacker, this book is going to teach you something.
Rating: 5 / 5
Other than my Royal Rangers Handbook as a kid in the 80′s this was my first book into the world of backpacking. I have to say that the whole lightweight backpacking idea really appeals to me for many reasons. I remember lugging around all that unnecessary gear. The over weight packing made for some long and tortuous trips. Me and my wife are soon to move from South Florida to Denver CO. and are getting ourselves together for some good ol out dooring (hiking/backpacking /camping). I went to the public library to get some books to read on the subjects of camping /hiking and backpacking before I buy to see if there any good.
Ryan Jordan’s LIGHTWEIGHT is to me a good book. It opened the door of the whole light and ultralight packing up to me and my wife.After Reading it along with all the other books I checked out from the public library Id have to say it was one of my favs. there were times that I wished MR Jordan would of went into a little more detail on certain subjects , but I guess he couldn’t cover every subject in complete detail. I would have to say that this book to me is not the definitive backpackers guide. There was no survival section. There was a section specifically for women that my wife found both educational and entertaining. I will go and buy this book though and recommend it to anyone that is interested in backpacking , whether ultralight or not.
Rating: 4 / 5