If you dislike this book, you're taking it too literally

books:

	• The Ultralight Backpacker : The Complete Guide to Simplicity and Comfort on the Trail Ryel Kestenbaum International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 2001 - 139 pages average customer review:based on 24 reviews view larger image
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Good if you're just beginning

We were interested in getting into backpacking and were given this book for Christmas. As folks who knew nothing about backpacking, the product info in this book has been very useful. It is obvious that this book will become quickly outdated, but for us it has been quite useful to understand what we need and what is available.

You can learn some things from it.

This book has some useful information in it as long as you are reading it with a critical mind. Each person pursuing "ultralight" is going to have preferences regarding trade-offs and items that cannot be left behind. Ryel prefers to do without the extra ounces of books on the trail, but needs his double-wall tent in inclement weather. Others will carry only the shelter of a 12 oz. sil-nylon tarp and afford themselves the luxury of reading material.

It's easy to see how the author arrived at his own conclusions and his recommendations do make sense, but they are not the only way. Opinions are good and the author doesn't hide his, however, a fairer and perhaps purer treatment of going ultralight should probably address more directly how to get as light as possible and then discuss the trade-offs. For example, it makes little sense to me that 4+ lb. double-walled tents should end up getting the thumbs up (because they shelter you properly in rain and don't have as many problems with condensation... everyone knows that), while well-ventilated single-wall tents are discouraged and lightweight tarps only get honorable mention toward the end of the chapter. This is just one example where the author reveals that, at the time of writing, he was ultralight in spirit, but only a lightweight in practice. I will carry a 1 lb. tarp and fuss with it a bit every night if it means shaving 3+ lbs., getting to add back a small luxury item, and being connected with nature even during a rain storm. Ryel confesses to wanting to sleep under the stars every chance he gets, hates fussing with improvised shelters, and had at least one bad experience getting wet under a tarp, so now it's "real tents" or nothing. You get my point.

Even so, most areas of importance get at least some attention from the author and you get enough information to form your own opinions. This book is better than some, maybe not as good as others. Not the last word in going ultralight, but enough information to make the book purchase worthwhile, especially if you have an afternoon or two to reflect on the author's opinions and see how they compare to your own. I definitely liked this book better than Don Ladigan's "Lighten Up! A Complete Handbook...", which was far from "complete" and should have been subtitled "A Beginner's Guide". I would buy this book again, hopefully on discount.

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If you dislike this book, you're taking it too literally

If you look at it from the proper perspective, this is a great book. The author describes the extreme. I know a guy who was the opposite extreme. He brought 3 pairs of shoes to the top of Half Dome. Most people are somewhere in the middle of those two extremes, and some people are more extreme than either end.

This is a good book, especially for the beginner hiker. Read what it has to offer, and find your own place in the backpacking world.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Developed primarily for long-distance treks, the ultralight method is considered by many traditional backpackers as too austere. Author Ryel Kestenbaum shows that thanks to recent improvements in equipment design and manufacture, as well as in food processing, ultralight backpacking now offers a safe and comfortable alternative to traditional backpacking methods. In The Ultralight Backpacker, he dispels the myths surrounding this rapidly growing trend. Kestenbaum acquaints readers with the ultralight philosophy and shows how backpackers can once and for all do away with heavy packs and move quickly and comfortably on the trail, whether on a day-trip or season-long trek. He also provides the most complete survey available of ultralight equipment, clothing, and footwear, along with tips on how to select the right gear for each reader?s unique interests, needs, and personality.

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