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The Ultralight Backpacker : The Complete Guide to Simplicity and Comfort on the Trail | 
 enlarge | Author: Ryel Kestenbaum
Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy New: $5.76
You Save: $10.19 (64%)
New (27) Used (18) from $5.51
Avg. Customer Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 313419
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 139
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.3
ISBN: 0071368280
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.51
UPC: 639785801627
EAN: 9780071368285
ASIN: 0071368280
Publication Date: June 26, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: GREAT Bargain Book Deal - like new, some may have small remainder mark - Ships out by NEXT Business Day - Over ONE MILLION Amazon orders filled - 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
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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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 If you dislike this book, you're taking it too literally May 30, 2008
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.
 You can learn some things from it. March 23, 2008
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.
 Pretentious Poppy-cock January 27, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I purchased this book after having heard good things about it. What I got was one of the biggest disappointments of my life as far as books go. Kestenbaum has a right to hike however he wishes, but to pass off his personal ideas as the "one true way" is absolute bull!
First, he talks about how no extra ounce hitches a ride in HIS pack. He religiously cuts every tag and extra strap off of every piece of gear he owns. He carefully selects his gear. Yet, he still maintains a pack of over 12 pounds. The vast majority of people who consider themselves ultralight maintain a base pack weight of UNDER 12 lbs, not over it! Kestenbaum continuously skips over gear that many ultralighters love, and gives preference to his personal selections, despite the extra weight involved. Yet remember, no extra ounce hitches a ride in HIS pack!
Second, and this is the worst of the book in my opinion, is that the section on meditation (yep, there's a section on meditation) is longer than the sections on hygiene and water treatment! Please Mr. Kestenbaum, explain to me how meditation is more important to backpacking than hygiene and meditation?
Kestenbaum's work has some useful information, but not much. In truth, the vast majority of the useful information is available on the internet for no money. Of the ultralight authors out there, Ryel Kestenbaum shouldn't even be mentioned. His base weight exceeds the limits of what is considered ultralight, his philosophy is pointless to ultralight backpacking, and his information is weak at best. Money spent on this book would be best spent elsewhere.
 Trim the fat. January 15, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book goes over the writrers gear list of his commercially bought products that he cut the labels off of and shortened the straps to lighten the load. Most of the info in this book is stated on the internet in better wording and a more practical manner. Much of this book is just his opinion of how things might work because he never enven tried the products. From my understanding he doesn't even have any serious experience under his belt. He has hiked several hundred miles but never completed any long distance trails. His biggest achievement is that he attempted the PCT. Save your money and do some online research or if you want to buy a book, find a copy of Ray Jardine's "Beyound Backpacking."
 Good if you're just beginning January 9, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
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.
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