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The Backpacker's Handbook | 
 enlarge | Author: Chris Townsend
Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $9.83
You Save: $10.12 (51%)
New (36) Used (15) from $8.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 48786
Media: Paperback
Edition: 3
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7.4 x 0.9
ISBN: 0071423206
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.51
UPC: 639785803225
EAN: 9780071423205
ASIN: 0071423206
Publication Date: September 12, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: SHIPS TODAY!!!!!! BRAND NEW BOOK, MAY HAVE REMAINDER MARK
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Product Description
"The most up-to-date and comprehensive guide to equipment and technique available anywhere."—Backpack (UK) This enormously practical guide includes everything from essential techniques such as map and compass work to the skills needed for more remote wilderness journeys—such as how to ford rivers safely and how to choose a route through untracked terrain. As a gear advisor, this book is unequaled. You'll find the last word on: - How to choose packs and footwear—and make sure they fit
- What clothing to take on the trail
- Tents, tarps, stoves, water purifiers, and other gear
- GPS, cell phones, and other electronic devices
- And much more
Now in its third edition, The Backpacker's Handbook also covers desert hiking, ultralight backpacking, and adventure trekking in distant corners of the globe. Indeed, there is little about backpacking Chris Townsend does not cover. This trusted reference will prepare you for the challenges and excitement of backpacking the wilderness. "A clear and comprehensive primer on backpacking gear. Townsend's knowledge is immense."—Sierra "Belongs in every bookcase dealing with outdoor topics. . . . Chockablock full of useful, practical, commonsense info. . . . If you tramp the outdoors, get this book."—Maine Sportsman "For those thinking of taking a backpack journey, The Backpacker's Handbook is required reading."—Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 The Wise Mr. Townsend.... July 24, 2008
Honestly, this is my backpacking bible. I love backpacking how-to books and books on the trail, and Mr. Townsend brings the both of those together in a manual that covers everything from specific components of boot construction to the five different kinds of ways to sew a sleeping bag. This book goes into EXTREME detail about what kind of gear he would recommend and why, so it's hard to read straight-through (I did anyway). He manages to insert his own stories and experiences to give you sort of a context as to why he thinks the way he does, and it lends the book the air of wisdom, like you're talking to a veteran scoutmaster or an experienced thru-hiker (which he is).
I wish he was a little more knowledgable about newer backpacking equipment, but other than that the entire book is priceless. Definitely a must-own for any backpacker, from day- to thru-hiker.
Informative Book on Backpacking February 19, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a detailed book on backpacking and backpacking equipment. Chris Townsend is the TGO Magazine (The Great Outdoors Magazine) gear editor. He receives all the new equipment, before it hits the shops, to test and write revues on. He has been hiking for over 25years and has walked over 20,000 miles so he has a good idea of what he is talking about. Unlike Ray Jardine's book, beyond backpacking, which advocates making your own gear Chris explains, in a lot of detail, all the different types of gear you can buy for backpacking. He gives his worldly advice on equipment and hiking techniques. If you want to listen to Chris talk about gear try going to backpackinglight.co.uk and click on podcast and you should be able to find some interviews with Chris.
 Average. It could have been excellent. November 21, 2006
20 out of 27 found this review helpful
There is a lot of detail in this book. I cannot strongly recommend it though because there isn't that much that is unique. It isn't bad. It just isn't great. In part, the author suffers from being knowledgeable of the past but not the present gear, clothing, or technology. The author researched enough to find out about what is now available, but it often appears as though he has only read about it on the Internet or in product literature. A quick example is the utility of a GPS. He mentions his own heavy weight relic and also the lightweight Garmin Geko. He considers a GPS an interesting gadget but he doesn't know how to really take advantage of a GPS combined with topographic mapping software for pre-trip planning and route finding. The old heavyweight relic of a GPS that the author has, gets the most coverage in the text and he simply mentions he might use a GPS more, if he had a Geko.
A good one August 31, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
The Backpackers Handbook is more informative and easier to read than the other two books I bought recently (Hiking Light Handbook, and Everyday Wisdom). Save your time and read this one alone.
Best book of its kind i have seen July 2, 2006
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
I got three backpacking type handbooks at a library and read all three this is by far the best one. It has the most in depth information and is enjoyable to read.
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