Rating: 
Summary: Innovative and Revolutionary
Review: "Beyond Backpacking" is a relatively new and innovative approach to lightweight backpacking. I believe that Ray Jardine's techniques and philosophy will revolutionize hiking and camping. Currently, thousands of hikers are beginning to enjoy the benefits of going light; weather the hike is a five miler or a thirty mile hike. The long distance hiker is able to go farther in less time, and he or she is much more comfortable due to the economy and decrease in weight. Eventually, millions of hikers throughout the world will derive these benefits.
Rating: 
Summary: Beyond Backpacking compared to the Origin of Species
Review: A comparison to the controversial works of Charles Darwin is needed to understand the essence of Ray Jardine and the revolution the book "Beyond Backpacking" has created. When Ray Jardine published "Beyond Backpacking", similar events occured to the episode of Darwin's "Origin of Species". Following the circulation of these books brought about extreme contention world wide. From the uniqueness of their ideas so far from the norm, yet unquestionable efficiency when applied to their application brought to the public that "fearful" state we call change. What Darwin has done for science is what Ray Jardine accomplished for backpacking. To doubt the significance of either of these men's books would be idiotic. Wether adoption of Jardine's (or for that mater Darwin's) ideas occurs is up to the individual, but in my opinion, any book which makes a society rethink "sound beliefs" is worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: I can't believe I wasted my money on this
Review: After hearing of Ray Jardine's hiking exploits (AT, PCT, CDT), I decided spring for his book. This book is full of Ray Jardine's personal opinions that are packaged as "facts". In particular, his outright slander against all commerical food borders on the absurd, and he provides no evidence for most of it, other than referencing some obscure books by guys who probably wear tinfoil hats. And, the Ray Way is apparently the only way to hike (so says Ray).
Don't waste your time or money. There are far better guides out there that cover lightweight backpacking.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating read
Review: Although many of Jardine's ideas are radical, especially for someone who can't sew a button on, most are just plain good sense. For anyone who has done a long distance hike, dropping pack weight becomes an obsession. He gives many good and feasible ideas for doing just that.I met Ray and his wife Jenny while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and thought they were day hikers because of their ultra-small packs. What a shock to find out that they were also thru-hikers. After that I read his first book on hiking the PCT and have incorporated several of his techniques. This is a must read for anyone planning on doing a long distance hike. Take it from me, he practices what he preaches.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent perspective
Review: Anyone interested in backpacking should read this book first. Ray provides experienced insight into the true value of "high-tech" gear and managing the weight of your load. The designs for his backpack, sleeping system, etc., are included in this book and golite.com has made a business based on his truly ultralight gear. Some people, including myself, have a hard time going all the way over to his extremely light methods and philosophy but even if you save a few pounds, you'll be much happier on the trail.
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Summary: The Catman
Review: As an experienced hiker/backpacker i can truly say this book is excellent..especially to those with an open mind. Jardine moves beyond traditional backpacking philosophy and brings to the table a different "way" of thinking which is driven by his engineering background and a constant desire to improve technique. I have incorporated many (although not all) of his ideas with great success.My 1st appapachian trail hike in '92 had me lugging a 50+ lb pack. Today my pack base weight is below 20 lbs. Although you may not agree with all of Jardine's ideas there is enough solid stuff in this book to get you thinking about how to minimize what you take out into the woods.Those critical of his ideas should remember this: If your mind is closed to any opinions other than your own don't buy the book or read it for it is only when we approach new ideas with an open mind that we truly begin to grow and learn....
Rating:
Summary: This Book is a Gem!
Review: Beyond Backpacking is absolutely the best book written about light weight backpacking! Ray Jardine is truely a progressive thinker. The ideas he shares in the book are time tested (by himself and many others following in his steps) and they work quite well. I think of Ray as a philosopher who challenges the prevailing thoughts about backpacking and even other aspects of culture. After reading this excellent book you may want to challenge them yourself. Highly Recommended
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking and useful
Review: Beyond Backpacking is the best thought provoking outdoor book I have ever read. Beyond Backpacking is a book that you will have trouble putting down. It will not sit on your bookshelf. This is a book you will not tire of re-reading. I have read my copy a multiple times and acquire new ideas from it every time I reread it. Using Ray's tips and techniques I have been able to increase my outdoor enjoyment 10 fold. You will enjoy your copy of beyond backpacking for many years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Enlightening the Outdoor Experience
Review: Beyond Backpacking, or as a short desription would read, Enlightening the Outdoor Experience, is truly a work based on the authors experience and his desire to share those experiences with others. It is written in an easy flowing, well thought out, posative and friendly manner. I seemed to breeze through its pages absorbing new and exciting information with what impressed me as profound simplicity. The kind of information that only someone who has mastered a subject or endeavor can formulate and then relay in such an easy to understand manner. Backpacking and the outdoor experience in general tends to be advertised as overly complicated and burdensome. Ray Jardine presents a system with methods and understandings that the novice hiker and experienced adventurer can benefit from. Beyond Backpacking has provided me a sturdy bridge transforming what used to be "getting ready for war with nature" into "experiencing a connected experience with nature".
Rating:
Summary: Do it your way!
Review: Condescendance and a zealous behavior are not the way to present something different. Though Mr.Jardine displays a few practical ideas, his tone and manner are quite disturbing in this book.... Sure, I can see in a few instances where his practices would benefit a long distance hiker, but recent general concensus from Backpacker magazine has concluded that the vast majority of backpackers are uninterested in Jardine's obsessive approach. Nevertheless, there are a few that revel in his ways and it's safe to say many of these people take greater pleasure in obsessing over pack weight than actually being out in the wilderness.
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