Rating: 
Summary: Efficient minded backpacking
Review: I'm not sure why anyone wants to apply efficient based principles to something as simple as backpacking. Sure, if you wanna race against mother nature to get from mexico to canada in 4 months, but I don't think anyone has ever fully enjoyed the experience cruising along the PCT 20+ miles a day continuously. However, I do like the idea of making my own gear, but his extreme behavior and belief system really puzzles me. While reading I asked myself; Does he want people to believe he's some revolutionary founder of lightweight backpacking? I guess that would explain his gloating of his small following called "Jardinites" (he proudly exclaims in the book), that believe his practices and beliefs are on par with Charles Darwin and other great influencial minds of our past. I say, "wake up you simpletons" it's all common sense! Nevertheless, if you're in need to become a follower or just looking for some paper to burn in the fireplace, look no further!
Rating: 
Summary: Extreme, Radical, Backpacking Theory
Review: If you ever want to read a book on how to backpack this is the book to read. It is probably the most extreme and radical thinking ever written by a fellow backpacker, but probably the most practical. The idea is to learn how to optimize your hiking enjoyment, whether reducing weight, cost, making your own gear and designs. Jardine takes a new look at the approach of backpacking that is fresh and inspiring.
Rating: 
Summary: very thought provoking ideas for the intermediate walker
Review: In this book, Ray Jarnine puts forth a total reinvention of the culture of backpacking around the principle that "less is more". The author offers many clever techniques for drastically reducing packweigt and then argues that this can lead you to travel faster, enjoy your trip much more let alone save big bucks. Furthermore Jardine argues, that less overmarketed gear allows for fewer distractions and a more effective connection with the outside world.My experience experimenting with the "Ray Way" during a long distance hike was overwhelmingly positive. The running shoes, the super light homemade backpack and the tarp which are the three pillars of the Ray Way allowed me to cut several kg of my packweight. There are two caveats on the flip side. Since I did most of my hiking in moderate wheather, I really do wonder how packing so sparsely would work in colder and wetter conditions. Also regarding the switch from bulky hiking boots to running shoes, I recommend taking Ray's advice and building balance, ankle stength and reducing packweight before throwing any boots away. Finally, it must be emphasized that this book totally goes against the status quo. Be ready before you start reading it. It turns the culture of hiking completely on its head. Yet this book also presents some dramatically innovative and thought provoking ideas. For walkers that are open to trying something new and also for those that would like to think more about the philosophy behind spending time outside, this book is a must read. The reason this book is rated 4 out of 5 despite the innovative content is because the author can a get a little carried away into discussion of hiking philosophy that occasionall sounds like "a little too much". This is a liability and detracts from the overall credibility of the book.
Rating:
Summary: very thought provoking ideas for the intermediate walker
Review: In this book, Ray Jarnine puts forth a total reinvention of the culture of backpacking around the principle that "less is more". The author offers many clever techniques for drastically reducing packweigt and then argues that this can lead you to travel faster, enjoy your trip much more let alone save big bucks. Furthermore Jardine argues, that less overmarketed gear allows for fewer distractions and a more effective connection with the outside world. My experience experimenting with the "Ray Way" during a long distance hike was overwhelmingly positive. The running shoes, the super light homemade backpack and the tarp which are the three pillars of the Ray Way allowed me to cut several kg of my packweight. There are two caveats on the flip side. Since I did most of my hiking in moderate wheather, I really do wonder how packing so sparsely would work in colder and wetter conditions. Also regarding the switch from bulky hiking boots to running shoes, I recommend taking Ray's advice and building balance, ankle stength and reducing packweight before throwing any boots away. Finally, it must be emphasized that this book totally goes against the status quo. Be ready before you start reading it. It turns the culture of hiking completely on its head. Yet this book also presents some dramatically innovative and thought provoking ideas. For walkers that are open to trying something new and also for those that would like to think more about the philosophy behind spending time outside, this book is a must read. The reason this book is rated 4 out of 5 despite the innovative content is because the author can a get a little carried away into discussion of hiking philosophy that occasionall sounds like "a little too much". This is a liability and detracts from the overall credibility of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Learn how to backpack with this book.
Review: It seems many people get upset with this book because it tells us the opposite of the big outdoor goods manufactors and their advertisers. Ray can get a little preachy but his ideas are worth listening to. Many people have used his ideas and found out that you dont need to carry 60 pounds on your back. Also, let us not forget that lite weight backpacking is anything new. A 67 year old women in 1954 thru hiked the Apalachian Trail in 1954 with a 20 pound pack and wearing natural fibers. She did it again 2 years later. His easy to follow instructions are great. Instead of spending $200-300 on a pack, make one for yourself. The same goes for a sleeping bag and tent. All of the materials are very easy to find. If you arent sure, make a pack for $20 and go on a 2-3 day hike only carry 20 pounds or less and see how much enjoyable your hike will be. people say how can you enjoy a trail if you walk 20 miles a day. Well, the reason you are doing 20 miles a day is because you arent hampered by all the weight. You actually get to look up and see what is going on around you instead of staring at your feet because of the weight of the pack. Maybe this book may not be for the casual hiker(although they could learn alot and may hike more) because there is alot of information here. Many hikers and backpackers here will be turned off because they just spent $1000 on equipment they didnt really need. Even so, you bought the stuff, still there are many ways to cut the weight of your burden. The man is an expert in backpacking, that is given. It is time to throw off the shackles of heavy packs and learn to hike with comfort.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, but
Review: Jardine expertly conveys a wealth of information on how to lose pounds from your pack, keep food from bears and generally enjoy your time in the backcountry. I'd go so far as to say, I likely would not have completed my PCT throughhike without this book. Though most of the book is condensed wisdom, some of Jardine's suggestions struck me as dubious. For example: 1)Suggesting people will get used to giardia is irresponsible. Some may, some may not. Sitting on a porcelain throne is no way to spend your hike. 2)Quilts are cold and drafty. The bottoms of sleeping bags, where the insulation is compressed, do provide a function: they keep the cold air out. 3)Taking your own silverware to a restaurant is dubious. There are many ways to get digestive tract illness, dirty silverware at a restaurant is just one and not the most likely. 4)People taking help from trail angels are not parasites. (Though people expecting help from trail angels may be.) 5)Many people need to eat for comfort as well as nutrition. I don't recommend Ray's trail menu unless you are not fond of eating. 6)Recommending stealth camping as a tactic to avoid bears was also irresponsible. Many people do not take bear canisters, get nervous when bears stalk their camp and then try hanging their food, which the bears happily eat. This is driving the Rangers nuts as bears increasingly become habituated to people food, making the bears potentially dangerous. 7)Do not count on vibrational harmony keeping mosquitoes away. Odds are, most bugs haven't read Jardine's book and don't know you are in vibrational harmony with them. Use DEET. Still anyone hiking should benefit from this book. Just don't let Mr. Jardine do all the thinking for you.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for hikers and backpackers
Review: Jardine is a VERY experienced hiker, backpacker, and climber; he's done it all, many times. In this book he basically says, "here's how I do it, you may want to do that too." A word of caution before you approach this book: it is not for novices or people approaching hiking/ backpacking with initial enthusiasm and expecting an uplifting and nicely illustrated book. Jardine's tone is often critical of established hiking practices. Some of his own suggestions will seem extreme or absurd to a novice. You need to have gone to a few overnight hikes before you can start to understand, let alone agree with, Jardine. Pros:
Tried and true strategies from an experienced expert. As an experienced hiker, I agree with Jardine in most of the book, even if I do not practice similarly. The most useful advice is on ruthlessly cutting down the weight of your pack and gear. Also very useful are his insights on "stealth" camping, water purification, trail food, footwear, dealing with bears and bugs, etc. He even covers the use of ice axes! The book is a relatively large compendium of thought provoking ideas. Cons:
You must know where Jardine's coming from in this book: 100-day long continuous hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail and other mega-hikes. This type of outdoor activity does not appeal to me, and I bet most of us won't be doing it either (got time to take a 100-day vacation? wanna spend it all in the woods?). Here are a couple of examples of how the mega-hike mentality skews the usefulness of the advice in this book. Jardine pushes for cutting down on pack weight. However, he mentions how he lugs along many gallons of watter on long and dry trail stretches, and as we all know, water is about the heaviest bulk in your pack. Also, he says, don't stuff your down bag in the sack, it will lose its loft. Of course it will, if you hike 100 days non-stop!!! But if I go for a weekend overnight, I certainly want the lightest and smallest package, which means a tightly stuffed down bag. Jardine also lashes out against the supposedly low nutritional value of dehydrated bag-meals, which may also contain additives like MSG. If I hiked 100 days non-stop, I would also care about this. However, on the occasional overnight hike, I want a tasty, no-hassle warm meal, that is also light to carry, and dehydrated does it for me. In addition, the consistent insistence on making your own gear is a tad bit extreme; there are plenty of lightweight options in outdoor shops nowadays. Overall: read this book. My cons section is longer than the pro's since I did not list all the good ideas Jardine has :) He is very passionate about hiking and very experienced; his writing is biased, yet his ideas are useful and interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for hikers and backpackers
Review: Jardine is a VERY experienced hiker, backpacker, and climber; he's done it all, many times. In this book he basically says, "here's how I do it, you may want to do that too." A word of caution before you approach this book: it is not for novices or people approaching hiking/ backpacking with initial enthusiasm and expecting an uplifting and nicely illustrated book. Jardine's tone is often critical of established hiking practices. Some of his own suggestions will seem extreme or absurd to a novice. You need to have gone to a few overnight hikes before you can start to understand, let alone agree with, Jardine. Pros:
Tried and true strategies from an experienced expert. As an experienced hiker, I agree with Jardine in most of the book, even if I do not practice similarly. The most useful advice is on ruthlessly cutting down the weight of your pack and gear. Also very useful are his insights on "stealth" camping, water purification, trail food, footwear, dealing with bears and bugs, etc. He even covers the use of ice axes! The book is a relatively large compendium of thought provoking ideas. Cons:
You must know where Jardine's coming from in this book: 100-day long continuous hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail and other mega-hikes. This type of outdoor activity does not appeal to me, and I bet most of us won't be doing it either (got time to take a 100-day vacation? wanna spend it all in the woods?). Here are a couple of examples of how the mega-hike mentality skews the usefulness of the advice in this book. Jardine pushes for cutting down on pack weight. However, he mentions how he lugs along many gallons of watter on long and dry trail stretches, and as we all know, water is about the heaviest bulk in your pack. Also, he says, don't stuff your down bag in the sack, it will lose its loft. Of course it will, if you hike 100 days non-stop!!! But if I go for a weekend overnight, I certainly want the lightest and smallest package, which means a tightly stuffed down bag. Jardine also lashes out against the supposedly low nutritional value of dehydrated bag-meals, which may also contain additives like MSG. If I hiked 100 days non-stop, I would also care about this. However, on the occasional overnight hike, I want a tasty, no-hassle warm meal, that is also light to carry, and dehydrated does it for me. In addition, the consistent insistence on making your own gear is a tad bit extreme; there are plenty of lightweight options in outdoor shops nowadays. Overall: read this book. My cons section is longer than the pro's since I did not list all the good ideas Jardine has :) He is very passionate about hiking and very experienced; his writing is biased, yet his ideas are useful and interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Jardine is evangelical about his methods. But his arguments are reasoned ones. This is the strength of his book. You can take it or leave it based on the arguments. Jardine is also certainly arguing from his particular value system. If you don't agree with the system then you won't agree with everything he says. Why slander him? I've read and reread this book and its predecessor, The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook. I've learned a lot and disagreed with a little. When I disagree its usually with his goals not his methods. I don't think Jardine has ever intimated that his goals should automatically be your goals. If you're interested in minimal gear hiking this book is a good introduction that should be read critically. Some readers are uncomfortable with the tone of the book. Regardless I believe Jardine fundamentally respects the reader. Why? Because he explains the reasons behind his methods.
Rating:
Summary: Dare to Go Light
Review: Like Ray Jardine, I learned my camping and backpacking skills in Scouts. Like Ray, I was so prepared for any contingency that I could hardly lift my pack. Unlike Ray, I didn't figure it out for myself--I had to read his book. Ray's basic theory is that if you pack light enough, you can travel 2 or 3 times further with the same energy. Although inspired by long-distance hiking, the techniques and ideas can make short trips more enjoyable. I haven't tried everything in his book yet, but everything I have tried has worked. Ray's innovative challenge to conventional backpack thinking is nothing short of revolutionary.
| 
