Rating: 
Summary: The BEST introductory Backpacking book available.
Review: Backpackers lost a great tradition with the ending of Colin Fletcher's "The Complete Walker" series; the third edition was published in the mid-80s. Chris Townsend has continued the tradition, however, with a classic text for the beginning (or advanced) backpacker. Townsend's clear writing, love of the outdoors, years of experience and clear opinions shine on almost every page. It is simply impossible for one person to test and evaluate every piece of backpacking equipment on the market. So what criteria to use to judge if the text has accomplished its goal? First, the coverage of equipment is extensive. Footware, packs, clothes, shelter (tents, etc.), sleeping bags, kitchen items, food and other necessary items are all discussed in the various chapters. Second, within each category a reasonable number of different items have been tested. An example is the section on backpacking stoves. Virtually all kinds of stoves are mentioned and discussed. Third, the evaluations are clear, reasoned and blunt. For these reasons, as well as being based on years of experience, the evaluations come across as fair and trustworthy. Fourth, the author's bias are clearly indicated. For example, side bars read like this: "Lightweight Rain Jackets: My Choices". Having the author evaluate the alternatives, then justify his own choice of a particular piece of gear adds greatly to the text. Townsend is not afraid to take what might seem to be unpopular stands. For example, in the section on water treatment in the wilderness (p. 199-201), he downplays the need to treat every drop of water you drink using some type of purification system. He does, however, mention a far more important health problem of not washing your hands and keeping cooking utensils clean. The latter two probably contribute more to sickness than untreated water. Such frank and concise opinions are woven throughout the text. Both the beginning backpacker and the seasoned pro who want a wonderful summary of the state-of-the-art of backpacking equipment and procedures will have to hike a long trail to find a better book than this. My only suggestion for the next edition is to double the content and halve the weight so that I might carry the book with me for reading in the outdoors! The book is an essential piece of backpacking gear!
Rating:
Summary: Best All-Inclusive Backpacking Guide!
Review: Being a novice, I wanted ONE book that would answer all my questions and provide me with valuable information I would need. This book was the one! I read a lot of the "editorial reviews" on several backpacking books, but I used the "customer reviews" to make my final selection. Thanks to all the previous reviewers, I'm happy to say that I did indeed choose what is probably the best all-inclusive backpacking guide which I know would follow me from novice through experienced. If you don't want to be saddled with dozens of books just so you can have a wealth of information on an activity you'd like to try, than this is the ONE book to get!
Rating:
Summary: Best All-Inclusive Backpacking Guide!
Review: Being a novice, I wanted ONE book that would answer all my questions and provide me with valuable information I would need. This book was the one! I read a lot of the "editorial reviews" on several backpacking books, but I used the "customer reviews" to make my final selection. Thanks to all the previous reviewers, I'm happy to say that I did indeed choose what is probably the best all-inclusive backpacking guide which I know would follow me from novice through experienced. If you don't want to be saddled with dozens of books just so you can have a wealth of information on an activity you'd like to try, than this is the ONE book to get!
Rating:
Summary: A very impressive overview of backpacking
Review: Chris Townsend does a marvelous job of introducing the basics of backpacking to beginners, and offering tips and advice to hikers with more experience. Even though new models of tents, stoves, and backpacks come out almost every month (to suck money out of the wallets of people like me...), the principles that Chris Townsend describes in his book remain true. This book came out more than 3 years ago, and it still remains the standard by which I judge other backpacking books. I recommend it highly...
Rating:
Summary: A superb introduction and an excellent read
Review: Chris Townsend is not only a profoundly experienced outdoorsman, he's also a gifted writer. I started reading this book on a Monday evening and didn't put it down until it was very late at night - and all I wanted to do was skip work the next day so I could set out on a hike. The gear reviews come from experience and emphasize real-world application, with a special emphasis on weight. While much of his advice is based upon his epic treks, it is easily convertible to long weekend trips. The book leaves the reader feeling ready to begin, confident that getting the right gear and planning a short trip are now things which can be easily done. To Mr. Townsend's credit, however, the book also makes it plain that there is a great deal more to know before tackling more difficult journeys. For those just starting to explore backpacking, as I am, this book above all else will teach you *how to think* about it. Outstanding!
Rating:
Summary: A superb introduction and an excellent read
Review: Chris Townsend is not only a profoundly experienced outdoorsman, he's also a gifted writer. I started reading this book on a Monday evening and didn't put it down until it was very late at night - and all I wanted to do was skip work the next day so I could set out on a hike. The gear reviews come from experience and emphasize real-world application, with a special emphasis on weight. While much of his advice is based upon his epic treks, it is easily convertible to long weekend trips. The book leaves the reader feeling ready to begin, confident that getting the right gear and planning a short trip are now things which can be easily done. To Mr. Townsend's credit, however, the book also makes it plain that there is a great deal more to know before tackling more difficult journeys. For those just starting to explore backpacking, as I am, this book above all else will teach you *how to think* about it. Outstanding!
Rating:
Summary: Read this book and get out there!
Review: I bought a few books online without paying too much attention to reviews and I was often disappointed. This time I paid a great deal of attention to the reviews while trying to sellect the book that would best fulfil my expectations and I must admit that all the good reviews about The Backpacker's Handbook, 2nd Edition, are well founded! This book is excellent and everyone interested in reading about backpacking should at least acquire this one. Thank you Mr. Townsend for sharing your experience and passion with us in such a good book! and thank you, reviewers, for guiding buyers like me toward what truly is worth ordering.
Rating:
Summary: From Novice to Expert in One Easy Step
Review: I enjoyed this text very much. Mr. Townsend writes well and i seemed to flow through the book effortlessly for the most part. It covers all aspects of backpacking and most for camping.The only criticism i could offer is that the author focused too much on the weight of equipment. Townsend also cuts many corners because of "pack weight" and therefore doesnt cover certain things because he feels it is "unnecessary". Some of the things he ignores may be fine if you are going to travel 1600 miles through the Canadian rockies, but you will not want to ignore them if you want to be comfortable on a typical backpacking trip that lasts a couple days to a couple weeks. For example, he never carries an entrenchment tool unless he is going to be in snow often. i personally would not go into a wilderness without one and i dont care how much it weighs. Townsend also does not cover "wilderness recipe's" or many other things that provide "comfort" when living outdoors. He is an equipment reviewer by profession and I would catergorize this book as a very comprehensive equipment review. i think the book is more for the person who wants to "travel though" the wilderness. In my opinion, it does not really offer much advice on staying in one general area. No real survival training is offered, but the author gives several suggested readings which in itself makes the book an essential read. If you are a beginner, as I am, i would suggest this title as a must read, BUT not as an only read. It should be read along with a more specific "living in the wilderness" type book.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Informative Backpacking manual
Review: I enjoyed this text very much. Mr. Townsend writes well and i seemed to flow through the book effortlessly for the most part. It covers all aspects of backpacking and most for camping. The only criticism i could offer is that the author focused too much on the weight of equipment. Townsend also cuts many corners because of "pack weight" and therefore doesnt cover certain things because he feels it is "unnecessary". Some of the things he ignores may be fine if you are going to travel 1600 miles through the Canadian rockies, but you will not want to ignore them if you want to be comfortable on a typical backpacking trip that lasts a couple days to a couple weeks. For example, he never carries an entrenchment tool unless he is going to be in snow often. i personally would not go into a wilderness without one and i dont care how much it weighs. Townsend also does not cover "wilderness recipe's" or many other things that provide "comfort" when living outdoors. He is an equipment reviewer by profession and I would catergorize this book as a very comprehensive equipment review. i think the book is more for the person who wants to "travel though" the wilderness. In my opinion, it does not really offer much advice on staying in one general area. No real survival training is offered, but the author gives several suggested readings which in itself makes the book an essential read. If you are a beginner, as I am, i would suggest this title as a must read, BUT not as an only read. It should be read along with a more specific "living in the wilderness" type book.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best on the subject
Review: I have a nice collection of camping books, and simply put - this is the BEST book I have ever found on backpacking, period. If I had bought this book first, I could have saved my money from buying so many others since none of them had all the information I was looking for. This book is complete and covers every aspect of backpacking for the novice and expert alike. It is called the "backpackers bible" by those that know it just for that reason. If you plan to backpack for one day, to a long trip, this book covers it all from weather, to clothing, gear, stoves, food, shoes, maps, you name it. And it is well written so that you don't really have to scan it like a catolog. You will find the writing style so comfortable, you will read it like a novel from front to end. I was suprised that I had since I do not read reference books in this manner. Very enjoyable and well worth the money.
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