Rating: 
Summary: A new religion
Review: Although not extensive, there's a fair amount of good information in here for people who want to lighten their load. But the annoying thing about the book is the pretentious religiosity. Evidently carrying a lighter pack into the woods automatically means you have to become a yoga master and hike 21 miles per day. Only if you do that will you become "at one" with nature. I don't know if it gets more pathetic than that. Lighten your load so you can hike 21 miles per day so you can get in touch with nature? Somehow it all makes sense in Kestenbaum's mind. Don't take any field guides, camera, binoculars, or a hand lens or spend time loafing on the trail or enjoying a luxurious meal or god forbid, reading a book. No sireee. The "answer" lies in controlling your breathing and logging miles and miles and mind-numbing bragging-rights miles. If this is truly the ultralight state of mind, it's a sad one and I personally find it arrogant for a mile-logging automaton to tell me what my relationship with wilderness is or should be. Get off the treadmill and stop and smell the roses Ryel. At the very least, take a hand lens and take a close look at the nature you've been trail-running by. There are a lot of different ways to go ultralight in the backcountry and find your relationship with wilderness. It's sheer arrogance to assume otherwise.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice introduction to light-weight backpacking
Review: Having lugged around heavy packs in the past, I found this book and the whole ultralight concept to be a great discovery. The book is a nice introduction to lightening up pack load - it is easy to read and well organized into subjects. It may not have the kinds of detail that the previous reviewers were looking for, but I found it to be a great resource when coupled with research on the web. He's not too fanatical and he gives specific (brand, model) recommendations for products, some of which I've actually used. If you are new to backpacking or new to the light-weight/ultralight-weight concept, I would recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Waste of money
Review: I am a lightweight backpacker but I found this book useless.
It appeared to be based on little experience and even less research.
I could learn more from reading a catalog.
Rating:
Summary: Waste of money
Review: I am a lightweight backpacker but I found this book useless.
It appeared to be based on little experience and even less research.
I could learn more from reading a catalog.
Rating: 
Summary: Good on the basics, not so 'Complete'
Review: I find the ultralight backpacking movement refreshing. Having logged quite a few miles over the past 25 years hiking under 50-70 lb packs (only do >10 day trips), I can see the advantage! This book is a good intro, with a chapter devoted ot each of the major gear items (packs, tents, sleeping bags, etc). But, it's pretty short on completeness. I was disappointed not to find info of use to me beyond the very basics, except of a quick little chapter on long-distance hiking, but nothing on cross-country hiking needs or recommendations. Kind of an expensive book for just an intro. Skip this book and search the web for all the info (and more) than this book has.
Rating: 
Summary: Good overview of the ultralight philosophy
Review: I liked this book more than Ray Jardine's because it was less obsessive-compulsive in tone and more often applied some common sense to ounce-shaving. Of course, there is still some of the fanaticism you would expect (and want) from a book on ultralight backpacking -- I'm sure some people really do drill holes in their toothbrush handle even after cutting it half. But, overall, I think Kestenbaum kept this under control. Although the book is short on detail, it does a good job of covering the principles and general approach to going light and I found his discussion on trail shoes vs. hiking boots especially helpful. An excellent place to start if you're thinking about trying the ultralight approach.
Rating:
Summary: Good overview of the ultralight philosophy
Review: I liked this book more than Ray Jardine's because it was less obsessive-compulsive in tone and more often applied some common sense to ounce-shaving. Of course, there is still some of the fanaticism you would expect (and want) from a book on ultralight backpacking -- I'm sure some people really do drill holes in their toothbrush handle even after cutting it half. But, overall, I think Kestenbaum kept this under control. Although the book is short on detail, it does a good job of covering the principles and general approach to going light and I found his discussion on trail shoes vs. hiking boots especially helpful. An excellent place to start if you're thinking about trying the ultralight approach.
Rating:
Summary: Thank God for Ultralight Backpacking
Review: I never realized just how fulfilling and amazing nature can be until a friend of mine encouraged me to enroll in a backpacking class... the instructor was Ryel Kestenbaum, the author of this book. His methods and style were so right on, and it was clear to all of us how deeply passionate Ryel is toward going ultralight. It was one of the most enlightening weekends of my life, and it began a love affair with the wilderness that seems to get stronger all the time.That was three years ago. Today, I've refined my own ultralight techniques to fit my personal needs, and they're not far different than what Ryel spells out in his book. Trust me, ultralight is the only way to go. You will love yourself for it, as well as every step you take into the backcountry. Why struggle, why be intimidated, why find any reason at all to not appreciate all that nature has to offer? Start with this book, use it as a springboard, and find out why ultralight backpacking is gaining so many followers. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Introduction for Novice Backpackers
Review: I think that some of the reviews here are from folks who were expecting an encyclopedia to ultralight backpacking, and were therefore disappointed. This book serves as an excellent introduction, covering all the topics relating to ultralight backpacking, but not going too deeply into any one topic. There's info on everything from cutting your toothbrush in half to getting rid of excess food packaging to getting fit for the trail to buying the right pair of shoes. If you're just getting into backpacking, and would like to see if ultralight backpacking is right for you, I can't imagine a better resource than The Ultralight Backpacker. I've been doing the ultralight thing for over ten years now, and I'm glad that now there's a way for others to see the benefits of going light. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to people eager to get into the backcountry but without the know-how.
Rating:
Summary: Better said elsewhere
Review: I thought this was mostly a rehash of what has been said better elsewhere. It is not as complete as Ray Jardine's Beyond Backpacking. Not as well researched as Colin Fletchers Complete Walker. I thought Kestenbaum didn't have much to add and his opinions were just that, his opinions. Chris Townsend's book, The Advanced Backpacker, (oddly by the same publisher)is much better and seems to come from someone who benefited much more from his experiences. There were some nice pictures and descriptions of gear, but then I can find that in my REI catalog!
I also liked the picture on the cover. Save your money and purchase Jardine's book for ultralight, or Chris Townsend's book on long-distance hiking. If you are interested in Mountaineering get Mountaineering:Freedom of the Hills. I don't recommend this book.
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