The Backpacker's Handbook
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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)
Spotlight Customer Reviews:
Summary:
Informative Book on Backpacking
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Comment:
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.
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Summary:
Average. It could have been excellent.
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Comment:
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.
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Summary:
A good one
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Comment:
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.
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Summary:
Best book of its kind i have seen
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Comment:
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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Summary:
The title says it all...
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Comment:
This is, without doubt, the best book on backpacking I've read. Just the right balance between specific recommendations and general advice, objective information and personal opinion.
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