Flawless Publication for Lovers of the Great Outdoors

Backpacker is an outstanding magazine for those who love to hike and also for those who enjoy paging through a magazine containing lots of enticing photographs of nature scenes. This magazine is, first and foremost, a publication for lovers of the outdoors and the sport of backpacking. But the pictures of mountains, lakes, streams, wildlife, etc., are enticing to anyone. They can quickly convert the non- outdoorsman type into a nature lover.

Besides the great pictures, Backpacker is also excellent for its product testing and for its advice and educational material. Backpacks, mountain bikes, tents, and so forth might seem like simple products, but you would be surprised at how many different varieties and options are available for this type of merchandise. Backpacker describes different items available for sale, complete with web site address and phone# so you can make a purchase, and it often conducts tests to see how the different products stack up. It also offers educational material on the sport of backpacking and general advice on such topics as food, exercise, proper nutrition, first aid, etc.

Backpacker averages between 90 and 120 pages in total length and it's published 9 times per year (three of the issues combine two months into one). It's one of the few special interest magazines I have read that has something to offer most anyone. Even if you don't like hiking, there is still a good chance you will enjoy thumbing through the pages of Backpacker, if nothing else, just to enjoy the great photography.

Overall, this is an outstanding outdoor publication. The articles, the personal stories, the advice, the photos, and the educational material all add up to a perfect magazine for anyone who loves to partake in outdoor activity or who just enjoys looking at the stunning photos. 5+ stars to Backpacker!

Great Magazine!

Backpacker truly is an awesome magazine. My husband has been getting it for a while now and we both love reading it. We're not real sporty people, but we do like to hike and camp, and this magazine offers so much for us. I give it the absolute best rating! I'd suggest anyone who loves the outdoors, and hiking at any level, to check it out.

Not just for backpackers

This magazine covers a lot more than just backpacking. It is a valuable reference for all types of outdoor pursuits. The travel destination suggestions are creative, but seem a bit unreasonable if you are not stocked up with vacation time. The gear reviews are thorough and fair, but could be more extensive in terms of the number of manufacturers and models tested. The fitness advice, while directed mostly to walking a trail carrying a load, can easily be generalized to keep you in shape. Backpacker doesn't contain as many narratives as some of the other outdoor magazines, but this can be taken as either a positive or negative.

Even with these criticisms it is still a great magazine. If you like to do stuff outdoors in any season I highly suggest it. It will open your eyes to other activities you can try, places you can go, and gear you can use.

I've only been a reader for one year, but over the course of that year I've been nothing but impressed by this magazine. I just renewed my subscription for a second year.