Backpacker Editors' Choice 2008

READERS COMMENTS

How can you recommend HyperFlow water filter? It is hard to believe that you used this filter for six months with no problems. You must have gotten one (that MSR supplied that was a special model just for you) that is one of a kind there are plenty of blogs on the internet telling of all the problems they had with the filter. And I can say form experience with the filter it is not worth two cents it clogged on me after filtering about 4 liters of water. Ihave to rate it a no buy
Posted: Sep 19, 2008 don norton

For those wanting to visit a national park and not rent a car, it is possible to shuttle from Denver to Estes Park and then to take a local (free) shuttle into the park from most of the downtown area up to great trailheads. For more information, contact Rocky Mountain NP information office at 970/586-1206. The shuttle is a relatively new service and the town of Estes is trying to get the word out that it is a town with options for those traveling without a personal vehicle. Services are primarily offered in the summer.
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 Judy Visty

BP should do an article on how to access hikes from airports (shuttles, buses, etc) so you can fly into an area and go backpacking without the cost of the car. There are usually shuttles to ski areas, aren't there? I flew to Seattle to hike Glacier, and am going to fly to Portland and hike Mt. Hood.
Posted: Aug 02, 2008 Gleyshull

To the 3 guys above, WAKE UP! Welcome to America where everything is about cars, money and nothing else. So if you want to go somewhere without having to rent a car AVOID that country and if you don't like poeple that those everything for there own benefit, just Google outta here.
Posted: Jul 30, 2008 Wake up guys

Just wondering. I would love to see an article about best places to visit without having to rent a car. I am planing a trip and hate the idea of renting a car just to have it sit. The Tetons are great but what is out there? I need idea to get from the airport to the trail head. I wanted to go to Kings Canyon but am having no luck finding a way outside of renting a car, to get from the airport to the park.
thanks
Posted: Jul 24, 2008 Logan McCay

Do NOT follow the spam link! It sells something unrelated to this sleeping bag review. (I'm intentionally not describing what in order to avoid helping their Google rank)
Posted: Jul 23, 2008 abc

I'm not the original poster Mr Obvious - But wake up this whole site is about promoting the products that fill their ad spaces, You should see all the ads of the products that "won". There is no objective reviews on this site. AS for the gear of the year award winners - Lets just say backpacker magazine has a case of you scratch my back I'll scratch yours, mr. manufacturer. That my friend is what you should be crying about. Wake Up!
Posted: Jul 21, 2008 get real

thats a lame way to hide self promotion, NETWORK ADMIN please delete the above posts about MyLiveTracks.com
Posted: Jul 07, 2008 Mr Obvious

I am outdoors often and I read the review and discussion here before purchasing. There is a long list of FAQs that addresses many details at the web site below.

This has been a great addition just in case something goes wrong. Originally I bought it for personal safety and to trace my own tracks, but it has also provided an unintended benefit for family and friends who can track my progress.

I ordered one from http://www.MyLiveTracks.com/ - got a prompt response to my inquiries, a 50% off coupon for the tracking service. The price of $135 included shipping as well. Highly recommend the unit as well as the vendor!
Posted: Jul 01, 2008 Mike

Amen to James K!
Posted: Jun 30, 2008 Dan R. Long Beach, CA

Bigfoot is certainly right about the 99.9% marketing, which seems to have pushed out all genuine concerns about design and quality (Example, the demise of our auto industry). For most items, consumers can go to Consumer Reports, but for BP gear, not so. What are we to think when the reviews of the SPOT are totally contradictory in this site and the one that serves ultra light BPers? They both can't be right. This is why I've come to design and make most of my own equipment, which frankly, is a drag. You cannot imagine how long it takes to do a full tent on the sewing machine. There are so many better ways to spend time, and I would, if the BP gear were well designed and constructed for lightweight packers. But no, they seem to feel they can skimp on that end, just push the marketing, and all will be well. At least there are some small industries which make good stuff, but you have to hunt for them. The internet has helped with this a lot, however.
Posted: Jun 26, 2008 Sam Farrington, Chocorua NH

I have the Baltoro 70, and recently took a week trip through the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. After bushwhacking through Cat-claw Acacia (which shreds most gear) and hauling about 45-50 pound loads through trail-less brush-choked canyons, I'm a believer. This is the best pack I have ever had. Aside from some minor tugs at the concealable mesh water-bottle carrier, this pack doesn't show a scratch. I had the previous baltoro, and this one fits better.
Posted: Jun 26, 2008 David Perkins

I'd LOVE to see BACKPACKER start covering lightweight stuff. Marketing, and marketing alone, is responsible for 99.9% of the gear recommended by BACKPACKER. Personally, when I go backpacking, I'm not going into a war zone. I'm not going to throw my pack off a cliff. My tent isn't going to be in 80mph winds in the artic. Sure, some people do, but they are the exception to the norm. Basically, I don't need bullet-proof stuff...and therefore, I don't need to carry a 6 pound tent with a 8 pound backpack, and a 5 pound sleeping bag, etc. Backpacking is about getting out an exploring - which becomes a LOT less fun when you're carrying an unnecessary and excessive amount of weight. Let's get back to the grassroots efforts which started backpacking, take off the over commercialized and over marketed blinders, and test/recommend gear which ultimately makes the "entire" trip more pleasurable for the "average" person. Several years ago I commonly carried 40-60 pounds of stuff I thought I had to have. Now I can get it under 10 with the same stuff, just lighter. My stuff can't withstand a day on the surface of the sun, but it doesn't need to either. Think about it, if you're carrying stuff that serves the same purpose, isn't the only thing that remains a true pain about backpacking the WEIGHT of whatever you're carrying?
Posted: Jun 26, 2008 James K. - Troy, VA

I second Big Foot's comment. How about boots for women with long, skinny feet? If I get them long enough, I slosh sideways (wearing 2 pairs of socks).
Posted: Jun 25, 2008 Footsie

Good to see the many editors choices but it's time to start considering those of us who don't quite fit the mold of the normal size American male or female body. I happen to wear size 14 (U.S.) or 49 (European) boots. Perhaps I am just sensitive but it seems your editors' choices in substantial backpacking boots don't seem to cover a broad size range. Same might be said for the "Perfect System: Southwest" fiveten camp fours in your March 2008 Gear Guide issue.

Otherwise, I enjoy your magazine and website.
Posted: Jun 23, 2008 Big Foot

good work
Posted: Jun 22, 2008 emads

Hey, what about the best backpacking wheelchair? Backpacking alone in a chair can have some funny moments...

http://www.bluechairbook.com

Cheers, N. America's Disabled Adventurer.
Posted: Jun 19, 2008 Walt B.

Hi , Can you give what the total weight of a Backpack would be or somewhere close, My e-mail rentab1@aol.com Thank you kindly Angel
Posted: Jun 19, 2008 Angel

One major problem I have with most tents are the poles, specifically the bungie cords and inserts. There are folding tents available, but they all have their own problems, usually that their hinges are bulky, heavy, cheap plastic or metal that pinch your hands or the tent fabric. That is why I invented a small, lightweight-but-strong hinge specifically for tent poles. This is a new concept and a new company, and I am trying to drive links and traffic to my website, www.Simplinge.com. Check it out, and email me with any comments you might have! I hope to start marketing these by Aug/Sept 2008. Hopefully, you will see them at your local outdoor equipment stores by next spring!

Thanks,

Dan

Posted: Jun 18, 2008 Dan Bryce

[i]It's either wander around in the wilderness until you either figure out where you are, or call for help which may cost big money.[/i]

Or you get a GPS. The SPOT is there to do a specific job and it does it well. Yes it would be great to have one single device that does everything but the SPOT does what it says on the can.

Posted: Jun 18, 2008 Andy M

ADD A COMMENT