What Ever Happended To Backpacker Magazine???

Today while at Borders in Parkersburg West Virginia, I read the new Gear Guide Issue of that well known magazine. What a disappointment to say the least!

Unlike the issues from years gone by, I noticed (to my great horror) they only featured certain brands. BIG name brands at that. Not much info or none at all about those lesser-known brands like Downright Ltd, ALPS Mountaineering, Outbound, Antarctica, Kathmandu, SunnyRec, The Backside, High Peak and a vast host of others. I was downright disappointed!

Why the BIG change in Backpacker's Gear Guide issues?

I miss the old Backpacker Magazine! I remember fondly the articles/reviews on Diamond Brand gear, SunnyRec Hexagrip mats, Outbound tents and the like. Some things really change for the worse, in my opinion. This is a perfect example of this.

de gustibus and all that

res ipsa loquitur I think that's correct. Pushing the envelope here.

trouthunter said:

res ipsa loquitur I think that's correct. Pushing the envelope here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Res_ipsa_loquitur

I believe you are most correct Mr.Trouthunter.

Backpacker Magazine is NOT what it used to be in terms of selection and variety of brands featured. Now it appears they only favour those BIG name, popular brand names. How boring (Yawn!). Their Gear Guide Issues of late is a reflection of this limited thinking on their part.

I just got 2 issues. To high in the air for me. Just didnt apply to the way I backpack. I was hoping for something more down to earth.

I have a few old ones when Guy and Laura Waterman were the Editors, I believe... or the featured writers. The times have changed - its all about the merchandising of expensive items.

res ipsa loquitur

This phrase means "the thing speaks for itself." It is a principle applied to negligence to assert a rebuttable presumption of fault. i.e. the fact that an injury occurred and would not do so under ordinary circumstances presumes that negligence caused the injury.

Not sure what you meant here.

sabino said:

... The times have changed - its all about the merchandising of expensive items.

I'm glad I am not the only one to see this most disturbing trend in this magazine. Those expensive items you are referring to are no doubt all the BIG name brand gear I was referring too.

Funny no more listings on SunnyRec Corp (the makers of those wonderful Hexagrip Mats). It's like they don't even exist by this most trendy of magazines. All I see is listings for popular brand names and adds from Sierra Designs, MSR and Mountain Hardware, which I affectionally refer as The BIG Three.

How boring to read Backpacker Magazine nowadays. Plus a real waste of money.

But I bet I can guess who loves this magazine...LOL!

mikemorrow said:

I just got 2 issues. To high in the air for me. Just didnt apply to the way I backpack. I was hoping for something more down to earth.

I know exactly what you mean. Read Backpacker and you think you need Sierra Designs, MSR or Mountain Hardware brand gear to be a real backpacker.

I totally reject this most erroronous of ideas.

Back in the day, I spent some precious dollars buying Sierra Designs and North Face and have used the items over 35 years in various outdoor pursuits. The expensive equipment is there if you choose to spend. The problem with Backpacker and others is they don't give alternatives for them. For example, a nice merino wool sweater - buttonup front or zippedfront-can be purchased during clearance events at major retailers for next to nothing, or at a Goodwill type store. It is not necessary to spend much money to have quality equipment/clothing that is adaptable to our sport. But, what company will pay to advertise if the mag became the "Frugal Backpacker".

sabino said:

Back in the day, I spent some precious dollars buying Sierra Designs and North Face and have used the items over 35 years in various outdoor pursuits. The expensive equipment is there if you choose to spend. The problem with Backpacker and others is they don't give alternatives for them. For example, a nice merino wool sweater - buttonup front or zippedfront-can be purchased during clearance events at major retailers for next to nothing, or at a Goodwill type store. It is not necessary to spend much money to have quality equipment/clothing that is adaptable to our sport.

I suppose I prefer the alternatives to the BIG name brand gear, because I know there are many suitable alternatives. I mean many if one is open-minded enough to use them. I know for a fact I'm willing to use these lesser-known, smaller name brand alternatives such as The Backside, ALPS Mountaineering, High peak, Chinook and a vast host of others. I discovered to my great joy they are just as good (if not better) than those popular brand names, judging from my years of actual experience.

I pursue these alternatives everytime I need some gear. I stay clear away from The BIG Three if you get my point.

I started out with gear from Diamond Brand. Good stuff from what I can remember. Not BIG name either. :)

Tom D,

My use of the phrase was meant loosely, and may have been an incorrect way to use it.

I was saying that it is obvious that backpacker magazine plays to its big advertisers, it's a magazine after all. Whether or not there is any real bias ( not money driven ) by the magazine I don't know of course. I don't loose sleep over it, just seems obvious.

Backpacker succumbed to the same malady afflicting most every example of print media, be it magazines, newspapers, etc. All are dependent on advertising dollars much moreso than subscription fees, at least in the vast majority of cases. I don't know what the circulation of the mag is, but I'd lay money on it being a smaller number than it was five years ago, with a steady downward trend. About all most mags can do is hope to forestall the inevitable death a little longer than their competition, it seems. Things like what we're doing here are putting a world of hurt on their bottom line.

So, while I take no comfort in the overt commercialization of Backpacker or what have you, I'm afraid we rail against the tide when we yell and shake our fists. Would it were not so, but that and --what, a buck-fifty now?--might get you a cup of coffee. Or even a latte at McDonald's!

I read Backpacker Magazine way back in the 1980's and '90's. Then it was a very good magazine. They had great articles that inspired the soul and the gear reviews were from all different sorts of brands, not just those BIG name brands.

Nowadays all I mainly see is Sierra Designs this and Mountain Hardware that or MSR...you get the point. Complete garbage in my opinion.

A question for everyone, what would you want to read in a good quality backpacking publication (whether on or off line)?

I'm not looking for comments on specific brands (pro or con), but the type of content/articles/stories you'd like to reference or read about.

Obviously I have a vested interest in hearing your answers.

Ok you asked.

Best tents for tropical weather (hurricanes and tropical storms), Winter camping articles, tent comparisons, tree articles, etc.

Things of this nature.

I seek to be inspired in my outdoor pursuits.

The best backpacking magazine:

-as always, some kind of gear review or even a brand review or company profiles

-a do-it-yourself section

-articles about new technologies for backpacking

-articles about training, injury, prevention and rehabilitation

-tips on how to modify your gear

-articles about useful skills (sharpening your knife, using an owl, first aid, map reading, rope making, group leadership...seing how tons of backpackers are gear-laden but lack the basic knowledge)

-articles about wildlife and plants

-the history of backpacking (gear, pioneers, etc..)

-leave no trace tips (where to cut trees and how, how to make a LNT campfire)

-articles about expedition planning in different countries

-trip reports on HOW to make the trip. I don't care about the pictures, there's the internet and i might GO there. The articles i saw looked more like a publicity.

-backpacking menus and cooking tips

-hiker profiles

-news about the national parks/new laws/old laws/other countries

and the most important part: every week a different article about how to make your significant other love the outdoors!

What about a trail "spotlight"? That would be real nice.

Backpacker Magazine is NOT what it used to be in terms of selection and variety of brands featured. Now it appears they only favour those BIG name, popular brand names. How boring (Yawn!). Their Gear Guide Issues of late is a reflection of this limited thinking on their part.

I don't necessarily like all the changes in the magazine but a quick check of the pack and sleeping bag reviews revealed that they reviewed 31 packs and 29 sleeping bags. There were 21 different pack makers represented and 17 sleeping bag makers. To me this seems to be a pretty broad cross section of gear makers and a good starting point to do my own research if I was looking for some new gear.

dm1333 said:

I don't necessarily like all the changes in the magazine but a quick check of the pack and sleeping bag reviews revealed that they reviewed 31 packs and 29 sleeping bags. There were 21 different pack makers represented and 17 sleeping bag makers. To me this seems to be a pretty broad cross section of gear makers and a good starting point to do my own research if I was looking for some new gear.

Not nearly as many as there used to be.

I see no listings for such brands as SunnyRec, Campmor, ALPS Mountaineering (wow one tent listed!!!), Downright Ltd, Cabela's, Stearns, The Backside, Outbound, Backcountry Designs and a vast host of others.

What a sad :( disappointent.

Have you voiced your complaint to the editors at Backpacker?

I did. They couldn't care less.

So I absolutely refuse to purchase their most trendy magazine.

Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardware and MSR couldn't be more happier, in my opinion.

I've been down that road before. There is one particular motorcycle magazine that I used to love, it changed hands and now has gone in a direction that I really don't care for. They no longer get my business, not because I am mad, because the magazine no longer interests me.

I feel Backpacker turned into a magazine that promotes the lastest trendy gear.

I miss the old Backpacker Magazine of many years ago. Then I had the deepest respect for it.

Never forgot those inspiring articles. My two favourites were The Iceman Cometh (about Winter camping) and the one about the man who "rode out" Hurricane Hugo in his tent. That was really good.

Will never find Backpacker like this ever again.

This is a great thread. I've only stumbled into good quality "alternative" brands like High Peak-never actually had them suggested to me. I only found out about backside tents within the last month! How about a thread listing respectable and not Big Huge Mega Brand equipment manufacturers?

Oh look, here's one:

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/gear-selection/topics/54168.html#54168

I for one an a BIG believer in smaller-name alternative brands.

That's all I try to use, the less popular brands.

I think you will discover The Backside makes some great gear too. May I suggest their X-fibre bags?

Backpacker is more than a magazine with a bunch of gear reviews. Reviews by their nature are flawed as human bias has too much influence. The best reviews are those where the reviewers can articulate thier biases while describing pros and cons. I have the first 11 years of Backpacker magazine and while the gear reviews were perhaps less marketing driven, the content was equally flawed. Another problem with reviews is what gets reviewed and what gets left out as there is only so much space. Like most print media, the print magazine will die eventually.

Rather than simple reviews, I'd rather read pieces on the people behind the gear, for example Henry Shires, similar to the articles on this site. I also enjoy articles on people's trips, especially if the trip is somehow out of the oridinary, not necessarily exotic or extreme, but rather somewhere I'd never have considered going myself. I've found several blogs that do a good job of the above.

alan said:

... I have the first 11 years of Backpacker magazine and while the gear reviews were perhaps less marketing driven, the content was equally flawed....

I don't truly believe I can agree with your one point here. The old Backapcker Magazine was far better than the so-called magazine that does by the same name.

At least not everything was about Sierra Designs or Mountain Hardware, was it?Nay.

Nay, but Sierra Designs and Mountain Hardwear (correct spelling) often have "the lightest" something or "the strongest" something at a given time--just as Alps Mountaineering might--and so, magazines cover these things which people might like to know about. I certainly don't want to know about something that could have saved me 3 pounds on my back 2 years down the line, do I?

And as far as them being big name brands, I think you'd find Marmot or Patagonia to be no "bigger" than, say, Arizona clothing from Kohls or the Croft and Barrow fare from JC Penney.

ministercreek said:

alan said:

... I have the first 11 years of Backpacker magazine and while the gear reviews were perhaps less marketing driven, the content was equally flawed....

I don't truly believe I can agree with your one point here. The old Backapcker Magazine was far better than the so-called magazine that does by the same name.

At least not everything was about Sierra Designs or Mountain Hardware, was it?Nay.

During the first 11 years of Backpacker magazine, Mountain Hardwear didn't exist. However, Sierra Designs products were reveiwed extensively as were the products from the North Face, Trailwise, Class 5, Lowe Alpine, Kelty, Snow Lion, Hine Snowbridge, Camp 7, Jansport, Synergy Works, Marmot, Alpine Designs, REI, EMS.......... All these brands would fall into your 'big name' category of today.

Backpacker until recently was owned by the same people who put out Men's Health. When they bought the mag, they brought the same format that is used in Men's Health to backpacker - advertising disguished as articles and reviews. It is the reason I no longer read men's health. I still get backpacker because it is the only thing available to us.

As far as what I would like to see in a magazine, Franc hit it on the head. Ministercreek is correct also with the trail spotlights. But I would like to see more information on the deep south. We have some good backpacking in AR, MS, AL etc that gets down right neglected by all. I am currently working on a web site to help put some information out about the trails in the South. I am focusing on MS at the present as it is close with beautiful places to backpack. The only information that has any use at all for MS is a guide book that is 18 years old. Looking at Backpacker, you would think you could only backpack in the western states.

Explorer Robby said:

... But I would like to see more information on the deep south. We have some good backpacking in AR, MS, AL etc that gets down right neglected by all. I am currently working on a web site to help put some information out about the trails in the South. I am focusing on MS at the present as it is close with beautiful places to backpack. The only information that has any use at all for MS is a guide book that is 18 years old....Looking at Backpacker, you would think you could only backpack in the western states.

I coudn't agree with you more. Backpacker Magazine, in my opinion, has become a BIG joke.

I noticed too they feature NO trails in Ohio. I know personally Ohio is a great hiking State and I hiked/backpacked many most excellent trails in the Buckeye State. Archers Fork is short but most excellent. Makes an great overnighter. Quite hilly with plenty of steep ups and downs on those ridges of Ohio's Appalachian Plateau.

After reading Backpacker Magazine I never desire to hike in those places only featured in that most trendiest of Magazines.

I have seen some decent hikes in the mag, but like I say it concentrates on the west. I would like to know about other places (like Ohio), but I dont know everything about my own area (who really does?).

Also, I would like to see articles that deal with ultralight, light weight, and "regular" backpacking. I am never going to use a tarp, but I can learn useful things from ultralighters.

I do see Ministercreek's point on "big name" gear. I use some of the lastest and greatest expensive stuff, but I also am cheap when I can be. My Eureka Apex 2XT is now under 5 pounds (because I replaced the fiberglass poles with aluminum) and has one of the largest floor spaces of a 2 man tent on the market. And the vestibules are huge. But you wont see it in Backpacker.

When you do see lower end gear in a backpacker gear issue, it is allows listed as way over priced (like the Wenger pack in the latest issue for over $400, I paid $50 for the same pack a year and 1/2 ago). He is meerly saying not everything has to cost a fortune, you can get some decent gear at good prices. Backpacker however never explores bargin priced gear. I completely see what he means.

Explorer Robby said:

I do see Ministercreek's point on "big name" gear. I use some of the lastest and greatest expensive stuff, but I also am cheap when I can be. My Eureka Apex 2XT is now under 5 pounds (because I replaced the fiberglass poles with aluminum) and has one of the largest floor spaces of a 2 man tent on the market. And the vestibules are huge. But you wont see it in Backpacker.

When you do see lower end gear in a backpacker gear issue, it is allows listed as way over priced (like the Wenger pack in the latest issue for over $400, I paid $50 for the same pack a year and 1/2 ago). He is meerly saying not everything has to cost a fortune, you can get some decent gear at good prices. Backpacker however never explores bargin priced gear. I completely see what he means.

Glad to see someone else see this most disturbing trend when it comes to Backpacker Magazine.

For a while I was starting to think it was just me noticing all this.

I tell people this: Backpacking does not need to be an expensive activity (I hesitate to call it a "sport" mind you). Nowadays there are so many good alternatives to gear on the market. I spend a good deal of my time outdoors testing different brands of gear, whether if be tents, sleepings bags, self-inflating mats, etc. I am pretty open to different brands of gear, even some BIG name brands (within reason of course). I'm just not sold on the idea (promoted by that most trendiest of magazines) that BIG name brand gear is the only way to go, is all. In addition to all this, I may add I never once looked down or despised any one who used BIG name brand gear. I realise some did assume I did in prior post.

Thanks for noting my point. :)

Alicia,

I work for a major outdoor retailer and one of your advertisers. I have read Backpacker forever. I too am sick of the mag. What I would like to see is a return to longer well written articles instead of the stuff you do now that seems aimed at the ADHD generation. Everything seems truncated how about some in depth articles instead of the USA Today treatment.

cheers,

thetentman

thetentman said:

What I would like to see is a return to longer well written articles instead of the stuff you do now that seems aimed at the ADHD generation. Everything seems truncated how about some in depth articles instead of the USA Today treatment.

Do you mean Trailspace is truncated, Backpacker is truncated, or we both are?

Either way, I agree that I'd like us (Trailspace) to publish longer pieces (and more of them), and of course they should be well-written. I do think that is an important point in this day in age when anyone can put up a blog, but it does not mean everyone has something to say. There's a lot of sound out there, but I think it's important to keep your content focused and of good quality.

I was just sitting here at my computer working on all that annoying backend work that's not the fun stuff I'd rather be doing, and thinking how much nicer it would be to take a lot of time off and go backpacking and then have time to write feature articles about it all.

So, I agree with your suggestion. As a writer it's my ideal too. The tough part is working around the realities of two people publishing a website and not having as many hours in the day (and an unlimited budget) to do everything we want. But, we keep striving, and it's a worthwhile goal.

So, feel free to continue the suggestions. They are heard and appreciated. I find it very useful and interesting to hear what real backpackers and hikers are interested in reading.

Well, I for one like a few down to earth articles, that center around life in camp or on the trail. A lot of publications seem to stick with high drama. Such as: "Will bear spray work on snakes?" or "How to fashion a tourniquet out of the hose from your water filter."

Yes, I know these topics can be useful, and safety is paramount. But then again, so is traveling and camping comfortably in my book.

I also enjoy reading stories about normal trekkers, not just extraordinary ones. (Makes me feel better!)

This is one of the reasons I like what you guys have done with Trailspace.

thetentman said:

Alicia,

I work for a major outdoor retailer and one of your advertisers. I have read Backpacker forever. I too am sick of the mag. What I would like to see is a return to longer well written articles instead of the stuff you do now that seems aimed at the ADHD generation. Everything seems truncated how about some in depth articles instead of the USA Today treatment.

cheers,

thetentman

MrTentman,

I do agree with your most wise assessment of Backpacker Magazine. I see your points most clearly.

Gone are the days when the old Backpacker Magazine had articles worthy to be read. In addition to all this, they were most inspiring and informative.

Never again will Backpacker Magazine ever feature articles about camping in hurricanes or in -60 degree temperatures. Those days are long gone I'm afraid.

Now all one will see are articles about Sierra Designs this or Mountain Hardware that. Most boring and frivilous in my opinion. All catering to that trendy crowd out there is all, who only careth about image and being "cool". No names will be mentioned to comply with the guidelines on this most excellent Site. :)

Alicia said:

Do you mean Trailspace is truncated, Backpacker is truncated, or we both are?

Either way, I agree that I'd like us (Trailspace) to publish longer pieces (and more of them), and of course they should be well-written. I do think that is an important point in this day in age when anyone can put up a blog, but it does not mean everyone has something to say. There's a lot of sound out there, but I think it's important to keep your content focused and of good quality.

I was just sitting here at my computer working on all that annoying backend work that's not the fun stuff I'd rather be doing, and thinking how much nicer it would be to take a lot of time off and go backpacking and then have time to write feature articles about it all.

So, I agree with your suggestion. As a writer it's my ideal too. The tough part is working around the realities of two people publishing a website and not having as many hours in the day (and an unlimited budget) to do everything we want. But, we keep striving, and it's a worthwhile goal.

So, feel free to continue the suggestions. They are heard and appreciated. I find it very useful and interesting to hear what real backpackers and hikers are interested in reading.

Nay I think you are going a very good job with Trailspace.com.

In my humble opinion, this is the best Site online for hiking, camping and backpacking. Keep up the most excellent work! :)

I'm not certain Backpacker magazine ever carried articles about camping in a hurricane, it's nothing more than a death wish.

Alicia,

Sorry I was confused. Backpacker is what I was raving about. I like this site except for when I read reviews that are just wrong or written by someone who does not have a clue on how to use the gear they are reviewing. But generally as a whole I like longer in depth articles. this 'Done in a Day' stuff makes me crazy. And if you are done in a day you don't need to buy a tent from me. I hate that.

cheers,

thetentman

alan said:

I'm not certain Backpacker magazine ever carried articles about camping in a hurricane, it's nothing more than a death wish.

Nay, I must most strongly disagree with thee.

They did carry such articles many years back.

I never forgot the article about the man who took a direct hit by Hurricane Hugo.

This most worthy article will be forever in my memory. It was that good.

Tentman,

What kinds of tents do you sell? What brands and all that?

I have worked for Campmor for the last 17 years almost exclusively with tents. First as the Retail Tent Dept Head and now as a tent Buyer. We carry alll major brands and some not so major ones. I also buy books, maps and DVD's. If you have any questions I will do my best to help. You can email me at rogerwatcampmor.com Just sub an @ symbol for the at.

Sometimes I don't come here for months.

cheers,

thetentman

That's real good.

I am a regular Campmor customer, I'm most happy to say.

I always get such good service! Thanks for your hard work and dedication Mr.Tentman. :)

The Backpacker issue that covered Global Warming from front to back a couple years ago was first time I got really upset with them, but they have gone completely Outside the box with there latest iterations of Gear Guides. Outside Magazine has lost my readership for a while due to their ridonculous gear guides. I think they have used the same format for these issues since the beginning of time, just changing the characters from time to time to compliment their pocketbooks.

To get back on point, Backpacker has used the same format in their standard issues for quite some time now. I grew tired of this long ago, and have bought it less lately. I understand that readers, including me, take comfort in continuity between issues, but there must be some sort of change to keep the reader interested. Maybe I'm in the minority here?

I love magazines, but unfortunately Outside and Backpacker are headed in a bad direction. Anyone have any suggestions? Some mags are hard to find on the shelves, mind you.

Ok, thats about enough of this. Campmor? Ok, if you like cheap, crappy, stuff. ALPS? For a company started in 1994 its decent, thats not a bad idea. But the stuff still isn't of the quality worth raving about in a review. Best thing they make is an 800lb capacity camp chair for the big boys! The fact is, you rant about "smaller" companies. Does being smaller make you better? Not always. Does it give you more trail cred cause you use it? It certainly does not. Reality is you sound like an old curmudgeon that just wants to complain about "how things used to be".

Most the of smaller companies produce suspect goods. Cheaply made, in China and other parts of the far east. In outdoor gear today, and YES I do work in the industry, you get what you pay for....literally. The wholesale on ALPS is lower, so is the retail price, and most of the time so is the quality. Thats not to say that Patagonia, Mtn. Hardwear, and TNF make it ALL better....but most of the time they do.

Sorry, my last post reads as if I was stating Campmor has crappy stuff. They do not, in fact 99% kicks butt. I was totally off base and wanted to self correct. I just got so worked up I got overly excited and spouted off...bound to happen again!!!! I stand by everything else I said, and I am happy to discuss in further detail. Thanks!

Alicia said:

A question for everyone, what would you want to read in a good quality backpacking publication (whether on or off line)?

I'm not looking for comments on specific brands (pro or con), but the type of content/articles/stories you'd like to reference or read about.

Obviously I have a vested interest in hearing your answers.

I would like to see content about:

- Back-country nutrition

- Injury management / First aid

- Tips on how to modify your gear

- Articles regarding nature in general

- The history of backpacking, and mountaineering

- Articles about expedition planning

- Backpacking menus and cooking tips

- Anything that motivates a person to not only think about the outdoors, but also get out in it.

Thanks for the suggestions, CoyotePacker.

Alicia....I never did respond in full regarding what I would like to see in a publication. I'll get back to you tomorrow with some things I would like.

I think coyotepacker hit on some good ones.

I'd like to see:

An article on emergency gear repair/adaptation would be nice. Tips on how to fix/make things using other things you may already have with you. How to reduce your load by learning what gear items can be used for multiple tasks, etc.

Back country basic first aid. - While obviously not a replacement for a real FA course, tips and reminders sometimes stick in the minds of readers.

Wilderness survival/SAR - (Always my favorite topic!) Interviews with, not the victims, but with the helo pilots, SAR managers, and governing agencies that take part in some of the more high profile missions. Maybe some of the questions about ethics, cost, and safety we've been discussing here could be answered.

Ethics - LNT, etc. Not all readers would be experienced, so some of the basics should be revisited from time to time. With a print magazine, you wouldn't have the luxury of saying to someone, "We've covered that before, here's a link to the thread...."

Physical fitness/training for the trip...

This list could go on and on, and on........Let someone else chime in.