Reader Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5

I bought the original version in 1998 and that book forever changed my life for the better. Trail life is pretty much the same book except with more pictures and few new paragraphs of information. There is NEW pictures of how to set up a tarp quickly and efficiently that I lake a lot and the layout of the book is larger with better artwork and (How to:) diagrams. It is hard to beat perfection but I would still recommend this book to anybody who is interested in backpacking the Right Way or Ray Way..

Rating: 5 / 5

Ray has done it again!

This is the best and most comprehensive introduction to lightweight and UL backpacking around.

While "Lighten Up" provides a brief, humorous introduction to how UL works, and "Lightweight Backpacking and Camping" is excellent for certain types, no other book can take a skeptical beginner or traditional backpacker and convert them to an UL enthusiast as well as "Trail Life."

Jardine has clearly taken criticisms of his previous book, "Beyond Backpacking", to heart. Gone are the contentious passages and occasional preachy tone. In "Trail Life" he just nails it. He makes it abundantly clear that he is describing what works for him and Jenny, that it took a lot of experimentation to get there, and that everyone should figure out for themselves what works for them.

Once I started I couldn't put this book down (even after having read "Beyond Backpacking" twice, and there is a lot of overlap).

I found the book delightful, and some of the sections were absolute gems. Whether you are a beginner thinking about your first hike, a traditionalist looking to go lighter, a budding through-hiker, or an experienced UL'er, there is something in "Trail Life" for you.

Edited by ewolin on 07/29/2009 11:06:37 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

Great read. It gives a no frills way to light weight backpacking. There are more technical reads out there, but I like the simple down to earth approach. The "Ray Way". It has been a book that I keep going back too.