Smarter Backpacking: Or How Every Backpacker Can Apply Lightweight Trekking and Ultralight Hiking Techniques [Paperback]

Some authors have a guru approach that's too specific to their personal hiking style, while others fail in offering practical advice because they're too generic and theoretical. Smarter Backpacking achieves a happy-medium: Jorgen Johansson shares his personal preferences and opinions, but he knows that backpacking is not a "one size fits all-activity" so he is sure to qualify his views and to recognize the views of others.

-Andrew Skurka, renowned long-distance adventurer and a National Geographic "Adventurer of the Year" and Backpacker "Person of the Year"

Most lightweight backpacking books are American and the techniques and equipment described do not always work that well in the wild weather of Northern Europe. This book contains useful advice and techniques for going lightweight in places like Scandinavia and Scotland. Any backpacker wanting to lighten their load could learn much from this book.

-Chris Townsend, outdoor writer and long distance hiker, gear editor of TGO Magazine and author of The Backpacker's Handbook

Jorgen Johansson distils the complexity of wilderness travel into its simplest core concepts, allowing us to enjoy the freedom of backpacking rather than be encumbered by it. His approach is not only a simpler one, but a vastly smarter one.

-Ryan Jordan, Founder, BackpackingLight.com

Smarter Backpacking aims to make better hikers through use of ultralight hiking techniques, rather than create more ultralight hikers. The spot-on advice is presented in an easy-reading conversational style, rather than a lecture, like you were sitting around a campfire with Jorgen Johansson.

-Glen Van Peski, Founder and Chairman, Gossamer Gear>p>
If you finish a walk with tired limbs, sore back or blistered feet, then this book is for you. Each stage of the journey is covered beautifully, and as you finish each chapter, question your choices and resulting experience.
I started hiking the Appalachian Trail in a pretty traditional way and came home being a different hiker. My pack would never be that heavy again. I learned a lot about ultralite hiking from 68 year-old hikers Billy Goat and Nimblewill Nomad. Ultralite hiking is not something cool for hardcore hiking kids. It´s just making life easier for everybody. For people interested in changing from a heavier to a lighter pack this book is definitely a good starting point.

-Carsten Jost, German long distance hiker, aspiring for The Triple Crown (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail done... Continental Divide Trail brewing)

Smarter Backpacking is an accessible source of theory and technique for lightening your pack. Jorgen Johansson is an experienced lightweight backpacker whose calm and practical presence comes through in his writing. I heartily recommend Smarter Backpacking for experienced lightweight backpackers and newbies alike.

-Carol Crooker, former editor-in-chief of Backpacking Light magazine.

By a few rules of thumbs, Jorgen Johansson puts the finger on the few parts of the
equipment that matters, the simplicity of hiking, and the freedom of making the
experience of the wild outdoors as lightweight as possible.

-Glenn Mattsing, editor-in-chief, Outside Magazine Sweden

I've had the pleasure of hiking with Jorgen Johansson, and the book nicely reflects his own personality - innovative and thought provoking, without taking itself too seriously. Read it. You'll be a smarter backpacker when you're done.

-Don Wilson, former gear editor Backpackinglight.com
This guide simply delivers what it promises, a straightforward guide to lighter and safer backpacking. You could spend hours and hours searching out this advice and guidance on the net. Or you could save a lot of time by acquiring this book. No-nonsense advice and guidance. No messing!

-Andy Howell, experienced UK hill walker who has made the move into lightweight backpacking, described in his blog "Must Be This Way"

Jorgen Johansson approaches each piece of gear from the perspective of a heavyweight packer gone lightweight. "Smarter Backpacking" is basically like having your own personal expert giving you gear advice in a straightforward, honest way. I learned a ton from this book. The more miles I get under my belt, the more I find myself agreeing with him.

-Brian Doble, ultra light and sometimes super ultra light long distance hiker (Triple Crowner, AT yo-yoer and lots more)