So much for selling tarps...

[fairweather8588]

Because now this month Backpacker shows/tells you how to sew your own! Ultralight smultralight!

[big_load]

I think you can still count in the inertia of the masses. It's a law of physics.

[te_wa]

yes, but nobody who would use a tarp reads backpacker and nobody who reads backpacker would use a tarp.

[Hoffmaster]

yes, but nobody who would use a tarp reads backpacker and nobody who reads backpacker would use a tarp.

Well, I'm just an oddball then, cause I do both. Liz has a subscription and for some reason 2 issues show up every month. I throw one in my car and read it if I'm bored at work.

[JoelHazelton]

What's wrong with Backpacker? The days that Backpacker and Arizona Highways arrive in the mail are like Christmas for me.

[big_load]

Backpacker is OK to flip through now and then, but it can't hold a candle to Arizona Highways (even after the recent cost-cutting).

[fairweather8588]

A quick look on their website revealed they are covering hammock camping which I thought was quite interesting, esp. since they were talking about JRB gear

[big_load]

It seems that Backpacker, while still wanting to reach a broad audience, really does want to increase its appeal to serious backpackers. I can hardly believe I said that.

[Hoffmaster]

It seems that Backpacker, while still wanting to reach a broad audience, really does want to increase its appeal to serious backpackers.

I think this is true. I get emails once a month from the photo editors with requests for photos for upcoming issues. You'd be surprised at some the "ultralight" stuff that they are looking for. I'm actually looking forward to some of the upcoming issues just based on the photo requests.

[te_wa]

my point is: backpacker is not the bible. they are searching for ultralight trends to showcase in their rag. problem is, they dont set those trends and they are about 10 years too late. You want to see some revealing attitudes about their disrespectful butchering of the hammock camping world? visit hammock forums and look at the threads about "backpacker covering hammocking" or some such. And NO, they dont have a clue what ultralighting is. They sell ads- if someone pays for a large ad, backpacker gives a "positive" review of whatever they make. Its sickening. I'll get my info from great forums and real people (who's comments dont rely on funding and marketing)
viva la HAZ!

[Hoffmaster]

Alrighty then. I'm done with this crap. You guys get so mad at anything or anyone that doesn't conform to your ideals. What is wrong with REI or Backpacker Magazine? It's something for everyone. If you don't like what they say, sell, or advertise then look the other way. It's a free country. If someone wants to get their hiking info from Backpacker, well, cool. At least they're hiking. Sooner or later they'll "graduate" and realize that Backpacker is geared towards beginners. Still, there is some useful info in that rag, no matter how experienced you are.
Backpacker doesn't claim to be an ultralighter's "bible". They offer some info; it's a place to start for people who don't have a clue. You are obviously much more educated on the subject, so why get so mad about it? You don't have to read it for crying out loud.
Oh, and Backpacker is a business, just like anything else. They're trying to make a buck, hence the advertising. I'll be interested to hear how much you cry about that when we elect a socialist president who wants to redistribute our wealth. Suddenly making money will seem very attractive. Viva Capitalism!

[Jeffshadows]

Backpacker is nice for the occasional tip they put in there. I mainly read it for the stories. Reading outdoor stories, however contrived, is better than reading GQ or Maxim any day in my book. Besides, not all *serious* backpackers go ultralight. Just one other view...

[azbackpackr]

I'm a subscriber, but I don't read very much of it. I look for the stories, as someone mentioned up the thread. For example, last year's article about the murder at Havasupai.

One thing about Backpacker is a bit amusing to me. I have been writing some outdoor articles for a local magazine. I thought maybe I could get published in Backpacker, so I printed out the writer's and photographer's guidelines. Funny thing is, they don't want any photos that show people wearing clothing or carrying gear that is more than five years old. I guess I can't be in any of the photos if I get an article published in that magazine, since I often wear ragged old t-shirts, cami pants from Goodwill and carry a 35-year-old external frame pack! It sure would look bad in that magazine if everyone in the photos didn't look like a total rich fashion-victim yuppie!

That magazine is published by Rodale Press, which also publishes Organic Gardening and some other used-to-be-interesting rags. I do remember, back in the 70's, when all the magazines Rodale published had a much more "counter-culture" feeling to them. Sure, they were selling ads back then, too, but the whole flavor of those magazines has drastically changed over time. I agree, though, they are businesses, and they did choose to go down the road of selling more ads to make lots more money, and thereby affecting the total outlook of all the magazines that they publish. It's as if nowadays they are actually held hostage by their advertisers. Seems sort of sad, but probably was inevitable in order to stay in business.

[big_load]

That magazine is published by Rodale Press, which also publishes Organic Gardening and some other used-to-be-interesting rags. I do remember, back in the 70's, when all the magazines Rodale published had a much more "counter-culture" feeling to them. Sure, they were selling ads back then, too, but the whole flavor of those magazines has drastically changed over time. I agree, though, they are businesses, and they did choose to go down the road of selling more ads to make lots more money, and thereby affecting the total outlook of all the magazines that they publish. It's as if nowadays they are actually held hostage by their advertisers. Seems sort of sad, but probably was inevitable in order to stay in business.[/quote]

Rodale sold Backpacker last year, so it's new owners who are trying to revitalize it. However, I agree that they have been held hostage by their advertisers, which will probably never change.

[azbackpackr]

Oh, well, shows ta go ya how much attention I pay to Backpacker Magazine!

My husband always opens the new copy and makes denigrating remarks. "Yuppie Fashion Magazine" etc.

All that being said, I'd be absolutely thrilled if I were to submit an article and they actually published it! I am too busy right now to put the work into one, though. Maybe next year, after I am finished with online school courses which are very time-consuming.