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Backpacker Magazine-Nothing but a shill

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    • Backpacker Magazine-Nothing but a shill

      Well, Backpacker is just out with its 2017 Gear Guide. And, in no surprise to anyone who pays attention, it is once again nothing more than a shill for it's advertisers. And, I don't care where the hell they went to test the gear, nuggets like this prove that this magazine is a bunch of poseur glammers getting paid to write glowing "reviews" and award their BestGear award nonsense. Here's some gems:

      Reviewing the NEMO Spike 2= "If you want to carry less than a pound each for a two-person tent, you have to lose the floor." Seriously? I guess ZPacks refused to buy ad space....

      Awarding the Kelty Horizon 2 tent a Best Value. This thing is 3pounds 10ounces and MSRP is $240. Guess Tarptent refused to buy ad space...

      Giving "Solo Palace" to Andrew Skurka's Sierra Designs High Route 1FL. Ummmm....Andrew...this 1P tent weighs in at TWO POUNDS FIVE FREAKING OUNCES WITHOUT TENT POLES. I cannot make this up. 2pounds 5ounces without poles. OMFG. Absurd. And now, Skurka has lost all cred with me. I guess GossamerGear refused to buy ad space. Do they not realize that 2 pages later they give an award to the 2 pound FOUR ounce BA CSUL2Platinum which is a TWO PERSON FREESTANDING TENT WITH POLES??????? OMFG. Andrew Skurka you should be ashamed of destroying your cred with this brick.

      I won't bother to go into their other glaring omissions or glowing review for undeserving products whose only requirement was the purchase of ad space. Don't waste your money unless you want a good laugh. Because this rag is stupidly funny.... :thumbdown:

      The post was edited 1 time, last by ScareBear ().

    • CoachLou wrote:


      So here I sit waiting for a customer who couldn't make it in the snow :thumbsup:
      Well, at least you will get a good laugh...be sure to check out their "Lightest 3 Season" sleeping bag...20F and...so light....1pound 7ounces...I guess Katabatic, ZPacks and Feathered Friends all refused to buy ad space...

      Or, their "Lightest Mummy" at 30F, 1pound 4ounces....lmao...seriously? 20 ounces? Katabatic, same price, same temp, 10 percent lighter....but they refused to buy ad space....
    • if you look and are patient you can find it for $5 a year. if not patient you may have to pay $10. i get at least one or two ideas for future trips each year that i wouldn't otherwise know about and to me it is is money well spent for those suggestions.
      2,000 miler
    • I had actually dropped it, but while waiting on my son at Walmart was looking through I believe the January issue with the map of all the long trails, and decided to renew.
      Do find the pictures and maps interesting. Based on completing the AT this summer, I will be looking for some more summer hikes in the future.
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Astro wrote:

      I had actually dropped it, but while waiting on my son at Walmart was looking through I believe the January issue with the map of all the long trails, and decided to renew.
      Do find the pictures and maps interesting. Based on completing the AT this summer, I will be looking for some more summer hikes in the future.
      So you hate the articles but like the pictures. Kind of the opposite of why we all claimed to read Playboy ;)
    • odd man out wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      I had actually dropped it, but while waiting on my son at Walmart was looking through I believe the January issue with the map of all the long trails, and decided to renew.
      Do find the pictures and maps interesting. Based on completing the AT this summer, I will be looking for some more summer hikes in the future.
      So you hate the articles but like the pictures. Kind of the opposite of why we all claimed to read Playboy ;)
      Why do you think they call it hiker porn.
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Astro wrote:

      I had actually dropped it, but while waiting on my son at Walmart was looking through I believe the January issue with the map of all the long trails, and decided to renew.
      Do find the pictures and maps interesting. Based on completing the AT this summer, I will be looking for some more summer hikes in the future.
      I didn't renew but they kept sending me a copy (they need subscribers to get advertisers), eventually I felt guilty "reading" their magazine for free and sent a check....will not do it again.
      I may grow old but I'll never grow up.
    • Drybones wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      I had actually dropped it, but while waiting on my son at Walmart was looking through I believe the January issue with the map of all the long trails, and decided to renew.
      Do find the pictures and maps interesting. Based on completing the AT this summer, I will be looking for some more summer hikes in the future.
      I didn't renew but they kept sending me a copy (they need subscribers to get advertisers), eventually I felt guilty "reading" their magazine for free and sent a check....will not do it again.
      I get these unsolicited professional publications mailed to me at work. After a while they call and ask if I want to "renew my subscription". I have found that it is impossible to unsubscribe since I never subscribed in the first place. It's quite annoying.
    • OK they are milking it - for rube's. No big deal-serious. who cares? they go there to learn a little they come here to pick the brains of the community, where is the problem? They have to make their money... that's capitalism supporting writers for casual BP within the community. Folks - you are DI-hards... keep the focus. Everyone needs an introduction to the long walk.
      Be wise enough to walk away from the nonsense around you! :thumbup:
    • Wise Old Owl wrote:

      OK they are milking it - for rube's. No big deal-serious. who cares? they go there to learn a little they come here to pick the brains of the community, where is the problem? They have to make their money... that's capitalism supporting writers for casual BP within the community. Folks - you are DI-hards... keep the focus. Everyone needs an introduction to the long walk.
      The problem is, it doesn't come with a disclaimer..."Please note that not all products on the market were reviewed. We did not review competitive products that did not choose to place advertising with us during the last 12 months and/or refused to provide us with free samples for testing."

      It's an ad posing as hard news for backpackers.
    • magazines exist to sell advertising, not bring unbiased information.

      I used to read a british boating mag, night and day difference from the crap in US. Real technical articles, real product reviews, etc. All american mags are pussified. They can be sued for saying anything bad about a product. One mag I used to read tested advertisers products to contain what was on label, at least 90%. They refused advertising from products that tested bad by independent outside lab the mag contracted. Long story short...they were sued and had to accept advertising from anyone, regardless of if their product was fraudulent....
    • muddywaters wrote:

      magazines exist to sell advertising, not bring unbiased information.

      I used to read a british boating mag, night and day difference from the crap in US. Real technical articles, real product reviews, etc. All american mags are pussified. They can be sued for saying anything bad about a product. One mag I used to read tested advertisers products to contain what was on label, at least 90%. They refused advertising from products that tested bad by independent outside lab the mag contracted. Long story short...they were sued and had to accept advertising from anyone, regardless of if their product was fraudulent....
      Now that last sentence is really sad. I wish it wasn't that way. :(
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Astro wrote:

      muddywaters wrote:

      magazines exist to sell advertising, not bring unbiased information.

      I used to read a british boating mag, night and day difference from the crap in US. Real technical articles, real product reviews, etc. All american mags are pussified. They can be sued for saying anything bad about a product. One mag I used to read tested advertisers products to contain what was on label, at least 90%. They refused advertising from products that tested bad by independent outside lab the mag contracted. Long story short...they were sued and had to accept advertising from anyone, regardless of if their product was fraudulent....
      Now that last sentence is really sad. I wish it wasn't that way. :(
      Maybe they could group such ads together with "male enhancement" and the like.
    • PaulMags wrote:

      My former wife gave me a copy of backpacker magazine circa 1989 as it featured the triple crown.

      Anyway, some you may find the thoughts interesting:
      pmags.com/backpacker-magazine-march-1989

      TL;DR - Yeah, backpacker magazine is fluffy and is gear heavy. I'd argue that's what people want at this point overall however.
      Oh my. My first thought was...huh? 1989 ain't old, that was yesterday.
      Lost in the right direction.
    • TrafficJam wrote:

      PaulMags wrote:

      My former wife gave me a copy of backpacker magazine circa 1989 as it featured the triple crown.

      Anyway, some you may find the thoughts interesting:
      pmags.com/backpacker-magazine-march-1989

      TL;DR - Yeah, backpacker magazine is fluffy and is gear heavy. I'd argue that's what people want at this point overall however.
      Oh my. My first thought was...huh? 1989 ain't old, that was yesterday.
      Back in 1989 Berlin still had a wall :D
      Dogs are excellent judges of character, this fact goes a long way toward explaining why some people don't like being around them.
    • SarcasmTheElf wrote:

      TrafficJam wrote:

      PaulMags wrote:

      My former wife gave me a copy of backpacker magazine circa 1989 as it featured the triple crown.

      Anyway, some you may find the thoughts interesting:
      pmags.com/backpacker-magazine-march-1989

      TL;DR - Yeah, backpacker magazine is fluffy and is gear heavy. I'd argue that's what people want at this point overall however.
      Oh my. My first thought was...huh? 1989 ain't old, that was yesterday.
      Back in 1989 Berlin still had a wall :D
      Yeah, my balls hadn't even dropped in '89 :D
    • meat wrote:

      SarcasmTheElf wrote:

      TrafficJam wrote:

      PaulMags wrote:

      My former wife gave me a copy of backpacker magazine circa 1989 as it featured the triple crown.

      Anyway, some you may find the thoughts interesting:
      pmags.com/backpacker-magazine-march-1989

      TL;DR - Yeah, backpacker magazine is fluffy and is gear heavy. I'd argue that's what people want at this point overall however.
      Oh my. My first thought was...huh? 1989 ain't old, that was yesterday.
      Back in 1989 Berlin still had a wall :D
      Yeah, my balls hadn't even dropped in '89 :D
      Cof124
      "Dazed and Confused"
      Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
      Plant a tree
      Take a kid hiking
      Make a difference
    • My Backpacker subscription comes free with my membership in the PCT Association.

      I agree, the annual gear review issue made it to the recycle bin after about 10 minutes. But like coach said, the pictures are pretty and they give me ideas of places I would like to visit. Once in a while there is an article worth reading, like the profile on "Billy Goat's Never Ending Thru-Hike' the other month.
      “Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
      the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”


      John Greenleaf Whittier
    • meat wrote:

      SarcasmTheElf wrote:

      TrafficJam wrote:

      PaulMags wrote:

      My former wife gave me a copy of backpacker magazine circa 1989 as it featured the triple crown.

      Anyway, some you may find the thoughts interesting:
      pmags.com/backpacker-magazine-march-1989

      TL;DR - Yeah, backpacker magazine is fluffy and is gear heavy. I'd argue that's what people want at this point overall however.
      Oh my. My first thought was...huh? 1989 ain't old, that was yesterday.
      Back in 1989 Berlin still had a wall :D
      Yeah, my balls hadn't even dropped in '89 :D
      timessquareball.net/
    • meat wrote:

      SarcasmTheElf wrote:

      TrafficJam wrote:

      PaulMags wrote:

      My former wife gave me a copy of backpacker magazine circa 1989 as it featured the triple crown.

      Anyway, some you may find the thoughts interesting:
      pmags.com/backpacker-magazine-march-1989

      TL;DR - Yeah, backpacker magazine is fluffy and is gear heavy. I'd argue that's what people want at this point overall however.
      Oh my. My first thought was...huh? 1989 ain't old, that was yesterday.
      Back in 1989 Berlin still had a wall :D
      Yeah, my balls hadn't even dropped in '89 :D
      Speaking of...how are they?
      Lost in the right direction.
    • TrafficJam wrote:

      meat wrote:

      SarcasmTheElf wrote:

      TrafficJam wrote:

      PaulMags wrote:

      My former wife gave me a copy of backpacker magazine circa 1989 as it featured the triple crown.

      Anyway, some you may find the thoughts interesting:
      pmags.com/backpacker-magazine-march-1989

      TL;DR - Yeah, backpacker magazine is fluffy and is gear heavy. I'd argue that's what people want at this point overall however.
      Oh my. My first thought was...huh? 1989 ain't old, that was yesterday.
      Back in 1989 Berlin still had a wall :D
      Yeah, my balls hadn't even dropped in '89 :D
      Speaking of...how are they?
      Were they sick? Blue?
    • muddywaters wrote:

      magazines exist to sell advertising, not bring unbiased information.

      I used to read a british boating mag, night and day difference from the crap in US. Real technical articles, real product reviews, etc. All american mags are pussified. They can be sued for saying anything bad about a product. One mag I used to read tested advertisers products to contain what was on label, at least 90%. They refused advertising from products that tested bad by independent outside lab the mag contracted. Long story short...they were sued and had to accept advertising from anyone, regardless of if their product was fraudulent....
      Any and all businesses exist for one purpose.....to make money...and there's nothing wrong with that...the customers determine if they survive or not...good ole capitalism.
      I may grow old but I'll never grow up.
    • TrafficJam wrote:

      meat wrote:

      SarcasmTheElf wrote:

      TrafficJam wrote:

      PaulMags wrote:

      My former wife gave me a copy of backpacker magazine circa 1989 as it featured the triple crown.

      Anyway, some you may find the thoughts interesting:
      pmags.com/backpacker-magazine-march-1989

      TL;DR - Yeah, backpacker magazine is fluffy and is gear heavy. I'd argue that's what people want at this point overall however.
      Oh my. My first thought was...huh? 1989 ain't old, that was yesterday.
      Back in 1989 Berlin still had a wall :D
      Yeah, my balls hadn't even dropped in '89 :D
      Speaking of...how are they?
      Pretty good actually, just a cyst to keep and eye on, nothin' to do unless something changes or pain, thanks for askin'
    • TrafficJam wrote:

      meat wrote:

      SarcasmTheElf wrote:

      TrafficJam wrote:

      PaulMags wrote:

      My former wife gave me a copy of backpacker magazine circa 1989 as it featured the triple crown.

      Anyway, some you may find the thoughts interesting:
      pmags.com/backpacker-magazine-march-1989

      TL;DR - Yeah, backpacker magazine is fluffy and is gear heavy. I'd argue that's what people want at this point overall however.
      Oh my. My first thought was...huh? 1989 ain't old, that was yesterday.
      Back in 1989 Berlin still had a wall :D
      Yeah, my balls hadn't even dropped in '89 :D
      Speaking of...how are they?
      Under used.... need more work out time??????
      I may grow old but I'll never grow up.