I’ve been a life member since 2006, but just started listening to the podcast. Not surprised at the level of detail & useful information. I’m very experienced but still learned a lot from the pod on lightning in the backcountry. It was easily the most realistic, succinct info for backpackers I’ve seen on that topic. The first aid kit info was also great. I look forward to selectively listening to the other topics I’m interested in while xc skiing or hiking out my door☺️

This used to be a good show, with frequent guests but now it’s just the host promoting gear and website content and sharing his personal opinion about gear and methods. There was a co-host and that person hasn’t been around in many episodes. At times it sounds like one long advertisement for Zoleo or Garmin.

great content that is difficult to listen to thanks to the hosts inability to mix their audio. To hear the host speak, the intro music blasts in my car. i have to turn the volume all the way up for the host to be at a fair level, causing my navigation to be obscenely loud. i want to listen to this show but nearly always either can barely hear it or turn it off because of the too low microphone gain. for the love of god turn up your microphone by 3db.

Thanks for a great show! No fluff or filler. Intelligent reviews.

Really appreciate all the long term experience and research that goes into each of your episodes. Always very sound and safe advice. Much more legitimate than the YouTube channels with thru hikers who cannot provide legitimate techniques outside of their long hike experience.

Unbiased information to help you make your own decisions about backpacking gear and techniques, including clothing/layer systems. Also enjoy hearing guests reflecting on their outdoor experiences.

What an important topic! Thanks for helping bring awareness to an unfortunate and growing problem of trash on our trails. Including dog waste bags (this does NOT follow Leave No Trace). Fingers crossed that others on social media will follow suit and help motivate more of us to pick up trash when we’re out. (I carry nitrile gloves and a garbage bag in my pack, and fill it with litter I pick up on the trails almost every time I’m out.) Many valid issues were brought up that demonstrated how we can better protect the lands we use. This was a really good episode!

I rarely take the time to leave reviews but I am compelled to do so now about BPL. Ryan and Andrew are devoted to the craft of wilderness travel and the content of their podcasts are wide-ranging but always relevant and superbly researched. While they can nerd out a bit, their reviews help me to understand what to look for in gear and most importantly, what to practice regarding my skills. This is not a gear-focused podcast although these boys love their gear. They have helped me consider what I need to do to improve my backpacking skills - I've taken some courses like LNT trainer and WFR since subscribing but mostly I've gone hiking more frequently to refine my skills - These guys and their guests have guided the process. This is a podcast well-worth subscribing and BPL is an organization well-worth joining. Thanks to Ryan and Andrew for a thoughtful approach in every episode.

Great information and great listen.

It feels lucky to get this podcast for free from Backpacking Light. Ryan Jordan’s style of thoughtful, measured commentary on backpacking gear, topics and culture is always welcome. The rapport between him and Andrew Marshall is somehow both consummately professional and adorable. I learn a ton from their discussions and their guest interviews, including about things I didn’t think I was curious about. Mark of a good podcast. The expertise being shared here is worth a lot. I adore how the hosts are always referring to “their audience” as being “very interested in that level of detail” during interviews.

Love this podcast and its thoughtful approach to discussing a variety of issues related to UL backpacking and the outdoors in general. I’ve been backpacking for decades but learn something every time I listen to an episode.

I have been a trail runner for 5 years and recently got into backpacking. I really enjoy this podcast and have learned a lot from these guys!!

Thoughtful and intelligent, reality and science based discussions when we need them most. Thanks guys!

Thoughtfully done, keep it up!

These guys are amazing! The gear they review is rigorously tested under EXTREME conditions. I find the content on this channel to be a million times more trustworthy than all of the well known backpacking “influencers” combined.

One of the best podcasts on iTunes for backpacking

I really enjoy this series. Diverse amount of topics. Expert level information and insight. Thank you for making this!

Expert backpacking advice that crosses over to include general outdoor advice. I love following Jordan and the whole Backpacking light community. They have phenomenal information based rigorous testing and experience. This podcast is the equivalent of a doctorate level class for backpackers.

Relevant data from straight shooters

This is such a great series. I started listening and now I can’t stop. While this series focuses primarily on lightweight backpacking, I like the discussion of philosophy and values that lightweight backpackers share. Thank you for all the effort putting this podcast together!

Ryan does a great job of sharing lightweight backpacking skills in an easy-going manner.

Great podcast, very informative. The DCF episode had the look of one of the most boring podcasts you could ever listen to, but was EXCELLENT, both in information to be gleaned and fairness to each school of thought. The one real criticism I have to offer has to do with episode 5. The subject matter is of high interest to me, because I’ve spent a great deal of time “off trail”. The questions raised by the BPL crew were insightful and showed great depth of observation during the trip itself, so as a discussion, it was very well run, as per normal. However, though he is clearly not an unintelligent person, the guest said “uhhmmm” and “uhhhh” so often (it’s quite possible that he spent more time saying those two words than all his other words combined) that it makes the podcast into a sort of aural water torture. Perhaps a little coaching in the art of public discussion could help certain guests present themselves in a less grating manner. Other than that, I can’t say enough good things about this podcast, and I look forward to each new episode!

the guest on the navigation ep is one of the most painful things you will ever listen to. i haven’t heard that many um's uh's and er's from from person that wasnt a 13 year old girl. pro tip. if you are going on a widely listened to podcast, take a moment and gather your thoughts a bit.

Finally an outdoors podcast that isn’t compensating for a lack of substance with general enthusiasm. The episodes are very thorough discussions around fairly specific topics related to ultralight backpacking. The speakers have intelligent and thoughtful insights, and a good grasp of the subject matter being discussed. This podcast hits both targets of deepening my knowledge of light backpacking skills and materials, as well as lessening the pain of those long off-season gaps between time in the backcountry. I only wish they produced episodes faster!

I have been looking for a podcast with quality information to help me prepare for being in the wilderness. This podcast is it. I look forward to listening to more episodes in the future! Highly recommended!!

I really like the careful and analytical approach that is taken with the discussions. This is not an entertainment oriented show to just kick back and have some laughs as you listen. This is careful and thoughtful analysis of lightweight backpacking topics. The one on synthetic insulation was excellent. I find this type of information very helpful and I am looking forward to hearing more - especially the one on affordability that may be coming in the future.

Even though you’re only a few episodes in, your content and the material presented in it has been informative and entertaining. Keep up the good work! Nick S. YouTube: Triple Nickel Outdoors

The first two podcasts were ALONE sufficient to make me satisfied with my contribution to the BackpackingLight site. Keep it up !

Brought to you by the guys behind backpackinglight.com. Very high quality production and ultimately professional in their approach. They definitely know their stuff and have great insight to the topics they cover. Only two episodes out so far but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed both and can’t wait for more to come out. Keep up the great work!

I have been following BPL for a long time now. I just wanted to tell you(fellow listeners and podcast host )'how amazing I think it is. This podcast is a wonderful addition to what BPL offers, I love the deep dives that I can listen to on the go. Another thing, the paradigm of the BPL has truly enriched my perspective on life and I cannot thank you enough for this. Cheers! -Walt

I’ve always considered BPL an essential resource for trip planning and beta. Just as valuable have been equipment reviews and peeks at what innovations are coming next. The podcasts are a perfect example of this practice. Very informative, very informed.

Wow! Great first two episodes. Love the in depth gear talk from guys who really know their stuff. I can't believe you got the guys from Gossamer Gear, Tarptent, Zpacks, HMG, etc. all in ONE episode! It was great to here all of their thoughts on DCF. I hope this podcast continues with similar style episodes. I'm not a novist about this stuff but I still enjoy hearing the gear talk and these guys certainly know more than me. Other backpacking podcasts I've listened to are a lot of fantasy trip talk that is not applicable to most people, but this podcast has not been that thus far. I'm actually able to learn some stuff from this. Great podcast. Keep up the great work!

These guys got very technical and I enjoyed every minute of it. Now I have much better understanding on tech fabrics to make informed decisions. Ryan does a great job of bringing the real world and the technical together to really help us with the gear choices we make. Keep up the great work!

Great addition to the backpacking podcast world. Keep up the great work!

Really enjoyed the podcast. Learned a lot about pros and cons of down and synthetic insulation. How different activities and different environments have different solutions (i.e. what works best in given conditions.) Looking forward to future episodes.

Wonder technological drive into synthetic insulation. Now i know more about synthetic insulation than i ever thought i would. I can’t wait to go home and tell my wife all about it, and I’m sure she can’t wait to listen..... at least we’re not talking about feelings.

This podcast is fantastic and extremely helpful if you are looking to gain knowledge in the area of backpacking. It’s clear the creator of this podcast has plenty of experience on the trail.