Backpacker (magazine)

Backpacker (magazine) is a United States-based monthly periodical focused on long-distance hiking, wilderness travel, and outdoor gear, founded in 1973 in Rogers, Arkansas and later headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. The magazine has intersected with the history of Appalachian Trail, the development of Pacific Crest Trail communities, the rise of REI, and outdoor publishing trends exemplified by Outside (magazine), National Geographic (magazine), and Sierra Club periodicals.

History

Backpacker was founded in 1973 by William Kemsley and other enthusiasts amid growing interest in the Appalachian Trail and the aftermath of the 1960s outdoor movement led by figures associated with John Muir and organizations such as the Sierra Club. Early editorial influences included writers connected to Thoreau-inspired wilderness narratives and reporting styles seen in National Geographic (magazine) and regional journals tied to the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail. In the 1980s and 1990s the magazine expanded alongside retailers and manufacturers like REI and Patagonia (company) while covering notable events including thru-hikes by participants linked to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and landmark expeditions reminiscent of journeys chronicled by Edward Abbey and Colin Fletcher. Ownership changed hands multiple times, involving media groups connected to American Media, Inc.-style consolidations and later acquisitions that aligned Backpacker with publishers comparable to Outside Advertising Group and Men's Journal (magazine), culminating in corporate associations with entities in Boulder akin to Outside Interactive and editorial leadership transitions similar to those at Wired (magazine) and Rolling Stone. The publication has weathered shifts caused by the rise of online platforms such as YouTube, social media ecosystems like Instagram (service), and digital-native outlets similar to Hiking Project and AllTrails, prompting format, frequency, and distribution adaptations parallel to those experienced by Time (magazine) and Newsweek.

Editorial content and features

Backpacker’s editorial mix has historically combined field reporting, narrative features, gear testing, technique pieces, and route guides, reminiscent of storytelling traditions found in works by Jon Krakauer, Bill Bryson, and Edward Abbey. Regular departments often profile outdoor leaders and explorers comparable to Cheryl Strayed, Colin Fletcher, and Reinhold Messner while including practical advice influenced by institutions like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Pacific Crest Trail Association, and agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. Gear reviews compare products from manufacturers including Patagonia (company), The North Face, Arc'teryx, and MSR (company), while testing protocols have paralleled standards employed by Consumer Reports and technical evaluations similar to those in Outdoor Research whitepapers. Features have included serialized narratives about thru-hikers echoing the journeys in Wild (book), photo essays in the vein of Ansel Adams-style landscape photography, and long-form investigations into trail access issues involving stakeholders like the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Land Trust Alliance, and regional conservation groups.

Circulation and readership

Backpacker’s circulation has varied with print industry trends tracked alongside titles like Outside (magazine), Backpacker (magazine) competitors, and mainstream periodicals such as Time (magazine); readership demographics skew toward adults engaged with organizations like REI and volunteer networks such as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Pacific Crest Trail Association. The audience includes long-distance hikers who follow routes such as the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and international itineraries like the Camino de Santiago and the Te Araroa. Subscriber engagement patterns mirror those observed in niche enthusiast publications comparable to Bicycling (magazine) and Climbing (magazine), with regional content attracting readers in outdoor hubs including Boulder, Colorado, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, and Bozeman, Montana.

Digital presence and multimedia

Backpacker transitioned significant editorial assets to digital formats, developing a website and multimedia offerings alongside platforms such as YouTube, Instagram (service), Facebook (service), and podcast distribution networks exemplified by Apple Podcasts and Spotify (service). Online features include interactive maps comparable to AllTrails and Hiking Project, video series in the style of expedition documentaries like those on YouTube, and mobile applications that parallel functionality seen in apps from REI and National Geographic (magazine). The magazine’s digital strategy has involved SEO and content partnerships reminiscent of collaborations between legacy outlets like The New York Times and digital-first publishers such as Vox Media and BuzzFeed, while monetization mixes advertising, affiliate programs with retailers like Backcountry (company), and membership models similar to initiatives by Patagonia (company) and REI.

Awards and recognition

Backpacker and its contributors have been recognized by industry and literary organizations comparable to the Outdoor Writers Association of America, the Society of American Travel Writers, and design awards similar to those granted by Folio: and ASME (magazine awards). Individual writers associated with the magazine have produced work honored in anthologies and prize lists alongside authors such as Jon Krakauer and Bill Bryson, and photography featured in Backpacker has earned accolades akin to National Geographic (magazine) awards and competition nods parallel to those of the International Photography Awards.

Category:Outdoor recreation magazines Category:Publications established in 1973