BACKPACKER Reviews

by CJMack35

I love this app. It’s the only magazine I really enjoy reading. Great articles, amazing photography, and advertising that actually appeals to me. Sadly, this electronic version is so bad. I’ve had issues with my subscription since day one (which was more than 2 years ago). The main problem is that no matter what, every single time I open BACKPACKER , it prompts me to restore my purchases, and so, I click the “ok” button and it tells me that it’s restoring and will take a few minutes. Also, at the top of BACKPACKER home screen, there is always a banner that says something like, “Want to read issues? Subscribe.” But, wait...I thought I had already subscribed? Hmm...
I even canceled and resubscribed at one point, in an effort to “reset” the problem.
I could go on, but I won’t. Simply put, I highly discourage anyone from downloading BACKPACKER. Guess it’s time to go with the paper subscription (which kind of defeats the purpose for most of us nature-loving Backpackers, don’t you think?). Ugh.

by Mmmmmmargie

I am a subscriber and follow this app on Facebook. When I follow a link from Facebook I end up at the webpage, but with a popup which won't go away. Even though I have BACKPACKER already, it doesn't give me the option to read the article in BACKPACKER - the only choice is to go to BACKPACKER Store. From there I can open BACKPACKER but there is no way to search for or see the content I was just trying to read.

I tried to do something else, downloading a free copy of the editor's picks, but it brought me instead a quiz (apparently sponsored by REI) which has parts of the page that scroll, so it's not obvious that if you drag on other parts of the page it will actually take you to the content. When I did click the button to take the quiz (thinking maybe it was necessary to do that first, to be able to access the content), it just brought me to the REI home page.

It's utterly annoying.

by DisappointedinTexas1234

I love the print version of this app magazine. The iPad app is very very disappointing. First, it shows up in the istore as free with a description of the magazine. But when you download BACKPACKER , all that gets you is a chance to buy the magazines. While mislead, I went ahead and sprung for a iPad subscription. However, the download for one issue 820MB takes forever. And it won't run in the background so every time you leave the reader, the download stops and restarts from the beginning the next time you try to download. After 10 minutes, I still don't have a magazine and I am on high speed wireless not phone company network. I think the misleading intro description in the store needs correcting ASAP and these folks need to redesign the download size. And no chance to subscribe to print and online in one subscription either!

by W1UNZ

BACKPACKER is slow and always seems to want to open the store on startup rather than my library. But then the library is just another store...rather than show what you have available to read, they show ALL issues to entice you to purchase those not covered by your subscription.
The mag itself is close to being a ripoff...all other mag subscriptions I have allow access to back issues...these guys want up to $7 for each issue prior to when you subscribed. Of course, if you did get them all they may not fit on your iPad...I have 12 issues (3 I paid for and 9 'special issues' that are free) and they take up 3.9GB of space. I have another mag with over 50 back issues, all free, that take the same amount of space. Ever hear of PDF??
As a subscription I give it a 1, as an app I give it a 2...just not very good.

by Icarian

BACKPACKER version that I originally purchased was rather clunky, making it a chore to read the digital copy. HOWEVER, the updated app improvements are making this a joy to read on the iPad again. The video and audio extras also assist with a good experience. Granted that many mags give hard copy subscribers the digital as a bonus ("The Week" magazine is the current benchmark IMHO), but since I didn't have an original hard copy subscription as some others, my angst is more limited than theirs. 3 star vs a 4 star rating is for this, though.

I did have the subscription error that others reported here (after BACKPACKER updated) and contacted the magazine inquiring on what to do? A gent responded very quickly and fixed it right up after a quick iPad restart. My email did not languish on some server for a couple of days which is appreciated.

With the current app's improved navigation, I see my myself renewing this subscription beyond the current year which I suppose counts as an endorsement.

by Andybpdx

With the help of app support I was able to get my subscription quickly sorted out. I like the new layout. I recently got a new tablet and reading the magazine on it is great!

by Clayton Craig

If this review were based on Content alone. It would be a five. However there are a few issues that must be fixed. First, on the third gen iPad all images are quite rough. Please update for retina display. Second when downloading new issues or updates, the download does not continue when I switch apps. It puts it into this paused state. The only way for it to continue is if I watch it download. If there's some setting that I am unaware of, why on earth is this even an option.

Love the magazine, it should be included with the hard copy subscription, however my subscriptions just ended so I didn't have any issues purchasing a digital one.

by Slenk53

I’ve subscribed to this app magazine for 10 years either via print or digital. I’ve liked everything about it from the photography and writing to the tips and tricks. It’s been a great resource so far.

by BadBoySR

Just subscribed, excellent articles, reviews, and stunning photography! Runs without a hitch on both my iPad mini and iPhone 8 Plus.
Runs perfect on the iPad Pro I have now also!

by Dlglg

Ok, I'm not a this app...yet. I love the vast, natural beauty this country has to offer, but have until now chosen to get to it by car or motorcycle, occasionally setting out on day hikes. My son prefers to see the country by hiking in. He made this statement to me the other day: "I just prefer to see things that no one else, or very few people, have ever seen." Okay, he peaked my interest. I have taken thousands of photos around America from the same vantage point of millions of other people. I'm gonna do it differently now, and this app was a great choice to help me learn about doing that. The awesome destinations displayed by photography, maps, and commentary are relevant and interesting, and the product guides and informational articles are helpful whether you're a novice like me or an experienced hiker. The magazine is worth the few dollars it costs for the photos alone! I had a small software glitch accessing my first issue, but within hours of my email Anthony responded to me, then he worked with BACKPACKER developer to correct my problem and get me up and running. Well worth the wait, and these guys obviously love their product! I don't get the reviews I've read that slam BACKPACKER! I've never seen a perfect computer app, so as long as the people behind BACKPACKER care, it'll work. THANKS ANTHONY!

by Wjohnson74

I have been a print subscriber and hike contributer for about 10 years and I decided to let my subscription run out in favor of a digital version. I would have to say that BACKPACKER is everything I hoped it would be and more. I downloaded the free app, but found the purchasing option was not working correctly showing an error message everytime I selected the option to purchase the subscription. I emailed this app support and within 5 minutes had the help I needed. Once the subscription was finalized and the latest issue downloaded I was treated to a reading experience. Most gear reviews come with an embeded link to quickly view the product website and even came with options for immediate purchases. The extra photos, video and audio demonstrations of skills/gear/ added to an easy to navigate layout make this one of my favorite Ipad purchases of all time. Another huge plus for a digital copy of the magazine for me is the fact I can have all my copies archieved to review the information I need when I need a skill or trip to recall. Great App!!

by Jstarbuc

I experienced the same downloading issues that others reported. Contacted developer and received a prompt personal response. Thanks Anthony, customer service is not dead! Downloading issue is resolved... Just grabbed a copy. It contains all the slick features one would expect from an electronic iPad magazine. Zinio does not offer the same experience

Regarding the subscription model for this version... I too am print subscriber and would prefer having a path from print to electronic that would be smoother. However it is what it is --- ten bucks for a year with some overlap isn't worth grousing about. I'm over it. Just let print subs lapse and be done with it.

That is what is going to happen with my Wired print copy first chance I get... Or will there be a requirement to get the paper version? I hope not, as much as I like books, I'm happy to give up print magazines.

by PClark1

I was trying to download the October issue and was having problems as well. I wrote a poor review out of frustration and then emailed this app for help. WOW! I couldn't have been more amazed at the excellent level of customer service provided. Anthony Cerretani the Deputy Editor | Digital Director of this app contacted me 3-4 times (once as late as 12AM EST) via email to let me know that they were working on it and then that it was fixed.. I am so pleased that this type of customer service still exists. Maybe I need to move to Colorado if everyone there is as helpful as Anthony. As far as BACKPACKER goes, it is a pleasure reading the magazine in this format. BACKPACKER is responsive and the videos are great. The UI is intuitive and it is easy to jump around and not get lost in BACKPACKER . Thanks again Anthony.

by Black Shotzy

This is a very well designed app. It's so much more well designed than other apps that it takes a bit of getting used to. Once you get used to it, it is very intuitive to navigate through the content.

As mentioned by a previous reviewer, the files do not download when BACKPACKER is backgrounded. If you begin downloading a file and then open a fully downloaded file, the first app will pause and cannot be restarted except by opening the paused file and then going back to the home page. It was this very thing which prompted me to write this review.

The only issue I have with BACKPACKER is the downloading process. In my opinion this is very minor. Th purpose of BACKPACKER is to read he magazine and this is done extremely smartly.

by Big Mo22

I've really enjoyed the digital subsciption to this app magazine. In addition to all the content you would receive in the normal print magazine, there are a ton of digital features that make this magazine very interactive and engaging. For example: Instead of just reading about how to cross a river, I was able to watch a quick video that was embedded in the article. I had difficulty getting my subsciption to work, so I contacted BACKPACKER support email. They were quick to respond (on the weekend) and were able to resolve my issue in a timely manner. The only thing I wish they would add is to get BACKPACKER integrated into Newstand. You'll enjoy this magazine and the digital features. Michael