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Post by honeybee on May 25, 2016 18:12:07 GMT -8
I'm looking for general input on what I already have, as well as recommendations on what to look for in the future/my shopping list. I'm going to try and be as specific as possible, because I KNOW I'm missing out on small (but still important) items. I'll also do clothes separately.
I was told some people have used gear that they'll sell- that's probably my best route, as I work under a very tight budget, and don't really have much in the way of new or top-shelf items. If you have anything on my need list that you're looking to part with, I'd love to haggle with ya!
What I have:
- Two men's sleeping bags- one Kelty XL rated 20+, one North Face rated 20+. Both are about 12" too long when I lay on top of them (I'm not a short gal- 5'9" and I'm mostly legs, like a gangly lil giraffe). I'm not sure if that's a problem.
- Two men's backpacks- one High Sierra "Dyno 55+10", one North Face "Granite". Both are internal frames. Neither one fits particularly well; both have lots of pockets, and the North Face has extra straps in the front. I haven't used either on a trip, yet.
- One Kelty stuff sack
- One small MSR fuel bottle
- One MSR Whisperlite stove (Thanks, Dad!!)
- One Snow Peak pot
- One LifeStraw water bottle
- One very heavy, very large flashlight
What I need (assumably):
- Water bottles. Nalgene water bottles, or Platypus soft water bottles??
- Water filtration. I'm really looking for help with this one! During my only recent multi-day trip, my friend used a SteriPen. Since, I've done some research, and am torn. If I want to predominantly do 2-4 day trips, would you recommend a bandana/SteriPen, the Platypus Gravity system, or the Sawyer Mini? It feels like the Sawyer Mini wouldn't make it very easy to get a lot of water to cook with/brush teeth with/etc. Thoughts?
- Compression straps
- Illumination. I'm looking into collapsible lanterns (can hang and be hands-free, are very bright, and lightweight) vs. a headlamp.
- Another stuff sack?
- Sleeping pad (I've never purchased, and my jaw about dropped when I saw 75$ inflatable sleeping rolls on REI...)
- Fire starting kit (my kit is currently matches, a flint rod, my buck knife, petrolatum jelly, and a couple of cotton balls)
- Multi-tool
- Tent. I think I'm getting one of these from my dad in a few weeks! I'll update this if I do.
Clothes:
I have...
- A few pairs of Wigwam and SmartWool socks; mostly heavy blends
- A pair of Vasque Breeze 2.0 boots (I can't say enough good things about these shoes)
- A pair of Gander Mtn brand hiking pants (they fit so bad it's almost uncomfortable, but...)
- One wicking tank top
- One wicking long-sleeve shirt
- One oversized, long-sleeved, thin SmartWool top
Do you guys hike in hike-specific pants, or just jeans? On my day hikes, I almost always wear exercise pants, which offer almost no protection, but prevent me from feeling like I'm dying of heat exhaustion immediately. Should I invest in special wicking hiking shirts? Any other clothing tips?! I always wear a hat, and typically like to wet bandanas and tie them around my neck or wrists. I overheat extremely quickly.
I also typically pack binos, bandanas, Buggins or Herbal Armour spray, tp, hand sanitizer, and baby wipes. As far as food goes, I pack oatmeal and mix in trail mix, dehydrated "camping food", clif bars, peanut butter packs, and jerky.
Thank you ahead of time for your input! I'm very sorry if people are having to repeat themselves. I did peruse several existing threads, but had difficulty finding all the answers I needed.
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547 
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Post by tigger on May 25, 2016 18:37:13 GMT -8
I keep my system simple. I do use specific clothing, primarily synthetic or smartwool depending on conditions. I do not hike in cotton clothing, even when it's hot. I prefer quick dry clothing, including for pants/shorts. I ignore "hiking" clothing and usually focus on the materials themselves. Much can be purchased at Walmart or the like that will perform nearly as good as name brand "hiking clothing". I usually have one set for hiking (that gets dirty, sweaty, wet, etc) and a clean dry set for at camp. I also bring a rain shell in all but the middle of summer.
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on May 25, 2016 18:37:24 GMT -8
First, for used gear (and some new) at some pretty decent prices, check geartrade.com, there is always new stuff coming up on that.
I'm a fan of using platypus bags or larger camelbak bladders as the weight is better than the heavier plastic bottles. Other options for filtration include katadyn pumps if that is a way you want to go. Some love the steripen but it isn't my cup of tea (see what I did there, yeah...this guys got the jokes). Lots use the gravity system because you can get water and let gravity do the work while you set camp. A good method for this is to have multiple platypus bags, one clean and one for dirty (unfiltered water).
For light, I carry a very small clip on light with 5 LED bulbs on it and it mounts to my hat brim. A big plus is they are often cheap at any sporting goods store and they are extremely light. I also often carry my candle lantern. While it isn't particularly bright, and it weighs a little, it is a nice light and if it is cold it can warm my shelter in a pinch.
For the sleeping pad, you can start with a pretty cheap closed cell foam pad. The same pad your dad had as a PT mat (the green foam one he was issued) works just fine. A little better pad can certainly be found at geartrade. I'm partial to the thermarest scout, but opinions vary a lot. Most folks go through quite a few until they find the one they really love. If you can, borrow some from friends until you know the one you want. For the immediate future, you could look at a Walmart and find a blue foam exercise mat. They aren't the best, but if summer camping, they will do the job in the short term for little money. Stuff sacks? Get gallon size ziploc freezer bags, they will work just fine in the near term, especially if they have the double ziploc on top. As finances allow, stuff sacks and dry bags can come, but you might find the gallon bags do just as good a job, and you can see what is in them without opening.
Add a mini bic lighter to your fire kit (just keep it in your pocket) and you've got a solid set up, in my opinion. Multi-tools are not light, but I carry one as well. I have a leatherman and a Gerber, I take one on each trip. You don't need one, but I always feel better with them. I wouldn't have this on my immediate gear need list. Put one, particularly a lighter one, on your Christmas list. That would be soon enough.
If they packs don't work out for you, consider selling them off and using the funds to find one that works for you. I wouldn't worry about the sleeping bags in the short term, laying on versus laying in is very different. Besides, a little foot room is good because you can put the clothing you plan to wear in the bottom if it is winter and that means you get to put on warm clothes before you exit the bag.
I missed some stuff but I hope this is a good start for you.
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Post by Lonewolf on May 25, 2016 18:39:18 GMT -8
I have an old REI Halfdome that I'm not using even though there's really nothing wrong with it other than old because I picked up a Halfdome +2 and have 4 other tents besides. Light... how much you wanting? Simple camp light and enough to read by at night? The Luci light. Cheap and lightweight but you won't be doing any serious hiking with it. Basic closed cell foam pad at Walmart. Around $15 I think. Nothing spectacular but works. |
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Post by dirthurts on May 25, 2016 18:39:35 GMT -8
A few notes here, and there is a lot to cover so I'll pinpoint a few points of interest here...
Ditch the flashlight. A headlamp is lighter and easier to use.
Sawywer mini is a little rockstar and highly recommended.
Platypus bottles or Gatorade. Nalgene are ridiculous and heavy.
Sleeping pads are absolutely vital to a good nights sleep, and you'll get what you pay for. Look into Thermarest, they really do make the best pads.
Cotton balls and a flint striker is plenty.
What material are you "wicking" shirts made out of. Don't believe all the marketing, some "wicking" materials wick but don't dry fast enough.
Avoid cotton at all costs on any part of your body, including jeans.
A question or two,
What particular model sleeping bags do you have? Brand only doesn't mean anything here.
Why the fuel bottle style stoves? High altitude? Extreme cold? Hard to find fuel where you're going? Otherwise, you'll save a lot of weight and time with a canister stove.
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on May 25, 2016 18:42:55 GMT -8
you'll save a lot of weight and time with a canister stove.
I agree with that, but you could also find some very simple plans on you tube for making a soda can alcohol stove that weighs in less than a full oz. Just a thought.
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Post by honeybee on May 25, 2016 19:15:37 GMT -8
Omg I'm so glad for the replies! I'll try to address everything I see. tigger I'll definitely look at Walmart for some stuff, I think when I picked up my gear at Gander Mtn, it was a few days before my first trip, I didn't have time to do much shopping around (the trip was fairly spontaneous), and I broke in everything (socks, boots, clothes) in the Smokies. Thanks for the tip!! crawford I think I'll definitely get a couple of Platypus soft bottles, and I'll probably save up for the gravity system, especially since the 2L set is only 20$ or so more than a SteriPen, and I don't have to worry about batteries. I think my dad still has that mat! I had no idea about the gallon bags but WOW that's good thinking. I'm definitely writing that one down. I have this multi-tool picked out. And your reply was an EXCELLENT start. Thank you so much. Lonewolf if my dad ends up not coming through with the tent, I'll probably message you about that. The Luci light looks AWESOME, but what do you mean I won't be doing any serious hiking with it? dirthurts Probably a dumb question, but can I filter water to look with w/ a Sawyer Mini? From the photos and description on the website, it kind of sounds/looks like it's only good to attach directly to water bottles. I definitely need to get a new hiking wardrobe. Yikes. As far as the models of the sleeping bags...the North Face is a "Cat's Meow Lge" and the Kelty is a "Clear Creek 20"? The stove wasn't a choice of mine; it was something my dad got me for Christmas last year. I just wrote "camping stove kit" on my list, and that's what he came back with. I just did some quick googling and it looks like he could have gotten a canister stove for a little less, but... /: I am appreciative to have one! I can put a canister stove on my wishlist. ETA: I put a couple of the Platypus soft bottles, a Sawyer squeeze system, a Luci lantern, and a Black Diamond spot headlamp in an REI wishlist and sent it off to my parents, LOL. I did a little more research on the Sawyer squeeze vs Platypus gravity and I think I'd rather have the Platypus system, but the Sawyer is more in my price range for now! Both of them have really solid reviews across the board. |
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Post by Lonewolf on May 26, 2016 2:25:23 GMT -8
but what do you mean I won't be doing any serious hiking with it? I mean you're not going to amble down the trail at midnight and expect to be able to see where you're going very well although it will work well enough in camp. You need a real headlamp for hiking/backpacking at night, something with a beam. BTW, kudos to Woodsie for showing me this thing. |
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amaruq
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Call me Little Spoon
Posts: 1,264
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Post by amaruq on May 26, 2016 8:05:01 GMT -8
Where to start...
Headlamps are the go-to for the vast majority of backpackers. However, there are certainly other means of illumination (small flashlights, even no lights) and some members here who exploit those will hopefully speak up.
I've been using a Platypus GravityWorks for a while now. Regardless of brand, I really like the gravity-filter system. I can drop into camp, scoop up a bag of water, and have it filtering while I get all the other camp chores done. I've also used it similarly to a LifeStraw, dipping the 'dirty' hose into a body of water while drinking from the clean hose. It can be tough to pull water from a shallow, still source, but it's not impossible.
I use a pair of Nalgene HDPE bottles. I simply like rigid bottles. This is really your call, whatever you prefer.
Compression straps are typically already built into your backpack.
Sleeping pads are as important as your sleeping bag. Cold ground can draw your heat faster than cold air. There are many varieties of pads in a range of prices, weights, and R-values. Something with a satisfactory R-value in your price range is all you really need to start getting out there. The closed-cell foam pads, though bulky and weighty, are a great place to start. I personally use a NeoAir over a CCF pad through all seasons.
Several people simply use Bic lighters with matches, fire rods, etc as back up. I believe there was a thread on this not too long ago. Most here avoid campfires (either out of LNT duties or laziness or both) outside of emergency situations.
Multi-tools... Some will say dead-weight, some treat them as trusty sidekicks. If you need the other tools on the multi-tool, go for it. Otherwise a simple knife tends to suffice.
I also have hiking-specific clothing. As far as summer backpacking is concerned I prefer synthetic pants and shirts (stretchy, lightweight, quick drying). I generally haul along a couple pairs of socks and underoos as well as a light base layer for sleeping. As previously mentioned, I'd avoid cotton (denim) as it takes forever to dry and retains no heat when wet. Plus, it's restricting as heck (can't speak to those stretchy girl jeans, maybe they allow more motion?).
Wander over to the food forum and let them open your eyes to backcountry gourmet. Alternatively there is nothing wrong with subsisting on Alpine Aire, Mountain House, etc. I certainly do when I'm soloing.
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Westy
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Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on May 26, 2016 10:34:57 GMT -8
Fire starting kit (my kit is currently matches, a flint rod, my buck knife, petrolatum jelly, and a couple of cotton balls) Save weight, you have a stove, no need for a fire! Keep jaw dropping - Thermarest NeoAir Xlite $135 or for budgetary purposes Thermarest RidgeRest $20 no inflatable. I'm fussy about pants - Arc'Teryx Palisade - Dries wicked fast, comfortable, lightweight but rugged. Lots of options out there, others will disagree but I do not recommend convertibles and hate belts. |
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Post by honeybee on May 26, 2016 16:04:41 GMT -8
Lonewolf Ah, okay. I gotcha! I'll probably invest in a headlamp first, then, and keep the Luci light on my list near a multi-tool and a Nalgene. amaruq AH so much nice info!! I'm feeling pretty keen on the GravityWorks vs the Sawyer, just because I like to have a reservoir of more water if I need it. My dad always used Nalgene bottles, and it's probably just me, but half the time I spill water down my chin (my hand-eye coordination is just excellent), so maybe the Platypus softbottles will help with that...The NeoAir LOOKS fantastic, but is roughly 115$ above my price range, LOL. I'll be sure to add it to an "eventually" list (which just keeps growing), since several of you have talked about that Thermarest brand. I do understand the campfire thing...I'm assuming on my own or with a single partner, I wouldn't need a fire outside of said hypothetical emergency situation. It seems impossible within my acquaintances circle to NOT create a fire for everyone to share s'mores on. Or fake bear stories. Also, let me be the first to say that stretchy girl jeans are STILL the work of the devil, and still make my job inordinately more difficult. I had to take 25 kids into a creek without being told ahead of time, and was up to my thighs in water...and stayed soaked for the remainder of the work day. NO THANKS. I'll hit up Walmart later this season for some cheap-o synthetic stuff. I'm also a huge fan of the Mountain House food...I feel like their raspberry crumble dessert could actually be the food of the gods that the Greeks described. Westy That 135$ NeoAir Xlite looks AMAZING, but I'll stick with the 20$ RidgeRest!! Thanks for a brand/type specific with that; it's no more expensive than a basic Walmart brand. I'm getting fussier about pants, mostly because the ones I have now suck. I don't know what it is about the sizing of generic brands, but I had to go up two sizes in the Gander Mtn brand to even find a pair that were long enough to brush the tops of my boots. I'm hoping to hit REI this weekend and try some different brands on! So, I'm looking into... - Platypus SoftBottle, 34 oz x2 - Black Diamond Spot headlamp - Platypus GravityWorks 2L system - Thermarest RidgeRest sleeping pad And then at least two sets of quick-drying pants, tank tops, and short-sleeved shirts, as well as some new hiking socks! Yay! I'm so glad to have a better idea of what I need. I don't think I'm missing anything vital off my have/need lists.
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on May 26, 2016 16:45:34 GMT -8
Thanks for starting this thread, I think I enjoy these the most as it makes me think about my gear I use now, what I've used in the past, gear I bought that I realized I never needed.
Keep asking! I'm enjoying everyone's answers.
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markskor
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Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
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Post by markskor on May 26, 2016 17:12:12 GMT -8
Very informative newbie gear thread - nice! Just to add a few thoughts: I too like/use the Platypus Gravityworks, 2 liter, drip system - but not the 2 bag, "complete system". Prefer the single "one dirty reservoir" ... Platypus GravityWorks 2 L System Bottle Kit...filter into/ drink out of liter bottles. www.amazon.com/Platypus-GravityWorks-System-Bottle-Kit/dp/B00C3GGUZI As for bottles, instead of heavy Nalgenes, find a supermarket water bottle (lightest), one that fits your pack's access. Re pads. Don't know where your trail will lead but weight and R value really matter (plus the cost too but?). Suggest a Prolite+ (Thermarest) short, (47", long enough for shoulders and hips), rolled up small/carried safe inside a blue cc pad (legs). Carried outside pack...light, high R value, reasonably priced (considering). BTW, You also want to add a long-handled Ti spork to your dad list. 3 Bics and a fire rod...all you need. IMHO, you don't need a multi-tool, try the small SAK with the scissors instead. Headlamps are great, but you don't need a heavy, "ultra stun", super bright model...small one that changes to red light - nice. Lose the heavy flashlight. No mention of trekking poles? Where's the sunglasses and what about a good hat? Wool night cap? BTW, I too hate convertible (zip-off) pants/but like canister stoves. As you can probably tell, we all have different ideas on what to bring along on the trail. I hike to fish. Only time will tell what works best for you...takes years to learn, and even then, we all swap out items as needed or maybe, just by an educated whim. As stated above though, weight - "make it lighter" - is the major consideration. |
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Post by honeybee on May 26, 2016 17:41:21 GMT -8
markskor Glad I'm not the only one enjoying it! Thanks for +1 on the Platy system! All of these lovely self-inflating Thermarest pads look amazing, and are definitely on my to-get list, but I'm definitely just going after something cheap for the time being. I understand that r value = resistance to heat loss and cc = closed cell, yes? I have a little "light my fire" brand spork! I think that the headlamp I picked out is 130 lumens, and it does have a red light option. It seems to have gotten decent reviews. As far as trekking poles go, I currently hate them, but the highest elevation I've climbed is ~4,900 ft, so that may change. I don't find them to make anything any easier, and I have a bad habit of tripping myself or my compatriots with them, which ultimately led to one hiking buddy revoking my "trek pole license". Whoops. I do wear an ole bucket hat nearly every day of my life (keeps out sun, rain, and bugs!!), and typically bring that. No wool night cap yet because I've only ever camped over the spring/summer. Last time I overnighted was Memorial weekend of last year in the Smokies, I slept in a thin shirt, shorts, on top of my sleeping bag, completely miserable in the heat. We were even directly adjacent to a river!! I thought for sure it'd be cooler. It will be a shock to my system when I start thinking I need MORE layers, LOL.
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Post by Lonewolf on May 26, 2016 18:06:23 GMT -8
these lovely self-inflating Thermarest pads look amazing, Kind of a misnomer. They still "work" better when you blow them up a bit more after the self-inflation phase. Fire starters: I once took a hardcore survival course and learned several things, one of which is starting a fire with anything except more fire really sucks. I carry around half a dozen Bics scattered throughout my gear. One or two on me, another 1 in a small emergency grab bag (lighter, space blanket, Powerbars, snare wire, etc), 1 in the cook kit, 1 in with the stove and 1 or 2 more in pockets on the pack. Overkill? Sure but after that course, I'll be damned if I'm going to work hard at making a fire in a true emergency. Given a choice I'd add a large can of gasoline too.... :( |
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