Backpacking and Gear Talk

[MStudt]

I've very happy with the durability and comfort of my Lowa hiking boots. They look a little scuffed after a year of use, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. My wife is a big fan of her Asolo boots as well.

We met several people along the AT who were wearing Lowa Renegades, and loved them. I'm a huge fan of the Asolo Fugitive GTX, and they're my go to boot in the winter.

 

[tornado_chase_hike]

We met several people along the AT who were wearing Lowa Renegades, and loved them. I'm a huge fan of the Asolo Fugitive GTX, and they're my go to boot in the winter.

Yup, I also have the Lowa Renegade gtx. Love them. Best use of $230 all year.

 

[MStudt]

We just redid our cooking set-up. Should be able to use this for the first time over Thanksgiving.

Snow Peak Titanium Spork- .6oz each
MSR Alpine Knife- 1.7oz
Sea to Summit 1.7L X Pot- 9oz
MSR Pocket Rocket- 4.2oz

Total Weight- 15.9oz (just under 1 pound)

 

[Rock_Rat]

Awesome Thread!!

This is an awesome thread. I'm an absolute gear junky and have used all of it all over the world. I'll try and keep my unbridled enthusiasm down to a dull roar...hehe. I'm looking forward to learning from you guys as so much has changed over the years.

Quick comment on Vasque. Many years ago, I swore by Vasque Sundowners. I've always been a firm believer leather uppers, gusseted tongues with vibram soles, nickel eyelets and laces immediately replaced with 550 cord. Back in 91 their product took a sharp downward curve. Outsourced to China and Korea. The inventors of "look alikes" I've also worn out Merrils, Asolos, Scarpas. Not bad, but I found the best boots for guiding in have been predominately La Sportivas. I've spent weeks to months at a time in them. My collection are designed for big wall, crampon compatible, and trails. My wife switched over Zamberlans and loves them. She also has a pair of La Sportivas. One of the most comfortable boot she's owned.

Little hint on Duct tape. If you're carrying trekking poles, just wrap about a half inch to one inch thick of duct tape around your pole right below the grip.

Some of the items you guys are listing in your equipment list I'm not familiar with as the times have changed quite a bit since I was running around the world. My sleep system consisted of an Integral Designs Bivy bag of which I have spent many nights in. Either cocooned on a wall or in the snow.

To travel really light we would also use the Black Diamond Megamid. We would use our climbing ropes as our insulation and throw our black Ridgerest foam pad over the ropes. Winter consisted of snow caves., although we did have our expedition tents.

I have about ten different packs with my largest being the Gregory Denali Pro which could handle 80 lbs of equipment for weeks at a time. Ice climbing packs consist of....I just went and looked at my equipment so I could get the name of the packs and dammit! I'm old! It's called the following;

Black Diamond Mixed Master Ice Climbing Pack Vintage

Seriously Friggin Vintage!! I have some Karrimor's and LowePro's from back in the day when they were made in the US.

I saw a comment about the gaiters on here and the 550 cord. I have about four pair of gaiters but my work horse has always been the Millet. Bullet proof.

Take a look at the cable at the bottom. Rock solid. Full Goretex. If there's any shortfall, it would be the exposed zipper. It's in the back so never a big deal. I might drop in this thread once in a while to look at all the goodies!

Whatever you do, PLEASE go and buy, Mountaineering, The Freedom of the Hills and read it from cover to cover. Understand it, and never be "that guy."

Thanks for letting me drop in...I'm going to be looking up all of the equipment you guys have on your lists. Can't help myself!

 

[KidVermicious]

It's not backpacking gear exactly, but the Cabelas 3D -30 bag is going to be 50% off on the 18th, in store or online. I'm going to have one.

 

[JB.]

Might be a good place for me to ask this question.

Haven't overnight backpacked since I was teenager, but do lots of day hiking and a lot of overnighting in the truck.

Always been a fan of wool and wool blends to avoid the stink of synthetic. I notice a lot of synthetic base layers these days are labeled "anti-bacterial." I'm skeptical. Do they manage to avoid the typical synthetic stink? If so, do they approach wool in that regard? Does it last?

 

[MStudt]

Might be a good place for me to ask this question.

Haven't overnight backpacked since I was teenager, but do lots of day hiking and a lot of overnighting in the truck.

Always been a fan of wool and wool blends to avoid the stink of synthetic. I notice a lot of synthetic base layers these days are labeled "anti-bacterial." I'm skeptical. Do they manage to avoid the typical synthetic stink? If so, do they approach wool in that regard? Does it last?

When always have a mid weight Terramar baselayer with us. Anytime from fall till spring for those cold night. When it's colder out I'll wear my base layer top, wool 1/4 zip, and down jacket. You can never go wrong with wool, but it's bulky. I don't waste money on the anti-bacterial stuff since I've never noticed a difference.

 

[MStudt]

So Nemo Equipment was having a Sample Sale today, and offer up sample items at 60% off. I was able to pick up a Hornet 2P tent this morning, and this is a tent that I've been looking at for quite some time now.

It's not a ton of weight savings, but it's about 16oz less then my North Face tent. I'm really starting to think that I have a gear problem after looking at my list on the first page. I might be selling some of those items.

 

[MtnT4R]

So Nemo Equipment was having a Sample Sale today, and offer up sample items at 60% off. I was able to pick up a Hornet 2P tent this morning, and this is a tent that I've been looking at for quite some time now.

It's not a ton of weight savings, but it's about 16oz less then my North Face tent. I'm really starting to think that I have a gear problem after looking at my list on the first page. I might be selling some of those items.

Its way too easy to pack more than you actually need. A few years ago I decided to start taking notice of stuff in my pack at the end of a trip that I never pulled out to use, and started getting rid of those items- reduced my average pack size and weight significantly.

 

[MStudt]

Its way too easy to pack more than you actually need. A few years ago I decided to start taking notice of stuff in my pack at the end of a trip that I never pulled out to use, and started getting rid of those items- reduced my average pack size and weight significantly.

We had to figure that out before hitting the AT. We don't pack much extra crap anymore. My base weight is right around 8lbs for this time of year.

 

[MStudt]

Just posted a gently used Gregory Z66 medium pack for sale.

 

[MtnT4R]

We had to figure that out before hitting the AT. We don't pack much extra crap anymore. My base weight is right around 8lbs for this time of year.

That's impressive. I see what you mean now about the gear problem, just redundant gear you aren't using. My 'gear problem' is packing the essentials, then realizing I have room to cram in a few fun items for down time at camp. I usually use them but its still a bad habit for pack weight.

 

[MStudt]

That's impressive. I see what you mean now about the gear problem, just redundant gear you aren't using. My 'gear problem' is packing the essentials, then realizing I have room to cram in a few fun items for down time at camp. I usually use them but its still a bad habit for pack weight.

I consider myself a gear junkie! Who really needs 4 tents? I'd be happy with just 2 tents, but it's hard to sell tents sometimes. I'm going to reduce some gear, and put some things up for sale on here. With us leaving in about 18 months we need to get rid of this stuff before then.

 

[Doc2012]

Ok.

So I'm subbed to this thread, and have a few questions.

You guys are all talking about gear and gear and gear.

I'm looking to get STARTED backpacking and camping out.

I have some surplus mil gear. Alice pack without the frame, small or medium, shelter halfs, ISO mat(foam sleeping pad), bivvy sack with at least the green bag, and other misc gear.

I also have a truck bag, which is somewhat like an ILBE pack(new style Marine pack).

My question to you guys, is if I'm looking to go out for no more than 4 days at a time right now, do you think the Alice/truck bag would be sufficient?

I really don't have a problem wearing the same clothes, probably a set of old cammies I have laying around, but would be bringing socks, some kind of cooking supplies, small med kit, shelter half/halfs, ISO mat, and the bivvy/bag, depending on the temperature and such.

Again, I'm planning on just getting started, and am on a budget, so any info you have would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mister_Seth92]

Well, I am lazy SO I don't like to hike THAT much.. but here's what I hike with and do a short campout with when I'm not camping out of my 4runner with the inflatable queen mattress

Pack:
Kelty Tioga external frame.

Sleeping Bag:
WINTER: North Face "Cats Meow" Mummy Bag
SUMMER: Coleman Cambridge (with North Face Fleece Throw)

Clothing:
Depends on environment. Always cotton or wool socks. Always layered in the cold or wet. Not afraid to take my clothes off either. We all know what happened to the North Face guy.... Been hypothermic once, getting butt naked saved my life. Eh, it's bound to happen when you camp 3x a month every month for 9 years.

Footwear:
Oakley SI Assault Boot 8"
North Face Ultra 105 GTX XCR (when its warm, TEVA for around hooch)

Tent:
Kelty Salida
North Face VE25

Cookware:
MSR "Pocket Rocket"
Titanium Mug (can boil in and cup cools fast)
Titanium Plate (can cook on, cools to touch fast)
BSA fork, knife, spoon pack

Nutrition:
Mountain house dehydrated
Beef jerky
Pickles <----- destroyer of leg cramps
Crackers
Oatmeal

Hydration:
Camel back in my Kelty
Standard military ABS canteen (sacrificial water for others)
2x Gatorades (mainly to help with any hypoglycemic episodes)
Katadyn Tabs (in emergency, or if I don't want to boil after pumping)
MSR Charcoal filter water pump

Medical:
2x Glucometers with extra test strips and batteries
Insulin pens (as backup to insulin my pump)
Glucagon emergency hypoglycemia kit. Cant play coma in the wild.
Basic SAR 24hr kit including items for splints, burns, cuts, scrapes, etc..

Comms:
Cellphone with battery pack
Basic ISR
Sat Phone (when it can be borrowed from a friend)

The Important Stuff:
Sh** tickets
Bio-degradeable soap
Tooth brush and toothpaste
150' 550 cord (for bear bag or nifty arts and crafts)
Gerber Paraframe II
Brandless Chinese boot-knife
Flint & Steel
Area grid/topo map
Coordinate scale and protractor (because no Blue Force)
Compass
$20 cash
Dryer lint in a ziploc
Mirror

The Cool SH**:
Altoids can containing- Needle and thread
10 yds fishing line and hook
5 weatherproof matches
Striking surface
Cotton balls
Aspirin and Tylenol
Vodka. Can be drank or used to disinfect. I enjoy it either way!


How do you guys feel about carrying a firearm while camping? My father advocates it, but I've been camping hundreds of times and as long as I followed basic camping rules and guidelines per area, I haven't ever noticed when I would use one.


Anyways, thats all my garb lol. Haven't been out in awhile, gotta get back to it this spring!

 

[MStudt]

My question to you guys, is if I'm looking to go out for no more than 4 days at a time right now, do you think the Alice/truck bag would be sufficient?

The only problem that I see with the Alice is that you said it was frameless. Having a frameless pack, and carrying more than about 20lbs is rough. Having a frame was important to me in the beginning since I carried a lot more weight. The frame will add some support if you're not used to carrying the weight on your shoulders.

How do you guys feel about carrying a firearm while camping? My father advocates it, but I've been camping hundreds of times and as long as I followed basic camping rules and guidelines per area, I haven't ever noticed when I would use one.

I thought about carrying one, but never had the need. We carry bear spray on every trip, and that will take someone down pretty quick. The main reason for carrying bear spray isn't to take care of bears.

 

[KidVermicious]

Its way too easy to pack more than you actually need. A few years ago I decided to start taking notice of stuff in my pack at the end of a trip that I never pulled out to use, and started getting rid of those items- reduced my average pack size and weight significantly.

This is what I've been doing with our truck camping setup. It's amazing how much more fun it is to get away for a night when you aren't schlepping along the kitchen sink.

 

[MtnT4R]

I have some surplus mil gear. Alice pack without the frame, small or medium, shelter halfs, ISO mat(foam sleeping pad), bivvy sack with at least the green bag, and other misc gear.

I also have a truck bag, which is somewhat like an ILBE pack(new style Marine pack).

My question to you guys, is if I'm looking to go out for no more than 4 days at a time right now, do you think the Alice/truck bag would be sufficient?

I really don't have a problem wearing the same clothes, probably a set of old cammies I have laying around, but would be bringing socks, some kind of cooking supplies, small med kit, shelter half/halfs, ISO mat, and the bivvy/bag, depending on the temperature and such.

Again, I'm planning on just getting started, and am on a budget, so any info you have would be greatly appreciated.

Mstudt nailed it- a frameless pack means all the weight will be on your shoulders, whereas a frame pack will sit on your hips- much more comfortable. However, your Alice pack will work fine for a few days, assuming you aren't trying to set distance records between campsites and don't have any significant back or leg injuries. I used to go out for up to 5 days with an old Blackhawk 3 day assault pack but eventually upgraded to an Osprey frame pack for comforts sake.

Your loadout looks fairly minimal, so everything should fit ok into the Alice pack, especially if you use the MOLLE system to attach some of the more bulky items to the outside(bivy, shelter, etc).

I personally like military surplus stuff, usually pretty solid components, just heavy. You have a great amount of gear to start out backpacking, and eventually upgrade items as you go along. I did notice a couple items you didnt mention:

- Water purification system? You can do the aqua mira tablets or a pump- I think its easier to just bring a steel canteen or two for boiling water or melting snow, but thats personal preference.
- Food type? If you go with MREs or other dehydrated food you can just bring the canteen to boil water and a spork, and just leave the rest of the mess kit at home. If you're doing any cooking its easier and honestly more fun to just cook over the fire, rather than bringing a backpack stove.
- when in doubt, bring a good multitool. Not sure if that was on your list anyways but they are worth their weight in gold.

EDIT: How do you feel about hammocks? Even if you cant sleep in one with back issues or something, they make a killer camp seat for several people and most weigh around 1 lb. We usually string one up next to the fire and sit in it crosswise. They catch sparks every so often but a couple small holes wont kill it.

You have a trip planned soon?

 

[cdoubravsky]

anyone living in the souther california area definitely check out Cucomunga Peak in Rancho Cucomunga. It's about a 8-12 hour hike there and back. The view is ridiculous. you can sometimes see all the way to catalina island. Great place to backpack too and see the view at night. Im planning to go up there for july 4th next year :naughty:

 

[MudPie]

I didn't see that anyone has posted up about having a Buff in their pack so I just thought I'd add it to the list.

Buff UV and Buff Merino

Multi-purpose, light weight, simple... yet effective.