Backpacking consumerism

“So I was listening to NPR today, and they were talking about luxury items and what people really need. A lady who deals with refugees that have come to the states was saying that these people really have no resistance to advertizing and sales, and as a result end up buying luxury items before some necessities.

In thinking about this, and some of the people I've met (let's call them "gear snobs"), I started wondering:

Are some of us buying high-end, expensive equipment for no other reason than to show it off? Are there people here who are loyal to brand names because of the stigma of those names?

Lastly, what are the cheap brand names that really do the job? Why aren't they more popular among backpackers?”

“I think you often get what you pay for and the more expensive brands are usually of better quality. You also get superior customer service with lifetime warrantees.

However, I wonder just how much of the ultralight movement is marketing driven.”

“I think you're on to something, at least with regard to food. I prefer to carry a light food pack. My taste palates no longer need expensive, multi-course meals. I eat to survive.

Someday I'll post my menu for 19 days of backpacking. Some friends have proclaimed that they sometimes eat more food at one meal than I took for the 19 days.”

“Good point. Here's one that gets me: the whole GOre-Tex thing... This waterproof-breathable issue has never really been a concern of mine. When it's raiing, I'm usually cool enough that sweating isn't a big issue, and if it become an issue, I unzip the jacket a little, or whatever.

I just saw a $400.00 jacket at Sierra Outfitters. What the...!”

“Yeah, and with regard to food, The whole marketing to backpackers is ridiculous to me. A dehydrator can and will do the same thing with much less expense. Grocery stores have dehydrated food that is inexpensive.


Maybe I'm just a cheapskate.”

“With me its not how much a pice of gear costs its if I like it or not!

Like I have always used slumberjack sleeping bags for years they are heavery then other bags and they don't compress as well but I love them becuase they are cheap and they do the job.

8)”

“I've made my own rain gear. I've also dehydrated my own food, with a dehydrator that I bought for $30!”

“Thanks, Mike! Have you ever had the feeling that people were looking down on you for that choice of gear?”

“Ya but how cares what they think!

I have always loved the way slumberjack bags feel inside I go right to seep and feel like a bug in a rug!

Its how the gear works for you not how much it costs!

8)”

“It irritates me sometimes to see a new article in Backpacker magazine that extolls the virtues of a new piece of $500.00 gear, without taking into account the cost of the item. Is it worth the $500.00, or is it marginally better than the $50.00 version?

Their gear choices for this year are filled with things like that, and it makes me wonder wether they are really being impartial....”

“I'm with you, Mike, but I'm wondering what is driving that "down my nose at you and your slumberjack bag" attitude.”

“Hey its like I said if you like the gear and it works for you and fits your need you will buy it even if it is a cheap brand or $$ one it all comes down to what you like not becuase backpacker magz said buy a pice of $500 gear when for the same pice of gear that is a off brand that does the same thing and is $250 less you do the smart thing and get the off brand!

Money is not everything!

8)”

“Right. That's the smart thing. Too often I see people going after (and this is not in just backpacking) higher-priced equipment just because of the stigma of the brand.

I wonder if I'm not guilty of it a little, as well. Would I take someone as a serious backpacker if they set up an Ozark Trails tent in the backcountry? Hmmm...”

“I would, if during the campfire chatter they went into detail about how they had to work on the tent to improve it.

I've got an Ozark Trail or some such cheap tent that I've used camping. It would probably be okay if it packed smaller and had a full-coverage fly. A little heavy, maybe.”

“I get my gear real cheap. I steal it from the back of pickup trucks at the trailhead.”

“Nice closet, guys. Can I use the phone for a sec?

I would only buy an expensive piece of gear if I was able to see it in action and see for myself that it was worth it. Like if a friend had the gear and could really show me the value. Even then I would wait to get the item on sale, if possible.”

“When I started bp'ing I was 10 or 11. My first pack was a JCPenny special... my Dad made the hip belt. I used a crap sleepover sleeping bag for awhile til' my folks new I LOVED bp'ing and got me a Slumberjack... I was in heaven. I love walking in the woods, I love sleeping outside (in a tent or out), I love eating in general and even more when I've worn myself out walking all day. If you have a problem with people using cheap (but effective gear) then I guess John Muir wasn't much of a backpacker”

“I use still use a Eureka Tetragon 5 tent for backpacking. $60.00. If it gives me a problem, maybe I'll consider upgrading, but it hasn't so far...

Just got a new backpack a while back from Costco. Same goes for it.

Beer-can alcohol stove, Raingear from K-mart, my pack is filled with things that didn't cost much. To me, What we do (walking in the woods) is pretty low-tech...”

“Yeah. But I REALLY want a Stephenson's Warmlite tent and it costs $600! At the same time, I really dig a $30 tarp.”

“Are you making fun of my Mont Blanc pen?”

“This thought occured to me too the other day as I was looking at a piece of publicity lit. on Mt. Rainier. I was checking out and laughing at the 30 yr old gear those guys were wearing (big poofy ski jackets). Then I realized the pic was taken in the 70's

There was climbing before Gortex.”

“We live in a very "brand" oriented society and are bombarded with commercials and adds that suggest your not cool unless you drive a BMW or wear Dockers or blah, blah, blah.

But you will find there is a segment of backpackers that get a real thrill out of cooking over a hand crafted Pepsi can stove or finding the closeout deal of the century. It is possible to find last years "wonder gear" at cut rate prices.

I have a lot of name brand gear.
Most of it has been purchased well below it's original retail price. If I can buy upper crust gear at mediocre prices ...then that's what I want! I recently purchased some Leki Makalu Trekking poles and paid $75 instead of $129. I would hesitate at $129 but $75 is a great price and I intend to get every penny out of them!

Western Mountaineering is a name brand ....is it worth the extra money for one of their sleeping bags....you betcha!!!

I like high quality gear at low prices...does that make me a gear snob?”

“I like to think that I have the full spectrum of gear from $$$$ to cheap!

And I don't shop for names just how good gear is!

8)”

“I have a good mix of high quality gear and Army surplus bargains. I don't think I'm a snob.”

“Good quality gear usually lasts longer, so it is cheaper in the long run.”

“Yeah, like that stupid REI Elements jacket I bought one year. It lasted one season before it fell apart.”

“This could go on for a long time!!!!!!!!

8o”

“But REI will take it back a year later! K-Mart won't!!!”

“I like Coleman products. The only really cool, big dollar piece of gear I own is a Marmot sleeping bag. The clothes I wear are still mostly cotton (I don't go bping in really nasty weather), and they are warm enough for me. People who look down on other people for owning gear that is less than what the Madison Ave. gang would tell us to buy are simply insecure about themselves. They need to buy what the media tells them to buy so that they can feel good about themselves. Another thing, the media/advertisers straightout imply that you are not a good person if you don't buy their stuff, and that if you buy their gear you will be the backpacking commando of the year. Here is a quick reality check to that kind of thinking.
While me and my buddy were hiking up Jones Creek, which starts with an @ss kicking two mile 2500' ascent we pass a not so happy young couple who were stopped at a wide spot in the trail. They ask us how much farther to the end of the ascent. We tell them about another mile or so. As we leave, we over hear the couple expressing frustration with their Vasqe boots, and shiny new REI daypacks. They ended up choosing to turn around because the ascent was to steep and to long.
Gear cannot replace will, desire, and fitness. Gear cannot make you enjoy the outdoors more, although it can make you more comfortable.
My advice: buy what you need, stay within a reasonable budget, do not let the advertisers influence you decisison to heavily.”

“all you need is a bed roll and a couple of cans of beans and you can go for days. This new fangled gear is all hype.”

“Beans and the last part of your trail name TOF go hand en hand don't they?

Hhehehe JK!

8)”

“I think the most important thing you need to do is buy gear that you are going to use 90% of the time, instead of spending lots of money on gear that you might use once or twice a year. I guess as long as you are properly prepared fot the worst possible conditions you may encounter, you are prolly okay. I don't look down on people that have cheaper gear, but I do get nervous when I see people that are not properly prepared for environment in which they are about to enter.”

“Are some of us buying high-end, expensive equipment for no other reason than to show it off? Are there people here who are loyal to brand names because of the stigma of those names?

I have high end gear, but I keep it for a long time. I haven't bought major gear in three years, and much of my stuff is well used, 7-8 years old when I replaced stuff that was 10 and even 20 years old.

That doesn't mean some doesn't go on. I sure see alot more gear on the market than I see on the trail. ;-)”

“That is a very valid point T G W S!!!!

You have to be ready for anything!!!!!

8)”

“I cannot bring myself to pay full price for hiking clothing. I think that that is where the real money is being made. When I first started bping, I think I bought intothe idea of buying brand names because I thought that it was better. Then I started coming here and finding out that there are somethings that can be done without. I think the people who get it the most are the ones just starting out and have, or will shell out, big money. I was in REI one time. A yuppie couple come walking in. They tell the saleman "We plan on going on a month long backpacking trip to South Africa, can you help us?" He then led them first to the pack isle to out fit them in the biggest pack, then on over to the other isle to full that big old pack with all these great things they need!! :)

It gets outta hand. I try to keep an eye on it, but sometimes thet deals are just too good. Speaking of gear, FYI I will getting rid of somethings. I will post a list and let TTer's get first crack on it before I sell it on ebay.”

“My last pair of hiking boots cost $13 at Payless Shoes five years ago or more. They had been marked down at least twice. No breakin was needed, they have never given me a problem. I backpack 3 to 4 months a year in GSMNP.

The only ID I can locate is on the bottom: Original Rugged Outback, 13W.

I am now using them as work shoes as well. Before they wear out I am going back to Payless and order replacements. (I have already talked to them about it.) I'll just pay whatever they ask.

I laugh at posts like the one that said an expensive pair of hiking boots required about 500 miles to break them in.

Previously, I used Coleman boots, $29.95 or 39.95. They wore well and did not require any breakin period. But Walmart stopped selling them. Three pair of boots in about 17 years, for under $100.”

“I used to cook on a Sierra Zip Stove. Now I just cook on the edge of a campfire, if there is one. Otherwise, I use some small twigs between a couple of rocks. Use about the same amount of twigs as I would have burnt in the Zip. Less gear, same results, and usually quicker.”

“High priced backpacking gear is worth the money. Quality costs money. Where I lose a lot of cash is buying something cheaper that is almost as good, but in the end really isn't. I end up shelling out the extra bucks for the real deal and give the X-brand away. I have never met a hiker who was a 'label name dropper', but I guess they are out there.

I think a more realistic example of this problem is the lady buying groceries with food stamps, who has to stop counting $25.00 of $1.00 food stamps to answer her cell phone.”

“just because it costs more doesn't mean it's worth more... and if you really need a lot of gear you could be missing the point... "I need some technology so I can get away from technology"”

“Escape technology? I am not trying to escape from anything. I carry more computing power into the backcountry that they took to the moon. PDA, GPS, wristop computer and microwave radio are four of my 12 essentials.”

“if it's what i want, then it's worth it.

sold!”

“"...loyal to brand names because of the stigma of those names"?

Can't imagine anyone paying to be stigmatized except a masochist.”

“I think that going expensive for quality is necessary for certain gear items. If it's going to keep you safe and well you darn sure better buy the best you can.

I have yet to meet anyone who touts name brands except for once. There was a terribly annoying yupperific guy from S.O.L.A.R, on his first real trip with the group. He showed me all his shiney new stuff from his $85 goretex hat to his $300 boots. I was trapped on a ferry with him for forty min.

If you have the money to buy top notch gear, more power to ya. I'd certainly upgrade to lighter, better stuff if I won the lottery (have to buy a ticket to win, not holding my breath). I wouldn't choose said better gear based on brand alone. Some brands are known for durability and quality though.”

“I like it when someone shows me all their cool gear. I don't care what brandname they are, but if I really like something, I make sure I know the name and where I can get it. Can I do without it? Probably, but it is part of the fun of life. Some people are into electronics or cars. For me it was always old furniture, and now it is outdoor backpacking and camping gear.”

“See just by alot of the posts here it does not always have to be big $$$$ to be great!!!!

Like the boot thing!I have had a pair of boots by L.L.Bean for 5 years and they were only $135 when I got them and they still work great!

Another thing to do also is when there is a pice of gear you want but it is too much money just wait for awhile and before you know it the price will go down somewhere on closeout.Like I just got a couple of months ago the Merrell M2 Treverse boots for only $139 but when they first came out they were $220.I waited and shue enough STP had them on close out!

Be smart and buy tons of get but do it right!

8)”

“Gear!!!!

Heheheh!

8)”

“I consider all of my backing gear of good quality, regardless of the label or cost. I wouldn't have bought or chosen it otherwise. I work hard for my money and how I spend it, is none of "A lady who deals with refugees" business or anyone else's either. If my inexpensive alcohol stove or my expensive label clothing offends anyone, they need to get a life.

IHMO, snobbery works both ways.”

“No problem!!!!

8)

I will admit though I love lots of gear!”

“"Can't imagine anyone paying to be stigmatized except a masochist"

Pekka, You're absolutely right! I used the wrong word. I should have used the word prestige. Here's a word for you: Pedantic.

I hope everyone else understood what I was TRYING to say. :)”

“I see by a lot of the posts that most backpackers here are smart shoppers, and don't mind waiting a while to buy a name brand item on sale... I wonder, then, where the market is for the $581.00 sleeping bag that Backpacker magazine reviewed and added to it's best gear of the year edition... Or the $780.00 ultralight tipi...”