How to save $$ on gear

“Break down & buy good gear up-front - it almost always pays. I've sometimes tried to save a buck by buying something that wasn't exactly what I wanted, but figured it was "good enough". Most recent example was trying to use an inexpensive REI Down bag as my light-weight summer bag. It was only $99.00, and rated at 45 degrees, so I figured with a litle creativity it would be OK. Well, 45 deg wasn't warm enough, so I tried a number of things. First, I carried a heavier Thermarest to give me better insulation from the ground. Next, I bought a silk cocoon bag liner that was supposed to extend the warmth 10 degrees. Then, I tried taking my 100 wt fleece long undies to sleep in.

After all was said & done I really didn't save any weight over my older 3.5 lb 20 degree bag. To top it all off, by the time I bought the cocoon liner, etc., I probably spent twice what I originally expected.

Just went to REI for their Labor Day sale for something else, but spied the MH Blackberry sleeping bag on sale for $179.99, normally lists for about $240.00.

THIS was the exact bag I originally was going to buy, but at the time didn't want to spend the $$. A lot of hassle and a year later, I ended up getting it anyway. I wish I would have purchased it up-front, although I did like getting it at the sale price!”

“I had a similar situation. I bought a REI 15 degree bag (Shasta), figuring that it would cover me for the three seasons and winter, with clothing adjustments. It didn't cut it and I bought a 0 degree REI Downtime, which hit the nail on the head, but left me with a hot bag for the Fall/Spring.

Seeing that down is worthless wen wet, I decided to get a syth bag. I found a deal on sierratradingpost.com site on a Golite Fuzz 2. It's a sleep system that came with a foam pad. I use this as a blanket and wrap myself like a taco. One problem, seeing that it's a blanket, it doesn't zip closed, so sometimes my ass gets a little chilly. It's rated for 40 degrees and was only 50 bucks, with shipping.

The other way to save cash: REI garage sale. It's real nuts, but you can get real lucky. Last one, I bought my pack that I've lusted after ever since I got into bping, Kelty Cloud, for 129.00. I've also picked up winter boots, trail runners (that I wear in the *world* and not on the trail), packs, nic nacks all for a song. The trade off: People at teh sale have NO manners and you can't play nice :)


Many thanks to wand for getting a good bping thread going. This is much better than all of us yelling at each other and wanting to rip each others throats out. :)”

“I agree, I also think for new people especially, research is the key. What works for others, what the manufacturer says. That's half my fun in getting new gear!”

“Bought plenty of packs, bags and tents. At the end I ended up spending the money I wanted to save at first anyway. I now have what I really wanted.

Like Tango I do research too though. I check the gear testing sites, ask on TT etc... that's the reason why it takes me sometimes almost 6 month before I buy.”

“Another option for saving $ is to not buy before you need to. You can borrow from friends / other BP'er's, rent some equip, etc.

I routinely loan out gear, after all these years there's more suff collecting dust in my garage than I care to think about. The word I try to send out is if you need a backpack, tent, tarp, set of pots, groundsheet, stove, WHATEVER, call me & I probably have it!

I also have two pair of snowshoes, and of course only need one. Had I rented before I bought the first pair "on a deal", I would have saved myself some serious $$. Now I just loan a pair out to newbies, I'd hate to see others blow the $$ I did.”

“The only way to save money on good gear is to vote for ralph nader.


Wait... wrong thread, sorry.

;)”

“I do that too, wand. I have at least three styles of stoves, three tents, four pots, etc. The best way to learn about gear, is to see it in action, with an experianced user. When I started bping, just 4 years ago, I was very lucky that I as able to hook up with local people around me that were more experianced than myself. Going on hikes with everyone, even today, brings more knowledge. Some might poo-poo big groups hikes, but they do have there place.

For one, it gives you an opp to meet new people who might live and want to hike, that are real close to ya.

Second, shuttling on "straight" trails are more doable, because more shuttle options are availible.

Third, with a good size group, the wide varitey of gear to be wittness out side of a gear store is the greatest resource for information.

Also, you get to see *how* everyone hikes. Not everyone hikes the same and you might be able to develop a hking style all yer own, by combining different hiking styles to your own.”

“Phaeddy, have you seen Pepper's Tahoe thread for next weekend? I'm trying to figure out how to hook up with her, she's taking a newbie out, I'm thinking maybe do a loop trip, maybe we can get you out there!!”

“I have done the same type of thing Wanderer. My summer bag is an old Slumberjack overbag and it is not warm enough anymore so I had taken to carrying that and my homemade pussie-liner which ends up being just as bulky and heavy as the 20 degree WM bag. So I just carry the WM bag and sleep under it like a quilt. I generally don’t mess around now when it comes to gear and I go right for the good stuff. However, I still don’t pay full price for anything I can’t get on sale.”

“Good reminder, wanderer. I bought an REI -5 down bag once because it was cheap. Then the zipper incident happened. Lesson learned, and I bought a North Face down bag, have had it for years, and I love it.

However, I must sing accolades to my el cheapo Eureka Apex 2XT tent. I bought it because it was cheap when I first got serious abou backpacking four years ago, but I also had read good reviews on it. I still use it. It's heavy as heck, but has served me well, and it'll be with a heavy heart when I leave it at home in favor of a new shelter (when I finally get it/them). sniff, sniff”

“Those Eureka! tents are great. I'd place them on the same level as most Sierra Designs tents. The Apex is a fine choise. Plenty of room, two doors and vestibules. It's heavy for a one man trip but split between two people it's great.”

“I bought an APEX 2XT for myself, liked it so well I ended up buying 26 of them for the Scout Troop when I was SM. If a bunch of boys can't wreck it, you have a great product! We figured out how to split it so each boy carried 1/2 the weight, usually worked out well, unless one of the boys forgot the poles :)”

“Cool deal! I'm so impressed with it, I'm considering another Eureka. Now that I'm in Maine, a four-season tent is probably a good idea. The Alpenlite 2XT is within my budget (costs $199 at Campmor) and the reviews I've read on it are fantastic.

Relating this to the threads original topic: Sometimes there are very worthy products out there that can fit into a tight budget. Not always, but sometimes. One just has to do their homework. Just my 2 cents. :-)”

“I will say about the REI Traveler Down 45* bag, is that you have to sleep HOT!!
Having said that, I love my Traveler Down bag...
Where do I save money? I buy a lot of my gear at REI garage sales....
I make gear.
I shop very carefully.
I quit carrying so much junk.
I learned to steal from my boyfriend ;-)”