lite gear advice

“Im a newbie to the backpacking scene after I bought my first cheap backpack and a couple small odds and ends. Im looking to get out there soon but need some help as im a little clueless. I was hoping for some good advice to get some good lite gear on my low budget. The main things I need are a tent, sleeping bag, & water filter and should be all set. Im looking for stuff to hold up to mild weather in AZ. So far Ive found an MSR waterworks II for $80 at campmor and think that is my best bet, but was hoping for some good friendly advice for light tent and bag around the $50 range/each (and maybe hints for a good pack).”

“Well, im not sure what good gear you can get for 50 bucks. But i got a great new sleeping bag at walmart for 50. It is a 30 degree coleman mummy. It ways about 3 pounds, great deal. Also, I got a Kelty Coyote 4750 pack. I got it for 100 after searching a bit, but once again, check walmart, their packs dont look too cool, but they work! For shelter, look for the HIKER BIKER tent. They sell it at campmor and cabellas. A good filter is the MSR that you saw, or the Katadyn Hiker. Around 60$$. Hit the trails, and good luck!”

“I second what dan said.

But get out there - you don't need much this time of year in AZ, and car camping counts. You'll have a better idea what you need after a couple of trips.”

“I'm not sure I would go wally world for a pack. A Coleman bag might be ok... but I just bought my daughter a Mountainsmith pack from Campmor for $79 plus shipping Deals are out there if you look hard enough. Spend the beginning of your money on a pack (if you are backpacking rather than car camping) and/or shelter (if you are car camping). A $5 swimming pool air mattress can work for a sleep pad. There are 40-50 degree sleeping bags to be had for $30 that would do fine for now. You need good shelter. and a good way to carry it. Alcohol stoves (DIY) will boil water. Without a good solid pack and a good dry shelter IMO your screwed. For my money Wally World don't meet either criteria, but there are lots of options that do.

Chemical water treatment are cheaper in the short run and much lighter. Filter cartridges need to be changed and can run into some money. Look at all the options that compete for your money and choose the priorities YOU want to go with. I boiled water for quite a while before I bought a filter because short run it was cheaper. But those are personal priorities and tradeoffs.”

“I have the MSR. I bought because it screws onto the bladder bag andnalgene bottles. I still use it occasionally, but order to save weight and space I have switched to chemicals... Its a nice gadget but I wouldn't make that your first purchase.

My first 20 and 40 degree bags were synthetic ones I bought at Dicks SPorting Goods for $29... I still use the 40 to back back and the 20 degree for car camping.

I doubt you will find anything in the $50 range as far as backpacks. Kelty Externals are a good place to start as you can bungy a lot of crap to them... A little heavier, but you can't have everthing... I now use an Osprey Talon 44 which I love on warm weather/short trips.

Also, if you are going to be doing some serious hiking, soend the extra money for good shoes... Go to a reputable outfitter etc and have them size you... Nothing like blisters to ruin a trip..

'fool”

“Save the money on the water filter and buy some aqua mira. This stuff will last years; costs and weighs nothing. Look below...free shipping too

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/CMP/KNC-97950/cmpn/97950/store/MG/item/415008/N/0”

“Thank god potty training is almost over. And after I polish my aim a bit I can start teaching it to the kid.”

“Just take him camping.. aim isn't important... no seat to hit...

'32oz”

“I use the Katydin (PUR) Hiker water filter - i like it better than the chemical treatments, but thats purely personal preference. Most of the chem treatments require a fair amount of time to work in cold water and where I spend the majority (ok all) of my time the mountain streams are rather chilly.

That said, I've got an older tent - but in GREAT shape - that I'll let ya have for 50 bucks. It's a Kelty Clark Tent - maybe a bit heavy by todays standards, but it's bombproof - was an editor's choice by BP Mag back when it was a new model.

No rips, virtually no wear showing - i used for a quite a while and still would, but i've pretty much converted to tarp tent / or pure tarp use now.

email in my addy - people here can vouch for me - i won't screw you over - if your interested.

I'd wathch out for wal mart bags... but in AZ this time of year, unless your getting higher in elevation, you don't need much.

You might check out the La Fuma warm 'n light series - down bags, rated aroud 40 degrees and superlight and compact. I've got one that i use in teh Rockies for summertime.

get out and have fun”

“I have the Kelty Clark and I absolutely love it.. Or I guess I should say I absolutely LOVED it, as my son used it once and decided he wanted it..
I had it along on a trip to Mount Rogers when a huge storm came through. I was camping at Scales and the wind was ripping through there like a hurricane.. the tent barely moved...

'fool
last edited: 6/04/08 11:04:44 AM”

“well if you want to get out there pretty soon and it's summer in arizona then:

a) you don't need to stinkin' tent
b) you don't need no stinkin' sleeping bag
c) get some aquamira to treat your water and leave the crappy msr water filter on the shelf.”

“Wk, isn't it that aquamira lasts years if left unopened?”

“I hope it is a long time because I have a bottle that has been around for years! I think as long as it turns yellow when you mix it it is good to go.”

“Yea, for a pack, definitely look around the internet. I actually got mine from a guy on ebay. I lost the bid, but he emailed me saying he had another if i wanted it. I got mine for 100. Also, craigslist.com usually has a lot nearby you, and the local papers often has cheap packs. They were right about the tablets, if you are just starting out, use them, they work great, and are loads cheaper.”

“Wk, isn't it that aquamira lasts years if left unopened?�
Sassafras
8:15:51 PM

My botles have a date of exp. on them. I believe that is sometime in 2010. I doubt I have used a 1/10 of the juice.”

“i doubt even that date is relevant. i think i read somewhere that as long as it turns yellow when you mix it that there is more than enough active ingredient to do the job.”

“Ok, so ive got plenty of chemicals and willing to force a little iodine in me if need be to save on the water filter, Found a good pack for $50 -I was going to go with Kelty, but in my search I found a half price/$50 3.75 lb, 5000 cu in, adjustable Jansport at campmor so hopefully that will be a good enough begginer. Found a good kelty 35 degree synthetic bag though. I never trust ebay, but craigslist is good! Found an old blog about an alpine tent that should work for anything I need here in dry, warm AZ and the swimming pool pad was a great tip!. I learned the hard way about getting good shoes after blistering bad enough to not walk for a week. I think Ill definitely continue to find out the hard way but you guys have been a huge help on getting me started, excited, and not wasting too much money. Im am so glad i found you guys and this site! Thanks a ton everyone!!!

-- The annoying newbie”

“happy trails dude”

“heck yeah - backpacking is like a lot of things, you can spend as much as you want on stuff, but you'll be amazed at what you can get away with(out).

5,000 cu in is a BIG pack, watch out and avoid the trap of filling it full!”

“Fill it full of beer and you will be everyone's favorite backpacking budddy...”

“That's why I just bought a heavy(1.6kg) pack last night.”

“I got a Kelty Cosmic 35 from SierraTradingPost.com and was very comfortable and happy with it on it's first trip out. It is under 3 pounds, and is currently priced at $45.50.

Tinny at minibull (http://www.minibulldesign.com/myadventure/) just posted a video review of a wally world backpack made by outdoor products. $32 I believe he said he paid for it.

Good Luck!”