WTB: Hiking Basics (pack, tent, etc)

[Coffeeboy09]

Hello all, I'm relatively new to both these forums, and the whole hiking scene, but I am really serious about getting into this hobby.

The reason I'm looking to buy used gear is because I am in high school (Senior) and have a somewhat limited budget.

Onto the things I'm looking for:

-Arc'Teryx Bora 35 or 40 backpack, small or medium. Color doesn't really matter. I really want this model of pack.

-A good 1 or two man tent. Unsure of what brands of tents are good, so I can't really specify a certain brand, sorry.

-Synthetic sleeping bag good down to at least 35-40 Degrees F.

I'm looking to BUY all of this, unless you want to trade for some current Military MOLLE equipment and such, which I'm sure you don't. ;)

Thanks, and I hope someone has these things I need!

[JewDuh]

-Synthetic sleeping bag good down to at least 35-40 Degrees F.

I'm looking to BUY all of this, unless you want to trade for some current Military MOLLE equipment and such, which I'm sure you don't. ;)

I don't know how much military stuff you have right now, but if you have the 3 piece sleep system, the green bag by itself is a 40 degree bag and only weighs 2 or 2.5 lbs (Not a bad start) or you could go by the rule of thumb that we always used in the military... If your not expecting snow, you don't need more than a poncho and poncho liner... Also if you have an "ISO mat" they are about the best thing out there for Heat retention, but they are about the worst thing out there for comfort... You can find all that stuff used on e-bay for cheap.

Since I am the first person to post here I might as well mention that if you are looking for a tent why not consider a hammock? It is Sgt Rocks forum after all, and I know some one is going to say it. (I'm still waiting on my 1st hammock in the mail so I can't say much, you can also find those on e-bay, and occasionally at a really good price, but I'd check around here 1st.)

I remember being in high school, and I had more money to spare back then than I do now... So if you have some $ to spare check out the High Peak E-Z Pack Dura Loft +30 F Sleeping Bag (http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/High-Peak-E-Z-Pack-Dura-Loft-30-F-Sleeping-Bag/2195599/product.html) it's about 50% off at overstock.com (About $65 with shipping) and I have 1 that I really like (It comes in a green and gray, the color scheme of their picture is off and it looks green and Purple) with the included compression sack it came in just under 2lbs. and it has been too warm every time I've tried to use it this summer. and if you compress it (Which a lot of ppl will say not to) It gets down to the size of a huge grapefruit.

I'm very opinionated when it comes to tents (In other words feel free to ignore this next little bit), and I'm currently saving up for a north face Rock 32, but I only use a tent when I'm not alone (Or when I'm camping) Bivy sacks, Poncho Shelters, Tarps, and maybe soon a hammock are my choices for solo hiking

[MalTheElder]

Welcome!

You might want to consider getting your pack last. For now use whatever you've got on hand while getting your sleep system, kitchen, etc. together. Then you'll have a real idea of what size and style of pack you need.

I have to echo JewDuh about trying a hammock & tarp before you go for a tent. I won't repeat all the reasons for doing so---a lot of others have written extensively and well about the pros and cons. Look around here first, and scope out some of the links you'll find.

Besides, you can cobble up enough of a hammock and tarp rig to backyard test without too much difficulty. If you've got some stout line and fabric you can improvise a camping-style hammock to try. My first rig was a Byers Traveler and cheap tarp---a 'blue tarp,' but in camo. Next day I cut up my old dome tent for the fabric, and haven't gone to ground since! That was my pre-Katrina rig when I was out in NOLA in '05 (yes, I was hammock hanging in the Lower 9th). Now I have an HH Exped and MacCat Deluxe hex tarp, both in pretty much continuous use since Spring of '06 (I only take them down to go camping or gypsying around to see the relatives).

BTW, it took the late TS Faye almost 10 days to run me indoors---in a tent it would have been the 1st night. Yes, Virginia, a tarp is drier and more pleasant (IMNSHO) than a tent. If you happen to be handy with a sewing machine, anything you can buy, you can probably make---plans are everywhere.

Sorry, this was supposed to be quick post; caffeine kicking in, I reckon. Anyway, go throw something together and try it! Don't worry about perfect, at least not yet :biggrin:

Best,
Mal

[rigidpsycho]

I would have to agree with Jewduh and Mal forget the tent and get a hammock. Once you've slept in a hammock you will never go to ground again. As Jewduh said for the bag if you have the sleep system just stick with it, especially if you're not planning on going out in the extreme cold.

[dixicritter]

Welcome to the site Coffeeboy09. Take some time to check out the info that's been posted in the other forums and ask some questions about the things you are unsure on. There is a wealth of information to be gained from the users on this site if you just ask the right questions. Many very experienced hikers post here... :wink: Now just get them talking and you'll have all the answers you could possibly stand and then some...LOL.

[JAK]

I've always advised getting the pack last also, but that kind of implies getting everything else first, and that isn't neccessary either. Now I just advise not to get a pack over $100 or 2 pounds. Even if for whatever reason you end up wanting a heavier pack the smaller pack is still very useful.

That's not a bad pack choice though. For a young guy that can and wants to carry way more gear than he really needs too you could do a lot worse. I've got a pack that weighs more than twice that much. Never use it. But that one I could live with. I now use a pack that weighs 20oz and holds 3200ci and cost $100, even in winter. Doesn't really matter which one it is. There are alot of packs like that out there now. Hard to find at most outfitters though.

So yeah, get a pack, but if you really want to save some money and get something lighter you might consider something lighter. But if you really want to lug 50 pounds around now and then your choice ain't bad. If I was 20 years younger and 70 pounds lighter I would. Don't feel you have to spend alot of money on those 30 extra pounds of gear though. Rocks will do, or maybe some really good food. Imagine the meals you could have eh. Geez I should loose some weight and try that. No that won't work. LOL

[JAK]

Alot of good cheap tents out there, and if they weigh an extra pound that's no biggy. If I was going to spend any real money on quality it might be the sleeping bag, but you needn't go overboard there. As far a clothes and cooking stuff that can be really cheap. You only need 1 set of clothes really, in layers, and you can get stuff like merino wool sweaters and light nylon wind layers for $20 each and long underwear skin layers for $10 each and good socks for no more than $5 each if you shop around. Search around this site and you will find plenty of ways of high with good gear really cheap. What I like most about people on this site is they are not ashamed of being cheap. Frugality is still a virtue here.

[JAK]

Alot of hammock fanatics here though. I don't know why I haven't tried it yet myself.
Don't let it slow you down though. You don't need a tent either. Here is the cheapest and quickest way to get started...

$10 Blue Foam Pad 72" x 20-28" x 0.375"
$30 Nylon Poncho/Tarp + some nails and cords
+ maybe a piece of tyvex or walmart nylon to cover over your sleeping bag

I have a gortex bivy I got from Army Surplus, but its kinda heavy for summer.

[JAK]

Actually a small tent from Walmart can be just as cheap,
but you might find the poncho/tarp more useful in the long run.

[JAK]

I have stuff I could sell you but I'm not sure it would be worth the shipping.
Best of luck to you.

[Skidsteer]

...Now just get them talking and you'll have all the answers you could possibly stand and then some...LOL.

Wow you really called that one Dixi.

[JAK]

LOL

... and then some

[dixicritter]

Wow you really called that one Dixi.

Sure did...LOL.

[MalTheElder]

What I like most about people on this site is they are not ashamed of being cheap. Frugality is still a virtue here.

Frugality? Is that the same as insufficient funds? :albertein

Best,
Mal

[FireFighter56]

Frugality is the practice of acquiring goods and services in a restrained manner, and
resourcefully using already owned economic goods and services, to
achieve a longer term goal

no...just means we are all cheap... :P

lol...

[JewDuh]

I think I get what you are saying FireFighter, Frugality=Cheap, Insuficient funds=poor, and one is not necessarily the other. I must admit I tend to be both, but some people choose to one when they are not the other. I do, however, find it ironic how much money people will spend to find out how little they can live with.