Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#116178 - 05/17/09 02:31 PM getting back into it, need help with gear selectio
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
Hey ya'll.

First let me tell you a little about myself. As a teenager I was very active with the boy scouts. I enjoyed backing trips usually about twice a month. As an adult, however, i do not get such a luxury. I'm 30 now, 74" tall, and about 200 pounds. I Live in alabama where it is pretty damned humid. Any trips I would take would be no more than 3 consecutive days.

I have the tent I want picked out. I'm looking at the Marmot EOS 1p with matching footprint.

I figure that is going to be the largest piece of kit that goes into my loadout, so i'm going to base my pack around it. and that's what i need help with. I need suggestions on a pack and a sleeping bag. The pack must be hydration bladder compatible. keep in mind that during the summer it gets well over 95 degrees, and is usually pretty humid.

for food, i'm planning on getting some mre main courses, and maybe the breads from them. They would provide plenty of calories for the days. maybe some trail bars for a snack. Point being that i'm not entirely sure that i'm going to need any type of cook stove.

Also need a line on a relatively cheap, but good water filter.

Top
#116180 - 05/17/09 02:52 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: arolfsen]
chava Offline
newbie

Registered: 05/16/09
Posts: 8
Loc: PA
cheap but good water "filter" is iodine drops for me, but I know they bug the heck out of some people. For me if it's wet, I'll drink it.

as for your other thoughts, the more experienced peeps on here will be more helpful. I haven't heard good things about MRE's though.

I went to high school in Alabama. You're a brave man for going out in the summer! Going out to Oak Mountain at all?

Top
#116181 - 05/17/09 03:00 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: arolfsen]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Have a look at the replies in the other "getting back into it"
thread in this area - My reply there applies to you too. There
are lighter options for a solo tent from tarptent or six moon designs that you may wish to consider.

MRE's are heavy as heck, you carry a lot of water with it. carrying a small stove or esbit tablets and backpacking food
without all the water in it can actully save you weight.

Iodine is seriously old school and (imo) nasty tasting, if you're going to go filterless (I do) consider the more modern chlorine dioxide treatements like aquamira or pristine. Alternatively I'm sure you'll get some suggestions for filters here (I'm a confirmed filter hater..)


_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#116184 - 05/17/09 04:36 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: phat]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
I really liked that tarptent.com reference. The contrail looks like exactly what i'm looking for. will it support my wieght though, cause it looks like it is suspended off the ground.

i'm now looking at the osprey aether 60, argon 70, and a fleece blanket for a cover instead of a sleeping bag.


Edited by arolfsen (05/17/09 04:37 PM)

Top
#116185 - 05/17/09 04:39 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: arolfsen]
kbennett Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/03
Posts: 820
Loc: north carolina
If I lived any further south than North Carolina, my hiking season would be November through March. It's already plenty hot up here in the summer -- so I feel your pain.

I would take a light down 40-F rated sleeping bag. Make SURE it has a full zipper, so it can be opened and used as a quilt on the warmest nights. If you want to do any spring or fall trips, I would get a 30-F rated bag, which still works okay in the summer. If you want to do real winter trips, you need two bags, one for winter and one for the other three seasons.

Other than that, my advice is also in the other, similar thread. Good luck.

_________________________
--Ken B

Top
#116186 - 05/17/09 04:44 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: arolfsen]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
how strong is ripstop nylon? if i throw some military grade webbing on the sides, and drop a shotgun scabbard on the side, will it hold? or rip apart?

Top
#116187 - 05/17/09 05:12 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: arolfsen]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
another question. as i this will be my first internal frame pack, do i pack my tent in the pack itself? or strap it to the outside?

Top
#116188 - 05/17/09 05:50 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: arolfsen]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Shotgun scabbard -> depends - if the pack has side compresson straps you may attach the scabbard to those and it should hold just fine.

As for tent - Depends what you wanna do and what sort of tent
you have. I stuff my hammock or solo tent in my pack, but its small. with a big thang you might strap to outside, but there
really aren't any hard and fast rules. I generally avoid outside the pack for the danger of losing gear, but not always. Just do what makes sense and is comfortable.
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#116204 - 05/18/09 10:16 AM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: arolfsen]
ohiohiker Offline
member

Registered: 07/20/07
Posts: 127
Loc: Ohio
I boil to purify water, but carry Micropur tablets as an alternative. If fires are safe and allowed, boiling is simple, effective, and free.

For a sleeping bag, I would go with something with Climashield insulation. I wouldn't use down for a warm weather bag in moist climates. I use a Climashield quilt I made from a kit, but am still undecided on whether to go back to a bag.

For food, I just buy packable stuff at the supermarket: peanut butter, Power Bars, granola, rice, instant oatmeal.


Top
#116217 - 05/18/09 06:51 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: phat]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
Originally Posted By phat

Shotgun scabbard -> depends - if the pack has side compresson straps you may attach the scabbard to those and it should hold just fine.

As for tent - Depends what you wanna do and what sort of tent
you have. I stuff my hammock or solo tent in my pack, but its small. with a big thang you might strap to outside, but there
really aren't any hard and fast rules. I generally avoid outside the pack for the danger of losing gear, but not always. Just do what makes sense and is comfortable.

for grunts and giggles let's say i wanted to put the tent in the pack. right now i think i'm leaning towards one of the tarptents, the contrail which is 14x4 compressed or the rainbow which is 20x4 compressed. For the summer i'm thinking a thin fleece blanket should suffice for a cover (would go in the sleeping bag compartment), and probably a thermorest lining the inside of the pack. would i need larger than a 4000ci pack?

Top
#116219 - 05/18/09 07:29 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: arolfsen]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Originally Posted By arolfsen

for grunts and giggles let's say i wanted to put the tent in the pack. right now i think i'm leaning towards one of the tarptents, the contrail which is 14x4 compressed or the rainbow which is 20x4 compressed. For the summer i'm thinking a thin fleece blanket should suffice for a cover (would go in the sleeping bag compartment), and probably a thermorest lining the inside of the pack. would i need larger than a 4000ci pack?


I don't know. I wouldn't, I can do fine with the kind of gear you are talking about in an *1800* CI pack, but I am not you.

You've mentioned your possible big three, but not what else you are taking. While you're making a light and compact choice for shelter, a moderate choice for sleeping, You're also talking about taking lots of extra and heavy stuff (I.E. a shotgun, which is also pretty useless without a box of shells)

So the answer is simple "depends on how much other stuff you take :)"



Edited by phat (05/18/09 07:29 PM)
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#116220 - 05/18/09 08:43 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: phat]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
i'm thinking probably not much else.

cloths (haven't decided on that load out yet),
some eating utencils,
Surefire G2L and maybe some spare batteries
Water Filter (100oz bladder in the pack)
Field Stripped MREs (get down to the entree and bread only, no heater)
GPS
Trek Pole
20ft of paracord
maybe a camp tool (fiskers is my personal brand)
Spare box of shells (maybe. gun holds 6+1+10)


Edited by arolfsen (05/18/09 08:44 PM)

Top
#116255 - 05/19/09 03:09 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: arolfsen]
ohiohiker Offline
member

Registered: 07/20/07
Posts: 127
Loc: Ohio
I could fit all of that into my 2200 ci pack. I carry a 40 degree synthetic quilt which takes up 25% of the main compartment.

Top
#116260 - 05/19/09 04:13 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: arolfsen]
kbennett Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/03
Posts: 820
Loc: north carolina
Originally Posted By arolfsen
how strong is ripstop nylon? if i throw some military grade webbing on the sides, and drop a shotgun scabbard on the side, will it hold? or rip apart?


Out of curiosity, what's the shotgun for? Hogs? Bears? Or are you outfitting for a hunting trip?
_________________________
--Ken B

Top
#116268 - 05/19/09 06:54 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: kbennett]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
Originally Posted By kbennett
Originally Posted By arolfsen
how strong is ripstop nylon? if i throw some military grade webbing on the sides, and drop a shotgun scabbard on the side, will it hold? or rip apart?


Out of curiosity, what's the shotgun for? Hogs? Bears? Or are you outfitting for a hunting trip?


paranoia. seen one to many horror flicks not to go prepared when traveling alone. ever seen deliverance? cabin fever? it's like carrying a hand gun to me. it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Top
#116269 - 05/19/09 06:55 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: ohiohiker]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
Originally Posted By ohiohiker
I could fit all of that into my 2200 ci pack. I carry a 40 degree synthetic quilt which takes up 25% of the main compartment.


i was browsing backcountry's website last night and got an "im" from a sales person. they were pitching a 4k ci pack or better for out to a three day with the tent sizing i was looking at. she was very helpful in finding the thermorest i think i'm going to get.

The Contrail for a tent
argon 70 pack
Thermo-rest Trail Lite pad
Katadyn Hiker filter

she recommended the Therm-a-rest tech blanket but i can't find any tech specs on how small it compresses. I'm leaning more towards the marmot trestles bag or the Kelty Fleece

ETA: just did the math. i'm now over $600 just to get up and running. no one tell the wife. this is for my get away gear as it is.


Edited by arolfsen (05/19/09 07:06 PM)

Top
#116273 - 05/19/09 08:04 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear selectio [Re: arolfsen]
kbennett Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/03
Posts: 820
Loc: north carolina
Originally Posted By arolfsen

paranoia. seen one to many horror flicks not to go prepared when traveling alone. ever seen deliverance? cabin fever? it's like carrying a hand gun to me. it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.


Well, I guess that depends on where you hike.
_________________________
--Ken B

Top
#116292 - 05/20/09 01:33 AM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: arolfsen]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
A tarptent contrail in a 6 and a half pound pack! eek! smile
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#116294 - 05/20/09 05:33 AM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: phat]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
Originally Posted By phat
A tarptent contrail in a 6 and a half pound pack! eek! smile


if there is something else i should be looking at, please point me in the right direction. that's the reason i was asking for help in the first place.

Top
#116296 - 05/20/09 06:49 AM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: arolfsen]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
Based on your other, fairly light, gear choices, the sales person should have pointed you toward the Osprey Exos 46 or 58 pack, or a Gregory Z-series pack, or a Granite Gear Vapor or Nimbus series pack. You really don't need a 6+ pound pack. Assuming that your total load of food, water, and gear is under 30 pounds, you probably want to look at packs in the 3-pound-and-under category. By the way, Backcountry Gear, also accessible through the Portal above, has the two Exos packs on sale right now. (Disclaimer: I recently switched from the Granite Gear Vapor Trail to the Osprey Exos 58. Both are excellent, but I like the Exos better.)

Top
#116304 - 05/20/09 10:18 AM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: Glenn]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
What Glen said.. if you are making relatively light gear choices there's no need to add 3+ pounds to your load with a huge giant pack. (unless you are also planning on taking up rock collecting on the trail or bringing 30 pounds of clothing and crud with you).

Not to discount salespeople who can be very helpful, but often I find that outdoor retail people tend to "upsell" newbies a lot, and since the expensive stuff is either the large "expedition" things or the hyper lightweight uber technical ultralight stuff, the nice stuff in the middle that is well suited to most hikers often gets ignored in favour of buying
something "bigger and more durable" (I've never worn out a pack yet..)

I would suspect you should be able to get a pack that will fit you well and be comfortable with a lighter load that weighs around 3 pounds. The choices Glen has mentioned would be the same places I'd point you at to start. (I have a Granite Gear bag myself, and I've had lots of freinds very happy with the
Gregory Z packs) If you were shopping with me I'd drag you into the local store and make you walk around for half an hour with a Gregory Z55 on your back with 25-30 pounds of weight in it.





Edited by phat (05/20/09 10:22 AM)
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#116326 - 05/20/09 07:35 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: phat]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
okay, so between the gregory z55 and the exos 58 (about a $20 difference atm) which would you go with and why?

Top
#116328 - 05/20/09 08:00 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: arolfsen]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite Green Halo Long $69.95

Gregory z55 Flint Gray Large 159.20

Katadyn Hiker Pro Grey/Blue N/A $64.00

Tarptent Contrail Grey N/A 199.00

Tarptent Contrail Groundsheet White N/A $12.00

Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075 Red One Size $49.00

Total: $553.15

Top
#116331 - 05/20/09 08:16 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: arolfsen]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
The Exos 58 - but I'm biased. wink

If you can, go to the store, load your gear in, and try them both on. I looked at the Z55, but it was awkward (for me) to pack, and I couldn't get a good fit; it was very close, but no cigar. The Exos 58 worked very well on both counts. Aside from the great fit on the suspension, what really sold me was the two vertical outside pockets: I could store my fly in one, tent inner in the other, and have a wet fly separated from a relatively dry inner; the poles store in whichever pocket balances the load from side to side. Storing the tent in the outside pocket has two other advantages: it lets me pitch the tent without opening the main pack in the rain, and it lets me pack inside the tent, then take down the tent and pack it without having to open the main pack and expose it to the rain.

If you can't get to a store, and have room on the credit card, order one of each pack from a dealer that allows returns of unused gear for a full refund. Leave all the tags on, and load in your gear, then walk it around the block. Send the one you don't like back.

Top
#116341 - 05/20/09 11:04 PM Re: getting back into it, need help with gear sele [Re: Glenn]
arolfsen Offline
member

Registered: 05/17/09
Posts: 38
Loc: alabama
in a rush and not paying attention to what i was doing, i accidently deleted the osprey pack from my shopping cart and kept the gregory. i got the pack, the tent, and a drop cloth. the hiking pole i wanted sold out while i was deciding on everything else. i got everything from the backcountrygear.com. they say they will exchange whatever as long as it's new and unused, so if i don't like the z55 i can always swap it out for the exos 58. but i got both for just over what i was looking at for just the other osprey pack.

i ditched the pad and the filter, as i'll pay cash for those at a local outlet. but i charged the other two.


Edited by arolfsen (05/20/09 11:05 PM)

Top
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 170 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum