That may indeed be true, and I think it probably is, but it ignores the value of getting out there with cheap gear, which is substantial.

When I was young I simply could not afford quality gear, so I bought cheap stuff and improvised on other stuff. I spent way more money on cars and gas to get to NPs and NFs than gear during those first 20 years. Had I waited to go until I saved and acquired quality gear I may have never gone to many of those places, nor spent near as many nights out.

More than cold nights, sleeping on hard ground, or being wet or hot, I remember the places I went and things I saw back then. So what was the real value of the cheap gear I used?

Priceless....