What did you not buy today?

This is a companion thread to all the threads on gear on these boards. It is increasingly clear that consumerism is a driving force in the issue of global climate change. With that in mind, I am not suggesting that we avoid ever buying anything again, or even avoid buying anything that comes in plastic packaging, but I am suggesting that we should also have a thread here to celebrate NOT buying new gear.


The full article, including examples of scavenged, salvaged, and very long-lived gear is here:

https://www.backpackthesierra.com/post/what-did-you-not-buy-today


So what you have re-purposed for your backpacking gear? What solutions have you found for gear that is low-impact/no impact on our environment. What gear do you have that has served its purposed well for more than ten years…and doesn’t need to be replaced, perhaps ever? What practices have you adopted that are a significant step in the right direction?


Yes, this thread may offend some advertisers who want us to buy their gear. But I would hope that most of them would also see the long-term benefits of the discussion.

I can't claim not to have bought anything lately; in fact, I just replaced a windbreaker yesterday. Most of my gear is less than 5 years old; yes, I'm a gear freak.

However, in my defense, I don't toss my old gear, or even leave it lying around in a "spare gear" pile. I've been fortunate enough, over the last 20 years or so, to be able to indulge my desire to try out a lot of new, good gear - and I've passed it along (mostly for free) to others. I've always rationalized that I'm not fighting consumerism directly, but indirectly by eliminating someone else's need to buy the item I just bought. (The two greatest inventions of humankind are the ability to rationalize, and compound interest. )

I'm also a fan of scavenged and re-purposed gear, partly for environmental reasons and partly because I'm a habitual cheapskate. :-)

I highly recommend the book Ultralight Backpackin' Tips by Mike Clelland. He has the same attitude, and the book is full of useful tips: cheap water bottles, DIY alcohol stoves, mini-Bic lighters, lightweight food from the grocery store, razor blade instead of pocketknife, etc.

> book Ultralight Backpackin' Tips by Mike Clelland

Borrow it from the library or inter-library loan. No need to buy a new copy! :-)

Hi, I'm Dustin and I'm a gear junkie.
<listless 'hi, dustin' from the rest of the support group>
I have way too many jackets and stoves, etc. I tell myself they're specialized for certain scenarios, but I know I could get by with far fewer.

However, I've been using the same Gatewood Cape for at least 15 years, for ground camping. I usually use a 14-year-old bivy underneath it. I just don't have any desire to replace them because they are dialed to my needs. I've replaced the stakes and tried a couple different poles, but I keep going back to this same shelter.
My sleeping pad also hasn't changed in at least 10 years. I just sleep well on it.

What's encouraging to me is, for the shelter and pad, and a growing list of other things, I'm good. That's been a trend the past few years and I hope it continues. My wife and my wallet will thank me.

I have a few old pieces of gear that are still good, most notably a pair of Trailwise Slimline sleeping bags. However, I have lighter bags now, so they don't get used much.

The most durable piece of gear is an REI "Teton" daypack that I bought somewhere around 2000. It was used almost every weekend until 2015, and almost every day since. It's faded from the sun, and has had a few minor repairs, but it's still going strong. It has an over-the-top zipper closure which has never failed. The bottom and partway up the sides are a canvas-like nylon or polyester (but not regular Cordura or ballistic cloth) that shows no wear despite years of use. The underside of the shoulder straps are a slightly fuzzy material, which, again, shows no wear. I wish I could find those fabrics somewhere.

Unfortunately, our whole economy is based on consumerism. I don't have the money to participate much, but I suppose if I did, I probably would.

It seems to me that gear manufacturers could do their part by not constantly making needless "improvements" to already good gear. I'll avoid the temptation to rant about that, but it is an annoyance, especially when it comes to shoes.