Old school/tradional backpacking??

steve-in-kville

steve-in-kville

Joined
Dec 25, 2001
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This kinda goes with some of my other threads I've started lately. I had subscibed to Backpacker magazine but I am letting my subscription run out this fall. Reason being- I simply cannot afford the gear they review and I will never travel to the places they write about.

My two boys (ages 12 & 10) are *really* into the outdoors. Shooting, fishing, camping.... you name it. To outfit myself and them with the lightest and latest in BP'ing gear is financially impossible.

I have some gear for day-hikes but nothing for multiple day ventures. I am looking for some sources on making our own gear, using milsurp gear or whatever it takes to get outdoors for some over-night treks. can anyone point me in the right direction?

BTW- this forum alone has been really helpful!!
 
You can get used packs and gear pretty cheap if you look around.

I buy a lot of my gear from Sierra Trading post.

I think my last 2 packs were under 100 each. My sleeping bag was 60. My stove was 10.

Of course I'm not sure what you consider expensive.
 
If you are really old fashioned, you can pack your gear in smaller bags and pouches, lay it in the center of you old army blanket with the ground sheet on the outside and fold it up into a "pack" that you lash securely. Or roll it all up. You can improvise packs with a little imagination. That ground cloth, unfolded all the way may become a small shelter as well, etc. Rumage around and see what you have on hand and then play "how about...?" An old shower curtain, a piece of canvas painted with latex paint, an old duffle bag with lashed on straps, etc. Some of the cheap stuff from Walmart is not bad either. How can you go wrong with one of those nesting mess kits of SS that only costs a few bucks? make it fun to improvise and adapt. The boys will love it.
 
I paid 90 bucks for my North Face 2 person tent, new.
I paid 35 bucks for my Slumberjack Solara sleeping bag, that weighs a mere 3 pounds.
I paid 75 bucks for my Mountainsmith Maverick new, with a pair of 60 dollar Rhyolite trekking poles.
Last week I bought two Camillus US issue folding knives on ebay, brand new, turned around and sold the second for more than I got the two of them for. I got a pair of New Balance 473 trail shoes at JC Penny on Black Friday three years ago for 35 dollars-I still run in them. It is possible to acquire good gear at inexpensive prices. I do research on exactly what I want, watch froogle like a hawk, and if the products don't get cheap enough during seasonal sales I hawk on ebay until I get it for the price I want.
 
Sign up for the dealflyer thing on Sierra Trading Post. Something you want may take a long time to go on sale(or never), but when you get the multiple discounts the prices can't be beat.

Check out backpacking forums. Several have DIY sections. Some people have gotten into sewing their own ultralight down quilts and stuff, but there should still be info on shelters, and maybe other gear that you can make.

I don't know about online surplus stores. We've got several in my area, and there used to be more. Surplus is what I grew up on.
I do a lot of my shopping at clearance sales at outdoor stores, sporting good stores, and online gear suppliers.
 
Fox Creek said:
If you are really old fashioned, you can pack your gear in smaller bags and pouches, lay it in the center of you old army blanket with the ground sheet on the outside and fold it up into a "pack" that you lash securely. Or roll it all up. You can improvise packs with a little imagination. That ground cloth, unfolded all the way may become a small shelter as well, etc. Rumage around and see what you have on hand and then play "how about...?" An old shower curtain, a piece of canvas painted with latex paint, an old duffle bag with lashed on straps, etc. Some of the cheap stuff from Walmart is not bad either. How can you go wrong with one of those nesting mess kits of SS that only costs a few bucks? make it fun to improvise and adapt. The boys will love it.
Click to expand...
You have some good ideas there.
 
I got a pretty usable top loading backpack in camo a wallyworld a year or so back during hunting season for like 20 bucks. Its not the most heavy duty and toughest built in the world but it works great for a few days trip. you dont always need the newest gear to go out camping, just whatever works best for you. I also have an old alice pack i got used at yard sale for alittle under 20 bucks. between walmart, yardsales and flee markets you can put together a really good, non expensive kit.
 
Aye, I have sources for 20 dollar ALICE packs with frame, as well as the entire MOLLE II rig for 50, if you're looking for absolute cheapest-but-will-work kind of deal...
 
Id start hitting up flea markets and yard sales if I were you, can find some damn good deals. I would also be keeping an eye on all the different chain store sales racks. Also check out coghlans gear, they have some stuff that works great and doesnt break the bank.
 
Most of my gear actually comes form US mil-surp stores and I'm always on the look-out for bargains on outdoor gear shops.

This thread actually touched a nerve, sort of. Allow me to explain.

I recall the Ray Mears saying that in his childhood days that though he wanted to go woods bumming, he himself couldn't afford camping gear and equipment. He later met one of his first scouting/wilderness (and judo) teachers and had an enlightenment of sorts when he said: "You don't have to (have such gear)".

Here in my country as well, trying to go out and enjoy the mountains or going camping to some really nice locations, buying the said gear/equipment for such is bloody murder. Its as if the best stuff (so what else is new, huh?) has been reserved for the mother-humping feel-good,"entitled", Starbucks-drinking, elitist dumbasses who've never gutted a fish in their entire lives or couldn't stand not be without A/C for 10 minutes. Even my best bud who joined some "mountaineering group" made up of rich students and yuppies was laughed at because of the kind of "gear" (re: cheap) he had :mad:

Sorry for the rant but God gave all of nature's bounty for ALL of us. It just irks me to see the direction where things are going that to have to enjoy all of this, we need to have to "equip" ourselves with ridiculously priced gear.
 
I started my packpacking in Scouts
We used Army surplus rucksacs, blankets and ponchos.

I taught packpacking to inner city kids in NYC
We used blanket/poncho rolls held together with cord.
All from the house!

Now it would be called roughing it! LOL
 
steve-in-kville said:
This kinda goes with some of my other threads I've started lately. I had subscibed to Backpacker magazine but I am letting my subscription run out this fall. Reason being- I simply cannot afford the gear they review and I will never travel to the places they write about.

My two boys (ages 12 & 10) are *really* into the outdoors. Shooting, fishing, camping.... you name it. To outfit myself and them with the lightest and latest in BP'ing gear is financially impossible.

I have some gear for day-hikes but nothing for multiple day ventures. I am looking for some sources on making our own gear, using milsurp gear or whatever it takes to get outdoors for some over-night treks. can anyone point me in the right direction?

BTW- this forum alone has been really helpful!!
Click to expand...

I have the same issues with Backpacker Magazine (unrealistic destinations, expensive gear reviews, etc.), but I also find some really good information in there too. I renewed my subscription this spring.

Because it is not "top-o-the-line", a lot of good workable gear gets a bum rap. The old Coleman brand is one of these. They do make some really good gear. Not as "bulletproof" or "ultralight" as many of the current fad brands, but perfectly usable for light, occasional use that many of us give our equipment. I personally don't care for the Slumberjack brand bags, but some here find them to be great. And they can be had at very appealing prices.

I've gotten away from the older mil-surp equipment. A lot of it was designed in the 1950's-60's for hard use by adults with above average fitness, and is heavier than needed for most civilians use.

One good by-product of the "yuppie" top-of-the-line gear buyers is a decent market supply of excellent used gear (often hardly used if at all) at very good prices, often half or less of MSRP. I bought a Marmot sleeping bag on "that auction site" for less than $40, the price of a really cheap bag at the local sporting goods big box store.

As far as packs, clothes and such for the kids though, I suggest you don't scrimp. No need in spending a fortune because they are still growing, but a lot of makers are now offering down-sized packs and bags for kids. Shopping sales is the way to go for these. Giving the packs meant for the school bus or soldiers will be a disservice,

Campmor has a mailing list (email) with updated "hot deals" that often includes kid's gear.
 
Steve-in-kville--My kids are 19 &20 now and have outgrown a lot of their outdoor stuff. Some I sold and some is stored. I'll try to dig through and see whats left for 10-12 yr olds. Possibly back packs /sleeping bags/messkits. Anything thats appropriate is yours for the cost of shipping. I'll be PMing you in a few days one way or another. Gotta get them kids out in the woods!--KV
 
I'm kinda with Codger on the Backpacker Magazine.

Actually because I order stuff from Sierra Trading Post I got a free subscription to it.

In the issues I've got recently they have had good articles on survival, orienteering, hiking technique and also some great recipes.

:thumbup:;)
 
Like most hobbies there are ways to enjoy them without spending a fortune on all the best equipment.
Backpacking should be about getting out there regardless of whether or not you have the "best" stuff. Summer is great because it doesn't take much to be comfortable. An easy way to change your mindset is reading some old books. They mention bedrolls, a canvas tarp, and a few small items. A modern approach to the same idea is somewhat to blend a survivalist / minimalist approach to choosing equipment.
Substituting a modern lightweight tarp for canvas and a light bag is easy and with very little extra effort you won't even miss the high dollar tent & bag.
Shop for specific things you want, but buy whatever you find for a steal of a price, then trade or sell what you didn't need.
I like to hit up garage sales at the end of summer. I've yet to get anything at Goodwill, but have friends who've made out like a bandit there before. ( One guy bought a pack, tent,stove, Ti cookware, all at once the day they brought it out for less than I spent on my Wiggy's bag.) MilSurp doesn't seem to be what it once was so I rarely even go by there. I watch for closeouts at places like Moosejaw for instance.

Improvising with whats available is a better lesson in survival & improvising than over equipped backpacking.
 
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