Old school/tradional backpacking??

I agree, alot of gear doesn't have to be premium to work. One way to lighten up is just bring less stuff. I often go for short trips without stove. Saves fuel, pots, stove weight, hassle, etc.

If you do want "ultralight" gear on a budget, and you're a little bit handy, there's a bunch of stuff you can make, including packs, tarps, sleeping quilts, etc. Here's some links to that stuff.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/display_forum.html?forum=38

http://thru-hiker.com/materials/index.php - sells kits. You can drive price cheaper if you just buy materials.

http://rayjardine.com/

I made a ray-way sleeping quilt, came out great, I'm a total novice on the sewing machine.
 
Steve i have i old surplus pack i dont use or need anymore old french army ruck still in good shape not much but its a start let me know . Like kvaughn said got to get the kids out there in the woods if it wasnt for hand me down gear that i got when i was a kid i never would have gotten to do much camping or fishing . Rich
 
I also subscribe to Backpacker Magazine.

I like to read the reviews on the fancy stuff just to see what's the latest and greatest, but never buy the brand new gear. I find the older stuff is typically heavier, but is also a whole lot more durable than the new ultralight gear trend the backpacking industry is currently in.

On a side note on the magazine: They talk big about gear and Everest summits, but their actual articles are usually written by down-to-earth people using down-to-earth gear. Two issues ago, the first article was about two brothers hiking around some huge lake. The only mention of gear in the article was the "Speedies" which were Speedos that the guys wore a couple of times. In fact, the author really cut down on an ultralight speed-hiker (probably carrying the ultralight gear reviewed elsewhere in the magazine) who wasn't enjoying the scenery.
 
Thanks for the replies! As I mentioned above, we are on a really tight budget. I need a pack, I suppose what Backpacker Mag would consider "weeklong". I am looking at milsurp, such as the ALICE and MOLLE stuff. Downsides are- I am limited on colors (no big deal) and milsurp is always super heavy (maybe a good thing??).

Shelters I can improvise as well as stoves.
 
Best Wishes, Steve.

From a kids-are-all-grown perspective, the time you invest with them and the acknowlegement of their growing prowess is VASTLY more important than the gear you are using.

Teach responsibility, skill set, fair play, and respect...and as they grow up and away, you will find that you've given them more than all the stuff in the world.

oh, and a sense of humor in good or bad times...a life-saver. :)
 
bodydamage said:
MOLLE II for $50.. Care to share?
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Feel free to shoot me an email, it's deal spotting. The ALICE I received 3 days after putting in the order was half of the Blackhawk SOF Ruck Kit-the straps, kidney pads etc-with an issue ALICE bag and a new eternal frame. GREAT deal.
 
untamed said:
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.
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I agree with this about 200%...
 
steve-in-kville said:
Thanks for the replies! As I mentioned above, we are on a really tight budget. I need a pack, I suppose what Backpacker Mag would consider "weeklong". I am looking at milsurp, such as the ALICE and MOLLE stuff. Downsides are- I am limited on colors (no big deal) and milsurp is always super heavy (maybe a good thing??).

Shelters I can improvise as well as stoves.
Click to expand...

For a stove I made a stick burner from a large pineapple can-I drove holes with screwdrivers spiraling up from the bottom to allow airflow, then poked holes with an awl around the top to make a grate from a wire hangar. You can drop a burning petrol jelly cotton ball in the bottom with small sticks and boil water, coffee, soup etc right on top. Great for hot dogs and steaks and such too. As far as being limited on colors, a 3 dollar can of krylon can go a LONG way when dusting a pack. Some of the milsurp stuff is downright ugly...
 
I'm going to tell you to stay away from any of the Outdoor Products brand that they sell at Wal-Mart, among other places. It looks good for the money, but that's all it does..look good.

I was reading a review on Amazon about a fanny pack I happen to have bought about a year ago, but not used very much. All the reviews talked about the belt strap ripping out of the sides of the pack after just a little use. I decided to see if they would rip out. I just tugged on them pretty hard and sure enough, they tore right out. They were held in with a single row of stitching. I kept the straps and buckles, and the two bottles, and pitched the pack.

Try to get used equipment from quality names. A lot of the neophytes out there just HAVE to have the latest, newest, coolest stuff. They get rid of their used stuff pretty cheap most times, compared to its original retail price.
 
I'll make a similar offer. I have an REI frame and pack that my son used once, and a lightweight Alice rucksack, along with some other stuff. I'll send you a PM with a list, and it's yours if you want it. I'll pay for the shipping.
20gauge
 
candlelight001 said:
I agree, alot of gear doesn't have to be premium to work. One way to lighten up is just bring less stuff. I often go for short trips without stove. Saves fuel, pots, stove weight, hassle, etc.

If you do want "ultralight" gear on a budget, and you're a little bit handy, there's a bunch of stuff you can make, including packs, tarps, sleeping quilts, etc. Here's some links to that stuff.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/display_forum.html?forum=38

http://thru-hiker.com/materials/index.php - sells kits. You can drive price cheaper if you just buy materials.

http://rayjardine.com/

I made a ray-way sleeping quilt, came out great, I'm a total novice on the sewing machine.
Click to expand...


+1 on the ray jardine stuff... he also has a fun mora knife making kit... but the ray way stuff and multi use equipment is the best way to go.
 
Sorry I don't have anything to contribute right now, I'm trying to outfit an 11yr old and 7yr old myself. However, I do have a resource to share with you. And it maybe a good time to start this working here as well.

On BCUSA there is a thread called "Camp Gear Under 100 Dollar" http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3090

It's all about starting a kit on the cheap and hopefully it can give you some ideas.

David
 
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