Please help me with budget backpack, sleeping bag & tent recommendation.

10after10

10after10

Joined
Oct 30, 2013
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Hello Blade Forums members,

I need help with finding a budget or value backpack, sleeping bag & tent. For backpack, I'm not looking for tactical or military style backpack, I have a couple already. I need one for camping & hiking (about 10-20 miles on flat terrain) that can hold enough gear for a weekend. I also need a 1-2 person tent and a sleeping bag. I don't think I'll need anything for less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night. I can't spend more than $100 for any one item. In fact, the less the better. Is it possible to get good, reasonable quality stuff within my budget?

Thanks in advance!
 
There is a store somewhere near (Chicago area) you that has a three letter name starting with R. You will find a good selection of inexpensive reliable equipment.
 
I'm aware and thank you for your response. However I'm hoping to get the advice of BF members that may have actual hands on experience with the type of gear that I'm looking for.
 
Coleman Sundome tent < 50.00. Big Agnes bags are a good value. the buffalo Park is in your temp range, I have the Whisky Park & have used it
above 6,000 ft. with temps in the upper 20's. the wife & I use the Coleman Evanston 4 person and found it to be very servicable {costco for about 60.00 }

don't forget some form of a pad under your sleeping bag! insulation under you is as important as the loft of your bag.

can't help much with the pack choice, If your humping everything for 10 to 20 mi. consider spending more here & save your back
I'm running a Kifaru HiCamp 4800 / Bikini Frame W 26"stays
 
10after10 said:
I'm aware and thank you for your response. However I'm hoping to get the advice of BF members that may have actual hands on experience with the type of gear that I'm looking for.
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I am not sure how your local store is up there but the one here in Cincinnati has EXTREMELY knowledgeable people working there.

Backpack - Kelty Redwing 50
Tent - Kelty Grand Mesa 2 or Eureka Apex 2
Sleeping Bag - Surplus Military Sleep System

The only item I have personal experience with is the Redwing however I have used and trust Kelty and Eureka tents. The MSS is about the best bang for your buck in a good quality sleeping bag.
You should be able to get all three item for under 300 bucks.
 
I would give a good look over the lists at outdoor gear lab. At the very least it gives you an idea on a things like probable durability, and some feature info.

The two things I would spend a little extra on are the pack, and a sleeping pad. With a good pad, you can get away with a little less sleeping bag. But that said, at least a decent closed cell foam pad will be cheap, if bulky. Tent can be a bug net and tarp, or rented if you need, but a bad pack can be crippling, quite literally.
10-20miles is some pretty serious trail even on the flat, and cheap gear is heavy. A good pack now lets you upgrade the rest of your gear, a crap pack will stick you at home. Always under pack a larger bag, not over-pack a little one. and my personal opinion is that any pack that does not have load-lifter straps that anchor at the height of your shoulder or higher is a waste of time. the thing is that cheap/ heavy gear needs a pack that can support the load, and those are not cheap. for 5 miles, you'll be fine with almost anything, but more than 10, and its a whole other story.

Can't help you much more, all my gear is from MEC which you won't be able to get where you are.
 
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Thank you to everyone for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate all the advice.
 
One final opinion. Do you want budget gear because you won't be using it frequently and those don't want to spend? I'm in that group so when I do go I rent top shelf stuff from REI. Again may be worthless info, but wanted to share in case.
 
Snugpak Jungle Bag, with an emergency wool/poly blend blanket.
You need a mat under that, a self inflating pad will do the trick.
Both of those combined will be around $115 or so.
 
Iron City said:
One final opinion. Do you want budget gear because you won't be using it frequently and those don't want to spend? I'm in that group so when I do go I rent top shelf stuff from REI. Again may be worthless info, but wanted to share in case.
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I won't be using it that frequently. Probably 1-4 times in a year. And DANG!, I just missed a good deal on a Thermarest pad over in the "Gadgets & Gear" forum.
 
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