Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Sadly a lot of steepandcheaps items arent that big of discounts compared to buying them directly from backcountry.com. I still buy a decent amount from them but its worth checking backcountry.com's prices as Ive found them to be the same but BC.com offers free shipping.

I mostly only watch the timed single item deal though.

sierratradingpost is another decent site as well. Same sort of deal as steepandcheap.


Both sites work with "cash back" sites like fatwallet by the way. I think backcountry.com has 6% back and STP has like 2.5%? Good way to earn abit of cash back. Sadly steepandcheap doesnt work with fatwallet anymore.

 

This. I've got one wool base layer and two synthetic ones, and the wool is my go-to because it lasts so much longer without smelling terrible. The synthetics stink after day one. The wool's still good at the end of the week.
I got mine from LL Bean for the warranty, but you can find them for less $$ on Amazon.

 

The best socks out there, and they have a life time warranty. We wore the same four pairs on the AT (2200 miles), and are still wearing them. I think we've put an additional 600 miles on them since finishing the AT in July. They're still going strong.

6point also makes some pretty good socks.

 

sweet jesus! I may have to check them out!

 

Well worth the price! If you can wear them out they'll replace them no questions asked.

 

that's basically buying one pair of socks that will literally last a lifetime. that is a really really rare thing these days.

 

What's everybody's backpack of choice? We've got 2 each to choose from depending on the weather. For warmer months I use a Gossamer Gear Gorilla, and my wife uses a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest. For cold months I use a Granite Gear Access 60, and my wife uses a Granite Gear Crown VC 60.

 

I just have an Osprey Aether pack and it suits my needs fairly well.

 

I've grown very disheartened with Smartwool socks. I have been wearing Smartwools for just over ten years now when my girlfriend (now wife) introduced me to them. Shortly after that the original owners sold their Smartwool brand to Timberland and over the past 5 years or so I have seen the decline in quality of those socks. I STILL have the socks that my wife bought me 10+ years ago, whereas the Smartwools that my family bought me last Christmas are already showing heavy wear. I have also torn through several of the "newer" Smartwools.
I have never tried Darn Tough Socks but have heard of them. The original owners of Smartwool started Point 6 socks a while back and they make some pretty good socks. Check em out.

 

Yep. Socks are your lifeline when long distance hiking. If we're hiking anything over 100 miles or so we always have 4 pairs of socks each. We met so many people who only had 1-2 pairs, and their feet were tore up. I only had 2 or 3 blisters on the entire trail, and a large part of that success was having good socks and shoes.

 

Really like my Darn Toughs too. Very well made.
not to mention they are VT made.

 

Same here, actually. I still have a couple pairs of the Smartwools I bought in high school and they're still in good shape. But the ones I got for Christmas last year to replace a couple (original) pairs that finally gave up the ghost have already blown out in the heel.

 

It's ridiculous. I will say this though, Smartwools feel like fucking heaven for the first few wearings.

 

Darn Tough Sock are great looking with great color choices. Do they stay up well on your calves?

 

hmm im not having much trouble with the ones I bought last year. I don't have a comparison to the quality years yall talk of though. I wear them everyday and weeks at a time when im working offshore. that's sad to hear though. ill check out the point 6 and darn tough.

 

That's awesome. I'm really not to picky of what color my base layer is. Just as long as it fits right and is warm.

 

And not cotton.

 

One of my close friends is a cop! He tricked me into spending 5hrs helping him move gym equipment over the weekend so maybe I can get him to order me some stuff. 40% is a huge savings! Thanks!

 

Not much of a problem with mine.

 

You guys who have done the AT, CDT etc, what'd you go with for footwear? I have some old Merrell Verteras I'm still trying to wear out a little more to justify another purchase but I'm thinking about trying some Saucony Peregines next.


Also to comment on the pack choices, I love the Gorrilla as well as the Ohm 2.0 but for those who are still sort of transitioning to lighter stuff (I know I've said it before ha) I can't recommend the Exos packs enough.

Depending on a persons load our I recommend:
Osprey Atmos AG 50
Osprey Exos 48
The Ohm
Gorilla.

All depends what you're carrying and I would highly recommend you don't bother even thinking about upgrading your pack until you have all of your other gear sorted and for sure know what works for you. Otherwise you'll be buying a new pack every time your gear list changes or you but a lighter set up.

For the budget minded also check out Tarptents.com for shelters and Enlightened Equipment for Quilts/Bags.

Both similar to ZPacks but slightly heavier and significantly less expensive, often half the price.