Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Seems like I read also while the length supposedly increased from 6'4 to 6'6 that the usable length decreased.

Maybe hood redesign, or foot box? Hopefully I don't have that backwards. Pulling from memory.

 

EDIT: ZPacks makes a slightly lighter bag/quilt, but it's also almost double the cost.

Same with ZPacks tents. Super light, but for a couple more ounces you can pay half with Tarptents.com. Big among through hikers and all that.

 

Wow I thought I hit edit and instead replied to my own comment haha. Sleep deprivation is probably to blame. Couldn't possibly be my fault. This is 2016. No one is responsible for their own actions anymore

 

Get out.

 

Had a Shires TarpTent. Hated it. The product it good. Just didn't work for me. To much fidgeting to set up right. Floor fabric is slicker than snot. If you're on the slightest of slopes, you'll slide around all night long.

 

Ha!



Reported.

 

I haven't looked at the ZPacks bags/quilts yet. But I did just use a bit of my re enlistment bonus on a ZPacks Duplex going all out for once

 

Well, congratulations and I'm sorry all in one

 

Thanks, and yeah.... 4 more years and I'll be set up to get out. Used to think I'd do the long haul, not so anymore. Ready to move on.

 

At least you're doing cool stuff like backpacking while you're in. I didn't do a thing other than train and deploy. Should have taken advantage of being in Cali more but didn't.

The only time I used lightweight gear was before our Stan deployment, after our gear inspection, I stashed all that issued garbage and brought my own lighter stuff haha. Man did I get ripped into on our gear inspection before we came back when I didn't have half our issued stuff. BUT my packs were half the weight of some other guys, so it was worth it haha.

 

Just a day hike, but ventured up to Hetch Hetchy today.

 

I'm looking for a backpack to wear when I'm riding on my Dual sport. I want something in the 20 to 30L range. I'm looking to keep it under $50 because i dont want to trash a nice backpack (this is why I'm not just using my current daypack).

Im going to carry water and misc stuff in it when I'm out in the desert. Right now I'm looking at the LA Policegear 3 day pack. Its a little big but its one of the only packs similar to what I'm looking for with half way decent reviews.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

 

Link for the LA pack?

 

http://www.lapolicegear.com/diplomat-3-day-backpack1.html

 

For a pack you may beat up on, and durability is foremost I'd say that's a pretty good deal. Maybe check your local army/navy stores or even thrift stores for a cheaper pack?

 

I'm leaning toward ordering that one its just a little bigger than i really need.

Good idea with checking a surplus store. If the one near me is still open ill definately go look there

 

I borrowed one of those almost identical from a friend for seven months.

Were I you I would get a pack with an unlimited warranty from someone like Osprey or any company that'll fix things for any reason. You cited not wanted to trash the pack as your reasoning, but if you get something like the Osprey options then no matter what happens to it, rips, tears, smashed buckles, anything you can possibly do, they'll fix or replace it for free.

When you ride your dual sport in the desert do you just wear a shirt/jersey or any armor? Because that'll make a difference. If you just wear a shirt of some sort I'd look into mountain biking options or even ventilated options (The Osprey Stratos 24 comes to mind for it's ventilated back) as they will be more comfortable and hopefully a biking specific pack will be designed to keep the strain off your shoulders/arms.

 

I wear armor and either a jacket or jersey over the top of it.

Thats looking like a better and better option, I just dont want to invest in another expensive backpack regardless of the fact that it will get repaired or replaced no matter what. I might still end up going this route.

I just watched a video review of the lapg 3 day bag and it is WAY too big for what I'm looking for. A hydration pack with some storage might be better, i already have a couple bladders though.

 

Lots of mountain biking specific hydration backpacks to look into. Good luck, man. What DS are you riding?