Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

How tough was the hike? Would you say its worth it?

What hammock do you use? Right now i have an Eno double but it seems too large for 1 person.

 

Agree with this.

If you want a freestanding tent and/or plan to use the tent while also car camping, get either an MSR Hubba Hubba NX (several of us here have one, including myself), a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2, a Nemo Hornet 2P (semi-freestanding), or one of the freestanding/semi-freestanding TarpTent models.

You can get a non-freestanding tent/shelter and they're even lighter, but you will either have to use a lot of guy-outs, trekking poles, or both to set it up. You could also buy some poles for tent use only so you don't have to use trekking poles. Using a thru-hiking tent/shelter for car camping can be a pain, though.

A freestanding UL/semi UL tent is a nice compromise, especially if you're sharing the load.

 

I know that you didn't backpack all that Stuff(means Shit) in.

 

How do you like that ALPS tent? I had looked at them but ended up with a MSR. How's the quality of their stuff?

 

This is all new to me so i dont know any of those models off the top of my head but ill certainly look them up.

I wont be using the tent for car camping at all since i already have a roof top tent and a nice 6 person Coleman ground tent for when others want to join. Im now looking for a tent strictly for backpacking. Something light, durable, and enough room for 2 people.

Ive done limited research because i wanted to find a pack first and grab a jet boil. Use them for a bit and just get a feel for it. Then ill go grab down bags, tent, insanely overpriced sleeping pads, pillows, titanium forks, and all the good stuff to go along with that.

 

Also check into Hammocks. You won't sleep on the ground again.

 

Oh btw, Costco has a really nice 700 fill down blanket with stuff sack for 20 bucks. Its really nice! Pretty large but still super light and compresses to hardly anything. Grabbed a couple last time i was there. Definetly recommend checking them out

 

Sorry in new to the backpacking thing so bare with me here... i currently have an Eno double. What hammock have you found best to sleep in? Do you literally just throw your sleeping bag and pillow inside and call it a night?

 

I really like them and have not experienced any issues with Quality.

I have the following:
Morada 4 person - in the photo - great for 2 & gear w/out cots or 1 cot & gear maybe 2 cots. 2 big vestibules.
Taurus Outfitter 5 person - use for bird hunting later in the season - great for 2 cots, couple dog crates & gear. 2 big vestibules.
Chaos 2 person - for backpacking - no cots of course.

When truck camping - that 10x10 canopy always comes along.....for cooking, social, space, etc.

 

I found a sleeping bag doesn't really cut it. I got cold on my butt. Probably need Quilts. That's right I said quilts and I'm a man. I didn't use a pillow either just some balled up clothes in a stuff sack.

 

That's from a minimalist view though so YMMV

 

I did upgrade to this recently for bird hunting.....10x10 with heat versus 10x8 not heat (Taurus 5).

 

I bought pillows yesterday. Kind of liking my son's seatosummit a little more than my ENO.

 

While we are here, what do you guys use for pillows? I'm a side sleeper and the pillow height is really important and I think is the reason why I have trouble staying asleep. I have a Large (maybe XL, can't remember) and I love how tiny it is, I just can't get comfortable with it since it is pretty low. I bought the Thermarest compressible pillow and it takes up so much more space but seems more promising, comfort wise.

 

Once again I don't use pillows, to much weight to carry, just ball up a sweatshirt or two into a Stuff sack.

 

Oh - I will admit that when I bought my first one (the Chaos 2) over 10 years ago - I really didn't expect much out of it. I've been extremely/pleasantly surprised with the quality. That made me purchase the other 2.

 

One reason not to use pillows.

https://youtu.be/kjwavGuTQSM

 

I hate this mentality. The difference in weight from the 2 person to 3 person is 1lb. Split the weight between two people and its 2.5lbs per person to pack the tent in. You do not need ultra-light gear for backpacking. You do not need to spend $400 on a tent, backpack, sleeping pad, etc. to get into backpacking

What you need to get into backpacking:

Backpack
Food
Water
Sleeping bag/quilt/blanket or whatever else you plan on using to stay warm.
A shelter (this isn't even actually needed)

That's it. Just get out there and get started. The extra pound will be worth the 3 man tent when you are at a location for an extended time. Don't spend your time worrying about the weight of your pack at first. Buy what you like and go test it out.

You can always upgrade as needed if you want to go lighter.

 

I suppose I could use a puffy jacket as a pillow. A TNF Thermoball packed in itself is a decent size. Hmmmmm.

 

lol love that movie When He (Steve Martin's Char) goes apeshit on the rental car lady

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWRxPDhd3d0