Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I'm a big stove collector and would be very interested if your other conversations fall through. Keep me in mind.

 

It's spoken for, sorry.

 

Just ordered an Alps Mountaineering Chaos 2 for more remote & short (1-3 night) solo fly-fishing trips. Been very happy with other tents by them.

ALPS Mountaineering Chaos 2-Person Tent, Clay/Rust

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B...ng+chaos+2&dpPl=1&dpID=41lnTDP89GL&ref=plSrch

 

Just bought my girlfriend and I our first packs. Went with the Osprey Aura AG 65 for her and Osprey Atmos AG 65 for myself. Cant wait to try them out! still deciding on a tent, sleeping bags, pads, and other gear. This was the first step towards backpacking for us. hope to be ready for 3 nights in Grand Canyon by April/May

 

I really like my Atmos 65 AG. For it's weight, it was a very comfortable pack that wore very well for me this year. I'm probably going to miss its comfort after going with something lighter.

Did you guys test fit packs to make sure they worked for you? My wife loved my AG 65, so we went to get her one and it just wasn't the same in the store. She ended up going with a Gregory pack because it fit her absolutely perfect. Bodies can be weird like that sometimes.

Anyways, you made solid choices. Hike on!

 

Just did 3 nights there at the end of October. It was a wonderful experience. I can't wait to go back.

 

I went with the Osprey Aether 70L after reading a bunch of reviews. I absolutely LOVE the pack. We did about 20miles on the PCT recently and I barely noticed the ~45 lbs that I had up there. After using it a few times, I'm convinced that anything Osprey makes is completely awesome.

In terms of a tent, I've been using an MSR Elixir 3P. It's a little heavy at almost 8lbs (with rainfly, footprint, poles, lines, and stakes), but you can split up the weight between two people and it's more manageable. It's very roomy inside and includes two large vestibules to keep all your gear from getting wet. If you can, and plan on backpacking in rainy/wet climates and areas, definitely get a tent with a bathtub style floor. It will save you from waking up miserable if it rains more than expected overnight.

You will undoubtedly spend the most on your tent and sleeping bag. Buy gear when it's on sale / last season gear to find the best prices.

Edit: How have I not seen this thread yet. I'm horribly addicted to camping/backpacking gear.

 

Welcome to the madness

 

Better yet, don't sleep on the ground at all.

 

Got my Goosefeet Gear down pillowcase thingy.

2 ounces of 850+, weighs 2.55oz total.

I just have the regular Exped Air Pillow in Large, which weighs 3.4oz. So about 6oz total and takes up hardly any space. Not bad.

 

Last day for REI Garage's sale, extra 20 percent off stuff on top of lowest price, some good deals there.
Looking at a new down coat.

 

Good to hear! yeah we tried many many packs on several times over the last few months and kept coming back to these. loaded em up at REI and walked with them in store for an hour even. they are great

 

I'm sure this has been discussed but looking for quick insight. did some research on tents recently. i was originally going to go with the REI half Dome 2 plus. until i read that its size is nearly an entire foot shorter then advertised, it has issues with breaking poles, and the footprint doesnt fit right. so i dug more, and although its not cheap, im really liking the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2. The Elixer is just too heavy. I love Big Agnes tents but the price tag seems a bit outrageous. seems like for every poumd over 2 you tend to save about $100 per added pound. any feedback on that MSR?

 

If i could have afforded the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2, I would have bought that one for sure. It was one of the nicest tents I've seen though for the price. MSR makes incredible stuff and you can't go wrong.

 

Get the best tent you can afford. The brands you named are all great. Also check out some of the cottage industry makers, Shires, LightHeart...
Skip the footprint on all of them. Way too heavy. Use a scrap of Tyvek house wrap.

New to backpacking or looking to upgrade? If new, don't go whole hog with expensive gear. You may not like backpacking... and you will eventually change your gear no matter how good and pricey it was when you got it.

 

I definitely agree with this. I think it's okay to buy a high-quality down sleeping bag though, as they will last forever if you maintain them. It's a solid investment for any style of camping.

 

^^Truth! My Montbell bag is (gosh, now I've got to think...) about 10 years old.
It's been everywhere
(1200 miles of the AT, Grand Canyon, high Sierras, Glacier, NCT,)
As much as I want a new Montbell, this one is still doing its job!
(And I just bought new UQs... so there's that...)

 

Agree with the above comments on footprints, quality down bags, etc. I have sleeping bags that are 40 years old and still 95% as good as new. They were top quality at the time and washed regularly and correctly (100's of days in them)

 

Just a heads up, if you're looking to buy the tent... these guys are having a 25% off sale on almost all the MSR tents. I've purchased products from that site and always had a great experience.

 

I have the Hubba Hubba. I highly recommend it.

It's $300 on Amazon right now with same or next day delivery with Prime.

MSR Hubba Hubba NX Tent, Red

$549 MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent, Without Xtreme Waterproof Coating

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G7H9CAY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ObinybQNYFW2N