Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Im not gonna lie, I made it 3 posts into this thread, saw someone say something about Vibram FF's being valid for anything other than looking hip, and peaced out. Plantar Fasciitis City, population: everyone that wears those.

 

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

 

I've always used a cot when I have the ability to carry the gear! Nothing beats sleeping off the ground.

$144 Coleman ComfortSmart Big & Tall Cot with Mattress Pad, Folding Steel Camp Bed with Plush Pad for Comfortable Sleeping, Great for Camping, Lounging, Elevated Sleeping, Guests, & More

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0073WJACW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My Alps Mountaineering Morada 4 setup. Looking forward to the even taller Marmot.



I found totes (4) at Lowe's that perfectly under the cot. I can store almost all of my gear & clothing in them. Makes for easy packing & an organized setup.

 

That's why we use hammocks.

 

I still need to figure out how to sleep in one... I cant seem to get comfy. no matter how I position myself.

 

Yes, unless backpacking.
I did some research on the marmot tent mentioned above........ I pulled the trigger, too.
I got an REI base Camp 4, at an REI Garage Sale, for the car camping tent. Nice tent, but, I got tired of the complicated pole system.
The video on putting the marmot Limestone 4 up sold me.

I have plenty of nice tents for serious camping and hiking. I like a good car camping tent.

 

They're a love-hate item for sure. I don't see the appeal, but I have several friends who try to proselytize me like it's their religion haha.

 

I tried Hennessey and ENO. They are too short for my nearly 6 ft frame. I tested a Tree to Tree gear hammock and that worked.
So, I determined that I can't use a 9 ft hammock. I couldn't get flat and comfortable. The 10 ft hammock worked for me.

Cascade Designs, Thermarest, has a new 9.5 ft hammock.

 

yea maybe im tall like you and may need to look at a larger one. im 6'ish and just cant seem to get flat in there.

 

Purely for comfort. We love the comfort of a hammock so much more than a tent, we're ok with not sleeping side by side.

 

I'm 6'1" and my Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter fits me great. Plenty of length to get a good droop and lay diagonal and flat. I sleep like a baby in it. It's a heavy hammock so it's not "optimal" for lightweight hammock backpacking, but it's great with the built-in bug mesh that zips up the side.

 

I totally get it for people who find them comfortable. But every time you tell a hammock junkie that they're extremely uncomfortable for you they sit and try to tell you, no no, you're just doing it wrong, they ARE comfortable for you too! Haha

They kill me. I have a horrible back, neck, shoulder, hip, etc and I toss and turn in pain all night ha.


Also despise having to carry multiple sleeping bags or having to find a place to hang one in the good old Midwest.

I'm passionate about enjoying how much my friends are passionate about them haha I'm happy for them! I just hate them (for me) haha.

 

Sorry if it's already been mentioned in the 265 pages of this thread, does anybody have any experience with this?

$239 Coleman Queen-Size Airbed Cot Combination, Folding Air Mattress with Steel Frame & Side Table, Battery Pump Included, Great for Camping, Lounging, Elevated Sleeping, Guests, & More

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AU6AVL...t=&hvlocphy=9028753&hvtargid=pla-273450937562

I am looking to take my wife who isn't really the camping type on a few trips this spring and summer with our three-year-old daughter. I've been stocking up on camping supplies, trying to make it as comfortable as I can, and this looks pretty tempting. Sleeping off of the ground is definitely ideal.

 

Thanks for this find! I got the Marmot Tungsten 3P tent in green shadow/moss from this site after seeing your link. Got it for a little under $129 with shipping. $259 from Marmot and around $194ish everywhere else. I'm really excited to use this with the girlfriend and pup for car camping which will nice and roomy. We still have our BigAgnes Seedhouse SL2 which is much smaller and lightweight for backpacking trips and trips where we fly somewhere.

 

I did a double take on the price and was trying to locate any fine print indicating these were returns, defective, etc. But nope....amazing price compared to other sites I found.

 

It does take a bit of work. I thought it was supposed to be strung tight and then you would lie straight. Nope, woke up all squeezed together.

Finally realized, i think because of this thread, that i was doing it wrong, you have to leave it plenty slack then you can lie diagonally.

I'm getting closer, but not perfect yet. I used to have it set up on the balcony but it's a bit too cold lately. I'd be warm, it's just forcing myself to walk away from a warm room/bed to walk out on the windy deck.

 

A ridgeline seems to help as well, especially if you haven't perfected hang angles.

 

Ehhh..



Haha
Is that some sort of strap?

 

Ha....
https://youtu.be/xrfBrIEH2-U

 

Oooh gonna have to try that for sure!