Need new gear...

[DOC]

The wife gave into me and we are gonna start small this fall and work into an extended backpacking trip next spring. I need to update some gear because everything I have is 10+ years old and for one person. Any reccomendations on a good 2-3 person three or four season tent that is packable. I have looked at a lot of them and am leaning towards MSR, Marmot, or North Face but, wondered if anyone has any experience with them. My old one is a Kelty and the durability was there but, it was heavy. Also looking to upgrade the pack to an internal frame and need to get the wife one. I have no idea what type of pack to look at wondering if any of you have some experience that could push me in a direction. Thanks!!

[Italyjumper1]

hey bro..glad to hear you are going to do some out door work....We do a ton of it all over and can give you some good info.

Are you active duty still? If so, I would go and google "mountain hardwear" pro deal program. You can sign up there and get very good kit for half off store prices

For tents, at 2-3 persons, you are going to want a tent that can accomodate 2 people inside with extra room, and have room under the covers for your packs, boots, other kit you dont want to bring inside the actual tent. We have had a ton of success with the Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 3. It is a great tent, super lightweight (under 5lbs) and can sleep 2 with a ton of extra space, and super easy to put up and take down. 3 of us used one for a trip through the montana back country with no issues. You will also need to purchase the skyledge footprint for the ground.

As for packs, honestly, you should go to a good outdoor store and find a knowledgable salesperson who can talk and guide you to the pack that you will need. There are way too many options, sizes, and bells and whistles to list. Some reputable excellent packs are Gregory, Osprey, Mountain Hardwear, North Face, or Arcteryx (if youre a millionaire). I highly recommend you put the pack on in the store with a lot of weight in it. Wear the same boots you will hike in and then walk around the store for about a half hour. Who cares what people think!! The last thing you want is to be in the back country and have a shitty pack that is not comfortable or performing to standard.

Good luck, let me know if you need any more help

[Italyjumper1]

You got me thinking about gear and wanted to give you some more information based on a lot of hard lessons learned in the back country. Take it for what its worth.

1. Make sure you talk to your wife about camp duties, the trek, where you are headed, THINK OPORD, keep her informed and be patient. It can make your life alot easier out there if she knows exactly what is expected. I ve passed so many couples on the trail who looked miserable because the women were not being communicated with. You can tell because the guy is always in the lead and just blazing along...Just be cool and it all works out.

2. Here is some quality gear that I use all the time based on trial and error. You can buy this stuff anywhere but for ease of links, I just picked REI

a. Stoves....Hands down winner is the MSR whisperlite internationale. It takes any type of fuel, very easy to maintain, and is indestructible. You can go with a Jetboil type but those canisters often freeze at altitude and shit to bed when you need them. Nothing better than liquid fuel.

http://www.rei.com/product/709000/ms...kpacking-stove

2. Tents-discussed above.

3. Cookware- I have this set and use it all the time..All you need is a lightweight pot to heat up water. Get two of these for you and your wife and your golden...Super easy to clean and practically weightless. I only carry the pot thing.

http://www.rei.com/product/784114/gs...oloist-cookset

Would never ever ever go anywhere without this mug...It goes everywhere with me for coffee, mixing my food, carrying stuff when im not eating/drinking...All around badass cup

http://www.rei.com/product/785021/gs...-fairshare-mug

4. Water filter. If you go to the back country, you need a quality water filter. This is lightweight, super easy to maintain, and very easy to pump filtered water through.

http://www.rei.com/product/671111/ms...urifier-system

5. Nalgene Bottles. Gotta have at least two of these each in case you lose one. Make sure you get wide mouth always so you fit your water filter.

http://www.rei.com/product/784869/re...ottle-16-fl-oz

6. Sleeping Bags. There are a ton of pros and cons about synthetic vs down bags. It depends on what you are looking for and how well you take care of your bag. Down is superior warmth but harder to maintain and keep dry in case of wetness. There are a ton of bags based on temp rating, weight, length, etc. I recommend you get a good 3 season bag rated to about 30 degrees and keep the weight to less than 3lbs. That is very doable and able to be purchased for less than 200 on numerous sites. Look at Marmot, North Face, REI brands. I personally use this bag everywhere for civi and mil trips and love it!!!

http://www.rei.com/product/762528/ma...5-sleeping-bag

7. Boots...Again this is personal use...Highly recommend you get your wife into REI and have her try on every boot imaginable in there. Make her wear some weight so she can learn the hot spots of the boots. It would suck to get her on a trail and have her find out her boots dont fit right or rub wrong...REI has a great return policy so take advantage of it...Good boots are asolos, garmonts, merrells, etc.

8. Rain jackets, warm weather gear, snivel, etc.....Check the clearance racks at REI, Sporting goods stores, etc...You can find all that stuff for pretty cheap on the clearance racks. Who cares what it looks like, you are getting it for function not fashion...

9. Get good quality headlamps from petzl that utilize Double A batteries. Here is what i use and love it.

http://www.rei.com/product/709063/pe...s-led-headlamp

10. Dry wet weather bags. They make these in various sizes and i have a bunch to keep my stuff dry. They work like a charm.

http://www.rei.com/product/777725/se...a-sil-dry-sack

Okay i got to get up early and will write more soon but this should get you started...Have fun!!!

[DOC]

Great information, thank you.

Unfourtanatly there is no REI around here, closest in Chicago, and Dick's or Gander Mountain, while having some quality gear, have no one knowledgable to talk to. There is one shop here but, I hate to spend the time with them and then go buy elsewhere since it is a mom and pop store that have very high prices. I would not feel right doing that. I may check with them about a package deal since I will drop quite a bit of money at once.

The last serious trip I took was in 1997, spent 7 days in the Grand Canyon and have really wanted to go back. I have convinced her to go to a National Forrest area this fall for a three day trip so she can get a feel for it. She is aprehensive but, I know she will love it as much as me since she loves the outdoors and time away from "life". The biggest hurdle will be the food as she typically cannot stand the prepackaged stuff. At east we will be able to drive in and do day trips while having a camp site with the vehicle at night.

[abnbull]

You got me thinking about gear and wanted to give you some more information based on a lot of hard lessons learned in the back country. Take it for what its worth.

Damn J!!! What are you an expert or something!?

Seriously, that's some good info. I don't have any gear that Uncle Sammy didn't give me and it's time to upgrade. Your recommendations are a godsend!

[Mortarman11c]

Fuck that...all you need there AIRBORNE....is a woobie, a poncho, and four bungees........and hump your shit in a large ALICE like the real men do.

As far as cookware, you have a frickin canteen cup, so grab an old messkit spoon and fork and booya!

Frickin sissified Army nowadays.

ARMY SHIT IS GOOD FOR CAMPING!!! TELL THE OL LADY TO SUCK IT UP!!!

Have her ass chop about a foot thicks worth of pine boughs then lay her on that and you have natures fuck mattress.

Your welcome.

[IEDmagnet]

Fuck that...all you need there AIRBORNE....is a woobie, a poncho, and four bungees........and hump your shit in a large ALICE like the real men do.

As far as cookware, you have a frickin canteen cup, so grab an old messkit spoon and fork and booya!

Frickin sissified Army nowadays.

ARMY SHIT IS GOOD FOR CAMPING!!! TELL THE OL LADY TO SUCK IT UP!!!

Have her ass chop about a foot thicks worth of pine boughs then lay her on that and you have natures fuck mattress.

Your welcome.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! Nailed it!

[Cameroon]

Hahaha. Yeah old army gear ftw! I still use my 20 year old large alice pack and the only thing I like about it is nostalgia. If I used it more than once a year I'd be looking for a replacement.

I gotta give that old beast credit though, all those years and only two trips down to the shops in Oceanside by Camp Pendalton for repairs.

[Zimmy]

Great advice, J. REI is the way to go.

[DOC]

Stopped by the local store tonight that carries all the speciality brands. Owned and operated by a local retired LEO and he gives decent discounts to emergency responders. I know where I am spending the money now...

[Mortarman11c]

Fucking don't forget the camp axe so the lil missus can get to choppin'!!

[Italyjumper1]

lol al very nice.....problem is that army gear sucks, is heavy as hell, and is inferior to current commercial gear. We spend over 200 days a year in the field and last time I saw an Alice pack was the day I got issued it and threw it in the garage.

The problem with commercial gear is that it's expensive. Highly recommend that you check out www.backcountry.com
and www.sierratradingpost.com

those are two websites that offer amazing deals on kit.

[mphellon]

Fuck that...all you need there AIRBORNE....is a woobie, a poncho, and four bungees........and hump your shit in a large ALICE like the real men do.

As far as cookware, you have a frickin canteen cup, so grab an old messkit spoon and fork and booya!

Frickin sissified Army nowadays.

ARMY SHIT IS GOOD FOR CAMPING!!! TELL THE OL LADY TO SUCK IT UP!!!

Have her ass chop about a foot thicks worth of pine boughs then lay her on that and you have natures fuck mattress.

Your welcome.

LMAO!!! Maybe you need a pop up trailer and a couple of pakistani ric-shaw drivers to pull it for you...

[Italyjumper1]

http://www.backcountry.com/montbell-...wn-jacket-mens

Merry xmas to myself...This badboy just arrived in the mail after a crazy sale they had like 50 percent off and got it for like 90 bucks...Warmest puff jacket ive ever worn and thing weighs less than a pound...Amazing warmth and packs into an ammo pouch...Love it!

[Jeff82]

Wait a minute... How do you get the golden shower out of the king-size air mattress cover?

Next time I'll lay down a poncho. Gotta remember, " then wipe."