Lord have mercy, backpacking gear is expensive!

[Homebrew454]

The hammock/tarp setup won't save you any weight. It will actually be a bit more because of the topquilt/underquilt.

Stone glacier has some really nice gear. A 4 season tent that is just over 4 pounds. Some nice packs as well. Very expensive though.







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[swampsnyper]

I tried several of the diy alcohol stoves. They barely got water boiling in Georgia during the summer. A good windscreen makes a big difference. I took an alcohol stove but used the jetboil almost exclusively on my backpack hunt.
As far as tents go I really want to love hammocks. I may give them a shot before it’s over with but it has to be a comfort based decision. Once you get your tarp, overquilt, and underquilt figured into the weight you really haven’t saved much if any weight or bulk.

My entire sleep system: hammock with bug net, suspension, tarp, guide lines and stakes, under quilt and top quilt weigh in at 6# 13oz. My top quilt is killer at over 2#s I think. Its just a cheap walmart synthetic quilt. Plus I have add on personal items like shelves and waterproof stuff sacks that I could cut back on. I didn't get it for weight savings over a tent, but comfort sleeping. And on those rainy days, I can kick up one side of the tarp into porch mode and have a place to hang out and not be trapped in a tent.

 

[swampsnyper]

I was gonna suggest against the alcohol stove as well. There's nothing worse than waiting FOREVER for water to boil when you want to eat after a long day of hiking/hunting. My SOTO Windmaster will boil water in about a minute and weighs dang near nothing.

I don't remember the exact time but I think its under 5 min to boil. Didn't take anytime at 11,600ft. Depends on your alcohol stove I guess. I also use HEET and not just regular alcohol.

 

[fawnzy]

Holy cow, I’d get loaded down with too much stuff with that!!

Ikeman......think hunting set up. Apparently it takes most of the load. Think deer drag.

Justification? first aid emergency transport because you love your family sooo much!


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[11bravo]

I do a lot of hiking/long range hunting and i use my old rucksack from my army days. It’s not as big and elegant as the packs you buy from the store, but it more than gets the job done. You will have to figure out what you need and don’t need but it’s definitely a good choice. Get one cheap at an army surplus store with the frame. They are also called alice packs. Good luck

 

[Oakridge]

I’m also planning my first out of state backpack hunt this year in CO. It’s very daunting for me to prep all this gear. I did find some good deals on REI also. I plan to be very minimal with what I bring. Anyone here ever hunt northeast CO in mid sept?

 

[Jcar]

Campmor will give you 20% of one full priced item every time, check them out. Whenever REI has a coupon, backcountry.com will have a coupon too. Sierra trading post sells good stuff for a reduced price. The inventory changes often so just keep looking.

 

[Wirrex]

eBay in the off season is where I score the best deals. I like to buy top shelf used instead of new mediocre gear.

 

[IkemanTX]

eBay in the off season is where I score the best deals. I like to buy top shelf used instead of new mediocre gear.

Ya that’s a great idea.
I know there are some serious gear junkies out there, so I’ll post the list of what we are looking at as of now.

Sleeping bags:
Wife’s - Nemo Rave 15° women’s bag
Mine - Nemo Disco 15° men’s bag
Son’s - Nemo Kyan 20° mummy bag

Sleeping Pads:
Wife’s - Nemo Tensor Long/Wide insulated
Mine - ThermaRest Trail Scout
Son’s - ThermaRest Trail Scout

Packs:
Wife’s - REI Traverse Women’s 65
Mine - Mystery Ranch Metcalf
Son’s - REI Traverse Men’s 35

1 Flexlite Air camp chair
2 folding Trail Chairs

Hydration:
Platypus GravityWorks 4L gravity water filter
2 - Osprey 3L water bladders (already own 1)
1 - 1.5L unbranded bladder my son already has

And possibly a Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT tent to go along with the tent we have now (not sure of the model on current tent, I’ll have to get it out of the attic and check at some point)

 

[EricS]

I don't remember the exact time but I think its under 5 min to boil. Didn't take anytime at 11,600ft. Depends on your alcohol stove I guess. I also use HEET and not just regular alcohol.

Their are a pile of alcohol stoves. It turned into a side hobby of mine for a couple months before my elk hunt. I pretty much cooked lunch on it three or four days a week. Some work better for boiling water using the least amount of alcohol. Others for faster boils. I experimented with high test rubbing alcohol, heet and everclear/ graves grain alcohol. The latter two didn’t burn as hot as the heet but could double as a disinfectant and sleep aid.
@IkemanTX planning and shopping gear is half the fun. I thought you Texas guys just loaded your stuff on a horse and just rode 15 miles into the backcountry.

 

[IkemanTX]

Their are a pile of alcohol stoves. It turned into a side hobby of mine for a couple months before my elk hunt. I pretty much cooked lunch on it three or four days a week. Some work better for boiling water using the least amount of alcohol. Others for faster boils. I experimented with high test rubbing alcohol, heet and everclear/ graves grain alcohol. The latter two didn’t burn as hot as the heet but could double as a disinfectant and sleep aid.
@IkemanTX planning and shopping gear is half the fun. I thought you Texas guys just loaded your stuff on a horse and just rode 15 miles into the backcountry.

I don’t have horses anymore. No land or time to keep them. Besides, those suckers are more expensive to feed and care for than TWO teenagers!

 

[arrowsender]

Watch camofire.com they have been starting to having Mystery Ranch packs (a good pack is worth the investment). Also check steepandcheap.com for sleep bags, pads and hydration systems. If water is readily available, a lot of people just run a Sawyer squeeze. Don't over look good boots and take Leukotape in case someone starts getting a hot spot on their feet.

 

[Stump06]

eBay and rokslide should have some deals popping up here shortly with all the new elk hunters getting back and figuring out it aint for them or they didn't like this or that piece of equipment. I would recommend buying used as it will save you a good bit of money. Nearly all my stuff is 2nd hand or bought on sale.