Any backpackers among us?

[manwebi]

I'd like to get into backpacking this year. Up 'til now I've only really camped out of my truck when driving to biking destinations. The tent and sleeping bag I have aren't compact or lightweight enough for backpacking, and I need a pack, too, so I'm looking at a substantial investment (though not if you compare it to the cost of a bike:rolleyes:). I do have a good msr stove and a water filter, though. Just wondering if anyone has recommendations on gear. What's size pack is recommended for 2-3 day trip (I'm thinking internal frame), what's a durable, lightweight 2 man (or 1 man, 2 dog:D) tent, and same for sleeping bag? Thanks!

[FixedandProud]

My experience has been that sleeping bag size is what will largely dictate your pack volume. For a couple of days an expandable 3000 cubic inch pack should do the trick. (For the record I'm a light packer). I'm using a 3000 cu in EMS internal frame I've had for like 10+ years. Use it year round. I recently acquired an MSR Fling tent that I really like. Fits me + fiance' + 2 dogs and it only weighs like 3.5 pounds. I've used it in the cold woods and on the beach in triple digit temps w/out issue.

Check out campmor dot com and sierratradingpost dot com for some good deals.

[Spatafore]

If you can keep it dry, look into a down bag. I picked up a 20 degree Blue Kazoo made by The North Face 10 years ago. The bag packs so small; about 8" round x 14" long. If you get a compression sack, you can cut that size in half.

[poison idea]

In lieu of tent's, you might like looking into bivvy's.
Dog's (or anyone else but you) won't fit in there, but they are simple and light.
Not for the claustaphobic tho.

[FixedandProud]

I second the vote for down bags...as long as you're committed to keeping it relatively dry. Also, its been cold enough where my dog has climbed into my mummy bag with me so never say never. And no, I didn't bring any peanut butter that trip.

[Spalls]

Manwebi: Where do you live and what kind of weather do you anticipate on a typical trip? If you are someplace relatively dry most of the time or if you plan to try and avoid wet weather, down is the way to go with your bag, as mentioned previously. They pack down nice and small with a compression sack. Likewise with the tent. Living in the Northwest and getting wet on a regular basis has lead me to find a two-person tent way more comfortable in the long run because you have some elbow room - that's nice when it's soggy. I use a Eureka Apex with a 3/4 fly and an REI Half Dome 2 with full fly, depending on conditions. Nice, durable tents that work well in wet weather. I am willing to accommodate the extra weight. If you are going to be in the dry most of the time, you have a lot of options for smaller and lighter tents, or even bivys like PI mentioned. If you have an REI or that type of place nearby you can rent some different gear first fairly cheaply before you buy. Same with the packs. Like bikes, there are tons of choices out there.

[althegud1srtakn]

a lot of people prefer down bags, but i prefer synthetic bags for several reasons:
a) they hold up better under abuse and shitty weather, which i see plenty of
b) you can clean them without destroying them
c) i'm allergic to down, this is really the biggest selling point on a synthetic bag for me

as for tents, who are you gonna go backpacking with? do your friends have their own gear, or would a lot of them not really do this sort of thing enough to have any gear? i was going to buy a bivy sack instead of a tent because they're so much lighter and more compact, but after a bit of thinking i realized that it'd be much easier to get some friends to come along if i had a 2 person tent, so i got the marmot earlylight 2, and i love it. also if the weather isn't going to be too shitty i'll often just bring a tarp and some rope, it keeps the rain off, gives you a nice shelter to cook under, and is really light

definately get an internal frame pack, and as for size i'd say get your tent/bag/whatever else, take them all to your local camping gear store, and have someone that works there help you pick out a pack that's the right size/shape for you and show you how to pack it. how you pack your backpack is surprizingly important

[manwebi]

Where do you live and what kind of weather do you anticipate on a typical trip?

I'm in CO. I only intend to camp in summer and fall, at least to start with. In these parts it's fairly dry but afternoon/evening thunderstorms are pretty typical in the summer. I'd say temperatures in the mountains up to 80s in the day, maybe down to 40s at night depending on elevation.

As for down, I'm allergic, so I have to rule it out despite all the benefits.

Someone mentioned tent size in relation to companions... I expect I'll be providing shelter for any combination of wife/dogs/friend that may choose to accompany me. Which is not to say that I intend to carry a four-man tent... if the party gets too big, someone else is gonna have to pack one, too. I think a two-man tent will be the most versatile. A bivy seems way too restricting (in both a literal and figurative sense).

Thanks for all the input so far, folks. I have checked out Sierra Trading Post and Campmor, but I especially like the tip of renting from REI; I didn't realize they offered that service.

[poison idea]

Although they fair poorly for romance and fellowship, perhaps you might focus on different details. Bivy's are indeed small, but a bivy and a hammock take up almost no space. There is liberation in minimalism. One is able to break lose and live closer to the bone so-to-say. Bivy/warm air mat/winter bag in a snow cave is an unparalleled experience. As is waking up in a fogbank with deer grazing a few feet away.

Moreover, they free you from snoring compatriots and cover hogs.

Conversely, a nice 3 man dome is perfect for stashing gear and allows for 2 people to move around w/o heatbutts -plus they don't require stakes.

Go on REI.com and sign up for the e news letter. the first thing they'll send you is a 15% off coupon.

[mimbresman]

I used to be an assistant guide on 9-day "hoods-in-woods" excursions in the Gila Wilderness (America's first wilderness area) in southwest New Mexico. We did these trips in July and August during the New Mexico monsoon season...meaning afternoon rains.

Basic Shelter: Instead of tents, we used tarps. With a good tarp, you can build a rainproof shelter that will keep you dry even in the heaviest downpour.

Alternative Shelter: A Gore-tex bivy bag also works okay, but you can't really do much in them other than sleep. I once used one on a winter 6-day bike tour, and decided that next time I'd use a tent instead.

Luxury Shelter, Tents: I also have a Sierra Designs Flashlight tent. It is a light, compact, two person tent. I really use this for bike touring, but its light enough for backpacking.

Sleeping: If you can keep it dry, there is nothing like a goose down sleeping bag. It will envelope you in complete luxury.

Sleep pad: A Therm-a-rest sleeping pad is the best thing you can sleep on. It is like sleeping in a 5-star hotel after a long hike.

Backpack: External frame packs are out of vogue, but that is what I have still...old school with the Kelty framepack. It was good for these expeditions because we were carrying the majority of the food and gear of the boys. Our Keltys were about 70 - 75 lbs the first couple of days in the trip. (definitely not recommended...hard on your knees.)

My most recent trip was a 5-day trip up Mount Roraima in southeast Venezuela. I used the Kelty. It was a bit overkill, but still functioned okay.
Someday I need to get a more modern, internal frame but I don't backpack enough to justify it.

Shoes: Lightweight hiking shoes with a good tread, and Teva or Chaco sandals. I use Chacos sandals now. They are great!

[50 Mission Cap]

I'd like to get into backpacking this year. Up 'til now I've only really camped out of my truck when driving to biking destinations. The tent and sleeping bag I have aren't compact or lightweight enough for backpacking, and I need a pack, too, so I'm looking at a substantial investment (though not if you compare it to the cost of a bike:rolleyes:). I do have a good msr stove and a water filter, though. Just wondering if anyone has recommendations on gear. What's size pack is recommended for 2-3 day trip (I'm thinking internal frame), what's a durable, lightweight 2 man (or 1 man, 2 dog:D) tent, and same for sleeping bag? Thanks!

This site has dirt cheap gear:

www.sierratradingpost.com

[Netcelt]

Before you spend any money on gear I recommend you get a copy of the book Beyond Backpacking by Ray Jardine. This book helped me a great deal. After reading it you will have a good idea on where to spend the cash and may even want to make your own gear.

Happy Trails

Netcelt

[50 Mission Cap]

I'd like to get into backpacking this year. Up 'til now I've only really camped out of my truck when driving to biking destinations. The tent and sleeping bag I have aren't compact or lightweight enough for backpacking, and I need a pack, too, so I'm looking at a substantial investment (though not if you compare it to the cost of a bike:rolleyes:). I do have a good msr stove and a water filter, though. Just wondering if anyone has recommendations on gear. What's size pack is recommended for 2-3 day trip (I'm thinking internal frame), what's a durable, lightweight 2 man (or 1 man, 2 dog:D) tent, and same for sleeping bag? Thanks!

I've camped w/ my dog many times (my wife camped w/ me until we got engaged, and then camping was done) - I have a two man kelty that is great for backpacking - the dog and I fit in there great - I'd imagine another would fit fine also. Where do you live? Where you planning on going? I'm reading "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson right now - it's about his time on the Appalachian Trail. Real interesting, and it will give you some perspective on hiking / back packing. I did Isle Royale up in Michigan about 10 years ago and it was great. No dogs allowed though. Same w/ the smokies from what I hear.

[S. cerevisiae]

Clickety-click for Ray-Way (http://www.rayjardine.com/)

You'll like this stuff. Chance to build your own sleeping gear, and pack.

Here you go for solo shelter. (http://www.hennessyhammock.com/)

Avoid down, especially given your allergy. The slightest dampness (even from evaporation of your own self) can screw it up. Synthetis rule for this. The new ones are really good.

One can backpack comfortably with smaller packs than one thinks if one plans and chooses gear wisely. Don't take extraneous crap.

[PutAwayWet]

I've been leading backpacking trips for college students for the past 7 years, and here's what I've learned:

Pack size is inversely proportional to the intelligence used when packing. That is, the bigger your pack is, the more crap you take that you don't need. That said, if you are the member of your party more capable of carrying stuff (especially if it keeps the other members in a better mood), sometimes you need a bigger pack. My wife is not nearly as strong a hiker as I am, so I carry most of the 'group gear' when we go. That makes it much more enjoyable for her...and me ;) I find that for 2-3 days somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-4K cu in works well, depending on the size and compressibility of your stuff. Also, I prefer to have things inside my pack, rather than strapped outside - the closer to your torso you carry the weight, the less heavy it seems. For pack brands, my personal faves are Gregory (http://www.gregorypacks.com/) and Osprey (http://www.ospreypacks.com/). Gregorys are bombproof and rugged as hell, Ospreys are a little bit lighter. When trying on a pack, bring everything you want to pack in it, fill it, and walk around the store for at least an hour. Every person's body is slightly different, and trying them out is the only way you'll know for sure if it fits you.
As for a bag, bummer about the down allergy. Sierra Designs (http://sierradesigns.com/) has always been my fav bag. The big thing in bags to me is size/weight. I'm stocky, I like a roomy bag. I usually pay a weight penalty for that. Are you a warm or cold sleeper? The temps you gave sound like summer temps. I bet in the fall your down in the 20's or below at night. I'd get a 30-40 deg bag for the summer, and a 15 deg for the fall. Trying to do both seasons with one bag will leave you sweating half the year, freezing the other half.
I like Sierra Designs and Mountain Hardware (http://www.mountainhardware.com/Tents.aspx?top=3&cat=3&level=1) tents. I own a MH Hammerhead 2 (http://www.rei.com/product/717779) and love it. It's got lots of flexibility for different seasons, offering a full fly plus huge zip-open mesh panels for those awesome stargazing warm nights. It might not be the lightest, but I like it. Perfect fit for two people and a dog, plus twin vestibules on either side to store gear. Tarps are good too, but if there's going to be any wind I'll take a tent over a tarp or hammock any day!

Hope that helps!