Getting a lot more serious in back country hunting and staying in woods 5+ days with hunting with camp on back at times. Just bought an Exo pack but looking for opinions on solid, lightweight tents, bags, pads etc that doesn't cost a fortune. (Exo pack put a little dent in my budget)-Thanks!
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Back Packing Gear
- Thread starter bstroik
- Start date
Outdoor research gore-Tex bivy is well worth the money. I bought one about 20yrs ago and haven't bought another. The lining was peeling off the original and I emailed, sent pics and they replaced the whole thing free of charge! Great customer service and warranty on OR products.
Hammock several great price hammocks can be found from amazon to local sporting good spots. I recommend a double.
Tarp shelter, Slumberjack sells one on camofire occasionally for a reasonable price considering they can get into some serious money for more technical brands etc. but it?s a good place to start. Or Eno sells hammock specific rail flys that hold up well. I?m sure there are other as well.
Bags, Klymit bags which are amazing 0 and 20 bags for an affordable price. Either bag is under $250 and they have a lifetime warranty. They are up and coming in the sleeping bag world. The 20 degree bags lower limit is 10 comfort 20 I believe either way it weighs 2.7lbs and keeps me toasty
Pad, when I hammock I use the klymit hammock pad. It?s made for it! It has some no slip on the pad so you?re not sliding around in your hammock. I have the insulated version for a little extra warmth. The uninsulated pad I use the most and was around $100 if I remember correctly.
Also a suggestion is Exo has a video series with a ?what?s in my pack?. That can give you a starting point as well. They all carry some different gear. Also Corey posts what he has in his pack. May be worth a look.
Tarp shelter, Slumberjack sells one on camofire occasionally for a reasonable price considering they can get into some serious money for more technical brands etc. but it?s a good place to start. Or Eno sells hammock specific rail flys that hold up well. I?m sure there are other as well.
Bags, Klymit bags which are amazing 0 and 20 bags for an affordable price. Either bag is under $250 and they have a lifetime warranty. They are up and coming in the sleeping bag world. The 20 degree bags lower limit is 10 comfort 20 I believe either way it weighs 2.7lbs and keeps me toasty
Pad, when I hammock I use the klymit hammock pad. It?s made for it! It has some no slip on the pad so you?re not sliding around in your hammock. I have the insulated version for a little extra warmth. The uninsulated pad I use the most and was around $100 if I remember correctly.
Also a suggestion is Exo has a video series with a ?what?s in my pack?. That can give you a starting point as well. They all carry some different gear. Also Corey posts what he has in his pack. May be worth a look.
COLOelkman
New member
- Dec 28, 2012
- 138
If you're backpacking in for 5 days, it's hard to not have a decent tent and bag but your best bet is to look thru classified on forums and guys do sell stuff that's fairly new. I found a tarptent Stratospire 2 used and love it and it's pretty light weight. I use a Hammock Gear quilt (new) and Exped mat (Sierra Designs had a great price). Suggest going with buddies if you don't have a lot of experience as you can double up on some gear.
mtelkhunter20
New member
- Aug 29, 2017
- 12
Your choice of the Exo pack is a great one in my opinion. I purchased one before summer of 2017 and used it for backpacking and then used it for over 30+ days in the field for hunting this last fall of 2017 and it is incredibly comfortable.
As far as other gear, if you are on a budget which most of us are, check online through Ebay or Craigslist as you will most likely be surprised at some of the deals you will come across.
As far as other gear, if you are on a budget which most of us are, check online through Ebay or Craigslist as you will most likely be surprised at some of the deals you will come across.
I've got the tarptent contrail and absolutely love it. Its not available anymore, but the protrail is just like it. I know you said you are tight on budget, but if you spring for a Western Mountaineering bag, you won't regret. I've also had great success with a Thermorest NeoAir pad, they make them even lighter than mine now, I think they are the XLite series. Hope that helps!
Check on thru hiking forums and see what those guys are using.
For tents I like Lightheart gear tents. I have the Solong6 and the Double. For Bags i've got a marmot 30* hyrdrogen that I use down to 5* without any issues. I sleep very hot. If I were to get a new bag I'd go with Enlightened Equipment. They custom make bags to fit your needs. I would absolutely go with a Quilt vs. a Mummy bag, but again I sleep very hot.
For Pads - I've got a thermorest evolite. This is a horrible pad and I would not recommend it to anyone. It was very light and comfortable while it was good, but the inside de-laminated on me in the middle of my 10 day hunt last year and I slept on a pad with a huge tumor for the rest of it. Looking around online this is very common. Their warranty is good and they replaced it but I just don't trust that pad anymore. I'd probably go with a Big Agnes Q core as a replacement.
My tent is 27oz, Bag is just over 1lbs, and the Pad is 1lbs.
For tents I like Lightheart gear tents. I have the Solong6 and the Double. For Bags i've got a marmot 30* hyrdrogen that I use down to 5* without any issues. I sleep very hot. If I were to get a new bag I'd go with Enlightened Equipment. They custom make bags to fit your needs. I would absolutely go with a Quilt vs. a Mummy bag, but again I sleep very hot.
For Pads - I've got a thermorest evolite. This is a horrible pad and I would not recommend it to anyone. It was very light and comfortable while it was good, but the inside de-laminated on me in the middle of my 10 day hunt last year and I slept on a pad with a huge tumor for the rest of it. Looking around online this is very common. Their warranty is good and they replaced it but I just don't trust that pad anymore. I'd probably go with a Big Agnes Q core as a replacement.
My tent is 27oz, Bag is just over 1lbs, and the Pad is 1lbs.
Here is one place I get Ideas from. Jimmy has lots of Ideas for shelters. I use a tarp the Granite mountain with vestibule for most of my spike hunting. In November I use a titanium stove with it and or change to a pyramid tent with ti stove depending on weather. I also use the Jimmy bivi and a down sleeping bag with an insulated air matt. If you don't sleep well, it is easy to loose focus and keep your spirits up. Also check out My Trail Co's close out section for light weight and waterproof gear. I would not use one of their packs for elk though.
https://www.facebook.com/JimmyTarps/
https://mytrailco.com/
https://www.facebook.com/JimmyTarps/
https://mytrailco.com/
Anomaly101
New member
- May 19, 2017
- 10
I love my Kifaru gear, I want everything to be rugged and dependable. My experience with other top tear gear is a little limited. But I?ve waisted some cash on lower end but well marketed gear.
I run a tarp byve combo, synthetic bag ?might try a quilt in early September?. Comfy pack that can perform multiple task 1-7 days.
I run a tarp byve combo, synthetic bag ?might try a quilt in early September?. Comfy pack that can perform multiple task 1-7 days.
