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Author Topic: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!  (Read 14154 times)

Offline MichaelJ

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BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« on: January 20, 2009, 11:03:11 PM »
Alright guys, got some new gear on the list for next september... I'll be up around 6000' here in Idaho hunting muleys and elk and I'm really wanting to lighten my gear a little...

My main concerns deal with my clothing.  I'm already pretty efficient with my setup and I think for a 5 day hunt 12 miles into the GPW I came in around 45 lbs with rifle included... maybe a little heavier but not much.  It'd be sweet if I could drop that down to 40 or so.

I'm desperately looking for a solid pair of pants that dries quickly, have a few pockets, and if they had those zip off knees that'd be sweet to.  Don't want them insulated, they have to breath... suggestions?

I'm also looking to replace my rivers west and rain pants with a newer raingear setup.  The reason for getting rid of the RW is because it doesn't pack down for crap.  It's bulky... maybe I should trie throwing it in a compression sack and seeing how that goes...?  But if you were to get some LIGHT WEIGHT rain gear (pants and jacket) what would you suggest?  Not looking to spend a fortune here but want quality...

I've already got UnderArmour uppers and lowers and won't give those up.  Besides they are the best anyways...

I've been thinking of getting a good fleece jacket or vest.  Any suggestions?  Once again I want something light and that can pack down small.  I think for Sept hunt, underarmour, fleece and a rain jacket will be all I'll need... along with the UnderArmour lowers with new pants and rain pants.

The final thing I believe I'm wanting to pick up is a new stove.  Been using a superlight alcohol stove and it works good but I don't like carrying the pan and fuel and it's hard to keep it all organized.  Would really like a stove I can just pull out the boiling pot, open it up and pull out the fuel, stove and fork and start it up...  Suggestions?  Also weight is a big factor here.

I'm good to go on my camp setup.  Got an Eagles Nest hammock, Marmot Sawtooth 15 degree down bag, and small foam pad (to keep the draft off the bottom) and I've NEVER slept better in my life.  I think it packs down to right around 5 lbs for sleeping bag/pad/hammock/rope (to hook up the hammock).  I'm also going to get a siltarp to rig up a rainfly with.  Shouldn't be too hard.

I'm also going to upgrade my pack.  Last year I bought a gregory Palisades 80 and its a great pack but it's a backpacking pack and once it gets loaded down to >60 lbs its quite uncomfortable...  I know almost all packs are going to be at that point, but I feel it can be improved upon.  I loaded up 40 lbs today in a new Kelty Tioga and that is one SWEET pack!  Plus it'll breath better on the back and I feel I can use the frame to my advantage.

Almost forgot!  I need a tripod for my spotting scope and really would be interested in buying something used.  It doesn't have to be real tall but folding down small and being lightweight is key.  This I can't afford to spend much money on, I'd say less than $75...

I appreciate all the input, thanks guys and let me know what you think!

Michael
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Offline Alchase

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2009, 11:48:08 AM »
Here is a couple of pants suggestions.

North Face Paramount Convertible, I love these pants. These shed water very well. Tuff pants. The only draw backs are the thigh pockets are on top of the thigh not the side were I prefer and they  have a very short inseam to waist so you need to try them on before you pick your size.

http://www.REI.com/product/762162

Mountain Hardwear Mesa Convertible, these have a better pocket location but are not quite as durable, still very good pants.

http://www.REI.com/product/755066

REI Acme Pants I also like allot, but they are very spendy

http://www.REI.com/product/770865

I like The North Face Freedom Shell Pants for slip on rain pants that are packable

http://www.rei.com/product/770670

I have had many fleece and softshell jackets, my preference is the Rei light fleece. They also have a heavy fleece. Then over that a packable rain jacket.


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Offline archery288

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2009, 11:54:41 AM »
As for the stove portion... The MSR Pocket Rocket has to be one of the simplest stoves to use and it is very  light and compact. 

http://www.msrgear.com/stoves/pocketrocket.asp

Offline MichaelJ

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2009, 01:21:36 PM »
Here is a couple of pants suggestions.

North Face Paramount Convertible, I love these pants. These shed water very well. Tuff pants. The only draw backs are the thigh pockets are on top of the thigh not the side were I prefer and they  have a very short inseam to waist so you need to try them on before you pick your size.

http://www.REI.com/product/762162

Mountain Hardwear Mesa Convertible, these have a better pocket location but are not quite as durable, still very good pants.

http://www.REI.com/product/755066

REI Acme Pants I also like allot, but they are very spendy

http://www.REI.com/product/770865

I like The North Face Freedom Shell Pants for slip on rain pants that are packable

http://www.rei.com/product/770670

I have had many fleece and softshell jackets, my preference is the Rei light fleece. They also have a heavy fleece. Then over that a packable rain jacket.




Thanks Alchase!  I like the look of those Mountain Hardware pants the best and reviews on them are a lot greater than the Northface pants... and the Rei Acme pants are way out of my range... lol
As for rain pants, It seems to me the ones you posted would be a little heavier than I'd like and not pack very small (their listed under ski pants)... I'd like something to pack down the size of a 20 oz. soda bottle... it'd be nice to find a jacket the same...

Michael
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Offline MichaelJ

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2009, 01:45:11 PM »
I really like the looks of these:
http://www.rei.com/product/718215#

But what the heck!!!  I wear in jeans a 32/34 and their sizing charts look like they're for people who have a bigger waist size than inseam!  Looks like the closest I can get is a 33/32 in Medium... that sucks I hate high water pants!

As for a stove I'm definitely looking at the pocket rocker.  I also hear good things about the jetboil and I like their carry case/pot better... Not sure which but the pocket rocket is much cheaper and seems pretty simple...


Michael
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Offline Skyvalhunter

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2009, 01:50:50 PM »
A person upgrades this week then come next week they come out with another upgrade :chuckle:
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Offline MichaelJ

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2009, 02:18:52 PM »
Yeah but I have a birthday coming up!   ;)

Michael
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Offline Skyvalhunter

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2009, 02:22:05 PM »
your set then!! got to love those gift cards too!! :chuckle:
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Offline KillBilly

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2009, 02:29:09 PM »
I really like the looks of these:
http://www.rei.com/product/718215#

But what the heck!!!  I wear in jeans a 32/34 and their sizing charts look like they're for people who have a bigger waist size than inseam!  Looks like the closest I can get is a 33/32 in Medium... that sucks I hate high water pants!

As for a stove I'm definitely looking at the pocket rocker.  I also hear good things about the jetboil and I like their carry case/pot better... Not sure which but the pocket rocket is much cheaper and seems pretty simple...


Michael

It appears that the waists are all Elastic so order it by inseam and it should work
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Offline NRA4LIFE

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2009, 02:31:39 PM »
A buddy of mine just gave me a surplus JetBoil stove and I am already in love with it.  The kit with the stove, boiling pot, fuel cannister and coffee strainer weighs in at just about a pound.
Look man, some times you just gotta roll the dice

Offline bow4elk

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #10 on: January 21, 2009, 03:01:44 PM »
I live in Cabela's Microtex pants...there are two weights, both dry extremely fast, are bulletproof, and will take years of abuse.  You can layer with polypro and still have room to move.

I layer my top with UA, polypro, fleece, and a windstopper vest.  Top it off with a fleece jacket + good packable raingear.  I have Cabela's MT050, works well but don't hike in it or any GoreTex.  You'll get soaked.  Also, I compress a North Face down vest (any will do) and keep that sucker ready for cold nights or stand hunting.

I use an MSR stove, but have only heard great things about the JetBoil unit.

And I have a mess of Badlands packs...www.badlandspacks.com.  The 4500 is a great rig for a week.

Just some thoughts to throw out....Good Luck!
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Offline MichaelJ

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #11 on: January 21, 2009, 05:57:40 PM »
Speaking of packs I really need to send in my Badlands 2200... its got a lot of broken zipper tabs, one seperating zipper, and somehow the aluminum frame rods got all jacked and twist and the edges dig into my shoulders...  Hopefully they will say screw fixing it and send me a new one! lol

Bow4Elk, I've heard great things about the microtext pants and will definitely give those a try.  They seem reasonably priced too!

Michael
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Offline shanevg

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #12 on: January 21, 2009, 06:14:58 PM »
A buddy of mine just gave me a surplus JetBoil stove and I am already in love with it.  The kit with the stove, boiling pot, fuel cannister and coffee strainer weighs in at just about a pound.

I'm not a huge fan of the stove.  They are made to store the fuel canister and other parts inside the "pot" but I have had problems with the pot rusting on the inside because of this.  Also, it has trouble staying lit at higher temperatures.  More like 8000+ but still annoying.  I use the Pocket Rocket and much prefer it over the JetBoil.

Offline MichaelJ

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #13 on: January 21, 2009, 06:19:26 PM »
A buddy of mine just gave me a surplus JetBoil stove and I am already in love with it.  The kit with the stove, boiling pot, fuel cannister and coffee strainer weighs in at just about a pound.

I'm not a huge fan of the stove.  They are made to store the fuel canister and other parts inside the "pot" but I have had problems with the pot rusting on the inside because of this.  Also, it has trouble staying lit at higher temperatures.  More like 8000+ but still annoying.  I use the Pocket Rocket and much prefer it over the JetBoil.

Good to know shane!  I wasn't aware that titanium could rust though I've never owned anything made from it...   :dunno:
I think I'll just stick with the pocketrocker or go for maybe a snow peak giga???

Still looking for packable raingear...
I'm also needing to pick up a few stuff sacks to save space esp with clothing.

Michael
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Offline ICEMAN

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #14 on: January 21, 2009, 09:01:45 PM »
For a backcountry high elevation stove, you may consider this one. I have used this stove (Brunton/Optimus Nova Multi Fuel self cleaning stove...) Awesome stove, and works in most any temp / condition.... Folds up great. Self cleaning jet.

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/Stovedetail.cfm/OPT140

Also, check out the "lightweight zone" at backcountrygear.com

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Offline PacificNWhunter

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #15 on: January 22, 2009, 07:40:28 AM »
As for the stoves I'm partial to Snow Peak. I have an older model but it come with a striker built on the stove so you don't have to use a match to light it. It's burned great even at 8000+ feet. Might have to warm the fuel canisters though on really cold nights, I just throw them in the bottom of my sleeping bag. I've heard good things about jet boil too, never used one. My cook set up is made by GSI, it's the soloist. Stove fuel and cook set weigh just over a pound. Good luck man.

Offline MichaelJ

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #16 on: January 22, 2009, 10:31:59 AM »
Alright its looking like I'll be spending around $650 on gear plus boots or so...

Cabelas MicroTex Pants: $60
Cabelas Rain Suede Evolution Packable Pants: $110
Cabelas Tech Down Vest: $60
Pocket Rocket Setup (with pot/container): $80
Kelty Tioga 5500: $145
Tri-pod: $80  Need some more suggestions here!  I need something REALLY light weight and I don't plan on using it to glass, just to check out suspicious looking stuff or to get a better look at a buck I spotted with my binos.  IE: I don't need a super smooth head on it.

Total: $525

Boots: I really want to pick up a pair of the kenetrek mountain extremes but dang at $345 those are pricey!  My GF's dad is a danner rep and said he'll sell me a pair at 5% over cost and get them custom fitted.  Looks like I might give those a shot!

What do you think?

Michael
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Offline Alchase

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #17 on: January 22, 2009, 12:40:00 PM »
Michael, you probably know this already but I will say it just in case. You really need to go and try on and actually fit most of those pants listed. They vary wildly in their sizes, and style. An example is the rain pants I posted are listed under snow pants. I wear them while playing and coaching soccer, they breathe very well (for rain pants). They actually pack into the back pocket and have a mesh lining and adjustable Velcro waist pulls.
I am trying to convince you to buy these by any means. I am just trying to show how different the pants can be when you actually wear them from the web pages.
Sports Authority had a few different packable rain pants (also had these) that might let you narrow down your selection if a REI or Cabelas is not close.
Good luck
Hope this helps
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Offline PacificNWhunter

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #18 on: January 22, 2009, 01:04:01 PM »
Hey man your list looks pretty good, I'd have to second what alchase said. Try and get into a store to get a good fit on your pants....I'm not sure what your looking for in a backpack but my buddy just got this pack and it seems pretty nice for the price. I have a large cubic inch pack 4600+ that is a non hunting brand because it feels really, really good under a load. The only thing I don't like about it is it is a pain to get a deer loaded into, and doesn't have alot of hunter friendly features.  But for the most part I use a Badlands 2200 for my hunting trips. I use a bivy sleeping set up and have found I can do 3 days pretty easy with that pack. (food, stove, everything included). If the pack is comfortable go for it! Just wanted to give you a heads up on this pack. I know your working on a college budget!!! Man I'm glad those days are over for me. Good luck man, I might have to look you up later this year....planning on hitting over the county deer in Idaho.

Jordan

Oh yeah, just sent my 2200 in to badlands for an adjustment with the waist belt. To get your pack fixed all you have to do is call them (801-978-2207) get an RA# ship the pack to them and included shipping back and they will hook you up on the repair, free of charge.

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #19 on: January 22, 2009, 01:08:21 PM »
OH yeah, I was going to PM you but your inbox is FULL

Offline MichaelJ

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #20 on: January 22, 2009, 01:17:49 PM »
Michael, you probably know this already but I will say it just in case. You really need to go and try on and actually fit most of those pants listed. They vary wildly in their sizes, and style. An example is the rain pants I posted are listed under snow pants. I wear them while playing and coaching soccer, they breathe very well (for rain pants). They actually pack into the back pocket and have a mesh lining and adjustable Velcro waist pulls.
I am trying to convince you to buy these by any means. I am just trying to show how different the pants can be when you actually wear them from the web pages.
Sports Authority had a few different packable rain pants (also had these) that might let you narrow down your selection if a REI or Cabelas is not close.
Good luck
Hope this helps

Alchase, thanks for the reinforcement I hear what you're saying and will take it to heart.  I know there is a cabelas not too terribly far from me (hour and a half I think) so I'll try to make it up there one of these weekends!

Pacific, I'll go delete some messages!  Sorry...  lol and I'm pretty set on the Kelty Tioga for multi-day trips.  I know I can use my Badlands 2200 for an overnight trip and that thing can haul some serious meat/weight with it's "winged" design.  It's my main pack for day hunts!  I know two other guys that use the Kelty and they both love it.  They're weight hauling machines and the prices aren't bad at all and I think I might even be able to get one used...
I'll give badlands a call and see what I can have the pack shipped for!
If I ever buy a new hunting pack for day trips, It'll be a blackscreek!  I absolutely love their packs, and got to use one two years ago to haul a load of meat out.  Very comfortable and some of the TOUGHEST packs I've ever seen!  I love 'em and they're reasonably priced!

Also for rain gear I'm checking out the Marmot Precip jacket/pants.  They seem really light weight and I'm pretty sure I'd stay warm in them with UA top/bottoms, microtex pant and a down/fleece vest/jacket...  Remember this is for back country september hunting.  Anything I do in October/november I only do day hunts typically and am not so focused on weight savings...
http://www.rei.com/product/718330

I'm also looking at the Slik Spring Mini tripod.  Heard good things about them and they're reasonably priced...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Slik-611801-Sprint-Mini-Tripod-with-Ball-Head-NEW_W0QQitemZ110341320988QQihZ001QQcategoryZ30094QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Well thats all for now I think.  Anybody else got advice let me know!  Thanks!

Michael
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Offline tonymoe

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #21 on: January 22, 2009, 03:05:15 PM »
looks like you got some good info already, but I would really consider the jetboil. as long as you are ok with just boiling water for mountain house meals or other freeze dried food, than you can't go wrong with it! everything sits inside the pot. the whole thing tips the scale at 1lb 6oz. and you can get creative if you save 1 MH bag to use for other goods such as top ramon, lipton rice (the instant bags, there like $1.50 and filling), I have thrown in some little packs of oatmeal, and can't forget the coffee singles! just my :twocents:

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #22 on: January 23, 2009, 12:03:40 AM »
For rain gear I would definitely look at Marmot Precip. I've had the same set since '04 and I pretty much wear it everyday in the high country when I'm up there, so its pretty durable.

I can't help on the pants part cause I don't bring any but for a coat the cabelas legacy fleece works good and is fairly priced. It also lasts forever it seems.

The pocket rocket is a good and cheap stove that works fairly well.

I have a slik sprint mini tripod. (I think that is what its called) Its light, packs up small, and I think was like 70 dollars.

Good luck this year.

Offline MichaelJ

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #23 on: January 23, 2009, 01:30:28 AM »
For rain gear I would definitely look at Marmot Precip. I've had the same set since '04 and I pretty much wear it everyday in the high country when I'm up there, so its pretty durable.

I can't help on the pants part cause I don't bring any but for a coat the cabelas legacy fleece works good and is fairly priced. It also lasts forever it seems.

The pocket rocket is a good and cheap stove that works fairly well.

I have a slik sprint mini tripod. (I think that is what its called) Its light, packs up small, and I think was like 70 dollars.

Good luck this year.

HOLY  MOTHER  OF JESUS!!!  Where the hell u been man?   Good  lord I've been lookin forward to talkin with ya since the better part of august!

Michael
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Offline BLUEBULLS

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #24 on: January 23, 2009, 06:07:24 AM »
I wear polyester pants(not sure the brand but they're predator camo) they're super light, breath well, and dry out extremely fast, and they're tough. For jackets I wear Fleece, A lot of my fleece comes from Cabelas Bargain cave or their sales catalogs. You can find some pretty good stuff for good prices if you keep looking. I don't even take a coat in the winter since I started wearing fleece, a cuple layers keeps you warm and it dries out quick. As far as rain gear, I'm still looking, I know guys that use different types of Cabelas lightwieght packable rain gear and they all seem to have tearing and seam problems. I'm not real careful so I want something durable. I'll have to look into a few of the ones listed on this thread. For a stove, I use the pocket rocket. It's super light, high quality and very compact, it doesn't like the wind but it's easy to build a wind block. My pack is an older model badlands 2800, I love it, I don't even look at other packs anymore. I hear the newer badlands have zipper and buckle issues. Let me know what rain gear you get and how it holds up.

good luck!

Offline Red Dawg

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #25 on: January 23, 2009, 06:13:37 AM »
i just bought the sportman's wearhouse rain gear, works great and it is nice and light in the pack. For pants and stuff I like microtex from cabala's. No beating this stuff, perfect cloths from Sept to Nov. I also layer with microtex, vest and a fleece cant complain to much.

Offline PacificNWhunter

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #26 on: January 23, 2009, 07:31:39 AM »
Good deal Michael, just saw that black creeks pack was only about 40 dollars more then the one you were looking at.

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #27 on: January 23, 2009, 09:12:01 AM »
I agree with branden, legacy fleece with marmot precip rain gear.  You dont need a jacket with the rain gear just a good fleece. Pocket rocket also a good stove.

Offline swanny

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #28 on: January 26, 2009, 11:09:19 PM »
I agree on the Precip pants too, great stuff that packs well, keeps you dry, and is light weight.

As far as the pack is concerned, not sure why you don't like the Gregory and don't see the Kelty as an upgrade. If your looking to lighter weight with the pack, take a look at the Osprey Aether series. Amazing, comfortable pack that weighs in about 4.5lbs. Head to the REI in Seattle and load the packs up, walk around the store, and see what you think of them. The suspensions vary a ton!

As far as the stove goes, if your at altitude in colder weather I would highly recommend getting a liquid fuel stove. They perform way better than the canister model stoves. MSR or Optimus is a great choice. I personally own the Pocket Rocket and the MSR Simmerlite and have no complaints on either. For a pot combo, checkout the GSI Soloist. It comes with a pot, cup, bowl, lid for bowl or cup, and a strainer lid for the pot. It also fits your canister fuel and the pocket rock, or stove. Bought the 2 man person last year for backpacking and haven't been disappointed in the versatility and compactness of it.

As far as hiking pants go, try them on. I personally have found the North Face hiking pants to be the most comfortable fit. The REI convertibles look like parachute pants IMO.

Offline MichaelJ

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #29 on: January 26, 2009, 11:36:21 PM »
I agree on the Precip pants too, great stuff that packs well, keeps you dry, and is light weight.

As far as the pack is concerned, not sure why you don't like the Gregory and don't see the Kelty as an upgrade. If your looking to lighter weight with the pack, take a look at the Osprey Aether series. Amazing, comfortable pack that weighs in about 4.5lbs. Head to the REI in Seattle and load the packs up, walk around the store, and see what you think of them. The suspensions vary a ton!

As far as the stove goes, if your at altitude in colder weather I would highly recommend getting a liquid fuel stove. They perform way better than the canister model stoves. MSR or Optimus is a great choice. I personally own the Pocket Rocket and the MSR Simmerlite and have no complaints on either. For a pot combo, checkout the GSI Soloist. It comes with a pot, cup, bowl, lid for bowl or cup, and a strainer lid for the pot. It also fits your canister fuel and the pocket rock, or stove. Bought the 2 man person last year for backpacking and haven't been disappointed in the versatility and compactness of it.

As far as hiking pants go, try them on. I personally have found the North Face hiking pants to be the most comfortable fit. The REI convertibles look like parachute pants IMO.

Good advice... I like the gregory pack a lot but at heavier loads it really gets uncomfortable and my back starts straining more than it should... my Badlands 2200 never hurt my back like that and I've packed up to 85 lbs of meat/hide in it.  I've tried on the Kelty and for heavier loads they are AWESOME.  Have a better hydration system, better venting to your back, the external pockets are easily accessible unlike on my gregory where you got to undo two buckels and flip the "lid" back.  I just like the Kelty better for back country trips.  Especially solo.

I use an Eagles Nest 1 person hammock and haven't looked back since.  Weights in just over a lb and I've never slept better in my entire life in the back country.  Add the bug net for another lb and a lightweight tarp for a rain fly and it can't be beat for sleeping imho... btw i wouldn't use the hammock much past october though, unless you have a very high quality sleeping pad.  I carry a cheap lightweight foam one and it works wonders to keep the heat in from the bottom but once it gets down to about 10 degrees you start noticing the heat loss....

Michael
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https://www.facebook.com/HellsCanyonArmory/
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Offline Vek

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #30 on: January 29, 2009, 06:13:55 PM »
If you want to think outside the bun a bit - I did my sheep hunt up here with good gaiters, expedition weight long underwear, and SHORTS - quick dry nylon shorts.  I had Patagonia's Rainshadow raingear pants to go over top - they come in a sagy green versus black for most others.  I detest black, and I don't care for camo.  I like the patagonia rainshadow product more than the Marmot. 

For up top, I had a REI ultralight raincoat, supplemented by a lightweight poncho.  Golite makes a good one.  The REI raincoat is okay, but there's room for improvement.  I'll probably try to pick off a patagonia match for cheap.

I'm still thinking all of this out, but there's more than one way to skin the cat.  I'll likely go in next year with lighter longjohns and full pants - my current hiking pants are by mountain hardwear.  In the past, i've worn REI's Mistral pants with great success.  Don't get too hung on zip-off legs - the zipper and sewing adds weight and doesn't do anything for their ability to shed moisture...

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #31 on: February 01, 2009, 09:50:08 PM »
I hadn't heard of the GSI soloist until now. Is there a local outlet or only online purchase; almost all the online state that they aren't in stock.

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #32 on: February 02, 2009, 07:57:04 AM »
If you want to think In the past, i've worn REI's Mistral pants with great success.  Don't get too hung on zip-off legs - the zipper and sewing adds weight and doesn't do anything for their ability to shed moisture...

I love the older style Minstrel pants, they changed them about 3 or 4 years ago. I have 3 pairs and keep hoping they will go back to the older style, lol.
Only 2 defining forces sacrificed themselves for you:
The American Soldier and Jesus Christ. One died for your freedom, the other for your soul.

My rock,
He trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.
Psalm 144.1

Offline swanny

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Re: BackCountry Gear Upgrades!
« Reply #33 on: February 02, 2009, 11:52:08 AM »
Oldguy, the GSI Soloist is available at REI.com. Ship it to your local REI store for free or 5.99 to your house.

http://www.rei.com/product/784114

 


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