Given free gear!

[snowshoes22]

I was given some free hiking gear today and was wondering what some experienced hiker/hunters knew about it. I want to know the quality or pros cons before i use it.  I am not a hardcore hiker but have done a lot of day trips.  I want to start doing overnighters and weekend trips.  So here is the gear.  All new in box or bag never used.  Lowe Alpine Frontier 75+20 pack, Mountain hardware switch 20 sleep bag, Big Agnes REM sleep pad with primaloft 20x78x2.5, MSR windpro stove, stansport SS cookset, REI Base camp pillow and a few small items that are not significant.  Does anyone have experience with these items?  I just need a tent or bivy and water reservoir.  There are some other small things i also need but i think this stuff will get me started.   

[RadSav]

Sounds like you were given some top rate stuff.  All rate quite high in my book

[cvandervort]

No good. I'll take it off of your hands....if I must

[dreamingbig]

Someone really likes you.  That is excellent starting gear.

[pianoman9701]

everyone knows those Big Agnes pads give off toxic fumes while you're sleeping. I'm a certified disposal center for them. I'll PM you with my address. Wrap them up inside that sleeping bag to make sure none of the gas escapes and send them to me for incineration.  I'm with the government and I'm here to help.

[snowshoes22]

My step Dad bought the stuff and never used it.  Now he has lost interest and told me to take it.

[crazysccrmd]

All good stuff but that's a pretty huge pack.

[snowshoes22]

He has a 65+15 and a smaller one also. Both are Lowe Alpine i just grabbed the 75+20 frontier.  I don't know much about the sport but really want to start. I also picked up a Kelty Cache Hauler with the additional pack that goes with the frame. How do you guys load your pack?  Do you like the weight hi or low or do you try to even it out?  I'm really green at actual backpacking.   

[Smokey Bear]

That is some top rate gear, several hundred dollars worth.  The pack is big.  The pro being you can fit a lot of crap in it.  The con being it weighs more to begin with.  The only item I would probably upgrade is the Stansport SS messkit. You can probably find something lighter with teflon, that's the only thing needing an upgrade. 

I like to pack the heaviest stuff in the middle and the food and frequently used gear toward the top. 

[7mag.]

All good gear. The pack is not too big in my opinion. If you have a pack that is too big, you don't have to fill it up. If you have a pack that is too small, you're screwed.

[jtw]

Pack with the heaviest gear behind your mid back and then fill around that woth lighter gear in order of how often youll need it.

Thats a big pack but if you want to do a serious trip itll be real nice.

[snowshoes22]

thanks for the info