BackCountry Gear Upgrades!

[PacificNWhunter]

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.

[MichaelJ]

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

[Alchase]

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

[PacificNWhunter]

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.

http://www.blacks-creek.com/jimhorn-alaskan.php

[PacificNWhunter]

OH yeah, I was going to PM you but your inbox is FULL

[MichaelJ]

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

[tonymoe]

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

[Branden]

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.

[MichaelJ]

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

[BLUEBULLS]

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!

[Red Dawg]

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.

[PacificNWhunter]

Good deal Michael, just saw that black creeks pack was only about 40 dollars more then the one you were looking at.

[rjm5]

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.

[swanny]

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.

[MichaelJ]

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