BackCountry Gear Upgrades!

[MichaelJ]

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

[Alchase]

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.

[archery288]

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

[MichaelJ]

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

[MichaelJ]

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

[Skyvalhunter]

A person upgrades this week then come next week they come out with another upgrade

[MichaelJ]

Yeah but I have a birthday coming up!   

Michael

[Skyvalhunter]

your set then!! got to love those gift cards too!!

[KillBilly]

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

[NRA4LIFE]

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.

[bow4elk]

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!

[MichaelJ]

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

[shanevg]

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.

[MichaelJ]

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...   
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

[ICEMAN]

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