How to allocate funds?

[vandeman17]

I am in the process of basically starting from scratch to hopefully being self sufficient in the back country for a few days at a time. My question is how you guys and gals would prioritize your budget? I am looking at packs, tents, sleeping bags, pad etc.

[dscubame]

Stone Glacier pack.  Thought process is that will make you the most comfortable you can be as you discover what items and how far your willing to take it to be the weight you want.  Comfortable equals enjoyment.

[vandeman17]

Stone Glacier pack.  Thought process is that will make you the most comfortable you can bef as you discover what items and how far your willing to take it to be the weight you want.  Comfortable equals enjoyment.

I tried on a new nimrod pack this past weekend that isn't out yet and it was awesome. It was pretty spendy and thus I am posting this thread. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

You pay for what you get is my thoughts on hiking the backcountry.  Figure out what you like and look for sales or someone getting rid of there's cheap. It's all a great investment of the Great Outdoors.

[davk]

I guess it depends on what you are looking to spend.  Id start with getting decent equipment that you will be satisfied with and not want to replace after your first or second trip.  Another big thing is dont end up buying a bunch of crap that you eventually leave at home.  There are tons of gear lists around from people who know what they are doing.  A lot of new people bring way to much crap, just stick to what they carry initially.  Do a bunch of trips in the off season and refine your gear.  If there is something else you rreeeaaalllyyy want, go pick it up. Also pay attention to stuff you didnt use or could go without.

Id get as good as of quality as you can afford for pack, tent, pad, and sleeping bag.  Stoves are relatively cheap.  For cookware, if you are looking to save money you can go with aluminum.  Otherwise you probably can get a sufficient size titanium pot for 30-40$. This is also where I think some people bring to much crap.  Ive ran into so many people with massive pots, plates, cups, etc.  Ill run as small of a pot as I can, and Ill occasionally bring a small cup for coffee.  I guess my continuing suggestion is to go with less first, and get anything additional as you feel you need it instead of buying gear and then having it sit in the closet.  Id get a quality headlamp, and a backup headlamp or regular flashlight.

Id grab one of the gear lists and get a Excel spreadsheet or something going.  Just put the category down and then go search for that item.  Get everything totaled up and see what it is going to cost.  Its definitely one of those things that adds up really fast.  Id start watching for sales.

[SemperFidelis97]

I would focus on getting your heavier items like sleeping bags, tents, etc. out of the way.  Obviously a quality pack is a big investment as well, I would watch places like Rokslide classifieds for deals.  I was able to put a Kifaru pack together for my wife this year with a DT1, and the new ultralight frame from the classifieds for waaay below retail. 

[Ridgerunner]

Definitely shop the rockslide classifieds, tons of good deals in there.  The good thing with high priced stuff is the availability to resell it pretty easily.  I'd get a good pack first and go from there


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vandeman17]

Definitely shop the rockslide classifieds, tons of good deals in there.  The good thing with high priced stuff is the availability to resell it pretty easily.  I'd get a good pack first and go from there


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am not a member their but have been watching it a lot lately. My budget as of now is between from $1000-$1500 depending on the day you ask me. 

[couesbitten]

If you're patient, you could make a good dent with $1000, and obviously, you could make a considerably larger dent with $1,500 and you might not have to be as patient or selective.

[jackelope]

First is pack.
2nd is sleep system...tent, pad, bag etc.
Get all the other stuff you need from there, then throw half of it in a pile and sell it as you won't need half of the smalls you buy.

Did you try on the nimrod with a load in it? I don't think I would go with an untried/untested pack at this point.  There are way too many great tested options out there that are likely at or near the same price point and you'll know they work and will stand up. What's the price of the Nimrod?

[boneaddict]

I put more importance on boots than pack, but not much.  so boots, pack, sleeping bag.   for me   

[jackelope]

I put more importance on boots than pack, but not much.  so boots, pack, sleeping bag.   for me   

Good point, Doug.

[SemperFidelis97]

Your budget should be fine to get you lined out with some pretty good stuff. 

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

[quadrafire]

I put more importance on boots than pack, but not much.  so boots, pack, sleeping bag.   for me   

Good point, Doug.

And don't forget quality socks

[Magnum_Willys]

I put more importance on boots than pack, but not much.  so boots, pack, sleeping bag.   for me

Well there goes the first $1500 

[RB]

I put more importance on boots than pack, but not much.  so boots, pack, sleeping bag.   for me   

Good point, Doug.

 

I never thought I would spend over $400 on a pair of boots, but after doing my Goat hunt last year I am extremely glad I did! Good fitting well made boots will literally make or break the trip 

[jackelope]

$300 will get you a nice set of boots. Just depends on your style of boot you prefer. I prefer the bigger, heavier 10" leather sheep hunting style boots, but I'm a big fella and I like what I feel like is added support of these boots.
Some folks like the Salomon style boots.
https://www.backcountry.com/salomon-quest-4d-2-gtx-backpacking-boot-mens?CMP_SKU=SAL00D7&MER=0406&skid=SAL00D7-DET-S9&CMP_ID=PLA_BNG001&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=PLA&mr:trackingCode=A596793C-7D95-E411-9BFE-BC305BF82376&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pa&mr:ad=8823334206&mr:filter=1100202943386&gclid=CMmD7OKkuNICFVZPgQodE1YODg&gclsrc=ds

$500 will get you a nice pack, you might have to go used, but I believe you can get into a top tier used pack for $500.00

$300 will get you a great quality tent, and you can find something really good for $200.00

Figure around $125 for a great pad.

$200-250 for a good bag or quilt?

$100 for a stove?

Then figure another couple hundred bucks for the smalls that I'm not thinking of. 
I might be off a little here and there.

[ctwiggs1]

Get a hunting partner who is more experienced than you.  Chances are they have lots of extra gear.  Every time I get a friend into hunting, I loan/give away a lot of gear to help them along.  I rarely sell gear because I know I've got buddies who are "this close" to getting into hunting and I want to be able to help them out.  I've received a lot of help along the way myself.

I have a buddy who wants to try hunting this year.  I'm upgrading to a Kifaru so I'll be loaning him my old army ruck sack, a spare JetBoil I have, and a few other things.  Nothing great but it'll help him focus his money on high end essentials.  Now he can focus on a good sleep system and a good pair of boots and smaller auxiliary gear.  There's no doubt - the cost adds up.  The more that we can help the next guy, the more people we can get into hunting.

Curtis

[highside74]

Cabelas Meindl Denali boot $320
Used Kuiu Icon Pro 5200 $350ish
Mt Smith LT tent $90
Enlightened Equipment 20 degree quilt  $280
Thermarest near all season $120
Amazon.com any micro stove $25

Just under $1200

Use the $300 on good puffy or rain jacket

[quadrafire]

I'd budget for some lightweight trekking poles as well. I really like my black diamonds
https://www.rei.com/product/877683/black-diamond-distance-carbon-z-pole-trekking-poles-pair

[fillthefreezer]

we did this as a sort of hypothetical a couple years ago, how would you outfit someone totally new, for $1000.
is your clothing all square and you only need gear? thats pretty easy to get a setup that will keep you happy for a couple seasons until you really refine your wants/needs/and overall gear system

[fillthefreezer]

so everyone talks about the big 3, tent, sleeping bag, pack. theres where most budget and weight are going to come from. you need to be comfortable, stay within budget, and keep weight reasonable. you also need to cook, prepare water, and carry it. i will address all these with my recommendations and prices. this is good gear, that will keep you happy at least probably 2 seasons, and stay under $1k
shelter- mountainsmith mountain shelter LT or similar $100 new
enlightened equipment enigma 20* 850fill reg/reg $280 new
used dana designs astralplane, arcteryx bora, or rei xt85 etc $150 ebay
exped winterlite currently on closeout $125 or similar pad
msr windburner $140 new
Platy big zip 3L $35 new
katy hikewr pro $85 new
total of $915

[jackelope]

Folks keep mentioning the Mountainsmith. It maybe should be pointed out that that is floorless.
Some are fans of floorless, some are not.
I am a wuss, so I'll pass on the floorless.

[fillthefreezer]

Folks keep mentioning the Mountainsmith. It maybe should be pointed out that that is floorless.
Some are fans of floorless, some are not.
I am a wuss, so I'll pass on the floorless.

then take a weight or budget hit. i meantion it because its a. cheap AF b. pretty light could run a marmot tungsten 2p or something instead

[ctwiggs1]

Folks keep mentioning the Mountainsmith. It maybe should be pointed out that that is floorless.
Some are fans of floorless, some are not.
I am a wuss, so I'll pass on the floorless.

then take a weight or budget hit. i meantion it because its a. cheap AF b. pretty light could run a marmot tungsten 2p or something instead

I have the tungsten and don't like it.  I'm moving away from it.  The poles are long and awkward to pack (maybe it's just my pack or the way I pack).  I think a trekking pole style shelter will be my next move.

[jackelope]

Folks keep mentioning the Mountainsmith. It maybe should be pointed out that that is floorless.
Some are fans of floorless, some are not.
I am a wuss, so I'll pass on the floorless.

then take a weight or budget hit. i meantion it because its a. cheap AF b. pretty light could run a marmot tungsten 2p or something instead

Agreed. I'm thinking pretty hard about the My Trail Co UL2. At $200 and 2# 11oz, I think it could be a winner...especially for the price. It's the company that used to be GoLite.
http://mytrailco.com/collections/tents/products/tent-ul-2

[whacker1]

fillthefreezer gave a great list for price point as well as a few others.  start with that list and upgrade where you think you need to.

I spent a lot of money getting to what I want, but the one step that was missed is to inventory what you have and determine if you can sell anything to upgrade vs buying something that might be in duplicate.  i.e. do you have any of the gear that you may be replacing as part of this, sleeping bags, tents, etc.?

Third, do you know anyone that will let you borrow anything to test it out to see what you like and don't like?  Do you sleep hot or cold?  do you like or hate mummy bags?   borrow a floorless tent to see if you can handle floor less.  I didn't think I would be able to do floorless when involved in this conversation 3 or 4 years ago, and now I have no problem living floorless for a week at a time.

Plan for a budget of year over year, because you will find things that work for you that you like and then other items that you will want to upgrade or try something different.  I have bought a few tents, a few packs, a couple of different sleeping bags, etc.  some are to suit different purposes, and others are because I didn't like the first set up.  So, just go into it with the understanding that this takes time to make ti the way you want it.

[Shawn Ryan]

I have gear for you to test/borrow. PM sent.

[blackpowderhunter]

Tents can be a discussion in and of themselves..
a few things to think about.
Floorless or not? (I'm a wuss and couldn't/wouldn't go this route for a few reasons)
Single or double wall?
Free standing or not?
1 or 2 person? (even going solo, a 2 person can be nice if you don't mind the negligible extra weight for the vast amount of extra space)
I know TONS of guys love a lot of the big agnes tents, but the droopy walls if not 100% pitched properly lead to a super cramped feeling inside for me.
I have an MSR hubba hubba nx (2 person, although they make it in a 1 person model as well) tent that I wouldn't hesitate to run solo just for the added space inside for keeping gear etc.  If i did get the hankering to go floorless, I Could run it in the "fast and light" mode where you basically just have the ground sheet and rain fly.  A reason I wouldn't want to go floorless is that sometimes you can't find the perfect place to set up, and water finds new paths in sudden rain storms.  I did a week backpacking through Utah last summer, and EVERY night was a crazy thunder/rain storm and we stayed dry every single night..even with some less than stellar tent location decisions.
The thing I liked most about the msr tent, was the near vertical walls, and it being the same width at both ends.  A lot of tents have narrower foot ends, and the walls and ceiling drop down going to that end.  It makes sitting inside the tent to weather out the weather or bugs MUCH MUCH more enjoyable, especially if there is more than 1 person.  There have been many a nights where I've had to eat inside my tent because the bugs were SO thick.
Definitely try to set up, and get in any of the tents you might be interested in.  Specs online might say one thing to you, but when you get inside one and instantly hate it, might mean another.

[Skyvalhunter]

There is other questions that one might want to ask their selves. Will I also be using this gear for backpacking, High Hunt, Regular Season, Late Hunt or out of State. I have equipment that I use for the different seasons. Like I don't use the same pack I backpack in for the summer,  I don't wear my hunting clothes any other time but when I am hunting, etc

[Special T]

I will echo what other have said. #1 boots. Very subjective and worth every penny you spend. I personally would buy from some one whom is both a cobbler and a shoe salesman. If you are like lots of people you do not have perfect feet or gate and the right boots make all the difference in the world.
#2 pack also an area where fitment is important. If you have owned a few and are aware of how to best fit one I would suggest trying a USMC military surplus internal frame pack. My brother and I have lots of hiking experience and he picked one up with the assault day pack for under $200 that was is awesome shape. There may be better packs out there but I think this is a great bang for the buck back pack. #3 sleep system. I've always been a fan of a sleeping bag, a bevy sack and a light weight tarp. I used an Outdoor Research bivi similar to thier Heilum for 2 months. To me it was the perfect combination of tent light weight for backpacking. I used it for weekend, week-long trips as well as when I guided for the Boy Scouts for one whole summer.

I have also been a fan of hammocks because they are comfortable but they dont work everywhere and are not as warm.

[Fl0und3rz]

If you have owned a few and are aware of how to best fit one I would suggest trying a USMC military surplus internal frame pack. My brother and I have lots of hiking experience and he picked one up with the assault day pack for under $200 that was is awesome shape.

Seconded.  I picked up the USMC ILBE gen 2 here and purchased an assault pack separately.  Still only out $180, designed by ArcTeryx, made by Propper, and it was essentially new.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I put more importance on boots than pack, but not much.  so boots, pack, sleeping bag.   for me   

Agree!  Start at the trailhead, what do you need?  Boots, clothes, hydration system.  Pack.  Food/cookwear.  chair/seat.  Sleep system.  Another way to approach - what do I need for an hour? a day? an overnight?  Two nights?  5 nights?  Up to whatever max time you think you'd spend out before resupplying.

[kselkhunter]

This would be my priority of funds if starting backcountry hunting new:
1.  Boots - a quality pair of boots is the most important item for me.  I tried the cheap options for many years and had to replace every few years, then after prompting from a buddy of mine from Alaska went to the Zamberlain brand.  Never looked back.  Mine are 5 years old and still going solid.  Get the full leather option and use sno-seal every year, and they'll last a long time.  Buy new.
2.  Pack.  Any of the quality pack manufacturers make great options.  Pick what you like, and look for a used deal.  Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, Eberlestock, Kuiu, etc. all make good stuff.  I pack a Kuiu on lighter trips for deer, and Mystery Ranch for elk and longer trips.
3.  Tent.  Figure out what you like.  Tarp, Floorless, Floored, etc.  Whether you're going solo or with friends.  Etc.  Far too many options to list.  Lots of used options here on the forums.  My favorite floored model is Big Agnes, and floorless I prefer the Seek Outside tipis (which you can also buy an inner room for if you want part of it floored with bug screen).
4. Water filtration.  Depends on preferences and how long you're out, and how big your group is.  For solo I like the Sweetwater Guardian for it's pumping speed.  For group trips nothing beats the Katadyn Base Camp option.  Just dip the bag in the creek and hang it at camp. 
5.  First Aid kit.  Whatever your preferences are for level of coverage vs. weight tradeoff.
6.  Sleeping bag.  Far too many options to list.  And lots of opinions of down vs. synthetic fill.  Buy new.  I like my Feathered Friends down bag.
7.  Pad.  Go light.  Try to find used if possible, but not too expensive new.  I use ThermaRest NeoAir.  Sometimes pack the thermarest ultralight cot if it's a full week.
8.  Cooking items.  Personal preferences will drive your selection here.  I use the JetBoil system.  Sometimes pack the fry pan top they offer and some frozen meat to eat the first night or two before living off Mountain House meals the rest of the trip. 
 

[follow maggie]

For me, everything comes behind good boots & staying dry & warm

[T-Dozzer]

Boots, pack, sleep system. After that, we're arguing nuances.

[swanny]

Yep, get your main/heavy gear out of the way first (pack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat). I'm going to assume you already have boots, but maybe I missed where you said you need those.

If you aren't going solo, I would scratch the tent from your list from the time being. Chances are your buddy has one already and it's much lighter for the team to carry one tent than to each carry your own. Also will provide much easier time finding and selecting a camp site.

Get your pack figured our first, it will cost the most. From there, getting a quality sleeping bag so you are only buying it once and same goes for your mat. Make sure you get an insulated mat and I'd advise in getting an air inflated as it will give you generally around 3" of thickness for about 1lb of weight depending on brand/model etc. Mat insulation is key to making your sleeping bag work to it's best potential.

Once you have this all figured out, you pretty much only need your cook kit and a way to filter water. You could easily do this for $150, even buying new.

[Buzz2401]

Don't be afraid to buy quality products that are used.

[fillthefreezer]

i have to disagree with most, putting pack as a priority. its a huge expense to get something top of the line, and many features are a learned desire. buying something middle of the road is just a waste. get a proven heavy hauler from a backpacking company off ebay, and decide what you do and dont like in a pack, while saving for that holy grail of hunting packs.