Need some gear suggestions for 2019

[Ajj828]

Are you short or tall? Are you a mummy bag person or do you need room to sleep?

I’m a average height guy 5’8 150 pounds. Usually I like sleeping on my side. Not sure if a mummy bag is for me.

[ctwiggs1]

Those sleep systems are definitely legit, but man they are huge.  I can’t wait to replace mine.  It was last on my list of military gear to go because at least it was functional

[bracer40]

Are you short or tall? Are you a mummy bag person or do you need room to sleep?

I’m a average height guy 5’8 150 pounds. Usually I like sleeping on my side. Not sure if a mummy bag is for me.

I'm also a side sleeper and found I wasn't crazy about sleeping in my 30 yr old down mummy bag (don't recall it bothering me 25 yrs ago when using it summer-winter).
After doing some backpack trips this past summer I started looking for a "side sleeper" bag.
I definitely found it in the Nemo Disco. I went with the 15° version. At 2lbs 11oz, it's not the lightest, but for me, I'm happy to carry a little more weight for a good night's sleep. It also compresses down pretty well.

Haven't used it for winter camping but it performed well at 5000' during late season elk over Thanksgiving week.
I waited for one of REI's holiday sales to get it @25% off. Extremely happy with it.

[swanny]

Are you short or tall? Are you a mummy bag person or do you need room to sleep?

I’m a average height guy 5’8 150 pounds. Usually I like sleeping on my side. Not sure if a mummy bag is for me.

At 5'8" and 150lbs you should have no problem with a mummy bag. Most mummy bags today are cut a fair amount wider than those of old, weigh less, pack smaller, and are truly rated to their stated temperature. Do keep in mind that the temperature of any good sleeping bag will have an EN rating, which also takes in to account that you will be on an insulated sleeping mat, wearing medium weight socks, medium weight long underwear top and bottom, plus a beanie. Materials and manufacturing have improved vastly in the last 10yrs.

[jackelope]

I'm a big guy... 6'4" and 235-ish and I use a long mummy bag predominantly sleeping on my side. It's not amazing sleep, but I sleep. I could stand to upgrade my pad a couple notches which would probably improve things. I'm going to experiment with a quilt this year. Not entirely sold on the idea, but I haven't tried it in the real world yet either.

[Karl Blanchard]

Quilts are amazing if you learn how to use them.  Very versatile piece but they are gonna be drafty so if it's real cold, you gotta strap em down to eliminate the issue.  Also need a beanie if its cold as they dont have hood.  I also recommend bumping up the temp rating on a quilt.  Instead of a 30 go 15.  Instead of a 20 run a 0.  I went with a zero degree quilt from EE.  I've used it to single digits.  Zero seems excessive but the beauty of a quilt is if its warm out you can throw it back, kick a leg out, etc to regulate temp.  Mine weighs 20oz so even if it only got me down to 20-25 degrees it's still much lighter and compact than most any 20 degree mummy bag and is mine thousand times more enjoyable to sleep in.

[ian_padron]

Jump on Rokslide and score yourself some used gear.

Lots of used once/like new gear at great prices this time of year.

Boots, pack, tent, bag, optics...those are the items that will make or break a high hunt. Don't skimp on any of them, trust me.

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[ian_padron]

You sure on that weight on the EE Karl? My 0 degree quilt is right under 32 oz!

Quilts are amazing if you learn how to use them.  Very versatile piece but they are gonna be drafty so if it's real cold, you gotta strap em down to eliminate the issue.  Also need a beanie if its cold as they dont have hood.  I also recommend bumping up the temp rating on a quilt.  Instead of a 30 go 15.  Instead of a 20 run a 0.  I went with a zero degree quilt from EE.  I've used it to single digits.  Zero seems excessive but the beauty of a quilt is if its warm out you can throw it back, kick a leg out, etc to regulate temp.  Mine weighs 20oz so even if it only got me down to 20-25 degrees it's still much lighter and compact than most any 20 degree mummy bag and is mine thousand times more enjoyable to sleep in.

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[Karl Blanchard]

Positive.  950 fill regular/regular.  Anything that goes in my bag has at some point been weighed on a scale.

[rl206]

I'm new here but I'll chime in

I'll echo the REI halfdome, I tried the hammock in the backcountry and couldn't sleep worth a damn at night hearing everything running around, call me a wuss but am packing a tent next year, helps , me sleep. That was solo though being alone your mind wanders.

I'd spend the money on a quality pad that packs small doesn't weigh a ton

[Karl Blanchard]

I'm new here but I'll chime in

I'll echo the REI halfdome, I tried the hammock in the backcountry and couldn't sleep worth a damn at night hearing everything running around, call me a wuss but am packing a tent next year, helps , me sleep. That was solo though being alone your mind wanders.

I'd spend the money on a quality pad that packs small doesn't weigh a ton

no hammocks for me either.  Everyone knows that tents are bear proof 

[Mtnwalker]

I'm new here but I'll chime in

I'll echo the REI halfdome, I tried the hammock in the backcountry and couldn't sleep worth a damn at night hearing everything running around, call me a wuss but am packing a tent next year, helps , me sleep. That was solo though being alone your mind wanders.

I'd spend the money on a quality pad that packs small doesn't weigh a ton

I sleep with ear plugs when I’m on solo trips. I figure if somethins gonna get me then so be it but otherwise it helps me sleep through all the rodent noise

[ian_padron]

Positive.  950 fill regular/regular.  Anything that goes in my bag has at some point been weighed on a scale.

Dude that's friggin nuts.

I have a long wide with 950 and its almost 12 extra ounces!!!

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[Smossy]

So I plan on trying a high hunt in 2019 or 2020 and I’m slowly buying gear I may need. I’m a new hunter and have only been hunting 3 years so I am slowly building my gear list up. I want to do a 4 day high hunt.

Important gear I know I need:
Tent/ tarp
Sleeping bag (used a $15 Walmart bag for elk hunting this year with 3 other blankets so I learned my lesson  )
Sleeping pad
Trekking poles
Pillow
Water filtration device
Stove
Portable charger

If anyone can recommend any brands to me that would be great. Not looking to buy a $600 tent or sleeping bag. Looking at about $200 max for a bag and $200-$300 for a tent. Would like to keep costs low but I do really hate buying low quality and wasting money.

Whats your weight/height?

[TRD1911]

I was in a similar positon. Heres how I went and I've been happy with the upgrades

Tent/ tarp - Seek Outside Cimmaron
Sleeping bag - Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20*
Sleeping pad - Klymit V2
Trekking poles - Black Diamond Carbon Cork
Pillow - Used a rolled up puffy jacket
Water filtration device - Sawyer inline filter
Stove - Titanium Goat Medium Wifi
Portable charger - Dark Energy Poseiden

I know you said that you dont want to spend the amount of money that some of these items require but it doesn't save you any money to buy an inferior item just to replace it next year. Just my opinion. I buy 90% of my gear used. Keep checking the classifieds on here, archery talk, Rokslide and LRH. Put wanted ads out and put what you're willing to pay in them. Sometimes you get lucky.