Summer Backpacking Gear/REI Dividends and Sale

[halflife65]

I received my REI dividend and they are having a 20% off one item for members sale now, so I decided to go through my SUMMER backpacking gear (most of which also doubles as hunting gear) to see what I need to replace and/or upgrade for this summer.  My current gear that I would consider upgrading is below, but I'm trying to figure out where the most bang for my buck would be to lighten the gear and/or replace with something better.  This isn't meant to be an exhaustive list of everything that I carry, just major items that can be upgraded for a big difference in performance and pack weight.

Current Gear List that I would consider upgrading:
Tent: REI Quarter Dome T2
Sleeping Bag: Kelty Lightyear 25 degree down OR Northface Snowshoe 0 degree synthetic
Jacket: REI fleece jacket OR Black Diamond softshell

Gear I'm happy with:
Pack: Gregory Palisade 80
Cooking: MSR Pocket Rocket  w/titanium Snowpeak pot and titanium mug OR Jetboil, fuel canister, spork, lighter
Water Purification: Katadyn Hiker Pro AND/OR water purification tablets
GPS: Garmin eTrex Vista HCX (there are a lot better out there but this one works just fine)
Camera: Small point and shoot (not something I would buy at REI and probably warrants a separate discussion)
Sleeping Pad: Thermarest Prolite 3

Thoughts on upgrades would be:
1. Tent - maybe a tarp or bivy for summer (but then have a problem with mosquitos) or a lighter one man tent (current tent is 4 pounds 6 ounces including stakes).  I'll keep my current two man tent for when my wife goes along. 
2. Sleeping bag - Kelty bag is good in warm weather but I wouldn't really consider it in September or if I think that the weather is going to be cool (you might survive in 25 degree weather but you won't be comfortable).  NF bag is really bulky and close to 4 pounds.
3. Jacket - to replace fleece or softshell with maybe a down jacket (warmer and lighter for the weight - can layer with rain jacket, if necessary)

The rest of my stuff is pretty good and, while there is surely better stuff, I don't think it would give me the greatest benefit to upgrade before my tent, sleeping bag, jacket.  If I can get my stuff compact enough I'm going to try to fit it into my Osprey 3000cu (large) daypack (big so that I can carry most of my wife's stuff when we go on a dayhike somewhere) for overnight trips.

I'm looking for NON-camo stuff (so no Badlands 4500s) so that I'm completely incognito when I'm up there.  Granolas don't need to know that I'm looking for somewhere to shoot a deer (I don't care what they think; I just want to enjoy my trip and not have some kind of argument with a nosy turd while I'm on the hill.)

What are you buying/replacing this year?  If you are already happy with the stuff you own, what gear items did you upgrade that gave you the most benefit for the money?  Why did you choose what you did? 

[Galpster]

Good post. I really need to update my raingear. I have purchased camo frog pogs and they do not work, not to mention really noisy. Me and axle went and set up a coyote set and sitting in the snow for only like an hour and my ars was wet. I would like to get a good set that is breathable, lightweight and quiet.

Any suggestions?

[PacificNWhunter]

Might look into getting a new tent, I have the half dome 2 and it's great for the wife and I. I use an Outdoor Research bivy but after getting stuck on the mountain opening weekend last year when it rained all day everyday...think I need some more room. BA has some sweet looking light weights.

[halflife65]

I saw that BA came out with a 2 person tent that is just over 2 pounds this year.  I'd like to get my hands on it before I pulled the trigger on something like that, though - I'm concerned it might made out of waterproof Bible paper - if you sneeze on it you might blow a hole through it.

Galpster - are you looking for rain gear that is packable (like the Frog Toggs except that it works)?  If not, I have the Cabelas MT050 for when I know that I'm going to be wearing the stuff all day.  Some people don't like it, I think, but I've had really good luck with it.  For packable (camo/hunting) rain gear, I have something that is sort of between the Cabela's Space Rain and the MT050 - I don't think that they make it any more.  I've been in some torrential downpours and it has worked well, though.  It has the Dry-Plus liner stuff in it.

For non-camo raingear you have a lot more/better options.  I have an REI raincoat (can't remember the model) that is a solid green color that works pretty well.  If I had a couple of hundred extra bucks or was happy with my other gear, I'd look at the eVent stuff - I guess it's really breathable - unless you are really busting brush.  I tend to stay out of the thick stuff during summer, though, so the lighter weight raingear works well for me.  I also don't usually bother with the rain paints in the summer (that'll probably come back to bite me some day, I suppose.)

[gasman]

With having the coupon and your dividens, I would replace the most expensive item i can afford.




I did this when purchasing my GPS. I used my coupon and dividens and saved over $100 at the time.

[halflife65]

I agree, Gasman.  Probably either the sleeping bag or the tent.  I bought a whole bunch of birthday and Christmas presents for various people last year plus the rain coat and a couple of other things for myself, so my dividend is really hefty.   (I don't like to think too much about what I had to spend to get it.     I'm saving money.  Really.)

I'm hoping that people respond with tarp, tent, bivy, sleeping bag ideas or possibly with something that I haven't thought of yet.  The GPS is a good idea, but mine works fine for now although there are a lot better ones available, so I'll probably get one of the other things.

[PacificNWhunter]

A new bag- Marmot for sure I you are buying from REI. I have their down bag rated to 15 degrees and its less then 2 lbs. If your thinking about using your 20% off on something else swing over to Feathered Friends and check theirs out, they have really cool moisture resistant material that keeps the down dry.

Bivy- I have mixed feelings on, like mentioned I have the OR with the single tent pole to keep the bivy off your face. I love it when it's dry out or when just waiting out mild showers. I had to hunker down
in my bivy for close to 14 hours before opening day on the mountain last year and it got really small in there fast. But it's light, easy to pack and water proof.

Tarp- I have the Seirra Design 5x8 siltarp, in hind sight I would get the larger one. The 5x8 is great for creating shade and to cover gear but if your using it as a tarp tent it's a little small. A cheaper alternative to the tarp if your using it to cover gear is an old military poncho. Hang your pack,bow,rifle on a tree under the poncho and your good to go.

Have not purchased to many jackets from REI, wool under wear like smart wool or ibex would be something to consider with your 20% off too since it's spendy stuff.

[ribka]

 I have REI dividends to use. Looking at the Thermarest Neoair sleeping pad, maybe lowa boots and this MSR stove:

http://www.rei.com/product/781096

http://www.rei.com/product/796214

http://www.rei.com/product/736977


This tarp might be useful too for the back country:

http://www.rei.com/product/766381

Being a bigger and older guy looking at a more comfortable bag like the Big Agnes:

http://www.rei.com/search?query=big+agness+sleeping+bags&button.x=0&button.y=0

Light weight:
http://www.rei.com/product/802356

[halflife65]

The Marmot Helium (I think)?  I've read good things about that one.  I think that they might make a model that has some more water resistant material now, as well.  Something called MemBrane, I think.  I've read a lot about Feathered Friends and they are supposed to be really good (which could mean that I spend the money on some sort of tarp or tent at REI and save my money for a really good bag elsewhere.)  I always overthink this crap.

For the Marmot bag, how is the 15 degree temp rating in September?  Adequate?

[halflife65]

I have REI dividends to use. Looking at the Thermarest Neoair sleeping pad, maybe lowa boots and this MSR stove:

http://www.rei.com/product/781096

http://www.rei.com/product/796214

http://www.rei.com/product/736977


This tarp might be useful too for the back country:

http://www.rei.com/product/766381

Being a bigger and older guy looking at a more comfortable bag like the Big Agnes:

http://www.rei.com/search?query=big+agness+sleeping+bags&button.x=0&button.y=0

Light weight:
http://www.rei.com/product/802356

I've had a couple of pairs of Lowa boots that I really thought were comfortable.  I had really good luck with them although my dad bought a pair and they started to leak really quickly.  One of the things that I do like about some of them (not sure about the model you have linked to) is that the bottoms are kind of a softer rubber with REALLY good traction and are easier to sneak around in than my Meindels.

I've heard good things about the Reactor stove.  A friend of mine has the JetBoil (and so do I) and he went with a guy that had a Reactor and the Reactor beat it in boiling times.  Ohe well, I already own the JetBoil as well as a MSR Pocket Rocket so I'm not going to change that now.

The sleeping bags look about like the NF Snowshoe that I have now.  The biggest pain that I have with it is that it doesn't compress well and takes up a huge amount of room in my pack. 

[ribka]

I have the Lowa Renegade and a pair of Meindels. I like both boots. Lowas are a bit lighter and quieter. I like the Lowas in the early season

Big Agnes definitely not a back packing bag.

I have an older (20 years)  Marmont bag and I think one of the better bags on the market. Think Marmont gear a lot better than NorthFace

http://www.rei.com/product/795883

Brother just purchased this Marmont with the MemBrain supposedly increased water resistance and breathability.  He did some Winter camping. Cold and raining. He said he stayed dry  ( inside outside bag) and warm.

Lots of good equipment out there now. Just tough deciding

[PacificNWhunter]

Yeah I have the Marmot Helium and it's plenty warm. I used to have the NF snowshoe and the Marmot is warmer by far. I slept in underwear and a tee shirt this year at 3000+ feet this last oct and was fine. Summer time it's a little warm, I just don't zip it up.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Halflife.. If you've been happy with your REI Quarter Dome T2 then what about the REI Quarter Dome T1 for half the weight for solo trips.?

-Steve

[swanny]

I saw that BA came out with a 2 person tent that is just over 2 pounds this year.  I'd like to get my hands on it before I pulled the trigger on something like that, though - I'm concerned it might made out of waterproof Bible paper - if you sneeze on it you might blow a hole through it.

This is true. Our rep last year told us this tent is not for people that expect gear to last long. You pay a premium for lightweight gear but also give up the durability.

[swanny]

Sleeping bag or pad would be my two choices for upgrades. Sleeping pads often weight 2 plus pounds and there are much lighter options out there from Therm-a-rest. However, if you are a heavier guy, skip this option as you'll want the extra support that often comes with heavier, thicker pads.

Marmot bags are amazing and are EN rated, so your +15 bag will be good down to +15. REI is also EN rated in all of their sleeping bags except for the Polar Pod, so you can also trust that the bag you get will be good to it's temperature rating. The REI Halo +25 would be a good replacement for your Kelty, or the Halo +10 for your TNF bag.

It's going to be hard to get past replacing your tent without sacrificing durability. It is pretty lightweight as it is, so a bivy/tarp is your next option of your going solo.

[mattaylor81]

For your shelter I would suggest an 8x10 Silnylon tarp.  It can be rigged many ways and is more than enough coverage for weather when rigged correctly.  If you don't like that approach check out Henry Shire's Tarptents at Tarptent.com.  They offer the security of a tent at the weight of a tarp.

[halflife65]

Thanks for suggestions - I've looked at some of the lightweight tents in the past (Henry Shires, Six Moon Designs, Golite, etc.) and there are some good options out there.  I might just go with a tarp, though, for now.  I also looked at the Quarter Dome T1 and the problem that I have is that I think that I might be touching the ends/sides because the interior space is pretty small on that one.  I thought about some other one-man options, though.

I'm thinking that the dividend might go to a sleeping bag (limited to what REI sells for this particular purchase) and then start working on upgrading some of the other people suggested gear (tarp/tent, etc.).

[Skyvalhunter]

Look at the Big Agnes sleeping system. With the sleeping pad able to slip into a pocket incoporated in the sleeping bag it is great for not having the pad slide out from beneath you. You could always slide your therma rest inside your sleeping bag. Having a sleeping pad inside your bag is ideal if you used a Henesey Hammock.

[GregE]

If you read the REI flier fine print, most GPSs are Not eligable for the 20% coupon.   

[JackOfAllTrades]

If you're not all that impressed by REI's sleeping bag assortment, then you might look at what they have to offer in a Bivy bag, hammock and tarp.

-Steve

[MikeWalking]

mine is only $29 and that's 2008/09 together. Haven't needed any big ticket items for a long time. Still happy with the UL Quarter dome. Scored a great bag years ago. BIG BLUE  a Long (room for boots etc at the foot)  minus5 degree 650fill down bag with a Dryloft shell Retail 380$ got it for 205$.

I do need new stocking foot waders, a new backpacking stove...