New to Backpacking Want to Start Out Right

Welcome to backpacking, and welcome to the disease of buying gear…..Firstly, lightweight backpacking is alot of fun and you will enjoy hiking with less weight. Keep in mind that the most important piece of gear is knowledge. I would look into purchasing a few books on lightweight backpacking and maybe read what is on here too. That said, what type of gear are you looking to purchase? You mentioned you wanted an UL shelter…Do you want a tarp with a bug net or do you want to go with a lightweight shelter. How much money do you intend on spending? I think the first gear that you should purchase is a backpack. Purchasing a pack will insure that your gear fits in there. There are many great packs out there from ULA, Six Moon Designs, Z Packs, Go Lite, Gosamer Gear, Granite Gear etc. Check out Henry Shires Tarp Tent, Z Packs, Nemo, Big Agnes, and more.

Cool that you had someone from REI stear you here first. That was the right decision too!

Hello!

If shelter is at the top of your list, I would seriously look at Henry Shires' Tarptents. I have made a lot of spreadsheets analyzing tents and his always come out on top, including on value. If you are planning on hiking as a couple, a tent is a nicer option because one person can carry the tent, and the other the food, or however it works out.

Everyone is different, but I have found I either want to sleep out under the stars, or in a tent. I've waited out some killer rain under a tarp/poncho, it's just not for me. And by the time I've dealt with netting and a tarp and a ground cloth… I'd rather just carry the tent. YMMV.

Although a pack is obviously very important, I found when I started out I wish I had dialed my gear in a little more before I bought the pack I did. So you might want to consider renting a few different ones, or buying used (the gear swap here is an excellent resource). Buying used is a great option because if you decide that piece isn't right, you can usually resell it at a negligible loss (almost like long term rental).

Welcome, and Congratualtions on finding this great resource! A year ago, I had never camped more than a mile from my car. Now my base weight is 12 lbs.

Edit: To answer your specific question, the tarptent squall 2 is a great tent that pitches lighting fast for around 2 pounds. The rainbow 2 is nice if you aren't as limber as you'd like, and it's still under the three pounds. Happy hiking!

i have a like new Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 3 I would sell you. There are lighter options available, but in this part of the country having a double wall tent is nice. (Six Moon Designs Haven is probably the lightest option however it requires trekking poles)

it is a light option for someone looking for space and freestanding tent.

tarping is the lightest option, but i can't seem to get my wife to buy into it. she likes having the tent around her.

this site is great and the REI did you a favor sending you here.

the issues with lightweight stuff is durability but proper care manages that well. i also notice the gear junkies don't keep stuff long enough to wear it out. :)

i have had the Copper Spur two season only used it a hand full of times. i like it. i go back and forth about selling it or not all of the time. i hate to get rid of it thinking i could use it in the future or something.

I agree with Joe's suggestion about the Tarptent Squall 2. However, whether or not that is really the right choice depends on how big the two of you are.

My own rule is that the inside of the tent had better be at least one foot longer than the longest sleeping bag. Width is a little more complex.

–B.G.–

Thanks for all the warm welcomes. I am not concerned about the type of tent as much as I am that it is light and has some way (bug net?) to protect from bugs. Mosquitoes can get bad in the warmer months.

As far as price, I would like to stay between 275-375 for the shelter. I do not Mind if we have to use trekking poles, as I plan to purchase them anyway.

One thing I know from my 3 short trips, I need to buy at least somewhat light gear. We were using older heavier gear and it is tough to see it all with 40 lbs on your back.

I do have a Go Lite Trig 2006 tent for sale in gear swap. It weighs in at 2lbs 15 oz. Used just a few times. Nice shelter. Let me know if you are intersted.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/golite_trig_2_shelter_review.html

My friend is recommending the double rainbow and he had something called the scarp2 he also likes. Someone in this thread is saying the haven might be a good choice. One of the gear articles On this site seemed to like something called the lunar duo as well.

I am planning to sit down and read about these. Are they all viable options?

I have a Tarp Tent as well (Squall 2) and just had it up in the Smokies about a month ago. I really like it. Nice craftsmanship and a great design. My wife and find ourselves in GSMNP at least 2/3 times a year and we usually pick between the Squall 2 of GG Spinn Twin Tarp. The only drawback on the Squall 2 is the darn zipper it can be somewhat finicky but nothing is without drawbacks. If you really want to go light, think about a tarp. Like I mentioned the GG Spinn Twin is great for all three season backpacking and will do fine in light snow.

The others you mention in your most recent post are all nice as well (IMO).

I strongly recommend you get a membership in BPL so you can read the articles in the archives. Here are some I've found helpful (especially in advising one of my grandsons who at age 18 decided he wanted to take up backpacking).

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00034.html (you don't need a membership for this one)

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/lightweight_guide_to_backpacking_in_sustained_rain.html

For help in tent selection: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/sotmr_single_wall_tents_2008.html

Mark Verber's website has a lot of info which will help you in gear selection. He has a lot of links to this site: http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/index.html

Thanks for the suggestion. I am not sure I like the tunnel designs. What draws me to the scarp2, double rainbow, lunar dual, and the haven that Someone mentioned was the two doors and vestibules. I like that a lot. I also like the porch setup I saw on the tarptent site. I plan to look for some videos Nd reviews about each. Then move on to picking a pack and cooking gear. I already have us lined up to buy a light quilt from a friend.

Hi, Bob,

Welcome. The Tarptents are good shelters; also check the Six Moons Designs Lunar Duo — we got that to replace our Double Rainbow.

–Ken

Just out of curiosity why did you change to the Lunar Duo?

I was a "regular" backpacker for many years. Then I hit 40 and went "light."

Here are some things I have liked:

Trekking poles- They really work

Esbit Stove – Light and cheap. I don't know your financial situation, but spending $15 on a stove and fuel may be a good idea. I use it instead of my MSR Whisperlite.

Convertible Pants – The ones that turn into shorts. Good stuff.

Doing Laundry in the woods – If you get synthetics, you can carry just one pair of clothes. Just do your laundry in the morning.

Walmart – I got synthetic shirts for $8.00 each… the kind the North Face wants $30+ for. I also got stuff bags almost like the OR bag I have for 1/3 of the price.

Dr. Bronner's Soap – It can be used for everything

Titanium Cookware – Just buy it. It's spendy, but worth it

Plastic Silverware – No need for titanium sporks.

Down Bags – Spendy, but they are so much lighter.

Note that everyone has a different opinion, but I thought I would suggest the above. They are are not the gospel. YMMV. It can be spendy to go ultralight, but it is so much nicer to have a 10 pound pack instead of a 40 pound pack.

Just wanted to throw in another recommendation for tarptents. My wife and I have a rainshadow 2 and couldn't be happier with it. It sleeps 3, and even though neither of us are particularly large, we appreciate the extra room.

I would recommend picking up a book called “Lighten up!” by Don Ladigin, which should be available at REI. What’s great about this book is that, instead of specific gear recommendations, they give you certain criteria to look for when selecting gear. Once you know what kind of gear to look for, then we could help you with more specific recommendations. This is not the only way to get started, but the book is great because it presents a lot of information in an organized, concise and entertaining manner. Also, I would second the recommendation to become a BPL member and read the articles.

I am looking at almost all the same tents as you. I am also replacing my heavy pack.

I am going to go with the ULA Catalyst for Pack choice, and have chosen the SMD (Six Moon Designs) Haven (with bug net) for my shelter. I believe you said you live in the south as well so our situations are rather similar.

Have fun!

I will respectfully disagree with Ken's recommendation to get a pack first. Yes, it will force you to get gear that fits inside, but that may limit your gear options.

I personally would find the lightest version of each item you need that fits your comfort level, THEN get the pack that will most comfortably fit that gear inside. I have dialed in my sleeping bag, shelter, hydration system, etc. and I am very comfortable with my system. Some packs would just not work well for my gear.

You may have no need for certain pack features once you buy all your gear, and you may find you need other pack features.