“Less Than Expensive Gear”

polycro groundsheet
reflectix cozies

I recently discovered that my store brand orange juice concentrate container (cardboard w/ metal top/bottom) has a smooth edge similar to what a safety-cut can opener would do on a can of beans. I also plan on using this as a primer pan. Could be cheaper due to the cost of the safety-cut opener not being needed.

-Used tyvek mailing envelope for cooking system stuff sack. No worries about it getting sooty.
-Cord from broken venetian blinds for guylines
-Thrift store clothes (my down vest, convertible pants and windshirt together were $20)
-A dish-dunking mesh bag makes a great, sturdy removable mesh pocket for backpacks that don't have them. Attach to tie-down loops or safety pin it on (pic below)

Well all of my gear was either a gift or bought with at least a 30% discount (hence I look like a one man "less than straight" [blame the profanity filter] pride parade sometimes!). So that's definitely "less than expensive" I'd say. Then there's all the <$20 gear from REI garage sales too!

Once school is finished and I have some free time I'll be doing a MYOG tarp and bivy from a bunch of 1.1oz ripstop and silnylon I scored for $1/yd from the local fabric shop.

I used to drink a lot of 5 hour energy shots and I've kept the bottles. They're a bit big but I use them to repackage liquids, creams, and pills. (I also started filling them with a homebrew energy shot that costs about a quarter per serving vs ~$4).

Eyedropper with bleach for making water safe.

Condiment packets from fast food place.

Bic lighter and candy tin with petroleum jelly on cotton balls for fire starter.

Small economy tarp.

Airline pillow and mini blanket

Walking stick is actually a stick.

Hiking shoes are just basic economy walking shoes.

Some of my clothes are cotton. Shhh…don't tell anyone.

I almost forgot that in my assortment of stakes I still have some of these aluminum gutter nails that I found at Home Depot.

And I also have in my gear closet some braided mason's line that can be used as guylines for tents and tarps.

Party On,

Newton

How much do those spikes weigh?
I've got 8" long nails from home construction sites (scattered all over the ground" that are about.5oz each. A little "heavy" compared to $3 each ti stakes, but they're free.

Eric,

7" aluminum gutter spike. 0.4oz/11g each.

Party On,

Newton

"Some of my clothes are cotton. Shhh…don't tell anyone."

As long as you know not to wear them and/or have non-cotton items with you in cool, wet environments. In fact, I would prefer a cotton shirt for daytime desert hiking. Remember that wet cotton will drain heat from the body faster than being naked!

As far as gear I use that fits this thread:

I have an awesome tiny backpack I got for $7 from walmart. Great for a daypack, especially if you also use a lumbar pack (between the two I can carry a heavy rain jacket, a super light wind jacket, 3L of water, food, and the 10 Essentials). The tiny pack weighs 7 oz on my scale, hold two 1-L nalgenes side by side with plenty of room for food and rain gear. Link http://www.walmart.com/ip/East-Sports-Mini-Back-Pack-Rose/16877858 I have it in black, but wish I had gotten it in pink for higher visibility!