Rebuilding a kit from scratch

Just remembered…my ursacks and 2  bear canisters.

ps it’s like that on a daily basis not just with gear. My wool… :(

Not really an answer to your question, but I noticed that my local Costco had the Mountain Tech or Cascade Tech or whatever they’re called trekking poles in the store today. Didn’t check to see if they were the carbon ones, but if so they’re a bargain. Worth checking out if you need trekking poles.

I didn’t see them this weekend but I have seen them before and yes indeed a great bargain!!!

In the past I found 2 zlites on the highway in one year span and a couple at the flea market for 5 dollars each.

I’d make a list of the specific items I need to rebuild my kit and closely monitor all the used gear groups on FB as well as here and the “discount” outfitters for sales and price reductions.  No particular order to the items I’d be seeking – just whatever comes up at a good price.

I would start with the three systems that have always had the greatest impact on my comfort, and that could get me out “somewhere” (not everywhere) with a high level of enthusiasm, frequently.

• the bed – quilt/bag, pad(s), and pillow
• the feet – shoes and socks
• in-camp warmth – down parka

I could literally throw just about anything else in my pack, grab a window of fair weather, and enjoy myself if these things are dialed in.

Kattt,

I think I would ask the myself the question: What kind of backpacking am I going to do for 80% of my trips?  Chances are the equipment needed for the other 20% can be borrowed, rented or added at another point in the future.  I would also take a good look at the lists which so many here have graciously left in the archive.   Mike Clelland’s lists come to mind.  I find him to be the Sgt. Joe Friday of list making and keeping, “just the facts ma’am.”

If I had to start from scratch, I would try to obtain that which “just works” and should last a reasonable time.  And then dare or challenge myself to wear the stuff out.  All the while taking notes on what might be better or what the shortcomings of my equipment were.

I remember a quote from one of Ray Jardine’s books, “If I don’t have it…I don’t need it.”  That’s obviously not always true but creativity and ingenuity can be employed more often than one realizes.

@michael good tips! I am not on FB but have my eyes open. A list is definitely a good idea.

@Ryan that is so true. I have good clothing insulation and a quilt ( thanks Doug!!!) . A pad , good shoes and poles and I should be ready to go. Baldy has a pack now…

@Jason thanks. Agreed on not being too picky particularly since I am not going to be doing trips that require everything to be super dialed in and light!

Good question. I think I’d start with my most recently acquired gear, since that’s what I use most often and I’d try to replace that stuff first. I also think if finances are a concern, I’d go for gear swaps, trades, and eBay as much as possible; there is so much good stuff out there and other than a minor blemish or two, or a small repair needed, so no reason to pay new. Someone tried it, didn’t like it, but it works for someone else. I also like being able to “recycle” by reusing gear others didn’t want, extending the life of that gear item and helping our community avoid adding to the landfill. I’ve gotten some great gear that way. Another option are the REI garage sales, or other local sales. Does your university sell off stuff now and then? Or local swap meets, which hopefully resume post-covid.

A lot of the stuff in my garage is old, and while still functional, doesn’t meet modern expectations in lightweight, features, or fabrics/materials, so no need to replace those things. Mostly I keep them to lend when someone asks, and sometimes I give them away. I don’t sell my stuff because shipping is too expensive from here. I also have stuff acquired for a former geographic location, like Duluth packs for long canoeing trips, that I don’t really need where I live now, so wouldn’t replace those either.

Finally I think I’d try to find stuff that can do double duty, such as individual items that meet as many needs as possible. For example, can you do with only one pack that serves as both a day and short day backpack? Maybe there are even some items you’d do better with renting, if you don’t get that much action out of them, like snowshoes, or a boat or packraft.

Good luck!

Hey Kattt:

It’s great to hear that you are making progress on rebuilding.  In the last 5 years the range of my trips has narrowed because my wife doesn’t want to do snow and I find solo snow trips not so much fun. As a result my gear has been trimmed down to be for 3 season sierras, 4 season coastal ranges.  Most of my items I would replace with exactly what I have. Some item would have to be changed because my current gear is no longer made. I generally keep a running list of what gear I would select today. Big three changes:

Nunatak Ghost Blanket (no longer made)–> Some ~30F down quilt which doesn’t have a sewn footbox like EE Revelation or Katabatic Flex

Gossamer Gear Gorilla v2 40L –> Likely current Gorilla (are they bigger now? I hope not) but would be tempted to check out Horizon, Atom Mo 40L and maybe V2 of the ULA Ohm.  If I carried larger load Seek Outdoors would be on my list.

Original Hexamid  (no longer made) –> Tarptent 1p Cuben shelters for higher entry and easier setup.

If money was tight, I would think about the SMD Gatewood Cape for a shelter, whomever is making a good budget quilt (haven’t been following closely), and find a using ULA or Gorilla which still had life in it.

@Karen buying used is the goal but then I went ahead and bought a cheap (?!) shelter and a wood stove. That was likely a silly purchase but setting up a homey shelter was a priority probably because of what happened. I used to find things at the flea market and plenty good things too. Renting for special things like snow shoes makes a lot of sense since it’s such a rare need/use.

Interesting thought exercise.

If I had to start over today, I’d probably go with slightly heavier gear that is better suited for a wide range of conditions including fringe shoulder season. .

ULA Circuit (currently my MLD Burn is my go to pack)

8X10 Silnylon tarp w/ whatever groundsheet and S2S bug netting of some sort.  I have a lot of tarps and tents, but I’m comfortable enough with just a tarp.

Montbell Down Hugger #3.  I have one of their older SS 30* sleeping bags and I couldn’t love it more.

Thermarest X therm or Exped equivalent.  I’d not bother messing with multiple pads and just own one that covers me throughout the year.

Ursack.  I won’t backpack without one unless I’m somewhere where bear canisters are absolutely required.

Whatever rechargeable steripen tickled my fancy.  I’ve owned a couple and haven’t had any reliability issues with them.  I can’t say the same for Sawyer filters.

Altra Lonepeaks.  They’re okay.  They aren’t the best shoe I’ve ever worn but they are the best for me zero drop shoe I’ve ever worn.  This is highly personal though and doesn’t work for all people.  I’ve tried other socks but always return to Wright

Pocket Rocket, grease pot, plastic REI spoon.

SAK classic.  I occasionally carry other knives and multitools, but this is all I need and more.

Eddie Bauer 650 fill $90 down jacket.  I’ve owned a few and can’t justify spending more.  I can spill coffee on them without crying.

I’d round out the rest of my kit with cheap head nets etc I can find on Amazon or Walmart.

Pack – Granite gear crown 60 original if I could find one.

Quilt – 10 degree 850 fill quilt

Pad – neo air x lite regular length

Tent – Durston Xmid or tt notch add a tarp and bivy for some trips

Shoes – Solomon speed cross non goretex

Rain coat: helium 2

Puffy: 800 fill pull over jacket of some kind

Everything else completely cheap out on.

If I started all over. I would look on this forum, costco store, Facebook Market place and forsale groups( Backpacking gear flea market and super ultralight and ultra light flea market. ) a couple of the Facebook groups that sell gear is worth it.

I picked up all my Klymit pads from them when they are at Costco doing their gear sale there. This forum and backpacking gear flea market for packs. I have quite the collection of ULA and all but one I never paid even half retail.

Amazon for trekking poles. I have a pair of mountain Smith poles that are bulletproof (carbonlite) and just picked up a pair of leader poles off Amazon and Zpacks carbon poles during their holiday sales.

Stove,  I’m a fan of the Brd3000. Dainty little thing but works for me.

All my titanium gear I get from Aliexpress . Never had any issues with receiving mail from them.  Just don’t expect it next week,  or the week after for that matter.

Rebuild the entire kit from scratch?  That is a most incredible and fascinating opportunity…and it’s one that I’ve experienced, myself.  That being said, I’m with Jason: ask the question “What kind of backpacking am I going to do for 80% of my trips?” and, having done so, give honest answers to that question.  No gear list in the world is perfect for you unless it’s your list, tailored to the majority of your particular situation…so spend a bit of time figuring out the nuances of your priorities, locations, limitations, abilities and goals, and you’ll be infinitely better-off than you would be if you approached this from a more abstract, external and pre-chosen position.

The question of what to buy first is somewhat easier, assuming that you’ve already identified your particular needs as aforementioned: play a basic game of triage.  Start with the bits and pieces that you know used the most often in the past, reconcile those past experiences with your current situation – stuff you desperately need, stuff you might still have, stuff you can borrow, etc. – and go from there.

I’d go with generalist gear first for up to a week in the 3-season woods.  Really need UL gear for my body’s joints, able to take some abuse and a touch of comfort.  All while keeping it simple so packing in the AM isn’t a chore.

• 45L pack (probably a cross between a MLD Burn, ULA CDT, and  Atom Packs [UK] Mo’) … maybe email  Zimmerbuilt for a custom pack
• Quilt depending on how cold one sleeps whether down or synthetic is needed.
• Aero-pillow deluxe of some sort (2 oz of pure luxury)
• 1 person DCF shelter cottage makers, ..or 2+ person hub tent (Big Agnes, NEMO, etc..)
• Sawyer squeeze water filter
• Xlite pad (use XL as comfort item)
• Stove (I’m using an Optimus Crux Lite and titanium pot/cookware)
• 3-layer rain jacket (currently using the Montane 777)
• 100 wt good quality polyester fleece hoody for hiking insulation and camp insulation.
• maybe a down vest for camp
• Clothing: my clothes are typical light colored polyester with UPF 50 again UV (long sleeve shirt, shorts almost to knees, calf high socks)
• Sun hat, UV resistant gloves (would consider mountain bike gloves again, but I have a pair of “solar” gloves that won’t die), wool military glove liners for hike/camp , waterproof/breathable mitt shells to put over all

(Admittedly I’m getting so finicky I need to upgrade my sewing for DIY/MYOG)

Add next I’d start a cold weather/4 season list ..

If I did it again I’d ignore all the most expensive offerings and build my entire set-up from the items that everyone agrees are bargain purchases. The gear swaps just encourage you to spend on things you don’t really need.

Backpack: Granite Gear Crown, REI Flash – Both <$200

Sleeping System: Hammock Gear Burrow (Econ), Pad of choice <$300

Clothing: Economy synthetic layers, Economy Fleece (splurge on a down puffy)

Tent: Dan D. Options look good. $200

I leave footwear out because that is such a personal thing and there is no use trying to economize on it. You buy what fits and works and cost be damned.

I could happily hike for the rest of my life with these items and manage a base weight in the 10 lb. area and I’m thinking in just over $1.2K total. You can spend double that amount and trim maybe another day’s worth of food weight off your pack and the heavier options tend to be longer-lived. Or you can exercise and get in shape and the extra 2-lbs comes off your body.

if I had to start over from scratch, I’d start with a sewing machine

and then buy very lightweight material

but it takes a while to make everything

I have plenty of spare time for projects

The purpose of more to do a project than produce useful gear

Great tips and I also agree that it is an opportunity and that buying the latest and greatest is not the way to go bout this. Also good to think about what kind of trips I will do 80% of the time versus the once every 5 year snow trip. I’ll be going though some of the specific gear nm lista here just out of curiosity since so many packs and shelters mentioned are unknown to me.
Maybe one day after a trip I write how it all went and how the kit came together .

…buying the latest and greatest is not the way to go bout this.

You usually pay a premium for having either the latest or the greatest, but you always pay a premium when a product is touted as being both of those things.  Personally, I have no problem paying top dollar when I feel that it’s warranted, but I make sure that I truly need the top-dollar product before I pull the trigger on it.  The rest of the time, something that’s less-expensive can usually work pretty well.

I’d watch Gearswap often and be patient. The really good deals go fast so the more you can click onto the forum the better your chances.

You should get an idea of what you want and don’t buy something just because it seems like a bargain. The only expensive gear is the gear you don’t use.

When it comes to new stuff, sierra.com is pretty much unbeatable on many items. No good shelters, but some of the packs and sleeping bags are quality. The down bags are mostly 650 or 750 fill. campsaver.com has recurring 20% off and many big markdowns on premium items. Overall, I find they have the best prices on backpacking gear. backcountry.com is good too.

As far as the best buy for the money on new big 4 items:

1) Shelter – Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo.

2) Packs – Gossamergear. They have sales periodically. Just have to watch

3) Sleeping Bag – Marmot. Markdowns on one of the websites mentioned earlier

4) Pads – Klymit. Great deals can be found

Thanks for all the good and reasonable suggestion. Buying a bargain one does not need is a bad idea but I have done that a few times.

As far as specific gear brands/models …I am not a fan of Gossamer Gear packs myself but I only owned the Mariposa Plus. At the time I thought it was ok, if flimsy , but after trying other packs ( ULA  and Elemental Horizons ) I decided it really was not a comfortable pack for me. That may not be fair since I only tried the one, but it stuck  with me.

…I decided it really was not a comfortable pack for me.

My first purchase was a pack that actually fit me correctly; I spent a lot of money on it because I wanted some very specific features and I have to work around back problems, but having that pack has made all the difference in the world.  This is one of three areas where close simply isn’t good enough, and I don’t suggest a compromise at any cost.

The other two no-compromise areas are comfortable pillows and good scotch.