Cheap Gear – How to Dirt Bag and Deal Shop Like a Professional

[Kenai]

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/cont...a-Professional

Thank You SGT Rock for posting this a few years ago, and to Rocketsocks for resurrecting it.
Thought it should see the light of day again.

Here is a second thread with great info as well
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...311#post132311

[Dogwood]

I'm going to approach Priceline to offer used and new outdoor gear. Oops, made public that info. Someone will rip off my idea just like Napster was ripped off from its original innovator.

[nsherry61]

I love dirt-bagging ultralight backpacking gear because you can do so incredibly much with so little.
I think I can outfit myself pretty comfortably and pretty light (<12lb base weight) for three-season backpacking for $10 or less per item in my kit without having to do too much fabrication or hunting for used gear . . . with two exceptions that I need help with if anyone has any insights

Is there anything reasonably light and workable for around $10 each for a backpack and/or a sleeping bag/quilt?

Ikea does have a synthetic quilt that is $9.99 that I haven't picked up and tried yet. It also feels like it's a couple of lbs. Anyone else have experience? Insights?

I'll try and put my dirt-bag kit together again and weigh everything and the go use it again and report back.

[Kenai]

Great idea nsherry61.
I found a 60x80 wool blanket at harbor freight for 10.99, and a few different 30 liter backpacks on e-bay and amazon for around 10 bucks. I attached the link for a 35 liter max capacity one for 14.99 that weighs 4.8 ounces and would do a similar job to what a custom made cottage bag would. Throw a compactor bag in it, and away you go. Let me know how you make out with the rest of it. I am gonna have to see what I can come up with, searching around the interweb.



http://www.amazon.com/Antaprcis-Wate...eight+backpack

http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch...ket-92625.html

[theinfamousj]

Cannot do a $10 sleeping bag/quilt, but I figured out a $15 one. A surplussed Army wubbie. Works well in conjunction with a $20 cotton sleeping bag liner. Won't get you through winter on its own, but will do for the warmer seasons.

[rocketsocks]

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/cont...a-Professional

Thank You SGT Rock for posting this a few years ago, and to Rocketsocks for resurrecting it.
Thought it should see the light of day again.

Here is a second thread with great info as well
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...311#post132311

Yup, I love biding my time and coming across items on my wish list for re-purposing at the Red White and Blue store, the garbage, used book store or where ever...found this tonight for $2 and look forward to reading it, it was one Dogwood recommended, gotta love word of mouth endorsements, and tip and trick of our trade/activity.

deep survival 001.jpg

[Kenai]

Nice find RS. You got me looking around for stuff too.

[nsherry61]

Just today, I stopped by Ikea and picked up one of their Tilkort twin quilts ($14.99). Ikea sells a $7.99 twin quilt also, but the cover on it is fuzzy, loose, open, non-woven polyproylene that would collect and hold every little stick and piece of dirt along with not blocking any breeze. So, I think the Tilkort is the better option.

The Tilkort quilt, in twin, is 2.2 lbs and slightly loftier than my Thermorest Tech Blanket. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works as a dirtbag sleeping insulator.

Also, I've noticed that my great 1/4 zip pull-over fleece from Walmart has gone up in price from $9.99 to $10.99. Grrr. What is this world coming to?

[Kenai]

Also, I've noticed that my great 1/4 zip pull-over fleece from Walmart has gone up in price from $9.99 to $10.99. Grrr. What is this world coming to? [/QUOTE]

Lol, Perish the thought.
I saw another link earlier about down quilts at Costco going for 19.95 or thereabouts. There was a link to the hammock forum, where it seemed to be all the rage for the past few days. I was digging in the attic earlier and found a couple of old down bags that haven't seen the light of day, since the 80's. One is a nice old North Face winter mummy bag, and the other an EMS special, that needs the zipper sewn back on. I was wondering if fixing up ancient gear would fit into the DB category?

[Sarcasm the elf]

Here's another good link on the subject...

http://www.pmags.com/dirt-bagging

[nsherry61]

I was wondering if fixing up ancient gear would fit into the DB category?

According to traditional DB ethics, I'd say fixing old stuff is central to the essence of it.
That being said, I think there is also something to say for simple, inexpensive and readily available.

As for the old bag with a bad zipper. I'd suggest you just remove the old zipper gift yourself with a "new quilt". What can I say, I'm fundamentally lazy. . . that and even with my new sleeping bag, I use it like a quilt far more frequently than I zip it up like a bag.

[Kenai]

Here's another good link on the subject...

http://www.pmags.com/dirt-bagging

Thanks for the education Elf. Makes good sense.
"While gear is important, I think it is the LEAST important part of hiking.I use gear to hike…not hike to use gear." Mags.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Thanks for the education Elf. Makes good sense.
"While gear is important, I think it is the LEAST important part of hiking.I use gear to hike…not hike to use gear." Mags.

I can't take any credit, pmags.com is the personal website of fellow Whiteblaze member and moderator Mags, who is also the same Mags from "The Trail Show" podcast

[Kenai]

According to traditional DB ethics, I'd say fixing old stuff is central to the essence of it.
That being said, I think there is also something to say for simple, inexpensive and readily available.

As for the old bag with a bad zipper. I'd suggest you just remove the old zipper gift yourself with a "new quilt". What can I say, I'm fundamentally lazy. . . that and even with my new sleeping bag, I use it like a quilt far more frequently than I zip it up like a bag.

I was wondering about just that, about an hour ago, as I lay on my back, on the side of the road, pulling a rusty spring out of my 10 ply truck tire, listening to the air, angrily hissing out. ( My brain works in unusual ways).
Why not take the zipper off, and use some tape to make a foot box, and have myself a quilt? Between that thought, which you affirm, and the link to Mags, Dirt Bagging page from the Sarcastic Elf, I think I am on the right track now with this DB concept.

[Kenai]

I can't take any credit, pmags.com is the personal website of fellow Whiteblaze member and moderator Mags, who is also the same Mags from "The Trail Show" podcast

Thanks for sending the link along.