WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 1 2
Results 21 to 38 of 38
  1. #21
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-20-2013
    Location
    Roaring Gap, NC
    Age
    78
    Posts
    8,529

    Default

    This will get you started thinking in the right direction. Don’t know where you are, but college towns have consignment and second hand stores. Goodwill and Salvation Army Stores for trail clothes, maybe some gear.
    REI Garage Sales can be a gear gold mine. Or a complete waste of time. Get there real early.

    Quote Originally Posted by Venchka View Post
    Buy the backpack LAST.
    When you have EVERYTHING else on hand shop for a backpack.
    Walmart, Amazon, Academy Sports, etc. will have suitable 50 liter - 70 liter packs new and available for fitting. Usually under $100. Sometimes WAY less.
    WhiteBlaze For Sale occasionally has the suitable older ugly duckling pack in your price range.
    Thrift Stores, college students, Craig’s list, etc. are places to look. Garage sales too.
    Good luck!
    Wayne
    Wayne

  2. #22
    Registered User NJdreamer's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-28-2015
    Location
    NJ - New Jersey
    Age
    67
    Posts
    169
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by FIREWHATFIRE View Post
    Where would I find this post of site for that info?
    Go to https://thetrek.co

    Look for the Appalachian trail article, how I saved 2000 dollars on my gear...it will be down the bottom of the page. The article had suggestions that were new to me, and I thought I knew where to look already.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
    Just love being outside, not sure why. 765 AT miles done (2014-2018), many more to go.

  3. #23
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-29-2016
    Location
    Cavalier, North Dakota
    Age
    50
    Posts
    50

    Default

    I bought my daughter a Rhyolite 45L from outdoor vitals when she expressed interest in doing some backpacking trips with me. I think I paid $75 dollars for it. She loved it and said it felt great on her and carried the weight well. I have actually used it on a couple of solo trips just to see what I thought about it. I was amazed when it felt more comfortable than my $300 pack and carried the weight much better. I have actually used it for about 200 miles of hiking and it is holding up well. Maybe worth looking at.

  4. #24
    Registered User Last Call's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-03-2013
    Location
    Olive Branch, MS
    Posts
    419

    Default

    I've been pleased with my Jansport Klamath55, just looked on amazon they changed the color from gold to blue, grey is also available... newer model looks like it has hip belt pockets, $99 with shipping....carries comfortably.
    Let's head for the roundhouse; they can't corner us there!

  5. #25
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-20-2013
    Location
    Roaring Gap, NC
    Age
    78
    Posts
    8,529

    Default

    Brands that can usually be trusted used. If they aren’t trashed. In no particular order.
    OSPREY
    GREGORY
    REI
    THE NORTH FACE
    JANSPORT
    KELTY
    MOUNTAINSMITH
    ULA
    There are probably more, but those are brands that I’m familiar with and/or have owned.
    Wayne

  6. #26
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-25-2017
    Location
    Dallas, Texas
    Age
    68
    Posts
    806

    Default

    You can also look at:

    https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesa...-backpack.html

    for a tarp try polycro window film and shock cord.

    Lighter and absorbs less water than tyvek.

  7. #27
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-25-2017
    Location
    Dallas, Texas
    Age
    68
    Posts
    806

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by NJdreamer View Post
    Go to https://thetrek.co

    Look for the Appalachian trail article, how I saved 2000 dollars on my gear...it will be down the bottom of the page. The article had suggestions that were new to me, and I thought I knew where to look already.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

    That is good advice.

  8. #28
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-20-2013
    Location
    Roaring Gap, NC
    Age
    78
    Posts
    8,529
    Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
    https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
    FlickrMyBookTwitSpaceFace



  9. #29
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-20-2013
    Location
    Roaring Gap, NC
    Age
    78
    Posts
    8,529

    Default

    FIREWHATFIRE isn't looking to spend $2,500 on gear.

    Snippet of my gear list showing prices and savings.

    Wayne

    Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
    https://wayne-ayearwithbigfootandbubba.blogspot.com
    FlickrMyBookTwitSpaceFace



  10. #30
    Registered User BuckeyeBill's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-18-2012
    Location
    Dark Side of the Moon
    Age
    64
    Posts
    1,445
    Journal Entries
    6

    Default

    You have received some great advice already. If your aren't planning to go for 5-6 years, I would hold off on the major (Money) items until a year or two from your departure date. Technology and prices change quickly and you may be able to pickup a top of the line pack, quilts, and other gear in a few years. Also Over the course of time some businesses will no longer exist and then you are lacking a place to go for customer service.
    Blackheart

  11. #31
    Registered User
    Join Date
    02-01-2016
    Location
    Chattanooga, Tennessee
    Posts
    1,054

    Default

    I generally agree with BuckeyeBill on this one - wait, at least for some things. For instance, polyurethane (PU) coated fabrics age over time and the coating can flake off and sometimes smell terrible. If you're on a tight budget, and buying used, you may want to wait to buy any PU-coated items - no point in letting them age another 5-6 years before you really need them.

    BTW, you might want to look into the waterproofness of Tyvek ... IIRC, it's not actually waterproof. There are different grades of Tyvek, but I think they're mostly water-resistant. Not sure if that would suffice for your needs. A cheap alternative would be a 10x10 blue tarp from Walmart, Northern Tool, Harbor Freight, etc. It'd be a little noisy and maybe bulky, but it's cheap and would do the job for a season. They deteriorate with age as well, though - 3-4 year life, I'd say - so don't buy one now.

    DSCF2639.JPG

  12. #32
    Registered User
    Join Date
    02-01-2016
    Location
    Chattanooga, Tennessee
    Posts
    1,054

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by FIREWHATFIRE View Post
    Money is always tight and in trying to plan ahead I have a question or 2.

    Is there and unremarkable brand that does the job as well as the high priced ones?

    What would do the job adequately without making the trip miserable.
    Another thought - these two questions have different answers.

    Is there an unremarkable brand that does the job as well as high-priced ones? In a way, not really, if you take into account pack weight, weight transfer, features, durability, etc.

    Doing "the job adequately without making the trip miserable" is quite within reach, however. It may just not be a high-end pack. Plenty of unremarkable packs will carry your stuff.

    Once you get your stuff together, you can shop for a pack that will carry it. On a tight budget, gear tends to be a little heavier and bulkier, so you may need a larger pack than those who can drop big bucks on UL equipment that is light and packs small. And that's OK. The important thing is that it carries your stuff well, and ought to last. So if you see a gear list for a few thousand dollars and a 40-50L pack, well, you may need something closer to 65L or so. Perhaps a used Kelty Trekker, for instance, would suit you. I often see them in online classifieds for $50-$60. They'd likely be durable and weight transfer should be excellent; replacement parts (shoulder straps, hip belt) are readily available if something happens. I don't know that the pack bag is available as a replacement, however, so again, I'd wait to buy. You don't want it going funky before you head out. There are cheap no-name internal frame packs that could be had new for the same price, but IDK if they would last well. I've seen some startlingly inexpensive ones that look legit (Aldi's Adventuridge, $30), but who knows - if the shoulder strap stitching fails, it could be a false economy. Mainstream internal frame packs could be found used too; I'd have a greater confidence that they're made to a sufficiently high standard.

  13. #33
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-25-2017
    Location
    Dallas, Texas
    Age
    68
    Posts
    806

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BuckeyeBill View Post
    You have received some great advice already. If your aren't planning to go for 5-6 years, I would hold off on the major (Money) items until a year or two from your departure date. Technology and prices change quickly and you may be able to pickup a top of the line pack, quilts, and other gear in a few years. Also Over the course of time some businesses will no longer exist and then you are lacking a place to go for customer service.
    This is really sound advice.

    A couple-three things are going on.

    First, a lot more gear is being sold.

    Second, a really robust used gear market is growing.

    Third, a lot of evolution is going on.

    That combination leads to dropping prices for excellent used gear —and I would expect prices to continue to drop.

    850 loft down that used to have a premium price is really dropping in price. I expect it to be where 650 loft down is now (in the extremely cheap range instead of near premium) in a couple more years.

    Tent prices for used tents are leasing the way (I know, you are a tarp & hammock guy, just using this as an example). Tent pegs are in a similar place.

    Cook systems are headed that way.

    Wool clothing is now a Costco item. I’m surprised by how good the socks turned out to be.

    These trends can be expected to continue.

  14. #34

    Default

    The Trail is such an interesting mix of multi-millionaires and people who can't rub two nickels together.
    I think it's hilarious.

  15. #35
    Registered User scope's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-08-2006
    Location
    Chamblee, GA
    Age
    60
    Posts
    1,582
    Images
    34

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by FIREWHATFIRE View Post
    ...I already have a hammock(with straps and carabiners) and compressible blanket I found a deal on for sleeping. I picked up both for $21. Looking at Tyvek house wrap for rain cover(free from construction site)
    Something notable missing from your shelter/insulation. Is probably a cheap option, just want to make sure you don't forget it.

    Backpacks are still kind of something that is hard to make real cheap. My guess is you're better off getting a very well used backpack at a price point that works for you. I'd buy it in person in order to inspect it real good. Probably stinks, but should soon stink like you. Otherwise, a very good pack can be had for around $100, maybe less, brand new. Nice Garnite Gear one has been on Massdrop for a while now.

    I would keep in mind that you're probably going to turn over 90% of your gear by year 5 from now, especially given that nothing is new, or is sold at a steap discount for a reason, or both. Might be a you can pay me now or pay me later sort of thing. Nothing wrong with going cheap at first and then having a better idea of exactly what you want for your thru.

    And I think doing the Pinhoti is an excellent idea.
    "I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
    - Kate Chopin

  16. #36
    Registered User GaryM's Avatar
    Join Date
    06-01-2017
    Location
    Bradenton, Fl.
    Posts
    140

    Default

    Have used an Alice pack and currently using a large Molle pack. Yeah, it is a bit heavy and there is an art to loading it but for strength and durability for the price it is hard to beat.
    I have used commercial packs but what drove me back to .mil gear was all the outside attachment points. It is so easy to hang often used items on the sides. Molle has the compression straps so I can scrunch it down tight and still allow a cavern to carry things if needed.

  17. #37

    Default

    I used to loathe "financially tight budget" threads. I have come to really enjoy them now. To see the result of someone so confident in their beliefs of still obtaining quality while pinching a penny will undoubtedly always result in a crash landing with reality. Yes people have walked the trail with a shower curtain and 1930's rucksack. But those people were tough, in a tough world. (This is going to spark a new thread just a heads up). I am a firm believer that as time goes on several things happen. Our world, as a whole, becomes softer. And less intelligent. If you want to see the effects of cheap gear, it only takes a weekend trip to Springer mountain in March. The trail will be littered with crap gear and quitters. The closest I have seen to getting by with cheap stuff was 2 years ago when Kyle Rohrig walked all the way to NH with a military radio backpack. It finally fell apart in Hanover I believe and he got a real pack. At which time he said he could not believe how much he had cheated himself of a comfortable pack the whole trip. I walked for a week several years ago with a sobo that had carried a skateboard backpack all the way from Maine to SNP. When I got home I mailed him an extra pack I had in the closet.

    Thru hike 5-6 years out. I would save my money and the year before I leave I would be scouring WB, Ebay and other online consignment for the best lightly used gear I could find. Zpacks, Western Mountaineering, Tarptent etc. Find the items used for a week long trip that people found out they don't like backpacking and gather that gear up.

    When its piss pouring rain for a week, the Tyvek idea is probably gunna make you really upset. "Well it looked good on paper" will come to mind....

    In memory of nice things
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  18. #38
    Registered User
    Join Date
    04-21-2015
    Location
    San Antonio TX
    Posts
    526

    Default

    I like my Teton. I bought it used off eBay for $40. It is Abit heavy at 4 lbs but it carries weight well. With 5 years you have lots of time to look for good deals on gear.

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 1 2
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •