(Part 2) Best products from r/CampingandHiking

If you want to get by cheap, pare the list down to essentials.
You need water, food, good shoes/boots, and shelter and to keep it light. Everything else is periphery.

The cheapest and lightest way to carry water is to use an empty quart milk jug or two with a rope on it. It's not as good as a camel back style bladder, but it's more reliable in my experience for fractions of pennies on the dollar.

I recommend a Lifestraw or a Sawyer filter for water purification. They cost about 20 bucks and they're really effective. Not necessarily essential for short trips, but it does a lot for peace of mind and you never know when bad stuff will happen. They don't filter out heavy metals or dissolved materials (ie anything <.1 microns).

REI has a really good info primer on sleeping bags

I wouldn't worry about poles for overnight stuff at all. That's for like weeks of constant hiking or alpine stuff. They can be useful and are helpful, but they can be passed by most of the time.

I get by with a rubberized army poncho and a blanket instead of a tent and bag. It's good enough to keep the rain off and a bit of body heat in, but it's not ideal and it's time consuming. I got it at a yard sale for two bucks. But for one night, it's good enough. A rain fly or tent foot print, or plain tarp is also effective. There are some pretty legit one person backpacking tents out there for about 70-100 bucks, I'll probably get one next. Not sure which brands are good though.

For food, I'd do the mountain house meals and hoist my garbage high and away from camp after wards, preferably in an air tight bag of some kind when you haul it out.

Normally I prefer to do something like pilot bread, PB, dried fruit, a big bag of spinach for the first day or two, green beans, nuts, and maybe some quality sausages and cucumbers, but the convenience of the MRE style foods is often appealing. army steel canteen cups are good for boiling stuff in, but the canteens are kinda useless.

A lighter, some matches, and wet fire packets are great.

Get a mid grade belt knife, like a buck or a k-bar or similar. It's a whole nother can of worms to discuss however. Just be careful as some buck knives are made in china, the ones made in idaho are always marked american made on the packaging.

Silva makes a good compass, a good topographic map, a small 10ths scale ruler (or any cheap one) are a good idea. Know your pace count and hwo to use these tools effectively. Compasses are pretty useful in foul weather or unfamiliar places, but navigational things aren't really essential.

I'd get some biodegradable toilet paper and read this.

That's about all I can think of right now, there's probably more to say and think about. Good luck! Park jobs are a ton of fun! Wish I was going with.

An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of work later / cure / whatever the saying is.

Note that I have no experience in this geographical region, but I've done quite a bit of hiking / camping in other places.

Most important: Research the hell out of the area you're going before you go. Does it rain there? What are average / extreme temps? You can find this all at park websites, NOAA, other organizations that track average / historical weather. What is the elevation profile of the hike? Sure its 26 miles, but 26 miles in the Alps is way different than 26 miles in Kansas. How high will you be going in elevation? above 3 - 3500 meters you might start thinking about how your body will react to the higher elevations. Plus, a huge elevation gain in short amount of time is, well, taxing, and you're all apparently pretty new.

On to gear: Sleeping bags are really the only place you get warmth. Three season tents don't really contribute to how warm you feel, especially if it is ventilated well so that condensation doesn't collect in the tent. It is all about your bag and whatever you're wearing. If it gets colder than 30 degrees (see why you should check the averages and extremes?) you're gonna have a bad time, especially because there is (AFAIK) no exact standard or science to how those numbers are derived. It also depends on personal preference, and women versus men. Men are comfortable colder than women when sleeping, apparently. EDIT: also, those numbers don't always indicate comfort, but just "survivability." You'll be up all night shivering your ass off, but you'll live... not all warm and toasty maybe...

Hiking that long brings up some other questions. What do you do about water and food? I don't know the trail, but you should know before you go out there, how easy is it to resupply water. How will you purify / filter it? Food: it gets heavy, and so does water, so you don't want to take too much, you also don't want to take too little. Beyond that, knowing how often you come upon streams, lakes, etc. to resupply your water will help you reduce weight. Why carry 5 liters when there's a stream 1 hour away where you can get some new water. Yea, it takes 5 minutes to stop and filter, but it drops weight.

Other thoughts: Critters and bears. Are there any there? You've got to worry about that then, to make sure they don't get into your food.

Leave no trace (LNT): We can go into some long discussions here about how to reduce impact on the wilderness. How and where you clean your dishes, wash, where to cook, where to shit, how to shit, etc. Where to put your tent, more importantly, where NOT to put it to reduce risks of problems...

Ok so all that aside, can you do it? why not, you've got a month to get ready, but you need to actively start researching both the area of your trip, and general camping /backpacking tips / guides. Its not rocket science, and the chances are high that if you go into the woods with some friends on a well known trail, you'll come back out alive. However, it would be good to think of what could go wrong, and then what you would do to fix it, and then learn any/all skills needed just in case.

i.e. Your friend falls, breaks ankle. Well that sucks. And now its snowing. also sucks. You're like 5 miles from the trailhead, but that's pretty far if your friend can't walk, or can just hobble with 2 people's assistance. What do you do now? It's super cold, can you make a fire? Did you leave a note (ALWAYS LEAVE A NOTE) telling someone where you'd be, so that if you don't come back on time, they know something's wrong? Do you send one friend out in the snow to find help (at risk of losing the trail maybe) and you wait with friend, or do you stay and hope that your Mom calls the Rangers (how embarrassing :-)

Far fetched? Maybe, but its not outside the realm of possibility. Now you don't have to turn into Survivorman and be able to start a fire with nothing, and build a shelter in any environment, but you should think about what can go wrong, and what you could do in that situation. And then go in your backyard and practice it, don't just read it. In the end, its about minimizing risk and preparing.

But most importantly, have fun! I have lit countless campfires, and I still love it, there's some satisfaction in seeing a flame take off (note: not an arsonist) and the best food you'll ever eat is whatever comes out of your pot after a long day of hiking. Getting out of all this terrible crap, internet, job, cities, and into some beautiful landscapes, is the best thing on Earth.

So, my thoughts? If you're gonna do it, all 3 of you need to get serious now with checking out resources and preparing yourselves, make a plan, research the trail a bit, think of what might happen and be ready for it, and know how to camp without leaving a trace! Oh, and tell someone responsible what the plan is, just in case.

EDIT: Sorry for wall of text...

Also, maybe check out a book like: http://www.amazon.com/Backpackers-Field-Manual-Revised-Updated/dp/1400053099/ref=cm_lmf_tit_5

This is all assuming you all have limited to no experience outside.. if this isn't the case, forgive me for stating things you probably already are aware of...

Gear-wise- try your best to make use of stuff you already have. You don't need to get expensive name brand outdoor gear if you already have stuff that will work.

For a dayhike, I would recommend using a pack you already have like a school pack.

Food and water are important. Especially water. Depending on the route, you could just make sure to carry enough water the whole way, but that can get heavy. I would recommend buying cheap bottled water like Smartwater rather than a heavy nalgene bottle. If you'll be crossing streams along the way, I would recommend you get a Katadyn BeFree. It's a waterbottle that filters water you get from streams and makes it safe to drink. That way you only have to carry enough water to get to the next stream.

I would also recommend you bring a flashlight. If you, worst case scenario, end up being out there past dark, you want a way to continue hiking back to the car in the dark. This is my favorite but any flashlight will do.

Make sure to put sunscreen on at the trailhead and bring sun protection like a long sleeve shirt, maybe a hat. And bring enough layers to stay warm. A cotton t-shirt is okay but the rest of your clothes should be material made to dry quickly and keep you warm when wet like wool, nylon, fleece, etc.. Most of my hiking clothes are thrift-store or TJ Maxx finds. For a rain jacket, I just use $20 Frog Toggs from Walmart. It's light and does a great job. I like to hike in sneakers, so don't feel like you need hiking boots. I use [ankle gaiters](https://dirtygirlgaiters.com) to keep pebbles out of my shoes but that's not super important for starting out.

I would also recommend visiting /r/ultralight for gear inspiration. What I like about that sub is that they're good at focusing on the essentials of what you'll need without the distraction of frivolous camping gear like folding chairs, coffee makers, and camp showers. Once you get your essential gear then you can decide if you want to get the non-essential stuff too. A lot of their suggestions are also very cheap (contrary to popular belief). They have a link in the sidebar to a budget gear list for people just getting started.

You probably won't have to worry much about wildlife but it's always a good idea to research the area you're going to. I usually stop by the ranger station on my way to a hike and ask them if I should be aware of any bear problems or anything.

In terms of etiquette, as long as you leave things the way you found them and don't litter, stomp on plants, or cut down trees, you should be be fine. I hope that helps a little and that you have a fun time out there!

I day hike quite a bit and I've been backpacking for years.

For a long day hike I carry:

Water
Food(high protein/low weight)
Flashlight
Lighter
First Aid
Hat
Sunscreen
Weather protection(warm jacket/rain jacket depending)
Probably some other misc things I'm not thinking of.

Also with some modern water filters like this filtration is so cheap and lightweight that if you're hiking somewhere with good water sources(much of Colorado) carrying a filter only makes sense.

Backpacking is a bit more complicated of course. On top of the day hiking kit I carry:

Extra clothes/socks(you need less than you think, but don't skimp on the socks)
Tent/shelter
Sleeping pad
Backpack
some kind of pack cover/liner to keep your stuff dry
Stove/Pot
bowl/spoon
Camp food

I think that's most of it. Obviously there are more things you could bring, this list is a bit spartan so some luxury items might be nice.

The other big thing to think about is footwear. Everyone has strong opinions about what footwear is the best, but if I was starting out I would just pick up a nice pair of mid-height lightweight hiking boots, probably non-waterproof(for ventilation) from a good manufacturer(I swear by Merrell personally).

I have a pair of these that are great.

Nowadays I usually just wear lightweight hiking/running shoes that are really comfortable but don't offer a lot of protection. Just the other day I did a 15 mile day hike largely off trail at elevation in the Sierras with no problems. But I have strong ankles and tough feet so that may not be advisable for a beginner.

Hope that helps!

As others have said, it really depends on what you are doing and what you plan to cook.

For car camping, I've got a big dual burner Coleman propane stove. With a griddle, I can cook up bacon, eggs, and potatoes and feed an army. I also use this stove for BBQs and backyard parties, it's a beast. If I were to buy one now I'd probably get a Camp Chef Everest.

If I'm car camping but flying to my destination, or backpacking and want to do a little cooking, I'll bring a Kovea Supalite (without the piezo). It's a great little Ti stove, big enough to hold a normal size frying pan but folds up nice and small. The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is very similar.

When I'm just out on my own and only need to heat a mug of water for freeze dried meals, I'll bring the BRS-3000T. Got it on Amazon for $12, it's a nice litte stove... but some have had issues with the stand collapsing from heat when running full blast. I don't use it full open to conserve fuel so I haven't had a problem. The BRS-3000T is a knock-off of the Fire-Maple FMS-300T (which I didn't know at the time); I picked up the US version for my son, the Olicamp Ion Micro Ti, again a great little stove.

I've got an old Jetboil (link to the updated version); it's an integrated stove which means the pot is connected to the stove; this can be useful in some situations. The main benefit of the Jetboil is that the pot has a heat exchanger so it's very efficient heating water. With the integration and heat exchanger, it's a bit heavy compared to other options, but it's very convenient. I don't bring it backpacking too often due to the weight, but it goes car camping so I can heat water for coffee while other things are cooking on the dual burner propane stove. Today, I'd probably get the MSR Windburner or the Fire-Maple FMS-X2.

Lastly, I've made several alcohol stoves BITD. The benefit of an alcohol stove is that you can make one for free, you only need to bring as much fuel as you're going to use (as opposed to a canister where you may end up carrying around a half-empty canister at the end of the trip). One downside is that it's slow, in the mornings I like to have my water heated quickly for coffee. Another is that it's considered an open fire, some places with fire restrictions won't allow a stove that doesn't have a valve to turn it off.

Enjoy your trip, in terms of your gear, this is my experience:

• I like Kelty a lot, I have a Kelty Grand Mesa 2 (http://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Grand-Mesa-Tent-Person/dp/B004NWAPV0) and haven't had a problem in the 12 or so uses. It's light, and I haven't had any issues with not having a groundcloth.
  
• I'd check out this sleeping bag on Amazon if you're just getting started - it's cheap, TINY - it also comes with a stuff-sack, and quite effective. I've been camping in under 30F weather and it's kept me warm (with long-johns and pulling myself fully into the bag). Link: http://www.amazon.com/Suisse-Sport-Adventurer-Ultra-Compactable-Sleeping/dp/B001TR7QZA/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1
  
• Another note: Get a sleeping pad - it may seem like a small convenience, but it's important. I like mine, but I've seen a lot of people with these small yellow eggshell pads that fold up and my brother loves his.
  
• In terms of the bag - I've played with smaller versions of them and they're... interesting. Depending on the model it's somewhat difficult to pack or get things into because of how the structure of the bag prevents you from reaching into it. Some brands are better than others. Also, if you want something that's in just that awkward spot, you have to unzip the whole bag to get to it (the zipper wraps around the bag).
  
  Edit: For the bag - make sure you have nice spots for placing water on the outside. I have an older bag where the outside pockets get extremely tight when loaded, and it's frustrating when you have to stop to get water.
  
  Best of luck!

I'm not quite in your situation - I've been looking at tents for astronomy star parties - but I am thinking ahead to backpacking. The nice thing about a slightly larger tent for 3P is you can split it up between two packs, so you don't have to stay at that 5 lbs weight. Split up an 7 lb tent, and you're each carrying 3.5 - 4 pounds... and gain a floor. ;)

The things I was told to look for are aluminum poles and a full fly; looks like you've found similar advice based on your choices. Part of my criteria included faster set-up/tear-down, so I avoided looking at tents that have any sleeves to push poles through, and looked at "clips only" designs. Here's what I found:

Ledge Tarantula - Small, 2P tent, but quick up/down, and venting doesn't look to be weird. 92" is smaller than the Recluse, but should be enough even for you. But that'd be cramped if it was raining.

Slumberjack 3P Tent - bigger in total area, heavier (8lbs), but better overall great ventilation (almost too much) yet the length is quite a bit shorter. That could a problem for your height.

Kelty Grand Mesa 3 - A hair longer than the Slumberjack, and a bit taller. More expensive. For my needs, still has decent ventilation, but would keep me warmer in cold-weather camping. Nice and light at 6 lb 6 oz - that'd make a light carry if split up.

Mountainsmith Morrison 2P - Longer, but narrow. VERY lightweight (under 5 lbs). I like the ventilation, and two doors.

Anyway, I can't speak from experience for any of these (I'm likely to start with the Slumberjack myself, and perhaps add the Kelty later), but they'd largely be in your price range - except perhaps the Kelty - and look to offer better features than a cheap Coleman.

Check out this guy: https://www.amazon.com/ALPS-Mountaineering-Lynx-1-Person-Tent/dp/B00BMKD1DU/

It's lighter (just under 4 Lb), it's listed as JUST too wide for your bag, but do you think you can squish it in? It's lighter, cheaper, really well reviewed, and a much bigger floor space. Your tent only has 20 sq feet!

Listed as 6"x17.5" so the volume works, may just need some re-configuring? Ditch the stuff sack.

I have a tent which is almost exactly these dimensions and man, I love it. I backpack, so it has room for my sleep pad, stuff next to me (water, phone charger), room for my pack at the end by my feet, and I never ever feel cramped. It sucks to be unconstrained by weight (motorcycle) and still sleeping like you're UL hiking. It's heavy, so it's not my ultra-light setup, but it takes literally 45 seconds to set up camp.

edit: You can get the Static V insulated for cheaper. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klymit-Insulated-Static-V-Sleeping-Pad-06IVOr01C-/191504068900 $62.76 right from the manufacturer - it's a great pad. I have the regular and the insulated as my only sleep pad (side sleeper, wide dude), just switch out based on weather. You have the best in price/class product there.

edit2: This could be had for $90 if you're an REI member, or can find one who will let you use their coupon. https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/110867/kelty-dualist-22-sleeping-bag

This one is 8x13: https://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Tuck-Degree-Sleeping-Bag/dp/B00NFCFIR0/ref=sr_1_14?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1491157929&sr=1-14&keywords=20+degree+sleeping+bag

Can't really speak to any of those specific bags, but if price is a primary concern it looks like you can do all around a little better, especially if that tent can fit. I think youll have a much comfier trip.

Since I'm new at this (I have however been camping in wilderness multiple times for 3-5 days, just never backpacking) I've been reading a ton of guides. I don't have a huge budget since this is something I'm just getting into, but looking around at different reviews this seems to be the best stuff I can get within my price range. If anyone cares to take a look and possibly give any suggestions I would appreciate it.

• Tent - I wanted a two person because the weight difference between this and similar-priced one person tents didn't seem large enough, and more importantly I plan on backpacking with SO or my sister, so the split weight from only having one person carrying a tent seems better.
  
  
  
• Backpack - Once again, budget, but seems to be exactly what I need.
  
  
  
• Sleeping Bag - I'm in Louisiana, so nearby backpacking spots such as Texas don't warrant me buying a super low F rated sleeping bag. I don't want to be burning up and I figure once I get to the point where I'm hiking in colder weather I won't mind dropping more cash on a better rated sleeping bag.
  

Garbage bags. Stuff them with brush/clothes to make a mattress. Cut them up to make a rainfly. Wear them as a waterproof outer layer.

Also, a water purifier might rate higher priority than food. Lifestraws are cheap and relatively compact and easy to use. Not my first choice for a planned excursion, but sounds great for a daypack.

My personal preference is for a snap lighter over a fero rod. Yeah, the firesteels are fun to use, but they require a bit of dexterity. One time I fell through some Ice into a river, and by the time I made it home (only about ten minutes) my hands were so stiff I had to thaw out before I could unbutton my trousers, hence the utility of an easy to use firestarter in situations where hypothermia might be a factor.

But all this is just, like, my opinion, man.

I would also like to add that my pack is in sore need of that solar/crank powered flashlight/radio/charger. Thanks for mentioning it.

I'm not familiar with UK brands/stores, so I'm not much help.

If you have the brand - Nature Hike - in your version of Amazon.com, check them out. They are 'cheap' but a solid way to get started with light backpacking tents. $100 USD for their 2-person CloudUp model for example:

• https://www.amazon.com/Naturehike-Lightweight-Person-Camping-Backpacking/dp/B06XSXXQZY
  
  Trekking poles obviously help for hiking, with balance and such. They also help with shelters. You can use them to setup your tent, instead or in addition to the tent poles. They help you save weight/bulk. Many hikers use trekking poles already, so having them do double duty as tent supports makes sense. You mentioned a canopy above, so that could be another use for the trekking poles - to give structure along with some well placed ropes.

Yeah, I ended up doing more research on the tents because to be quite honest I just picked a random one. How does this one look? https://www.amazon.com/Mountainsmith-Morrison-Person-Season-Citron/dp/B00452C2IC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502773753&sr=8-1&keywords=mountainsmith+morrison+2 This was on a list of budget lightweight backpacking tent options and it seems decent enough.

On the matter of sleeping bags, does this one seem alright? https://www.amazon.com/Suisse-Sport-Alpine-Sleeping-Bag/dp/B002H10PW8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502774144&sr=8-1&keywords=Suisse+Sport+Alpine+Adult+Mummy+Double+Layer+Sleeping+Bag This is another one I found on a list of budget options for sleeping bags.

I'll definitely buy that sleeping pad, that seems like a lot of value for not much more price.


Thanks for your help!

It's probably fine, but if it concerns you at all, it's probably worth the $20 to just buy a [sawyer mini] (http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-Water-Filtration-System/dp/B00FHRADQ2). You'll gain some peace of mind and save some weight off your back.

Don't know what your budget is, but I bought one of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004O76I4C?vs=1 that is the newer 2014 version but they have some older versions I'm sure somewhere. (On mobile or Id look for ya). I bought mine new for $175 on ebay from a camping store. It's amazing. Lots of room. I'm 6' 1", 210 lbs and tossed and turned in it. It says on the box that you can unzip them and zip 2 of them together if you want. I used it this year in Colorado in the mountains in 20 degrees, I was very warm and comfortable.

Don't waste your money on a course. First thing I would do get a book or two for about $15 each. This and this look like two good books. I'm Swedish so the books I use wouldn't be much use to you.

Next is to get a backpack and some gear. Once you have the gear pack it up in the backpack and go car camping for a couple of weekends. Only use what you have in the backpack.

Then you can progress to going on overnight trips. You should be able to find organized groups that go on backpacking trips. Start with simple overnights and progress from there. Or you can just go with friends.

Ok so I looked a bit and for your budget they have quite a few knifes that fit the bill.
This is the one has great reviews and I personally love the design.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0033H7VI6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1397075251&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40
What do you think?

*EDIT- here's a review with some field testing. For this price point it does work http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9EQk4vO94s

Mora Companion. The value on these knives is pretty nuts, I keep thinking that prices will eventually go up because you get so much blade for the money. Great carver and slicer due to the scandi edge, and the carbon steel blade it tough and can take light batoning without issue.

Watch a few reviews online, pretty much all raving, and for good reason.

I was looking for something lighter than I already had recently, mostly at REI, but then I saw several mentions of this Suisse Sport Adventurer Mummy Ultra-Compactable Sleeping Bag as a reasonably good, low-cost, not too heavy option for when it's not too cold. Comes with the left & right zippers so you can zip them together like /u/take_a_hike_pal mentioned, too. I have a pair now, just took one out for the first time this week, seems fine. More complaints in the reviews about the zippers than anything else, but I had no problem there yet. Seems like it might be a good fit for your needs, too. Just under three pounds/about 1.3 kg, whichever way you swing.

I use a Sawyer Mini with a 3 L Camelbak water bladder and an Evernew reservoir. I modified the Evernew by putting some holes with grommets in the extra plastic on the bottom and running some string through it so i can hang it from a tree or whatever. Then I fill it up, screw on the Sawyer Mini, and attach that directly to the Camelbak via the tube I drink out of. Water flows from the Evernew, through the filter, into the Camelbak. Pretty easy setup, it works great for me.

My standard good-but-reasonably cheap sleeping bag recommendation is the Kelty Cosmic 20. There are obviously better sleeping bags out there by just about any single metric, but it's a pretty good compromise of performance, cost, quality, and size.

You're actually better off getting a pack that's 'too small' - It forces you to be a little more disciplined in what you pack. I would suggest nothing larger than 50 Litres. I highly recommend reading 'The Ultimate Hikers Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka' - Your body will be thankful. It's seriously worth the investment. Guaranteed your backpack will be more than 10lbs lighter after reading it.

The following is strictly a backpacking list, as it includes lightweight items that cost more for that reason:

ULA Circuit Pack $225, 41 oz
Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent $289, 42 oz
Therm-a-rest X-lite regular size sleeping pad $100, 16 oz
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 degree Sleeping Bag $250, 20 oz
Sawyer Squeeze Mini Water Filter $23, 2 oz
Evernew Water Bag 900 mL + 2000 mL $30, 2.5 oz
MSR Pocket Rocket $40, 3 oz
Petzl Tikkina $20, 3 oz
Some cheap aluminum cookpot, $20 5 oz

Total: $997, 8.4 lbs

The main ones I'm actually recommending are the first 6 on the list, as the rest were just chosen to show that it is possible to stay under $1000 with everything else you'll need, although unfortunately with sales tax it's over $1000 already.

Another thing to take into consideration is that some of the National Parks like Yosemite NP and Sequoia NP require bear canisters like a Bear Vault or a Bearikade.

Book 1 is good.
Try these as well

Book3

Book 4

Book 5 - I have not read this book but I trust the author

Alps Mountaineering Zephyr 2: https://www.amazon.com/ALPS-Mountaineering-Zephyr-Person-Tent/dp/B00B7MPL5E

I have been in this during thunderstorms and never felt a drop of rain. Easy to set up and take down. pretty light at 4.75 lbs.

Any Mora knife. They are fantastic values.

http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion-Outdoor-Military-4-1-Inch/dp/B004TNWD40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452089632&sr=8-1&keywords=morakniv

I got a Kelty Tuck 22 Degree Sleeping Bag that I recently used in upper-20 degree weather and stayed plenty warm (thermal bottoms and 2 layers on top with a balaclava). It's synthetic and the weight is pretty good...only caveat is it does not come with it's own compression sack

I'm assuming you're not talking about the little red knife. The fixed blade is a Schrade SCHF10, not too bad for the price.

There's also the SCHF9 which is a little bigger, they are both worth looking into.

http://www.amazon.com/Schrade-SCHF10-Drop-Point-Fixed-Blade/dp/B00BM94JJQ

http://www.amazon.com/Schrade-SCHF9-Extreme-Survival-Carbon/dp/B0033H7VI6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382900003&sr=8-2&keywords=schrade+schf10

and here's a video of the two in case you're interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPFyyJTNWUE

I've heard good things about the Schrade Schf-9. Comes with a nylon sheath, and i've seen a review where a guy managed to fit a basic survival kit in the sheath's pouch

http://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Carbon-Trekking/dp/B007E0ZBZI
Just finished 70 miles of the Ozark Trail. Really hilly and rocky. Bought these because I wasn't sure I wanted / needed hiking poles. They held up very well, and I ended up enjoying them very much.

Here's my idea for a bundle of someplace he is familiar with or interested in: Reference book and/or nature guide. Book about the area (history/geography). Book that someone may have written about experiences in that area. Finally, a map of that area. ??

Are we talking basic books or advanced?
I'll go ahead and sugggest Backpacker's Field Manual as a start.

Down is expensive and is something I would wait to invest in. Synthetic sleeping bags are a great alternative if you go to the right brand. Here is the link for the [http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NFCFIR0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1459392411&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=mountain+hardwear+sleeping+bag&dpPl=1&dpID=31U2onCZmtL&ref=plSrch](Kelty Tuck 22). Kelty is a great introduction brand known for its quality and reliability while not breaking the budget. While it isn't the lightest it will keep you warm and not break your back (or the bank). I never owned this but from a quick look at the reviews they all seem positive enough for your first go if it.


Edit: Sorry shitty link job. On mobile.

The mountainsmith has a tent that is very fast to put up and take down. I timed myself for their 4 person variation and I got it up in 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Their 2 person variation goes up much faster, I'm sure.
It's a nice tent too. Bathtub bottom, titanium rods, and plenty of mesh for the summer nights.
http://www.amazon.com/Mountainsmith-Morrison-Person-Season-Citron/dp/B00452C2IC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370495156&sr=8-1&keywords=Mountainsmith+3+person

The BD Spot for $29 is a great light.

Here is the non-mobile link from the comment above
***
This bot is supported by the referral link above. If you wish to not use a referral link, you may use this link instead.

I generally carry a pocketknife, as I have since the 4th grade. A knife is a great tool, in the woods or not. I couldn't imagine going into the woods without one, tho. I always smh when someone gets snarky about carrying knives in the woods. You will only regret not having one when you need it. Lately I have been carrying a Mora on my pack. Super light weight and sharp. Oh, and cheap

All valid points, my wife likes MEC and those were the ones she brought to me. Doing a little more investigation any thoughts on these?

• REI Passage 2
  
• Mountansmith morrison 2
  
• Marmot Catalyst 2
  
• REI Half Dome 2

Anyone have experience with these 2 tents, or have any other recommendations? Kelty Salida 2 and ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2

My gf and I (and our little dog) are looking for a 2 person tent under $200 CDN, and less than 5lbs. It's for 3 season camping in Nova Scotia, more like 2 season because the trees don't turn green until midway through May. Just weekend warrior stuff, our longest hike this year will probably be 4 days/3 nights at Cape Chignecto. It's very humid here but we probably won't go out if the forecast shows a lot of rainfall.

Worried with those 2 that we won't all fit, especially the Kelty one. Our dog is pretty small and we sleep on 2 thermarests (or MEC equivalents). We use a piece of Tyvek as a footprint.

I'll help ya out in the ultralight department, and on the cheap:
BRS Ultra-light Titanium Stove, $17, 1.5oz
TOAKS Titanium 550ml Pot, $25, 3.5oz

There are tons of affordable ultralight gear, lemme know if you want any more suggestions

I have this one and have had no problems with the couple times I've used it. Its about 3 pounds and only costs $40. If you have a good sleeping pad and where warm clothes to sleep, I'm sure you'd be fine in 30 degree weather.

Thanks.

Linkage.

http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-Water-Filtration-System/dp/B00FHRADQ2

The Backpacker's Field Manual, Revised and Updated: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Backcountry Skills

This is not what I am looking for. I am seeking out different gadgets.
How about this one. Is it worth purchasing it?
https://www.amazon.com/LifeStraw-Personal-Camping-Emergency-Preparedness/dp/B006QF3TW4

Including shipping its the same price as on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-Water-Filtration-System/dp/B00FHRADQ2

Dude, you won't find a better bag for your money than this one. I've had mine since it was $25 on Amazon (three years ago now ?) and all my friends with their North Faces and Marmots aren't any more comfortable at least down to 30. (Haven't been out much lower than that.)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001TR7QZA/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1397427647&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Just under 3 pounds, I'm a fan of it but looking for something lighter.

I use the BSR stove. Very cheap and very small and very light. https://www.amazon.com/BRS-Ultralight-Camping-Portable-Titanium/dp/B01AKF4USW/

So I was drafting a blog post on books this weekend. Copypasta:

Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide - Andrew Skurka

Ultralight Backpacking Tips - Mike Clelland

Lightweight Backpacking and Camping - Ryan Jordan

Trail Life: Ray Jardine's Lighweight Bapackpacking

Beyond Backpacking: Ray Jardine's Guide to Lightweight Hiking

Can't beat a $14 Mora Companion, comes in stainless or high carbon. Comes shaving sharp. http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Companion-Outdoor-Military-4-1-Inch/dp/B004TNWD40/

i would say this book has everything you need. http://www.amazon.com/Backpackers-Field-Manual-Revised-Updated/dp/1400053099/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301881124&sr=8-1

The link on the site has it for $42.99.

Highly recommend the Sawyer Mini. It might not be the most efficient but it's crazy lightweight and get's the job done.

They also sell them on Amazon if your local Costco doesn't carry them like mine doesn't. Still a good deal at $40.