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Home »Posts tagged  budget gear (Page 3)

Tag: budget gear

Gear review – Wrangler performance button downs

Posted onJuly 1, 2020April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Another budget review for an item I’ve used for a few years now – Wrangler performance button-down short sleeve shirts that I wear for day use. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, gear review, shirt

Ten year review: Generic 200 wt fleece

Posted onJune 4, 2020June 6, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A 200 wt fleece is an excellent and versatile item for all-around outdoor use. This type of fleece is durable, versatile, and not expensive. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, camping, clothing, fleece, gear review

The Quiver – Headwear

Posted onMay 15, 2020December 15, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Keeping my noggin warm and protected for various seasons, conditions, and use. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, gear review, hats, the quiver, winter

Gear Review – SP30 fleece beanie

Posted onMay 12, 2020May 13, 2021AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

I finally found a simple, effective, and inexpensive “go-to” beanie to replace my beloved MEC fleece hat. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, gear review, hats, winter

Intro to Backpacking Pt 1- Backpacking vs Car Camping Gear

Posted onApril 27, 2020April 29, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Part One of a multi-part video series I’m doing on Intro to Backpacking. Looking at car camping and backpacking gear differences with some budget options. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, VideosTagsbudget gear, videos

Gear Review – Wrangler Nylon Pants

Posted onApril 24, 2020January 11, 2022AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

Inexpensive nylon travel and hiking pants with traditional “work pants” style aesthetics. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, gear review, pants

The Quiver- Hydration options for backpacking

Posted onApril 15, 2020December 5, 2023AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A look at the hydration options I use for hiking and backpacking. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear review, the quiver, utah-tip, water containers, winter

Gear Review: Generic coffee mug from Krogers

Posted onApril 13, 2020April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

As light as “real” insulated backpacking mugs from REI, $10 or less, and found just about anywhere. And one I’ve had for ten years now. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, coffee, cooking, gear review, mug

Etsy – lightweight, inexpensive, and useful gear

Posted onFebruary 13, 2020February 4, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Etsy often means tchotchkes for oddball things. But it also offers a surprising array of backpacking items from individuals or small businesses. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbudget gear, gloves, winter

Top gear of the decade

Posted onJanuary 1, 2020April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Items of gear and clothing that I used consistently over the decade. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear, gear list, montbell, Six Moon Designs, surplus, ULA

Gear review: TSLA 1/4 Zip HyperDri shirt

Posted onDecember 20, 2019December 4, 2022AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A light layer excellent for cooler three-season conditions. And only $17. A women’s version is also available for $14. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, gear review, shirts, surplus, thermals

Gear pick of the year 2019 – A beat-up Coleman cooler

Posted onDecember 17, 2019June 4, 2025AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

Utilitarian, effective, it stood the test of time, and cheap – a beat-up 28 qt Coleman Cooler Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, car camping, gear pick of the year, stove

Long Term Review: Champion Brand Wind Pants (Target)

Posted onDecember 3, 2019December 27, 2022AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

Some “shell” pants for winter use. Discount store wind pants are inexpensive, light, and effective. And I’ve used the same pair for nearly a decade. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, gear review, rain gear, winter

STCT USB Headlight – The poor person’s Nitecore

Posted onNovember 21, 2019April 26, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

The STCT USB Headlight is a $17 headlamp with 145 Lumens and high water resistance that boasts similar features of more expensive models. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear review, lights

Quick Tip: Dishwashing gloves for rain

Posted onOctober 2, 2019April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

A budget item that is readily available for keeping your hands warm and dry in cold rain. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsbudget gear, gloves, quick tip, rain gear

Road trip gear all-stars

Posted onJuly 14, 2019June 25, 2020AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

Some useful items for our Summer 2019 road trip. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, car camping, Kia Sorento, Summer 2019 Road Trip, surplus

Lorpen socks – good quality on a budget

Posted onJuly 3, 2019July 3, 2019AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Lorpen light hiker wool socks are a quality budget minded item. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear review, socks

Long term review – Nazaroo Performance Insoles

Posted onMay 16, 2019May 16, 2019AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

The Nazaroo insoles are $15, work well, and also have similar quality and construction to more expensive options. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, footwear, gear review, insoles

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A Quick Guide to Moab

The Squak – A readily available, $60, active-focused grid fleece hoodie from a Utah-based company. Read the review.

Women’s | Men’s | Children’s   

The Squak Camp Dress 

One of Joan’s favorites!

The Squak Alpha Fleece 

                                                                    

– 15% off coupon = PMAGS-SQUAK                                                                                                      

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Some local hiking this weekend. I scouted a route for a possible packrafting trip later this month, and on Sunday, @ramblinghemlock and I meandered through a canyon we’ve been curious about for a while.
I can’t imagine this landscape with a wall.
Two years inside the Park Service, trying to balance trade and calling. I left in fall 2025, and I’m still making sense of it - part grief, part gratitude, and part closure.
With a brief but noticeable bit of winter this past week, we opted not to travel the muddy, snowy roads into more remote areas. Instead, we tackled some home projects on Saturday and spent Sunday revisiting a place we hadn’t seen in a while. Red rock, canyon wrens, images, and late winter desert light accompanied the day.
@ramblinghemlock and I pivoted from an original trip after much-needed rain on Friday. On Saturday, we avoided muddy roads that would have derailed our original plan and spent two nights poking around a place we could reach only because of temporary, water-filled potholes and a handy Ziploc bag that made it possible. We also revisited sights we hadn’t seen in a while. Red rock, grand views, and old images marked the unofficial long weekend kickoff of spring around Moab.
@ramblinghemlock and I finally felt better and took a long-overdue trip into the backcountry. We slept outside and enjoyed the peace of the wild places. Canyon wrens filled the canyon with song during the day, and owl calls echoed off the walls at night. We returned to places we had not seen in a while and saw places new to us. The land endures.

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