Comments on: The Budget Backpacking Kit

By: Backpacking on the Cheap - Mark's Musings

Backpacking on the Cheap - Mark's Musings — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 05:20:32 +0000

[…] have been a number of online forum threads which discuss a gear list which is light and cheap: pmag’s budget backpacking, BPL ultralight / ultracheap challenge (and other threads about cheap gear lists) and $200 /20lb […]

By: The Budget Backpacker's Adventure - Mr. Bill's Travel Blog

The Budget Backpacker's Adventure - Mr. Bill's Travel Blog — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:20:08 +0000

[…] can find a link here to an article I found on a budget backpacking kit. In the days gone by, the backpacks were large […]

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 06:00:48 +0000

Side sleeper that can’t get comfortable on the z rest here. I am a fan of the children’s length klymit Static V with 4 sections of z rest (Or generic) under it for insulation that is also good for sit pad and frame for pack. The pad is is 23” wide which makes a pretty big difference for an active sleeper the system is under a pound and goes into shoulder season and hits doesn’t cost much.

By: Cathy E

Cathy E — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 14:07:52 +0000

In reply to Paul Mags. I had not backpacked there at all till this summer, then went on a 6 day trip in the Gila with a friend in July. Amazing! Especially the Middle Fork! So much gorgeous and varied terrain! Hoping to get back there in June 2020, too. It’s a reasonable drive from Oklahoma, where I live. Prior to that, I’d mostly been going east to hike over in SE Oklahoma and Arkansas (still doing that too), also beautiful terrain but totally different from New Mexico.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 14:01:52 +0000

In reply to Cathy E. AWESOME! New Mexico is one of my favorite places in the world.

By: Cathy E

Cathy E — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 12:51:56 +0000

I really enjoy these kinds of posts as they get me thinking and looking at what else is out there. I started backpacking 2.5 years ago, not having a friend who did it to help or loan things, so was on my own. And I made a LOT of gear-buying mistakes, many in trying to save money. Wish I had seen this post back then. However, now many miles in, I’ve been able to fine-tune things, buy some better and lighter equipment over time, and can now loan to other friends wanting to try a weekend out. Thanks for the work you put into updating this post, especially with links! Just found your blog a couple months ago now and really enjoying it. Especially about the NNML trip! WOW! Just visited the Pecos for the first time this past June and then went back in September–love that place! Planning a more extensive trip there for July 2020.

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 09:59:01 +0000

Wow, fantastic! Someone from a hiking group I’m part of just posted a link to this. Next time a friend says they’ve been wanting to hike since they moved to my current city, Seattle, but aren’t ready to commit lots of $, I will link them here. I moved here for the outdoors so have been stalking the REI garage sales for awhile now and was lucky to get some great hand-me-down gear.

The Energizer headlamp is great. I picked one up in Sri Lanka in 2012 and put it through all sorts of shenanigans, the rubber around the clicker finally gave out on a backpack last year, but it was so worth it for the price.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 16:49:09 +0000

In reply to Paul. Get and out and backpack. It is the best way to learn.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 14:54:05 +0000

Hi. I’ll be hiking the Appalachian trail for the first time next year. First time hiking or basically camping for that matter lol. I’ve been researching gear and everything about the trail for a couple months now. This list isn’t far off from what I’ve been looking at honestly. I can’t decide on a tent because I’veonly used a wWalmart tent once. I’m nervous and excited and I’m worried I won’t have the right kind of gear to make it through the cold winds and rains mostly. Basically bad weather is my main concern. I’ll most likely be buying my tent from rei or cabelas due to them being the only places I can go to look at gear.
Also I side question. Does it really cost 1000 a month on the trail or can I drastically lower that? In my mind I just don’t see spending more than 400 a month if my gears right.
Sorry one more thing I can’t seem to find. What gear wears out on the trail? I keep hearing about gear replacement, but nobody ever says what and why.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 00:52:32 +0000

In reply to Robert.

Fair enough….but, based on your reply, I suspect you may have missed this key sentence:

“I don’t claim this is the best set of gear for everyone and all situations. I will say I think it is a very good gear kit for the price. This kit will work well for a variety of conditions and places whether on a multi-month thru-hike or a weekend jaunt.”