Where to shop for gear
Besides running to your nearest outdoor store, some tips for getting gear cheaper are to always be looking and asking!
Our families know we like backpacking so any presents we get are usually stuff we want for the trail. I check craigslist weekly and have found some sweet deals on barely used gear and I stop into outdoor stores to check clearance racks whenever possible (I found north face hiking pants for $20!). Also thrift stores and garage sales can be gold mines for athletic clothes and camping stuff.
What do you really need for your trip?
In my opinion the two things that are worth spending the most money on and investing in early are your pack and your boots. Isn't there some saying about a soldier is only as good as his feet? Same with hikers, you need to have sturdy, quality boots that won't let you down on the trail. You can pretty much wing anything else but if your feet hurt then you will be suffering! When I bought my boots, I looked for ones that were waterproof, had good arch and ankle support, and were made with quality materials. I've had my boots over two years and they haven't let me down yet!
Buying a pack can be really overwhelming and I recommend taking your time and doing a lot of research before choosing one. This guide from REI really helped me out: backpack advice. I borrowed my brother's pack for my first trip and it was a big mistake because it didn't fit me properly and I wasn't comfortable at all. My parents and in-laws kindly chipped in to buy me a new pack as a graduation gift and I love the one I chose. After researching online I took a trip to REI and the sales guy was kind enough to let me try on some options and even put weight in them so I could really feel it out.
So lesson one: invest in good boots and a pack first then decide what you need next:
Water Treatment
I was blown away with the different options and prices of water purification systems and thankfully found an affordable solution: Aquamira Water Bottle. This little guy is amazing! We bought one for the porkies trip and we loved how easy it was to use, just fill it up and drink! No need for tablets or drops. I just bought a second one so we can each carry our own, instead of sharing. I waited for it to go on sale at my local Meijer and bought it for less than $20 but either way its a lot cheaper than other options and a whole lot easier to use.
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| terrible picture of me but I have my awesome water bottle |
There are some great tents available to backpackers that can easily empty your wallet. When choosing a tent, weight and durability are key. You want to make sure whatever tent you take is compact and weighs as little as possible. To save money I bought a children's tent that my hubby and I just barely fit into but its small, light, and cost less than 20 bucks! We really want to get a hammock tent but probably can't afford one until next year (see, we have priorities).
Sleeping bag
Unless your planning to hike the tundra, you won't need a bag thats rated for a really low temperature. I borrowed my brother's REI kids mummy bag and have yet to give it back (sorry bro but it's mine now!) and it works perfectly for me. Be sure that you choose one thats lightweight and has a small stuff sack to save room. This is something you can probably borrow from a friend or find one on craigslist or a discount site.
Sleeping pad
Wasn't a huge priority for me, I just used a blue foam pad I found in my parents garage. The problem is it was bulky and awkward to carry and really not that comfortable. Hubby got a self inflating mat with a tiny storage bag for Christmas and I was beyond jealous! It's really comfortable and packs small so I'm planning to get one for myself before we leave for Isle Royale. Look for one that packs up easily and doesn't take up a lot of room (if you have to have one).
Cookware Set
I still can't believe how such tiny pots and pans cost so much! Your basic set up needs to be a stove, cooking fuel, a pot with a lid, some kind of eating/cooking utensil, and a bowl or mug. There is a wide range of materials and types of cookware available, GSI makes some of the best ones but there are other options too. I've been using a set my dad picked up at a thrift store that I don't really like for aesthetic reasons but it sure has held up and cooks food just fine! Hubby and I usually just share our meal out of the pot to save on washing dishes and having to carry two bowls.
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| our morel pasta dinner cooked over the fire |
I would hope you already have some clothes you can wear for the trail, I usually wear work-out like tops that are breathable and wick sweat. I layer that with a thin breathable merino wool sweater on cooler days. If its really cold I have some underarmour cold gear leggings and long sleeve layers I use. I don't recommend wearing jeans at all and instead getting a good pair of hiking pants. I wear the same pants for the whole trip...sorta gross but whatever I'm in the wilderness! Most of my clothes came from thrift stores or clearance racks, like I mentioned earlier be on the lookout all year to find the best deals.
Also get at least one or two decent pairs of hiking socks that are designed for being worn in boots. I like my smartwool ones because they are super comfy, wick moister, and have extra padding on the heel and toes. Love them actually. I don't like that they are $17 a pair which is why I only had one pair until yesterday when I broke down and got myself a second set.
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| Don't dry your socks too close to the fire or this might happen. |
Hat
First aid kit
Small shovel and TP (hehe)
Compass
Flashlight
Rope
Bug spray/Sunscreen
Bug nets
Matches/Lighter
Rain gear
Stuff sacks/ziplock bags (I only have one stuff sack and use it for our food, everything else goes into gallon sized ziplock bags which I save and reuse for the next trip)
Knife/hatchet/folding saw
Did I miss anything? Do you have any helpful tips about gathering gear on the cheap? Thanks!
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