Camping/Hiking/Survival Gear question?
- on 03.03.10
- Hiking Gear
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Is there an brand known more then others for having virutally indestructible gear. I am in need of boots, socks, pants, shirt, hiking pack, tent, sleeping bag.
I know brands like North Face and others are heavily marketed but are those what the pros use.
For example what kind or gear do the real deal hikers and extended campers use?
Thanks
this site seems to have everything one would need…but clothes..and the selection is not overwhelming like other sites. so if anyone wants to take a look around and make some recommendations that would be swell
http://www.survivalequipment.net/
Traditionally Colman comes to mind for gear, ie lanterns, stoves, tents a lot of their stuff made well over 50 years ago is still working fine specially their stoves and lanterns. Can’t say the same for their tents, bags and such as stuff is made to ware out any more so you will come back and buy the newest thing.
High technology gear (not the brand name) has a lot of competition and I look at the ratings gear gets by those that have used it, and the price. I am willing to spend a bit extra for quality but paying extra does not mean you always get quality.
Tents are a good example of that tents can vary from $30 to $800 for a two man tent they are all pretty much made from the same type of fabrics and all are made in china, india or pakistan. Sure there are added value features but all wear out the same, leak the same rip the same. So I look at what suits my needs and gives me the best warranty and again Colman leads in all area’s, price, quality, and guaranty,
Usually top end stores like REI will sell the most popular products out there but again popular does not mean best. Aluminum plates for camping is an example. They sell a plate for $6 and an old pie tin is free. So in other words shop around for what suits your needs and always look for something cheaper that works the same as the expensive shelf product.
I personally like using surplus gear like combat boots (mine are US mil AIWA my wife likes her timberlands), cammies (I get WAY less mosquito bites with camo on and don’t show dirt as much), thick hiking socks over dress socks or knee stockings (avoids blisters), our family bags are rated to 30 degrees and we have a couple tents of the "dome" type which are easy to setup.
For day hiking a normal book bag and for packing we use internal frame packs, but external are ok too.
A water filter is very important also, in this case go with a pur pump.
Other than the filter (and weapons) name brand doesn’t really matter that much. If it’s comfortable and works for you go for it =)
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30 years backpacking and hiking
I would use North face, they have good stuff
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Traditionally Colman comes to mind for gear, ie lanterns, stoves, tents a lot of their stuff made well over 50 years ago is still working fine specially their stoves and lanterns. Can’t say the same for their tents, bags and such as stuff is made to ware out any more so you will come back and buy the newest thing.
High technology gear (not the brand name) has a lot of competition and I look at the ratings gear gets by those that have used it, and the price. I am willing to spend a bit extra for quality but paying extra does not mean you always get quality.
Tents are a good example of that tents can vary from $30 to $800 for a two man tent they are all pretty much made from the same type of fabrics and all are made in china, india or pakistan. Sure there are added value features but all wear out the same, leak the same rip the same. So I look at what suits my needs and gives me the best warranty and again Colman leads in all area’s, price, quality, and guaranty,
Usually top end stores like REI will sell the most popular products out there but again popular does not mean best. Aluminum plates for camping is an example. They sell a plate for $6 and an old pie tin is free. So in other words shop around for what suits your needs and always look for something cheaper that works the same as the expensive shelf product.
References :
been there bought that
http://www.rei.com/
L.L. Bean has good high quality items, especially clothing. There is a company call Coghlan’s that has cheap camping/survival gear that I have found to be good quality. Camelbak has good hydration packs good for all sorts of things. Just look around at Army Surplus stores and Hiking/Hunting/Camping stores.
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Talk about a synchro…. I am just trying to locate boots that they wear when doing those Artic/Antartica treks. If I can solve this cold feet thing, I think I can get rid of my woodstove.
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I personally have found Marmot to be very good. I have spent a lot of time in the back country over the years and have used a wide variety of their products. They have always performed very well. I am getting ready to replace my zero degree down sleeping bag after ten years of use, about 450 nights in all kinds of conditions.
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