3 things

[NellieInez]

I tried the search function and got nothing so here are my three things I am looking for opinions on for a thru-hike. I'm ready to buy the eqip I will be using on the AT so I can start trying out while its cooler down here in FL.

pack
http://www.rei.com/product/779997

tent
http://www.rei.com/product/782657

sleeping bag
http://www.rei.com/product/777919


Thanks again loverlys

[bigcranky]

OK, here are my thoughts:

Pack. 35 liters is about 2200 cubic inches, which is a common daypack size. There are some hikers who can thru-hike with a pack this small, but most use something in the 3500-4000 cubic inch range.

Tent. The Shangri-la is a shaped tarp -- i.e., no floor or bug netting (they cost and weigh extra.) The similar Tarptent Contrail will weigh about the same as the Shangri-la, but includes a floor and bug netting.

Bag: not a bad choice for a synthetic bag -- especially for the price. But it's close to 4 pounds -- and it'll fill that pack all by itself!!! (Synthetics don't stuff very small.) Depending on when you plan to start, a 25-F rated bag may be ok, or it may be cold.

[bigcranky]

Sorry if that came across as too negative. Do you have an REI nearby where you can try on some of this stuff? Or maybe you can make the pilgrimage to Neel's Gap to Mountain Crossings? (The store is better than the web site, I promise.) It makes a nice weekend in the mountains.

[NellieInez]

no problem with the negative. I would much rather it be negative here and not after I paid for it. I'm not a hiker, I'm a camper. lol. I have the biggest, heaviest, comfiest stuff money can buy, lol. This is so diff for me. I'm just trying to figure it out. Thanks for your help!

[tammons]

My thoughts exactly

The pack is too small, bag is too heavy.

If you are going to only use a tarp you will need something for the bug in the summer. Bivy, head net, but tent or something.

+35dF is a bit light for a complete thru hike. 20-25 would be better.

My choice would be either a mariposa plus or a ULA pack, but you need to figure out how much volume you need first. Both more expensive than what you linked.

For a sleeping bag if you must have synthetic a Eureka casper is a 15dF synthetic bag but its tight and a bit bulky 2#15oz.
My preference for synthetic would be a 15dF ultralamina.
More expensive though.

You could get a campmor 20dF down bag for about $120 and it weighs 2#4oz and would compact better.

If you want extra bag water protection put together a tyvek bivy.

A good sleeping pad is as important as the bag. For a cold start, 2 blue pads or a pad and a short thermarest 3 works. Another option is a neoair, very expensive but comfy.

As for full tents, you could get a regular spitfire and replace the stakes with titanium. Thats about $100 and weighs 2#10oz. Its not real roomy and does not have a real vestibule. The door is on the left side. Its tight but it works and it is cheap. Best suited for people under 6'.

I have read of people having problems with the UL version of that tent. I have never had any probelms with mine.

Ideally you would probably want a tarptent moment at 29oz but more expensive.

For SUL a gatewood cape/tarp and bug tent would be ideal. Very light and doubles as raingear. More expensive. uses hiking poles for support.

Gossemer gear the one is supposed to be a good one, although I have not tried one. uses hiking poles for support.

Sublite sil is a light one that uses hiking poles for support.

The sublite, gatewood cape and the one are all short tents. About 7' long.

All of these tents are about 7' long. The spitfire is longer at 9' but the ends are pointed so only good for gear.

[tammons]

That should say bug tent not but tent.
Where is the edit button ??

[Captn]

I wouldn't go below 3200 cu in myself for a thru hike and with that size you should consider a down bag. They synthetic will take up most of the space in your pack.

With a Synth bag you should be looking in the 4000 cu in range if you want to carry a tent.

Myself, I would recommend a ULA pack, a Campmor 20 degree down bag, and a tarptent.

[JTCruiser]

Just my opinions here, FWIW.

First, take a look at the ULA Catalyst. You can get expert help in fitting it from Winton at Mountain Crossings, Neels Gap, over the phone. It is more expensive than the bag you are looking at, but it is a lot better bag for the intended use, and over 2000+ miles, the difference in cost won't seem important.

Next, if you want to be comfy, and your post indicated that that is important to you, consider a hammock. Lots of people are thru-hiking with hammocks now (see Certain's trail journal, for example, http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=4316). They aren't for everyone, but then neither is uneven ground or shelter floors--I know which I prefer. You can get lots of help at www.hammockforums.net.

Think about a down bag instead of synthetic--better warmth/weight ratio, packs smaller.

Get in some substantial section hikes between now and next Spring--that will shake out your gear really well.

Good luck!

[Hooch]

Do yourself a favor and buy your pack last! It should be nearly the last purchase you make. Why? How do you know how big you need it until you know what all is going in it? Then take it from there. Good luck!

[Kerosene]

I agree with the comments above, but I'll be less politically correct:

• The sleeping bag is much too heavy for long-distance backpacking
• The pack is much too small (the sleeping bag would fill most of it!)
• For the weight and your expertise, you would do better with a floored tent or perhaps a hammock

However, you'll almost certainly pay a lot more for these 3 important items. You might want to consider borrowing some gear to make sure you really want to backpack before you step up to lighter weight gear (you really want to keep your total pack weight below 20% of your bodyweight).

If you are going to go out and buy gear, here are my recommendations:

• Pack: Granite Gear Meridian Vapor Ki ($200, 3 lbs, women's fit)
• Sleeping Bag: Campmor 20F down bag ($120, 2.25 lbs)
• Tent: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo ($235, 23 oz)

You'll get a lot of other opinions on this, and there are a lot of good alternatives to the above, but all of the opinions can get confusing to sort through.

[ShelterLeopard]

I completely agree with Cranky on the tent idea. Might as well go for one with netting and a floor- I think you'll be glad you did. As for the sleeping bag- what time of year are you starting? I mean, that is a pretty heavy bag for not a great system of warmth. I'm getting a 15 degree bag that's about a pound and a half. 3 lbs+ is really a lot. It doesn't seem like it now, but it is.

[ShelterLeopard]

Just read Kerosen's post. True- the pack is very small, and I doubt that sleeping bag will fit. I'll be a lot more helpful and positive when I reread and post again here tomorrow morning.

[NellieInez]

I give up! lol. Ill be the one on the trail 2010 with a pink snuggie and a tarp.

[skinewmexico]

Something that would really help is knowing how much you want to spend. But i would second tammons pack choices, my Mariposa is one of my most comfortable packs. I use my ULA packs more, because where I live, everything has sharp corners or spines, and they take overloading a little better. I think the ULA Catalyst is too big, but the Circuit is perfect. I think Tarptent has several great tent choices, especially the Moment, and the SMD Lunar Solo is great (big footprint, but I like mine). I'd take a Campmor down back over any synthetic, you lose too much warmth my the continued stuffing of a synthetic. For grins, I just picked up a Luxurylite down bag on closeout for $99. They are factory seconds that were overfilled with down, apparently. Sure worth a shot, I've been happy with the underfilled factory seconds I got from them.

[Captn]

The Campmor bag is probably the best down bag "value" out there if you don't want to spend a lot. My Son and my Wife have one. It's a cool Purple color too

I use a ULA conduit but most people go with the next size up.

I use a Hennesey Hammock these days, but I used a Eureka tent to start with then a Tarp Tent for 3 or 4 years. Went from 5 lbs to 2 lbs on the tent.

I would second several points ... buy your pack last. See how much gear you have. Also ... take a number of shake down hikes and you may even car camp with your gear first.

I would recommend an Alcohol stove and one simple small pot, along with a spoon for your only utensil.

A Poncho makes good rain gear. Get one that you can make a tarp out of so you have an emergency shelter as well. Golite and Integral Designs make good ones.

One word - Silnylon. Yes, Silnylon can be your friend.

Don't go crazy with the first aid kit ... small is better. I carry some bandages, a small tube of antibiotic cream, some butterfly closures, and a few pills. I also have some duct tape wrapped around the top of the shaft of my hiking pole. The all purpose band aid.

Aquafina or Gatoraid bottles for water can save you both weight and cash.

I prefer to use Aquamira water treatment over a filter, the 20 minutes I have to wait is about the time I use to futz with the filter anyway.

Leave most of the clothes at home ... you're on the trail, not in a fashion shoot. You'll see most thru-hikers carry at most one change of clothes.

OUNCES count! Fight for every ounce you can.

[Spokes]

........Or maybe you can make the pilgrimage to Neel's Gap to Mountain Crossings? (The store is better than the web site, I promise.) It makes a nice weekend in the mountains.

Yes! Definitely try to do this. Winton will give you honest no-pressure feedback. Just be sure to bring everything else you intend to take on the hike when you go.

Here's a primer article (see page 4):

http://www.backpacker.com/november_0...articles/12659

Good luck!

[bigcranky]

I give up! lol. Ill be the one on the trail 2010 with a pink snuggie and a tarp.

Please don't give up. There are plenty of resources here, and the combined long distance hiking experience of Whiteblaze members is substantial. Understand two things:

1. There is no perfect gear.

2. Never forget rule #1.

Kerosene listed three suggestions. All of them are good choices. If you asked 50 Whiteblaze members, you would get 100 different sets of gear. Here are mine, to simplify things:

1. Pack. Six Moons Designs Starlite with the optional aluminum stays. 30 ounces, $175.
2. Tent. Tarptent Rainbow (solo model.) 34 ounces, $225.
3. Bag. Montbell Ultralight Super Stretch #1. 36 ounces, $380, on sale at the link for $305. Yes, it's freaking expensive. What can I say? I believe in carrying the best possible sleeping bag in case the you-know-what hits the fan.
4. Sleeping pad. It needs to fit in the pad pocket on the SMD Starlite pack. I would recommend the Thermarest Prolite Plus women's pad. Warm, comfortable, reasonably light. You NEED to get a good night's sleep on the trail.

[tammons]

I think a pink snuggie would do fine for hiking as long as you didn't wear anything underneath.

You would gather quite a following.

Seriously, one might make a good hot weather sleeper if it was long enough to cover your feet.

[NellieInez]

thank you guys for all the info so far! I cant believe I'm actually being encouraged on the snuggie, idea....I just might, lol.


I promise I dont really give up though.


But now, I have found this
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/pro...s_sprint_f.cfm
I am intrigued, considering a lot of my day hikes, I actually do barefoot with my shoes in my back pack!

[Turtle2]

I hiked with a 3000ci pack and didn't have room for cold weather gear. It was jammed. Go with a larger pack after you get your other gear.