View Full Version : EMS Shanty
Experienced outdoorsman and hiker but real newb to backpacking. Looking to get started with some basic, inexpensive gear.
I saw this package at EMS: Shanty Package (http://www.ems.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=4260337)
Pack, tent, bag, and pad for around $270. It looks like a great deal for beginner gear and I have always had great luck with other gear from EMS.
Does anyone have any experience or feedback with this stuff? Other suggestions are welcome. My budget right now for a multi-day pack, tent, and bag is around $300 - tight I know.
Thanks in advance.
Jack Tarlin
06-09-2010, 13:14
$300.00 total for pack, bag, and tent is ineed a tight budget.
On the face of it, the "Shanty" package seems like quite a good deal, tho I would also consider looking into quality used gear, either on E-Bay or similar sites.
But if you can indeed get a tent, pack, bag, and pad for $270.00, this seems pretty good to me. At some point later on, you may wish to switch out to some lighter-weight stuff, but at this point in your hiking career, this sounds OK to me.
(Plus, for many, many years, the part of town where I live in New Hampshire has been referred to by Dartmouth students as "Shantytown". Those of you who have visited will certainly understand this. :D So any gear deal calling itself the "Shanty package" immediately starts out as a sentimental favorite!!).
Mountain Wildman
06-09-2010, 14:13
I agree with Jack, You could probably get quality gear used and set up for around 300, But quality gear is rarely sold cheap, 270 for 426 worth of gear is not bad and you have the basics. Total weight of the Shanty is about 15 1/2 lbs. which is a little heavy but I've seen worse. If you are not in a hurry I would wait and watch Whiteblaze and Steep and Cheap for deals. My basic 4 total around 10 lbs.
But really, 270 for the 4 piece set is pretty good.
ShakeyLeggs
06-09-2010, 15:07
Experienced outdoorsman and hiker but real newb to backpacking. Looking to get started with some basic, inexpensive gear.
I saw this package at EMS: Shanty Package (http://www.ems.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=4260337)
Pack, tent, bag, and pad for around $270. It looks like a great deal for beginner gear and I have always had great luck with other gear from EMS.
Does anyone have any experience or feedback with this stuff? Other suggestions are welcome. My budget right now for a multi-day pack, tent, and bag is around $300 - tight I know.
Thanks in advance.
Does sound like a good deal. As Jack said down the road look into swapping out for better gear.
Ebay and and other sites such as Steep and Cheap (http://www.steepandcheap.com) are good options.
I also see you live in Harrisburg. You might want to take a trip down to Wildware and see what they have in the way of lower priced gear and what they have on sale. Also take a look at their bulletin board as I have found several good deals in used gear there.
Snowleopard
06-09-2010, 15:56
From Campmor:
Campmor brand 20F down sleeping bag:
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40065 $120
Tent:
Tiny 1 person tents: around 3 lb:
Eureka Solitaire:
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___23888 $70
Eureka Spitfire 1 person:
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___23889 $100
Eureka Spitfire 2 person:
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28317 $130
Tarps: Even better for cheap, use a tarp. If there are bugs use a tarp plus a mosquito net:
8'x9.5' coated nylon tarp, $20, about 1.5 lb http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___90552
Mosquito netting $30. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___86660
For a tent, light weight, roomy and cheap -- pick two.
You'll need a sleeping pad, the cheap choice is a blue foam pad from Walmart.
You'll probably want a stove and light weight pot. Cheapest stove google homemade alcohol stove (made from soda can), look in discount and grocery stores for a very light cheap aluminum pot like these: https://www.end2endtrailsupply.com/Imusa_Mugs.html If you want to do real cooking (not just boiling water for instant meals) get a light canister stove like the Snowpeak Giga stove $40 (seems like you ought to be able to get something cheaper): http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___65114
If you're not comfortable with a tarp, the campmor down bag and the Spitfire 1 person tent is $220, leaving you $80 for a pack. Buy pack last and be sure everything fits inside.
Thanks a ton so far...keep 'em coming
I've been to Wildware, personally I didn't find thier prices or selection all that impressive, unless I was missing something (which is entirely possible)
chknfngrs
06-09-2010, 16:56
Understanding the ideals of low-cost shelter, I think EMS may have missed the mark in naming their product a Shanty. Good luck in your search, though!
ShakeyLeggs
06-09-2010, 17:16
Thanks a ton so far...keep 'em coming
I've been to Wildware, personally I didn't find thier prices or selection all that impressive, unless I was missing something (which is entirely possible)
Yea their selection is rather lacking of late. they used to be great but now cater to the look like they hike crowd.
Are you aware that EMS has a store at Park City mall in Lancaster?
Wise Old Owl
06-09-2010, 17:20
Interesting find...
Are you aware that EMS has a store at Park City mall in Lancaster?
Oh very aware, they have a lot of my money in that store over the years. I'm planning on going in to check out the pack in person. Most of thier other stuff is boxed up and hard to check out because the store is so small.
Mrs Baggins
06-09-2010, 19:26
We bought an EMS package like this in 2003 for our son. He wouldn't use any of it now. Everything was far too heavy. Great for car camping but useless for backpacking. He used it twice and suffered for it both times.
ShakeyLeggs
06-09-2010, 20:17
Oh very aware, they have a lot of my money in that store over the years. I'm planning on going in to check out the pack in person. Most of their other stuff is boxed up and hard to check out because the store is so small.
Yea it is a small store and I prolly could get the deed to the store in my name with the amount of cash I have lost in there over the years. :-?:eek:
I soon need to take a run down there and also a run to Campmor.