View Full Version : Compulsive gear buying: There comes a time that you have to admit you have a problem.
Sarcasm the elf
05-16-2012, 22:32
One of the problems with being a section hiker is that I have a lot more time to think about hiking than I do to actually hike. This results in a lot of time questioning gear choices and rethinking strategy. Combine this with a lack of will-power and a credit card and it creates a problem.
I have backpacked a few hundred miles over the last four years and my girlfriend and my German Wire-haired Pointer have tagged along on a lot of the trips. In doing so I had purchased several packs for the three of us, trying to find the right fit. It wasn't until we got back from my first trip to Mountain Crossings, that I dug out all of the packs we've gone through in the the last few years and realized that maybe, just maybe I have a problem with compulsively buying gear.
Normally I wouldn't admit to making a mistake, but I live in an 850 square foot cottage and the gear has taken over!
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/2/6/4/6/5/img_0231_thumb.jpg (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=51259)
With that said, I thought I'd ask my fellow WBers. How much gear have you bought, and how much of it was out of boredom vs. necessity?
rocketsocks
05-16-2012, 22:38
I realy don't have a lot of gear,but have bought a few things along the way,and none of them have anything to do with carring a wood burning stove,I agree,you gotta check yourself....try 1-800-Pac-krat
When I was working in town it was a case of "diversion" more than boredom.
I would leave my office and cross the road to play with outdoor gear just to clear my mind, so I ended up buying all sort of stuff that I never used.
Since then it is a bit more about boredom but usually curiosity.
For example in the bush I use the Caldera Cone (but used gas before that and occasionally still do) but I have purchased the wood burning Backcountry boiler and have on order the Bio Lite stove as well as the Power Pot so that I can try them out.
However because tents are my main interest I have more of those than any other type of gear.
Franco
Sarcasm the elf
05-16-2012, 22:48
When I was working in town it was a case of "diversion" more than boredom.
I would leave my office and cross the road to play with outdoor gear just to clear my mind, so I ended up buying all sort of stuff that I never used.
Since then it is a bit more about boredom but usually curiosity.
For example in the bush I use the Caldera Cone (but used gas before that and occasionally still do) but I have purchased the wood burning Backcountry boiler and have on order the Bio Lite stove as well as the Power Pot so that I can try them out.
However because tents are my main interest I have more of those than any other type of gear.
Franco
That reminds me, I need to order a TT Rainbow. (Seriously)
I'm back up to 14 shelters and about to get another AND not a TT...
(again not really for me to use but to experiment with...)
Apart from that I am the most normal guy in my house.
Franco
rocketsocks
05-16-2012, 23:14
About two years ago I finally pitched 3 packs that were framed and had many things wrong with them,was able to turn all that into one good one,looked at it for a year or so,then pitched it as well.Most of the gear that I have had over the years was stuff I picked up at a yard sale or the trash,some I was able to work with and fix up,others were eventually thrown out for someone else to scavenge.I'm trying hard not to be a collector of things anymore.....tryin.
kayak karl
05-16-2012, 23:36
im done. bought a cuben tarp 2 years ago. anything else is just replacing small stuff that wares out. FINALLY :)
rocketsocks
05-16-2012, 23:47
One thing is for sure,all AWB (After White Blaze)purchases will be more thought out than BWB(Before White Blaze).
OutdoorsMan
05-16-2012, 23:48
Wow! You do have a lot of gear. With two boys in Scouts, my credit card has been overused at REI and other places. One of my boys definately has the backpacking bug and the other may still get it. We have 5 backpacking tents and a couple of car camping tents. The boys do have quality gear - Osprey Aether packs, Big Agnes sleeping pads, good REI sleeping bags, Merrell boots, titanium pots, etc. so they should be good to go on trips thru college and beyond.
With college expenses pressing down on us I have had to say "whoa" to buying new gear though we are all interested in hammock hanging and hope to go that route sometime.
I don't feel guilty about having a lot of gear though because we do use it and I feel good about us participating in a healthy activity.
Big Dawg
05-17-2012, 00:00
I'm right there w/ ya elf. My quest to lighten the load is what seems to drive my obsession. I'm quite happy with the current "kit" I've assembled. The extras are what outfits people who go w/ me from time to time. My 19 year old niece just enjoyed her first backpacking experience at Grayson Highlands VA, and part of that enjoyment was the light pack full of gear that she had on her back, courtesy of your truely!!
I have enough gear to take me and 3 people I don't like hiking.
For example in the bush I use the Caldera Cone (but used gas before that and occasionally still do) but I have purchased the wood burning Backcountry boiler and have on order the Bio Lite stove as well as the Power Pot so that I can try them out.
If you dont want your backcountry boiler :bananaand want to get rid of it let me know. They are out of production now and no word when they will be available again. How does yours work and how much does it weigh? I could go with a kelly kettle.:confused:
hikerboy57
05-17-2012, 07:25
ive finally gotten to the point that although i still visit ems and rei regularly cause im hopelessly addicted to the shopping for gear part, i have successfully exited both stores emptyhanded 3 times each in the last two months!i have 3 backpacks, 3 day packs, 2 tents, 4 bags 3 pads, and miscellaneous bits and pieces.
coach lou
05-17-2012, 07:56
I think I've mentioned the "Non essential camping gear" corner/pile/shelves, in our garage. I should have a tag sale...we could go to St. John again!
LOL. I can so relate. Too much time working and making money. Not enough trail time. Guess it is a function of age. Right now I still scratch my head way too much. Have two packs ready to go and another reserve. Plus the excuse that "The kids and their friends can always put this to use" Lets face they can handle more weight (stuff) Right now the tent thing is paramont in my mind. Finally thinking maybe I should get one that uses poles. Maybe a Six moons design? But which one works best in this New England rain. Then the big stove question. I have like 5. And if I could just find that perfect sleeping bag. Lost count how many I've given away let alone have in house. I keep the current equipment in my bedroom and have the extra's pile in the living room and the regular car camping stuff in the cellar. But hey it sure beats drinking.
Capt Nat
05-17-2012, 08:26
I don't do it out of boredom. When I'm having a bad time or feel bad about something, I reward myself with a new piece of gear. I can't afford to be depressed very often!!!
coach lou
05-17-2012, 08:31
I don't do it out of boredom. When I'm having a bad time or feel bad about something, I reward myself with a new piece of gear. I can't afford to be depressed very often!!!
"Retail Therapy"
Here is a video of my gear for backpacking. The black plastic bags are a number of different first layers and socks. The sleeping bags are not shown. The audio is a McNett video on internet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnjUD4EfEoU
I was embarrassed, when I made the video: I was organizing my gear for storage.
I don't have a gear closet. I have a 10' x 12' storage rental.
Here is a photo of my gear for kayaking. The kayak and carbon fiber kayak paddle are not shown. Obviously, I got into kayaking for river float trips with camping so I could have more gear.
15998
I also got into bicycling as an extension of backpacking to have more gear.
Except for computer stuff (gear) and tools to keep my vehicles running (gear) I don't have much else.
I want to build my own small house so I can have more gear.
Is this shameless?
I feel positively virtuous having this UL gear.
skinewmexico
05-17-2012, 09:45
I have enough gear to take me and 3 people I don't like hiking.
Only 3? I bet I could do 6. I went thru about 4 rounds of lightening up. Some day I need to dump all my traditional stuff from places like REI. I'd take it back and swap it if they had anything useful. I have finally reached the point (after my new Stratosphire 2) where there isn't anything I really want (need has nothing to do with it). So, like the poster above...............I've started buying bike gear. Still hiding my new 650b mountain bike at the office, until I come up with a good story for the wife.
OMG, I may have become materialistic.
ive finally gotten to the point that although i still visit ems and rei regularly cause im hopelessly addicted to the shopping for gear part, i have successfully exited both stores emptyhanded 3 times each in the last two months!i have 3 backpacks, 3 day packs, 2 tents, 4 bags 3 pads, and miscellaneous bits and pieces.
i think this is the best we gear junkies can hope for... if you only buy wonderful gear, you do eventually run out of things to crave. it does certainly get to the point where the stuff you still want is only made by elves in cottages and isn't available in a big store. i will admit that i am trying to talk myself out of buying a wood burning stove... as a section hiker who can always plan easy resupply, alcohol just makes more sense for me. Still, those stoves are so....................................
funny thing is, most of the posters are relatively old hikers. the longer you have a hobby, the more hobby stuff hubby has. say that three times quickly.
hikerboy57
05-17-2012, 11:57
i think just the shppping for gear experience keeps us closert to the trail during the times we're off trail. for the same reasons im hopelessly addicted to WB.
whats my byline again?did have a great weekend in so.western MA last week, though 3 days of therapy and the trails and weather wwere great, although the black flies are already out.not too bad yet.
atraildreamer
05-17-2012, 14:22
Does that cat in the picture go on hikes with you? (Great way to keep the shelter mice away!)
What kind of wood stove? I was thinking about picking one of those up to try ?
What kind of wood stove? I was thinking about picking one of those up to try ?
Either zelph's or qi wiz's ...both white blazers.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
Live_for_hiking
05-17-2012, 16:27
ive finally gotten to the point that although i still visit ems and rei regularly cause im hopelessly addicted to the shopping for gear part, i have successfully exited both stores emptyhanded 3 times each in the last two months!i have 3 backpacks, 3 day packs, 2 tents, 4 bags 3 pads, and miscellaneous bits and pieces.
That is almost me to a T. Add in multiple cook sets, stoves, water bladders, a 3-man tent (to go along with my solo and 2-man tents), different layering options .... and it would be identical. Funny, I'm thinking about a lighter 2-man tent as I type this ....
Mountain Mike
05-17-2012, 17:56
Hi, My name is mike & I am a gear junkie!
I have finally reached the point (after my new Stratosphire 2) where there isn't anything I really want
Yes sure... me too.
I was perfectly happy with my shelters , then HS made the Notch...
There is a really good side to having multiple bits and that is you can (as outlined by several) lend gear to others .
I love when ,for example , I give a 2 lbs sleeping bag to someone that has a 3-4 lbs bag three times larger or a 2 lbs pack to a guy that has a 5 lbs version...
Franco
rocketsocks
05-17-2012, 20:56
Hi, My name is mike & I am a gear junkie!Hi Mike,hey mike,yo mikey sit here,What up yo,first time?It does have to be this way mike.
I too have curebed my buying
Big Dawg
05-17-2012, 23:39
I was perfectly happy with my shelters , then HS made the Notch...
no doubt...........
Sarcasm the elf
05-17-2012, 23:47
That reminds me, I need to order a TT Rainbow. (Seriously)
I have finally reached the point (after my new Stratosphire 2) where there isn't anything I really want
Yes sure... me too.
I was perfectly happy with my shelters , then HS made the Notch...
Franco, I am probably going to order a TT Rainbow tomorrow however people keep posting about how much they love the Notch and I want to make sure I'm picking the right tent. Are there any features on the Notch that give it a major advantage over the Rainbow in your opinion? I originally decided on the Rainbow because it can be made to be freestanding and because of the truly square floor size that makes it a 1+ person tent ( for myself plus my largish dog who stays inside the tent), do you know how the Notch compares on these two points?
i'll send you a PM so that we don't bore others to tears with TT comments..
Franco
Sarcasm the elf
05-18-2012, 22:02
One of the problems with being a section hiker is that I have a lot more time to think about hiking than I do to actually hike. This results in a lot of time questioning gear choices and rethinking strategy. Combine this with a lack of will-power and a credit card and it creates a problem.
I have backpacked a few hundred miles over the last four years and my girlfriend and my German Wire-haired Pointer have tagged along on a lot of the trips. In doing so I had purchased several packs for the three of us, trying to find the right fit. It wasn't until we got back from my first trip to Mountain Crossings, that I dug out all of the packs we've gone through in the the last few years and realized that maybe, just maybe I have a problem with compulsively buying gear.
Normally I wouldn't admit to making a mistake, but I live in an 850 square foot cottage and the gear has taken over!
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/2/6/4/6/5/img_0231_thumb.jpg (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=51259)
With that said, I thought I'd ask my fellow WBers. How much gear have you bought, and how much of it was out of boredom vs. necessity?
This is kind of sad to admit, but I just went though my gear looking for my set of Connecticut maps and discovered that I have more packs that didn't make the photo...
slovakiasteph
05-20-2012, 14:25
I'm doing my first gear cleanout (mostly because I need some cash). Do I really need three tents? No... although I like all of them and they serve different purposes. Sniff.
I do have a habit of buying gear... it's so much fun! Spent a bit too much this year, which is why some of it has to go!
rocketsocks
05-20-2012, 18:32
This is kind of sad to admit, but I just went though my gear looking for my set of Connecticut maps and discovered that I have more packs that didn't make the photo...Elf,I guess the big looming question would be,how many different types of toilet paper do you bring at one,if the anwser is one,than you don't have a problem,you just have found a different use for each of the packs...nothing wrong with that.
Those who can't hike… shop.
My next trip isn't til September—other than car camping with the family. So, my credit card has been getting abused with senseless and somewhat sensible gear purchases. New pack, bag, clothes, stove, yadda, yadda, yadda.
theinfamousj
05-22-2012, 16:18
I have four sleeping pads (three are torso length and of them, one is inflatable), 5 tents (2 two person, 3 one person), two packs, 4 wood burning stoves, 2 gas stoves, at least three alcohol stoves (though I may be surprised if I actually look in my gear locations), more pots than I can know what to do with, only one complete set of hiking clothes, and slightly fewer than a gazillion bandanas. But just one sleeping bag. So, there's that.
In my defense, I will argue that I live near three different REIs who conveniently hold garage sales on different weekends. As a result, my friends and I made camping out for the garage sales into a fun social outing (in the winter) and with my gear repair skills, I just couldn't pass up $15 tents that needed to be stitched, patched, and/or seam sealed and a $20 Jetboil (2nd gen) that simply needed a new ignition that the Jetboil folks provided free of charge, and a $40 Osprey Atomos that was returned because the previous owner "used one weekend and didn't like color."
Could I RESIST if I lived near three REI stores?
hikerboy57
05-22-2012, 18:06
Resistance is futile.
I have been backpacking for about 8 years now, no idea the mileage but I have done a fair amount. I am somewhat new to UL so I am currently about to buy a new Jam pack and a new sleeping bag I think but besides that I have two stoves(MSR Dragonfly, Snowpeak Gigapower), two sets of cookwear(old texsport, gsi soloist), three packs(rei lookout 20, Kelty Tornado 4900, random outdoor products plastic external frame pack), a siltarp, a hennessey Hammock, an OR bivy, an expedition tent(never been used), and a new Alps Zephyr 2 because I now have a girl I am hiking with and 3 dogs. She is garunteed to buy more stuff in the future just got her a z-lite pad, and i have a few camelpaks. Everything I bought was for a reason. I got the basics now its time to upgrade but after this I don't plan on getting anything for a while. P.S. Golite is having a 50% off everything spring sale(they are out of a bunch of stuff but just sayin...)
Pringles
05-22-2012, 22:17
So I wanted to get a map of the next section I was going to hike. I went to the web site and found my map. The map was only about $4, and the postage on a map would be $1. While I was looking, I found they (Antigravity Gear) were offering a deal where you got free shipping if you bought something like $50 worth of stuff. But they had TENT PORN right there on the front page. A Six Moons Design something or other. It was all decked out and pretty looking. TENT PORN, I'm telling you. If I bought the Scout version, I'd get free Tyvek and free Titanium stakes, and the tent would bump me to free shipping. And now I have 25 tents in my 965 square foot home. They keep the stoves and kayaks and paddles and sleeping bags and cooking pots and kits company.
I'm Beth, and I have a problem. :-)
rocketsocks
05-22-2012, 22:28
So I wanted to get a map of the next section I was going to hike. I went to the web site and found my map. The map was only about $4, and the postage on a map would be $1. While I was looking, I found they (Antigravity Gear) were offering a deal where you got free shipping if you bought something like $50 worth of stuff. But they had TENT PORN right there on the front page. A Six Moons Design something or other. It was all decked out and pretty looking. TENT PORN, I'm telling you. If I bought the Scout version, I'd get free Tyvek and free Titanium stakes, and the tent would bump me to free shipping. And now I have 25 tents in my 965 square foot home. They keep the stoves and kayaks and paddles and sleeping bags and cooking pots and kits company.
I'm Beth, and I have a problem. :-)Hi Beth!!!
theinfamousj
05-23-2012, 01:13
Could I RESIST if I lived near three REI stores?
What I've learned is that the REIs have different stock based on where they are located. The Durham, NC, REI is what I call the "camping REI" because it has the largest selection of camping things. The (North) Raleigh, NC, REI is the "bicycle REI" because it has the largest selection of bicycles and bicycle related things, though it also has the most camping clothing of the three REIs. The Cary, NC, REI is the "water sports REI" because it has the boats up front and in your face, and more boats out for the touching and feeling than the other REIs.
But yet, I prefer the local, independent outfitters because they get things in stock that REI just doesn't carry. Snowpeak 700 mug pot thing. Eeensy bottles of Dr. Bronners. Strange reusable booties that go over your shoes for those quick in-and-out-of-the-tent trips to keep the tent relatively clean. 550 cord. Etc.
It is a wonder that I haven't spent more money than I have.
...I live near three different REIs who conveniently hold garage sales on different weekends.
REI GARAGE SALES...
I have been to one REI garage sale, in Tualatin, OR. I couldn't believe all the new stuff returns.
In the old days REI Pike Street store had a flood sale. I asked about that. I was shown the sprinkler they used. Needless to say, I was grateful for their "flood sales".
I also got the only pair of used boots I ever purchased off the REI rental rack. They looked brand new. $5 maybe $2.
I have a lot of reasons to like REI even with all the changes.
But, of course, I also shop online and I like cottage industry best of all. White Blaze has a list for cottage industry (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?81415-list-of-cottage-industry-manufacturers).
lvnv1212
05-23-2012, 14:36
I'm done! Have everything I need for my 2013 PCT hike. So, why do I look at sales...and stuff...every day?
dornstar
05-23-2012, 20:31
I'm done! Have everything I need for my 2013 PCT hike. So, why do I look at sales...and stuff...every day?
LOL.
And why are we on a gear forum?
Biggie Master
05-23-2012, 22:04
I love to look at all the new gear (it borders on lust in most cases), but rarely do I buy a "duplicate" item. I just have a hard time giving up my old reliable gear. I have one pack (Osprey), one sleeping bag (Mt Hardware), one tent (Kelty), one hammock (Hennessy), one sleep pad (Thermorest), one stove (MSR), etc. All rock solid, but every piece is about 15 yrs old (except the HH). I think I am probably on the verge of replacing a few items over the next year or so. TT Notch and ULA Circuit are probably at the top of my wish list, but the longer I wait the more possibility for something "new and improved".
LilRedTX
05-23-2012, 22:15
P.S. Golite is having a 50% off everything spring sale(they are out of a bunch of stuff but just sayin...)
It's always exciting to get new gear, but it's an even bigger thrill when one gets it on sale! Thanks for the tip, though I've spent my monthly quota and then some this month, I can not NOT look and see if there's just something I HAVE to have at an unbelievable price!
And yes, I too am a card carrying member of GBA (Gear Buyers Anonymous)
hikerboy57
05-23-2012, 22:46
Ive saved so much money buyinv gear on sale that im broke.
rocketsocks
05-23-2012, 22:51
Ive saved so much money buyinv gear on sale that im broke...........:eek: