Wise purchase?

[skinnbones]

I bought the Gregory Baltoro 65 pack and the Marmot Tungsten 1 person tent. Wise purchase or did they see me coming?

[Jeronimo!]

I thru hiked with a baltoro 65 , ditched the brain but absolutely love it

[4shot]

You will have plenty of people here shortly to tell you that you should have bought brand X pack or brand C tent instead of what you bought. Don't worry about it...just go use what you bought. just remember that it is probably better and lighter what most people carried just a few years ago. once you are on a trail, nobody worries about the name on the gear (so long as it is of high quality, which is what you have). The incessant back and forth worrying about which gear is better is exclusively an internet past time. quit worrying and go hiking.

[Hosh]

You will have plenty of people here shortly to tell you that you should have bought brand X pack or brand C tent instead of what you bought. Don't worry about it...just go use what you bought. just remember that it is probably better and lighter what most people carried just a few years ago. once you are on a trail, nobody worries about the name on the gear (so long as it is of high quality, which is what you have). The incessant back and forth worrying about which gear is better is exclusively an internet past time. quit worrying and go hiking.

+1000, hike your hike and enjoy the flowers

[Malto]

Why would it not be wise?

[AlyontheAT2016]

Just don't try to fill it up completely unless you want a really heavy pack (i.e. 40+ lbs)

[Secondmouse]

do you have the new (2015) Baltoro? I have the previous model that is heavier and even more bombproof (if you can believe that...).

I'll say this - it's not a lightweight but I doubt there is any more comfortable pack for me, and I looked plenty. because I often take kids with me, I end up carrying way more weight than is reasonable and this pack handles it perfectly. I've had it for two years and it still could pass for new.

I doubt anyone will mistake this pack for a thru- or section- hiker pack, but if I was headed into the wilderness to stay for awhile, this is the pack I'd want.

if you're young and in good shape, an extra pound is not going to make enough difference to matter. and if this is your first pack, eventually you'll refine your own needs, tastes, and style and maybe end up with something else.

in any case, I wouldn't sweat it, you could have done a lot worse...

[Gambit McCrae]

The gear is of good branding. I would have encouraged a smaller volume pack and perhaps a cottage company brand, but Gregory makes great gear. I have their contour pack from a year or so ago. I haven't ever dealt with Marmot, I see them in the hipster brand group along with north face and Patagonia. Which I own both brands of.

[Another Kevin]

The Baltoro is kind of heavy, but its suspension is top-notch and it's bombproof. Not a stupid puirchase at all, if it suits your hiking style.

Ditto the Marmot Tungsten tent. It's heavy, but freestanding and quick and easy to pitch. I chose to go with a lighter and more fragile, trekking-pole-supported tent instead, because I hike with poles anyway and it was a couple of pounds lighter.

The gear you mention is more on the 'traditionalist' than the 'ultralight' side of things. Nothing wrong with that if that's how you roll.. (If you don't know how you roll yet, you'll be replacing your gear at least once anyway, because everyone does as they learn what their style actually is and what they want the gear to do.)

[DuneElliot]

Definitely on the heavy side for both, but the tent was well priced.

[martinb]

Solid choices. Use the gear in the field, decide what you like and don't like, and make improvements.

[Hangfire]

Your pack and tent selection are just fine, it's your 2 burner coleman stove that you will catch grief for :-)

Enjoy your hike, and remember to look back and laugh at all the things that drove you crazy in preparation!

[MuddyWaters]

I bought the Gregory Baltoro 65 pack and the Marmot Tungsten 1 person tent. Wise purchase or did they see me coming?

Wise??


No.


The very fact you are looking for feedback means you are admitting to making an uninformed purchase, which is among the dumbest things that you can do. Regardless of suitability of the gear.

What did you pay?
What will you use it for?
What does you total kit weigh?
What are your needs, and desires?
Do you accept the inherent drawbacks?
Does pack fit you well?
Have you tried it with your carried weight?


All these things, and more, factor into a "wise" purchase.
If you make an informed purchase, you wont seek others feedback on it, or have questions, you will know the answers before you buy.

[4shot]

Wise??


No.


The very fact you are looking for feedback means you are admitting to making an uninformed purchase, which is among the dumbest things that you can do. Regardless of suitability of the gear.

What did you pay?
What will you use it for?
What does you total kit weigh?
What are your needs, and desires?
Do you accept the inherent drawbacks?
Does pack fit you well?
Have you tried it with your carried weight?


All these things, and more, factor into a "wise" purchase.
If you make an informed purchase, you wont seek others feedback on it, or have questions, you will know the answers before you buy.

otoh, a person has to start somewhere. you cannot begin with the answers. that comes from experience. which you cannot gain without jumping into the fray. his gear is a wise purchase for someone just beginning as they represent generally well regarded manufacturers. Perhaps there ARE better options but that is purely a matter of opinion.

the fact of the matter is, there is no "right" answer to the gear questions you or he ask. that is why everyone carries different packs/tents/hammocks/bags/ec.. If there was a right answer, we would all have the same things. I do agree with you on one thing - once you log enough miles you won't ask (nor care) for others opinions regarding the stuff you carry.

[MuddyWaters]

otoh, a person has to start somewhere. you cannot begin with the answers. that comes from experience. which you cannot gain without jumping into the fray. his gear is a wise purchase for someone just beginning as they represent generally well regarded manufacturers. Perhaps there ARE better options but that is purely a matter of opinion.

New people ask for feedback on gear all the time, or advice, before they buy. At least the ones not wanting to spend money twice do. Many prople get excited and make major purchases on impulse, and regret it and purchase new gear after only 0-300 miles. Especially packs and shoes. Then they dump heavier tents too.

It might be great gear for a person, but buying it uninformed would still be stupid . like marrying a stranger because they are a member of opposite sex

There is difference between a "wise" purchase, and a "good" one.

[Deadeye]

I still can't understand why anyone would ask for opinions after the purchase.

[4shot]

I still can't understand why anyone would ask for opinions after the purchase.

again, i think it is fairly simple and obvious....not enough experience to trust one's own opinion on the topic. This is not harsh or unfair, we were all in the same boat at one point. Just for grins and giggles, check out the thru hikers forum. If we all had a dime for every thread over there that starts with "please critique my gear list" we would all be rich.

[alnitak]

I don't have the experience of everyone in this forum, but the Baltoro 65 is a great pack. I strongly considered it, and the Osprey Aether in 60L and 70L. (I went with the Aether 70L as I got it for less than half-price new off eBay). My input is that backpacks are like many things -- golf clubs (driver vs. sandwedge vs putter), cars (sports car vs. pick-up hauler vs. family minivan), guitars (travel vs. acoustic, vs. electric axe), etc. No one pack will do everything and you will find yourself with multiple packs over time -- a day pack, an ultralight, a backcountry hauler, etc. I chose the Aether, knowing it will be a few years until I retire, at which time I will get an UL pack (with the then newest material). Until then, I will use the Aether for weekend trips with the family, week-long fishing/camping trips, and section hikes. The Baltoro will last a lifetime and will serve many purposes...good choice!

[Deadeye]

again, i think it is fairly simple and obvious....not enough experience to trust one's own opinion on the topic. This is not harsh or unfair, we were all in the same boat at one point. Just for grins and giggles, check out the thru hikers forum. If we all had a dime for every thread over there that starts with "please critique my gear list" we would all be rich.

Oops - I hit send. Usually I rant, then delete. I'm trying to keep my posts helpful, and follow Mom's edict: if you don't have anything nice/helpful to say, shut the @#$% up. I don't think that's exactly how she said it, but it was clear what she meant!

[alnitak]

Since I can't seem to edit my post, I will just add that for me, a thru-hike will only be feasible when I retire, so no need for me to go all UL in a big way until I have the time to do LR hiking. Until then, a more jack-of-all-trades pack is better.