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  1. #1
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    Default Unsung Hero packs you would use

    Money is always tight and in trying to plan ahead I have a question or 2.

    Is there and unremarkable brand that does the job as well as the high priced ones?

    What would do the job adequately without making the trip miserable.

    Has anyone used a military rucksack to make the journey?


    I am planning a NOBO thru-hike 5-6 years from now.

    I already have a hammock(with straps and carabiners) and compressible blanket I found a deal on for sleeping. I picked up both for $21. Looking at Tyvek house wrap for rain cover(free from construction site)
    I found as a troubled youth that changing your path, required only the strength to step off your current one.

  2. #2
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    I have a question for you. What does "money is always tight" mean to you? Hard to make a suggestion without knowing what is expensive to you. And this will be for a thru hike?

  3. #3

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    A well known 70 yr old grandmother used a laundry bag.

    3 times

    The gear has little to do with sucess

  4. #4
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    I have read Grandma Gatewood's story.

    As far as how tight on the money. My vehicle is already 14 years old and no plans of replacing, I still have a home that needs to be taken care of in my absence, I am looking to be as economical as possible. As stated in my initial post, my sleeping gear was $21. I will most likely find a 2nd/3rd hand pack that I can use if no recommendations here fill the need.

    I will rarely sleep in a place that has a fee associated with it, I don't plan on drinking alcohol nor doing any other recreational's. Food's will not be prepackaged meals as they are to expensive. Fortunately I like plain oatmeal and quinoa.

    We all have the reasons to be there, thus having to Hike Our On Hikes.
    I found as a troubled youth that changing your path, required only the strength to step off your current one.

  5. #5
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    To find something in that price range about the only place will be one of the second hand stores. I don't think you should be too worried about brand. Doesn't sound like you are a brand name kind of person anyway. Just look for something that fits and is in decent shape. Good luck!

  6. #6
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    Buy the backpack LAST.
    When you have EVERYTHING else on hand shop for a backpack.
    Walmart, Amazon, Academy Sports, etc. will have suitable 50 liter - 70 liter packs new and available for fitting. Usually under $100. Sometimes WAY less.
    WhiteBlaze For Sale occasionally has the suitable older ugly duckling pack in your price range.
    Thrift Stores, college students, Craig’s list, etc. are places to look. Garage sales too.
    Good luck!
    Wayne

  7. #7
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    Default

    PS:
    You could starve to death trying to Thru Hike on oatmeal and quinoa. Budget for protein, nuts, nut butters, calorie dense foods.
    Cheers!
    Wayne

  8. #8
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    Oh I plan on those also, just able to be happy with basics. I am planning on getting in several week to 3 week hikes before setting out. Thinking of doing Pinhoti in both directions before the AT. Get my nutrition under control there

    Quote Originally Posted by Venchka View Post
    PS:
    You could starve to death trying to Thru Hike on oatmeal and quinoa. Budget for protein, nuts, nut butters, calorie dense foods.
    Cheers!
    Wayne
    I found as a troubled youth that changing your path, required only the strength to step off your current one.

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by Venchka View Post
    PS:
    You could starve to death trying to Thru Hike on oatmeal and quinoa. Budget for protein, nuts, nut butters, calorie dense foods.
    Cheers!
    Wayne
    Thats truth.
    I finished recent 3 week hike 148 lbs.
    Down 12 lbs. And I ate good.

    20 mpd in strenuous terrain I lose 1/2 lb/day.

    At 10 mpd it would be more manageable
    But I simply cannot eat more

    Not possible to exist on oatmeal and quinoa....for very long....unless you got lot to lose
    Last edited by MuddyWaters; 09-08-2018 at 13:35.

  10. #10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MuddyWaters View Post
    A well known 70 yr old grandmother used a laundry bag.

    3 times

    The gear has little to do with sucess
    Unless it weighs too much and the burden wears you down.
    The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
    Richard Ewell, CSA General


  11. #11
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FIREWHATFIRE View Post
    Oh I plan on those also, just able to be happy with basics. I am planning on getting in several week to 3 week hikes before setting out. Thinking of doing Pinhoti in both directions before the AT. Get my nutrition under control there
    Good deal.
    Being cautious. We don’t know what you don’t know yet.
    Back to your question about the military pack: If you have it, it fits, holds your stuff and you can tolerate the weight, go for it.
    Be safe!
    Wayne

  12. #12
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    Preciate the info and that y'all are considering my health. I understand trail nutrition as I have spent many a day running/hiking them over last 3 years.
    I found as a troubled youth that changing your path, required only the strength to step off your current one.

  13. #13

    Default

    Cheapo gear works for a weekend or maybe a week, but for the long haul you need quality gear and light weight. Your $21 hammock and blanket might work okay in AL when the heat index is 110, but at 6000 feet with a 10 degree wind chill and snowing, it won't.

    You got 5-6 years to save up and buy gear. You can get some decent stuff on sale if your in no hurry. Expect to spend 7-8 hundred bucks on gear minimum.

    Ebay and Amazon have a good selection of cheap packs shipped from China which will do the trick in the short run. The general consensus is military style packs are the worst choice for long distance hiking.
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  14. #14
    Registered User Hikes in Rain's Avatar
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    Didn't Earl Schaffer use his old WWII military rucksack?

  15. #15
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    You can try the Osprey Talon. It's advertised as a "weekend pack" but I carried the 44L for 3000 miles. Less than $100 on sale. The cheaper the gear, the more volume you may need from your pack.

    The lighter and tighter you go, the more money you spend...

    Good luck being frugal. I mean that genuinely. Let the rest of us know if you find any way to go cheap. Smiley face.

  16. #16

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    Rei brand packs used used to be popular quality cheaper packs that sucessfully thruhiked.

    Employee indicated to me they arent as good anymore
    But i dont know anything else

    Nothing wrong with cheap packs. Probably will fail at some point. Just replace when does. Amazon has 2 day shipping.

    We wont talk about hiker that carried his food all the way in 5 gal bucket
    Last edited by MuddyWaters; 09-08-2018 at 20:34.

  17. #17
    Registered User NJdreamer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FIREWHATFIRE View Post
    Money is always tight and in trying to plan ahead I have a question or 2.

    Is there and unremarkable brand that does the job as well as the high priced ones?

    What would do the job adequately without making the trip miserable.

    Has anyone used a military rucksack to make the journey?


    I am planning a NOBO thru-hike 5-6 years from now.

    I already have a hammock(with straps and carabiners) and compressible blanket I found a deal on for sleeping. I picked up both for $21. Looking at Tyvek house wrap for rain cover(free from construction site)
    The most recent Trek posting has an article with many good tips on buying gear for less. There are many places to buy gear 2nd hand and save, but still be able to have good gear.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
    Just love being outside, not sure why. 765 AT miles done (2014-2018), many more to go.

  18. #18
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    You can carry more than your body weight (or 10 cases of beer) in a wicker basket up the world's tallest mountains if your are a Nepalese porter. All you need is a strap over your forehead, a walking stick, and an umbrella.

    Beer-Porters.jpg

  19. #19
    Furlough's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hikes in Rain View Post
    Didn't Earl Schaffer use his old WWII military rucksack?
    He did carry a military ruck sack from the 1930s.
    "Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L’Amour

  20. #20
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    Where would I find this post of site for that info?

    Quote Originally Posted by NJdreamer View Post
    The most recent Trek posting has an article with many good tips on buying gear for less. There are many places to buy gear 2nd hand and save, but still be able to have good gear.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
    I found as a troubled youth that changing your path, required only the strength to step off your current one.

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