$1600 Gear Budget

[Regulus]

I've set a $1600 limit for buying my gear for my thru this year.
Here's what I already have:

One pair of new Merrell trail runners
an old military sleeping pad
a backpack
an old army poncho
knife
ball cap
shorts
trash compactor bags
tent stakes
fuel bottle
homemade alcohol stove
lighter
1 liter nalgene H2O bottle
vitamins C/I
Spoon
Bandanna
550 cord
zip lock bags
tp
toothbrush/paste/floss
compass
data book
1st aid kit
plane ticket
transportation to and from trail (GA & ME)

I'm planning to start late Feb 27th

I'm hoping the collective knowledge and experience here can help me make this happen by giving suggestions on what equipment will work for my budget and possibly where/how to obtain it.

I don't care about name brands or new items.

I've never truly hiked but spent a few years in the infantry and have been working in construction since. I have gained a lot of weight but I've been exercising for a past 3 months and have lost 15lbs.

I've placed an add in a regional paper looking for backpacking gear.

Anyway, any advice is appreciated.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

I suggest you read this thread for ways to save money on gear.
Cheap Gear – How to Dirt Bag and Deal Shop Like a Professional

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Spadout.com is a service that search many gear outlets and compares the prices. I've gotten several good deals using it.

Ideas for an Inexpensive Thru-hike is an article on this site that gives info on low-cost hiking.

[turtle fast]

1. you will need to carry extra water. Use 32 oz gatoraide bottles, cheap and they will do adequately.
2. Get good socks...no cotton...wool blend merino is the best Smartwool, Fox river, Wigwam, are good brands. Use a linersock...polyproplyne to minimize blisters.
3. Sleeping bag rated for at least 20 degrees...synthetic is easy to care for and cheaper than down.
4. Pot 1 liter for your alcohol stove and eat out of it...so no plate needed.
5. long sleeve shirt to ward off mosquitos up the trail and as a layer
6. Long johns...polyproplyne
7. Zip off pants...combine long pants with shorts for various conditions
8. Insulating jacket like 200 weight polar fleece, for layering in cold conditions and a pillow to sleep.
9. Tent single person...many makes and models...check Campmor .com for good prices and check the weights you want 3-4 lbs or so.
10. Waterproof silnylon bag for hanging your food (bear bag)
Lastly check the thru hiking gear information on the site here can give you other insites...this list is what I noticed right off the bat that you were missing...I am sure their are other things...but your military gear is just fine.

[TNjed]

you'll also need some way to clean up your water, iodine tablets, or a filter. Else you'll be feeling bad pretty soon.

[mountain squid]

Important things that are missing from your list:

Tent - Tarptent or Six Moon Designs - $250.00
Sleeping bag - $400.00 (I'd go with Western Mountaineering, which is probably the most expensive)
Maps - $165.00

Approximate Total: $815.00

It might be too late to order any of these, but you got to start somewhere.

That leaves $800 for clothing and other minor things.

Suggest you do more research and then ask more specific questions.

See you on the trail,
mt squid

[Appalachian Tater]

I would also make sure I had a good backpack. You don't say what kind you have.

[Regulus]

Thank you for the fast responses. I will certainly research all of this info asap.
As far as the backpack:
It's a McKinley. I'm not sure what exactly it is but some of the lettering reads:
Protec Equipment
ALS
Togiak 65
DLT

[Regulus]

I should add that I find it pretty comfortable training with 32lbs and it doesn't seem stressed.

[spittinpigeon]

Definitely look at the tarptents that Mt. Squid posted, 3-4 lbs is not a good weight for a tent.

[88BlueGT]

I would load that pack with 40lbs and go do a 20-30 mile weekend hike in it before I brought it for a thru-hike. You want to be 100% SURE that its going to be OK.

[Marta]

Regulus--One thing you could do is hang onto your money and stop at the outfitter in Neel's Gap on the way to Springer. They have a lot of stuff specifically tailored for the long-distance AT hiker. With your budget you should be able to get everything you need, fitted to you correctly.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Does the pack look like this?

[Regulus]

Does the pack look like this?

No, I'll go take a pic and post it in a sec...

[Regulus]

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/DSCF1045.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/DSCF1047.jpg

[ScottP]

does that 1600 include replacement shoes along the way? You'll probably go through a pair every 400-600 miles (about 5 total for the trail).

If you're looking to save money on gear you should also think about pushing back your start date a month. It's tough to have a sleeping bag that will be comfortable in February and in July.

[gumball]

One of the best and most important investments I made was my sleeping bag. It has saved my narrow behind on more than one occasion, both weight and warmth wise.

[scavenger]

http://www.gossamergear.com/gossamer...eap_Henley.pdf

thats a link to a proposed $200 ultralight gearlist

[dessertrat]

Your "big four" is where you should focus. The campmor 20 degree down bag and a tarptent under two pounds would be a good start, as would a lightweight backpack. Also, a good down vest or jacket and a thin fleece or smartwool top. Those will save a lot of weight.

I think if I were doing a thru, I would shoot for a weight of less than 20 pounds without food or water, 35 lbs at maximum food and water. This is a realistic weight, including camera equipment, journal, paperback book, etc. (the things people so often forget).

[Appalachian Tater]

Consider buying a good-condition used bag, shelter, and pack. Start with the Gear for Sale forum here. Your money will go a lot further. Just make sure the sleeping bag still has loft.

You can make do with a lot of things, like a heavy bag, or clothes you already have, and cut your own hiking staff, and use Gatorade bottles, but if you don't have comfortable, well-fitting shoes and pack, you won't be able to hike very well. Given the choice between the wrong shoes and going barefoot, I'd choose barefoot.