With the competition in the Outdoor gear business many companies are making equipment less expensive and overseas. Whether you are buying a backpack, tent, sleeping bag or whatever it is best to look into several company's and where they make their product. If you are for supporting goods made in the USA or the country you live in then take the extra time to search for these products and pay a little more to keep your dollars at home.
*There are two types of gear and only two types of gear. Gear that is made to sell and gear that is made to last.
Gear that is made to sell has all of the bells and whistles that really are not needed. They usually come in some fancy color with built in toe warmers, a pocket, and who knows what. Beware of these because they may be nice to look at but when you are miles from the nearest building and without a means of communication these can cut you short. Literally!! Let me tell you a little story...
"When I was in the Yukon backpacking in the mountains I had a sleeping bag that I thought was good. I had been a tight wad and did not want to pay the 100 bucks more for a really nice sleeping bag that would have kept me toasty and living the high life during a raging snow storm. Well to make a long story short; each night I went to bed with two pairs of socks on, every layer of synthetic pants, all my clean shirts, my coat around the bottom of my sleeping bag and then inside my backpack and my winter hat and gloves on. It made a night after a long day of hiking even longer." Thank you to my NOLS buddies George, Austin, and Leum who showed me how to get through those nights. Real lifesavers and true friends; I would of never thought of putting my sleeping bag into my backpack and tightening it to add insulation!
So spend the extra money on a piece of equipment that you will have for years. It is really worth the extra money and trust me you will buy one the next chance you get anyway so why not be prepared. Please learn from my mistake! However if you do fall victim to one of these cheap items make the best of it and hopefully you have mild weather to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
*Warning do not buy cheap equipment for Remote Solo trips!!!! This could not only make your trip suck, it could cost you your life!!! If at all possible go with a buddy. But like myself we all need some nurturing alone time with mother nature.
Gear that is made to last is usually made by a small company or one with a reputation for quality goods. You don't want to buy that 30 dollar sleeping bag that is supposed to be rated for zero degrees and can't even keep you warm during a summer night (trust me I've been there). However I do know what it is like to be on a budget so spent your money on the items that are going to be your lively hood while in the back country or at a state park. Items like a Tent, sleeping bag, backpack, boots, socks, etc. (This will change with the climate you are traveling in). One thing that won't change is your feet!! Spend money on a good pair of hiking boots with several pairs of good socks. I myself like cabala's hiking socks or wool rich socks are nice too. Yes expensive but these are for your feet and without proper foot care you are going nowhere!!! Literally speaking!!
Good Hikin,
Tough Gear
*There are two types of gear and only two types of gear. Gear that is made to sell and gear that is made to last.
Gear that is made to sell has all of the bells and whistles that really are not needed. They usually come in some fancy color with built in toe warmers, a pocket, and who knows what. Beware of these because they may be nice to look at but when you are miles from the nearest building and without a means of communication these can cut you short. Literally!! Let me tell you a little story...
"When I was in the Yukon backpacking in the mountains I had a sleeping bag that I thought was good. I had been a tight wad and did not want to pay the 100 bucks more for a really nice sleeping bag that would have kept me toasty and living the high life during a raging snow storm. Well to make a long story short; each night I went to bed with two pairs of socks on, every layer of synthetic pants, all my clean shirts, my coat around the bottom of my sleeping bag and then inside my backpack and my winter hat and gloves on. It made a night after a long day of hiking even longer." Thank you to my NOLS buddies George, Austin, and Leum who showed me how to get through those nights. Real lifesavers and true friends; I would of never thought of putting my sleeping bag into my backpack and tightening it to add insulation!
So spend the extra money on a piece of equipment that you will have for years. It is really worth the extra money and trust me you will buy one the next chance you get anyway so why not be prepared. Please learn from my mistake! However if you do fall victim to one of these cheap items make the best of it and hopefully you have mild weather to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
*Warning do not buy cheap equipment for Remote Solo trips!!!! This could not only make your trip suck, it could cost you your life!!! If at all possible go with a buddy. But like myself we all need some nurturing alone time with mother nature.
Gear that is made to last is usually made by a small company or one with a reputation for quality goods. You don't want to buy that 30 dollar sleeping bag that is supposed to be rated for zero degrees and can't even keep you warm during a summer night (trust me I've been there). However I do know what it is like to be on a budget so spent your money on the items that are going to be your lively hood while in the back country or at a state park. Items like a Tent, sleeping bag, backpack, boots, socks, etc. (This will change with the climate you are traveling in). One thing that won't change is your feet!! Spend money on a good pair of hiking boots with several pairs of good socks. I myself like cabala's hiking socks or wool rich socks are nice too. Yes expensive but these are for your feet and without proper foot care you are going nowhere!!! Literally speaking!!
**The military always spends money on quality equipment and that's great for all of us who shop around in army surplus stores and on eBay. Remember that they are equipped for the extreme environments and you can find equipment that was never used for a great price.
The gear that is made to last is made from quality materials. For instance a sleeping bag made with goose down, or a carbon fiber tent pole. You want to make sure what your buying is for the quality equipment and not for the brand. Many brands have moved to alternative materials to save money. If I can pass one word of advice to you it would be this; just remember to do your research. Look at reviews, pictures on Google, prices from different sellers, material its made of and where it is made. But most important buy gear that fits your lifestyle and personality.Good Hikin,
Tough Gear
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