My company gave me a 3k/month card to spend on anything.Lost most my gear to mold & havent been /out/ since about a year now beside small trips. Any suggestions on how to spend like a true gear fag?Mostly looking for suggestions for summer & short backpacking trip stuff. How would you spend it?
deuter packeverything else can be whatevermili surplus might give you some deals
>>2811261Hilleberg Akto.
>>2811266Ight added to cart, what else?
>>2811261Build up your basics. Merino underwear (2-3 pairs are enough, you can air them on your pack and rotate), merino tshirts. Whatever top layer you prefer (I use denim most of the year, and wool or oilskin when it's too cold or wet).Then, assuming your pocket gear (knife, FAK etc.) didn't grow moldy (yes, knives can get mold... only if you're a retarded kid who oils them with rapeseed oil though - ask me how I know), I'd go for a comfy sleep system next. In my case, that's a savotta mat, a Klymit self-inflating mat and a carinthia def 4 + Tropen combo.With that stuff plus some boots (whichever fit you best), a trowel or E-tool (for digging latrine holes) a stove (don't tell me that also got moldy?) and a pot, you're set for most trips. If you're one of those pussies who can't stand getting rained on, add a silnylon tarp. Mine's british army milsurp, but there's probably others, and you can always pay shekelstein for a new one.With a proper pack (where my recommendation would be a medium alice with molle on it instead of that deuter - tactical tailor, grey ghost, hidden woodsman, platatac, ordnance okinawa etc make packs like that) that'll be enough for anything from a winter overnighter to a multi-week trip.If you're just after overnighters in the summer, I'd say ditch the heavy sleeping bag (so just the Tropen, in my example) and the shell clothing. Getting rained on is actually pretty comfy when you're wearing wool.
>>2811261>Dutchware Chameleon hammock>beetle buckles>Warbonnet Thunderfly tarp w/ added pullouts (not sure if they’ll do it on the Minifly but honestly the weight to coverage difference might not be worth it anyway)>underground quilts, you might need three for a complete setup, depending on your local climate. You’ll definitely need two. Big money.>pole mod. Not expensive and totally worth it if you have panel pulls
You need to go full MilSurp tard.Military surplus gear and no man made pastel fibers. Strictly wool if it is chilly and 100% OG cotton. No walking poles because you can get sticks on the trail and a zippo lighter.
It doesn't matter how you spend it because gearfags don't go outsideThe whole point is that you're buying gear to fill an imaginary marketing-induced need instead of a real need you perceived yourself
>>2811294You’re a fucking retard:>go Milsurp bruhComically bad shit of low quality, maybe some of the wool clothes are decent but everything else is better on the civilian market. Good luck with your sleeping pad from nam or your sleeping bag thats been used by 6 different men. >go cottonYou’ve clearly never hiked outdoors, cotton when wet will sap the heat out of you and takes a notoriously lomg time to dry. Buy literally any sports wear made of nylon/polyester and you’ll have much better breathable fabric for the same price. >no walking poles, use a stickFair point, but two poles add next to nothing for weight and will drastically help with taking weight off knees and can be used for tarp shelters. Why skip? >use a zippoYes use a lighter that leaks fluid passively and if gets dropped in a puddle will ruin its use instantly. Absolutely genius…
>>2811319>nylon and polyester are more breathable than cottonCotton is pretty bad but this is just stupid.
>>2811261Your company gives you 3k a MONTH for gear? This sounds like military disability pay or something. What company in 2025 is giving fucking 36k a year for outdoor gear?If you have this much disposable income just Google Ultralight Backpacker gear and buy loterally the most expensive option in every category. 900 fill down quilts, $500 Arctyrx Rain Jacket, fucking tricked to the teeth Atom Backpack, Dyneema tent, etcNothing matters anymore if you're dropping 10k on gear over the course of 3 months. Just unload cash and test all the most expensive Ultralight gear and set everything that isn't exactly perfect on fire in a trash can.3k a month lmao
>>2811306True, comes down to skill and needs.Some people are totally fine sleeping in a tarp shelter or even bushcrap made shit. I find it very admirable and impressive, but I’ll never reccomend that to a new hiker/backpacker. having a good bag, good pad, good tent, and amenities at the end of their hike will make you feel infinitely more comfortable and your pack weight will be sub 30lbs if you spend at least $600 on name brand decent gear. Neither are wrong, but I can tell you through my own personal experience when I spent money on proper gear, my camping/backpacking experience improved greatly. I used to hike with an old Alice rucksack that I’d shove my comforter from college and a Coleman tent in. I used an old yoga mat as a base pad and it worked for a couple of years, but I certainly don’t miss it. Hell even now that I’m older and less physically capable due to injuries/illness I’m still walking further then when I first started in my early 20s. Comes down to preference there’s advantages to every style of camping. you’re only doing it wrong if you’re cold, wet, miserable, and hungry at the end of the night. As gay and faggy as it sounds being outside is the first step and if you made it that far you’re doing something right and you’ll learn what’s right for you as time goes on. Just don’t try to copy Outdoor Boys or Les Stroud on day one because you will have a shitty time if you’re not experienced beforehand
>>2811261Here’s what I would do:Go on Gear Labs and review their articles on gear - they may be a bunch of granola faggots, but they are fairly good thorough. Here is my personal order of importance:>good pair of boots, jackets, actual hiking pants(I know sounds stupid, but trust me) and decent base layers that are water resistant and NOT COTTON this is your first layer of protection from the elements>decent pack get a 65L or smaller, if you’re going to be walking for more than 10 miles hauling it in a surplus Alice pack will suck (trust me I did this for years) look at Osprey they make good packs > everything that gets you off the ground. Good solid foldable like a Nemo switchback, a good inflatable I use big Agnes divide, and a good 20F sleeping bag. This combo will keep you warm in most of the continental US.>shelter: find one that matches your style if you backpack get one that weighs sub 5lb>good water filter - I like the grayl because it’s durable, but others like Kathadin or sawyer squeeze.>headlamp: need to see at night and or signal people>power bank: won’t need a gps if you have cell service and download maps if you’re not going into deep woods and just doing national parks. Everything else is kind of redundant and down to your personal choice.If money isn’t a problem you can get the best of the best.
>>2811321No, they gave me the card for anything. I just chose gear since it makes the most sense right now.
I also have a camper build in the back of my truck if anyone has suggestions for improvements on that. But as of right now it does everything I need (Sleeping at trail heads & letting me get out easily when time is limited)>>2811324I usually just buy shitty stuff, what ever is on clearance, but given this opportunity where I have to spend money opened a lot of doors.Most my gear limited me (or rather my fear of it failing/weight) to small weekend trips which was still fun. I fear that I'm missing what Washington has to offer.>>2811319Yeah, zippos suck balls or maybe its a skill issue for me. I've had okay times with milserp, but that was mostly when I was 16 and getting into /out/>>2811319I used believe 'omg cotten and wool so op!!!' but unless I'm staying somewhere dry/cozy like a friends cabin, i'd rather have the plastic shit. Weight & size plays a huge factor to the fun I have lol.
>>2811261The unabomber worshippers and luddites are going to steer you towards milsurp, don't listen to them. There's a reason every army vet has fucked up knees and a bad back, government gear is manufactured by the lowest bidder. If I had that kind of cash to blow on gear, I'd be wearing pretty much head to toe patagonia, outdoor research and other performance outdoors brands.Starting from the top, even for summer dayhikes you should have a hat that'll keep you warm and cover your ears in case you need to spend a night /out/. >https://www.smartwool.com/en-us/wool-apparel-and-socks/wool-accessories/merino-beanie/SW017047.htmlOn sunny days I like a wide-brimmed hat that keeps the sun off my face, ears and the back of my neck like pic related.On the same note as the hat, bring a longsleeve base layer. It makes a world of difference to have a dry, warm layer to change into after getting soaked by a rainshower. Synthetic or wool, dealers choice. I like patagonia's capilene midweights or a smartwool longsleeve.Pick out a nice rain shell, I'm still using a shitty EMS one but something like outdoor research's foray looks good to me. Getting something with armpit vents is key.>https://www.outdoorresearch.com/collections/mens-rain-jackets/products/mens-foray-3l-jacket-322088For pants, you have a ton of options. Keep in mind that stretchy pants will be marginally more comfortable and less durable. All the pants I have right now are kuhl.No reason to splurge on socks, darn tough is the way to go. Same thing for boots, there's absolutely a point of diminishing returns on money spent on footwear. Shoes are a wear component, don't overspend on something ridiculous.Trekking poles are nice if you're going to do more than 4k Δ in a day, they really save your knees on the descent. I've never felt the need to buy carbon but with your budget it might make sense. For backpacks, look for something around 20l with a comfortable lumbar belt and back airflow.
>>2811480>20L packAny reason why you’d choose such a small bag? That’s comically small even by overnight standards. I’d agree with everything you said but the shoes. Spending $200 on a pair of good shoes easily doubled my mileage when hiking.
>>2811488Oh, my bad I should have clarified I was thinking in the context of day hiking. For overnights you'd need a much larger bag for sure.
>>2811319One of my favorite pairs of cold weather hiking/backpacking pants are a pair of 1960s Belgian military surplus wool pants; they aren't the most flattering, and they're a bit itchy, but I usually wear long underwear underneath which cancels that out. 9 out of 10 times, I find that I'm too warm with these pants+long underwear, it's a pretty effective setup, and they were $20 at a local surplus store. I've been meaning to get them tailored, actually, because I wish they were less billowy, and they're a bit short, too. Military surplus gear is a mixed bag; you have to do your research and know what you're buying and why. A lot of it is crap, but some of it can be really good. >>2811480Milsurp had it's place thirty years ago. Back then , it used to be one of the best options. Times have changed. >>2811368Where do you work? You fuckers hiring?
>>2811507I work/am executive at a holdings company. We founded fuck loads of service companies and get free/cheap labor from interns & Russians. Though we're primarily in gaming, we got some other niche stuff that performs extremely well.You'd be surprised how easy it is to micromanage interns & get them to build practically entire companies lmfaoAre we hiring? Yes, always. But they're not positions you'd want lol
Alright fellas, submitting first round of purchases tonight. Booked some flights home too, so excited!Thanks for the replies
