Cheap GOOD gear

[Drifting]

Following others suggestions, I've decided to start a thread on gear that is cheap, but has stood up to the test of field conditions. I'll start by citing the gear, and then discussing the conditions it endured.

Coleman Phad Exponent-range tent (now discontinued)- a litte heavy (3.8kg for a 3 person), but great vestibule, ventilation, and would withstand the majority of what I've experienced in Tassie. I wouldn't take it into the SW in Winter, but otherwise.... cost: just over $200 Limitation: If you're a six-footer, it's a bit too snug. The other Exponent range tents you get in Australia (the Avior) are longer, but narrower. A 3 person will only fit 2 comfortably, and a 2 is a really snug fit for 2.

Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20 woman's sleeping bag- reliable enough temperature rating, cost under $200 US (I imported, but the ones for sale lcal aren't that much dearer), and it weighs less than the comparable Mont down bag. And boy is it soft! Doesn't compress as far as the down bags do, but it's not that much bigger.

El Cheapo Chickenfeed Headlamp- I'll see if I can hunt up some pics. It was like $10 and it does the job, though it is heavy.

I'll have to see what else I have that's cheap.

[flatfoot]

I picked up some gear from Anaconda (Sydney) on the weekend. Among my purchases was an emergency blanket. The first one I found in the store was $8.99. On the end of the same shelf there was a much cheaper brand for $2.99 - I bought two! One for my daypack and another for a larger pack.

[bushrunner]

Berghaus RG1 waterproof jacket.

I got mine off the Paddy website for about $80! Retail is about $140. Excellent daywalk jacket. I bought a size up so there is plenty of room inside it for warm layers but it doesn't feel bulky and silly and I can pull my hands inside the sleeves. Totally waterproof.

There are only two real downsides to it. One is that it is a fairly short style. When the drawcord is done up it does cover my backside though which is good enough for me because I wear quickdry shorts which are way above knee height. The other downside is that the hood is not the best as it has no peak. This doesn't really bother me either as I generally just wear a hat under it which keeps water out of my eyes.

Given the price, I am really happy with it and it should go really nicely with some waterproof shorts that I plan on making.

[dancier]

I've got a few head torches, bit like stoves but a cheapo from Anaconda under $10, perfect.

It's a Tactical head torch, runs a single lead on one AA battery, weighs nothing and the battery lasts for ages.

[flatfoot]

I've got a few head torches, bit like stoves but a cheapo from Anaconda under $10, perfect.

It's a Tactical head torch, runs a single lead on one AA battery, weighs nothing and the battery lasts for ages.

I saw these in Anaconda on the weekend. How would you rate the light output?

[dancier]

I saw these in Anaconda on the weekend. How would you rate the light output?

Not overly bright, probably borderline but it's fine for setting up your tent, cooking in the dark.

[Franco]

I love those big white "rubbish" bags from Paddy Pallin. Don't need it with the Aarn but if I use the Osprey or the ULA they make an excellent liner.
In a pinch you can use them as a survival half bag, to carry water and even as a "raincoat".
BTW, white helps finding things inside.
Forgot the cost, I have a few.
Franco

[Ent]

Could be accused of been a gear snob but the best packable pack would have to be the Kathmandu one on the proviso brought half price, which we all know by now means about half the time. Cost around $20 but now probably $25 dollars when sold half price. The next best competitor is its bigger brother.

Cheers Brett

[Robatman]

Could be accused of been a gear snob but the best packable pack would have to be the Kathmandu one on the proviso brought half price, which we all know by now means about half the time. Cost around $20 but now probably $25 dollars when sold half price. The next best competitor is its bigger brother.

Cheers Brett

Brett, have you seen the STS ultra-sil day pack? its only 68g but doesnt look too comfortable. Would you rate the Kathmandu over it?

Like a lot of rucksacs mine doesnt have a detachable day pack so for day trips from a base or just side excursions i need a better solution than tying a small daypack on for the whole trip!

Robert

[Ent]

Could be accused of been a gear snob but the best packable pack would have to be the Kathmandu one on the proviso brought half price, which we all know by now means about half the time. Cost around $20 but now probably $25 dollars when sold half price. The next best competitor is its bigger brother.

Cheers Brett

Brett, have you seen the STS ultra-sil day pack? its only 68g but doesnt look too comfortable. Would you rate the Kathmandu over it?

Like a lot of rucksacs mine doesnt have a detachable day pack so for day trips from a base or just side excursions i need a better solution than tying a small daypack on for the whole trip!

Robert

The S2S is an impressive piece of gear if weight and bulk is an issue so a friend brought one and we used both in a three day walk. The S2S sholder straps on my friend's would bunch up like a plastic shopping bag and become uncomfortable plus the lack of waist strap means it is not stable when scrambling. The Kathmandu one is much more comfortable but this does come at a cost in weight and bulk. Basically if you tend to carry a bit when peak bagging the Katmandu one is better but if you only carry a map and coat then the S2S is a better option. When poling along I would even appreciate a chest strap which the Katmandu's bigger brother has but then that weighs in at 356 grams.

Cheers Brett

[climberman]

Bic mini lighters. Go the distance and are cheap as the proverbial chips.

[perfectlydark]

I guess you would class me as a "cheap" person, gearwise, largely due to not quite having fundage to go all out. Im also fairly conservative in my trips (stay on tracks, 1 2 nights tops and not that far from civilization anyway).
im only about to upgrade from my $20 kmart tent and general tarp to the aldis tent lol. Some will probably laugh at that but I suspect im not alone, well maybe around here hehe. For me saving space is more important than weight due to cheaper stuff generally being heavy and a bit bulky. Anyone else in the boat of very, very slowly upgrading gear?
Please note cheap doesnt always mean unsafe. Ive never underpacked (ignoring forgetting things. Im human) and always pack for the conditions. Id say my pack would possibly be 5kg heavier for a similar trip than even a non-ultralighter here though lol

[madmacca]

The Cat Can Stove. http://andrewskurka.com/2011/how-to-make-a-fancy-feast-alcohol-stove/

Basically free as long as you have a good hole punch. Runs on meths.