cheap camping gear

[JONNYREB]

I have decided to go on a camping trip by myself with the strom and so i needed some lightweight gear. I have not camped out since my brother "borrowed" my backpack and gear and promptly had them stolen out of his pick-up. That was about 5 years ago. I doubt if i will camp often anymore and i didn't want to spend alot so i searched for lightweight bargains.
I hit good prices at www.sportsmansguide.com where i picked up an oversized but understuffed sleeping bag that packs to the size of a loaf of bread for $22.00 . They also had a 1 man bivy 90"x40"x24" that packs to 5"x14" and weighs 2.5 lbs. It was $24.00 i think. A texport inflatable air mattress was $9.00. All of these came in compression sacks that keeps them all very compact and they are of decent quality.
At REI i picked up a century stove and lantern (both quite compact)that run off the coleman propane bottles. $47.00 for both. Everything else i need i can scrounge up around the house. I ended up spending around $110.00 including shipping.
I'll head up to the N.C. mountains in the next couple weeks and spend a weekend roughing it. I'll make sure and take some pics of the campsite and let you know how it went. J.R.

[Big B]

Great info...and you have a good time roughing it!!!!:cool:

[JONNYREB]

I am exited about the prospect of a motorcycle camping trip. It's my first step torwards a cross country journey or a shot up into canada or alaska. I was showed a great little spot on snowbird creek by tige when we went offroading a while back. Was about 20 or so tentsites along the creek with lots of privacy and all state or federal maintained so i think its free and you set up as you like.
I used to backpack and rock climb frequently, starting with the scouts then continuing with friends. Once i got married it all pretty much ended for some reason. The years have flown by and this will be the first time i've camped alone in about 12 or 13 years. I can't wait.
i'm gonna take a small folding grill and a small cooler with a couple filet mignon's and a lot of ice. The rest of dinner will be easy stuff like mac and cheese or something similar. A small bag of charcoal and i'm set for a killer dinner. Of course a lil pint of something and plenty of coffee for any guests is a must. I wish i had a internet access laptop to take but a good book will do fine. A flyrod is a must as i'm camping beside an acclaimed trout stream.(stocked of course) man, i can't wait.
J.R.

[coop74]

When are you heading up? Will it be the same campsite we came across by the lake?

Coop

[JONNYREB]

Hey coop, I was gonna give you a shout when i got my dates firm. I'm thinking about the road we went up by mistake, the one with all the people fishing. one of the furthest back tentsites will be what i'm looking for. i'll let you know when i'm coming and we'll get up. j.r.

[rhbell]

Dont want to horn in on the post but thought I might makea suggestion I learned a couple of years ago that was really effective on those nights where the compact sleeping bag needs a bit more warmth..... the "space age " survival blankets - silver / mylar material for emergencies - we get them up here in Canada for $1-2 dollars make excellent reflectors under the sleeping bag (shinier side towards you) and on top of the mattress. They are a little slippery but I use a couple of light elastic straps at head and foot of matress just to hold it in place. Seems to give me that extra couple of degrees C difference in comfort , stores in a pocket too.

Safe Riding

Bob

[JONNYREB]

[QUOTE=JONNYREB;114661]I have decided to go on a camping trip by myself with the strom and so i needed some lightweight gear. I have not camped out since my brother "borrowed" my backpack and gear and promptly had them stolen out of his pick-up. That was about 5 years ago. I doubt if i will camp often anymore and i didn't want to spend alot so i searched for lightweight bargains.
I hit good prices at www.sportsmansguide.com where i picked up an oversized but understuffed sleeping bag that packs to the size of a loaf of bread for $22.00 . They also had a 1 man bivy 90"x40"x24" that packs to 5"x14" and weighs 2.5 lbs. It was $24.00 i think. A texport inflatable air mattress was $9.00. All of these came in compression sacks that keeps them all very compact and they are of decent quality.
At REI i picked up a century stove and lantern (both quite compact)that run off the coleman propane bottles. $47.00 for both. Everything else i need i can scrounge up around the house. I ended up spending around $110.00 including shipping.
I'll head up to the N.C. mountains in the next couple weeks and spend a weekend roughing it. I'll make sure and take some pics of the campsite and let you know how it went.


Ok, some months later heres a couple pics. Everything worked fine, the lantern and stove did great. The sleeping bag is surprisingly big unstuffed. The tent is truly tiny but is very snug feeling and i liked it.(a beemer guy at the campsite ask where my tent was. i saw the joke coming but pointed at it. He laughed and said he thought that it was just for my shoes!) All of it will easily fit into a rear hard or soft bag and with these few inexpensive items, anyone could travel on the cheap with shelter,ability to cook,etc. Really all you need for the warmer months. J.R. (yes the silver compression sack is a sleeping bag)

[Bajatacoma]

Check Campmor for better quality gear than Sportsman's Guide (who like to stick it to you on shipping- they used to be a good company until the French took over then they kinda went downhill). Campmor often sells previous years gear for a lot less than "year's hottest new colors". Quick shipping, easy returns, etc. REI is good to deal with too.

[JONNYREB]

You are absolutely right, sportsmans guide gear is made by someone, nobody really knows who and i expected it to be junk but was surprised to find that for my hundred bucks i had some camping stuff that would last me for years and was all i needed. There was a time in my life where i thought it all had to be North Face and whisper or msr, marmot mt. etc. But as i am a casual camper for now i'm happy with my cheap stuff. If i ever get to do that cross country or Alaskan journey then to REI i go or campmor i go. J.R.

[twopiper]

I'd recommend campmor.com They have some good quality gear for great prices.

[txbikerinpa]

Dont want to horn in on the post but thought I might makea suggestion I learned a couple of years ago that was really effective on those nights where the compact sleeping bag needs a bit more warmth..... the "space age " survival blankets - silver / mylar material for emergencies - we get them up here in Canada for $1-2 dollars make excellent reflectors under the sleeping bag (shinier side towards you) and on top of the mattress. They are a little slippery but I use a couple of light elastic straps at head and foot of matress just to hold it in place. Seems to give me that extra couple of degrees C difference in comfort , stores in a pocket too.

Safe Riding

Bob

I sleep cold so I need a better bag but for the moment I use a silk liner in my bag. I keep it in its bag at foot of sleeping bag. If I get cold I get in it. It makes my +30 bag bearable on chilly nights. FWIW

Chuck

[JONNYREB]

I sleep cold so I need a better bag but for the moment I use a silk liner in my bag. I keep it in its bag at foot of sleeping bag. If I get cold I get in it. It makes my +30 bag bearable on chilly nights. FWIW

Chuck

Hi Chuck and WELCOME to stromtroopers!! Make sure to post a Hello in the "stromtroopers"
forum so everyone gets a chance to find out you've joined us. Thanks also for your post as the liner is good info to consider as opposed to carrying a bulkier bag. Makes a good pillow for the warmer nights too i bet. Hope to see lots more post from you, if you have any questions about the site please feel free to PM me or any of the other moderators.
J.R.

[Nighthawk22]

Sleeping cold...hate it! What I do is when I get into my sleepingbag, I bring a Therma-care package (neck size) in with me. If I get cold at night, I open the pack and stick it on my stomach under my shirt. It is just enough of an extra heat source to get me comfy. It also serves as a poorman's heated vest. I put one on my lower back and it will keep you warm for 8 hours. I carry a box of 3 in my bags all the time.