[pct-l] Weight

[Paul Magnanti]

Some excellent posts (I really liked Eric's!).


But, you don't HAVE to spend a lot of money to go light. (If you've
seen my cook pot..you'll know it is true. :) )

Quality Gear on the Cheap: 
 If you read those glossy outdoor magazines, you'd think you need a $300 pack, a $300 shell and a $300 fleece. 
You do not need expensive gear to enjoy backpacking. Often the brand name gear, besides being expensive, is heavy, bulky and overkill 
for what is supposed to be for the simple joy of walking.

Though written for the Appalachian Trail, the general concepts apply for quality gear on the cheap:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=206678#post206678

Some additional information I will add is that you should invest in a decent sleeping bag. 
The Campmor down bag is rated to 20F and is known as a good budget bag.
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=86896&memberId=12500226


If you are looking for a light, compressible and warm jacket check out an army liner jacket
(mentioned in the above article, but deserves to be emphasized) : http://tinyurl.com/2dfgpk

If you don't mind a bit of sewing, you can make a Montbell Thermwrap clone for less than $20 with the above liner jacket.
 A men's large comes in at 12oz!  Considering a Montbell Thermawrap is $150 and weights 10oz, 
the cheap way is nice for those on a budget on who need something warm, light and cheap!

Check it out:  http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41034

Need long underwear, hats, socks, hats, mittens, etc? Check out  Warm Stuff Distributing (formerly known as the Underwear Guys) 
http://www.theunderwearguys.com  All the basics at excellent prices. The items tend to be off-brand, surplus and/or factory irregulars. 
However, I personally think the off-brand, surplus or irregular is as good (and sometimes better than) the Patagucci clothing. Sometimes warmer, 
sometimes lighter weight... always cheaper!

A simple tarp is light AND cheap.

Finally, for high altitude/desert hiking I suggest a long sleeve polyester dress shirt for the princely sum of $4 from many thrift stores.
 I've used this type of shirt for literally several thousand miles of backpacking.


The shirt has a handy front pocket that I can stick a map in, too!



 
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