AgentOrange76
Adventurer
One of the things I love about this forum are that its a one stop shop for everything.
Short version. I need a combined car camping/backpacking tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Not looking to go ultralight, but split the difference between comfort and portability. I went to REI today and found some stuff I like. I'm looking at the REI Halfdome 2+ for the tent, REI Air Rail 1.5 for the pad, and North Face Furnace 20 degree bag. Reasoning, uses and alternatives are below, looking for feedback/experiences on the above items or good alternatives.
Okay y'all, so here's the deal. Most of my camping equipment is 20+ year old hand-me-down stuff. It's served me well the past few years, but stuff is starting to have issues, and hardly any of it is backpacking friendly.
Use: I split my time camping out of the back of the Jeep or close by and backpacking, or a combination of the two. Looking for a setup I can live comfortably out of the vehicle for weeks at a time (going to be using the sleeping bag/pad a month continuous bare minimum for field camp next summer) but still be able to backpack it and have a fairly light-ish pack. Currently I car camp a Kelty 4 man when the weather sucks and backpack a hammock or car camp it when the weather is nice. I love the hammock but it sucks when it rains and it sucks when its cold. The tent leaks, I have some stuff to spray on it and I hope that works because its a nice tent.
Sleeping pad: My pad took a big dump on me earlier this year. Something with the valve. Its an old style they don't seem to make anymore. Hell, I don't think slumberjack makes sleeping pads anymore. I want something fairly warm because I camp in the winter too. I really liked the REI Air Rail 1.5, and I also liked the Thermarest Prolite Plus and the REI Campbed 1.5-2.5. The campbeds are close to 2 lbs more but also close to $40 less.
Tent: I'm liking the REI 2+ more and more. I'm most set on it, my buddy just got one and I really like the size. Similarly priced/weight are a Kelty 2 man and a Nemo 2 man, and close to 50 bucks cheaper is the North Face Stormbreak 2. Its a little smaller and heavier than even the standard REI halfdome, but its cheaper, and you can't beat TNF warranty, right?
Sleeping bag: This is where I'm most unsure. Looking at down, the price is worth the longevity if the REI guys know their stuff. got in TNF Furnace 20 degree, really liked it. The REI equivalent was a couple ounces less and like 20 bucks more.
I'm willing to fork out some cash for some quality gear that will last me a long time, but I'm on a college budget. Looking forward to input!
Short version. I need a combined car camping/backpacking tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Not looking to go ultralight, but split the difference between comfort and portability. I went to REI today and found some stuff I like. I'm looking at the REI Halfdome 2+ for the tent, REI Air Rail 1.5 for the pad, and North Face Furnace 20 degree bag. Reasoning, uses and alternatives are below, looking for feedback/experiences on the above items or good alternatives.
Okay y'all, so here's the deal. Most of my camping equipment is 20+ year old hand-me-down stuff. It's served me well the past few years, but stuff is starting to have issues, and hardly any of it is backpacking friendly.
Use: I split my time camping out of the back of the Jeep or close by and backpacking, or a combination of the two. Looking for a setup I can live comfortably out of the vehicle for weeks at a time (going to be using the sleeping bag/pad a month continuous bare minimum for field camp next summer) but still be able to backpack it and have a fairly light-ish pack. Currently I car camp a Kelty 4 man when the weather sucks and backpack a hammock or car camp it when the weather is nice. I love the hammock but it sucks when it rains and it sucks when its cold. The tent leaks, I have some stuff to spray on it and I hope that works because its a nice tent.
Sleeping pad: My pad took a big dump on me earlier this year. Something with the valve. Its an old style they don't seem to make anymore. Hell, I don't think slumberjack makes sleeping pads anymore. I want something fairly warm because I camp in the winter too. I really liked the REI Air Rail 1.5, and I also liked the Thermarest Prolite Plus and the REI Campbed 1.5-2.5. The campbeds are close to 2 lbs more but also close to $40 less.
Tent: I'm liking the REI 2+ more and more. I'm most set on it, my buddy just got one and I really like the size. Similarly priced/weight are a Kelty 2 man and a Nemo 2 man, and close to 50 bucks cheaper is the North Face Stormbreak 2. Its a little smaller and heavier than even the standard REI halfdome, but its cheaper, and you can't beat TNF warranty, right?
Sleeping bag: This is where I'm most unsure. Looking at down, the price is worth the longevity if the REI guys know their stuff. got in TNF Furnace 20 degree, really liked it. The REI equivalent was a couple ounces less and like 20 bucks more.
I'm willing to fork out some cash for some quality gear that will last me a long time, but I'm on a college budget. Looking forward to input!