Do YOU have to have the best equipment for camping/hiking? Opinions...

[Mudslide]

Let me just tell you what Ive got (mainly for hiking) accumulated over the years and still using:

My ROKK backpack...Its 4200 ci and has seen thousands of trail miles over the years. It weighs about 3 lbs I believe. I bought it for about 60 bucks at a ebay store a few years ago and still going strong.

50 degree ultralight sleeping bag from Sportsmans guide years ago still ready for a bunch more trips. I think I paid 20 to 30 bucks on sale.

0 degree ultralight bag Sportsmans guide (weighs 3 lbs not bad) bought on sale for 50 shmackers.

I did get a few things like my stove at REI and water bladder but thats about it.
I actually wish some of my gear would wear out but it just wont die!!!!

Anybody else mindful of saving a few bucks without going to cheap?

[ppine]

Most people are mindful of how much equipment costs. Wishing your stuff would wear out is... stupid. Live with what you have, or buy new stuff and give your old stuff to someone that can use it.

[dinosaur]

As usual, my friend ppine is being a bit (just a bit) severe in his analysis. I don't think Mudslide is praying for gear to wear out. I think rather that the hope is to use it so much that it does wear out.

On the other hand, Mudslide might enjoy shopping for new toys as many of us do.

[ChadTower]

I could not care less how much my pack can carry. All I need is for it to carry enough.

Same with most of my gear. The specs don't matter to me. Can it do what I need it to do? Is my spoon titanium or plastic? Did I even bring one? Sometimes I use a stick. Stuff like that. I am definitely not a gear person.

[CozInCowtown]

Buy the best you can afford and be thankful for what you have.
When it wears out replace it with the best your budget can afford.
I personally never had to have the "best" or "most" or anything else that made me the top of whatever pile people thought I need to be on top of.
Most of that "best" stuff is more status that useful.
There is a lot to be said for an ALICE pack.
JMO,
Coz

[Mudslide]

Originally Posted by ppine

Most people are mindful of how much equipment costs. Wishing your stuff would wear out is... stupid. Live with what you have, or buy new stuff and give your old stuff to someone that can use it.

Wow...deep breaths calm down, yeah I wasnt being literal by saying I wish my stuff would actually wear out. I was making an analysis of how long my cheap lightweight gear has lasted with a bit of humor/sarcasm instead of buying the top of the line gear.

Dang nevermind....just trying to start an active topic sheesh.

[Mudslide]

Originally Posted by ChadTower

I could not care less how much my pack can carry. All I need is for it to carry enough.

Same with most of my gear. The specs don't matter to me. Can it do what I need it to do? Is my spoon titanium or plastic? Did I even bring one? Sometimes I use a stick. Stuff like that. I am definitely not a gear person.

Specs dont matter to me either. I was saying what I had in the gear closet and what kind others have decided to use (gear) over the years. I should have worded my post different I guess...

[frank6160]

I second Coz's reply.
Buy what you can afford but look at intended use and how often it will be used. Just because it cost the most doesn't always mean it's better for a particular job than a less expensive model. Much of my gear is Coleman and I know how many of you feel about it. It fit's my budget and does what I ask of it. What more should I need?

[Newanderthal]

REI Flash Pack is a great example of an inexpensive item that performs well. It's a lightweight pack (bordering on ultralight) that is comfortable and durable. It's the foundation of my 15 lb. 2-3 day setup.

[ponderosa]

I spent my childhood backpacking with big trash bags for rain gear, and a bulky sleeping bag that had to be strapped outside an ill-fitting pack purchased at KMart. And I had such a great time, that backpacking remains an obsession for me.
But...I have come to appreciate good gear that does its job and keeps me comfortable. I like my pack to really fit well. I love my cozy, compressible, lightweight down sleeping bag. My down-insulated air mat beats the old blue closed cell foam mat all to pieces in every possible way (except cost of course). It's lovely to spend a storm enjoying the sounds and smells, rather than worrying that the tent might leak, blow away, or break in the wind. So I like good, trustworthy, dependable gear. But it doesn't have to be the most expensive. I find that Kelty and REI make good backpacking tents that compare well to MSR or Marmot for significantly less $. The comfiest backpack I've used is a Jansport (although deuter has an UL women's model that I'd really like to test drive). I'm actually happier hiking in light trail shoes than expensive overbuilt boots.
So, no, I don't have to have the most expensive top of the line stuff. But the gear does need to perform well.