Realistic new backpacker costs (am I insane or reasonable?)

Wilderness

Wanted to share what gear I collected for my first backpacking trip (just an overnight but planning for longer ones).

I realized I spent a fair bit, as I plan to make this a regular thing and wanted to have decent stuff so we (GF and I) can just “up and go” any weekend or off time we want. Considering it an investment and instead of say a 1 week trip with hotels, I’ve got many many trips we can enjoy almost for free from this. Of course this can be done cheaper, or way crazier but this is just my experience buying things I researched heavily and felt confident in and that did prove to work and perform as expected.

Let’s break it down. Items and costs. I had some things already so those costs aren’t included. This includes some essentials and a few clothing items I actually do need in the back country.

$290 pack: Osprey Atmos 65 LT $169 sleeping bag: Marmot Trestles elite 20 $169 sleeping pad: REI Helix $160 tent: Kelty Late Start 2P $80 rain jacket: Columbia $50 freeze dried food and trail snacks etc $40 water filter: sawyer squeeze $40 bear spray: Frontiersman $30 coffee maker: Stanley 32oz French press $20 head lamp: Petzl Actic $20 compass $15 dry stuff sack $10 spork $0 MSR stove and fuel cans (already had) $0 good knife (already had) $0 hydration bladder and bottles (already had) $0 snow peak titanium cook set (already had) $0 flash light stream light already (had) $0 shoes La Sportiva Karacals (already had) $0 basic med kit (already had) $0 bug spray (already had) $0 sunglasses, hat, gloves, appropriate clothes, wool socks etc (had) $0 trekking poles REI (had) $0 basic hygiene kit and poop kit (had)

Total spent $1,093.

If I didn’t have any items to start with, it would have come out to closer to $1,700 My gross pack weight came in at 26lbs including a total of 2.5L of water (location had abundant nearby) and 2 days of food for 2 people. Includes bag itself obviously.

This also doesn’t account what we spent for my GF (she carries less but still has basics bag, pack, pad etc).

We had a great time on our first trip last week and are definitely looking forward to more!

in backpackingby Ok-Boot2017

73%

10d

adam1260

10d

Yeah lightweight gear isn't cheap. I learned after I did the same thing and spent a bunch of money on brand new gear, that there's tons of used or returned gear for half the price. Obviously kick myself sometimes for paying for a brand new backpack, hiking boots that I rarely wear, etc. but it's all put to good use eventually through me, my SO, or someone else

Yo_Biff

10d

This seems a pretty middle of the road setup. Here's a base budget setup I did for a buddy for around $900.00 for comparison: https://lighterpack.com/r/4lqr2i

It started out as an $800.00 setup, but I've changed out a couple of items and updated the pricing on a long weekend when I was bored this winter.

It does not include food, worn clothes, shoes, or bear spray.

My current set-up sits around $2500.00, but that's after slowly accumulating gear over the years: https://lighterpack.com/r/1e0wfu

Civil-Cover433

Neat idea, but that’s not a base budget setup. Granite gear is not budget gear at any price point the have.

Yo_Biff

I won't argue against there being cheaper options out there. I found what I believed to be a balance between cost, weight, and quality. By all means, put something together.

Ironically, two years ago this was an $800.00 set up. However, inflation is a fact of economic life.

I will disagree that a $149.95 price point is outside a budget level pack. Considering a lot of more popular brands and higher quality packs start at $250.00 and go up from there.

Civil-Cover433

Absolutely. Didn’t intend to throw shade. I just don’t see $800 being the budget answer. We are not in r/ultralight.

As for expensive backpacks, they have nothing to do with budget. Can’t imagine why you’d even reference them. The fact that Ferraris are made doesn’t make a Tesla budget.

It’s a good list - I just cringe at the use of budget.

Yo_Biff

Throw together a budget setup. I think you'll be surprised. Just 5-6 years ago, a "budget" setup was around $600.00 to $700.00. Adjusted for inflation today, that's between $750.00 to $870.00, so $900.00 isn't that far out of range.

$250.00 packs aren't the Ferraris of the backpacking world. Today they're maybe the Mercedes, Cadillac, or Tesla. That $150 price point is the Hondas, Subarus, and Toyotas.

Can you still do a $600 "Walmart" set up? Maybe. However, I believe you run into a quality issue rapidly and usability.

Civil-Cover433

I do it semi regularly for college kids.

I’m also a second hand buyer. So I’m a different baseline than many here. And I get that.

I will say that I disagree with every sentence above, from price point to 5-6 years ago to Walmart etc.

As for you picking apart the Ferraris - I agree wholeheartedly - and the point is still there and accurate. Insert whatever names ya Like. A $150 GG is not budget or baseline.

I’m not trying g to pick you apart. We just disagree on what a baseline load out and budget is. 🙏

I think you have a good bang for your buck loadout.

Yo_Biff

Second hand is absolutely a way to go cheaper.

I am approaching from an "fresh off the shelf" for reliably available.

I'm appreciating the discussion. 😊

MrBoondoggles

That base weight is a little heavy for the Virga 2 no? I’ve through about getting one at that price point, but I’ve been apprehensive for how it would carry. What did your friend think?

Yo_Biff

Granite Gear's listed specs for the regular size is 540g or 19oz. What specs are you looking at that differs?

Being frameless, I don't think I'd want to start out with much more than 28lbs in it. It's technically recommended only up to 25lbs, but I've found there's usually a little flexibility with what the manufacturer says and what's comfortably doable.

There is also the reality that consumables, as the name implies, get used and loads lighten a little everyday.

As to my buddy, he "decided" to have twins with his wife, so life took a different direction and backpacking went on the back burner. 😅

Anzai

10d

Seems fine to me. I spent more than that, especially on my sleeping bag and mat, and don’t regret it at all. Good gear is worth the cost and if you look after it will last you a long time.

Ok-Boot2017

10d

Good to know haha

-Joseeey-

10d

Reasonable for all name brands sure.

I had nothing and spent like $600 on everything from Amazon.

Ok-Boot2017

Yeah. 600 is great

Flakybiscuitbasket

I don’t want to share what I’ve spent on gear.

Ok-Boot2017

Reasonable lol

llamatacosauce

10d

I’m a new backpacker also (but have been camping for years) and I hope I can take my first trip in the next few weeks. I’m on the same boat, quality Light weight gear costs more and the voice in the back of my head is telling me I’m overspending. However I feel that if you have quality gear then you won’t be spending this amount every year unless you want to upgrade. I definitely don’t regret spending more on safety, better sleep or comfort. I’ve taken advantage of REI sales, Sierra Trading Post finds, AliExpress, and a local outdoor consignment store where I can trade in gear I don’t want/use anymore for store credit and buy some gear with the credit.

Ok-Boot2017

10d

Sounds like you’re on a good path

aPerson39001C9

10d

I was looking at gear setups between $1000 and $3800. The $1000 gear didn’t seem worth it. But $1500-$2500 gear is expensive for me. Definitely will keep under $2500.

Ok-Boot2017

10d

Fair

aPerson39001C9

10d

I thought yours was reasonable. I’m willing to pay a little more for quality or lighter weight gear. My higher costs there were also including $300~ for an Apple Watch SE. Backpacking is the 1 more thing to convince me to buy a smartwatch.

Ok-Boot2017

I do want a smart watch

aPerson39001C9

For your big 3 I got $790 for 12.7 lbs. Which is great! Note my comparisons are for long sized sleeping bag & pads. So it's not an exact comparison.

Gear List: $775 for 10.5 lbs. Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 backpack, North Face storm break tent, Kelty cosmic 20 sleeping bag, klymit insulated static V luxe sleeping pad.

Gear List: $560 for 9.3 lbs. REI Flash 55, 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2, Exped Megasleep 25/40 bag, klymit static v2. This is cheaper quality gear tho.

Gear List: $1178 for 6.94 lbs. Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50, MSR Freelite 2p tent, Kelty cosmic 20 sleeping bag, nemo tensor extreme conditions ultralight sleeping pad.

I would have taken a different set of gear then you did. But if your happy with it, I think its a good combo. I think your tent, bag, and pad are taking up about half your Osprey pack? Do you need a pack this big? For the money a Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 would save you 2~ lbs. For $300 MORE the MSR tent would save around 2.25~ lbs. I could compare gear combos all day.

At 22 liters volume, I think your sleeping bag is big packed down. The Kelty cosmic 20 packs down to 11 liters.

I was considering Garmin Smartwatches. Wide range for me. $200-$700. I'm only interested in the Apple Watch SE2($250-300). I think the UI on the apple is much better and something I'll use everyday.

MrBoondoggles

I think the price is fair. The backpack is really what pushed the total cost so high. A more budget oriented pack would have kept the cost under $1,000 so I think it’s fine. Plus you’re including the cost of food, which is an ongoing consumable purchase anyway and not really part of your base cost. It’s hard to do a beginner gear list with decent items while buying all the big ticket items at once and while also keeping the cost as low as people imagine it should be. Decent gear isn’t cheap.

Ok-Boot2017

Real

GrumpyBear1969

10d

That’s pretty good. My TQ, UQ, tarp and hammock cost more. And the. You could run into the situation where you might have more than one hammock. I may or may not own six backpacking hammocks…

Ok-Boot2017

10d

Wow haha

Separate-Analysis194

10d

Bear spray is last resort since many people end up spraying themselves or it doesn’t work for some other reason. I’ve used instead air horns and quality whistle. This usually scares them away. The whistle can also be used in case you get lost.

[Image]

Ok-Boot2017

10d

Interesting. Yeah I don’t consider it essential

Imaginary_Mixture618

10d

Sounds like a beginner setup. You’ll def want to switch to lightweight if you plan on doing it for long periods of time( 2months or more) but all in all that’s a solid set up.

Ok-Boot2017

10d

Yeah I mostly am just planning 2-3 day things

YardFudge

Shoes?

Footwear is more important than all those things.

Always buy your pack last, after you know what it’ll carry. Watch YouTube DIY vids about, and have a friend measure, your torso & waist dimensions.
Always buy shoes first - professionally fit your shoes + insoles + socks combo at REI or a running store late in the day. Spend a full hour trying on many combos.
Spend $11 on https://smile.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hikers-Gear-Guide-Second/dp/1426217846/ to learn everything in between.
What NOT to carry is more important than what to take.

Ok-Boot2017

Yes forgot as I had already. I use La Sportivas