The Big Four on a Budget

Too many people are spending too much money on their hiking/hunting gear instead of just getting out there and doing it. Instead of spending maybe $600 on just your sleeping bag, this should be enough to buy a sturdy comfy pack, a reliable shelter, a lightweight sub-zero down bag, a similar sleeping mat, a kitchen set-up and a raincoat, ie practically all you are going to need. I know that is six!Also all these (cheap) items taken together ought weigh no more than about 3kg. You might be able to save as much as 500 grams (say two muesli bars) on that figure by spending a couple of thousand dollars more yet have no more satisfactory set-up, if as satisfactory or durable. Why bother? Get out and enjoy. You only pass this way once.

I do like a sturdy pack and have long used a Dyneema one I bought from Zpacks many years ago so I know that this fabric is excellent. Still you don’t need to pay $500 for a pack when you can buy this fully framed 60 litre one Naturehike from Aliexpress for A$77 (March 2024) or this frameless 56 litre and 880 gram Flames Creed one for A$122. Both are Dyneema. (I really don’t think you need a frame if you keep your load down.

This R= 5.8 ‘Flames Creed’ sleeping mat weighs 430 grams and costs A$126 (February 2024). I have tried out some of their other products (eg tents) and cannot fault them.

This Mountain Dream down bag contains 400 grams of 800 fill power down weighs 950 grams and will surely take you below zero yet costs a mere A$57.

Some other alternatives: I like the style of a bag with a centre zip (as it is so much easier to get into and out of (ditto a quilt). This  Ice Flame centre zip down bag has 450 grams of 800 fill power down yet weighs a total of 780 grams and costs a mere A$233.

This Aegismax Twilight quilt has 350 grams of 800 fill power down weighs 509 grams and costs A$ 263.

I have already mentioned the Aricxi shelter or tent in a couple of posts. It still weighs only around 300 grams (say 500 if you add a ground sheet and bug net) and still only costs around $A50. As you will note, I made an Ultralight Ground Sheet for mine for probably <A$10.

Some (other) tried and tested recommendations here.

I still like an approx 900 ml titanium pot with a frying pan lid such as this one (I have seen something like this from time to time at Aussie Disposals for $50)  and still recommend Brasslite’s wonderful alcohol simmer stove which still costs only approx A$45. Cookset (including stove) approx 200 grams total plus add alcohol fuel as needed and ultralight bottle. Maybe 250 grams all up for a weekend trip. I also recommend this DIY $4  & 20 gram Roll Up Titanium Stove.

I recently bought a delightful (and tough) Blizzard Raincoat from Aussie Disposals (Traralgon) for around A$100. Their lightest one s only 280 grams. I (also) have the slightly heavier one. Both may be slightly heavier than some of the (elite) competitors but I have been using it around the farm now and on our evening walks for months and cannot fault it.

So there we have it:

880 gram Flames Creed pack for A$122

R= 5.8 ‘Flames Creed’ sleeping mat weighs 430 grams and costs A$126

Mountain Dream down bag  950 grams A$57

Aricxi shelter or tent 300 grams $A50

Cookset (including stove) approx 200 grams say $100

Blizzard Raincoat 280 grams for around A$100

Totals: A$555 and 3040 grams.

If you are able to do a little DIY I have nearly 180 DIY ideas many of which will also save you both some weight and some money.

See Also:

Ultralight Hiking on a Budget

https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/11/30/best-5-spent-on-camping-gear-ever/

https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/04/29/free-stuff-for-hiking/

https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/04/30/more-free-stuff-for-hiking/

https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/05/29/even-more-free-stuff-for-hiking/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/03/03/ultralight-hiking-on-a-budget/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/03/24/budget-pack-mods/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/11/04/beginning-hiking/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/08/31/3f-tents/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/ultralight-hiking-on-a-budget/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/budget-pack-mods/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/cosco-quilt/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/brawnys-tarptent/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/cheap-insulated-inflatable-pad/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/ultralight-ultracheap-backpack/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/60-diy-ultralight-hiker-ideas/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/emergency-cb-radios/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/klymit-ultralight-pillow/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/diy-dry-back-hiking-pack/