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Topic: Newbie Looking for 3 Season Gear< Next Oldest | Next Newest >
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krp234 Search for posts by this member.

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PostIcon Posted on: Jan. 24 2013, 2:41 am  Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
I have been lurking on these forums for awhile and thought I would finally join to get some advice. I have always wanted to go backpacking but I live in the worst place for it (Chicago area). I am planning to move to Montana this summer into the fall and hopefully longer. So I am really looking forward to hiking in the wilderness, climbing mountains, and sleeping under the stars. Right now I'm trying to plan all the gear I need to buy, with a tight budget. I don't think I'll take any backpacking trips more than 2 nights, at least not this year. I already bought a tent last week from Cabelas that I think I'm happy with. But I'm not sure I want to say what it is since you guys might laugh at the weight. I'm trying to buy gear that can be used as much of the year as possible to save money. So before I make any mistakes, I was hoping I could get some opinions on gear I'm planning to buy.

Kelty Cosmic 20 Degree Down Sleeping Bag - From what I've read 20 degrees seems like the best temperature rating for 3 season use. This sleeping bag was the only down bag I could find for around $100, and it gets good reviews.

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad - This seems like a good pad for the money and it packs down small and doesn't weigh a lot. I don't know if I'm going to need a pump to inflate it. Will an R value of 4.1 be warm enough?

Water Filtration - I was planning to buy a Sawyer Water Bottle Filter and some extra bottles to hold the filtered water. I would also carry some chlorine dioxide tablets as a backup. Does this sound like a good plan?

I'll worry about buying a pack and other stuff later. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Kevin
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rayestrella Search for posts by this member.

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PostIcon Posted on: Jan. 24 2013, 6:07 am Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
Many have used the Kelty Cosmic Down and say it is a good bag for the money, but that the rating is optimistic. Plan on it being good to freezing though.

As far as the pad, you don't need a pump for the IAC as you won't be using it below freezing. I took mine down below into the teens a couple nights but it is best to about freezing. If you are planning winter hiking best to look at something else. The XTherm packs tiny and has an r-value of 5.7.

Sawyers are good robust filters. I can help you out with filters if you are interested. Shoot me an email or a PM.

rayestrella AT hotmail DOT com

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PostIcon Posted on: Jan. 24 2013, 6:54 am Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
Kevin, sounds like a good plan to me.

While I've upgraded my bags, I still have a Kelty and keep it in the tool box of my truck.  I love the design and wish they offered it in a 850 fill.   IMO the Kelty line is very good entry level equipment, solidly constructed and featured up pretty nice and won't break the bank.  My bag is a lite year 25 and I'd agree it's rated a little optimistic.  


You'll like the BA pad too.

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For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
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QCHIKER Search for posts by this member.

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PostIcon Posted on: Jan. 24 2013, 9:53 am Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
Kevin, Check out some of the meetup groups in your area. As there are two backpacking groups:
http://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Backpackers/

http://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Suburban-Backpackers/


They do quite a few trips around the area and could help you out with gear selection and advice.
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topshot Search for posts by this member.

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PostIcon Posted on: Jan. 25 2013, 9:49 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic.  Ignore posts   QUOTE
The Kelty should be fine and you can add a foam pad with the BA if it will get real cold.

My paper may help you out even though it was written with Scouts in mind.
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