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Need some gear help

Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:34 am
Posted by bird35
Georgia
Member since Sep 2012
12337 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:34 am
My daughter is working at a camp this summer in Colorado. The camp is in the Rocky Mountains elevation 8,700 feet.

Throughout the summer the lows will be between 25-40 degrees and the highs 75-80.

We received the packing list and I’m looking for some good brands of stuff but not necessarily the most expensive like North Face or Columbia.

She needs:

A Jacket
Medium weight fleece
Rain jacket and pants
Winter hat
Gloves
Sleeping bag rated for 20-30 degrees
Sleeping pad

She will sleep in a cabin every night except one per week where they will camp.

If I have to pay a lot for these I will but if anyone knows of a quality product for a decent value of any of this I would appreciate the tips.

Thanks.

Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
39131 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:37 am to
quote:

If I have to pay a lot for these I will but if anyone knows of a quality product for a decent value of any of this I would appreciate the tips.
REI outlet (discontinued/overstock) or REI used gear
Posted by Sparty3131
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2019
661 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:44 am to
Good footwear. Merrell's treated me right working in the mountains. Break them in before camp.
Posted by Sparty3131
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2019
661 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:51 am to
Get a sleeping bag rated for zero or 10 degrees.
Posted by Ol boy
Member since Oct 2018
2968 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 11:32 am to
Check out
Seirra trading post they have a bunch of top brands at close out prices.
Posted by mechatiger
The Pen
Member since Aug 2014
42 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 11:51 am to
For a jacket I’d recommend a down puffer jacket. You can spend $300+ on one but I’ve had great luck with the $30 ones from Costco. Amazon also has a good selection of sub $100 puffers.
Medium weight fleeces can be found anywhere- Walmart, old navy, etc. I got my main fleece for four bucks at a thrift shop. A wool sweater works just fine too.
Rain jacket is tougher. Frog Toggs are cheap but loud and not super durable but get the job done. This is one where you largely get what you pay for. Will she be doing much physical activity/sweating? Ventilation zippers help a lot in that situation.
Winter hat? Too many options to list. Use what she has already. I usually carry a lightweight beanie and a heavier warmer hat when I’m backpacking so I can switch based upon temperature.
Gloves depends upon what she’s doing- will she be working? I’m partial to insulated soft leather work gloves, but if and when they get wet they take a lot longer to dry. Usually I only take a light pair of poly gloves in the summer unless I’m doing trail work.
I highly recommend the Kelty cosmic down 20 sleeping bag. It’s down, will keep you comfortable to about 30 degrees (lower if using a bag liner or wearing extra clothes), lightweight and packable enough for shorter backpacking trips, and is less than $110 on rei right now. The poster that recommended a 0-10 degree bag is way off, she’ll be burning up in the 50 degree summer nights unless she’s a really cold sleeper.
Pad? Could go as cheap as you want but I like a decent backpacking air mattress. Quality of sleep directly translates to quality of life. I’d try to check them out at a physical rei or other outdoor store if you can since it’s largely a personal preference/sleep style. Sea to summit, therm a rest, big Agnes, and Nemo all make quality pads. There’s a basic Nemo pad on sale at rei for less than $55 right now.

Posted by lsufan1971
Zachary
Member since Nov 2003
18503 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 12:10 pm to
KUIU has a Presidents’ Day sale with a lot of stuff 50% off. Their stuff is top notch

LINK
Posted by awestruck
Member since Jan 2015
10988 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 3:39 pm to
Since your not after Pata-gucci or similar the big dollars will probably be best spent on lightweight and packable (compressible). Which will also help in everyday camp. Can you find out what she needs to be light?

I'd spend up on a light sleeping bag. Hint you can blanket it like a quilt when it's not really cold. Add dollar up again for a nice pack able rain jacket, she'll carry it everywhere, from now on until it's threadbare worn and thrown in the trunk of her car.

And although not listed - a buff tubular thingy. I've heard of people straining soup through one. They wad up small, never wrinkle, and incredibly versatile.
Posted by TigerOnTheMountain
Higher Elevation
Member since Oct 2014
41773 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 4:05 pm to
REI is currently having a 50% off members sale. Membership is $40 I believe? I don’t remember exactly as I’ve been a member for a long time.

REI

My wife really likes the fit and style of Cotopaxi. Drives me crazy when she comes with me and I’m in coyote brown, black, OD green, and she’s in these colorful Cotopaxi stuff

Oh and if she’s going to be Colorado, don’t forget to get her some Birks bro.
This post was edited on 2/20/23 at 4:10 pm
Posted by Landmass
Member since Jun 2013
18223 posts
Posted on 2/22/23 at 12:25 am to
Get a jacket from Columbia. Their insulated jackets will last for decades. Mine stood up to a winter in Wyoming with no issues. They are rain ready and can break down to an outer or inner shell only as needed to serve as a light jacket or rain coat. For the money, you aren't going to get anything more versatile and with better quality.
Posted by LSUintheNW
At your mom’s house
Member since Aug 2009
35764 posts
Posted on 2/22/23 at 2:29 am to
quote:


If I have to pay a lot for these I will but if anyone knows of a quality product for a decent value of any of this I would appreciate the tips.


Search around for deals. I have all that stuff in top quality gear but I didn't buy it all at once.

Sierra trading post
Campmor
Rei outlet

Backcountry routinely gives 20% off.

Don't go cheap on the pad or bag. It can last many many years and you want a quality sleep system.

Thermarest pad
Several companies make good bags. I have marmot.
Posted by LSUduckhunter
Houston, TX
Member since Aug 2005
97 posts
Posted on 2/22/23 at 8:40 am to
I'd add a good merino base layer. Wait till REI, First Lite or KUIU have a sale.
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
24182 posts
Posted on 2/22/23 at 9:06 am to
I've live here in the intermountain west for over 20 years. Worked in the outdoor (ski) industry for 10. The past year or so, been a scoutmaster with our local scout troop. I've spent a ton of days and night in the outdoors in the mountains of the western USA.

Here are my recommendations:

Jacket: Columbia is actually and affordable brand. Whatever you get, make sure it's breathable and ventable. You can also check Cabela's/Bass Pro. they have good stuff as well.

Medium weight fleece: Anything should do here.

Rain jacket and pants This is a tricky one. Personally, I lump the jacket/rain jacket together and focus on a decent pair of rain pants. The storms our west will be brief but intense. So you don't need full or gortex or anything like that.

Winter hat - Wool poly blend. Should be about 20-25 for one that will last years.

Gloves: Get a decent pair of fleece lined work gloves. Supplement that with a polypro glove liner. That give you a glove system. If the 40-50's you can wear just the liners. 30-40's the work gloves. Below that. Both. should be about $20-30

Sleeping bag rated for 20-30 degrees Go colder than what they recommend (5-10 deg). If it's really warm, you can unzip the bag and use the bag as a blanket. If you have a Big5 or Dicks near you you can get a decent bag for about $100. That's where most of our scouts get their bags and we've camped down to single digits.

Sleeping pad. Thermarest. I like the inflatable ones, but everyone is different. Don't skimp on this item. About $100 should do it.

What I didn't see on the list was good base layers. Something that will warm you at night and keep you cool during the day. Medium weight poly pro would be what I'd personally take. Merino Wool is good, but I'd bet these won't get washed many times this summer so the smell factor with the wool will be an issue after a while.

Well that's what I can think of. If anything else pops in my head, I'll update it.

ETA: Sierra Trading post
This post was edited on 2/22/23 at 9:14 am
Posted by kaleidoscoping
Member since Feb 2021
320 posts
Posted on 2/22/23 at 9:13 am to
Check out carinthia / eberlestock sleeping bags. Compact, lightweight and kickass. Ive used my jungle bag alone down to 40 degrees. If I combine the two im cozy at -15 degrees.
Posted by kaleidoscoping
Member since Feb 2021
320 posts
Posted on 2/22/23 at 9:14 am to
Check out carinthia / eberlestock sleeping bags. Compact, lightweight and kickass. Ive used my jungle bag alone down to 40 degrees. If I combine the two im cozy at -15 degrees. I backpack and cross country ski with them.
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