Gear

This is the place to post information about hiking gear

Reviews, techniques, swap/sale (non-commercial), etc. are appropriate.


 

JROGG's picture

David, Thanks for the wake up call for us to be careful. I do a lot of lone hiking including winter. We can get a little to comfortable in thinking we're not too far away from emergency aid. I also carry extra socks in case they get wet. In winter I always stay on a well marked blazed trail. If you start bushwacking in the snow there's no telling what your stepping into and finding a lost hiker of course is easier. Good hiking, Jeff Roggenburg
jrzyrock's picture

I'm looking for winter hiking gear outlet in the southeastern Catskills to Greenwood Lake NY area. Must have a good selection of womens gear. I tried quite a few stores, even Cabellas in PA and am having trouble finding much of a selection for women. Looking mostly for boots, but also high tech hiking pants.
DorothyC's picture

If you sign up on their website you will receive monthly discount coupons via email :-)
Paul_A's picture

I'll second the suggestion that you look in Campmor for your hiking and camping needs. My wife gets most of her things there, as do I. I know it's outside the area you mentioned, but I think you'll be happy you made the trip. Just keep in mind that they are closed on Sundays. Before you make the drive, they have an extensive web site where you can browse most of what they have, but not all, and even shop on-line if you want to. Hope that helps.
BrianSnat's picture

Though they are just out of your stated range, Campmor in Paramus and Ramsey Outdoors in Paramus and Ramsey (the Paramus store is better) are great places to pick up gear. A road trip to Campmor is certain worth your time. I know people who drive several hours to shop there. "Keep not standing fixed and rooted, briskly venture, briskly roam" - Goethe
Trekker115's picture

Yeah, the store in Paramus has a pretty good selection - I was just up there to get a new pair of day hiking boots. Guess I'll have to check out Campmor next time I'm up in the neighborhood. There's also a shop called The Outdoor Store on Church St. in Montclair. They're small, but they've got an all-right range of books, maps, gear and stuff.
ahl124's picture

I Have not been there in awhile but try Campmor 810 Route 17 North Paramus, New Jersey 07652 and Campmor.com also Trail Conference members get a discount.
bralston's picture

We are clearing out the gear closet, and would love to find good homes for these three packs: Gregory Forester, Men's size Large--gently used (less than two weeks total of trail use). This pack was purchased in '05. Arc'teryx Bora 75, Women's size Medium--barely used (four total days of trail use). This pack was also purchased in '05. The above are two super-solid packs, just a little too heavy for our purposes. Osprey Stratos 40, size Medium--gently used (probably has a month of trail use, non-consecutive days). I love this pack, but discovered too late that it is the wrong size for me. All reasonable offers considered, I am located in Brooklyn. Thanks!
dick wilson's picture

Looking for a backpack useful for one or two nighters in Harriman and Catskills. Don't need the tremendous expedition size packs, or the too small daypacks. Any happy intermediates you can recommend?
srtmaintainer's picture

I bought a Gregory Z55 last year, used it on our LT thru-hike. It was the first backpack that I ever had that felt like it was supposed to be on my back. I have used it on overnights too, in the spring and fall. It is the most comfortable backpack that I have ever owned and carried well even when I was packed for eight days once.
NYCHiker's picture

Osprey just put out a new pack for 2009. It's the Exos. I love mine. I'm getting 58 Ls for 35 oz. I love the way it rides too. It's not bomber for a ton of bushwacking, but it's been absolutely perfect for me. I've used it from overnighters in NY to a 5 day backcountry trip in Glacier NP.

My only complaint is that bear cans for Marcy Dam don't fit well in the pack.
Paul_A's picture

I've been using a Mountainsmith Boundary pack with good results. In the summer I've done park trips of 2 days, 1 night to 2 weeks on the AT. Just sinch down the appropriate straps to decrease the volume. it's good also for winter trips in the Catskills where I'm carrying 2 sleeping bags and extra clothing.
mvg68's picture

There are medium sized frameless packs available from Walmart and Gander Mt. The one I purchased has a pouch for a water bladder and has various other pockets and straps to hold a small tent and sleeping bag.
Paul_A's picture

OK, I'll be the first to post in the gear section :) Are you looking for a good backpacking tent that both is lightweight and provides good protection from the weather and bugs? If the answer is yes then let me suggest you check out the various tents at www.tarptent.com . My wife and I have 2 models, the Rainbow, for when either of us go out solo, and the Rainshadow for when we're together. Both of those tents also will accommodate a good sized dog as well as the human occupants. If the tarptents have a down side I guess it's that they are a little pricey, but I'll let you decide that for yourself. To us it's worth a few extra dollars to loose a few pounds from our pack weight.
srtmaintainer's picture

Paul, We agree with you on the Tarptent. My son and I Thru-hiked the Vermont Long Trail last August and I must say our squall 2 at 34 ounces was a pleasure to carry. Although the tent is not free standing it is very easy to pitch. This tent is also very roomy, actually it's bigger then our last tent which was 4 pounds. Andy
brooklynkayak's picture

Traptents are particularly well suited to backpacking and fill the gap between tarps and the heavier alternatives. There are those that like hammocks as well for backpacking. You may also want to consider a tarp like the Mountain Laurel - TrailStar Shelter - 15 oz, large 2 person, 4 season tarp shelter. Add an inner bug tent/footprint combination and you have about the most flexible all season shelter out there. The thing that makes this design particularly inviting is that there are no parts to wear out, can be pitched with very high or very low ventilation, really stands up to weather and can be pitched in a variety of ways, many not mentioned on the web site. stevie
Jay H's picture

Although my Henry Shires Tarptent, a Cloudburst is quite the spacious tent for it's size, not sure if I would go as far as saying it is the ideal backcountry tent. It might be, depending on where you tent to camp or where you may be backpacking, outwest, northeast, down south, etc. The thing is the size is a plus but also a boon, as it is sometimes hard to find a good backcountry site that will fit it. Heck, there are some actual designated campsites that it wont fit in because of it's length. I've also had problems with the silnylon fraying quite badly and some of my guyline anchors are ripping. However, this is after a backcountry camping trip in Wrangell St. Elias at elevations of 8000-9000ft with some pretty heavy gusts 30-40 gusts, estimated. Jay
bralston's picture

I agree with Jay--I carried a Contrail on my (almost)thru of the AT this year, and there were plenty of places where the large footprint made it difficult to pitch properly. Setting it up on a tent platform takes some doing, especially if the platform does not have eyehooks around the perimeter. I plan on finishing with a Big Agnes Seedhouse. Much smaller, and still able to house me and my pack.