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**Oscar Wilde** · 12-27-2009, 10:20 PM

[SIZE="2"]Welcome to the X Jason. Lots of equipment to choose from .... me, I give my money to the local military surplus folks. The ALICE pack may not be very pretty but its reliable , and for the money can't be beat. I've added padding to mine .... but at 90 lbs. there's only so much you can do for comfort. As for shelter, learn how to build a Debris shelter [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8OuP0jDgo8[/ame] . If you anticipate living out of your tent its because your on the move or will need to be every so often .... your tent will not hold up to this for too long .... your debris shelter will blend in with the environment .... the tent .... maybe not so much .... so I vote ponchos and a tarp or two and maybe a couple of sleeping mats .... the mil surplus poncho liners are life savers also. Look up the post by mags .... he's an experienced outdoors type and has lots of state of the art equipment and he provides an in depth description / explanation as to what and why. I would spend the money on a good sleep system .... some one posted a comment regarding sleep .... don't know where it is but it goes something like this " WHEN things do go bad, you / we won't be getting much sleep ..... but when the opportunity arises we want to get the best possible sleep .... no ones gonna get a good rest if they're wet and cold and can't get that core temperature up.... again my money goes to the mil surplus. Make sure you look your purchases over real well also. These folks go to lengths to make sure their products are like new .... but on occasion things slip by ..... they'll of course make it right but that another trip to the store. Any questions you have type in a search thread .... if you don't find it lots of smart folks here will get you squared away. Welcome and good luck.

O.W.

**Big_Saw** · 12-27-2009, 10:34 PM

Originally posted by Jason_Tx View Post

I have come to a point where I would like to replace some gear. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the old, back breaking ALICE Pack. I would just like to upgrade some things and am requesting some feedback / opinions on some things.

I have about a thousand dollars to play with and would like to upgrade some camping gear / BOB gear / survival gear / zombie gear / whatever else you wanna call it.

First Item would be packs. I will be setting up 2 Packs (1 for me / 1 for wife)
The Eberlestock Gunslinger 2 has caught my eye -- but at almost $300, 2 of them would put a huge dent in the budget.
(Yeah, I realize I wouldn't have to get 2 of these as I wouldn't want my wife to have a pack that weighs 6 lbs empty)
I don't have to have the best / most expensive stuff out there and would like some suggestions on a few good / tough packs.

Second item -- a tent (not sure if a 2-3 person tent would be best or a couple 1 person bivies + tarp
For a survival situation the latter seems like a more intelligent choice incase you get seperated you don't leave one person with out shelter

Third Item -- Sleeping bags -
As I live in Texas I doubt I need a 15 pound arctic bag. Just a couple bags in earth tone colors rated around 20F or maybe 0F

I can easily get carried away here, as you all well know. What I'm trying to do is be reasonable and get some decent camping gear. If I get 2 packs / 2 sleeping bags / 2 bivies and/or a tent for $500.00 .. all the better as the other $500 would go for an aimpoint t1 micro ... or another gun .. or .... lol

Suggestions / Opinions plz (BTW, its is not a must - just a preference that the packs are military style, I have never had and am not used to the commercial / civilian type pack-- but this isn't a must, just a preference)

OW had a great reponse...now I'm gonna spin it my way....Your ALICE, if it's the genuine article, is hard to beat...but if you're wanting something different, 300 bucks is about what I'd expect to pay for comparable quality and utility....Secondly, definitley learn shelter building, but I also recommend packing a compact bivy...they're small and light, and will provide instant shelter, should you be caught humpin' a trail in a t-storm; however, OW has a serious point about durability, and this is where the rugged tarp comes in...you should pack a tarp regardless of your shelter preference...Thirdly, a decent 3 season, 20 degree mummy sleeping bag will run you about 30 clams on eBay....

All in all, I think you should be ready to spend good money if you want good gear, or be patient enough to wait for good finds on comparable gear at better prices....hope this helps :D

**Jason_Tx** · 12-27-2009, 10:37 PM

Thx for the reply Oscar.

I know how to build a debris shelter / poncho tent / tepee / tarp bivy / underground dugout ..ect ...

I learned alot of stuff in the Marine Corps, although may be rusty on some of the memories LOL

This gear will be mainly for camping and double as Bug Out Gear --

I've mainly kept old military gear and just ain't up on the newer stuff, wanting to upgrade I figured I'd ask you guys that are

more up on the newer stuff.

**kenno** · 12-27-2009, 10:44 PM

I am so stinking old I remember when ALICE was "introduced" to the troops with a buch of hype in the Army Media! ALICE was all 'New Fresh and Hot' like a new hamburger at McDonald's or something. Soldier Friendly, a vast improvement Blah blah, Phoey! It may have been 'better' in the same manner that a bullet to the head is 'better' than a noose. The late model pack waist belt helped alot but it took years for the Army to come-up with that improvement! I have been placeing my trust in Kelty since the mid-seventys, I won't say there is no better but other packs I tried were not as commfy with heavy loads. I would visit the REI and Campmor websites for more diverse info but for me I'm happy with Kelty.
PS my Kelty is Olive Drab!

**Oscar Wilde** · 12-27-2009, 10:54 PM

[I learned alot of stuff in the Marine Corps, although may be rusty on some of the memories LOL]

Well Semper Fi Devil Pup .... I didn't learn anything in the Corps thats soon to be applicable .... cept maybe the range. There's lots of great info here on just about every thing you can think of .... and then there's of course thoughtful opinions on other things that might matter.

O.W.

**Jason_Tx** · 12-31-2009, 10:29 PM

OK, I ordered some bags. I bought 2 High Peak Extreme Pak Sleeping Bag 0 degree bags. I'll let ya know how I like 'em. One is left zipper other is right hand zipper and they will zip together if needed. You can see them at the Timber Wolf Sports website

Still trying to decide on a pack and tent --
For the pack, so far I really like the Eberlestock Gunslinger II or Osprey Packs Argon 70 in green

For tents I'm looking at the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL3 / the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 / Sierra Designs Vapor light 2 /

**Big_Saw** · 01-01-2010, 12:56 AM

All decent picks...good eye....

**kenno** · 01-01-2010, 06:27 PM

I have a Big Agnes inflatable matress 3 Pounds and folds-up small, but that valve is a royal pain in the ash!

**civiliansoldier** · 01-12-2010, 08:13 PM

I don't know what size pack you are looking for, but this is mine. I like the molle straps and have added two pouches. I also hang alot of stuff on the outside like my utility belt which has my large knife and drop leg pistol holster. Don't let the price fool you, I have been doing weekend excursions with this pack for about a year now and not one problem as of yet. http://www.lapolicegear.com/diplomat...backpack1.html

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