Friday 12 August 2011

$200 To Spend On Outdoor Gear

So picture the scene: you've got $200 bucks, AKA £120, not that I've got $200, or that I'm by some act of blogger magic able to give you $200, just an imaginary $200 of 'mad money' not bills money, not body and soul money, just $200/£120 of 'mad money'.

What Outdoor Gear Would you Buy With It?

Answers in the comments section please, and you never know where this one might lead us.....

Your pal
SBW

33 comments:

Jordan said...

A new sleeping bag, for sure. There's nothing like sleeping in a warm sleeping bag, even if you're camping in your own back yard.

Oz said...

I would be out testing multi-day backpacks and then purchasing the one that fit me and my backpacking plans.

Exploriment said...

I’ll say it’s $200 CDN. I would spend it on materials and hardware at RockyWoods and make a bunch of things I have planned.

ScotchDave said...

Right now I'd buy a second hand top quilt and a source hydration bladder. The top quilt saves around a pound of weight for hammock camping, compared to using an unzipped sleeping bag.

After some early experiences with awful camelbaks I completely gave up on hydration bladders, but I am hearing REALLY good things about the SOURCE hydration bladders and my new pack has a pouch for a hydration bladder.

I wouldn't get it all for under $200, but I'd get it for under $300, so chuck in $100 of my own.

Dave

Corey Beavers said...

Good question... $200 would go nicely toward the Gransfors Bruks forest axe with some still left over for a new hammock canopy.

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

Jordan

I've hardly use the Kifaru MOB I bought a while back but the small amount of usage makes me think it's very warm (I've never actually slept in it, under it was still very warm) and its size (about a third of the size of my old bag) a revelation.

Which bag are you looking at?

SBW

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

motoroz

Which packs do you think cut it at $200?

The Northern Monkey just got a Gelert of about 70-80L he's very happy with it.

SBW

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

Exploriment

nice plan
SBW

dk said...

A solo tent or a hammock/tent thing. I'd have to flip a coin to decide.

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

ScotchDave

Cheers for the tip, I'm also less than exited about the Platypus bags, they'll do, but they could be a lot cheaper for want you get

I'm not that sold on the quilt(s) for hammocks idea, but maybe you know something I dont?

SBW

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

NMTracker

Have you seen the 'Hunter'? Longsword has one its a really nice handle-to-head ratio.

SBW

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

Dave

I'll be field testing the DD hammock soon
SBW

GoofyGirl said...

a new pr. of jeans... 'cause I wear them outdoors ... so, technically....

:)

LongSword said...

I've got the hunter SBW - brilliant bit of kit - love it to bits. $200 - has to be a new Swandri bush shirt, or another axe - probably the Swedish Carving axe @ the mo

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

GG

Nah your local paper has some of the best used fly fishing gear at the lowest prices, then you could buy lots [more] jeans
SBW

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

Longsword

Bushshirts: a word to the wise
I spent over a year trying to get the Kiwi Bushshirt i wanted, not swani but the Camo one they issued to the army in the 90's - hen's teeth are more common even in Kiwi land, I eventually got a mint one - but and here's the warning - their sizing is totally random, its an L but fits like an M. to say I'm gutted is an understatement.

I'll dig out Lyn's details for you as she can get the real 'made in NZ' swani's rather than the made in china one's that are diluting the brands reputation. She can get all the cool rare colours too.

SBW

Exploriment said...

A quilt (and an underquilt) in a hammock is the tits.

And if I had to do it all over again I would go with Source bladders.

Zac said...

I would spend it on a sleeping bag and a good knife. I can do without a tent, I prefer sleeping under the stars.

Casey said...

A water filter, a new Mora, and then I would try to squeeze in a CVA muzzleloader. Cheap, but I know guys who have taken deer out to 200 yards with them. Well, maybe a flyrod instead. I'd have to flip a coin.

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

Zac

Which knife are you looking at?
SBW

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

Casey
I know I know, so much cool stuff, so little cash to buy it all with!
Good luck with your hens
SBW

ScotchDave said...

SBW,

I am a fan of quilts for hammocks, I believe them to be more efficient than other methods. I'm emailing you as this may be a long conversation. :)

Dave

Sean M said...

Hhmm, well most of the basics are already covered, Shelter, fire, food, water, & tools in some from or another. So probably two water bladders to fit my tubs and more lon term storage foods.

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

Sean M

Currently Source Bladders are in the lead with myself dissatisfied with PLATYPUS and Scotch Dave less than exited by CAMELBAK

Do you have any tips on a sealing solution for long term storage?

SBW

ScotchDave said...

Here's a fairly detailed review of the SOURCE bladders, the site is pretty decent, but very focused on tactical stuff.

http://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/load-bearing/source-hydration-systems-and-lbt-hydration-pouches-a-winning-combo/

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

ScotchDave
OK that's really a lot better thought out than the other brands, i'm impressed.

SBW

Josh said...

I'd put it down on a used Bear Grizzly 50lb. recurve. Or, I'd buy up the materials for a plywood drift boat, and build it. Or, I'd get a nice fly rod, because mine was stolen last month. Or...

Can we add one more zero to the left of the decimal?

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

Josh

Would you really buy a S/H recurve? I'd always worry that it had been dry fired.
SBW

Josh said...

SBW, I've had nothing but great results from used bows - a Bear Tiger Cat, a Ben Pearson longbow hybrid, and even a gigantic, homemade 80 lb. draw recurve.

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

Josh

That's heartening, I gave my PSE to The Northern Monkey, and I've been sporadically saving for a Hoyt ever since (one of those badass ones with the carbon riser)

SBW

Josh said...

Hoyts are nice. Have you ever shot a Bear Grizzly? I was blown away by the extraordinarily smooth draw. For $330 brand-new, it was far nicer than the $500+ bows I've drawn.

The Suburban Bushwacker said...

Josh

Cheers for the tip
SBW

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