All My Gear Is Gone

[HappyLost]

So recently, I've been in a bit of a sticky situation, leading to me being homeless for a year.
I had so much camping gear that i have collected over the years, but now its all gone.

Now, im looking to build some basic kit up as im desperate to get out, i need it so bad, up into the mountains for a few days at least.

Im on a budget and keep finding myself browsing army surplus gear or snugpak sleeping bags.

Can anyone share their experience using army/mil designed gear for backpacking?
Something like this: https://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Snugpak_Basecamp_OPS_The_Sleeping_Bag/?alglqid=e428ad2eaef10b20ee8280ab680fb045&algliid=671932&alglpos=2&btsl=search&btsu=https://www.outdoorgb.com/search

and this

https://military.eu/en/p/meteor/meteor-self-inflating-mat-183-x-51-x-3-cm-olive-837650

would love any feedback!! many thanks!

 

[Mesquite]

Snugpak sleeping bags are pretty good so you won't go wrong with that as a 3 season bag

 

[Wildgoose]

Army gear tends to be far bulkier and heavier than regular kit as it’s designed for harder use.

What sort of kit you use previously? Any option to buy similar again but second hand? EBay and Vinted can be good for a few bargains.

 

[demented dale]

So recently, I've been in a bit of a sticky situation, leading to me being homeless for a year.
I had so much camp[ing year that i have collected over the years, but now its all gone.

Now, im looking to build some basic kit up as im desperate to get out, i need it so bad, up into the mountains for a few days at least.

Im on a budget and keep finding myself browsing army surplus gear or snugpak sleeping bags.

Can anyone share their experience using army/mil designed gear for backpacking?
Something like this: https://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Snugpak_Basecamp_OPS_The_Sleeping_Bag/?alglqid=e428ad2eaef10b20ee8280ab680fb045&algliid=671932&alglpos=2&btsl=search&btsu=https://www.outdoorgb.com/search

and this

https://military.eu/en/p/meteor/meteor-self-inflating-mat-183-x-51-x-3-cm-olive-837650

would love any feedback!! many thanks!

What exactly do you need? just the sleeping bag? pm me. d x

 

[HappyLost]

Army gear tends to be far bulkier and heavier than regular kit as it’s designed for harder use.

What sort of kit you use previously? Any option to buy similar again but second hand? EBay and Vinted can be good for a few bargains.

I don't mind heavier, it's what i grew up with before things went ultralight!
I'm keeping my eye out for things, It's so much harder trying to piece together decent, cheaper gear on a budget. The synthetic sleeping bags are a minefield to compare.

I had loads, all collected over the past few decades. I had a Quasar, rucksacks, more stoves than Millets, little gadgets, waterproofs, crampons, ice picks, boots, and all sorts. Even things like a paraffin lamp, i wouldn't buy one for my gear now, but the nostalgia from them.
All of my gear has memories, its not the value of it that hurts, its times I've had with the people I've had them with. That loss of freedom too. I can't wait to get back out.

 

[HappyLost]

What exactly do you need? just the sleeping bag? pm me. d x

Honestly im not looking for a hand out or anything! Thank you though!
Just a recommendation so i don't waste my money on crap!
I'm literally starting from scratch again, haven't even got a peg bag, need to get a rucksack, tent, sleeping bag, mat, boots, stove; you name it!
Seen a Helvellyn 200 new for £135, rucksack for £25 on sale, boots for £40 on sale, i'll pick something up for a stove, even if its a cheap trangia knock-off, ill get something! Might have to resort to a Zippo and a mess tin!

Just stuck on a sleeping bag and a decent mat, self-inflating is where my budget will probably stretch to!
Seen mixed reviews on the Snugpak, I think i'm living in an ideal little bubble and the gear isn't up to what they make out.
The Summit 300 from mountain warehouse is around a simlar price, rated for 5c comfort. but, it just looks.. cheap.... and its not going to last me far into the year before i need something more weather suitable!

 

[demented dale]

Honestly im not looking for a hand out or anything! Thank you though!
Just a recommendation so i don't waste my money on crap!
I'm literally starting from scratch again, haven't even got a peg bag, need to get a rucksack, tent, sleeping bag, mat, boots, stove; you name it!
Seen a Helvellyn 200 new for £135, rucksack for £25 on sale, boots for £40 on sale, i'll pick something up for a stove, even if its a cheap trangia knock-off, ill get something! Might have to resort to a Zippo and a mess tin!

Just stuck on a sleeping bag and a decent mat, self-inflating is where my budget will probably stretch to!
Seen mixed reviews on the Snugpak, I think i'm living in an ideal little bubble and the gear isn't up to what they make out.
The Summit 300 from mountain warehouse is around a simlar price, rated for 5c comfort. but, it just looks.. cheap.... and its not going to last me far into the year before i need something more weather suitable!

I was just asking in case I can help you with anything. Maybe I have got something here. I dunno, ps where are you based? x

 

[HappyLost]

If you don't mind having a look? I'd be more than appreciative, thank you.
I guess in the grand scheme of things I'm not really in the position to be stubbornly self-sufficient!

I'm based in Warwickshire.

 

[HappyLost]

Snugpak sleeping bags are pretty good so you won't go wrong with that as a 3 season bag

interesting. ive read mixed reviews about them not being as warm a stated, but you never know with some people - laying on a blanket instead of a proper mat.
I like the look of them. might try one out in the future even if i dont get one now.

 

[Tengu]

Yeah, me too.

Im trying to clear out, so if anyone was willing to give me a hand?

Its so much easier if someone will take it.

 

[HappyLost]

Yeah, me too.

Im trying to clear out, so if anyone was willing to give me a hand?

Its so much easier if someone will take it.

You're clearing out gear?

 

[C_Claycomb]

You're clearing out gear?

Run! Run now, you do not know the danger you are in!! Tengu is always looking to clear out gear!

 

[HappyLost]

Run! Run now, you do not know the danger you are in!! Tengu is always looking to clear out gear!

Run? Like, 'to the hills'?
That's the plan
I genuinely have no clue what's happening right now!

 

[Tengu]

Thank you, Chris.

(Degree of Irony/sarcasm uncertain)

I get hold of loads of stuff and some I use, and others I find homes for. The vast majority of my kit is secondhand, I cannot afford to enrich impoverished multimillionares.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Sorry. My bad humour. I can’t remember when I first met Tengu in person…many years ago now. She has always made eclectic contributions to the Moot bring and buys, and often offers unexpected items for trade. Always enthusiastic about finding new homes for things she has salvaged which could be very useful to the right person.

 

[HappyLost]

I cannot afford to enrich impoverished multimillionares.

Are you referring to me?

I only came on here to ask about a sleeping bag

 

[Wildgoose]

I think Tengu was probably referring to the owners of popular businesses.

Tengu certainly wouldn’t mean to offend

 

[Tengu]

No, I didnt mean to offend.

I dont shop in all those places that I constantly get advertising for...In spite of the fact I have never shopped with them.

Its not that I am against them; its just that they do not purvey the stuff I need...and to be frank, I have most of what I do need already.

But, I am always on the lookout in my daily life for kit; I patronise a lot of Car boots and charity shops.

Would a down bag (brand new) be OK? PM me.

 

[HappyLost]

No, I didnt mean to offend.

I dont shop in all those places that I constantly get advertising for...In spite of the fact I have never shopped with them.

Its not that I am against them; its just that they do not purvey the stuff I need...and to be frank, I have most of what I do need already.

But, I am always on the lookout in my daily life for kit; I patronise a lot of Car boots and charity shops.

Would a down bag (brand new) be OK? PM me.

That would be amazing! Thank you so much!! PM sent.

I used to get a lot of my stuff second hand, online, etc. love a bargain hunt! Every now and then there's that one listing that isn't listed properly and you get an absolute cracker of a bargain. I don't have the time for that at the present, I'm too itchy to get out!

 

[Barney Rubble]

I don't think you'll go far wrong with the surplus kit. Heavy, but also reliable and affordable.

As far as a sleeping bag is concerned, I'd recommend the British issue medium weight sleeping bag. It'll be a similar price (approx £40) to the Snugpak sleeping bag that you referenced and might even pack down a little smaller. But, it will be of a better quality and serve you nicely through three seasons.

It is part of a modular system, so further down the line you can also add the lightweight sleeping bag which combines to create a 4 season bag. You can also consider adding the army issue goretex bivvy bag which is still one of the most affordable and best performing bivvy bags that you'll buy.