How much do you spend?

[Wayland]

I make quite a bit of my own kit and adapt a lot of other stuff but I still enjoy looking around at what else is out there.

Sometimes I'll take an idea and copy it, but sometimes I'll look at something and decide either I couldn't make it better or I couldn't make it in less time than I could earn the money it costs.

Money is not much use in the woods.

 

[spamel]

I spent a few quid on my Golite Hex, probably the most expensive bit of kit apart from my BFK, which I am still waiting on. Thing is, I want to get my family into campin and I now have my next plan slowly building in the back of my head!

I went to Fort Paull in Hull last weekend to watch my dad doing his German army reenactment, and saw some of the american reenactors who had fantastic ridgepole canvas tents in a nice woodland colour. I asked how much they cost and they were about 200 quid. Thing is, they'll last forever if looked after and repairs can be made without needing specialist equipment.

I want one!!

 

[rik_uk3]

That seems an odd principle. I assume by "label" you mean that a lot of bushcrafters use Swanndri kit.

If so that is presumably because it is good at what it does.

If an item is good, tried and tested, why deliberately avoid it?

Its not deliberatly avoided as such, but to be honest, I got one cheap from a mate, tried it, did not think much of it, and sold it on for a small profit. Swanni's are OK, but way overpriced as is so much other 'bushcraft uniform'. I still use a wolly pully, and have a couple of merino wool V necks I had from a charity shop, does the job and cost me pennies. I know the swanni is popular, but when I see the price tag on gear like that I just feel I'm being ripped off and refuse to part with my hard earned cash. The wife got me a couple of pairs of Craghopper trousers from TKMax, they are OK, but I still prefer my £3 lightweights or £7 M65's

I'm not a cheapskate, I'll pay whatever it costs for really good gear (new tentage and woodburner will set me back a grand for example), but I don't like being ripped off on kit when I can happily and safely use a cheaper version

 

[gunnix]

I've spend quite a bit of money I think.

Most expensive piece is the hammock underblanket I got here for 60 pound.
I've got the GB hammock (20£), mosquitonet(20£), kelly kettle + accesories which were'n worth it (50£), machete (20£ on BB), firesteels(25£ for 5 I think) as well.

I haven't spend money on any clothing in the last years. My shoes are starting to wear out though... it's allmost time to walk barefoot.

Just did buy an expensive Fenix L0D flashlight 34€. Quite much for a flashlight but it's really brilliant, so small but bright.
Have also a Safe-Light Super Bright flashlight which is a fine light but a little bit too big to carry in my pocket all the time, I got a batch of them for 5£ a piece (still got some if anyone's interested - 5£ + postage from belgium).

I've got a german poncho for 10£.

A mora for 30 cents. A SAK huntsman (knife,scissors,saw) for 11£ in Swiss supermarket.

A monocular for 6£.

Got old rucksack, sleeping bag, etc for free.

So you see I've spent most money on my sleeping equipment. I think that's the most important! A good nights sleep is worth every penny

I did spend an awful lot on books the last year though, I guess around 300£.
Only books about bushcraft, health (paleodiet, herbs etc), ecologic living, .. and anarchist anti civilisation..
I've chosen to spend money on books instead of doing the second year of a herborist course which cost 600£ . But I think I won't buy any books anymoree for a long time!

edit: just counted how much I spent in last 6 months on books: 409£ ! ****

 

[demographic]

As far as I have noticed, people tend to spend a large part of their disposable income on whatever hobby they do, it doesn't matter if they play Golf, ride motorcycles or play tiddlywinks, they still spend the same amount.

Somehow they manage to find expensive tiddlywinks

Think my most expensive bit of camping gear was an Ajungilak tyin sleeping bag but I have had it since I was about 19 and am now 35.

I am not dead keen on ex military kit cos I don't want to look like one of those "wish I was in the TA" saddos but sometimes its so cheap that I can't ignore it, also I am not dead keen on looking like I have just stepped of the set of Robin Hood men in tights either.

Its a sliding scale with usability first concern, price second followed by not looking like a numpty (or anymore than usual) coming later.

Although I own two axes (one in my carpenters toolbox and a splitting maul for firewood at home) I can't say I have ever used them while camping as I don't own any woodland so it would involve being a bit cheeky with someone elses trees which in my mind is a bloody liberty.

Some military kit really is so cheap (like swedish army Trangias and german army Gore Tex jackets that in my mind it's daft to avoid them.

<shrugs>

 

[arjuna]

kit,? you need it ,at what price? the time that you have any regret that you are not randy for the trail and its getting cold or wed or dry your hungry than what is the price of kit,keep it simple but good.

 

[Squidders]

I spend loads... I like spending loads... I like all the cool things that "loads" get me

 

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

No comment

Phil.

 

[Tadpole]

I have to say I spend next to no money on kit, I think my most expensive item is an ex-army artic sleeping bag, which was £25, all the rest of my kit was under £20. including a two person tent (bright yellow but still 100% water proof (ask me how I knowe I camp in in England) I must be kind of unusual as so far I’ve been lucky with my ebay kit and my carboot kit and my charity shop kit.

Today I went for a two hour walk in the pouring rain (for fun) most of it I spent looking for some branches to make a try-stick, my £12 coat didn’t let in a single drop of water, not did it drown me in my own sweat. My boots didn’t leak ( £19.99 from TKmaxx) and my leggings kept me warm if not dry (£2.99) If I had been out camping instead of walking I’d have put up my (£6.99) tarp and sheltered under than with a brew and a bite to eat, ‘till the rain stopped.
You don’t have to shell out lots of case to get the good stuff, but you do have to be prepared to wait, and look and modify and adapt until you have what you want and not worry about what the industry wants to sell you.

 

[capacious]

I have spent sooo much on kit I'm almost ashamed to tell you..... I'm more an ultralight hiker than a bushcrafter (sometimes I think that the majority of people that are 'bushcrafting' are just cutting up trees to makes tent pegs, sleeping under a tarp, cooking on a trangia and leaving a fire scar, and I like the minimal impact of UL hiking).

So here goes...

summer sleeping bag: £140
winter sleeping bag: £290 (including delivery from the states and the ******* customs charge)
tent: £270
bivi bag: £160

In my opinion they are worth every single penny because I know I'll still be using them in 20 years time. I have my gucci boots I wear for the TA but I class that under necessary purchases (anyone who has tabbed 40 miles in the issue boots will agree with me), but they wern't cheap either. You get for what you pay for, and if you want the best you pay the most.

 

[Squidders]

It's very good saving money but many of the items that come so cheap are manufactured in large factories abroad that spew lots of unpleasant chemicals in to the environment.

A lot of my more expensive items are hand made by craftsmen and women using materials sourced locally and with consideration to the environment.

This is, without a doubt, the industry I wish to support and i'm happy to pay more to do so.

 

[British Red]

Well said Squidders!

 

[Tadpole]

It's very good saving money but many of the items that come so cheap are manufactured in large factories abroad that spew lots of unpleasant chemicals in to the environment.

A lot of my more expensive items are hand made by craftsmen and women using materials sourced locally and with consideration to the environment.

This is, without a doubt, the industry I wish to support and i'm happy to pay more to do so.

I agree, the ethics of making something new, even if that new thing is hand made, still contributes to your overall “foot print” I try to recycle remake re-use. Saving energy and saving space in the landfill.

 

[Wayland]

<snip> I'm more an ultralight hiker than a bushcrafter (sometimes I think that the majority of people that are 'bushcrafting' are just cutting up trees to makes tent pegs, sleeping under a tarp, cooking on a trangia and leaving a fire scar, and I like the minimal impact of UL hiking). <snip>

Personally if I caught anyone cutting live trees for pegs or leaving a fire scar I wouldn't be calling them a "Bushcrafter".......

I think the UL crowd and the real Bushcraft crowd have more in common than you suggest.

I use a tarp because it's light, does not leave a trace and I prefer the open feel and view.

I'll make a fire occasionally but when I'm gone you won't know where it was.

More often, I'll use a hobo stove because it has minimal impact, not just on the site I'm using it at but also in the industrial infrastructure.

I use lightweight equipment, but I would have to admit it's so I can carry extra luxuries, in my case my camera equipment.

For example I asked Pignut to check my pitch the morning after this shot was taken and the only visible signs were some very small pieces of charcoal scattered around the area.

We only spotted them because we knew what to look for.

 

[oops56]

All i got to say dont get lost or they wont find you. There is no foot print

 

[Grooveski]

I spend silly money on archery gear and rather more than I expected to on canoeing gubbins but my camping kit hasn't changed much in years. Getting hammocked up and a treat of a new axe is about all I've spent money on in the last couple of years.

Oh, and a couple of knives but just a blade and a kit so nothing too pricy.

I do try to avoid impulse buys. The underblanket for the hammocks was tempting but I quite like my cosy wee tent in winter and the rest of the year I don't get cold in the hammock anyway.

Most of my outdoor spending is probably petrol and malt.

 

[PJMCBear]

The most I will spend is about £100 (HH £96 2 years ago, boots £80 4 years ago and a £70 Nanuk -10 sleeping bag). Purchases at those prices have to be well researched and deliberated over for a couple on months before buying.

Everything else I use is below £50, but even then, I've to justify the purchase with myself before I buy.

 

[Sgt Sim]

I haven't bought a single piece of kit for at least two years, except one cheap sleeping bag. It is much more fun having home made kit than junk made in China.

Could not agree more However, I have spent some money. The most expensive a pair of boots (c. 1200 SEK, roughly £100) and a Fallkniven F1 knife (c. 1100 SEK, c. £80). The other stuff that I have is made by my self or I managed to get for free

Mankinds survival started most likley with two stones and bushcraft is more fun if you go back to the basics

 

[kai055]

my m8 said to me was to buy the best equipment that you could afford

 

[demographic]

It's very good saving money but many of the items that come so cheap are manufactured in large factories abroad that spew lots of unpleasant chemicals in to the environment.

A lot of my more expensive items are hand made by craftsmen and women using materials sourced locally and with consideration to the environment.

This is, without a doubt, the industry I wish to support and i'm happy to pay more to do so.

I am just playing devils advocate here so don't take it too seriously but what about the craftsmens workshops being far less efficiant than those factories, using tools for a few minutes at a time instead of in shifts (so more tools needed which have to be made somewhere), and the carrage of small quantities of materials to those workshops instead of in bulk to the factories.