kit help

[durulz]

I mean no offense Durulz?

Absolutely no offence taken whatsoever, my friend.
In fact, your post highlights a VERY important fact - what one person loves another will hate. That's all part and parcel of bushcrafting and what makes it so interesting. One person will swear by a bit of kit (e.g. German army sleeping bags) and another will give them a wide berth (e.g. German army sleeping bags). And both are correct.
I quite enjoy that aspect of bushcrafting - trying things out, deciding what is right for you etc. If you go to a moot (which I never have) or go camping with friends (which I do) it's always interesting to see how other people do things and what they use, so you can experiment yourself.
I suppose that's why I suggested holding fire on shelling out a lot of money at the start. Get to know what YOUR requirements are.
Here's a good thing to do. Go out to the local woods, or wherever you're thinking of going, and set up camp. Set it all up properly, as if you were staying for the night. Make yourself a brew. Make something to eat (and I don't mean open a Ginsters - not that I ever would). Sit back, relax for a while. Get to know where all your kit is, think about how it was packed, think about what is or isn't working, what could be done more efficiently, how much are you carrying - could you do away with anything or get a lighter/smaller version, what you need, what you could do without. All those things. Then pack it up and go home. Do this a few times to get a good idea of what you have and what you need and what needs to be replaced.

 

[J14]

thanks for the links and advice. I'll be trying out some stuff over the next week

 

[hammock monkey]

to me the only way forward is to just go out with whatever you have and enjoy yourself, the less kit the better in a way.
over time you'll want more gear, but don't get tied up with that - it only ever gets in the way really

 

[Pantalaimon]

Maybe it's good to think about doing a beginners course. Then you learn how to safely use a knife(which is very important) and so on. Just to get you started. And you probably get information from the instructor about good gear.(maybe he sells it cheap too)

Some things can be improvised simply.
I use a 5 euro poncho as a tarp or some a sheet of cheap, thin, black plastic. Attachment points can be made by folding a small stone in a corner.

 

[spamel]

It's true what you say about efficiency Durulz. The Ratbag has tried many different ways of perfecting his hammock system. Each time we go out, it seems he is trying a new way! Some ideas we sat down and tried out on paper, which seemed to work. Get into the woods and try it practically and you find that the system isn't quite so fool proof. Strivinbg for that perfection in your kit and techniques is a great mission, and keep you wanting to get outdoors and try another way. I think Gallaines' set up for his hammock is about as perfect and easy a system I have seen yet. That willingness to experiment with kit instead of going with the flow is quite cool IMO. Just because we are in to the same hobby, doesn't mean we should follow each other blindly.

There's some good points being made here, and it goes to show that a newcomer to the hobby has a lot of searching to do in order to get out for the first time. I quite envy them, the mistakes that will be made along the way, the poor kit choices, the disasters when you didn't pack that container of sugar correctly, etc! It's happened to us all, and makes life in the great outdoors a rewarding and fun experience! Every day is a learning day.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Lots of great tips here on keeping the costs down.
My advice would be - don't be affraid to try making something for yourself. Commercially available items are made to fit mister average, you might like more room here or less in the way there. It also has the advantage of leading you into a frame of mind where, you are not worried about modifying things to suit your needs, and you won't be too precious about breaking things if you know how to make them in the first place.

Have fun with it

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Sniper]

Lots of great tips here on keeping the costs down.
My advice would be - don't be affraid to try making something for yourself. Commercially available items are made to fit mister average, you might like more room here or less in the way there. It also has the advantage of leading you into a frame of mind where, you are not worried about modifying things to suit your needs, and you won't be too precious about breaking things if you know how to make them in the first place.

Now that is good sound advice, many of us spend money on items which we want and then spend time, effort, and imagination building or making something which we already own, but the bought stuff never has the same satisfaction value as something we made ourselves which in many cases doesnt work as well as the bought kit.
We are a strange breed!

 

[Tengu]

I saw a pair of North Face walking boots at the car boot today but they were £25 and a ghastly colour...

But they looked almost new, and I dread to think what they would have costed new.

 

[J14]

this advice is great!

 

[rik_uk3]

I found this after I went and picked up my first bits of kit. and wished i'd found it sooner.

http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/bushcraft-accessories/bushcraft-starter-kit.htm

hope its of interest

Ben

That is expensive for what you get, shop around before you jump in and buy

 

[BIG_emu]

^ just looked at that again and I'm sure it was cheaper around christmas.

Ben

 

[NatG]

you don't realy need anything, just a bit of land, some legs and a pair of eyes, it will all grow from there, a cheap tarp, sleeping bag, bivi, foam mat and rucksack should set you back about £0-£40, then just pack some sandwhiches and stuff for dinner/breakfast.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

well me personally i wouldnt spend the money till i have done the research to which is the one thing you must do becasue of if you dont you can send good money for bad stuff

 

[Corso]

this site inspired me to have a go at making my own kit

http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/diy/making-your-own-kit.htm

 

[J14]

Thanks for the site