Whether you are planning an afternoon of hiking in a popular state park, or planning a week long backcountry trip, you’re going to need something to store and transport the gear you bring. You’re going to need a pack.
Packs
Packs come in a variety of sizes, usually measured by the capacity in liters. There are day packs that hold as little as 15 liters, expedition sized packs that hold 80 liters or more, and everything in between. The size of your pack should be determined by the activities you participate in outdoors, and the amount of gear that you will need to bring. You would not take a small day pack on a week long camping trip, and you would not want to lug around an 80 liter pack for hike lasting only a few hours. Since we are trying to stay on a budget, a medium sized pack that can handle both day trips and overnight trips is what I would recommend, although in the future you will probably want to have different packs for different purposes.
Military Packs
Military surplus gear is quite popular with many outdoors enthusiasts, and for good reason. Milsurp, gear is proven to be tough, dependable, and bomb proof. Milsurp packs also have the advantage of generally being cheaper than civilian packs, which makes it perfect for the budget minded person.
One downside to military packs, and military gear in general, is that it is not lightweight. The ruggedness of the materials used come with the price of extra weight. Milsurp packs are usually quite heavier than civilian packs.
If a Milsurp pack sounds like the best deal for you, and you can handle the weight, there are several packs that could be right for you.
Alice Pack
The Alice pack has been around since 1973. It is an external frame pack, meaning that there is a metal frame on the outside of the pack to support the weight inside the pack. The Alice pack comes in two versions, medium and large.
Medium Alice Pack
The Medium Alice pack is made from water repellent treated nylon fabric, and although nylon may not be as strong as Cordura, the Alice pack can take a beating. There are a total of five compartments on the Medium Alice pack. The main compartment measures 19 inches high, 11.5 inches wide, and 9.5 inches deep. There are three equally sized pouches sewed onto the outside of the Medium Alice pack. Each pouch measures 5 inches tall, 2.5 inches deep, and 9 inches wide.
Capacity
The total capacity of the pack, all compartments include is around 2400 cubic inches. There is also a small pouch on the inside of the main compartment. There are drain holes in the bottom of the pouches and main compartment to drain water if the pack contents become wet.There are PALS webbing on the pack, to allow you to attach other pouches. PALS webbing is nylon webbing, similar to a strap. You can attach other pouches that have PALS webbing. The Medium Alice pack has a carrying capacity of 50 pounds.
Large Alice Pack
The Large Alice pack is virtually identical to the Medium Alice pack, except it is larger. The Large version is 22 inches high, 20 inches wide, and 19 inches deep. It has a total capacity of 3800 cubic inches. It has a carrying capacity of between 50 and 70 pounds. The Large version also has PALs webbing allowing you to attach additional pouches.
Aftermarket frames exist for these pack, which make them much more comfortable to carry. Many people use the Alice pack, either medium or large, for camping and other outdoor activities. The Large Alice pack sells for around $70 online, and the medium version sells for around $40. They are a worthy investment, if you think that one of these packs could be the one that you are looking for.
ILBE Pack System
Another option is the USMC ILBE packs, which are the ILBE main pack, and the smaller ILBE assault pack.
The ILBE pack system consists of both a large rucksack, and a smaller backpack that is referred to as the ILBE Assault Pack. These packs are designed to be fastened together, with a load bearing ability of up to 120 pounds.
Design
The ILBE main pack, is of a very simple design. It is as a top loading design, with one plastic divider inside of the pack to offer a small bit of organization. The ILBE is made from 725 Denier Cordura, which is very tough, but lighter than 1000 Denier Cordura. The pack weighs 8.6 pounds while empty, so it is definitely not ultralight. This pack will get very heavy on long trips, but for shorter trips, and car camping, it will perform admirably. The ILBE main pack has a capacity of 4,500 cubic inches, and has an internal aluminum frame. There is plenty of padding on the back, as well as the shoulder straps, so the pack is surprisingly comfortable. The beefy hip belt allows much of the load to be transferred to the hips. The pack measures 32 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 10 inches deep.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both of these are built solidly, just a bit heavy. They are both covered in MOLLE webbing as well, which is the replacement for PALS webbing, so attaching pouches to either pack is quite simple. If you are considering a milsurp pack, the ILBE main pack may suit for needs for overnights and longer trips, and the assault pack may perform well for your daypack for shorter trips. The main pack retails for around $80, and the assault pack costs around $50. If you watch for deals, however, you can usually pick these packs up for much cheaper.
If a military surplus pack doesn’t sound like the pack for you, then there are still affordable options on the civilian market. As a good rule of thumb, you get what you pay for in regards to outdoors gear. Although there are exceptions, a lot of very cheap packs are not worth the money. They may lack the organization of higher priced packs, or just not be very durable.
Best Deals
The used market can hold some great deals on regularly expensive packs. You can also save a lot of money by waiting for sales. Typically you’ll find the best deals at the end of the backpacking season, around winter, and when manufacturers release the newest year’s gear, around spring. By waiting until the right time, you can pick up a great pack for a great price.
If you would like to try several different packs before you commit to a large purchase, there is also the option of renting at places such as REI, which like some other outdoors retailers, rent out gear for a small fee. This way, you can make absolutely sure that you pick the pack that’s best for you.
Shelter
A person can perish from exposure in as little as three hours if they are caught unprepared in bad weather. This is why a shelter is one of the most important items you will need. You will need something to block the wind and weather, protecting you from the elements. With tents, you generally get what you pay for, so if you are on a budget, a tarp is your best bet.
There are a lot of tarps being manufactured today, out of a variety of materials, some being marketed specifically to campers and backpackers. Some of these tarps, which feature innovative fabric and are extraordinarily lightweight and packable, are very expensive.
A $20 poly tarp, like the easily recognizable blue tarp that is sold in almost every hardware store, is quite durable, and will make a shelter just as well as its more expensive counterparts. The only drawback with a hardware store tarp is the fact that they are heavier, and do not pack as easily. For the price, however, they can’t be beat. A single hardware store will easily last for several seasons, if well taken care of, while you save for a fancier shelter option.
Size
The most common size tarp that is used for shelter is the 8″x10″ size. But that is completely up to the preference of the user. These tarps can be utilized to make a variety of shelter types, such as the lean to, the A frame, the flying diamond pitch, and countless others. Pictures and tutorials on building these various shelter types with a tarp you can easily find online. You will also need ground stakes, and some sort of cordage to pitch a tarp for a shelter.
Sleeping Bag and Pad
The other two critical items in your shelter system are your sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Sleeping bags, like tents, are an item that you get what you pay for. I would highly suggest buying the best sleeping bag that you can afford. Scrimp on the budget in other areas. If you can’t afford a sleeping bag at all, try searching thrift stores and yard sales for 100% wool blankets. Sometimes you can find one at a great bargain.
Wool is a great insulator, and fairly fire resistant, which makes it perfect for keeping you warm on long cold nights in the wilderness. Sleeping pads run the gamut from simple to fancy, and a simple blue foam mat will suffice in most temperatures. These mats you can find at any sporting goods store for around $7. Sleeping pads are not only for comfort, but are a requirement in cold temperatures. Sleeping pads insulate you from the cold ground, so don’t forget yours.
Food and Water
A lot of people tend to over think camping meals. They also overspend on them. There is no need to spend five dollars or more on a prepackaged, dehydrated meal. While they are nice in the fact that they can save a lot of weight, and some are even quite tasty, they are expensive. Some alternatives would be Ramen noodles, Easy Mac, oatmeal, beef jerky, and trail mix. All of these things are packable, nutritious, and you can find for much cheaper than dehydrated backpacking meals.
As for water storage, while a Nalgene bottle is great, and pretty inexpensive at around $10, any old soda bottle will do if you can’t spare the funds. A one quart or a two liter bottle will provide enough water for a dayhike. If you need more water, just pack more bottles. While this is heavy, and a water filter could drastically cut down weight, it will work until you can afford a better setup. Take a length of paracord, and tie it to the mouth of the bottle, to use as a carrying strap. If you braid the paracord, you can fit much more cordage onto your water bottle strap.
Tools
Now, let’s take a look at some tools that you will need. There are a great many items. While they’re nice to have, and fun to use, are just too expensive for someone just getting into bushcrafting or camping. A $150 axe is nice, but not necessary. Let’s see what you’ll need.
Knife
A knife is a necessity, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Mora Knives sell online for around $15, and are great for bushcraft and camp chores. Other companies to look for that offer a great value for a small price are Condor and Old Hickory.
Fire
You will also need a way to start a fire. There is no better companion on a brisk winter morning than a cozy fire. A simple $2 Bic lighter will work, and they even make mini versions that are more packable. Another cheap option is firesteels, which you can find for between $5 and $20. You may need some help in starting your campfire. So, instead of spending money on commercial firestarters, just make your own. Cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, and dryer lint that is soaked in wax work equally well. These will burn for several minutes, and definitely helps to get damp kindling to burn.
Other Items
Cordage is always valuable, and is necessary if you plan on carrying a tarp as a shelter. Paracord is nice in this regard, but bank line works just as well. Bank line is sold in the fishing sections of most sporting goods stores, and retails. They’re for around $8 per 300 feet, with a tensile strength of around 300 pounds.
As for rain gear, an emergency poncho will work if you expect fair weather or sporadic rain. But if you live in a rainy climate, you should invest in proper rain gear.
Some other items to consider are:
Wood saws, which you can find at most dollar stores in the gardening section.
A good flashlight, and a compass.
As for the last item, reliable companies such as Brunton and Suunto make very affordable compasses of high quality. Expect to spend around $15 to $20.