Cheap Stuff that Works

[Gapmaster]

Do they handle water well?

I have about 8 of these Energizer head lamps. (Same kind we get at work) I honestly have one that’s about 15 years old. The button cover is gone and you can actually see the circuit board in it. Still works! For the $ they are a homerun. I’ve worn them in light rain with no issues, I’m sure they’re not 100% water proof.

 

[Carr5vols]

They fit ok in that area, but have a bit of a skinny jean thing going on around the calves.

Little bit? they pure tight on my calves I do not like them.

 

[JoeDirt]

For a lightweight packable rain jacket the $19.99 Costco works great.

My sons been wearing it as a backup for a few seasons now and its still good!!!

 

[Bsd0323]

For a lightweight packable rain jacket the $19.99 Costco works great.

My sons been wearing it as a backup for a few seasons now and its still good!!!

Is that the 32 degree one?

 

[JoeDirt]

Is that the 32 degree one?

Yes it is.

 

[Bsd0323]

Yes it is.

Looked them up and at 12 bucks what the hell. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[bbassi]

I've read through this entire thread and will definitely be bookmarking and coming back to it, but I can't believe no one has mentioned baby wipes yet. I get a travel/purse size pack that has 20-25 for a dollar at several grocery stores (usually in the check out line). The bag is resealable and I've had them last from year to year on my bag. They work great for the obvious uses but also take blood off hands and knives well and are a God sent if you end up with a case of monkey butt after too many days of Mountain House on the trail.

 

[SpookySpectre308]

I've read through this entire thread and will definitely be bookmarking and coming back to it, but I can't believe no one has mentioned baby wipes yet. I get a travel/purse size pack that has 20-25 for a dollar at several grocery stores (usually in the check out line). The bag is resealable and I've had them last from year to year on my bag. They work great for the obvious uses but also take blood off hands and knives well and are a God sent if you end up with a case of monkey butt after too many days of Mountain House on the trail.

Heck yes. I kneel at the altar of baby wipes. There's a pack in my vehicle and bag 365 days a year.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[mitchellmountain]

They are not always in stock for shipping but I have found them at Walmart and Target under different names.
This is what I found at Walmart, Target, and Wrangler web sites as of today. The Wrangler web site currently has the most sizes available. Just make sure you look at the material, as they make a cotton version and you want to get the nylon/spandex.

ive used these but really prefer the UB tech pants. Almost same price, seem to ware better.

 

[mitchellmountain]

https://www.amazon.com/UNIONBAY-Waist-Travel-Chino-Pants/dp/B081K58KPS/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=ubtech+pants&qid=1592853059&s=apparel&sr=1-7

these can be found cheaper but even at that price pretty darn nice

 

[okiehunts]

Wuudi cook set and Etekcity stove, both from Amazon. About 30 bucks total. Cook set does what it's supposed to, easy to clean up, handles stay cool enough to grab bare handed. Stove fires up quickly and burns evenly. I did tweak the feet a little so the pot sits flat and not wobble. Stove and fuel nests inside the set. Not for the ultra light crowd, however.

Amazon.com: Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove with Piezo Ignition (Orange, 1 Pack): Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove with Piezo Ignition (Orange, 1 Pack): Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com : wuudi Camping Equipment, Outdoor Camping Pots and Pans Set 2PCS Camping Cookware : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : wuudi Camping Equipment, Outdoor Camping Pots and Pans Set 2PCS Camping Cookware : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

I have that same stove and can confirm it is legit!

 

[okiehunts]

Free USPS Postal service Tyvex envelopes. I use it to make stake pockets, wrap a titanium windscreen with, can be used instead of a ziplok bag to keep maps dry.

I forgot about these! I use them for all sorts of stuff!

 

[Downeaster]

I've read through this entire thread and will definitely be bookmarking and coming back to it, but I can't believe no one has mentioned baby wipes yet. I get a travel/purse size pack that has 20-25 for a dollar at several grocery stores (usually in the check out line). The bag is resealable and I've had them last from year to year on my bag. They work great for the obvious uses but also take blood off hands and knives well and are a God sent if you end up with a case of monkey butt after too many days of Mountain House on the trail.

Ziploc with 4 or 5 in the bottom of my bino harness 24/7. A must have.

 

[TheGDog]

Luci lights latern. Under 30 bucks, and makes camp a much more pleasant place.

Don't trust those Luci's. Maybe for Glamping, but not backpacking.

 

[TheGDog]

Also, here's a cheap chair my buddy uses that's a little heavier but way cheaper than the helinox:

MARCHWAY Ultralight Folding Camping Chair with Anti-Sinking Wide Feet, Portable Compact for Outdoor Camp, Beach, Travel, Picnic, Hiking, Lightweight Backpacking (Dark Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KZMJG7G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HbkuEb6SKX8MS

It works just as well at a fraction the cost if you're not bothered by the extra ounces.

REI now makes a knockoff of the Helinox... but upsized for those of us with larger assets! It's Crazy comfortable for long sits on your stand! Not cheap, but cannot recommend it enough for long ambush sits in concealment gear.

 

[TheGDog]

Ear plugs -- critical item when you have a hunting partner like mine that snores like a freight train and won't wake for sh*t, even when you scream at the dude repeatedly to "roll on your f-ing side, you pos!"

Flents Ear Plug (10 Pair with Case), Quiet Contour Ear Plugs for Sleeping, Snoring, Loud Noise, Concerts, Construction, Studying & Traveling, NRR 33, Made in the USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CZYJLA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7-ezEbVRG3SHB

That'd be me. Have him wear a Breathe Right Extra-Wide strip when he sleeps. Helps a lot. And you sleep better.

 

[TheGDog]

NEBO Torchy - USB Rechargeable Flashlight. Nice and small. The were smart and put the clip the right way too so you can use it as a headlamp on your cap visor too! Crazy bright! $30

I bring this as the backup to my headlamp.

And it's not to big and heavy that you can't just hold it in your mouth if you need to briefly, either.

If you need a battery backup for your cellphone they also have this other model that's a battery-pack and a flashlight and has a knife on it too! But that one weighs more since it's a 2200 mAh battery pack.

 

[Raberd14]

I use instant mashed potatoes and ramen with dehydrated meats to make my own meals instead of mountain houses. The ramen beef seasoning packets double as some excellent deer and elk seasoning once you've got fresh meat in camp.

 

[Bsd0323]

Don't trust those Luci's. Maybe for Glamping, but not backpacking.

Any reason why?

 

[TheGDog]

Any reason why?

Barely used mine at all, and the push-button switch on it, or maybe it's internal battery connection?, just up and failed. I'd used it maybe twice. Other than that? It just rode along in the pack. I like the idea and concept that it had a solar panel and had a USB port for possibly being able to charge a cellphone back up. But anything with that poor of a Quality/Reliability is a big nogo for me.