Cheap Stuff that Works

[carsonkeys]

Nice! I picked up a few of those knives. Great "quick gift" for buddies that helped with packouts.

lol I have 2 of them for upcoming Xmas gifts!

 

[jwiltx]

It only took me about 2 weeks, but I made it back to the surface. I've added a ton of things from the list, but I'll add a few that I didn't see:

1) Outdoor Vitals Nova Pro jacket. I did a lot of looking for a good puffy jacket, and it's on the heavier side, but I like all the features it has. Thumb holes, pit zippers, 800FP down, and I think it's got the same fill weight (or higher) than some of the more expensive brands. I haven't really gotten to test it in the cold (I'm from Texas), but I should get a chance this week. They're on sale now ($200), and I think I got mine when they were doing an even better sale a few months ago.

2) Astra Optix OTX2400A ballistic rangefinder ($350, amazon). I wanted a rangefinder that does the calculations for me, and this has Applied Ballistics built in, and can be paired with a Kestrel via bluetooth. I know there are better ones on the market, but so far, this has been pretty solid for treestand hunting. Check for sales...I think I got mine a few months ago for around $250.

3) US GI issues Gore-tex. I'm in the Marines, and I know how much we abuse ours and it still keeps me dry. I bought a set of fire-resistant multi-cam (it blends in well where I hunt) for around $100 on ebay. They're a little heavy, but I don't have to worry about where I take them. I'm sure if you get the regular ones, they'd be even cheaper. I also buy the summer-weight multicam/OCP for bow season because it's lightweight, has a TON of pockets and you can get them everywhere cheaply.

4) Etsy Sleeping Quilt - I took a gamble on this last year and I've been pleasantly surprised. I haven't gotten to test it below 40 yet, but using this with an insulated pad kept me plenty warm with nothing but boxer and a t-shirt on. $170 for a 20 degree, 800FP ultralight quilt, and if you read the thousands of reviews, most people say it keeps you warm even below those temps (https://www.etsy.com/listing/703335758/special-edition-heatseeker-20-degree?ref=yr_purchases).

5) If you don't like quilts, there's another company that sells mummy bags ($135 for a 20 degree bag) on there (https://www.etsy.com/listing/114088...search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1)

6) For an even cheaper option, I bought a Vietnam-era GI issue down sleeping bag that came in a spam can for $30 on marketplace. I've had to unzip the bag in the mid 30's because I'm sweating. It keeps you warm, but it weighs about 6 lb. I think it's the M-1949, and it's rated for mountain survival.

I've got more, but I'm not sure it falls into the cheap category, just cheap compared to the competition.

 

[Nicaburns]

1) Outdoor Vitals Nova Pro jacket. I did a lot of looking for a good puffy jacket, and it's on the heavier side, but I like all the features it has. Thumb holes, pit zippers, 800FP down, and I think it's got the same fill weight (or higher) than some of the more expensive brands. I haven't really gotten to test it in the cold (I'm from Texas), but I should get a chance this week. They're on sale now ($200), and I think I got mine when they were doing an even better sale a few months ago.

Dunno that it qualifies as “cheap” but these are legit. Weighs less than an ounce more than my stone glacier Grumman but has pit zips, welded baffle construction, and is about half the price of the Grumman or the Kuiu pro. I got mine for $172 a couple of months ago and used it for 2nd rifle in CO with no complaints.

 

[Gbrecka]

3) US GI issues Gore-tex. I'm in the Marines, and I know how much we abuse ours and it still keeps me dry. I bought a set of fire-resistant multi-cam (it blends in well where I hunt) for around $100 on ebay. They're a little heavy, but I don't have to worry about where I take them. I'm sure if you get the regular ones, they'd be even cheaper. I also buy the summer-weight multicam/OCP for bow season because it's lightweight, has a TON of pockets and you can get them everywhere cheaply

Do you have a pic or link for an example of these?

 

[jwiltx]

Do you have a pic or link for an example of these?

This is just an example. You can find the older style (tri color or acu) for much cheaper than the newer versions, and there's always the woodlands or dessert patterns in the Marine corps. I had to shop on eBay for a while to get the deal I got, but you might be able to find them locally at a mil surplus store cheaper.

Same goes for the military camo uniforms, but you can find summer (thin) and winter (thicker) weight camo, depending on your needs. Check marketplace too... As guys get out, they bring stuff home with them and most are willing to dump that kind of stuff.

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[jwiltx]

Dunno that it qualifies as “cheap” but these are legit. Weighs less than an ounce more than my stone glacier Grumman but has pit zips, welded baffle construction, and is about half the price of the Grumman or the Kuiu pro. I got mine for $172 a couple of months ago and used it for 2nd rifle in CO with no complaints.

Yeah, I debated putting some of these on here, but even though the price is higher, it'll save someone a ton of money if they're going that route.

I really looked hard at the KUIU pro jacket and this one won't out bc of the functionality. Glad to hear it's held up out west (the reason I got it).

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[Davyalabama]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J4X32BX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

LIXIA Men's Thin Merino Wool Socks, Cozy Casual Winter Warm Breathable Mid-calf Dress Socks 3/6 Pairs Pack​

I want to update my list: forget fox river wicking socks, these merino socks are it. They are awesome at getting water off my feet. I've used them in dress shoes (Johnston and Murphy and Cole Hann), leather boots, rubber boots, and on bare feet in a cold house this AM. They work, period. I generally have trouble with my feet sweating in any shoes, except flip flops (even then will sweat on hot days), my feet are dry after hours of working at the hunting club in boots on 90 degree days, or at church and out out to eat afterwards. I wish they made some no-show socks for tennis shoes.

 

[SwampDonkey55]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J4X32BX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

LIXIA Men's Thin Merino Wool Socks, Cozy Casual Winter Warm Breathable Mid-calf Dress Socks 3/6 Pairs Pack​

I want to update my list: forget fox river wicking socks, these merino socks are it. They are awesome at getting water off my feet. I've used them in dress shoes (Johnston and Murphy and Cole Hann), leather boots, rubber boots, and on bare feet in a cold house this AM. They work, period. I generally have trouble with my feet sweating in any shoes, except flip flops (even then will sweat on hot days), my feet are dry after hours of working at the hunting club in boots on 90 degree days, or at church and out out to eat afterwards. I wish they made some no-show socks for tennis shoes.

Can confirm. I’ve always had to buy uninsulated work boots because my feet would sweat so bad even when it’s -20 degrees out working outside. I tried these exact socks this summer and I’ll never go back to cotton socks of any kind


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[ni7ne]

...
3) US GI issues Gore-tex. I'm in the Marines, and I know how much we abuse ours and it still keeps me dry. I bought a set of fire-resistant multi-cam (it blends in well where I hunt) for around $100 on ebay. They're a little heavy, but I don't have to worry about where I take them. I'm sure if you get the regular ones, they'd be even cheaper. I also buy the summer-weight multicam/OCP for bow season because it's lightweight, has a TON of pockets and you can get them everywhere cheaply.
...

Just be wary of non-new-issue milsurp goretex or rain gear.
Based on the abuse these endured in the field.
And based on the extra-hot-water and degreaser machine washes that were required by Central Issue before return. I'm pretty sure all our rain gear was turned in lacking any coating whatsoever.