Upgrades , what are you changing out in your pack for next year ?

[luke moffat]

Another topic I'm struggling with is tarp vs tent. I mostly took a tarp and I never even used it during the early season. Then opening weekend of rifle season came and a pretty major storm came in and dumped 2-3" of snow on me while I was hunkered under my tarp! I didn't freeze, but it wasn't exactly comfortable either. After that, I carried my Big Agness Lynx pass 2 tent but the weight and space savings is significant with the tarp. I will probably stick to carrying the tarp during bow season, but I imagine the situation will repeat itself eventually.

Maybe try a tipi as a compromise between a tent and a tarp?

 

[SethA]

First lite puffy and a BT1

 

[Travis1984]

I'd really like to pick up a suunto vector...

 

[desertcj]

Maybe try a tipi as a compromise between a tent and a tarp?

Are you talking about using the tarp as a tipi or one of the Kifaru versions? Unfortunately, I don't have $500-$1000 to spend on a backpacking shelter.

 

[colonel00]

Are you talking about using the tarp as a tipi or one of the Kifaru versions? Unfortunately, I don't have $500-$1000 to spend on a backpacking shelter.

I think he is saying that a tipi is a good compromise between a relatively open tarp and a tent. By tent, for me at least, I am thinking along the lines of the little, fully enclosed tents that have poles and everything like your Big Agnes tent. There are cheaper options to a Kifaru tipi if you want to stick to a budget like a GoLite SL5 or Seek Outside or several other brands. Personally, I have an SL5 and love it for $300. It comes with a nest, which adds some weight, but is great for buggy situations. Or, you can go floorless for right under 3lbs (depending on pole and stakes) and still have a solid shelter.

 

[bjaegers]

Let me know if you get a chance to sleep in your Alpinelite. I just ordered one as well and hoping that because it is over-sized I can sleep with a WM puffy jacket into the 5-10 Degree range.

 

[husky390]

Well, let's see, the month before Christmas seems to be the best time to buy used/new gear so I picked up a lot of new gear.

New Kifaru T1
Newsed GoLite Shangrila-5
Newsed Kifaru Medium Stove
Newsed BA Q-Core
New Lowa Baltoro boots
New Kryptek Valhalla pants and shirt

And I'm planning to get a stove jack in the SL5, plus a custom 2 person nest. I may need a new sleeping bag, I'm going to try mine out in late spring/early summer to see how it does, and I hope to upgrade my bow. Plus, if I sell my dirtbike, I may get some high end binocs.

 

[Colo4x4XJ]

I'd really like to pick up a suunto vector...

I would definitely recommend a Suunto watch. Theyre really helpful in monitoring barometric pressure changes for incoming storms, logging elevation gained and lost and of course keeping track of your heading and altitude. Im not sure about the Vector but I know the Core has a storm alarm that goes off when it senses large pressure drops. One thing with all watches like the Suuntos is that they read elevation based on barometric pressure. The barometric pressure of your wrist is slightly different than the ambient pressure which can cause the watch to misread elevations. To alleviate this just program your watch's elevation when you get to the trailhead and youre ready to go.

 

[jpolson]

Already bought an 800 fill Mountian Hardwear Jacket. Plan on a new sleeping bag...one of the following.
Marmot Helium MemBrain
Marmot Lithium MemBrain
Big Agnes Pomer Hoit
Big Agnes Mystic

Still not sure which one...luckily I have a few months to think about it.

 

[jherald]

I'd really like to pick up a suunto vector...

Do it. You wont be disappointed.

 

[Colby Jack]

I picked up a Barney's Carnivore Freighter Frame to replace my Kelty Cache Hauler that I had frankensteined a Barney's Pinnacle Bag to. Wondering about changing pack bags. After carrying a couple whole caribou inside my pack midweek, I'm pretty sure I'd rather have something capable of hauling meat outside the bag. Thinking a MR Metcalf will allow me to utilize the meat shelf on my Carnivore while also giving me a nice pack that is already designed to pull away from the frame. The Pinnacle is an awesome bag, but just don't see it being for me.

 

[LitenFast]

Ordered a EMR II bag and bikini frame last week, should be a major upgrade from the Osprey Aether 70

Used the Mountain Shelter LT last year and liked it a lot, looking at a GoLite SL-5 if my brother wants more room and feels like chipping in...

My REI 20 deg Sub-kilo is finally getting bumped out by either a EE enigma 30 or a WM Alpinlite


Also want to pick up a small tarp and bivy from Borah gear if I get the EE quilt to have the option of an even lighter spike out from base camp

Lastly debating on going with a BA q core from my neoair trekker, but that will be pending funds

 

[Backlash21]

my upgrades included selling my eberlestock j017 dragon fly and all the attachments ( weighed 11lb 6 oz EMPTY) and bought a kuiu 1850 bag only. i attached that bag to my Granite gear stratus Flatbed meat pack and after tweaking on all the attachment points, i got it to fit great! i also built my own adjustable gun bearer out of 150d courdura and some 3/4 webbing. as this setup sits empty, it only wieghs 5lb 4 oz. thats 6lb 2oz savings. and i know this pack is so comfy even with two mule deer quarters strapped to the load sling. ill try and attach a few pics of the pack setup .

i have also added kuiu merino 230 zip t, havalon torch, caribou bags, kuiu roll top drybag for load sling, UL sil-nylon 9x12 tarp and a new custom 8.2 lb 300 win mag. Pierce Ti action, mcmillan stock, and proof research carbon barrel. i am still in the hunt for a kuiu superdown hoody, binoc harness, new down bag, and rain gear. my berf day is coming! View attachment 13019View attachment 13020View attachment 13021

 

[handwerk]

I kinda jumped in with both feet, sold some rifles/parts, a pack and started last fall with trading for a SO 6 man tipi, found this site (thanks, I think?) ordered a timberline 2 pack, marmont down bag, BA pad, and a BA copper spur, and some new lwt hanwag boots. Not to mention the kuiu goodies I picked up last year.

 

[justinspicher]

I have done quite a few things different so far. I have added a number of pockets to my Kifaru pack, upgraded my sleeping bag, bought a pot for my stove, and finally a paratarp and annex. I should have a stove before the late season starts. Now I am begining to use all of it during the snow shoe season to see if I need to change anything else.

 

[topher89]

Just ordered a new bag, A Montbell UL Super Spiral, I snagged it for 50% off retail, new with tags!

I also just got a Tenkara USA Iwana 12ft and will retire my spinning tackle.

I am also going to get a Highcamp and Bikini Frame later this year

 

[littlebuf]

Well I had half way made a resolution not to make any real changes or upgrades this year on gear. Since what I have works and fills tags. Shot that resolution to hell already. New vortex hs-t on the way for my 300, jet boil ti on the shelf already and new enigma quilt from EE being built now after a talk with Tim last night. Really looking forward to the quilt and have what I think is a pretty cool idea for a review on it this year.

 

[Tanner]

Ditched my CrewCab in favor of a T2, still need to pick up 26" stays.

Picked up a pair of Lowa Tibet GTX and couldn't be happier.

I put an SWFA 3-9x42 on my T3 Superlite 7mm Rem Mag, and will probably switch to shooting 150gr NBTs for chasing elk, rather than my standard 162 A-Max load.

Need to get a new tent and sleeping bag next!

Tanner

 

[bowtech3dhunter]

I made a couple of new upgrades this year. I took advantage of the Kuiu sale they had back in November and got some merino wool and Guide pants and jacket. I upgraded my sleeping bag to a Marmot Lithium. Upgraded my eberlestock pack to a Kifaru Nomad with bikini Frame and upgraded my Bigagnes Seedhouse to a Kifaru Megatarp.

 

[dreamingbig]

I am upgrading my standard lid on Kifaru to a longhunter lid and added a new adjustable grab-it; both in multicam. I would really like to buy a Nomad but I need to sell another pack first. Debating what to do with my DT2 in multicam or my Highcamp in foliage; leaning towards getting rid of the DT2 in exchange for the nomad.