adamkam wrote:Hello,
First of all, I’m new here and I have a few – I hope – simple questions. I spent some time searching for information I need, but with moderate success. I’m trying to complete equipment almost from scratch. I’m not advanced walker/mountaineer, so I’m looking for equipment with good quality/price ratio. Most of the time I will walk alone or with my 9 years old son. In most cases we will have 1-night trips. After this introduction I’d like to ask:
1. What is the best place to buy equipment, (ebay, Go Outdors, etc.)?
2. What maps do you recommend? Is there a good Highlands guidebook for those, who start the adventure?
3. Tent: somebody recommended me Vango Banshee Pro 200. It think this is quite popular one. Anything better for similar price?
4. Sleeping bag: What is suggested minimal usage temperature shell I look for? (Highlands, late spring, summer and early autumn). Any particular model?
5. Mattress: something self-inflating?
6. Cooking: I was wondering, if it is worth buying something like BioLite CampStove. Personally I thing it takes too much space in a rucksack, and is quite expensive, but maybe you’ve got good experiences with this.
7. Jacket and boots: Could you suggest just a brand, please? (good quality/price ratio)
8. Head torch: Petzl, Black Diamond, anything cheaper?
9. Thermal clothing: any brand?
I think that’s all for now. It’s quite comprehensive post, I hope not too much.
Regards, Adam
Hey
Some thoughts, but with a list that long and so many people on here, you will likely get more confused if we all answer your questions with specific items!
1.I think as you're starting from scratch, a visit to a decent outdoor retailer (once they're open!) would be the best starting point, to get some expert advice face-to-face. Depending on where you live, this could be an independent, a Tiso, a Cotswold or whatever, somewhere where the staff are trained and clued up. Set yourself a budget, and ask them to work within it to advise on all your requirements.
2. Learn to use proper Ordnance Survey maps (Or Harveys). Learning how to navigate properly will stand you in good stead, and I would only start using mobiles apps and the like once I was experienced enough to know its limitations. A proper map also adds much to the experience of the day, not just how to get from place to place, for you can put your route into context, see the whole surrounding area, and learn so much about landscape, geology, even history from reading a map.
3. Banshees are a good balance of price, quality and weight. Both Go Outdoors and Decathlon also have good own brand options.
4. I'd look at something with the minimum Comfort temp of -5c or thereabouts. To me, that's 3 season.
5. Yes, self-inflating are good, though in my experience none of them truly self-inflate! A few puffs to top them up is fine though. Lots about, but think about weight and pack size. Remember this is an important part of keeping you warm, so don't go too thin.
6. A small gas burner then allows you to choose a small or large gas cylinder depending on the trip. It should fit in a lightweight pan set too. Alternatively, if generally you're just heating water or "instant" meals, a "jet boil" style unit can these days be got quite cheap.
7. The most important thing is that footwear fits and is appropriate, everything else is personal taste. Spend as much as you can on these, but try lots on to make sure they're correct. Waterproofs are quite a personal choice, but get one with a hood that fits well and moves with your head when snugged down.
8. Hundreds on the market, most are fine these days and you can save money here. Alpkit quite good. LED Lenser very good.
9. Almost any!
