Originally Posted by
Tourist in MSN
I can't say if it was a good deal because I am not familiar with that bag. But, a LOT of my stuff was from REI scratch and dent sales, including several tents and air mattresses that I patched.
I got another pair of bike shorts yesterday at a scratch and dent sale (my REI now calls them garage sales) for $15, it was virtually new with one seam slightly off.
I tend to pick up most of my stuff from there as well. The local one to me has a little area in the back corner with discounted items.
Originally Posted by
revcp
A few things. First, if a little more expense is not an issue I recommend down over synthetic for comfort as well as weight and compactibility. I know some have concerns about down and moisture, but over three decades of camping, all using down, I've had no issue whatsoever. That's even with thousands of miles canoeing in the rainy north. Now that I am using a hammock exclusively I have no concerns at all. I still use the same Marmot bag, a Nighthawk, purchased in 1983.
I wonder how your bag lasted only six years. The Nighthawk referenced above has seen me through several hundred nights and it is still in excellent condition. Likewise, my winter bag, also a Marmot, is going strong after 70-80 nights of use over the last three decades. In what way has your bag "bitten the dust"?
It's been through a lot. 4 tours, 10+ moves, 4 countries, a few 30 day backpacking trips etc. The seems are coming apart and it's lost a lot of feathers (or whatever is inside of it).
Originally Posted by
cyccommute
I suspect that you own one of the old style pads. The Big Agnes pad isn't heavy nor bulky. Mine fold up into a package the size of a 1L Nalgene water bottle. They aren't self-inflating but I've not found that to be a huge problem. For a hammock, I doubt that they would be of much use. But for sleeping on the ground, they work very well.
It's not old. It's a cheap brand. ALPS Mountaineering I think. I'm trying to think of something to compare it to... Slightly smaller than the diameter of a coffee can and 24 inches long? Close to that if that gives you an idea.