I've recently started utralight backpacking and have been using borrowed gear for the most part. Now I'm looking to buy my own bag and pack. I'm going to be doing most of my hiking in the Smoky Mountains in 3 seasons and some in the winter. I need some suggestions and opinions on both bags and packs. I'd like to spend 150-200 on a pack and under 350 on a bag.

At this point I've narrowed it down to three packs:

-Six moon designs swift- 56 L; 15 oz; $140
-Gossamer Gear gorilla- 46L; 24.2 oz; $180
-Golite Jam2- 50L; 28 oz, $120

I would love to get some suggestions on a bag. Once again I'm looking for a mostly 3 season bag and I'd prefer a company that provides the EN rating. I have looked at a lot of bags and like the Mt. Hardware phantom 15 but don't know if I want to pay over $400 for it. I also like the Mt Hardware phantom 32, as well Marmot's arroyo and atom bags.

Im totally open for suggestion that aren't the ones i have come across so far.

Thanks for the help folks.

http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/topquilt.php

http://tewaunderquilts.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1535774
contact about getting a wider custom quilt. he's a nice guy...

http://www.hammockgear.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2&zenid=esatnt9lnafkle25tg64e9svc7
contact about getting a wider custom quilt. he's a nice guy...

i was wondering how long to the quilt brigade came out of the woodwork ;)

packs ... whichever fits best ... try it all on for hours with weight hiking around the store ... if you order it online make sure you can return it

sleeping bags ... any decently en-rated light weight sleeping bag that fits you will work fine ... find em all on sale at spadout.com

Edited by bearbreeder on 03/14/2012 00:35:08 MDT.

-You can get a brand new Feathered Friends bag for about $400: http://www.featheredfriends.com/Picasso/Bags/Product/30Degree.html

-You can get a revelation x quilt for around $200+- (wait time of about 5 weeks)from Tim At enLIGHTENED Equipment: http://enlightenedequipment.com/revelationx.html (amazing bang for the buck)

-You can get a new ultralight bag from zpacks bag from somewhere between $300-$375...the price of course varies according to what temp rating you are after. If you scroll to the bottom I think Joe has some used bags for sale: http://zpacks.com/quilts/sleepingbag.shtml (Joe is about the easiest guy on earth to work with)


Good Luck!

Kenny.

I'm not affiliated with any of the mentioned companies.

Edited by Homewardbound on 03/14/2012 04:13:57 MDT.

I would strongly recommend spending an extra $100 to get a zpack exo pack.... You won't be sorry!

Packs: As Eric pointed out, fit is most important. Additionally, if you haven't used a frameless pack previously something like the GG Gorilla is a nice choice as the frame is removable. Remove it for lighter weight loads, insert for heavier....and some just prefer some sort of frame regardless of weight.

Cheers

For 3 seasons, I use a Gorilla and MontBell's SS UL #3 bag. I'm happy with that combination. I've carried the Gorilla stripped down to 1 lb and fully featured at around 1.5 lbs. The heavier configuration is the most comfortable and well worth the weight.

For winter, you'll probably need a different bag and pack unless you only go out when temps are warmer. I use and like Marmot's Never Summer 0F bag. I like it, except for the 4 lbs due to being 600 fp down.

Edited by AndyF on 03/14/2012 08:47:46 MDT.

I have a montbell spiral down 800 that in my opinion goes to 30 F quite nicely. Note this is the regular spiral not the stretch.

You can often find montbell at 20% to 30% off at various places which puts the cost at about $225.

For an geneneral purpose 20-24 oz bag at 30 F there is no need to spend more than 250.

I would recommend checking out MLD (Mountain Laurel Designs) for your pack. I recently picked up an Exodus with Full Suspension and absolutely love it. Being made out of Dyneema X it's a bit heavier than alternatives, but it's so much tougher. The only problem is you are going to have deal with an six week wait time. Good luck and welcome to the obsession!

As everyone else is hinting to, alot of these cottage gear manufacturers make very high quality gear for very competetive prices that is highly customizable. Names that come to mind are zpacks, mld, ula, enlightened equipment, gossamer gear, I know there's more just can't think of them.

Also as others mentioned maybe a pack with removable frame would be suitable. I have a ULA ohm which is around 22oz or so with frame but I don't use it much over my zpacks zero (frameless), zpacks also has the exo which is great.

Quilts are a great way to lighten up too. Refer to a previous post about MLD/zpacks/enlightened, depends on if you want synthetic/down. You can get a good synthetic quilt for not much heavier than down but it wont pack down as small. If you feel comfortable with down or your climate is suitable for it then by all means go down.