Starting out: First trip and traps to avoid

[Empacitator]

From the requirements you have said, I would look at the Tarptent Scarp 2 here:
http://www.tarptent.com/scarp2.html#overview

1.7kg, Double Wall, Single Pitch with heaps of rooms, good vestibules, can be free standing if you pick up the optional crossing poles (which is good if you are doing some heavy snow stuff). Can get either a mesh inner, a solid inner, or purchase both and choose which to take. Mesh inner with the optional crossing poles can be used for summer trips to sleep under the stars as a bug shelter
As you are just starting out I think this would be a much more balanced option

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH8FP4z0elk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSTJMdjOql4

[bailz66]

From the requirements you have said, I would look at the Tarptent Scarp 2 here:
http://www.tarptent.com/scarp2.html#overview

1.7kg, Double Wall, Single Pitch with heaps of rooms, good vestibules, can be free standing if you pick up the optional crossing poles (which is good if you are doing some heavy snow stuff). Can get either a mesh inner, a solid inner, or purchase both and choose which to take. Mesh inner with the optional crossing poles can be used for summer trips to sleep under the stars as a bug shelter
As you are just starting out I think this would be a much more balanced option

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH8FP4z0elk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSTJMdjOql4

Don't mind the tent but its not the best looking one around. Anyway we are undecided a bit on the tent at the moment as to whether to go

Top Range
Nallo 3 $500+
Minaret $500+

Middle Range
Scarp $350

Low Range
Mountain Design or similar around the $200 mark

[bailz66]

I have been doing some research into jackets and based on some of the reviews viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5406

I am thinking of going the MacPac Traverse ($299 from MacPac) for a jacket for myself using the 3 layer system. Haven't looked at the other two layers yet.

One thing i would like to know about the Traverse is how it would hold up when used skiing/snow boarding as i try and get out and do this on a yearly basis at least 1-2 days. Would i be better off getting something a bit more heavy duty for this or perhaps get the traverse and just use my old gear for skiing ect?

Also i know this probably isn't possible but what do people think about the ability to swing a golf club in the Traverse? Is it going to restrict movement? I dont plan on using it for golf but if it worked i may consider it.

Thanks for all your help

[cams]

I haven't been skiing so don't really know what dangers there are to ripping the jacket etc. It isn't tough enough that you can just abuse it though. Definitely have to be careful with what you're doing with it. As long as you size it large enough you should have enough movement in the shoulders for golf. The medium on me fit well everywhere except across the shoulders, plus wouldn't have had much room to layer underneath. So I went with the large.

[Nuts]

Do you like red Honestly, great golfing jacket... good lightweight jacket for open tracks and that, pretty average I would imagine for pushing through scrub. Still, very light and breezy, cheapest of the range, and there has to be a trade off. Could do better for a sole bushwalking jacket but not a bad 'do all' option i guess, especially if you plan on easier/tracked walking.

[Capt DropBear]

bailz66, check out these threads for all your Traverse goodness:

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5944
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5406 (Edit: sorry, didn't realise you'd already found that thread)

I second Nuts' comments: light, breezy, great for on-track, probably not worth risking for serious off-track. Would be perfect for a golf jacket - the flavours are certainly bright enough, so you won't look out of place I don't thing it'd work as a ski-jacket outer layer - depends on how much time you spend on your a$$ really, but I know my ski jacket gets some serious abuse - I wouldn't put my Traverse through that.

Not that I have one, but something tougher like a Macpac Prophet, or an MD Nimbus would be more suitable as scrub-bashing jacket + ski jacket combo I reckon. As a trail-running, on-track walking, golfing, non-destructive active pursuit jacket, the Traverse would be a good choice.

[bailz66]

While i have been looking what i really would love to see on this site is a review forum under equipment where people post items and can put their thoughts into a thread. Would make searching much easier.

I am really liking the sound of the traverse at the moment especially if it works for golf. Would it be sufficient for the Overland?

[Nuts]

Be fine for the OT, the track is clear, you dont touch anything.

There are a few good scattered reviews on here but ive always found myself repeating what is available on other sites

[bailz66]

Going out to Buy some boots tomorrow for my Wifes Birthday.

Obviously she will be coming along.

Any recommendations for Brands / Stores to be looking at?

Probably going down the Boots path rather than shoes at this stage however happy to consider both

[Marwood]

Your planning on walking the Overland, right? Even though it's overkill if you get lucky with the weather, I wouldn't hike in Tassie again unless I was wearing full leather boots. Unfortunately they're the heaviest and in general the most expensive. But in Feb this year on the Overland I wore Nubuck boots with Goretex liners (pointless), and after several days of rain and snow I was heading for a rather charming case of immersion feet. Having decided to go for a particular material, it's then a matter of finding a pair that fits well. Not sure where in Vic you live, but if you can get to the bunch of outdoor shops clustered around Lt Bourke St in Melbourne, you'll be able to try plenty of different makes & models.

Just my $0.02.

[bailz66]

Thanks Marwood

Plan on heading to the city and visiting a few of these shops. Dropped into the Macpac store the other day to look at tents but will have a look at a few more Tomorrow.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Try to get boots with no Goretex, you can easily waterproof the boots with after market products. That way if you do get wet feet, the boots will not take so long to dry, and purchase what ever boots that fit. Take your time at the stores and be sure to try the boots out for as long as you can in store, if they feel fine, than take them home and wear them around the house for a few days, any discomfort felt, take them back to store.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Have to agree with Wolfix, with what he says about Aarn packs. They are amazing pack, very comfy and balances weight perfectly to your body, so you dont have to bend forward to compensate the weight like you do with most other packs. Carries all the weight onto your hip as well.

They are expensive yes, but if your lucky, like I was recently, I picked up a Aarn Load Limo for only $100.00 on a eBay auction a couple weeks ago in new condition.

Send me a pm if your interested, I know of a Aarn Load Limo for sale at Melbourne for 250.00 in very good condition. Have to pick up is the only requirement.

[bailz66]

So we will be heading to the City Tomorrow

Stores to visit on our trip

Backpacking Light Melbourne - 29 Somerset Place (Off Little Bourke St) Melbourne
Macpac - 215 Elizabeth St, CBD
Bogong Equipment - 374 Lt Bourke St Melbourne 3000
Kathmandu T79 Direct Factory Outlets 201 Spencer St
Kathmandu Burk Street Somewhere
Kathmandu- Clearence - 421A Smith Street Fitzroy VIC 3065
paddypallin - 360 Little Bourke St Melbourne 3000
aussiedisposals - 283 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Mountain Design - 373 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000
Mitchells Adventure - 295 ELIZABETH ST Melbourne
Anaconda - 97 Chifley Drive Preston
Pinnacle Outdoors - 382 Little Bourke St, Melbourne 3000

Are there any that i missed that i should have on the list? Are there any not worth visiting?

[gayet]

As you are in the area, have a look at Kathmandu in Bourke St, just near Bourke and Queen Cnr, if I remember correctly. That will save you going to both the Spencer St and Smith St locations. Bourke St will have a wider range than either of the others , and if you find what you like you can then have a look at the clearance selection if the price is an issue. I didn't find much difference in price, if any, between Bourke St and Spencer St but I was only looking for small stuff like dry bags and cheap fleece.....

PS. Its no longer a DFO centre at Spencer St.

[Energy_rebel]

I think bailz has forgotten that we will have two children in tow, could anyone get our list down to a top 5.

Thanks,

Bec
(aka Bailz wife)

[gayet]

Simple, look at all the ones in Little Bourke St. They are all within sight of each other. That covers a pretty broad range of manufacturers, styles and price points.
BPL
PP
BE
MD
PO

Theres 5. If you still aren't sure, short meande round the corner and up a bit and you will be at Kathmandu.

[bailz66]

Got boots from mountain design in the end... About the 7th shop and was really difficult. We didn't get her full leather as it was hard enough to find a boot that fit. Cant remember brand just now but starts with z.

Bought some macpac socks which Bec really liked and a dress from paddy pallin.

On our way out we dropped into back pack light to try on an aarn pack and wow what an awesome little shop. Will probably get most of our other gear there. Nick was great with his recommendations and knowledge!

Anyway shopping trip 1 done

[Energy_rebel]

I think actually it was the fifth: Mac pac, Paddy Pallin, the walking company, snow gum, mountain design. I got a Zamberlan boot from MD as bailz said but I think he had forgotten why we never go shoe shopping!! The girls were both really good though the almost three year old found lots of pink shoes she liked, a bright red puffer jacket (in her size) and they both loved the shoe ramps!

[bailz66]

Updated OP with purchases so Far

For record of tents that I liked

Terra Nova were recommended to us for Tents
Sea to Summit for sleeping bag with a 0degree 800 gram 850 Down bag for $300 which he thought was the best value bag he had seen around in a long time.
They talked about the Therma rest Neo air and the fact that they all used them and were happy is a big +
Tried the Aarn load Limo pack and was impressed!

[ULWalkingPhil]

Also consider the Hilleberg Nallo 2. Hilleberg make a great tent, one of the best around. It's a 4-season tent. You could also consider the Nallo 3.

They are nice those load limo body packs. Did the backpacking light store have all the range? Did you take any notice if they have the bags that clip to the side of pack, for carrying hiking poles etc, in stock.

[bailz66]

They had 2 extra bags (daypack) bit on the front but not sure about poles ect. They had a huge range of aarn gear including tents.

Didn't spend long in there as kids were getting a bit over the shopping.

Have been looking at the Nallo tents as well however as Bec said in her intro thread there won't be a heap of overnighters just yet so a good 3 season might be ok to start out.

[redd1971]

..

[cdg]

I like the AARN concept, but it doesnt strike me as particularly new. Military LBE or Load Bearing Equipment has been using the same idea since at least WW1. Distributing the load across the front,waist and hips makes sense. I think the AARN gear looks better, and is also much narrower than military or surplus packs. I imagine its more comfortable to wear as well.

[Dale]

As the saying goes - there's not much new under the sun. However Aarn has focused solely on the balance concept and has refined this method since the 90s (???). I'm certainly a convert as are a few hiking friends. End of sore shoulders, more energy and let's not forget the convenience of having easy access from the Balance Pockets.

[bailz66]

Heading back into the city to get going on some more stuff today.

Will update the thread with my purchases later on. This is kind of a bump for easy finding on my Iphone.

But are there any really new products (last 6 months) that we should look at?

Tent
Jackets
Pants
Sleeping Bags
Liners
Back Packs

Other stuff

[bailz66]

Aarn Load Limo
Aaron Pacer 2 person tent
Aaron Aspiration 40L + front pockets
Sea to Summit Mk3 650Loft sleeping bag

[Bluegum Mic]

Nice purchases. You'll be happy with them for sure.

[Mark F]

No specific gear recommendations - just keep it light.

My offering is that if you think you "may" need it - don't take it! Most beginners packs are full of stuff they will never use. The heavy weight combined with the use of unfamiliar muscles is what causes so many starters to never walk again.

[bailz66]

Got a ground sheet for the tent today
Sea to summit cup and bowl (Collapsable)
Some Gas for our fuel bottle (We booked the spirit of tassy so can take gas bottles with us)
and our drink bottles: 1L bottle hard plastic * 1, 500ML hard plastic, 1L collapsible plastic bottle

Not a heap more to get now apart from my clothing which will be the big expenditure from here.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Exped Foam Comfort Pillows?