Big 3 Buyer's Guide

Tips for Southern Scout Parents Purchasing Lightweight Backpack, Shelter, and Sleeping Bag

Table of Contents I. Introduction...... 2 B. Tent Target Criteria...... 10 A. To Whom It May Concern...... 2 C. Tent Suggestion Table...... 10 B. Why Lightweight...... 2 VI. Sleeping Bags Should Weigh ≤ 3 lbs...... 12 C. Weight Should Be a Primary Factor in Purchasing the Big 3...... 2 A. Sleeping Bag Discussion...... 12 D. Traditional Weight v. Lightweight v. Ultra-lightweight...... 2 Down v. Synthetic...... 12 E. How Light Is Light...... 3 Temperature Rating...... 12 II. How to Read the Big 3 Buyer's Guide...... 3 Liners...... 12 A. Suggestions for Quick Reading...... 3 Sizing...... 13 B. Understanding the Big 3 Suggestion Tables...... 3 B. Sleeping Bag Target Criteria...... 13 III. Purchasing Tips...... 4 C. Sleeping Bag Suggestion Table...... 13 A. Know Gear Weight...... 4 VII. Big 3 Sample Setups...... 15 B. Gear Reviews...... 4 A. Awesome Light...... 15 C. Pricing, Sales, and Service...... 4 B. Awesome Cheap...... 15 D. Merchants Offering Scout Deals...... 5 C. Nice Balance...... 15 E. Online Merchants...... 5 D. Mindless REI Trip...... 15 IV. Backpacks Should Weigh ≤ 3.5 lbs...... 6 To the Parent Considering a Mindless REI Trip...... 15 A. Backpack Discussion...... 6 To the REI Sales Associate...... 16 Pack Sizing...... 6 VIII. Big 3 Gear Care and Storage...... 16 Pack Frames...... 6 IX. General Guide Information...... 17 B. Backpack Target Criteria...... 7 A. Scope...... 17 C. Backpack Suggestion Table...... 7 B. Gear Other Than the Big 3...... 17 V. Tents Should Weigh ≤ 2.5 lbs per Scout ...... 9 C. Maintenance and Corrections...... 17 A. Tent Discussion...... 9 D. About the Author...... 18 Single Wall Tents...... 9 E. Version History...... 18 Tent Accessories...... 9 F. Works Cited, Resources, and Influences...... 18 Tarps...... 10 G. Copyright...... 18

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 1 of 18 I. Introduction

A. To Whom It May Concern C. Weight Should Be a Primary Factor in I write this document for Boy Scout parents who are the primary Purchasing the Big 3 purchasing agent of backpacking gear for their scouts. I backpack Total pack weight should be no more than 25% of a scout's body primarily in Texas where we have temperatures generally above 30, weight.2 If a scout is 80 lbs then his total pack weight should not be moderate humidity, and severe bugs. I used these assumptions while more than 20 lbs. This weight limit should be a primary factor in choosing gear. Hopefully I'm getting to you before you start buying every decision to purchase backpacking equipment. backpacking gear for your scout. “The Big 3” are backpack, shelter, and sleeping bag. If the Big 3 weigh less than 9 lbs per scout (3.5 lbs backpack + 2.5 lbs for ½ a tent B. Why Lightweight + 3 lbs sleeping bag), it will be easier to keep total pack weight under 3 It's fair to say that the more weight a person carries, the harder they 25% of body weight. work to move that weight, and the higher the risk of injury while The Big 3 have a tremendous influence on total pack and wallet performing that work.1 Therefore, to reduce the risk of injury while weight; careful purchasing of these items can significantly reduce the backpacking, we can reduce the weight carried. impact on both. It is important to get the Big 3 right the first time, as Honestly, it's just easier to carry less weight. Backpacking with a scout budgets usually do not allow replacing one of the Big 3 for lighter load makes the trip more enjoyable. It also allows for greater weight reasons alone. mileage and the opportunity to see and do more. Body weight is the biggest contributor to the weight lugged around D. Traditional Weight v. Lightweight v. Ultra- on a backpacking trip, so do what you can to help your scout stay light, lightweight fit, and healthy. Lightweight gear is not necessarily more expensive or less The other major contributor to the weight carried on a backpacking comfortable than traditional backpacking gear. Actually, there are few trip is the total pack weight including personal gear, crew gear, food, trade-offs with lightweight gear. Lightweight backpacks usually don't and water. The problem with total pack weight in the context of have a detachable fanny pack. Materials may be a little thinner. There scouting is that most scouts carry the gear their parents bought for may not be many pockets. Lightweight backpacking is more about them. Unfortunately, most scout backpacking gear is purchased when smart purchasing, thoughtful choices, careful packing, and learned a Cub Scout becomes a Boy Scout. This is a critical time when neither techniques than it is about simple trade-offs. the scout nor the parent have the experience or training to make good decisions on backpacking gear. 2 Englund, at 1; See also Fisher. Cf. Gregory. See generally COLE at 55. Total pack weight for a weekend trip really should be less than 35 lbs regardless of body weight. Keep in mind that troops may engage in activities that require carrying additional weight such as week long treks or when carrying climbing gear. This is all the more reason to limit the weight of the Big 3. 1 COLE at 55. 3 LADIGIN, at 9.

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 2 of 18 The real trade-offs come when switching to ultra-lightweight Since adult and scout leadership for ultra-lightweight technique is backpacking eg. titanium instead of aluminum; tarps instead of tents; somewhat lacking,6 and I don't feel the need to pick a fight on this quilts instead of sleeping bags; tea lights instead of stoves.4 issue, I'll focus instead on lightweight backpacking. The BSA has been somewhat resistant in adopting ultra- lightweight technique due to a perception of trading safety for ounces.5 E. How Light Is Light I will certainly acknowledge that ultra-lightweight backpacking The ultra-lightweight backpacking community has a phrase they requires a degree of knowledge and confidence in backpacking skills. occasionally use to settle disputes when determining the best gear: In my opinion, it is just flat wrong to claim ultra-lightweight is any “Hike Your Own Hike” (HYOH). This embraces the idea that gear is more or less dangerous than other common scout activities. personal and that each must make his or her own decision on what 4 No, this is not a fair over-generalization of UL. See Works Cited, Resources, and gear is best. I offer the Big 3 Buyer's Guide merely to give some data Influences on page 18 for excellent UL resources including Don Ladigin's points so you and your scout can HYOH. Lighten Up! and the BackpackingLight.com forums. 5 BSA national has banned the use of homemade stoves, and the use of alcohol as a 6 Ryan Jordan is doing his part to train up BSA adults and boys in ultra-lightweight fuel is “not recommended.” GUIDE TO SAFE SCOUTING at Fuels and Fire Prevention. technique in the Montana Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The first UL In addition, some large high adventure camps require tents with attached floors. staff training was held in 2010. http://www.montanahighadventure.com/. II. How to Read the Big 3 Buyer's Guide

A. Suggestions for Quick Reading 5. If you have any questions or haven't had enough, return to the Table of Contents. The core of this Buyer's Guide is the Big 3 Suggestion Tables. In order to understand them, I offer these quick reading instructions to B. Understanding the Big 3 Suggestion Tables give a little context: 1. Skim the Introduction beginning on page 2 to understand the The Big 3 Suggestion Tables below are designed to give data “what” and “why.” points to parents when buying gear and address the natural question, “Where do I find lighter gear?” 2. Skim Understanding the Big 3 Suggestion Tables beginning on page 3 to understand what the columns in the suggestion tables The merchant column indicates where I found a particular piece of mean. gear at the listed price. You don't have to buy most of the gear from the merchant listed. REI, Campmor, and Campsaver have a lot of 3. Read the Target Criteria and skim the Suggestion Table for inventory overlap. each of the Big 3 beginning on pages 7, 10, and 13. The price column generally lists sale prices and is meant to offer a 4. Skim the Big 3 Sample Setups beginning on page 15 to get a “strike price.” If you find a piece of gear at or below the price listed, picture of how everything comes together and a ballpark then you are doing great. budget.

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 3 of 18 The rating column is calculated based on the Big 3 Target Criteria shopping. I don't know gear availability. I don't know your scout. I and tweaked a little with my research and personal experience. can however, offer the Big 3 Sample Setups on page 15. Higher ratings fit the Big 3 Target Criteria better than lower ratings. Every piece of gear listed in this guide is quality gear. Don't feel Generally I valued price and weight scores equally, while other factors bad about picking gear with a low rating. If price is no object, you contributed to the gear rating less. Higher ratings do not indicate probably want to look at the usually lighter but more expensive 7-9 better quality gear, although gear quality does contribute to the rating. gear ratings. Don't feel bad about picking gear that is not on the list, Everything listed in the table is the cream of the crop, lightweight gear. but still fits the Big 3 Target Criteria. Avoid buying something It is not practical for me to make a simple list of 3 things to go buy. significantly outside of the Target Criteria, unless you are confident in I don't know your budget. I don't know your tolerance of online what you are doing. III. Purchasing Tips

A. Know Gear Weight C. Pricing, Sales, and Service I weigh all of my gear and record it in a spread sheet. This allows Unlike other markets, retail prices for outdoor gear are the starting me to consider the importance, value, and weight of each piece while point. When I find gear marked as “x% off,” that's usually true; seeing it in the context of the entire system. Yes, I take my scales to merchants generally don't play games like inflating the retail price. the store and weigh things before I buy them. The key to finding good prices is to watch and wait. I see sales year Scouts need to be weight sensitive and are encouraged to weigh round, but June, July, August, November, and December seem to be their gear too. Helping your scout to create a gear list with weights the most aggressive sale months. has a great dual use of learning Word, Excel, OpenOffice, or gdocs. Campmor generally prices very competitively year round. Once a list is complete, use a pivottable or datapilot to choose gear REI and Backcountry generally price equipment at retail unless from the master list and create a separate sheet for a specific trip. they are offering a sale or coupon (usually quarterly). Both discount Walmart, Target, Academy, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shop, etc. older gear models at their outlet. sell a 50 lb scale in the fishing department and a 5 lb scale in the No other outdoor gear merchant beats the REI convenience, cooking/utensil department for < $20 each. service, and warranty. If the brick and mortar REI doesn't have what you are looking for on hand, you can order several sizes and models on B. Gear Reviews their website, have it all shipped to the store, fit the gear to your scout http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/ at the store, and immediately return anything you don't want. This http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi- sounded like “working the system” to me, but REI employees bin/backpackinglight/reviews/index.html encourage it. http://www.trailspace.com/gear/ Cottage manufacturers and retailers like Backpacking Light, Gossamer Gear, Jacks 'R' Better, Moon Trail, ProLite Gear, Six Moon Designs, Tarptent, and ULA Equipment generally work hard for your

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 4 of 18 business by offering high quality, lightweight gear with excellent same as the scout discount. I did not include the scout discount or customer service. When I was considering my first quilt, I had a nice dividend on REI gear listed in the Suggestion Tables below. 45 minute chat with one of the Jacks (owner) at Jacks 'R' Better about ScoutDirect will give up to a 45% scout discount on Alps how to use their quilts. If you have any questions about cottage gear, Mountaineering gear. You'll have to visit ScoutDirect.com first to don't hesitate to call them. register and get a complete price list. All the prices for Alps Mountaineering gear reflect the ScoutDirect discount. Please don't ask D. Merchants Offering Scout Deals any other merchant (like REI) to honor ScoutDirect pricing on Alps Mountaineering brand gear – they won't. Campmor will give a 10% scout discount on almost everything remotely related to scout gear if the order goes through a troop representative. If you happen to be in my troop, contact me because I E. Online Merchants am the troop's representative to Campmor (see About the Author on I buy a lot of outdoor gear online because I can quickly compare page 18). If I am not in your troop, then consult your Scout Master or weights, prices, and reviews; however, buying online has limitations Committee Chair – they may have already designated a Campmor and risks such as sizing, returns, shipping damages, etc. I have a lot of representative. I did not include the scout discount on Campmor gear experience with online merchants, but I will not do business with any listed in the Suggestion Tables below. of them until I have found some good feedback, and almost no bad Campsaver.com will give a 10% scout discount on full priced feedback. items. I don't know the details of how this works, but I assume it 1. Merchants that have been good to my troop requires a little paperwork and a troop representative (like Campmor a) Blackdiamondequipment.com and REI). You'll have to contact Campsaver and figure it out. I did not include the scout discount on Campsaver gear listed in the b) Campmor.com Suggestion Tables below. c) REI.com (and outlet) REI will give a scout discount that is almost exactly the same as 2. Additional Merchants I have done business with their dividend program (10% on full priced items7). The difference is a) Amazon.com that the scout discount program requires some paperwork and placing b) Campsaver.com (and outlet) the order through a troop representative with the REI Group Sales c) Prolitegear.com Department.8 Don't even bother asking the sales people at the store about a scout discount; they don't know how it works. Just use your d) Sixmoondesigns.com REI membership and get the the dividend where available – it's the 3. Additional Merchants I would do business with a) Backcountry.com (and outlet) b) BackpackingLight.com 7 If you're not familiar with the REI dividend program, see http://www.rei.com/membership. c) Gossamergear.com 8 If you are placing a large purchase on behalf of the troop, make the effort to d) Jacksrbetter.com contact the REI Group Sales because they'll give the 10% discount up front rather e) Moontrail.com than crediting the individual who placed the order.

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 5 of 18 f) Moosejaw.com i) Tarptent.com g) ScoutDirect.com j) Ula-equipment.com h) SierraTradingPost.com IV. Backpacks Should Weigh ≤ 3.5 lbs

A. Backpack Discussion manufacturer's sizing guide and/or use the free plastic sizing template at a brick and mortar REI. This is the easiest purchase to mess up because pack prices, Most online retailers will take unused gear back without question weights, limitations, and sizes vary wildly. in the off chance it doesn't fit. If you enjoy touching backpacks before you buy them, remember the REI ship to store, try on, and return trick Pack Sizing (Pricing, Sales, and Service on page 4). All packs come in different torso and waist sizes. Make sure the Pack volumes are measured in cubic inches or liters. 50 L to 69 L backpack you purchase fits your scout by following the manufacturer's is pretty big especially if your scout is using lightweight gear which sizing guide. Keep in mind that your scout will grow (buy big? tends to be smaller. This pack volume will handle week long trips adjustable? replace? swap?). with periodic food and water pick-ups (like Philmont). It will easily I made a genuine effort to find the smallest packs available to fit handle weekend trips. It may not be large enough for week long, back scout sizes, and generally the smallest sizes are listed. country, winter expeditions. The usual differences in a woman's model are: smaller torso size, wider shoulder strap fit, and more waist belt padding. Those changes Pack Frames may be ideal for small framed scouts. It is probably worth considering Backpack frames are diverse ranging from huge tubular aluminum, a woman's pack for your scout as it may fit better, weigh less, and cost to thin aluminum stays, to thick plastic, to thin plastic, to thick foam, less. If your scout doesn't want to use “girl gear,” consider carefully to nothing, and hybrid mixes of these. removing the “woman's” label with scissors or a seam ripper after you I can't find any external frame packs under 3.5 lbs, so I don't even get the pack home. That label is useless, extra weight anyway. have to talk about them. Many people make a big deal about trying backpacks on before Traditional internal frame packs have some padding and an purchasing them. In my opinion, there is very little link between what aluminum or plastic frame to provide stability and transfer the weight a pack filled with ballast for a few minutes feels like in a store and effectively to the hip belt. There are quite a few of these in the what it will feel like filled with real gear on the trail for a weekend. Backpack Suggestion Table. My experience and the many reviews I have read indicate that if a Some lightweight backpacks have a minimal aluminum or plastic pack is properly sized, it will probably fit comfortably. Pack fit is frame and use the sleeping pad as additional support and padding. really not as personal as something like shoe fit. Consult the pack This technique usually limits the comfortable total pack weight to

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 6 of 18 about 35-40 lbs, which is generally more than a scout should be I have UL, frame-less packs in the backpack database, but I don't carrying. It saves weight by removing the single use backpack foam think any of them rated high enough to show up in the Suggestion padding and replacing it with dual use sleeping pad your scout was Table. The Table may include a couple lightweight hybrid packs that probably already carrying. have a minimal frame and recommend/require a sleeping mat for Some backpacks like the REI Flash Pack have a lightweight frame additional support and padding which will work just fine up to 35 lbs. that can be removed and replaced with a closed cell foam sleeping pad. Don't confuse lightweight and ultra-lightweight packs. If you are When in ultra-light (UL) mode, the pack functions like other UL not absolutely sure your scout can keep his total pack weight under 30 frame-less packs becoming extraordinarily light while limiting the lbs, an ultra-lightweight frame-less pack could cause discomfort or comfortable total pack weight to less than 30 lbs. injury. UL frame-less packs like the Jam and Pinnacle generally can't I recommend a minimal frame and the Backpack Suggestion Table carry more than 25-30 lbs and recommend/require a closed cell foam prefers them. Read the pack's labels carefully to make sure you know sleeping pad as both padding and frame. Frame-less packs are really what you are buying. Light is good, but when buying a backpack don't better suited for total pack weights under 25 lbs. One trick to keep in go too light. mind if using a frame-less pack is to tighten the compression straps aggressively to help the entire pack become sausage stiff.

B. Backpack Target Criteria 1. $125-$200 2. prefer 2 lbs – 3 lbs, but nothing > 3.5 lbs 3. 50 L (3000 cu) to 69L (4200 cu), but nothing < 50 L 4. Prefer Max lb comfortable carry weight ≥ 35 5. Full or hybrid frame recommended

C. Backpack Suggestion Table Rating $ Make Model lb g cu in L Torso Merchant Max lb Comment 10 $200.00 ULA Circuit 2.13 964 4200 69 15-18 Ula-equipment.com 35 10 $99.00 JanSport Klamath 55 2.13 990 3302 54 18-20 Campmor.com 40 10 $167.96 Osprey Exos 58 2.44 1140 3300 54 < 18.5 Campsaver.com 40 10 $124.99 REI Flash Pack 65 2.88 1304 3783 62 16-18 REI removable frame option 10 $169.00 REI Flash Pack 65 – 2.88 1304 3783 62 15-18 REI removable frame option Womens

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 7 of 18 Rating $ Make Model lb g cu in L Torso Merchant Max lb Comment 10 $89.97 GoLite Pursuit 3.00 1361 3111 51 17.5-19.5 Backcountry.com 35 Golite may size small – try on and/or buy bigger 10 $62.93 JanSport Big Bear 63 3.25 1474 3850 63 13-16 Backcountry.com 9 $139.96 GoLite Quest Women's 2.75 1247 3782 62 15.5-17.5 Backcountry.com 45 9 $199.95 Granite Gear Escape A.C. 60 Ki 2.94 1332 3360 55 13-18 REI 35 Women's 9 $119.97 Gregory Jade 50 Women's 3.13 1417 3050 50 16-18 Campsaver.com 40 Manufacturer, retailers, and reviews differ on actual weight – weigh before purchasing 8 $250.00 ULA Catalyst 2.81 1276 4600 75 15-18 Ula-equipment.com 40 8 $137.37 The North Skareb 50 2.94 1332 3050 50 16-19 Backcountry.com 45 Manufacturer, retailers, and reviews Face differ on actual weight – weigh before purchasing 8 $137.97 Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone 3.00 1361 3800 62 14-18 Backcountry.com 40 8 $129.99 JanSport Klamath 68 3.38 1531 4200 68 16-19 Campmor.com 7 $205.00 Six Moon Starlite + stays 1.88 850 4200 69 15-22 SixMoonDesigns.com 35 hybrid frame; removable frame option; ¾ Designs folded sleeping pad required 7 $113.97 Granite Gear Alpine Vapor 2.44 1106 3300 54 15-18 Backcountry.com 30 Available but discontinued? 7 $169.95 The North Ligero 50 3.13 1417 3050 50 17-20 Backcountry.com 40 Manufacturer, retailers, and reviews Face differ on actual weight – weigh before purchasing 7 $198.95 Arc'teryx Axios Backpack 48 3.13 1417 3081 50 16-20 Backcountry.com - Women's 7 $129.99 GoLite Quest 3.19 1446 4392 72 17.5-19.5 Campmor.com 45 7 $129.95 Kelty Pawnee Women's 3.50 1588 3000 49 14-16.5 Moosejaw.com 7 $179.00 Deuter ACT Lite 50 + 10 3.50 1588 3650 60 15-21 Moosejaw.com 40 6 $205.00 Six Moon Traveler + stays 1.94 879 3800 62 15-22 SixMoonDesigns.com 35 hybrid frame; removable frame option; ¾ Designs folded sleeping pad required 6 $174.95 GoLite Pinnacle Women's 1.94 879 3843 63 15.5-17.5 Campmor.com 40 no frame; use folded sleeping pad; 6 $140.98 GoLite Pinnacle 2.06 936 4392 72 17.5-19.5 prolitegear.com 40 no frame; use folded sleeping pad; Golite

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 8 of 18 Rating $ Make Model lb g cu in L Torso Merchant Max lb Comment may size small – try on and/or buy bigger 6 $116.97 Granite Gear Latitude Vapor 2.63 1191 3800 62 15-18 Campsaver.com 30 Available but discontinued?

V. Tents Should Weigh ≤ 2.5 lbs per Scout

A. Tent Discussion air flow, using a ground cloth, pitching under a tree, pitching on dry ground, and using a towel to wipe it off. Almost universally, single Tents are my favorite gear of the Big 3. They come in lots of wall tents are lighter than double wall tents. shapes, sizes, weights, designs, and complexity. My troop often camps in humid conditions, and I'm not a big fan of A friend of mine likes quietly boasting of how quickly and easily waking up in a puddle of condensation. Therefore, most of the tents in he can set up his Scarp 2. Several adults have come close to being the table below are double walled tents. defeated by the complex pole configuration of the Quarter Dome. In my opinion, the cool nuances like pockets, vestibules, free standing, Tent Accessories pole simplicity, and clip hangers are all slaves to weight first. Once your shelter weight is < 2.5 lbs per person, you are welcome to brag I recommend a ground cloth under the tent to prevent moisture and about your 4 stake, inflatable wonder with cup holders. sharp objects from penetrating the floor of the tent. The ground cloth The easiest way to control tent weight is for two scouts to share can be any waterproof material such as plastic, silnylon, and Tyvek. and split the weight of a light two man tent. I'm just going to assume The best option is to buy .7-5 mil painters plastic at Home Depot or that scouts are doing this. Walmart. Keep it less than 12 oz and realize that you will have to replace a ground cloth every few years as gets too many holes (a Does your scout have to own his own tent? My troop encourages couple holes are OK). scouts to share a tent to cut down on weight, but also recommends that each scout own their own tent. Some troops issue ageless, durable, Cut the ground cloth down 1” smaller than the perimeter of the heavy tents to their scouts. Ask and find out. tent. If it sticks out past the walls of the tent, the ground cloth will catch and trap rain water under the tent. I have noted several smaller tents in the Tent Suggestion Table. This probably won't be a problem for scouts but could be an issue if I do not recommend purchasing the fancy “foot print” ground cloth you, my loyal adult reader, intend to use the tent too. that is sold as an accessory to tents. They are too heavy and expensive to fit the proper purpose of a disposable ground cloth. Single Wall Tents Some tents will need to have seam sealer applied to the seams to prevent them from leaking. The tent fabric determines the type of Single wall tents are exactly what they sound like. While all tents seam sealer to use. Nylon tents can use the regular seam sealer, while have issues with condensation, single wall tents exacerbate the silnylon requires a silicon based sealant. I honestly don't know about problem by keeping the condensation inside the tent creating a risk of seam sealing Cuben. Consult the manufacturer or tent manual to occupants getting wet. Condensation can be managed by increasing

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 9 of 18 determine if your tent needs to be seam sealed, what type of sealant to doesn't save much weight and is easily lost, bent, and/or broken. If use, and how to apply it. you must have titanium stakes, hit them with some day-glow paint Some tents can use trekking poles in lieu of tent poles. If your make them easier to see against ground cover. scout is already carrying a trekking pole, consider the weight savings in the dual use to set up their tent. Tarps Most tents come with lightweight aluminum or plastic stakes Silnylon and Cuben tarps are lighter (and sometimes cheaper) than which are sufficient for scout needs. If you have to buy stakes, then tents; however, they also have problems: bug protection, campsite cheap, light aluminum is fine. Don't saddle your scout with huge steel pitching restrictions, discouraged by high adventure camps (Philmont nails as stakes. doesn't like floorless shelters), and privacy. I did not include any tarps Don't bother with titanium stakes (although your heart is in the (except maybe the BD Betamid and Betalight which could be used as right place). Titanium stakes are generally half the weight and up to tarps without the inner Betabug) in the table below. thrice the price of aluminum stakes. For 6 stakes, titanium only saves If tarps are used, they should be used by experienced scouts. about 1 oz. Titanium stakes are very expensive for something that

B. Tent Target Criteria 1. prefer 3.15 lbs – 4.15 lbs for 2 man tent, but nothing > 2.5 lbs per person 2. $125 - $200 3. sleeps 2 or more 4. double walled preferred over single walled

C. Tent Suggestion Table Rating $ Make Model Sleeps lb g sqft Merchant Comment 10 $169.95 Sierra Designs Sirius 2 2 4.06 1843 31.0 Moosejaw.com 10 $111.96 Kelty Grand Mesa 2 2 4.13 1871 29.0 Campsaver.com small tent 9 $179.97 Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2 2 3.38 1531 32.0 Campmor.com 9 $199.95 Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD 2 2 3.38 1531 32.0 REI 9 $159.97 Mountain Hardwear Lightpath 2 2 3.88 1758 30.0 Campmor.com requires > 10 stakes? 9 $127.46 Kelty Crestone 2 2 4.13 1871 30.0 Backcountry.com small tent 9 $129.99 Kelty Teton 2 2 4.13 1871 31.0 Campmor.com 9 $99.50 REI Camp Dome 2 2 4.94 2240 31.5 REI

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 10 of 18 8 $219.95 Big Agnes Seedhouse 2 3.88 1758 28.0 REI small tent 8 $269.00 REI Quarter Dome T2 2 3.94 1786 29.7 REI 8 $98.99 Alps Mystique 2 4.69 2126 32.0 Scoutdirect.com 8' long Mountaineering AL/Comet/Triton 2 8 $169.99 Kelty Gunnison 2.1 2 4.88 2211 37.0 Campmor.com 7 $229.99 Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2 2 2.88 1306 28.0 REI small tent 7 $149.97 The North Face Quartz 22 Bx 2 4.56 2070 30.0 Campmor.com 7 $199.00 The North Face Tadpole 23 Bx 2 4.63 2098 26.0 REI small tent 7 $199.95 Big Agnes Lynx Pass 2 2 4.88 2211 36.5 REI 6 $325.00 Tarp Tent Scarp 2 2 3.38 1530 31.0 Tarptent.com 6 $299.95 Sierra Designs Vapor Light 2 2 3.50 1588 25.5 REI small tent; Manufacturer, retailers, and reviews differ on actual weight 6 $249.97 The North Face Meso 22 2 3.75 1701 29.0 Campmor.com 6 $279.95 Sierra Designs Lightning XT 2 2 3.94 1786 30.0 Moosejaw.com 6 $238.95 Black Diamond Betamid + Betabug 2 4.06 1843 34.7 Blackdiamondequipment.com trekking poles required 6 $299.97 MSR Hubba Hubba 2 4.19 1890 29.0 Campmor.com 6 $165.00 Mountain Hardwear Drifter 2 2 4.75 2155 32.0 REI 5 $260.00 Tarp Tent Double Rainbow 2 2.50 1165 32.5 Tarptent.com single walled tent 5 $299.95 Nemo Espri 2 2 3.50 1588 28.0 REI 5 $129.97 Eureka SpitFire 2 2 4.19 1899 38.8 Campmor.com 5 $299.00 REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus 2 4.25 1928 35.2 REI 7.8' long 4 $310.00 Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo 2 2.44 1106 34.0 Sixmoondesigns.com single walled tent; trekking poles required 4 $379.95 Sierra Designs LT Strike 2 2 3.38 1531 29.0 REI 4 $318.95 The North Face Vario 23 – Regular 2 3.94 1786 32.0 Backcountry.com

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 11 of 18 VI. Sleeping Bags Should Weigh ≤ 3 lbs

A. Sleeping Bag Discussion greater sleeping body heat. This tends to indicate bags with 35 F ratings. Down v. Synthetic My experience and many of the reviews I have read indicate that cheaper (< $80) synthetic bags tend to have an optimistic temperature Sleeping bags are filled with either down or synthetics. When rating. EN is a nice standard for rating sleeping bags, but compared to synthetic fill, down has a superior weight to warmth ratio unfortunately it doesn't cover children – no help there. This tends to and is generally more expensive. Down sleeping bags should have a indicate bags with 25 F ratings. lifetime of around 20 years, while synthetics usually collapse when If your scout likes to snuggle under heavy blankets at home when they are 5-10 years old. Generally equal volumes of down compress sleeping, I recommend looking at the cooler rated bags around 25 F. If smaller and loft back faster than synthetics. Unfortunately, wet down you would consider your scout a normal or warm sleeper, then 35 F is is a non-insulating, heavy, stinky, slow drying, mess. probably sufficient. During the 2009 summer camp, torrential rain brought many tents Once the sleeping bag has been purchased, your scout can tweak down and soaked the sleeping bags of several scouts. I have also seen the temperature rating by putting on more clothing if they are cold and some beautiful $300 down sleeping bags with spirit crushing, unzipping the bag to vent if they are warm. mysterious knife and fire wounds. For summer camp in Texas, I use a fleece sleeping bag (fleece Unless your scout is very careful about his possessions, I blanket with a zipper) that I got at Walmart for $20. Since warm recommend a lightweight synthetic bag. Less expensive and water sleeping weather makes me sweat, fleece makes a great summer bag tolerant is a good combination for new scout sleeping bags. because it can easily be washed. At 2.4 lbs, it strangely weighs more than many of the sleeping bags listed. I'll probably get a lighter Temperature Rating summer bag if and when the need arises, which is a reasonable To determine the proper temperature rating, you'll have to figure recommendation for when to get your scout one too. I did not include out what type of temperatures your scout will see and then match that summer bags in the Suggestion Table below. to your individual scout. In the last 2 years of backpacking in Texas, I have attended 6 Liners nights of below freezing BSA camp-outs, and 10 more were below 45 My experience and many online reviews indicate that sleeping bag F. The coldest was 16 F. I would recommend scouts in my troop liners add very little warmth (1 F - 3 F) even if they claim “up to 15 begin by looking at a 25 F to 35 F sleeping bag for school year degrees” on the package. backpacking. Sleeping bag liners are useful to keep sweat, oils, and dirt out of a Males usually have a higher metabolism than females, and boys sleeping bag because liners can easily be washed. An alternative tend to have a higher metabolism than men. Higher metabolism means solution to controlling dirt in a sleeping bag is to wear clean, dry sleeping clothing. This offers a dual use of having some additional

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 12 of 18 emergency warm, dry clothing. It is also possible, albeit difficult, to create cool spots. If the bag is too big, warm air pockets will easily wash a sleeping bag (see Big 3 Gear Care and Storage on page 16). bellow out during normal sleep movement and then refill with cool air. As I understand it, synthetic bags are a little easier to wash than down. All that said, scouts grow fast. You'll have to make a call on how In my opinion, the cost and weight of a sleeping bag liner is better to handle this issue. spent on the sleeping bag itself. All the data points in the Sleeping Bag Suggestion Table assume a men's regular (usually 6') unless otherwise noted. A women's regular Sizing (5' 6”) may fit better, weigh less, and cost less. Some scouts care It is common knowledge that sleeping bags should be sized about whether the label says it's for girls though. Whatever. correctly to the person using it to allow the sleeping bag to function Unfortunately, using a seam ripper to remove the girl label will properly. If the bag is too small, the insulation will be compressed and probably not work on a sleeping bag due to the way the labels are attached to delicate sleeping bag materials.

B. Sleeping Bag Target Criteria 1. prefer ≤ 2.5 lbs, but nothing > 3 lbs 2. 25 F – 35 F 3. $70-$110 4. synthetic preferred over down

C. Sleeping Bag Suggestion Table Rating $ Make Model F lb g fill merchant comment 10 $89.95 Sierra Designs Big Dog 35 – Kids 35 2.25 1021 synthetic REI 5' long 10 $89.95 Sierra Designs Dragonfly 35 – Kids 35 2.38 1077 synthetic REI 5' long 10 $99.95 Sierra Designs Rosa 35 Degree Women's 35 2.44 1106 synthetic Moosejaw.com 9 $129.96 Marmot Marmot Women's Pounder Plus 25 Regular 25 1.94 879 synthetic Campmor.com 9 $59.99 Eureka Silver City 30 2.06 936 synthetic Campmor.com 9 $84.97 Kelty Light Year XP 40 2.19 992 synthetic Campsaver.com 9 $84.98 Mountain Hardwear Mountain Goat Youth 20 2.25 1021 synthetic Campmor.com 6' long 9 $75.00 Marmot Kid's Trestles 30 30 2.56 1162 synthetic Moosejaw.com 5' long 9 $56.99 Kelty Cosmic 35F – Regular 35 2.63 1191 synthetic Campmor.com 5' 4” long 9 $99.95 Sierra Designs Wild Bill 35 35 2.75 1247 synthetic REI

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 13 of 18 Rating $ Make Model F lb g fill merchant comment 9 $69.98 Kelty Light Year Climashield XP 20 2.88 1304 synthetic Campmor.com 9 $89.96 Mountain Hardwear Flip 25/40 25 2.88 1304 synthetic Campsaver.com 9 $79.00 Marmot Women's Trestles 30 30 2.94 1332 synthetic Campmor.com 8 $99.98 Kelty Light Year 40 1.75 794 down Campmor.com 8 $79.99 Eureka Kotey 35 35 2.06 936 synthetic Campmor.com 8 $89.00 The North Face Kids Tigger 20 2.10 953 synthetic Campmor.com 5' long 8 $69.00 The North Face Blue Ridge Children's 20 2.50 1134 synthetic Campmor.com 5' long 8 $69.00 The North Face Ridge Bx 20 Women's 20 2.50 1134 synthetic Moosejaw.com 8 $119.98 Mountain Hardwear Switch 35 Regular Women's 35 2.50 1134 synthetic Campmor.com 7 $159.97 Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina 32 1.94 879 synthetic Campmor.com 7 $119.95 Lafuma Extreme 950 Pro + 30 30 2.13 964 synthetic REI 7 $119.99 Campmor Goose Down 20 2.25 1021 down Campmor.com great bag 7 $139.99 Marmot Axiom 25 2.75 1247 synthetic Campmor.com 6 $169.98 Kelty Light Year 25 2.38 1077 down Campmor.com 6 $139.97 The North Face Cat's Meow 20 2.63 1191 synthetic Campmor.com 6 $139.98 The North Face Women's Cat's Meow 20 Regular 20 2.63 1191 synthetic Campmor.com 5 $179.97 Rab Quantum 250 Endurance 32 1.50 680 down Campsaver.com 5 $169.00 The North Face Scorpio 40 40 1.94 879 synthetic Moosejaw.com 5 $190.00 Mountain Hardwear Women's UltraLamina 32 32 1.94 879 synthetic Moosejaw.com 5 $186.96 Sierra Designs Arrow Rock 30 30 2.31 1049 down Campsaver.com

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 14 of 18 VII. Big 3 Sample Setups

Our goal is to get the Big 3 under 9 lbs. Sharing a < 5 lb two man $ Make Model lb tent is part of the way we do this. Since we can't buy ½ of a tent, we'll $89.97 GoLite Pursuit 3.00 have to add the other ½ of the tent to our < 9 lb limit and get < 11.5 lbs for the Big 3. If this isn't clear, look at the sample tables below. $59.99 Eureka Silver City 2.06 The first three tables in this section were created by considering $111.96 Kelty Grand Mesa 2 4.13 the top six rated (meaning only that they met the Target Criteria as $261.92 Totals 9.19 closely as possible) pieces of gear for each of the Big 3. I then Big 3 Total - ½ of tent weight 7.13 selected a Big 3 combination based on the lightest, cheapest, and average price and weight. It's worth noting that none of these C. Nice Balance combinations come close to our 11.5 lbs limit (or 9 lbs if you subtract out ½ of the tent weight). Choosing from the top 6 based on average price and weight. These tables are not recommendations of what to go buy, but $ Make Model lb illustrations of possible combinations. $167.96 Osprey Exos 58 2.44 A. Awesome Light $89.95 Sierra Designs Big Dog 35 – Kids 2.25 $169.95 Sierra Designs Sirius 2 4.06 Choosing from the top 6 based on weight alone. $427.86 Totals 8.75 $ Make Model lb Big 3 Total - ½ of tent weight 6.72 $200.00 ULA Circuit 2.13 $129.96 Marmot Marmot Women's Pounder Plus 25 Regular 1.94 D. Mindless REI Trip $179.97 Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2 3.38 $509.93 Totals 7.44 To the Parent Considering a Mindless REI Trip Big 3 Total - ½ of tent weight 5.75 Some parents in my troop have admitted to me that they just go to REI and ask the sales person to outfit their scout. The problem in the B. Awesome Cheap past was that parents couldn't give the sales person any guidance as to what they needed. I can't fault the REI sales people for sending a Choosing from the top 6 based on price alone. scout back with 15 lbs of quality gear. REI has been good to me and to my troop. I buy a lot of personal outdoor and troop climbing gear from them. Sometimes their prices are a little high, but not always. Remember that the dividend program pretty much guarantees at least a 10% discount off retail price. Like I

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 15 of 18 said earlier, “No other merchant beats the REI convenience, service, Feel free to suggest anything that fits the Target Criteria (except and warranty.” I'm willing to pay for that when I need it, and I do. price) and the scout even if it is not on the suggestion tables. Lighter If you have/want to do a mindless REI trip, print and give pages 7, is almost always better. 10, 13, and 16 (and the next page if necessary) to the sale person, and I picked the items in the following sample table as the highest rated ask them to start with To the REI Sales Associate on page 16 (the very gear (meaning only that it meets the Target Criteria as closely as next section). possible) available from REI. I replaced the pricing with the usual REI prices available on their website. This table is merely an example, To the REI Sales Associate not a rule or suggestion. The total weight for a scout's Big 3 (backpack, 2 person tent, and $ Make Model lb sleeping bag) should weigh less than 11.5 lbs. Please review the Big 3 $20.00 REI Membership 0 Target Criteria: $169.00 REI Flash Pack 65 – Womens 2.88 Backpack Target Criteria on page 7 $89.95 Sierra Designs Big Dog 35 – Kids 2.25 Tent Target Criteria on page 10 $199.95 Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD 2 3.38 Sleeping Bag Target Criteria on page 13 $478.90 Totals 8.50 $45.89 REI Dividend Big 3 Total - ½ of tent weight 6.81

VIII. Big 3 Gear Care and Storage The Big 3 represent the majority of the gear budget, but should last can probably dry a sleeping bag (check the manufacturer's sleeping many years based on scout growth, wear, and tear. To avoid bag cleaning instructions). unnecessarily shortening gear lifetime, teach your scout some proper The Big 3 must be crunchy dry and stored in a cool, dry place. care and storage. Don't store them in a garage which gets hot enough to melt seam Wet gear molds; even if it's just a little wet. The Big 3 need to be sealers and weaken fabrics. Make sure not to store anything smelly or thoroughly dried before being stored. corrosive in or near your Big 3 (food, fuel, bug repellent, cat pee, etc.). Drying is usually as simple as pitching the tent in the back yard Before storing a backpack, inspect it for moisture and shake the and throwing the sleeping bag and ground cloth over a clothesline for a loose dirt out of it. It is reasonable to store loose camping gear (other couple hours. If it is raining for days straight, hanging the Big 3 in the than the sleeping bag) inside your backpack. garage for a day or two is probably a sufficient alternative. If your scout lost some camping or scout gear, and they haven't Don't dry a tent in the clothes dryer. I tried that once; it was sticky, seen it since the last camp-out, try looking in their backpack. stinky experience for the tent and the dryer. The dryer with no heat Tents should be stored uncompressed in a pile. If you do compress your tent for storage, fold or stuff it differently every time to avoid

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 16 of 18 weakening the fabric with repeated creasing along the same lines. I bag right, you'll hang it from a hanger in your closet. I don't know loosely fold/roll my tents for storage. anyone with that kind of closet space that doesn't have a cat (sharpen- Sleeping bags must be stored uncompressed. Most bags come with shredy). a large cotton pillow case sized sack for uncompressed storage. This If you have to wash any of your Big 3, read the manual for that sack will prevent the fill from getting a compressed memory and allow piece of gear. If you don't have the manual, check the manufacturer's the sleeping bag to breathe. If you really want to treat your sleeping website. IX. General Guide Information

A. Scope b) Gear with dual use may be lighter than the individual gear it replaces. This guide only offers data points and advice on purchasing the c) If it's not useful, then save 100% of it's weight. Big 3 for scouts backpacking in primarily temperate, humid, buggy, southern climates. It has a strong correlation with lightweight 2. Dependable backpacking technique and some influence from ultra-lightweight 3. Light backpacking technique. 4. Cheap Of course, I'm not making any warranties or representations about 5. Compact any of the gear or merchants listed here. HYOH and buyer beware. C. Maintenance and Corrections B. Gear Other Than the Big 3 This guide was extremely difficult and time consuming to put Obviously there is more gear to buy. Consult your troop for a list together. The worst part is that the gear data points in the tables will of the rest of the gear (clothing, knife, compass, etc.).9 I am working begin to get outdated before this guide is distributed as prices change, on a companion guide to offer related tips and technique in the context new technology hits the market, and models are discontinued. of lightweight backpacking. Until that guide is available it can be 10 There are over 70 pieces of quality gear listed here. If you find reduced to the following ordered guidelines: one I missed, please let me know. I'm familiar with almost all of this 1. Useful gear, but I didn't read the manuals for each. If you discover something a) Quick drying clothing made of technical fibers eg. irrelevant, deficient, shortsighted, and/or obtuse (eg. I listed a pack that polyester, polypropylene, spandex, lycra, elastane, nylon, can't possibly fit a scout; I totally fat fingered a weight; etc.), please let merino wool, etc. me know (see About the Author on page 18). I'm always open to constructive criticism too. 9 See Works Cited, Resources, and Influences on page 18 for a link to Doug Prosser's Boy Scout Gear List: New Scouts, Three-Season as a great place to start for ball park weights on the rest of the gear. 10 LADIGIN, at 6.

Big 3 Buyer's Guide; 09/10/2010 Printing; Page 17 of 18 D. About the Author GEORGE COLE ET AL., LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING AND CAMPING (Ryan Jordan ed., Beartooth Mountain Press 2006). My name is R. J. Woodward, and I am an attorney in Houston, TX. I became an Eagle Scout in 1994 at BSA Troop 599, Sam Houston Tad Englund, What a Scout Needs - Rationale for Selected Gear Area Council, Houston, TX. (2010) (unpublished manuscript). When I went to Philmont in 1993, I had the lightest total pack Brian Fisher, How to Load a Backpack, REI EXPERT ADVICE (June 18, weight in the crew at 47 lbs. My crew helped me with that problem by 2010) available at sneaking rocks into my pack. http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/loading+backpack.html. I became interested in lightening my pack weight in 2008 after Wayne Gregory, How to with Wayne Gregory: How much weight “input” from my wife and backpacking partner. This guide is the should kids carry in their packs?, GREGORY MOUNTAIN PRODUCTS result of my personal quest to lighten up. (March 26, 2009) available at http://gregorypacks.com/blog/how- My most recent weekend total pack weights are around 22 lbs. As to/205/. this document has become more polished, I have replaced almost all of Ryan Jordan, publisher, BackpackingLight.com Forums, my Big 3 yet again. I wish I would have had access to this completed BACKPACKINGLIGHT.COM (Beartooth Mountain Press, LLC, 2003- guide before I bought gear the first, second, third, or fourth time. 2009) at http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi- Perhaps I'll start a museum of my retired heavy gear. bin/backpackinglight/forums/index.html. I am currently serving as Assistant Scoutmaster and Lead Climbing DON LADIGIN, LIGHTEN UP! A COMPLETE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHT AND Instructor for BSA Troop 55, Sam Houston Area Council, Houston, ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKING (Falcon Guide 2005). Book preview at TX. http://books.google.com/books? You can contact me at [email protected] or find more contact id=hjkBK1Npi0wC&lpg=PP1&dq=mike information on the Troop 55 website (troop members will need the %20clelland&pg=PA6#v=onepage&q&f=false. Troop 55 password to access the roster). Doug Prosser, Boy Scout Gear List: New Scouts, Three-Season. BACKPACKINGLIGHT.COM, (June 7, 2005) available at E. Version History http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi- bin/backpackinglight/boy_scout_gear_list.html. September 2010, Version 21 published May 2010, Versions 5-20 made made available to limited distribution G. Copyright for review. © 2010 R. J. Woodward. All rights reserved. Free and at cost November 2009, Version 1 created. modification and/or redistribution permitted with author attribution. No commercial reproduction or modification without author F. Works Cited, Resources, and Influences permission. See About the Author beginning on page 18 for contact information. BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, GUIDE TO SAFE SCOUTING, (2010) available at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS.aspx.

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