Kit load out, learnings and tips from my first overnight hammock camp

Описание: This video presents the kit I took on my first overnight hammock camp. It also shows my camp set up, plus lessons I have learnt in building up my pack inventory and a few of my own tips and cost saving ideas.

Having not hammock camped before and never having camped in near zero degree conditions, I admit that I probably took more than was necessary, but I wanted to make sure I was not going to be cold! As I get more confidence and experience, I suspect I will be able to leave some things at home.

Anyway, here are some of my thoughts for anyone starting out in hiking and camping and might be contemplating what equipment they need.

I found it hard to work out what I needed and what I didn’t but there are many videos out there that help and now (hopefully) this is one of them. But of course, it’s all about personal choice.
As usual, it’s a trade off between cost, quality and in the hiking/camping world that usually means weight and robustness.

My number one tip is to shop around and make the most of the sales. All stores seem to regularly have 40% to 50% off discounts. I do not know if this is normal or just a Covid thing, but if you can wait, I suggest you wait for the sales.

Most stores also have a price matching policy, so do your research before you shop, even online. As long as the product is advertised by a physical store and the item is in stock, all stores I came across would price match, so have this information ready at the check out if you want to avail yourself of this.

My journey started at BCF and after finding Anaconda, realised it was over priced and did not have a great range for light weight hiking and camping. I soon discovered that Anaconda was the same, although you can get some good clothes in the sales.

Anyway, my ‘go to’ suppliers are:

o Alton Goods. This is a local business, the service is astounding good, the quality of the goods is excellent and their prices are very good. I could not recommend Sam at Alton Goods enough. https://altongoods.com/
o Mitchells. They have a great range of army surplus type stock but some of their equipment is the cheapest I have found for really good quality stuff. Definitely check these guys out before anywhere else. https://www.mitchellsadventure.com/
o Paddy Pallin. They definitely live by the price match policy and have a great range for hiking and light weight equipment. Paying the $10 upfront once only membership fee grates a bit, but once you do you get 10% discount on everything https://www.paddypallin.com.au/
o https://www.wildearth.com.au/ Great range but a lot out of stock.
o https://www.snowys.com.au/ Also a great range.
o https://www.survivalsuppliesaustralia... Good range plus a whole lot of survival items.
o Macpac have a great range of clothes and so far I am pretty happy with what I have bought from them. They have good member discounts also (no membership fee). https://www.macpac.com.au/
o For me the jury is out on the quality of Kathmandu, but the prices are very good in the sales and I have had no issues so far. I’ll be interested to see how long things last. https://www.kathmandu.com.au/
o I am a bit of a fan of the Fjallraven range, but they are very, very expensive items. I have the Keb trousers in this video, which I think are great; robust and stretchy where they need to be. The trousers do have a quick dry stretchy panel under the belt at the back, which I find slightly disconcerting as it feels like my trousers are falling down, but no doubt I will get used to that. https://fjallraven.com.au/

By the way, I have no associations, nor have received any free products nor benefits from any of these businesses. I have paid for every bit of equipment I have.