Backpacking Discussions

Well, I would never have thought about making my own backpacking gear. That just seems crazy to me. It seems like someone like me could never make something as quality as these sleeping bags made in China! Really though, is it more expense then the original gear? Does this really work or is it just some crazy superlight backpackers that do this? I don't understand why you wouldn't just buy a nice, new, already made sleeping bag (for example) and get a nice warranty and name brand on it.... you might spend a good amount of time and money on a sleeping bag and find out you made it wrong! Do professional backpackers make their own gear? Does Ryan Jordan make his own?

Check out thru-hiker.com

They sell kits or the raw materials to make just about anything. You'd be surprised what people out there are making. I think I'd take their gear any day over mass produced, imported stuff.

Greenhiker is right:

Making it yourself quite often can be less expensive, and quite often ensures higher quality than some of the mass producers put out! You don't have to be an ultra light gearhead to DIY...just have some basic skills and a good knowledge of what you expect from you equipment....I have made a good camp knife with sheath...about a dozen alcohol burners and four pot stands...a Little Dandy wood stove...paddle tie downs for my canoe...a harness for olive barrels... a rope and pulley rig for hoisting food barrels...countless other DIY projects....most have turned out more durable than mass produced because I know what strains I put on my gear therefore I can assemble it to accomodate these stresses!

I have made...about a dozen alcohol burners and four pot stands

Hey jimmypack42,

How did you make your alcohol burners? I've read how some people have made them and either they really don't know what they are doing or they don't give clear instructions. Do I still have to go out and buy some components for the stove or can everything be items you find around the house? If you could you help me with this it would be greatly appreciated.