u/westcoastsalamander

I wear a Patagonia Nano puff that's I really like (probably my most worn jacket). I do a lot of fires, and the jacket has been getting a lot of small burn holes.

I have been patching up the holes I have with gear tape, and that's been working pretty great, but I have also been wanting to upgrade my stuff. I have been wanting to get a Rab jacket, but wonder if I should look into something else? I understand on some level a backpacking puffer isn't going to be particularly flame resistant, but hoping there is an option for something that can avoid burning through from embers.

Grew up in the Bay Area, and have been to the natural history museum several times. Sometimes with family, on K-12 school field trips, even had my prom there, lots of very good memories tied to that place. Last time I visited must have been before 2015?

I just recently moved back to California, and haven't been to the Bay since around 2020, at the beginning of COVID. Is the Cal Academy of Sciences still worth a visit today? Any big changes? Better, worse, or same vs about 10 years ago?

I have the Sofrin HS21 as my headlamp and the Sofrin BLF LT1 as my tent/camp torch, and while both are pretty good lights, I feel light they are fairly hefty and better used for car camping vs backpacking. I like them as backup options, but I was wanted to see if there were any recommendations for lights more suited for carrying around in a backpack for 9-14 days at a time. On top of lighter weight, something less bulky and easier to pack would be good. I do bring a power bank, but I would like to save the charge for thins like my phone or other devices.

I think something battery operated might be good so I can just bring spare batteries and swap them out if needed. They will be used in backcountry work, the headlamp would be used for getting around camp at night, but also possibly working or hiking in wilderness settings at night time. Definitely don't want something too delicate, could be brought out in rain or snow. A hi/med/low and red light function would be great. Torch will mostly be for camp/tent use, for paperwork or just night time reading, but similar features would be a good touch. Red light is pretty important for wildlife observation.

Asked as someone who is trying to get into hunting, but also as someone who does a lot of forestry/conservation work in front and backcountry.

I have a pair of Lowa Renegades that I've had for about a year and a half now, and they have started to let water in when I walk through wet grass or brush.

I practically live in my boots, and while I do plan to upkeep my boots better, I'm looking for an upgrade as well. If you had to choose one pair of boots to deal with all of the weather and terrain extremes you'd find in the US, which would you choose?

Currently have the Crispi Guide/Nevadas and the Kenetrek Mountain Extremes UI at the top of my list. Any other recommendations or insight? Some hikes I plan to do in these include Angels Landing in Zion, Yosemite's Half Dome with the cables down, and some hikes around Big Bend National Park and Grand Canyon. Thank you.

I'm running a chainsaw for fuels reduction work and need something to keep the sawdust up my lungs. My buff fogs up my glasses. Any reco for something sort of loose around the nose and mouth that hooks over the bridge of my nose?

My Lowa Renegades kinda shit the bed after about a year of constant use. Looking for something without too much stitching, resole able, and 8 inches for back country conservation/forestry work. Lots of hiking in thick brush, varying weather conditions, temperatures, terrain. I'll also be doing fuels reduction with a chainsaw and bucking saw.

I'm considering wildland firefighting boots. I'll also probably be using them in daily life and backpacking a lot. I've got a budget of $550 but I'm flexible. Thanks!

My Lowa Renegades kinda shit the bed after about a year of constant use. Looking for something without too much stitching, resole able, and 8 inches for back country conservation/forestry work. Lots of hiking in thick brush, varying weather conditions, temperatures, terrain. I'll also be doing fuels reduction with a chainsaw and bucking saw.

I'm considering wildland firefighting boots. I'll also probably be using them in daily life and backpacking a lot. I've got a budget of $550 but I'm flexible. Thanks!

My Lowa Renegades kinda shit the bed after about a year of constant use. Looking for something without too much stitching, resole able, and 8 inches for back country conservation/forestry work. Lots of hiking in thick brush, varying weather conditions, temperatures, terrain. I'll also be doing fuels reduction with a chainsaw and bucking saw.

I'm considering wildland firefighting boots. I'll also probably be using them in daily life and backpacking a lot. I've got a budget of $550 but I'm flexible. Thanks!

I'm looking to buy something for hopefully 6k or under that I can take on forested dirt roads that can deal with mud, snow, rain, maybe a bit of sand. Not necessarily fully off road capable, but at least able to handle rough terrain or weather conditions on some of those service roads.

Id like something that's not an absolute monster on gas, as I plan to do a lot of road tripping. Should I look into a RAV4? Any years to look out for, or alternate suggestions? I am working in forestry, so I need something decent for car camping and such.

I will be working around and living around Yellowstone through the summer until October. I will be living out of this gear pretty much the entire time so I need something I can really beat up but still rely on. I am also looking for something I can use for the next 5-10 years for my own backpacking trips. The more affordable, the better. Ultralight is not a priority.

Biggest help I need is picking a sleeping bag. Something at least 15 degrees. Would prefer 0, but everything seems $350+, so I'd rather just layer up as I sleep if needed.

Some other big items I need to get would be a backpack within a 55-70L range and a tent:

I have 2 sleeping pads, the nemo switchback and an REI Trailmade, but I wonder if I should switch out the trailmade as it it kinda bulky, or stick with it and invest more in the other gear?

For the tent I am considering the North Face Stormbreak 2 or REI Trailmade 2.

Backpack, maybe the REI Trailmade 60.

Any help would be appreciated. Total budget for everything altogether I really want to keep under $700-750. This generally comes out to about ~$150 per item and I'd rather not go above that.

I made a post a couple days ago, but wanted to add more details for more suited recs. Hope I'm not being annoying about it. I will be working around and living around Yellowstone through the summer until October. I will be living out of this gear pretty much the entire time so I need something I can really beat up but still rely on. I am also looking for something I can use for the next 5-10 years for my own backpacking trips. The more affordable, the better. Ultralight is not a priority.

The big items I need to get would be a backpack within a 55-70L range, a sleeping bag, and a tent:

I have 2 sleeping pads, the nemo switchback and an REI Trailmade, but I wonder if I should switch out the trailmade as it it kinda bulky, or stick with it and invest more in the other gear?

For the tent I am considering the North Face Stormbreak 2 or REI Trailmade 2.

Backpack, maybe the REI Trailmade 60.

Sleeping bag, Kelty Cosmic Synthetic or the REI Trailmade or something? Should I go 0 deg? I have a Teton Leef bag which I'm thinking isn't packable enough.

I know it's a question that's asked a lot, but I'm looking for durability and lower prices over ultralight options. I only have a couple weeks until I need to head out and my savings are looking pretty thin. I will probably ask my parents to help me pay for some of the gear, but I don't want to overdo it.

At the moment I have a 4p Coleman Sundome tent and a Teton Leef sleeping bag which obviously won't cut it.