Reddit reviews Double Black Diamond Packable Down Throw, Storm

Double Black Diamond Packable Down Throw, Storm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016V1YF3Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0Q6XCb0YFSK00

Last I heard, Costco's not selling them at this time. You can get them on Amazon but they're more expensive.

Cheaper on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Marine-Black-Diamond-Packable-inches/dp/B016V1YF3Y

-Don't buy a tent or backpack right now. You're on the east cost so you should have REI, EMS, and maybe some other outfitters too. Not only because you can try out different kinds, but also because hardly anyone really needs a backpacking backpack and they tend to be 200$ spacefillers in your closet. Buying a tent will likely be useful down the road but being able to rent a backpacking one vs a car camping one will keep quality up and costs down and be way more convenient at this point. Also, borrowing gear for trips is very much accepted as part of the culture. Also, to your point of camping places you can fly to, if it's in Can/US/Europe, I'd recommend using the rental option even more strongly. (Though if you don't hike more than 5 miles or so a day, travel a lot, and don't have to have a backpacking backpack, the Osprey Farpoint 55 or 70 may be the last travel bag of any kind you'll ever buy. I LOVE this thing and have taken it on trips all over.)

-One extra thought re tents: KNOW HOW TO SET IT UP. 80% is self explanatory, but knowing where on the ground to set it up, and how to use the rain fly / guy lines can be the difference between you being dry in a surprise rain and being cold, wet, miserable, and you (or your s.o.) not wanting to camp again. Youtube and your outfitter store employees are actually excellent resources for this.

-Furthering that line of thought, rent this season, then troll craigslist and other local for sale apps (like Letgo, Offerup and Ebay) for what you know by then demonstrably works for you at the end of the season.

-Buying a sleeping bag is a good idea though. The rule of thumb is the degree rating is the temp at which you won't freeze to death, so add about 20-30 degrees for comfy sleeping. But you can save some money and add versatility if you also bring a packable down blanket or a sleeping bag liner (those are the ones I use). Because you're looking for value over total quality, you won't need something that extra 10-15% of size difference, and because rain will screw you up less, I'd probably recommend a polyester bag. (Down tends to me more expensive and you're SOL when it gets wet. People pay more because down bags tend to be warmer for the weight and space, and they're generally better for the environment.)

-I'd also recommend getting a sleeping pad, and generally rec air mattresses of at least 2.5" for side sleepers. (I got a couple Big Agnes Air Core Ultra Insulated ones on offerup for cheap and think they work great.) For car camping you can just get a Coleman air mattress from Target etc, but TRY IT OUT BEFORE YOU GO EVERY TIME because they tend not to last very long...I don't think I've ever had an air mattress last more than about 4 trips without starting the slow leak of death march.

-A 4 person tent is overkill and you would never want to bring that on a backpacking trip. If you do backpacking and want some room, a good two person tent (I use Big Agnes Copper Spur HV2 for backpacking, and an Alps Mountaineering 3 person for car camping, which is huge by comparison).

-Overgeneralization, but generally speaking budget tents and sleeping bags are garbage. I tend to buy used "bombproof" gear from people who realize they don't like camping after they buy the bombproof gear (or when they decide to upgrade). Again, reselling camp gear is very much a-ok with the camp culture. On VALUE vs Price, some companies have amazing guarantees and will repair / replace your gear at no cost forever. (Some brands are Patagonia, Osprey, Darn Tough socks, all of which are companies who make amazing products.)

-I'd also say you don't need a cast iron pan for camping except for the aesthetic. any pan will do, and a cast iron just adds weight and inconvenience (unless you're really handy with a cast iron). One thing I do recommend having though is a couple good sized dry bags. Not only because of their intended use, but because they also double as a scullery bin for washing dishes (turn it inside out though so you can later wash off the oils etc after you're done washing the dishes and pots and turn the bag right side out again).

Hope this helps. Good luck on your adventures!

PS and in re New England adventures, you cannot go wrong with spending 4 nights in Acadia NP / Bar Harbor ME.

Don't give up hope yet...

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Diamond-Packable-Down-Throw/dp/B016V1YF3Y/

I have 4 of them and they’re fantastic. I’ve used it over my sleeping bag on cold nights, or by itself on warmer nights.

They’re probably not at Costco right now (seasonal item) but I found them on Amazon here