Enigma APEX 20°F

I use a synthetic bag (20° Kelty Cosmic) and/or quilt (20° EE Apex) + a S2S Rector all the time and I think you’d be well served with a synthetic + fleece system. I would also look into a mega-comfy pad to put on top of the cot. Exped or Thermarest are my preferences there when weight/size doesn’t matter.

There are lots of good YouTube videos about “budget backpacking set ups,” like from Justin Outdoors. I would look at a different freestanding tent. There are budget options around the price of the tent you have here from semi-reputable brands like Naturehike. REI halfdome might be another good budget option especially on sale. Tents are tough because it’s hard to know what you’ll want out of an expensive, end game type tent. I think it’s very reasonable to get a cheap tent for your first time. Just make sure it’s reputable enough that it won’t be a total waste of money. And make sure you know what you’re getting between freestanding vs trekking pole tents. Naturehike also seems to make decent budget sleeping pad options (don’t trust their R Values though, get a warm one). The rei helix is a warm and high quality pad. Very comfortable too. Sometimes they go on sale for about $120. I have it and have zero regrets. Pillows can be had for quite cheap too. I would get one with a pad strap like the Enlightened Equipment Cloud 9 for $25. Not sure on budget sleeping bag options but if you can stretch to a synthetic Enlightened Equipment quilt for $230-$240 I think that would make a lot of sense. Even if you eventually upgrade to down, the synthetic quilt will still be useful if you’re going somewhere super wet. I would just skip the compass. Most people will just use navigation apps like onX on your phone (which you can probably just get a free trial for). Can’t go wrong with that sawyer filter, but you might want to consider the one with the larger 2L bag. It has a big opening on one side that makes getting water very easy. Good option especially if you’re not too worried about weight. A platypus QuickDraw with a cnoc 2L is a good option too. If you can handle the bad taste, iodine tablets could be a great way to save money here. Not sure on those gas canisters. I’d just get one from rei cause you know it can be trusted. It also won’t be too much more expensive and you can buy just one to save money. The brs 3000t and a toaks 750 ml pot is a great budget cook set for about the same price. Much lighter, also tried and true. If you’re going with friends you might be able to just use their stove too. Offer to carry their gas. Costco is a great option for bear spray. I believe it’s cheaper and I would trust it more. Costco trekking poles are also very popular and cheap. Don’t forget about food storage if you’re going into bear country. REI rents out bear canisters. Bear canisters are also important to keep critters away. Honestly, just skip the multitool altogether. If you must, get the smallest Swiss Army knife for not that much more. Skip the towel altogether too. If you must, a buff/neck tube will serve the same purpose (plus many more!) for about the same price. Skip the first aid kit too. Make your own with leukotape for blisters and some bandaids. You won’t need much more. Skip the wipes. Just use toilet paper to save money (please pack it out in a dog poop bag, especially if the area you’re going to requires it). A backcountry bidet would be about the same price and almost certainly lighter. Having a dialed in sleep system is the most important part, both for comfort and safety. Save money by just not buying the other stuff. Your first time should be relatively tame anyways so stay away from buying stuff just in case. You’ll learn what you need with experience and you’ll be able to make smart investments in higher quality stuff. Have fun out there!

I've tried a few different layering systems. My favorite is a 20+° liner with a 30° quilt (more like 40°comfort) when the temps are below 30°. This gives me a range of 50°-20°. I've layered quilts before, it was lighter and smaller but I prefer the liner because it's easier to setup and I had trouble keeping both quilts on me since I toss and turn. For under 20°, I switch to a 17° bag (comfort 24°) with a 30° quilt over the top. I used this combo in Colorado and it kept me warm down to -10°, that's when my pad started to be the the issue. My quilt is an enlightened equipment apex, it's the wide model so I have no issue fitting it over my sleeping bag. I'd recommend it, they have a 10% discount code so it's around $210 for the 30° wide.

Some stuff that works for my family in southern Appalachia (USA): - granite gear Virgo backpack: 1 pound; $100; and like 50 liters - tarps and net tents for each set of 2 people. Though my daughters still prefer the “enclosed feeling” of our old tarptent. - synthetic quilts. I know EE is getting it really rough right now with their support of right wing politics, but my daughters really like their apex quilts from them and really liked being able to pick their colors. - we use a combination of neoair and xtherm pads with inflatable pillows and everyone seems to be happy - no cook charcuterie has been a real hit for overnights. Cheese; meats (for my one daughter); nuts; bread; fruit. Everyone eats their fill and more. - platypus containers with aqua mira. No messing with filters is great - the single packets of Gatorade are a real crowd pleaser for an injection of sugar and electrolytes - making hot cocoa directly in 16oz Nalgene bottles that my daughters carry has worked out well

Are you going to be carrying your stuff with you every day or more having a basecamp to work out of now and then? Tarptent and Lightheart Gear both have durable but still relatively light and affordable silpoly options - I'd hop on their websites first for a shelter An Apex quilt is heavier than down but if it takes any damage the sheets of apex inside still work fine vs down literally falling out - though down is still preferred Apex can save you a fair bit of money - I really liked my EE Apex quilt when I had it and its still going to be very price competitive with any other sleeping bag Sleeping pads are preference based but if durability is your concern closed cell foam is king and also the cheapest option. You might even find some value in a self-inflating pad, as if they puncture they just stay partly inflated vs the whole lot of nothing you get out of an air pad - that said, check out the 'cheaper' Neoairs from Thermarest as well - I have a neoair trekker which is too heavy for the ultralight crowd but is outstandingly durable and comfortable - they don't make it any more but im sure they still have a similar replacement. every camping store has cheap steel or aluminum cook kits pick one you like that fits your budget, the BRS stove is a good little water boiler if you dont want to spring for something like a Soto or a Pocket Rocket 2. Cant help with anything bigger as I am an ultralighter by nature and only really think of boiling water on the road Durston and ULA both have very good prices on the backpacks they offer