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Frame Packs, Sleeping Bags, and Sleeping Pads
Should I buy or should I rent?
If you do not already own a frame pack, sleeping bag, and/or sleeping pad and
you will need one for your OA trip, you have the option of renting from OA or
purchasing these items yourself. You might consider buying and keeping this gear
with you at Pomona if you think you will have a use for it in the future. A
number of campus clubs organize wilderness outings during the academic year.
Even if you're not very outdoorsy, at least two of these three gear items can
prove useful outside of a wilderness context. Here are a few things to think
about when deciding whether to rent or buy:
Frame packs: I love my frame pack. It has survived two around-the-world trips
and is far and away my favorite and most useful piece of luggage. If you plan to
do any international traveling during your time at Pomona, I highly recommend
buying an internal frame backpack with a capacity of somewhere between 4,000 and
6,000 cubic inches. You'll be able to use the same pack for any wilderness trips
you take while in college. Travel backpacks with zip-away straps for easier
baggage checking on planes are widely available, but I don't recommend these.
Their suspension systems (shoulder straps, hipbelt, etc.) are generally less
extensive than those of their hiking counterparts, making travel packs less
comfortable to wear for long periods. In my experience, travel packs are also
less durable. Instead of a travel pack, buy a regular hiking pack and stuff it
in an army duffel bag before checking it as baggage. These duffel bags can be
purchased for about $10 at a military surplus store and come in a variety of
sizes as well as colors other than olive green.
Sleeping bags: These can be useful anytime you need to spend a few nights
somewhere and won't have a bed. They are also an alternative to carrying a set
of sheets or a bedroll when hostel-hopping. A mummy cut bag certified for
temperatures down to 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit is probably the most versatile
choice. If you expect to be carrying it on your back very often, you should pay
the premium for a lighter, more compressible down-filled bag. When not on the
road or trail, remember to store these bags properly (i.e. not compressed) so
that their insulation will remain effective.
Sleeping pads: These will make the floor a little softer, and you might be able
to use them as sleds on a snowy day up at Mount Baldy, but beyond that ground
pads don't have many applications outside of wilderness uses.
All three of these items are available from outdoor equipment retailers (e.g.
REI, Sports Chalet), warehouse stores (Wal-Mart, Costco, selection may be
limited), and online gear discounters (Campmor.com, REI-outlet.com). Note:
whether you end up buying it online or from a physical store, you should always
check a backpack model for good fit before purchasing it.
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