Serious question, has anyone else been burned by those 'all-in-one' camping kits?

I dropped about $150 on a 'complete backpacking kit' from an online ad last fall. It had a tent, a sleeping bag, a pad, and a stove, all packed into one bag. Looked great for the price. Took it on a weekend trip to the Gifford Pinchot forest and the tent poles snapped in a light wind the first night. The sleeping bag was rated for 40 degrees but I was freezing at 50. The whole thing felt like cheap costume gear, not real camping stuff. I ended up having to cut the trip short and drive home. Now I have a box of junk in my garage. What a total waste. Has anyone found a decent budget kit that's actually reliable, or is it better to just buy each piece alone?

3 comments

3 Comments

daniel4701mo ago

Man, 40 degree bag and you were cold at 50? That's not even close. That's just a straight up lie on the label. I'd be so mad. Those ratings have to mean something, right? It's dangerous to sell junk that could get someone in real trouble out there. Sounds like the whole kit was just for a photo shoot, not actual use.

ivan_mason1mo ago

See this everywhere now, stuff just doesn't do what it says anymore lol.

mila_harris23d ago

Ivan, what brand and model was that 40 degree bag you mentioned?