Hello everybody and happy Wednesday let's just dive right into the mailbag here

today's letter comes from Ben from South Orange New Jersey these aren't really

letters people this these are these are messages I get through

Papa Bear hikes.com or on direct message but anyway Ben's Ben has this to say

Papa Bear I'm retiring in May and getting back into backpacking after a 30 year hiatus

which means I will be buying all new gear I've been doing a lot of shopping

over the last few months and I've noticed that the gear has not only become much lighter but also much more expensive.

I expect to pay money on gear such as backpack, tent, and sleeping bag, but then I see all these options, all these extras that these

companies are selling and I have to ask how necessary are they. And most specifically,

bear bags, do I really need to spend 40, and in one case I saw one for as expensive as $65.

Do I need to spend that much money for something I'm going to simply put my food in and hang over a tree.

Thanks in advance for your answer and keep up to good work.

Ben, thank you for the question.

Thank you for taking the time to write us and ask that.

The answer to your question, Ben bear bags is simply no you do not

need to spend that kind of money. These small ultralight

backpacking companies are doing great things for the

backpacking community. They hear what the backpackers have to say. Many of

them are backpackers themselves. They know the needs. They know we need

to we need lighter gear and we're looking for lighter gear.

They know how important having a quality sleeping bag is while we're out there.

But some of what they're selling us is just not necessary.

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