Originally Posted By: onetim

So, my list includes:

1 8x10 silnylon tarp (or lighter but more expensive material).
1 lightweight quilt
1 good three season sleeping bag (most expensive item)
1 vapor barrier liner (inexpensive and lightweight)
1 ground cloth (inexpensive and lightweight)
1 or 2 sleeping pads


This is very similar to what I pack now but without the quilt (good idea though. I may add one!) and I use a Bivy bag.

Total cost for everything (including the treking poles, paracord, and tent pegs I use to prop up the silnylon tarp) ran aprox. $350. No single piece is very expensive which to me means they're easily replaced if something happens (I shudder at the thought of having to replace a 400 dollar sleeping bag) and nearly every item is a multitasker. For me that's the key. For example if I were to add the quilt, I'd modify it like I used to do with scout blankets when I was a kid and cut a slot in the middle so I could use it as a poncho liner.