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This thread from another forum may help even if it is a few years old-

http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com...r-Diver-Guide-to-Sheep-Gear-on-the-Cheap

I've been using a Cat's Meow bag for camping trips out West since 1998. I usually go to Glacier, Tetons, Yellowstone, but mostly Glacier. No complaints. Light and it keeps me warm. When I got it, I studied up on bags and it got good reviews, but that was back in 1997 or 1998. There may be better out there by now, but I'm still using it with no probs or complaints.

Might not be a bad idea to go online to Backpacker.com and read their gear reviews. They take stuff out and test it and then report back on what they like and didn't like and do comparative evals on stuff like bags, stoves, tents, boots, etc.

Army goretex bivvy sacks are great.

The flek pattern German goretex bibs and jacket are awesome.

I got my son a pair of these and so far not bad at all.......

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/kruger.pl?page=kruger_timberline10x42

don't forget about the Costco or Sam's wool socks.

You might have him look at geartrade.com. There are lots of returns and slightly used equipment for pretty good prices there.

I have a Kelty Quartz tent that just will not die. I used it though 3 years of seasonal jobs, and a friend spent an entire summer living in it while working with a crew. Everyone called it the "bombproof tent." She was the only one not to get wet the whole summer. It's gotten 3.5 feet of snow on it, been 1/4 mile from a tornado (that was pretty dicey), been in a softball sized hail storm, ect. It's never broken a pole due to wind, and I've never gotten wet. I've only treated the rain fly once too, and that was after I had it for 8 years. My friend who used it was in a huge windstorm with it. She opened it up, and stuck a kesteral outside to see the wind speed...87mph. It was the only tent to survive.

Two years ago, I decided to upgrade my "heavy duty" tent to a Hilleberg. I used it a few times and decided it wasn't much better than my $130 cheapie, so I sold it. I'm kind of nerdy about my gear too. If you could find one used, it'd work quite well.

Walmart has some nice CC foam sleeping pads.

MSR has some nice SS cookware. GSI has nice Al. cookware.

Smartwool merino socks.

+1 Cabelas Microtex.

Kennetrek gaitors...can be found used at times on their website. I paid $20 for mine. The looked new when I got them.

I have a cats meow and love that bag. TNF claim 20 degree, but I've slept in it down to 0 degrees and was toasty and warm. Light, synthetic, and compacts well for me. During August hunts I found the bag to be too warm, but I use it anyways with it unzipped.

When these are on sale and with a coupon, they make a great bang for your buck BP'ing tent: Cabelas XPG Ultralight

MtnHtr

I was at Wally and saw they had poly compression fit shirts for $12. Anyone guess the difference in that and Under Armour? Except for the obvious price tag.....