"Retro/vintage" camping gear

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Mace

Mace

rock scientist..
Staff member
s-Moderator
Moderator
10 Year 15 Year 20 Year OG
Joined
Feb 17, 2002
Threads
439
Messages
21,707
Location
Las Vegas
IMAG0224[1].webp
IMAG0225[1].webp
IMAG0226[1].webp
IMAG0227[1].webp
IMAG0221[1].webp
[ So, I was going through my camping gear lining things up for the possibility of a backpacking trip and realized that a bunch of stuff I have is now considered "vintage" Lol

So I figured that I'd start a thread about it.

The Gerry external frame backpack is from the 70's and is super light. I'm currently working on locating a new strap/belt system for it n. The foam in the straps are almost solid.

The therm-a-rest is the backpacker model from the early 80's. Dig the metal fill valve :)

The pic of three packs is the Gerry from the 70's, a Kids Kelty from the early 80's and a Boy scout external frame pack from the 40's or 50's. I have not looked it up yet.
 
I picked up the identical kid's kelty at the Goodwill store for 3 or 4 bucks, got it home and it had a hand held CB radio, that works, and a nice cook set inside. Here's a pic of dear old Mom and our VW camper. I drove the VW for years and sold it to a friend. Don't know what happened to it but Mom is still going strong at 87 years young. I also still use the Coleman stove
bus.webp
that she's using in the pic.
 
How much band width do you want me to use up....:lol:
 
Knock yourself out Dan :)

Funny, I mentioned putting modern straps and a belt on that Gerry pack to my wife. Then mentioned that Sierra Trading post has a great deal on a mountainsmith 50L pack. Her opinion was "For about $40 more dollars you can have another, brand new pack" lol.

I need to do more work to find out a good replacement set of straps :)
 
I had (actually still have) one of those metal valve Thermarests. However, 20 years ago, Thermarest sold a retrofit kit to install the still current air valve. I remember you twisted the valve out, then glued in the new one.

Regarding backpacks, I had a purge a few years ago and all the vintage packs went to goodwill. In the unlikely event I backpack again, it's going to be with up to date, very light gear.

Love the pics of the mid 60s Westy. My family had a 71 that we flogged all over the East Coast until I left for college.
 
I saw a guy with a backpack like that when I was backpacking in the Grand Canyon. He was even sporting some Magnum PI shorts to go with it.
 
Lol it was old for even Magnum...
 
Why not?
 
Does this work?
Turk-a-Tent my dad bought in Australia when they lived there. Said they either bought it in 71 or 72. Funny thing is in the background you can see a green canvas tent, a coleman, that our camp neighbors put up. Talked to the guy, was about my age, and he said his dad bought that one in the mid 70s too.

#camping #oldschoolcanvas #canvastent So we got the family heirloom tent out after a 20+yr hiatus. Thanks to Eikelberger canvas for repairing the bottom she did phenomenal and has many more years of use!! by renofizz, on Flickr
 
I still have a bunch of stuff from the late 70's and early 80's when I was a boy scout. Now that I'm taking scouts on overnight backpacking trips, I'm finding that the new stuff is ridiculously lighter, and in most cases much better. Just replaced my 33 year old Jansport internal frame pack with a new Osprey. Holy cow! However, still have a pair of wool mittens that are 35 years old and just can't be beat.
 
getting ready to pull the trigger on an old coleman steel belted ice chest...ain't nothin made like it used to was made...
 
Internal frame packs have gotten much lighter. External frame packs are still more or less the same weight more or less. I'm astounded at how light the old frame packs are. Kinda cool actually.
 
Mace said:
Knock yourself out Dan :)

Funny, I mentioned putting modern straps and a belt on that Gerry pack to my wife. Then mentioned that Sierra Trading post has a great deal on a mountainsmith 50L pack. Her opinion was "For about $40 more dollars you can have another, brand new pack" lol.

I need to do more work to find out a good replacement set of straps :)
Click to expand...
Good luck with that I finally ditched my external frame pack because I couldn't find replacement straps/belt.
 
LAMBCRUSHER said:
getting ready to pull the trigger on an old coleman steel belted ice chest...ain't nothin made like it used to was made...
Click to expand...
They look cool and are okay for picnics and stuff but they don't hold ice very long.
 
Retro pic from the GM archives 1930's

qopiyluedguzy1cupuyc.webp
 
I found this in the back of the FJ40 when I was cleaning it out today (it has become kind of a catch all during it's recent retirement). I found it at a Garage sale a few years back, don't even remember what I paid for it $5 is written on the box but I doubt I gave more than three if that.
DSCN3428_zpsc3klcfap.jpg


The canvas looks good but it is very fragile, yet another sewing project.
DSCN3430_zpsz6efd89b.jpg

I kind of like the packed size of the cot and that it is low enough to use on a small tent or just on the ground.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom