Just figured out my cheap sleeping bag was costing me more than a good one
I froze my butt off on a trip to the Adirondacks last fall, so I finally dropped $200 on a proper down bag rated for 20 degrees. I've slept warm three trips in a row now and didn't need to buy a bunch of extra layers to make up for it. How much money have you wasted trying to fix bad gear instead of just getting the right thing first?
I used to buy the cheapest gear I could find. After a few miserable nights I finally got a good tent and it's been worth every penny. You really do get what you pay for.
That "you get what you pay for" line is mostly true, but it can lead you wrong. I've seen plenty of mid-range gear that's just as good as the top stuff but without the fancy name. Sometimes you're just paying for the logo.
Check the weight too. Some of that mid-range stuff is way heavier than it needs to be because they cut corners on materials. I've had good luck with no-name brands that use the same fabrics as the big guys.