comments:
The green one is $82 and your list for $830 doesn't include a canopy or a cooler. The OT stuff in my list is a PFD, air mattress instead of a sleeping pad (which i have used the same one for 5 seasons), lantern, pillow, sleeping bags (35f), and camp kitchen. The only thing there that a I'd splurge and spend more is the sleeping bags. The point being made, albeit hyperbolically, is that REI is unnecessarily expensive for a first timer that doesn't know what they need or want. I'm not saying they are expensive for quality gear, just that quality gear is overkill for a beginner. Just like tools, buy cheap(ish) then when it's time to replace you'll have a much better idea of what you need and want and can spend more for quality and get exactly what you want. https://www.walmart.com/ip/5499826626?sid=0fdd705d-10e7-4438-bb2c-771ee483f8a9