String fullTitle = 'AliExpress and Other Chinesium';
int postNumber = 2721230;
String image = '1713377740891360.png';
String date = '04/17/24(Wed)14:15:40';
String comment = 'Anyone have experience buying and using gear from China? I'm thinking about picking up some tent pegs and reflective paracord from there, but I was wondering if there are good Chinese brands for bigger pieces of gear like sleep pads or tents.';
'>>2721230
Not OP, but talking about tent pegs - any recommendations for good ones? Need some for my tarp, for hammock camping.
>just buy MSR Ground Hogs
Can't get them in EU.';
'>>2721230
i only go to aliexpress for things that im ok with being cheaply made (usually rings). I wouldn't buy any survival type stuff from there';
'>>2721245
>>2721242
Where do you think MSR sources their pegs from? You'll find just as good quality from AliExpress at a much better price
Anything disposable (as in, if I lose it, it's not the end of the world) like tent pegs or cordage you're better off sourcing direct from China unless time is a factor for you (these take a long time to ship)';
'>>2721251
i bought a knife from them and the blade snapped in half so never again';
'>>2721230
I had one of those break when pushing it into the ground with my foot and it wasn't particularly hard.
The narrowing section is just a weak point.';
'>>2721257
Ali has decent knives. Yeah, random "Titanium super durable ninja samurai survival knife for 5$" will perform as expected. But there are few brands, f.e. Ganzo, which are quite decent and good value for money (if you're into folding knives).';
'>>2721230
yeah I bought some stuff off there when I immediately recognized it as the same shit what my local outdoors shop stocks. I intend to use this stuff until it breaks and meanwhile saving for the real deal.';
'>>2721230
Bough Coughlan's aluminum Y pegs that were MIC and they bent on first use.
>>2721242
MontBell';
'>>2721379
Not him but I've had a ganzo firebird something for 4 years and I still use it';
'>>2721230
Bought aluminum poles for a tent and a stove, no issues to report, just check that the seller has a lot of good reviews';
'>>2721230
When Thermarest “released” their cot-tent system a decade ago, it was almost the exact same one that had been on Amazon by some no name chinesium company for the 12 months prior. Literally the exact same fabric weight, cot design and tech specs…they just changed the colors from red and black to blue and grey, then added their corporate logo, then sold it as separate parts of a system (cot, pole, bug net, rain fly)
The chinesium company one disappeared off of Amazon and the Thermarest one showed up in REI and the price for the whole thing went from $120 to $600-$700.
I used my cheap Amazon “knockoff” for probably 100 nights over 5-6 years and then I sold it for $250 and doubled my money.
I have replaced my cots, camping chairs and tables with cheap Chinese ones, you just have to find the ones with designs / tech specs that’s match or come close to their American made counterparts.
Car camping and heavier, more durable equipment is probably where the best chinesium deals are, stuff that is 35 ounces of chinesium vs 33 ounces of American ultralight w/5000% markup.';
'Just ordered a pocket bellow, some reflective 2mm paracord, a naturehike camping towel, 3F UL tent stakes, and 5L water bag, and a Bocchi the Rock! enamel pin. Will post a picture and impressions when I receive them.';
'>>2721230
The thread you are looking for is >>2694228
Trusted brands are:
Naturehike - for anything really, especially tents
widesea - generally cheaper than naturehike while still being decent - also all-rounder brand
Fire maple - cookware if you are willing to pay a little more
3FUL- consider this your "premium" brand among the AliExpress brands. High quality material, but not the cheapest because of that.
Aegis Max - make decent down bags if the offerings by naturehike aren't enough for you
9KM - if you need UHMWPE cord and amsteel isn't available for you (so mostly Europeans)
Boundless voyage - Has titanium cookware and carabiners with a proper weight rating.
And specifically for titanium stuff:
Lixada
Tomsho
Boundless voyage
I wrote a review of most of my gear in >>2703822
>>2708608
Also remember that brands usually indicate quality, but don't guarantee that the item is well designed. Naturehike has some great tents, but also some tents that are utterly retarded from a design standpoint. Use your brain when considering something.';
'>>2722821
>if you need UHMWPE cord and amsteel isn't available for you (so mostly Europeans)
We have Dyneema here.';
'>>2722832
The dyneema I found locally at least was mostly overpriced and had weird coatings as it was mostly for sailing use. Also often sold in diameters that are super overkill (since it's for sailboats). 9KM might still be a worthwhile alternative in those cases.';
}