My perspective: I'm an almost 50-year-old, out-of-shape, 6'5", 300-pound guy getting back into backpacking and camping for the first time since my Boy Scout days. I bought this as a starter kit so I could get everything I needed for a planned two-night backpacking trip in one purchase.
For someone my size and experience level, this package was an outstanding value. I priced out comparable gear individually, and nothing came close to the value of getting a fully stocked backpack like this. If you're looking for an affordable way to get into backpacking without buying every piece separately, this is hard to beat.
Performance-wise, the backpack and included gear exceeded my expectations. The only real limitation is that I don't think the backpack itself is designed for someone my size. If you're built similarly, I'd recommend limiting hikes to about 1 to 1.5 miles before you'll really start feeling the weight. For average-sized hikers, especially anyone just getting into backpacking or returning after years away, I think this is an excellent starter pack.
The two-person tent was the perfect size for me. The sleeping pad and sleeping bag, however, were a little undersized for someone who's 6'5". I fit, but only just. For an average-sized person, I think both would be perfectly comfortable.
Nighttime temperatures on my trip were between 50-55°F, and the sleeping bag alone kept me comfortably warm. One feature I absolutely loved was the tent's open design. Without the rainfly, there's nothing between you and the stars except the bug mesh, making for an incredible night under the sky. Even with only the mesh, the inside of the tent stayed noticeably warmer than the outside air. I imagine adding the rainfly would do an excellent job of retaining even more heat when needed.
My one suggestion is about the materials. Why does every piece of camping gear have to be made from the slickest fabric known to mankind? The tent floor, sleeping pad, pillow, and sleeping bag all seem engineered to eliminate friction entirely. Somewhere, an engineer clearly decided, "Comfort? No. Everyone should slowly toboggan out of their sleeping bag at 2 a.m."
On my first night, even on a slight incline, I was constantly sliding off the sleeping pad or gradually working my way out of the sleeping bag. It honestly felt like trying to sleep on a freshly waxed penguin. I eventually threw the sleeping bag liner over the pad to add a little friction, and that solved most of the problem. If the materials had just a little more grip, the overall sleeping experience would have been dramatically better.
Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase. As a complete starter package, it delivered far more than I expected for the price. If you're an average-sized hiker looking for an affordable way to get into backpacking, I highly recommend it. If you're built like me, just understand you'll probably want to upgrade the sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and eventually the backpack itself as you gain experience. Even then, I still think this kit is an excellent value, quailty materials and build, and a great starter set.
