This is a luxuriously comfortable and inexpensive setup, with full bug protection, a nice wide hammock sleeping and living area, weather protection, and insulation which is toasty warm down below freezing in the windiest and wettest conditions. I don't skimp *at all* on any comfort with this setup, and with one more tube (+1 lb) I've taken this equipment down below zero Fahrenheit, in absolute cozy warm comfort (really, just like being at home) - and I sleep Extremely cold compared to most people. More importantly, the entire core setup costs less than $200:
Hammock w/ Net $49
Blizzard Tubes $37 each
Back Pack $10
Rain Cover $10
PVC Poncho $10
Cheapo Poncho $1
Sawyer Filter $20
Water Bags $4
Straps, Rope, Ditty Bags, Camping TP, and other little specialty supplies: ~$20
49 + (37 * 2) + 10 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 20 + 4 + 20 = 198
In this video, I show the Grand Trunk Ultralight Hammock ($16) and the DD Superlight Bug Net ($59), which is the most expensive piece in this gear list. I expect that most people would likely opt to get a generic hammock/bug net combo, typically available for less than $50 online, which gets the total price down below $200. Add another tube, and the complete setup for sub-zero middle of winter camping in complete comfort still costs less than $250.
The Blizzard Survival Tube is the core piece of equipment which makes all this possible at such an extremely low weight, and for such a ridiculously low price (I bought my tubes from Persys Medical for $33 each, right not they're $37). I'm reasonably careful with the tubes, but they have held up well to lots of beatings, for more than 50 uses each. The tubes repair instantly and easily with packing tape or duct tape, if they get worn or damaged.
I usually don't use the Klymit pillow, but it stays in my pack because it's so light. The rain pants are also a 3oz thing which I already owned. Just exchange with some Frog Toggs pants, and the weight will stay about the same, for approximately $20 (that includes the rain jacket).
NOTE: My life has included an enormous amount of traveling and staying away from home for extended periods, so my eating habits are unusual. I never cook in normal daily life, so my camping equipment doesn't necessarily include cooking equipment (or many fire making supplies). If you want to heat up typical freeze-dried camp meals, try an Esbit or Bleuet hard fuel cooking setup. The combo pot/stove/fuel kits cost $20-$30, and they're light and convenient to use.
See also my Cheap Lightweight (11.5 Lbs) Hammock pack for 2015 - this shows all the extra items I like to carry when being ultralight isn't as important:
http://youtu.be/t_rGdisU8rA
(my luxury 14.5lb setup at http://youtu.be/WGPVzwHCP8k has been mostly deprecated to local overnights)
