My pocket EDC consists of a folding ChannelLock Crescent knife, Bic lighter, chapstick, and key chain. My survey vest has a Suunto MC2 compass, pockets for water, and marking flagging. If I know I’m going into the woods, I will usually strap on a fixed blade knife. How far into the woods do you go before you worry about a kit that falls into the 11-Essentials category? Does it matter if you are alone or with others? For me, going into the woods for more than a very short distance, it dictates a level of kit. I have toyed with various lumbar belts but have never found one that stays put. Without some sort of shoulder support I can’t keep them up. They also relay very heavily on emergency ponchos and Mylar blankets, both of which are very fragile. My work pack is an Outdoor Products 30 L mission type pack. The shelter component is a Coalcracker T-60 5x7 nylon shelter with fixed ties. That and two tent stakes make a quick shelter. My hiking partner and I have established a routine to set it with hiking poles, otherwise unsupported. Many of the other essentials are included in the mess-tin survival tin. I include a real HT poncho. There is a requisite #2 kit, a couple Kind Bars, emergency food, and water. I do have a place-holder fixed blade knife and a multi-tool. When yellow jackets are a consideration, the epi pen has go along for the ride. What are your thoughts on how much or how little under various situations? How many times have you walked away from your vehicle and wished you had more or less? Couple of notes on the phots: The arborist saw was a guest for the photos. The folding saw is a constant as are the clippers. Seasonal items are added and subtracted as needed.

Hey all, Wanted to ask what you could all recommend for a sleeping system, what are the pros/cons between a sleeping bag versus camping blanket, what brand or specifics should I look for when shopping around for one, etc. Thanks in advance

I think it is common knowledge that I configure Kits for particular purposes and the bags stay configured. Not always constant but normally add water and snack and go. Hunting, work, overnight, grab & go, etc. Today’s Kit is a reworking of my Bushcraft Kit. This separate build started a year ago when I was getting ready to take our grandchild, G-Man, to a local survival course. They had a very specific list of materials and I purchased two sets of everything, for multiple reasons, but mostly so I knew exactly what he had. He was told he could not bring any NEW equipment to training. We ended up attending two of their courses last year and are looking at two this year. For me, this kit buildout has been in multiple packs, the original 5.11 pack just not cutting it. I switched over to an LL Bean Continental Weekender temporarily. I picked up the OneTigris Wild Rocket 45L pack used with the sole purpose of returning theWeekender to its overnight duties. I also wanted to add an insulation component to the kit. I had a SRO Foresters Quilt that was just treading water so it got conscripted. In this flat layout, there are two cooking options, one of which gets packed: canteen set and pot, and the cold steel shovel and the hatchet. Although the both ride well on each side. This pack also has redundant shelter components with the SRO survival tarp and the poncho. The poncho poles area bit of a luxury, but the stakes and rope kit work with both options. The first aid component is strong with a hard shell first aid kit and a trauma kit which includes a pair of TQs. The compass in the navigation kit is from their list, I have not really put it through its phases.I have a Suunto MC2 I reserve to add as needed. The whole setup with emergency bars, two kind bars, and one-liter of water comes at 26.6#. One goal this week was to start rucking again so this pack, as weighed, went two miles in one hour, ten minutes, in boots, partial trail and partial cross country. Not a lightning start but a start.

I was wondering what everyone carried on a daily basis. Having one arm I only use half the pockets. Right Front hip pocket- lighter and pocket knife Right Cargo pocket- bandanna and 10ft of paracord Left cargo pocket- fire start and headlight.

After today’s exercise, everything had to come inside for preventative maintenance. Not included in the photos are a pair of loppers. I have to rethink those because I don’t hike with loppers. I also don’t hike with the fixed blade Fiskars saw. The hatchet will be added to some kits. I have talked in other topic areas about how much I have learned about fire and shelters. I have not talked about tool use and maintenance. Since the beginning of the year I have seriously increased my knife utilization and the need for knife maintenance. In reviewing my after-action-report from the Wilderness Skills Course, GB2, I wrote that much more knife utilization and practice should precede course work. My hands and knife skills are seriously better today than a month ago. Reps and practice. Yes, I am also thrilled with the two Migizi knives. The Bushcraft / Survival Knife is currently riding in a leather dangler from LT Wright because I need to get it below the winter coat. I am working on a dangler design to use the Kydex sheath provided.