Day Gear

westcoaster

westcoaster

Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
129
Here is my current day hike/outing/adventure gear, I have significantly decreased the amount of crap I take with me, having gotten fully fed up with a pack that is too heavy. I still have the pack for longer outings, those in poor weather or when I am with others, but this is my gear for mid-length outings and when I don't need my stove.

On Person: Stick, Bushman hat from Australia, Carhartt rain coat.
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Pockets/Belt: Cold Steel SRK and Pocket Bushman, Bic lighter, Leatherman Monarch 300 light, Leatherman Wave, Survival Key Chain, Wenger Ranger 61.
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The whole rig: Bag, water, fire kit, Spyderco Moran, Cocoon, camera case, GPS case.
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Outside and Fire Kit: Moran, Fenix, paracord, pulley, fatwood, lint, lighter, matches, plexie glass, PJCB's, Blast Match
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Inside: PSK, FAK, compass, Brew Kit, Pocket Saw, Emerg. blanket, signal flag, glow stick, possibles kit.
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FAK contents: Razor blade, safety pins, needles (under tape), eye patch, burn patch, towelettes, disinfectant wipes, gauze pads, iodine, bandaids, steri strips, butterfly dressings and q-tips.
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PSK contents: Snare, magnifying glass, signal mirror, Duks-Bak paper, duct tape, band-aids, tin foil, Ritter RSK Mk5, Exotac fire steel, whistle, two LED's, fire straws, button compass, mini zap straps, fat wood, needle and spider wire thread, water pure tabs.
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Possibles Kit contents: drinking cup, fishing kit, paracord handles for pocket saw, paper, water pure tabs, mending kit, ESEE survival card, pencil, fatwood, fire straws, diamond sharpener, another button compass, CRKT Ringer, old glass signal mirror, ESEE AH-1's.
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Thanks for looking!
 
My count might be off a bit but do you really carry 12 knives, 2 saws and 4 flashlights when hiking?
 
Cool. I took some notes.
My only advice: keep the 2 LED separated to prevent losing both (talking from experience) .
I have less than half of what you have and still have a hard time keepin' track of it...Probably because I don't use it, but it's there just in case.
 
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Triq said:
My count might be off a bit but do you really carry 12 knives, 2 saws and 4 flashlights when hiking?
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Personally I like redundancy, back-ups and like how I dress in the woods, layering. As long as I had one of the items on me, i.e. lost the bag, I should be able to fair quite well.;)
 
westcoaster said:
Personally I like redundancy, back-ups and like how I dress in the woods, layering. As long as I had one of the items on me, i.e. lost the bag, I should be able to fair quite well.;)
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Fair enough. I really like the set up and "kit" mentality.
 
Cool kit! Definitely the opposite of my hiking style, though. I personally hate redundancy (so many knives!). I only carry what I know I'll use. No "just in case" or "maybe I'll need it." I either use it or I don't, with the exception of first aid and signalling gear.
 
i suggest adding a tomahawk or hatchet to your carry and maybe removing a few knives...

looks good otherwise though.
 
Thanks for the input folks! Yes there is a bit too much redundancy, I think I can drop the leatherman light, Ranger 61 ( as it's all on the Wave) and one of the fixed blades. I do have a small axe head that I want to put a yew hawk handle on that would replace the need for a larger fixed blade.
 
Triq said:
My count might be off a bit but do you really carry 12 knives, 2 saws and 4 flashlights when hiking?
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I am totally re-vamping my kits as we speak, so some of these comments are my reflections, but I thought they apply here. I would second this. While I am all about redundancy, I think we can take it way too far. If carrying that much weight in steel is your thing, I got nothin', but I try to limit myself to 1 or 2 in the field. However, if I do carry more than that, I make sure they are multi-use. For example, I may carry a multi to back up the SAK Farmer. Both have blades and saws. One is in my pocket and the other on the belt. Since I am more apt to lose my pack than my pants or belt, I think I can cut down like that.

However, as the saying goes: "different strokes for different folks." Outside of the steel, I think it is a great set-up.

I came up with a method to help trim my kits. It is a bit time-consuming, but I think it works. I made an inventory of each item in every kit. I then checked each item I used over the course of a year of hiking, camping, and simulated "survival" events. Anything that didn't get checked got removed and re-evaluated. This meant a lot of moving stuff from the day pack to the B.O.B. or from the B.O.B. to the truck kit, etc.
 
Not too shabby. Yep on the redundancy though. I also hate "kits." Take a backup to your primary and call it good. However I go light by most people's standards so YMMV.
 
gruntinhusaybah said:
You have a cup listed in the possibles kit, where is it? Is the half circles? If so, tell me more please.
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Yes it is the half circles. It was my dads back in his bush days, it folds out to a cone shape and holds about a cup and a half. Not sure what make it is, sorry about the lack of info!
 
You state that you have significantly decreased the amount of crap you take with you:confused: ... lol... :p

You need a lot less than you think. Your sense of redundency is working against you and you have left out (or underplayed) a few elements that I consider critical. I realize you aren't really asking for opinions here so I will leave it at that.



Rick
 
Rick Marchand said:
You state that you have significantly decreased the amount of crap you take with you:confused: ... lol... :p

You need a lot less than you think. Your sense of redundency is working against you and you have left out a few elements that I consider critical. I realize you aren't really asking for opinions here so I will leave it at that.



Rick
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Hey no problem, I came to BFC, specifically W&SS to learn, so let 'er fly. By no means am I set on this system or think that its perfect. Totally open to change and learn from those with more experience. Cheers,

P.S. your knives are seriously sweet!
 
westcoaster said:
Hey no problem, I came to BFC, specifically W&SS to learn, so let 'er fly. By no means am I set on this system or think that its perfect. Cheers,
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Great attitude... don't get me wrong... redundancy can save your butt.:thumbup:

I won't go too much into specifics but based on my own experience, I break down kit like this...

Primary (belt/pockets)
-knife
-fire kit (ferro, fatwood, processed jute, steel wool, innertube bands)
-first aid kit (large field dressing, bandaids, zinc oxide, duct tape, latex gloves)
-cordage/wire
-lighter
-bandana
-safety glasses
-water/cooking container (this has moved up from my secondary to primary kit. We are water dependant creatures... a canteen/metal cup combo is a HUGE advantage, IMO and belongs right along side your knife on the scale of importance)

Secondary (shoulder bag/small pack)
-more cordage/snarewire/spiderwire is awesome in 50lb test.
-shelter (tarp or poncho, 2-3 lg garbage bags, space blanket)
-food (sources of salt, sugar, protein, fat... a jar of peanut butter covers everything that basic foraging lacks)
-repair kit (sewing, sharpening, batteries)
-wash kit (soap, toothbrush, mirror, bandana)
-back up blade (folder or small fixed)
-whistle
-compass
-magnifying lens
-extra clothing items (Gloves, socks, vest/fleece, etc... season dependant)
-emergency fire backup (lighter, ferro, prepared jute, steel wool, fatwood, candles)
-folding saw

Tertiary (Backpack/sled)
-tent/tipi/hammock or large tarp
-sleeping bag
-stove and pot/pan
-heavy tools (axe, bucksaw, shovel)
-additional food/water
-rope

Primary keeps you alive... Secondary makes life easier... Tertiary makes it all just "camping". This is something to work with. Items change with season, the environment, situation and personal preference/skill level.

I hope I didn't forget anything (I'm just typing as I think) and that you can find something useful from it.

Rick
 
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Rick Marchand said:
Primary keeps you alive... Secondary makes life easier... Tertiary makes it all just "camping". This is something to work with. Items change with season, the environment, situation and personal preference/skill level. Rick
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Very well put.
 
Rick Marchand said:
[snip]

Primary keeps you alive... Secondary makes life easier... Tertiary makes it all just "camping". This is something to work with. Items change with season, the environment, situation and personal preference/skill level.

I hope I didn't forget anything (I'm just typing as I think) and that you can find something useful from it.

Rick
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Your gear set up is basically what I do as well. My essential gear on my belt / pockets (knife, fire, water, first aid and signalling), and my larger comfort items in my pack (shelter, clothing, food, and my axe).

I'm big on minimalism -- not having a lot of clutter to dig through in my bag, not having a lot of stuff to clean up and pack after an overnighter (I particularly hate wet tents for this), and most importantly, not having a lot of weight on my back.

Packing small like this enables me to move quickly and keeps me sure footed. I do a lot of mountaineering, and I've done it with 50+ pound packs before, but I don't like it. Even though I'm perfectly capable of carrying the weight... it's not safe to be hauling any kind of weight around on narrow, slippery trails beside sheer cliffs. One little slip and you're done. One twisted ankle and you aren't hiking out. I find it's best to just take the bare minimum and hike with a light weight bag to keep your dexterity at its best. All that survival gear wont do you any good when it's the reason you fell and have a broken leg at the bottom of a ravine.

My day gear is the same as my camping gear. The only difference is the addition of a sleeping bag and extra food. I think everyone should take this approach to their dayhikes; pack as if it's an overnighter. Sleeping bags are the only item thats really too bulky to bring on a dayhike assuming you don't normally camp with a tent.

Just some thoughts on hiking and camping.
 
twoism said:
My day gear is the same as my camping gear. The only difference is the addition of a sleeping bag and extra food. I think everyone should take this approach to their dayhikes; pack as if it's an overnighter. Sleeping bags are the only item thats really too bulky to bring on a dayhike assuming you don't normally camp with a tent.

Just some thoughts on hiking and camping.
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That's my thought as well. Sleeping bag, tent, and mat are just added to my day gear to go camping. However in the summer I'm fine with just carrying water and sun screen as well as the "on person" gear.
 
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