Doing it cheap

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
6,105
One of those mental exercises hit me this afternoon, and I couldn't stop thinking about how inexpensively a person could outfit themselves with reliable gear for the bush. I've put together a little list that covers most big items, and incidentals. This kit isn't going to take care of everyone everywhere, but it ought to handle 3 seasons in many places. Thus far:

Surplus German ruck: $10
Sleeping pad, wally world: $5
10'x10' poly tarp: $7
Wool blanket: $10
GI canteen/cup/pouch: $10
Coffee can billy pot: Free
Jute twine, big roll: $2
Bic: $1
Mag bar/firesteel: $5
Tupperware (bowl/plate/food storage): Free
Paracord: $3
1st aid kit: <$10
Bandanna: $1
Flashlight: $5
Whistle: $1
Glowstick: $1
Mora: $10
Duct tape: Free
Emergency poncho: $1
Candles: $1
Water purification tabs: $5
Ceramic sharpening rod: $1

That's $89 by my count thus far, and it really only lacks a chopper and SAK, if they're desired. Thrift stores and garage sales ought to cover you easily in that area. A lot of other items on this list could also be acquired there for cheaper, or in many cases for free. (Examples: You can get a decent backpack at Goodwill for a few dollars, or a used hunting knife for a few bucks) Many people already have some of those items laying around the house. And in a season change, you could add a fleece blanket to the wool for all of $5.

I know these lists have been done before, but what turns me off is how 'hobo' they get. No newbie wants to sleep under a garbage bag his first time out, or rely on a kitchen knife in his beginnings (not that there's anything wrong with that). But this is a list of some rugged, decent gear that will last you as long as you need it to, and won't break the bank, or the back! Easily covers shelter, water, food, fire, emergencies, and first aid.

I've got almost all of this already laying around, but I'm thinking I'm gonna put it together and take it out for a weekend, versus my own gear, just to see if I feel like I'm lacking anything. :thumbup:
 
Great list!

If you take that stuff out for an overnighter, post a review, I'd be interested to see how it worked out, and if you were comfortable.

My only problem would be bugs, but for an extra $30 I can get a 6lb. backpacking tent at the surplus store.
 
stingray4540 said:
Great list!

If you take that stuff out for an overnighter, post a review, I'd be interested to see how it worked out, and if you were comfortable.

My only problem would be bugs, but for an extra $30 I can get a 6lb. backpacking tent at the surplus store.
Click to expand...

You can get a full mosquito netting for a lot less! And less weight.
 
That's true, but I suck at putting up mosquito nets, they still get in and eat me alive.

But of course, if you know how to use one, then that's a lot cheaper, and a lot lighter.
 
Great list man. You are right. We all like highspeed gear, but thats all you really need to enjoy the outdoors.

Id like to see someone put this list to the test!
 
Great experiment, let us know how you do.

Next you should have to improvise as much of the gear as possible, as though (for instance) you were in a plane crash in the Andes (like in the book/movie Alive, and also the book Miracle in the Andes by Nando Parrado--he was one of the guys who survived that crash), or like what Less Stroud does on Survivorman some times.

So, use broken fibreglass and glass as cutting implements, seat foam, coverings and frames as insulation, clothing and gear racks, etc.

I've thought of trying that some day. Can't seem to get beyond the idea of it, however.

:-)
 
Ok...I know I have mentioned about 9,000,000,000 times that I work at Academy now. I am planning on buying a budget list of gear and taking it out for a day hike and maybe and overnight. I am really interested in the budget idea just as a test.
 
Glad you dig it too guys. The idea (as you get) is not to do with the crappiest most expedient stuff, but to find the least expensive but still rugged & reliable setup for the outdoors.

I went ahead and put together everything on the list, just to see what it would look like. Came up with the following pictures. I didn't attach the pad just cuz I'm lazy, and I'd probably take my Fiskars hatchet with me if (when!) I take out this gear to the woods. I will add that to the total cost if I do though.

The pack, by the way, was found laying outside a shed near in my apartment complex. I commandeered it because it had been sitting out in the weather, unmoved, for over 6 months. I call it garbage by then. Cleaned out the bugs and fungus and here we are!

The pack has all the gear in it, but there is still plenty of room for spares socks, a shirt/pants, and food! Great stuff. I haven't attached a drawstring to it yet. Anywho:

All laid out:
P1010002-1.jpg

Room leftover:
P1010003-1.jpg

Said and done:
P1010005-1.jpg


Like I said, just lacks the pad and probably a Fiskars hatchet.
 
Oh, there are some incidentals posted there that weren't on the list. I found an LED flashlight that had cost $3 instead of $5, so I saved $2 there. I am using that for (a) an emergency blanket and (b) a little compass/thermometer keychain. :D There's also some TP in with the mylar blanket. A $1 mosquito headnet is near the top/middle.
 
Less is more.

We're (or at least, I'm) spoiled.

Nice list. Now...start paring down. :)




Kis
 
Kismet said:
Now...start paring down.

Kis
Click to expand...

I'd lessen the list in some ways if the goal of the exercise was to create a bare-minimum survival kit. The goal is to create an affordable kit for someone just starting out, and I'm not going to recommend that a beginner go out with truly minimal kit.
 
great list indeed... that's a nice set up...i like it... very traditional/hobo...

it has just goes to show that it doesn't take much, to get fully equippped, with all your essentials...:thumbup::thumbup:
 
I like that... Some of my *good* stuff is still pretty hobo compared to some of the stuff guys have around here, so it's fun to see something like this posted, it makes me feel less like a hobo ;)
 
Being a poor college student, this thread was perfect for me! I'm quite thrifty myself and would love to hear how your excursion went with all of the cheap stuff. Thanks Spooky!
 
Man, that's awesome!

How big is that wool blanket? It seems to be folded down a lot smaller than mine.



P.S.I also thought of a couple things that could be added for minimal weight, and a couple more $$.
A folding saw might be nice to have, very light.
Emergency Bivy, very small, light, and add some air activated hand warmers, just in case it gets colder than you expect.
 
j williams said:
Great list man. You are right. We all like highspeed gear, but thats all you really need to enjoy the outdoors.

Id like to see someone put this list to the test!
Click to expand...

Could be fun for Bush Craft. It seems to me that for every high tech item you leave out; you must expend your time or comfort in order to do without. I didn't mean for that to rhyme:D But you get the idea. If you don't bring a tent you can do with a tarp but you will need to search for a suitable site near trees where you can rope up your tarp shelter. Or find some suitably long sticks that you can stand up/shove in the ground if your building your "tarp tent". Same with a wool blanket they work great but you need to wrap yourself up well and try not to move around to much while sleeping. Without a portable stove you can build a fire to cook your food but it can take more time then a portable stove....................................................You get the point.

This would require only an hour more a day of setup to cook your food, set up tarp, wrap yourself in blanket, gather wood since you couldn't chop or baton effectively with a Mora,....really that's about it. Depending on where you where.
That doesn't sound so bad and could work for me as I could get by with just some cheap gloves and a mora to gather wood in Western forest. I could build a fire in a suitable site in under 10 minutes. Then it's ready to cook on after 20 minutes of just letting it burn down to coals. Making a tarp shelter and wrapping myself in a wool blanket under an hour. Also the blanket makes for quick naps while on a trail that's something you wouldn't do with a sleeping bag. It could work but I'm not sure I would try it or at least I wouldn't bring this on a multi day hike:o
 
That's a good exercise if you were somewhere and had to bug out and quickly improvise your gear. What could you find or scrounge to make up a survival kit to sustain yourself for a period of time. Things like butcher knives, wool blankets, household pots and pans can be just as effective as our quality survival items.
 
My canteen is a 32 oz vitaminwater bottle with the caribiner that came on my bug lotion zip-tied to it. It looks a bit ghetto, but works reasonably well and that's $10 more I can spend on my next knife!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top