Doing it cheap

[omniviking]

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:

And roll of TP cause sometimes when you go out and about, when ya gotta go, ya gotta go....90 bucks

 

[SpookyPistolero]

And roll of TP cause sometimes when you go out and about, when ya gotta go, ya gotta go....90 bucks

Good catch amigo, I added some to the backpack when I assembled it this afternoon, just because I keep some with my emergency gear.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Duct tape: Free

 

[stingray4540]

What!? You don't don't have a duct tape tree in your backyard?!

Dude where have you been, under a rock?

 

[Bushman5]

treat that ruck to a handrubbed finish of Filsons dry wax finish, use a hairdryer to melt it all in then brush it or rub it with a rag. (waterproofs it, rain runs off .)

 

[tat2knife]

ok,i am inspired!! i am gonna go through my house and put together anything that i have that was free and or wayyy cheap and see what kind of kit i can throw together!! and past that,i will set myself a budget of 40.00 to add whatever is nessacary to make it a good kit! -fed

 

[Ron53]

That stuff looks amazingly like the items I used to carry when I went camping/hiking as a kid growing up in SW Ohio and SE Indiana! I grew up in a, shall we say, NON-affluent family, so we made do with what we had. A lot of the items shown by "spooky" are just updated forms of what I had. I do remember my "cutting instrument" clearly: a John Primble scout-type pocketknife that I got as a gift when I was 8 years old. I still have it!

Ron

 

[DJ _Wolf]

I have neglected my nalgene and have been carrying a GI canteen with cup and cover for a while now pretty much everywhere. I keep 10 micropur tablets in a film canister in the little pocket.