My Day Kit (pics)

[abo4ster]

Here is my kit for day hikes. I wish I could do a backpack or fanny pack for the additional space, but alas, not my cup of tea for a day outing.

Soooo, I use a Maxpedition Water Bottle holder (10x4) with a Janus Pouch and Rolly Polly attached. Most times I carry a Mora around my neck, other times I attach a Rat Izula to the outside for a fixed blade. The Rolly Polly is for those extra items like snacks, camera, etc.

Based on my skill level and where I live and go, I carry what I need to hydrate and sleep (shelter and/or fire) should I have to spend the night out. Here are the contents based on skill…

Fire
- Match case with paraffin soaked strike-anywhere matches and REI Stormproof matches w/striker.
- Ferro/Magnesium Rod
- Second Ferro Rod (for play)
- Fresnel Lens
- Fire Straws (cotton/petroleum jelly stuffed straws)
- Inner-tube from bicycle (also holds rope)
- 550 Cord/Knife (bow drill)
- Sometimes charcloth in small mint tin for flint/steel method
- Also carry a Sparky on my person (http://www.wisementrading.com/firestarters/magnesium.htm)

Shelter (after clothing)
- two drum liners (used as rain jacket, wind breaker, tube tent, duvet, and/or debris collector)
- space blanket 56” x 84” (tarp, blanket, reflector)
- heat sheet bivvy
- 550 Cord /Knife (shelter building)

Water
- 1L Dukjug water bottle
- Stainless Steel cup (for boiling)
- 8 micropur tabs (will treat 2 gallons; 4 are duct-taped directly to bottle)
- 1 qt. freezer bag

Signaling
- Fox 40 mini whistle
- see Fire
- Fenix LD01D Flashlight
- not pictured, but do carry a glass signal mirror when out in western U.S.

First Aid
- Duct tape (wrapped around bottle and card)
- Bandana
- Altoids Tin (band-aids, antibiotic ointment, benadryl, Imodium)
- Freezer bag (wound irrigation)

Miscellaneous
- Altoids Tin (braided fishing line, needles, safety pins, hooks, AAA lithium battery for flashlight, extra compass)
- SAK
- Tops Survival Saw (folding hacksaw)
- Compass w/thermometer
- Duct tape wallet (holds Fresnel lens, personals)
- Tyvek (not big enough to be a groundsheet, but use it all the time to sit on wet ground, cover items in rain when fire building, etc.)
- Duct tape wrapped around hotel room key
- Cordage (550 and dental floss)

 

[wildmanh]

Looks pretty good to me. I have most of those items in my day kit also. :thumbup: The only thing I can think of to add is a Local map and food.

Heber

 

[retzius]

Is that comfortable for you to carry on a long trip? How do you make that stable?

I tried carrying an over the shoulder setup like that for a while but found it really annoying and uncomfortable for any hike over 6 miles. It moved all over the place and all the weight was on one shoulder.

I went back to a "belt" kit. I use a pistol belt; canteen on one side, and a small pouch with survival items and a knife on the other side. It stays put, rides nicely, and I dont notice it when hiking. If i need to take more stuff, I just add LBE straps to the belt and put a fanny pack on the back.

 

[abo4ster]

Is that comfortable for you to carry on a long trip? How do you make that stable?

I tried carrying an over the shoulder setup like that for a while but found it really annoying and uncomfortable for any hike over 6 miles. It moved all over the place and all the weight was on one shoulder.

I went back to a "belt" kit. I use a pistol belt; canteen on one side, and a small pouch with survival items and a knife on the other side. It stays put, rides nicely, and I dont notice it when hiking. If i need to take more stuff, I just add LBE straps to the belt and put a fanny pack on the back.

No problem for me with extended use. If I have more than a t-shirt on, I hardly notice it.

However, if I am doing more than walking, I secure it to my waist with a piece of 550 cord too. It keeps it from flopping or swing down when climbing, jumping creeks, etc.

Here is another pic of me stalking muleys on the Snake near Yellowstone using the rig.

 

[DWK2]

When I asked for suggestions on a snowshoeing kit, someone was kind enough to mention toilet paper. Like me, you may carry it but not have it on the list. Same deal for a cell phone.

I have a tiny Garmin Gecko GPS that is good for waypointing my departure spot (usually my truck).

You might want to consider a small headlamp instead of the flashlight. Easier to work with when camped and often easier for walking in the dark--especially if you use trekking poles.

Under "signalling", I carry a small Rite-In-The-Rain notebook and pencil.

Maybe a few plastic zip ties. They weigh nothing and are handy for repairs or fastening shelter parts together.

For a bit over $10 and not much extra weight, I'd consider a Fiskars sliding wood saw instead of the hacksaw.

I would also include something like a Photon Microlight (or generic equivalent). Almost no weight and a good backup if your headlamp/flashlight fails. One of my buddies was coming down from the Whitney trail in the dark with two pals. All 3 lights gave out (nobody had checked batteries?). A Photon I had provided to him got them out with a lot less stumbling around in the dark.

DancesWithKnives

 

[sicily02]

abo4ster, great pics and contents. What pouch is the rolly polly and what one is the
janus pouch and where did you get them?

Thanks,

Bryan

 

[abo4ster]

abo4ster, great pics and contents. What pouch is the rolly polly and what one is the
janus pouch and where did you get them?

It's actually the mini-rolypoly. Got it from maxpedition but there are other retailers too.

mini rollypoly
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=219

Janus
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=394&idcategory=0

When I asked for suggestions on a snowshoeing kit, someone was kind enough to mention toilet paper. Like me, you may carry it but not have it on the list. Same deal for a cell phone.
DancesWithKnives

Sometimes cellphone. No TP, that what rocks, grass, leaves and sticks are for!

 

[warrigal]

Quiet nice.
Do you have a couple sewing needles in there some where? I have two one larger both wrapped in dental floss and pre-threaded with the floss good for picking splinters as well. I have started carrying a small alloy neddle threader.
I also like the inner tube used to contain that pesky cordage. It makes an excellent fire starter.
Carl
P.S. The OZ Army toilet paper comes in a neat little 10sheet pack, very convenient.

 

[abo4ster]

Quiet nice.
Do you have a couple sewing needles in there some where? I have two one larger both wrapped in dental floss and pre-threaded with the floss good for picking splinters as well. I have started carrying a small alloy neddle threader.
I also like the inner tube used to contain that pesky cordage. It makes an excellent fire starter.
Carl
P.S. The OZ Army toilet paper comes in a neat little 10sheet pack, very convenient.

Good catch. Actually I do have a couple needles and saftey pins taped in the altoids tin with the fishhooks. Hence the braided fishing line vs. monofilament as the braided can be unspun(?) and used as thread. If I ever get to that point though, it means I ran out of duct tape!

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Nice little kit, QB - good to see you in here again.

I noticed that the Sparky on the web site you linked, didn't mention that it was magnesium. I'm assuming it is?

Doc

 

[sicily02]

thanks for the links.

Bryan

 

[abo4ster]

Nice little kit, QB - good to see you in here again.

I noticed that the Sparky on the web site you linked, didn't mention that it was magnesium. I'm assuming it is?

Doc

Yes, back again a little more, thanks for the welcoming old friend.

You are correct, Sparky is a combo of magnesium and ferrocerium. It is the smallest I have found yet that combines both. I am not a big EDC of many items, but Sparky is one of those that I always do.

 

[Mannlicher]

when I am out for a day stroll, I take a few cliff bars, my walking staff, my hydration pack with 3 ltr, a couple of knives, compass, TP and my camera/cell phone.

I don't need much more than that.

 

[333rm]

What a great kit you have put together. It's just the right size for day hikes or out in town.

 

[mtwarden]

nice kit

I'm putting together a small belt kit (w/ a fixed blade attached) and was considering a small camelback to fill things out, you've got me thinking now- going to look further in the water bottle holder- I think it just might do the trick, thanks

 

[Mistwalker]

Looks pretty good to me. I have most of those items in my day kit also. :thumbup: The only thing I can think of to add is a Local map and food.

Heber

Agreed, I can do without the map here....been here far too long...but hi-protein, hi-cal, field expedient foods are always a good thing to have along especially this time of year.

I keep seeing these Maxpedition kits, I'm going to have to build one myself.

 

[mtwarden]

nice kit

I'm putting together a small belt kit (w/ a fixed blade attached) and was considering a small camelback to fill things out, you've got me thinking now- going to look further in the water bottle holder- I think it just might do the trick, thanks

well I found them (maxped bottle holder) on sale at e-bags 20% off, if your signed up for bing shopping it's a another 20% off (60 days before you get your $, but they do get it to you)- too good to pass up

hopefully another kit post in the future