The Wife's Kit

Guyon

Guyon

Biscuit Whisperer
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Mar 15, 2000
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Any people here find themselves outfitting their wives/significant others as part of the gear obsession?

My wife likes to hike, and she's up for camping if it's not too cold (or too hot), but I doubt she'd have anything like the kit below if I weren't always buying two of something on sale, or finding a good deal online. Usually, her backpack rides in the car trunk, but she had it inside yesterday, so I snapped a pic just so I could remember what all I've stashed in there.

Lots of redundancy in the knife and light department. There's a lot of stuff that is fine for "bug-out bag mode" that she can offload for hiking and still be covered.

Just thinking about the gaps though... I want to get a Fiskar's 10" sliding saw for myself, so I'm sure an "extra" will go into her bag so she'll have a good sawing implement. Other than that, maybe a small .357? :D

WifeKit.jpg


1. LL Bean backpack (found on sale)
2. Becker BK-7 with micarta scales in a Spec-Ops Sheath
...with Leatherman SuperTool 200 (on sale), small firesteel (on sale), a mini light (on sale), mini Bic and some fire straws.
3. K&M matchcase with REI storm matches
4. LED flashlight
5. Survival kit with stuff like space blanket, compass, signal mirror, emergency whistle, etc.
6. Light My Fire spoon/fork/knife
7. Small First Aid Kit
8. Busse Game Warden with Leatherman sheath
9. Buck 110 (on sale)
10. Victorinox Camper with Photon II
11. Princeton Tec Aurora head lamp (on sale)
12. Lowe Alpine waterproof cap (on sale)
13. Nalgene bottle
14. Fat Wood tinder
15. REI Elements Rain Jacket and Pants (on sale)
 
I like it. She pic all that her self? If so, she's got good taste when it comes to blades. She did a better job putting stuff together then most women.
 
Guyon, it looks good. I would maby toss in a few sealed up N-95 masks, rubber gloves, and some energy bars.
 
Micky, I didn't know about N-95 masks until your post. I may pick up a box and split them between our two vehicles.

The First-Aid kit has rubber gloves, but she could use some leather gloves in there.

+1 on the energy bars. I've started carrying them regularly since an experience in October. I went on a kayak fishing trip on the coast of South Carolina. Launched with a group of fishermen in the early morning and fished the tide out of a lagoon into an ocean-side bay. We split apart to fish our separate ways, and I spent several hours fishing around bridge and pier pilings and then started the paddle back to our launch area with the inbound tide. About halfway up the lagoon, I began to seriously bonk. I mean bonk to the point of shaking, feeling dizzy, and considering eating the live mud minnows (ugh!) and shrimp in my bait tank. I just pulled into a bank, staked out my yak, tossed a line in (as though I was fishing), and tried to steady myself. Finally, another boat came by from my group, and he had a pack of peanut butter crackers on board. Best crackers I ever ate.

Now, I carry bars with me in my kayak bag, day pack, etc. :thumbup:
 
The 110, though an excellent knife, seems a bit redundant. (I never think it's a bad idea to have too many, but remember your wife may not be as knife crazy as some of us.) A small cooking pot would not weigh much more, and a few tea bags as well.
 
Morablades said:
I like it. She pic all that her self? If so, she's got good taste when it comes to blades. She did a better job putting stuff together then most women.
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No, one of the points here is that it's mainly MY gear obsession--not hers. :p She sure does enjoy having her rain gear or a bandaid or a knife when she needs them though.

Liam Ryan said:
The 110, though an excellent knife, seems a bit redundant. (I never think it's a bad idea to have too many, but remember your wife may not be as knife crazy as some of us.) A small cooking pot would not weigh much more, and a few tea bags as well.
Click to expand...

Yeah, she can offload some stuff if need be. I bought about five Buck 110's when they dipped under $20 one Christmas, and I stashed one in her bag.

The cooking pot is a good idea. She does have a big stainless mug that I could put in there. It would handle boiling water, soup, coffee, tea, etc.
 
great kit.. but to me (boos raininng down )I still like a good ole' Mag lite 2c cell for me ,LED lights are great (I own several)....but a good flash light for shinning distance is key.
 
Guyon said:
The cooking pot is a good idea. She does have a big stainless mug that I could put in there. It would handle boiling water, soup, coffee, tea, etc.
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Yeah, this would be a small change I might make. Maybe a small pot and one of those cups that fit under the nalgene? Total would be less than ten dollars, and still pretty light.

Maybe some water purification tabs and a one or two liter platypus bladder, just to store/transport some extra. Both light and cheap, again.
 
Nice kit. I need to make something similar for my wife.

I am a big flashlight nut, and I see you have an LED light in there (which I like). Not sure what kind it is, but there are a lot of fairly inexpensive LED lights that can run on 1 AA and give some pretty serious output (easily more light and longer life than the Mag 2C mentioned above, if its using the stock bulb). If that LED light is not a common battery (like AA) and doesn't have a pretty strong output for a good length of time, look around a bit for a replacement. I'd probably start by considering a newer Fenix brand light, or something similar.

I'd also add a GPS and 6 or more AA batteries, FWIW.

schiesz
 
SpookyPistolero said:
Yeah, this would be a small change I might make. Maybe a small pot and one of those cups that fit under the nalgene? Total would be less than ten dollars, and still pretty light.

Maybe some water purification tabs and a one or two liter platypus bladder, just to store/transport some extra. Both light and cheap, again.
Click to expand...

Good ideas. Keep 'em coming.

I think (but I'll have to check and see) that the survival kit has some water purification tabs. The backpack has a sleeve for a H20 bladder, but no bladder.

Any recommendations on a small pot?
 
For your wife???

You should have your wife add some sanitary napkins and/or tampons of the brands she likes. Might come in handy in an emergency.

L.W.
 
schiesz said:
Nice kit. I need to make something similar for my wife.

I am a big flashlight nut, and I see you have an LED light in there (which I like). Not sure what kind it is, but there are a lot of fairly inexpensive LED lights that can run on 1 AA and give some pretty serious output (easily more light and longer life than the Mag 2C mentioned above, if its using the stock bulb). If that LED light is not a common battery (like AA) and doesn't have a pretty strong output for a good length of time, look around a bit for a replacement. I'd probably start by considering a newer Fenix brand light, or something similar.

I'd also add a GPS and 6 or more AA batteries, FWIW.

schiesz
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The LED is one I picked up at Sam's Club in a clam pack. I don't even recall the brand name. I bought a few on a whim because they were cheap, and so far, I've been pretty impressed with them. They run on 3 AAA batteries, are really very bright, and have durable aluminum casings. Battery life seems to be good. I've used them a lot and haven't had to change any batteries yet.

+1 on spare batteries though. :thumbup:

I actually found some similar lights on clearance at Home Depot for $5 apiece during the holidays. I bought a four-pack and have stashed them around in various places.

Leanwolf said:
For your wife???

You should have your wife add some sanitary napkins and/or tampons of the brands she likes. Might come in handy in an emergency.

L.W.
Click to expand...

Already in the pack. She added them. I just didn't photograph them. Good thinking though.
 
Guyon said:
Good ideas. Keep 'em coming.

I think (but I'll have to check and see) that the survival kit has some water purification tabs. The backpack has a sleeve for a H20 bladder, but no bladder.

Any recommendations on a small pot?
Click to expand...

I've got a $6 Stansport pot, with lid and handle that clamps down, from Sportsman's Warehouse. It's stainless steel, and I've really loved it so far. I also just picked up a similarly sized kettle from them, same amount. Lets see...
Knifekitandpot015.jpg

Knifekitandpot014.jpg


I think it's the Solo I, about a fourth the way down the page...
http://www.stansport.com/2007/productlist.php?sid=26&cid=13

Oh, capacity on that one is 3/4 L, but the Solo II is a full liter if you wanted.
 
Cool looking pot. I'll check 'em out. :thumbup:
 
Great Kit I would marry you for it :D

Another water bottle and or Bladder would be great. TP is a very woman freindly item to pack.

Boots or shoes depending on her normal daily footwear.

I agree with a cupor pot to boil, and some stuff to add to the water once its boiled (soup, tea, coco cofee etc.) Power bars are great and a couple gallon juggs or a few 1 liter bottles of water. replace them every few months.

I like the idea of the .357, I dont know your lady but I know mine claims every new smallframe revolver I get as "hers" .I like the 3" SP 101 or model 60 personally.
 
After hiking in the Saguaro National Park over Christmas, I'll never head out without a hydration bag in my pack. I carried liter of water in my day pack, but I can't get to it without taking off the pack, so of course I got lazy and I didn't drink enough. Not good. It's dry enough in the Tucson area that it's really easy to dehydrate, especially when climbing up a couple of thousand feet along a ridge.

At a minimum I'd add something to your's and your wife's setup that allows you to carry the water bottle on your belt. Of course, if the two of you always hike together, then the point is moot since you can always get out your bottles for each other. But since I usually go solo, a hydration bag is a real plus.

Just my rather casual observation.

Not sure how in shape you and your wife are, but you might want to cut down a bit on the steel just in order to make the hiking a tad more comfortable. But if you're twenty-somethings and in tip-top-shape, that probably isn't necessary. (It wasn't when I was twenty-something. :D )
 
EmsRescueGuy said:
Great Kit I would marry you for it :D
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I bet a lot of us here would consider it just for the Game Warden!

Related to the Sams Club LED light, I do know the one you mean, and it is probably a good one for a kit as long as you remember to replace the batteries fairly regularly. Alkalines (especially the cheap ones lights sometimes come with) are pretty bad about leaking after sitting for a while. Its not a big deal usually, but in a kit like this they can easily be forgotten and make the light useless when its finally needed. Consider Energizer e2 Lithium Batteries, with better leak resistance and 15 year storage life for the ones that are actually in the light. For the spares, I wouldn't worry so much.

schiesz
 
Guyon,

Looks like a great kit. I made one for my lady's primary winter vehicle. It is a big red duffle with emergency rations, candles, crank flashlight, knife emergency water, wool blankets, FAK, money, etc.
 
I had lightly outfitted my ex before we split; I tend to shop the sales and found some stuff that was too good to pass up. I bought him a small Spyderco several years back, but he lost it. :( At one point I told him I was going to make a little emergency kit for him for when he cycles to work, and he said, "what for?" I said, "well, if you wreck, or if there's a disaster.." He replied, "if I wreck I'll just call you or call an ambulance." I gave up; he has a history of refusing to see a point. Instead I'm using the stuff I had been accumulating for him for car kits for my parents instead.

I want to make some kits for my niece and nephew, ages 6 and 8. I figure the contents should be 1) cheap, 2) durable, and 3) easy to use. I figure I'll use the led lights that county comm sells for a buck or two, some whistles, emergency ponchos, some big band-aids, keychain compasses, safety scissors, paracord... other suggestions welcome. My brother's an Air Force pilot, so the kids are reasonably practical and have their heads screwed on straight, though I don't think he's made them kits yet. I'll run everything by him before I give the kits to the kids.
 
Jason, great looking survival kit your wife has:thumbup:
 
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