Want to build an Outdoor/Survival pack

Vermilion

Vermilion

Joined
Apr 7, 2010
Messages
272
I'd like it if someone could help me out in regards to what I should put in the pack. The only one I really use is a Maxpedition Lunada. It is a small to medium size piece. http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Lunada-Gearslinger-2p484.htm

Pretty much all I have in it right now is a Surefire E2D and a CRKT M16LE. I'll be replacing the CRKT with an ESEE in the future. It has a good bit of space for all kinds of things.

I guess I would like to know what everyone carries in their own pack and what ya'll would recommend the necessities and wants would be.

This being my first such pack I'm not really sure what I need and don't need. This would also be something I would be building on when I have the money available etc.

Thanks much.
 
Jeff did a write up on a Go Bag. I think the article is on the ESEE website. This is a pretty common topic, but there are some things I usually like to have.

Extra batteries, redundant fire making gear and tinder, whistle, paracord, water purification method, water container, perhaps a small fishing kit, a less intense flashlight to go with the E2D (TTD has turned me on to the Streamlight Microstream which I really like) a poncho, a small first aid kit with common meds, a heavy sewing needed for clothing and gear repairs (using inner strands of paracord or fishing line as thread) some small food/snacks with long storage life. I have started keeping an MRE in my bag. Food is down the list of priorities as far as time goes, but I look at a warm meal as a morale booster as much as nutrition/energy. Might also add in a sharpener of some kind.
 
I personally carry the small flipup Air Force field SERE manual, it gives me project ideas to work on while camping. Some other suggestions are a spool of GI tripwire for snares, 550 chord, a beater knife (RC5)and a slicer knife (scandi puuko), some sort of multitool, camera/accessories, small flashlight w/spare bulb and batteries, a fire kit including a few different flame sources and tinder, comprehensive first aid kit, surgical tubing for a slingshot, sewing kit for field repairs, tent/shelter, tarp for a footprint or rain cover, sleeping bag or bivvy, a small box of fishing odds and ends (jigs bobber spinners spoons flies etc), some tea and coffee bags for steeping, can opener, small cooking kit, trail food (lefse potato bread, tuna, gorp/trail mix, dried fruit, canned fruit, cans of soup, beans, ham, hotdogs etc) a 375 of canadian mist whiskey, a tomahawk (for fun throwing and heavy chopping neccessities) spare socks, a wool sweater, hat and gloves, Commenga compass with map/pouch, GPS, Spot EMS beacon, shemagh, there are basically endless possibilities for things that could go in your bag but I highly suggest you spend time using it in your surroundings for a while and come up with a running list of things you find you want/need in the kit. Extended use is the only real way to perfect your kit for your specific abilities and needs.
 
A winter hat is a really good idea.
Even in summer spending a night outdoors gets chilly in most parts of the world, and you loose a lot of heat through your head.

AMK Heatsheats are the best truly compact emergency blankets I know of.
 
Water, shelter, fire and signaling should be well represented. I wouldn't skimp on those items, then with room left over include a repair kit, a small fishing kit, some gloves, extra cord, multitool etc.
 
Some items that could be in there are fire starting materials/tools, water purification items, 550 paracord, signaling (mirror,whistle), water carrying bottle/bag, ss water/cooking cup, extra flashlight batteries, headlamp flashlight, knives in couple sizes, portable AM/FM/SW radio (extra batteries), 6x8 tarp, emergency blanket, emergency bivy bag, small hand saw, emergency medical items, survival food rations, coffee/tea, emergency pay phone card, spare cash, copies of personal documents, couple 6" glow sticks, backup cell phone battery, field survival manual, zip ties in several sizes. There's just a short list of things to concider. Also look at the article on the ESEE site about Jeff's BOB where he goes through all the items in his and how he views them.
 
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I've got a Maxped Lunada for my grab bag, I've managed to fit paracord, my ESEE's, a good first aid kit, Surefire G2, photocopied ID documents, lighters, fox40 whistle, notebook, emergency cash, shemagh, sharpening kit, bottle of oil... and a hipflask of bushmills. ;D But mine is more geared towards the house catching fire or some other urban emergency rather than a dedicated bushcraft pack. I still need more stuff, however... Edited to add, you can always attach other maxped pouches and MOLLE compatible gear to expand the capacity. There was a thread where a bloke kitted his out for skiing and it looked amazing... it's probably somewhere in the WSS subforum.
 
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I have a Jumbo stuff with some supplies.....but I picked up a North Face Lumbar pack and may move to it,see how it rides before fully making it a go bag.
IMG_2768-1.jpg

IMG_2769-1.jpg

IMG_2770-1.jpg

IMG_2777-1.jpg

ALOK bag w/FAK
ALOK bag w/Fishing gear
Poncho
orange Bandana
AMK HEET Sheet & Bivy sack
MP1 Tablets & Camelback Elixir electrolyte(orange flavor tablets)
Nalgene W/pre-filter & SS cup ( 2nd Nalgene was left out for food)
50Ft paracord
Brunton compass
EZlap sharpen rod
DMT dual C/F folding sharpener(not pic)
Tikka II headlamp
Inova LED light
big ole firesteel w/striker
LM wave, SAK(lanyard has sharpen rod,mini LMF & container w/match heads only) ,Izula,ESEE4,Kershaw hand saw
Bushnell binoculars
Springfield XD9SC
yellow otter1k box fire kit(tinder etc.)
Bic w/kydex holster
photon freedom
G-shock watch
Whistle
LED angle light
bug spray
waterproof matches
spork(not in pic)
ESEE Zippo in leather sheath
Aluminum match case w/ wind/waterproof matches
not in pic ( write in rain 3X5 and small sharpie& pencil) & wire/cable cutter(model PWC 8) I do not condone cutting thru chainlink or any style fencing but if it is an E&E situation I will snip it with the quickness
 
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The following items are attached and fitted to the outside of my go-bag:

Nylon poncho
32-ounce Nalgene bottle w/ attached SteriPen pre-filter
Stainless steel cup
MultiMat sleeping pad
Adventure Lights VIPIR Gen 4 signal beacon
Blade-Tech double mag holder for .40 caliber Glock (w/ magazines loaded)
Maxpedition Admin Pouch
Maxpedition Battery Pouch
Maxpedition Radio Pouch
SpecOps Brand Map Case
Small carabiner with handcuff key and various split rings attached
Survival Tin (Easy access, bare-bones survival kit that fits in your pocket when you need to travel without the pack)







On The Pack Straps:

Ranger beads
Whistle (attached to small carabiner)
MicroLight (attached to small carabiner)
Tick Tweezers (attached to small carabiner)
Maxpedition Single Mag Pouch





Inside The Maxpedition Admin Pouch:

Pentagon Light EX2 Flashlight
SPOT Satellite Locator Beacon
Silva Ranger compass







Inside The Maxpedition battery Pouch:

8 ea. CR123 and 4 ea. AA Lithium spare batteries


Inside The Maxpedition Radio Pouch:

Garmin 76S GPS


Inside The Maxpedition Single Mag Pouch:

SOG PowerAssist multi-tool


Inside The SpecOps Brand Waterproof Map Case:

Various topos and city maps, and UTM plotter inside waterproof case.





Main Pack Compartments

The Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II has three main pack compartments with zipper closures. By separating these compartments for the type of gear you have an organized system that’s easy to access under stress or low-light conditions.




Pack compartment 1 (First Aid):

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Traveler with user add-ons
Adventure Medical Kits Dental Kit
User configured surgical kit (includes injectable Lidocaine local anesthetic, surgical instruments, hypodermic needles, sutures, etc.)
Compression bandage
M2 one-hand ratcheting tourniquet

Pack Compartment 2 (Survival):

RAT Survival/ E&E Kit
Mini glass breaker tool
Trioxane tablets (in Ziploc bag)
Compact gill net
Adventure Medical Gear Aid kit
Toilet paper (in Ziploc bag)
Toothbrush and toothpaste (in Ziploc bag)
Rite In The Rain notepad
Fisher Trekker Space Pen
Mini screwdriver set
Ben’s 100% Deet
BIC cigarette lighter
Carmex Lip Balm
DMT compact diamond hone
RAT fire steel
GreatLand rescue laser flare
Signal mirror
Orion aerial flares
AmeriGlow chemical lights
Katadyn water purification tablets
MIOX water purification device


Pack Compartment 3 (Camping Gear / Survival):

Pocket Ref Book (in Ziploc bag)
Compact shortwave receiver (in Ziploc bag)
3 ea. Trailfoods complete meals w/ plastic utensils
TOPS ATM knife in Kydex sheath
Waterproof / wind-proof jacket in stuff pouch
6' x 8' Sil tarp
MultiMat pillow / cushion
Go-Lite shelter net w/ floor
50' orange paracord
Gloves
7" folding saw
 
The best thing that helped me determine what to carry was to go out on a few day hikes. One piece of kit I always bring is a simple backpacking hammock. I like the Trek Light ones but you could go with Eno or whatever you'd like. What's nice about the hammock is when you've put a few miles in it's great to find two trees and just relax for a bit before you head back out. It's something to look forward to when you reach your destination. :)

Go on some hikes and see what kind of stuff you like to do. Do you like to build fires and roast hot-dogs? Then pack some tools to build a fire. I have also found that for day hikes a large knife is unnecessary for what I like to do. You may find something different for yourself.

Here is what I tell the scouts I work with...

Bring water, a rain coat and a small first aid kit. The rest is personal preference. :thumbup:
 
I rotate this stuff with my Jumbo versipack and Kodiak gearslinger.

100ft od green paracord
Roll of green picture hanging wire
100% deet OFF
Spark lite kit
extra spark lite tinder
few sticks of fatwood
fire kit in mentos gum container, its got 5 pj cotten balls along with a small firesteel and striker
campers tp
custom handled firesteel
Staples "Really usefull box" I keep a pack of x-acto blades, p-38,whistle,tick tweezers, bic, and snake bite kit
altoids tin with a mini bic, some cotten balls, and some cord locks for attaching stuff to the pack.
mylar blanket
orange rain poncho
electric glowstick
chem light
fenix l1d
streamlight stylus pro
extra batterys
sawyer inline water filter
3 oz bleach for water purification
first aid kit

now on to the blades.....

ESEE-3 pimped by shotgunner11 on either the strap on the kodiak, or the fixed blade pocket on the jumbo.

ESEE-6 inside the kodiak main compartment, or in the ccw spot on the jumbo

Leatherman pulse, main compartment both packs

SAK, simple 1 blade and bottle opener, this is a backup knife

RUKO partial serrated edge lockback, again just a backup

also somewhere I always have my bm grip stashed away.

Also forget to mention I carry a tube of "original superglue fix-all adhesive" a large SAK sized tube is $1, and not only does it glue things well, it contains naptha, and makes a great firepaste/starter.


Last but not least, on the kodiak I carry a 100oz coleman hydration pack.
 
From my post about three years ago on the subject...

I assembled my first survival kit many years ago for less than $30, and the prices are still pretty much the same. This one can fit into most jacket pockets, so you can get used to having it with you at all times.
1. Matches, but only use them when other fire-starting means have failed.
2. Candle; both a light source and useful when starting a fire. Tallow wax can be eaten in an emergency.
3. Flint; make sure you have plenty of practice with flint and a striker. It will be there long after your matches have been used up.
4. Sewing kit; useful for repairing clothes and equipment.
5. Water purification tablets; useful when you can't boil water.
6. Compass; a small, button liquid-filled type is good, but check regularly for leaks.
7. Mirrors; used for signalling.
8. Safety pins; Useful for securing things and the manufacture of improvised fishing equipment.
9. Fishing line and hooks. These can also be used to catch birds.
10. Wire saw; can cut even large trees. Cover it in grease to prevent from rusting.
11. Large plastic bag; can be used to carry water and also as a solar still.
12. Snare wire; brass is best.

Remember to check your kit periodically for signs of deterioration.

-------------------------

It's also useful to make another, larger kit that will fit into a duffel bag or backpack which can be carried with you on trips. Do NOT think that everything in this kit is a neccessity; it's just what's in mine. As with the smaller kit, get used to always having it with you and check for signs of deterioration.
1. Sewing kit (maybe add more items than the smaller one)
2. Pliers with wire cutter (for cutting snare wire, tying fishing line, etc.)
3. Dental floss (for sewing and hygienic purposes)
4. Folding knife (keep it clean and sharp)
5. Ring saw.
6. Snow shovel (you can get the military tri-fold shovels for around $10)
7. Signal cloth; at least 3 feet by 3 feet
8. Fishing hooks, line, weights, flies
9. Large safety pins.
10. 150 feet (45m) of nylon line.
11. Multivitamins (keep you in shape)
12. Protein bars (protein source)
13. Large chocolate bar (energy source)
14. Dried eggs (nutrition)
15. Dried milk (nutrition)
16. File (will help improvise weapons and tools)
17. Three space blankets
18. Lensatic compass
19. Signal mirror
20. Four candles
21. LED light and extra betteries
22. Windproof and waterproof matches
23. Flint and striker
24. Butane light with extra butane
25. Insect repellent
26. Twelve snares
27. Spool of snare wire
28. Can opener
29. Plastic cup
30. Water purification tablets
31. Sling shot and ammunition
32. Knife sharpener
33. Soap
34. 225 feet (67m) of nylon twine
35. 225 feet (67m) of nylon cord
36. Mess kit
37. Pair of work gloves
38. Mouse trap (believe me, this will come in handy)
 
texastonydobbs said:
I have a Jumbo stuff with some supplies.....but I picked up a North Face Lumbar pack and may move to it,see how it rides before fully making it a go bag.
IMG_2768-1.jpg

IMG_2769-1.jpg

IMG_2770-1.jpg

IMG_2777-1.jpg

ALOK bag w/FAK
ALOK bag w/Fishing gear
Poncho
orange Bandana
AMK HEET Sheet & Bivy sack
MP1 Tablets & Camelback Elixir electrolyte(orange flavor tablets)
Nalgene W/pre-filter & SS cup ( 2nd Nalgene was left out for food)
50Ft paracord
Brunton compass
EZlap sharpen rod
DMT dual C/F folding sharpener(not pic)
Tikka II headlamp
Inova LED light
big ole firesteel w/striker
LM wave, SAK(lanyard has sharpen rod,mini LMF & container w/match heads only) ,Izula,ESEE4,Kershaw hand saw
Bushnell binoculars
Springfield XD9SC
yellow otter1k box fire kit(tinder etc.)
Bic w/kydex holster
photon freedom
G-shock watch
Whistle
LED angle light
bug spray
waterproof matches
spork(not in pic)
ESEE Zippo in leather sheath
Aluminum match case w/ wind/waterproof matches
not in pic ( write in rain 3X5 and small sharpie& pencil) & wire/cable cutter(model PWC 8) I do not condone cutting thru chainlink or any style fencing but if it is an E&E situation I will snip it with the quickness
Click to expand...

TTD, what is attached to your nalgene bottle? Thanks!
 
Since this is the ESEE forum:

Knives - you need some useful knives in your emergency pack!

I would suggest thinking about:
SAK with saw, file, can opener, small blade & large blade - this is a very useful tool kit in one small package.
Mora or other scandi grind knife for carving useful stuff (tent pegs, traps, etc)
Bigger knife for handling other tasks - you need to think about what would be useful to you in the situations that you might grab the emergency bag for. Do you need an ESEE Lite Machete? Or a big knife like an RC6 or even a Junglas?

A SAK & a Mora wont cost much and wont take up much room or weight in the bag - so you should have those. But if you need to chop or baton or handle any other hard usage than the bigger ESEE knives are what you need. When you look at their warranty you have to realise that they are tough knives capable of being used hard.

A machete may not fit inside the bag, but if you think you might need one in an emergency then you could have one sitting beside the bag. In an emergency grab the bag & the Machete and get the hell out!
 
futurencswat said:
TTD, what is attached to your nalgene bottle? Thanks!
Click to expand...

It's a pre-filter with squirt top that screws on the top of wide mouth bottles. I have one on mine and it really works great. If your filling up your bottle from muddy/ sediment filled water it filters a lot of it out before you drop on your chlorine dioxide pills. One place that sells them is www.emgear.net.
 
My Jumbo...in current form.

100_1496.jpg


Work gloves,poncho,folding saw, stainless bottle and cup.

Small first aid(Gauzepads,tape,bandaids,neosporin,benedryl,tylenol.immodium)

2 AA,one, AAA battery, bandana, fire kit (ferro rod/striker,Bic,Jute,Fatwood,PJCBs) ,whistle,compass Iodine tabs, Micropur tabs, Instant meals (varies), Reading material.


EZ-LAP sharpener,Heatsheet,ducktape,LED minimag, Jute twine, bug repellent,pill bottle fishing kit (floats,split shot,hooks), 165#test nylon twine,fishing line.


Some of you might notice that I have no knife stowed away.:eek:

I am never without a 3"-4" fixed blade and a SAK on me. Sometimes two fixed blades.;)
 
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