What do you EDC while hiking?

[CM_Rick]

I carry my T1 Tracker scout style. I am experimenting with making a sheath that will house my first aid kit, ESEE fire kit, and altoid survival tin. As for now, just the Tracker with some paracord and jute twine wrapped around the kydex sheath.

 

[dougo83]

Bic lighter
SAK Farmer
Spyderco Delica
Burt's Bees
Gerber Tempo

That's pretty much it. Everything else is in my MULE.

 

[ungulate]

This is a great question for hunters (if you hunt with a pack). Hunting is a highly unpredictable event. I always hunt with a backpack (daypack to mid sized for day hunts to three days out) - belt knives do not work for me. I use to put eveything in my pack (except my bow/gun and maybe binos). After several situations where I left my pack behind for "the final short stalk" or "just to look over the ridge" - I realized that I was asking for trouble if I went anywhere without a few basics - LIKE A KNIFE. I wear a servicable fixed blade on a light shouder strap (baldric rig?) ALWAYS. Works great with a pack of any size and it's always there.

 

[collecter]

I also hate carrying stuff in my pant pockets but I do carry some stuff,

I seem to always wear cargo shorts or pants outdoors so my pockets usually get used the same. It goes something like this,

front right pant pocket,
- Vic Pioneer on a lanyard tied off to my belt
- burts bees lip balm

front left pant pocket,
- truck key on a lanyard tied off to my belt

left cargo pocket,
- map

right cargo pocket,
- handkerchief
- streamlight stylus pro

pant back pockets,
- usually nothing

front left shirt pocket,
- Suunto mirror compass on a lanyard tied off to the button hole

front right shirt pocket,
- drivers license, credit card, some cash

around my neck,
- whistle on a lanyard under my shirt
- binoculars

Hat on my head and boots on my feet!

If I'm in a remote area, hunting or fishing I'll wear fixed blade on my left hip and a handgun on my right hip.

I'll carry food, water, first aid kit, fire starter, Tikka Plus head lamp, shemagh and cell phone in a daypack.

A cell phone should be turned off especially if there is no reception. It will drain the battery very quickly searching for a signal. I learned this the hard way!

 

[ROCK6]

I really don't carry much in my pockets either, although I do carry enough stuff to keep me prepared.

I will carry quite a bit on the belt.

Always at least one pocket folder and a SAK or multitool in a belt pouch. Also, I always carry a small LED light that has a strobe mode for double duty.

My fixed blade often will include a firesteel...my most often carryied "system" is the Martin Knive's BT:

I often carry a thinned down wallet...Driver's License, Military ID, CHL, cash and fishing/hunting license. In my opposite back pocket, I'll carry a flat role of about 6-8 feet of duct tape.

I don't like bulky stuff in my cargo pockets, but will carry a few items...same things I carry every day for work in ACU cargo pockets:

- Couple of braided 550-cord lengths (8-10 feet per)
- Bic Lighter
- Burt's Bees Chapstick
- Small base compass
- Map of the local area in a Ziploc bag

I do have a small belt pouch to carry a modified PSK, but confess I don't often wear it as part of my "first line" gear as it's usually attached to my shoulder bag/canteen pouch.

I do carry a small FSK/PSK...a duplicate of what I carry daily in my lower leg pouch of my ACU trousers. It's pretty flat and doesn't bother me much in a cargo pocket:

During colder hikes where I'm wearing a larger smock or coat, I'll add in a small water flask, pocket water filter, small Siltarp shelter, extra 550 cord and a better fire-kit with more tinder.

Of course, I typcially have a pair of sunglasses for eye protection, gloves are either worn or in one of the cargo pockets and my watch is worn.

ROCK6

 

[DocBurN]

i have never hiked with a gun in the last 30 years.. and im still alive.. where do you guys go hiking ??? in the bronx at midnight ?

 

[Cougar Allen]

i have never hiked with a gun in the last 30 years.. and im still alive.

Most of us carry the heavy awkward thing all our lives and never need it once. Some do need it once. Some need it once in a lifetime and don't have it.

 

[DocBurN]

Most of us carry the heavy awkward thing all our lives and never need it once. Some do need it once. Some need it once in a lifetime and don't have it.

Black Bears like me

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

- Spyderco Temperance 2 or Bark River Aurora on my belt, Caly 3 in the pocket.
- Camelback w/ 3 Liters of water with:

- Muyshondt Aeon flashlight
- Petzl Tikka 2 Plus
- baby wipes for those nature calls
- BIC lighter
- Mosquito repellant
- fire steel
- small sharpening stone
- The North Face rainproof lightweight jacket
- Maxpedition Micro wallet and my cellphone

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

Burts Bees Chapstick, Chapstick firestarter (lint, fatwood, rubber, jute/sisal, wax in various concentrations), lighter and slipjoint. Usually have Fenix P1 clipped to a belt loop as well, and perhaps sunglasses case. Light, fire and cut- the essentials.

Realistically I get out so rarely in the past few years it is what ever new gear I have not tried.

 

[fishiker]

When hiking I always have a fixed blade on my belt, a small light with spare battery in one pocket, and a SAK in another pocket. Normally there is a whistle attached to the SAK lanyard. I usually have a neck knife with a firesteel attached to the sheath and there are always a few band-aids and ibuprofen tablets in my wallet.

 

[trailbum]

My pockets.

Glock 26
bic lighter
compass
wallet
keys

 

[Pilot1]

i have never hiked with a gun in the last 30 years.. and im still alive.. where do you guys go hiking ??? in the bronx at midnight ?

Whistling past the graveyard are we? Just because you can't carry a gun because of your silly laws, don't denigrate those of us who are still citizens and not subjects of the Crown.

Seriously. You have home insurance, right? Do you still maintain your policy even though your home hasn't burnt down for many years? I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Many crimes happen outside of "the Bronx".

Jealousy is a terrible thing.

 

[texas gun person]

i have never hiked with a gun in the last 30 years.. and im still alive.. where do you guys go hiking ??? in the bronx at midnight ?

There are wild animals out side the city lights. Along with the two legged kind who could be looking for trouble.

Same reason I carry a gun pretty much everyday. Self defense.



Do you not wear a seat belt while in your vehicle just because you've never benefited from it?

 

[Sigman 40]

I recently purchased a Zero Tolerence model 300 assisted opening knife from Howes Knife Shop. First off thanks Jim for the great service and lightening fast shipping. I received this knife from Jim and right out of the box I thought, this is a big knife, but the more you handle and use the knife you forget how big it is. The ZT300 is an awesome knife, it's as tough as nails, it just screams confidence, this is one knife you would never have to worry about using wether it's in bushcraft, at work, or around the house as an edc. I've been edc'ing it for about two weeks now and even with it's big size I don't even notice it in my pocket. When I do need it, it comes out smooth and the assisted opening is smooth, fast, and locks up rock solid. I was a little skeptical about the recurve blade especially for bushcraft, but I took it out for a hike this weekend and it works great for making fuzz sticks, cutting down small saplings, and carving, the knife is very comfortable in all grips and does an exceptional job. The edge on the S30V blade lives up to it's reputation too, it still shaves hair off my arm and I haven't touched the edge yet. I think the ZT300 is worth every penny, I don't think you could find a better production or custom knife than the ZT300. If you're interested in these I know Howes Knife Shop is carrying some models now and more to come, check them out.

 

[HKS]

Great post Brad, Thanks!

I recently purchased a Zero Tolerence model 300 assisted opening knife from Howes Knife Shop. First off thanks Jim for the great service and lightening fast shipping. I received this knife from Jim and right out of the box I thought, this is a big knife, but the more you handle and use the knife you forget how big it is. The ZT300 is an awesome knife, it's as tough as nails, it just screams confidence, this is one knife you would never have to worry about using wether it's in bushcraft, at work, or around the house as an edc. I've been edc'ing it for about two weeks now and even with it's big size I don't even notice it in my pocket. When I do need it, it comes out smooth and the assisted opening is smooth, fast, and locks up rock solid. I was a little skeptical about the recurve blade especially for bushcraft, but I took it out for a hike this weekend and it works great for making fuzz sticks, cutting down small saplings, and carving, the knife is very comfortable in all grips and does an exceptional job. The edge on the S30V blade lives up to it's reputation too, it still shaves hair off my arm and I haven't touched the edge yet. I think the ZT300 is worth every penny, I don't think you could find a better production or custom knife than the ZT300. If you're interested in these I know Howes Knife Shop is carrying some models now and more to come, check them out.

 

[eomeo]

~2 miles or 2 hours: uses pockets
Binoculars
Small knife
Water bottle
Camera

Dayhike adds: uses lumbar pack
More water or filter
Fire kit
Med kit
Snacks
Clothes

Overnight adds: uses backpack
Airpad
Sleeping bag
towel
tent or hammock
more food
flashlight
good knife

 

[ForestRoamer]

i have never hiked with a gun in the last 30 years.. and im still alive.. where do you guys go hiking ??? in the bronx at midnight ?

I have "hiked" through the Bronx at midnight on many occasions and have never felt the need for a gun, but if I were hiking in a remote area with even a small chance of an encouunter with a dangerous wild animal I would not mind having the reassurance a firearm offers.

 

[Harayasu]

When I'm hiking, I don't want to carry too much in my pockets. For day hikes here in the Netherlands it is usually not more than
- folding knife and/or SAK,
- hand kerchief,
- lighter

For longer hikes outside my country I put a compass and map in the cargo pocket of my pants. Other stuff like water, food and first aid kit is in the rucksack.