What's in your pack?

panzertroop · May 11, 2016

This question gets asked allot around the net. What's in your pack? What should I bring on a hike? I did a video on what I carry in a daypack or what I call my bushcraft daypack. Its specific to my needs but that doesn't mean it's the only way. My gear also fluctuates depending on weather and tasks at hand. Plus I love trying new gear so things get changed out often.

Right now I am using a Maxpedition Falcon II and I am enjoying it.

I keep my stuff organize via stuff sacks and pull outs.

Check out the video in HD

[video=youtube;yXiokM2hKF0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXiokM2hKF0[/video]

Fuori · May 11, 2016

Nice looking kit, thanks for posting the video. What pouch do you use for the Rite in the Rain notebook?

tknife · May 11, 2016

Always nice to see what folks carry. It would be interesting to see what is carried in different parts of the country, and other countries. Environment and weather being the biggest factors of gear selection.

panzertroop · May 12, 2016

What was the bag used for your fire kit?

That is was made by Eggroll on Lightfighter.com I am not sure if he is in business anymore.

pinnah · May 12, 2016

I keep a small fanny pack and organizer pouch in my car. These 2 bags get dropped into any pack I carry in the woods. There is some overkill for a day hike, this is out weighed by the simplicity of the approach. Other than restocking, I'm less likely to forget things.

Some trips require additional kit, but this covers 95% of it for me. Region is New England.

ESSENTIAL KIT
Basic tools
+ Map (typically moved to pants pocket)
+ Compass (in my pocket when off trail)
+ Altimeter watch (moved to wrist)
+ Lighter
+ Pocket knife (Opinel)
+ Leatherman Squirt PS4 (for small pliers and scissors, mainly)
+ Keychain flashlight on a lanyard (I wear this as a necklace at night)

Chemicals- Carried in a separate ziplock
+ Sun screen
+ Dermatone (in winter)
+ Bug dope
+ Ibuprofen
+ Iodine water purification tablets (water filter is carried separately on some trips)

Toiletries
+ Toothbrush and toothpaste (these are kept in a ziplock bag)
+ Toilette paper, hand sanitizer, disposable lighter (these are kept in a ziplock bag)

Repair kit - Carried in a separate ziplock
+ Spare Fastex 2" buckle (for backpack hip belts)
+ Section of adhesive nylon repair tape (for down jackets, bags and tents)
+ Heavy polyester thread, standard needle and curved upholstery needle
+ Spare stove filler cap (I typically carry a Svea 123 and this is the only part to fail)
+ Spare batteries (for headlamp)
+ Small roll of duct tape (wrapped around a cut-off disposable pen body

Emergency Gear
+ Headnet
+ Whistle
+ Folding saw (Carried October through April)
+ Mylar aluminium bivy sack/shelter
+ 2 Powerbars (emergency food)
+ Coil of parachute chord

Minimal 1st aid kit - Mostly focused on stopping bleeding and attending to feet
+ Antihistamines
+ Selection of gauze pads and band aids
+ Butterfly tape and small roll of bandage tape
+ Gauze wrap
+ Alcohol wipes, iodine wipes, small tube of triple-biotic ointment
+ Disposable razor (shaving shins)
+ Pre-cut moleskin and bottle of Skin Shield (for blisters)
+ Nail clippers, fine tweezers (splinters), Leatherman PS4 (scissors, pliers)
+ Spare disposable lighter

Woods Walker · May 12, 2016

Nice work brother! Thumbs up on your video over on Youtube!

Fuori · May 12, 2016

panzertroop said:
That is was made by Eggroll on Lightfighter.com I am not sure if he is in business anymore.

It doesn't look like it, but that is one nice pouch for it. I'll have to find something else. Thanks again for posting your pack!

leghog · May 14, 2016

As a general rule, if you stick with the ten essentials first published 40-45 years ago you'll be fine.

My slightly modified minimum essentials:
1. Map and Compass.
2. Water.
3. Extra clothing. Even in summer an extra pair of wool socks in a ziplock bag and an insulating layer (I use a old field jacket liner).
4. Rain coat.
5. Illumination (headlamp or flashlight).
6. First-aid kit.
7. Firestarter and redundancy (Bic lighter, ferrocerium rod, and an empty TP roll stuffed with dryer lint).
8. Knife or multitool (in my pocket I always have a peanut and on my belt I always have a Vic Farmer whether hiking or not).
9. Extra food/calories.
10. Water purifier.
11. Small camera.
12. Bright orange garbage bag which serves many purposes.
13. Whistle (which on my Osprey packs is an integral part of the chest straps).
14. A few small zip ties.

On overnighters and multi-nighters I'll add:
15. Stove and fuel.
16. Pot, cup, and spoon.
17. Food in a dry bag.
18. Tarp, stakes, and twine.
19. Tyvek sheet, airbed, and sleeping bag (and a watch cap in winter).
20. 50 feet of additional twine and about the same of 550 cord.
21. TP and a trowel.
22. Sanitation - tooth brush and small bottle of soap or hand sanitizer.
23. Additional under clothing.
24. Extra batteries for the headlamp.

Depending on the forecast or duration, I may add rain pants, but more often than not I leave them at home.

Winter adds a few additionals (clothing, towel, additional high calorie food/snacks, etc).

In my pocket I always have a bandana whether hiking or not.