j williams
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2005
- Messages
- 11,135
I went to hit the woods today and when I grabbed my pack, my gear was a mess. Ive been out alot lately, and have been using stuff, and putting it back, and stuff was just a mess. So I decided I needed to replenish some stuff and check it over good, and then put it all back in its spot. Ive been meaning to do a rundown of my basic gear loadout for the benefit of the newer guys who may be as confused about what to take as I once was, so I figured it was as good of time as any. :thumbup:
I am not an expert. I am by no means telling you what to carry. Ive found in the years Ive been doing this, Ive spent a ton of coin trying to figure out what was needed, what was not needed, and then what I needed to accomplish what I wanted to do. I carry the same basic loadout everytime I go to the woods. Adding stuff only by how im sleeping(ground pad, hammock, wooll blanket, etc), or how im cooking(pan, MRE, cookpot, woodgas stove etc) or how many days I expect to be out(clothes, hygene, food). Another thing dictated by situation is my tools. Axe, Chete, Knives. Other then that I pack the same items, every time. Some guys go with many kits. Small dayhike water bottle kits, dayhike kits, Bug out kits, multi day kits, and on and on and on.......Thats fine and dandy, but it confuses the hell out of me. Ive been there done that, and I found I forgot what I had in what, and was missing something I needed or wanted when I was out. So through the years my gear has evolved into this. Modular(not in the tactical sense), minimal, and above all, familiar. So if your still with me....
My basic gear loadout.
1)Skeeter headnet. A favorite multi use piece of gear.
2)Guyot/GSI. These are good. Many, many fires and still goin strong.
3)PSK. I know its supposed to be on me and not in my bag. I dont roll like that.
4)Tarp line kit, and cordage kit, as well as 6 tent stakes.
5)BCUSA 10x10 Etowah tarp. This might be a GI poncho, ground sheet, BCUSA tarp, or any combo thereof.
6)Brain food kit. I always have my plant books. Learn 10x more then when they were on the bookshelf. Might also have a survival manual or even a novel. Depending on situation.
7)First aid kit
8)Round tin with seal. I use this for natural tinders. Also some flint in there I believe.
9)Bandana. Original multitool.
10)Spork
11)Small folding saw
12)Earplugs. For sleeping. Or ignoring bush tools. (Thanks IA. Good idea)
13)Swisstool Spirit. Why multitool? This bag goes with me in the car on the way to wherever im hittin the woods, and I like to fish.
14)Compass. Cammenga. I use this cause I was in the military, and its familiar.
15)Fish kit. I like to fish, so its nice to keep some stuff handy. I really like using my fly box for this. Handy to grap the pole, and the box and be comfortably mobile while fishing. Flys, hooks, tube jigs, etc...
16)Handheld torch, and headlamp. Gotta see in the dark. I like a light that runs on AAs for availability.
17)Notebook.
Thats what the core of my loadout consists of, and im fairly certain I could stay out a pretty long time if needed. It might sound like alot of gear, but it really isnt. Total basic loadout weight is 10.2 pounds without food/water. :thumbup:
Ive been using my Maxpedition Kodiak pretty much exclusivly since last fall. It rides to and from work, dayhikes, family outings, etc. Ive packed it all over the hills. Its a great pack. I was worried about the single shoulder strap, but honestly, I dont mind it one bit. I can get in and out of my pack quickly, and on the move without having to take it off, which is awesome. Maxped is well made. We know that. I opted for the Kodiak instead of the Sitka cause a good buddy told me to always go bigger then you think you need. Truer words have never been spoken. lol...Heres some pics of it loaded up with my basic setup. The bag weighs a whopping 4 pounds. Almost half as much as my gear. Total weight without water/food 14.2 pounds.
Top pocket
Bottom pocket( I do have a pair of leather gloves in the front too. I forgot about em)
Backside of interior
All buttoned up
Front side of interior
All buttoned up...
Heres a shot of your view if you swing the pack to the front with it on. Easy to see whats up.
Anyways, I hope this helped some of you, because it took forever to type.
Questions? Ask away.
I am not an expert. I am by no means telling you what to carry. Ive found in the years Ive been doing this, Ive spent a ton of coin trying to figure out what was needed, what was not needed, and then what I needed to accomplish what I wanted to do. I carry the same basic loadout everytime I go to the woods. Adding stuff only by how im sleeping(ground pad, hammock, wooll blanket, etc), or how im cooking(pan, MRE, cookpot, woodgas stove etc) or how many days I expect to be out(clothes, hygene, food). Another thing dictated by situation is my tools. Axe, Chete, Knives. Other then that I pack the same items, every time. Some guys go with many kits. Small dayhike water bottle kits, dayhike kits, Bug out kits, multi day kits, and on and on and on.......Thats fine and dandy, but it confuses the hell out of me. Ive been there done that, and I found I forgot what I had in what, and was missing something I needed or wanted when I was out. So through the years my gear has evolved into this. Modular(not in the tactical sense), minimal, and above all, familiar. So if your still with me....
My basic gear loadout.
1)Skeeter headnet. A favorite multi use piece of gear.
2)Guyot/GSI. These are good. Many, many fires and still goin strong.
3)PSK. I know its supposed to be on me and not in my bag. I dont roll like that.
4)Tarp line kit, and cordage kit, as well as 6 tent stakes.
5)BCUSA 10x10 Etowah tarp. This might be a GI poncho, ground sheet, BCUSA tarp, or any combo thereof.
6)Brain food kit. I always have my plant books. Learn 10x more then when they were on the bookshelf. Might also have a survival manual or even a novel. Depending on situation.
7)First aid kit
8)Round tin with seal. I use this for natural tinders. Also some flint in there I believe.
9)Bandana. Original multitool.
10)Spork
11)Small folding saw
12)Earplugs. For sleeping. Or ignoring bush tools. (Thanks IA. Good idea)
13)Swisstool Spirit. Why multitool? This bag goes with me in the car on the way to wherever im hittin the woods, and I like to fish.
14)Compass. Cammenga. I use this cause I was in the military, and its familiar.
15)Fish kit. I like to fish, so its nice to keep some stuff handy. I really like using my fly box for this. Handy to grap the pole, and the box and be comfortably mobile while fishing. Flys, hooks, tube jigs, etc...
16)Handheld torch, and headlamp. Gotta see in the dark. I like a light that runs on AAs for availability.
17)Notebook.
Thats what the core of my loadout consists of, and im fairly certain I could stay out a pretty long time if needed. It might sound like alot of gear, but it really isnt. Total basic loadout weight is 10.2 pounds without food/water. :thumbup:
Ive been using my Maxpedition Kodiak pretty much exclusivly since last fall. It rides to and from work, dayhikes, family outings, etc. Ive packed it all over the hills. Its a great pack. I was worried about the single shoulder strap, but honestly, I dont mind it one bit. I can get in and out of my pack quickly, and on the move without having to take it off, which is awesome. Maxped is well made. We know that. I opted for the Kodiak instead of the Sitka cause a good buddy told me to always go bigger then you think you need. Truer words have never been spoken. lol...Heres some pics of it loaded up with my basic setup. The bag weighs a whopping 4 pounds. Almost half as much as my gear. Total weight without water/food 14.2 pounds.
Top pocket
Bottom pocket( I do have a pair of leather gloves in the front too. I forgot about em)
Backside of interior
All buttoned up
Front side of interior
All buttoned up...
Heres a shot of your view if you swing the pack to the front with it on. Easy to see whats up.
Anyways, I hope this helped some of you, because it took forever to type.
Questions? Ask away.
good idea on the glue stick too
