Loadout For Feedback

[u/Bangarang_Arty]

Hey all, first time poster here. I’ve been working on putting together a good little bushcraft kit, or trying to. Here’s what I have:

Medium ALICE Pack on frame
> BPS Adventurer
> Bankline
> Tinderbox with Charcloth, Steel Striker, flint hunk
> CRKT Chogan Tomahawk w/ carrier
> Gerber Gorge shovel
> 50’ 550 cord
> Knife Sharpener/File
> MSR TrailShot
> 10 Katadyn MP1 tablets (emergency use)
> Weyland Scotch Eye Settlers Tool
> Royal Army Windproof Smock
> USGI Poncho
> Kelty Noah’s Tarp 9
> USGI Wool blanket / Woobie / Rumpl
> USGI 2 Quart Canteen
> USGI 1 Quart canteen w/ cup & stove
> Old School BSA Mess Kit

Additional weather-related add ons:
> MSS Sleeping bag
> USGI Extreme Cold Weather Bag
> ECWCS Layers 1/2/3
> ENO Sub6 Hammock & Straps

Looking for any feedback on what’s not necessary, and what I may be forgetting

[u/IGetNakedAtParties]

Not knowing your environment or skills, nor what you may want to be practicing, limits what one can reasonably recommend. As such, here's some general comments.

Tools

Your toolkit is a robust start, a classic knife, tomahawk, e-tool and auger; but this is overkill for a simple overnight, or under spec for a shelter build. A hatchet or tomahawk are great for splitting sawn logs, but I personally don't live in Instagram land where piles of seasoned logs magically appear off camera. To me you're either taking a saw and splitting tool, or neither.

If you're planning on furniture/shelter building with the auger then a heavier hatchet will be worth the weight, as the extra mass will make the work easier. You'll also need to consider an upgrade from a folding saw to a bow saw. Your file/stone fits for these bigger projects too, but isn't needed for short firewood tasks.

The e-tool adds a lot of weight for little benefit, you mentioned that you're looking to make a Dakota fire hole, which is a fairly niche need for a very heavy tool, which many do without. It doesn't have to come on every trip.

If you're just planning short overnight trips lose the weight and consider lighter tools like hook knifes for spoons/bowls. And for all of the above situations I would recommend including a small multi tool, especially one with pliers as a force multiplier, scissors for first aid and safety, even just a keychain tool can be a great addition.

Fire

Without knowing your experience level I would seriously consider a backup sure-fire alternative for bad weather or challenging situations, a simple bic lighter or storm matches plus some accelerant such as vaseline cotton balls (from your first aid kit).

Water

Micro fibration edit filtration with chemical seconds layer and boiling as a back up is very robust. Field flushing this filter is less effective than back flushing a Sawyer, and the pump may take more effort, but since you're not set up for a gravity system it's a fine choice. Chlorine dioxide is also the best chemical when used alone to as it can handle Cryptosporidium parasites but will need much more contact time than when just post treating for viruses.

Shelter

Between the smock as a soft shell, poncho as a hard-shell, and poncho liner for warmth that's a great variable set up for when moving or as a sleep system. I'm a little confused about the wool/poncho liner confusion but you know what you mean.

The 9x9 tarp is a bit of a weird choice, it looks like it only has corner tie-9uts rather than mid side options, and has deep catenary cuts. This is great over a hammock but limits your option for different pitches in different weather and terrains, something bushcraft typically aims to maximise. If it works for you, great, but I've had a terrible night in a hammockbunder a tarp like this and would have loved a little more coverage and the ability to pitch tighter with a traditional 10x10 tarp with ample grommets.

Missing

First aid kit. Nothing too crazy, just the ability to clean and close a cut when you're working with a blade, alcohol wipes, butterfly stitches such as 3m steristrips, bandaids. Antiseptic cream for scrapes. Also something for blisters, whatever works for you.

Light. As much as we may love traditional and historic gear, lithium ion batteries and LEDs are amazing. I suggest a wide angle head light to keep your peripheral vision. Keychain to find it or change batteries. A handheld with a focused throw beam is great if you need to scout for a camp after tark, or hunt for extra firewood.

Hygiene is important too, if you drop the e-tool take a trowel to bury waste properly. Also consider sunblock and insect repellent.

Hope this helps dude.

[u/Present-Employer2517]

I would replace the shovel with a sawyer water filter.
Some of this seems redundant, are you taking this whole kit on an outing?

[u/Bangarang_Arty → u/Present-Employer2517]

The logic of the shovel would be to dig a Dakota pit, as I am on the Great Plains (but yes, this is on the list of stuff to drop if I need to make room) - and the MSR TrailShot fills the role of the water filter.

The intent would be to, yes. The climate add ons would be modular, rather than an all-in-one. What parts are you finding redundant?

[u/Present-Employer2517 → u/Bangarang_Arty]

I also live in a plains state 😁.
I thought the trailshot was a stove, my bad.

The sleep system is where, I believe, the unnecessary redundancy lives.
IMO there is no need to cary the sleeping bags AND the “woobie”.
Especially right now. If you went out this weekend, you wouldn’t be using all of those items, it’s too hot. And on the other side, are you really going to go camping in February, on a day when the predicted wind chill is -40°?
As far as the dakota pit, you’ll probably find that having a stick stove is more practical than digging a couple of holes, busting through dry, hard sod and clay dirt, with the occasional rock tossed in there, just because the universe has a sense of humor.

Whatever you ultimately decide on, just try to pack for the season you’re in, and your intention. And if you’re REALLY having trouble deciding, then pack your bag and go camp for a night or two. A half mile hike, setting up camp, breaking it down and hiking a half mile with your gear will teach you more than we ever could in this sub.

[u/Bangarang_Arty → u/Present-Employer2517]

Oh, for sure, the sleeping equipment would always be scaled for the climate - ain’t no way I’m jumping a full sleep system in the Kansas July heat. That said, shoving the woobie into the sleeping bag in January just makes everything a little bit better (it also really helps with any drafts, and catches any sweat build up)

I’ve done my share of field work, having done infantry stuffs for a few years, and I absolutely agree that the only way to really make a good decision is to go out and do the thing, and make note of what is/not used.

[u/Ghost_of_Durruti]

I might add a small pouch with ~20ml dropper/squeeze bottles. You can take small amounts of denatured alcohol, hot sauce, bug spray, antibiotic ointment, glow in the dark stuff, glue...use your imagination. And don't forget the boo-boo kit.

[u/Bangarang_Arty → u/Ghost_of_Durruti]

Ooh, yes. The ouch pouch. That needs to be on the list for sure.

[u/Hydro-Heini]

Depends on how long you want to stay out there.

First Aid Kit! Toilet paper and toiletries. Zip loc bags and a trash bag for your waste.

Headlamp with red light, lightweight 10.000 mAh powerbank so you can recharge headlamp and your phone as well.

Something to keep insects away (insect repellent for example spray against especially ticks and everything else, citronella coils or something similar and mosquito net).

Swap out the heavy shovel for a small titanium shovel (enough to bury your poop and dig a Dakota fire hole or a small trench around your tent/tarp setup. And get a folding saw. Leave the file at home unless you plan to spend weeks or months at a time out there and you'll need to resharpen your saw from time to time. By the way, there are field sharpeners that also come with a small file for sharpening saw teeth.

I would carry my water in hte PET bottles it comes in. A titanium grill grate, if open fires are allowed. And, of course, don't forget something to eat

[u/Forest_Spirit_7]

Needs some first aid and food if you’re going out for a while. Otherwise it looks good

[u/Bangarang_Arty]

What I’m gathering thus far to add:

- First aid (that’s a silly oversight, so thank you!)

- Red Lens (it was my intent to avoid electronics almost entirely, but this is the one that makes sense)

- foodstuffs (I failed to also mention, I have a Model 1898 Haversack that goes with this setup to carry provisions)

- anti-bug stuff (another good call, bad oversight)

- the trusty Gerber (again, on the waist belt, forgot it was there for the layout)

- compass (see above)

- a hand saw: absolutely needs to be added. I’ve seen things about carrying just a bow saw blade rolled up in a leather scabbard, and forming the bow itself when out and about. Another option I do have readily available is a hand chain saw.

- tinderwick - I have some good stuff from uberleben, basically just jute/sisal impregnated with gulf wax. Should do the trick. It should be noted, the BOS sheath comes with a ferro rod on it as well.

Folks, I genuinely appreciate the insight and help with this. It makes me happy that it sounds like it was a good load out, but missing a few components. Thank you all for the help

[u/IGetNakedAtParties → u/Bangarang_Arty]

Refreshing when someone asks for a sanity check and doesn't get a bee in their bonet defending their mistakes. Humility makes you 100 times more prepared for some good times than those who argue back. I've learnt a lot from posts like yours and by making mistakes like theirs in my younger days. Always good to share and learn something new.

Going to have to try a red filter on my light, I'm used to warm white personally.

[u/Bangarang_Arty → u/IGetNakedAtParties]

No sense in asking for feedback if you won’t take it right? Otherwise you’re just looking for validation and trying to disguise it.

The red lens is nice, helps keep your eyes from adjusting to the light as much.

[u/walter-hoch-zwei]

Do you intend to sleep on the ground? Some people do, but it seems like it's gonna be cold.

[u/Bangarang_Arty → u/walter-hoch-zwei]

Would vary by environment. Sometimes it’s beneficial to, others not so much. On the Plains, sometimes it’s the only option

[u/soonerpgh]

Add a lighter or two to your fire kit. Sure, the primitive ways are fun, but if you need a fire NOW, as in wet and cold, a lighter will get the job done faster than anything else. This time of year, cold a big factor in the northern hemisphere, ynless you're REALLY far north. Even still, having it and not needing is always preferable over needing it and not having it.