Bushcraft Kit List

I have several comments to make, please don’t be offended, they come with my best wishes for your continued enjoyment of our mutual interest in hiking, camping and bushcraft.

1. Get a bigger, better, rucksack. Your current item does not have enough room to stow your sleeping bag and mat inside. This leaves it exposed to damage such as snagging on trees and barbed wire, and to the elements. People often forget that there is bad weather in Britain and wet kit will kill, you can die of exposure with ease.
My reccomendation: snugpac Rocket Pack. Great piece of kit, side pouches can be removed and zipped together onto a yoke to make a daysac, and it comes with two built in waterproof covers. Look it up on line. And it’s tough. A lot of soldiers use them apparently, if it’s squaddie proof it can’t be bad. Personally I use side pouches made by Webtex as they have an internal pocket for water bladder or tools and still fit the rucksac and yoke.

2. Unless you are in very changeable weather you will rarely need that much spare clothing. Spare socks and underwear, and a fleece are about it for most short expeditions.

3. Ditch the white water bottle, get a black army surplus one and a Surviva Pure bottle. The black bottle for storing/carrying your water, the surviva pure for purifying. Make sure the black bottle is an actual army job not an el cheapo copy as it won’t seal. The white bottle is not robust and has a narrow neck making it difficult to clean. It also admits light and will allow your water to deteriorate and go green. Last year I spent three days camped out on the shores of a lake in northern spain and drank lake water via the surviva pure bottle. All fine, no gyppy tummy.

4. Lose the kelly kettle, extra weight, you already have a billy. If you are concerned about getting the inside of the billy dirty, get some food bags suitable for freezing and then boiling the food. Put your food in the bag, put the bag into the billy full of water. When it boils your food will be hot, you will have hot water for a brew, and your billy will still be clean inside.

5. I love sweet coffee, but I won’t carry the extra weight of a coffee maker. I use Kenco 3 in 1 sachets. Coffee, sugar, powdered milk all in one, just add hot water, and it tastes excellent.

6. Knife, first aid kit, head torch and what you say are the contents of your daysack should be on your person in case your rucksack is lost or stolen. Put dayglow pink or orange self adhesive paper on the back of you note book. It makes a good visible signal if you need to attract attention.

7. My wash and shave kit fits inside a spectacle case except for the microfibre towel and stainless steel shaving mirror which can also be used for signalling.

I have said enough for now, but would welcome more discussion. It takes a long time and a lot of trial and effort to arrive at your ideal kit list. Best wishes and happy hiking.
Kendo