Best Gear
* Gear you have with you. Nobody carries a heavy and cumbersome kit that they never use. So keep it tight… otherwise you will be tempted to just leave it in the car…
* Gear you use daily. Avoid kits that you never touch, since you won’t know what’s in it, if it’s still usable and being accustomed to using it. You need your kit to be almost a part of yourself and be able to use it without a second thought. Use your kit. Often. Then change the wearable items, sharpen your knife, make it fully usable again…
* Simple and low tech. Simple items are easy to find, use, and fix… and it’s easy to imagine alternative ways to use them. A stick can be used for thousands of applications. Much more than any complex tool. Simple gear also has less moving parts that can let you down when you need them most. The more it looks like a stick and less like a computer, the more usable and reliable it will be under duress.
* Uses gross motor skills. Under stress, we lose our fine motor skills and become brutal, destroying fragile hi-tech devices. Fixed blades are better than tiny multitools. Ponchos are better than shells with tiny zips, etc.
* Relevant to your needs. Many students come to courses with tons of useless, irrevelant stuff. They end up carrying heavy backpacks, spend hours digging in them finding and sorting out stuff… Drop the useless stuff
Minimal Kit
Pack / Belt
Water Container / Cup / Lid / Purification / (Utensils)
Water / Drink Mix / (Vitamins/Minerals)
Hat / Underwear / Vest / Shirt / Pants / Footwear / EyePro
Blanket / Bivy / Ground Cover / (Bag) / (Shelter)
Lighter / Candle / Tinder / (Warmer)
Knife / Multi-Tool
Bandana / First Aid / Tape / Whistle
Money / Keys / Valuables
Pen / Paper
Honey / Peanut Butter / Crackers / Bars / Jerky / Tuna / (Snacks)
Rechargeable Flashlight / Headlamp / Mirror / (Glow Sticks)
Stand / Stove / Fuel / Foil
Salt / Pasta / Rice / Beans / (Food)
Toothbrush / Paste / Floss
Repair Kit / Fasteners
Camera / Phone / (Batteries)
Toilet Paper
Compass (Map)
(Cards) / (Book)
Urban Survival Kit
Cell Phone
Credit Card
Pistol w Clip
Vehicle Kit
(List Above) plus
Bungees & Tow Strap
Saw / Hatchet / Box Cutter / Shovel / Pry Bar(s) / Chisel
Ground Cover / Cardboard / Tarp / Blanket
Gloves / Ear Plugs
Spare Tire & Jack & Handle
Fuse & Lamp Set
Fan Belt
Hazard Sign & Flares
Repair Kit (Detailed)
Nitrile Gloves
Q Bond & Super Glue
WD-40 & Liquid Wrench & Oil & Coolant & Washer Fluid & Spare Fuel
Silicone Paste & Graphite
Duct & Electrical Tape
Socket Set with Extenders & Universal Joint
Drill w Battery & Screwdriver & Hex & Torx Set (Magnetic)
Wrench Set & Crescent Wrench (Small & Large) & Torque Wrench & Breaker Bar
Vice Grips / Pliers / Hammer
Tire Pump / Blocks
Battery Charger / Jumper Cables
Zip Ties / Wire / Hose Clamps
Rags & Toothbrush & Wire Brush