Everything below is kit that I own and use routinely when camping, canoe tripping, hiking, and hunting. If you are looking to get some ideas on buying new gear the information below may help. Some of the kit is expensive, but most is moderately priced. I tend to avoid spending a lot of money and try and find gear that is durable yet priced right for my wallet.
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Backpacks / Dry Bags / Field Pouches
Sleep Systems: Tents & Hammocks
Sleeping Bags & Blankets
Cooking / Meal Prep / Mess Kit
Wood Prep: Saws and Axes
Knives
Solo Canoe
Navigation & Sat Communication
ALICE PACKS
For day backpacking, bushcrafting, and maybe spending a night or two outdoors I use either a medium or large Alice Pack.
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SEAL-LINE DRY BAGS
When canoe tripping on multi-night trips a good dry bag is a must.
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SLEEP SYSTEMS: TENTS
LUXE TEMPO 2 MAN TENT
I like a little more room than what a single man tent provides. This one works great and has fantastic ventilation with full rain fly coverage. Larger versions also available.
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Coleman Instant 9×10 Six Person Tent
When I started overland tripping I wanted a bigger tent that could be setup in under a minute, taken down in a couple minutes, and large enough to accommodate a couple cots and gear storage. After some research I settled on the Coleman Instant Popup tent, 9′ x 10′, six person. I love this tent for car camping and overlanding travel vacations. Durable and weather tight!
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SLEEPING BAGS, BLANKETS, PADS
JUNGLE BLANKET
Great for warmer spring and autumn night, and all through summer. Very compact.
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WOOL BLANKET
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TETON 3 SEASON SLEEPING BAG
I rarely bring along a sleeping bag, but if it looks like my spring and fall camping will have colder nights I always bring this along. Otherwise I just use my jungle blanket and or wool blanket.
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KLYMIT INSULATED STATIC V-LUXE SLEEPING PAD
Even in the summer months I use an insulated sleeping pad. It rolls up nice and small and is light in the pack.
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COOKING / MEAL PREP / MESS KIT
SOLO STOVE AND SOLO POT
I love this thing. It’s a twig stove that stores compactly inside the Solo Pot. Best used for solo campers, or perhaps two people. Larger sizes available. Uses twigs and scrap pieces of vegetation to cook your food. Works great!
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ETEKCITY ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKING STOVE
Carry it around in a case that measures around 3″ x 2″. It weighs less than 4 ounces. Just need a canister of Jet Boil to fuel it, which is also small and compact to carry. I will carry this is a backup to my twig stove above.
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TITANIUM SPORK
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HONEST OUTFITTERS MESS KIT
I usually don’t carry this with me unless my wife is going along camping. Usually I get by just fine with my Solo Stove/Solo Pot combo and titanium spork.
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GSI 8″ FRY PAN
A must have for my canoe fishing trips! Comes in various sizes. Don’t forget to bring along a cheap spatula from home!
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SI OUTDOORS MINI ESPRESSO / COFFEE SET
Love this little coffee set. Makes great coffee fast. I use it on my twig stove, my mini burner… works great. 4 cup version is the best. The 1 cup version just wouldn’t cut it.
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WOOD PREP: SAWS & AXES
AGAWA CANYON BOREAL 21 FOLDING SAW
It folds up into a straight piece of kit. Unfold and snap it into place and you have a great hand saw for around the camp. Light and portable.
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GRANSFOR BRUKS WILDLIFE 13.5 INCH HATCHET
This sweet little hatchet is the best I have ever owned. I’ve only had it since May 2019. It was given to me as a gift, and I simply love the thing.
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GERBER 14 INCH HATCHET
Mine is all black. I’ve had it for over twelve years now and it still is going strong. Light yet hefty, and chops small to medium sized wood for the campfire like a champ.
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KNIVES
GERBER GATOR PREMIUM DROP POINT
Premium knife, full tang, S30v Stainless Steel… A very hard steel. Keeps it edge. I honed mine once, and now strop it to keep it nice and sharp. 4 inch drop point blade, perfect size, not too big or small. Skinning, camping, bushcrafting, battening… Fantastic knife.
SWISS ARMY RANGER GRIP 78
In addition to my belt knife above I also carry this knife with me for longer trips like into the BWCA. It is a good general use tool for around camp. I have used the small saw a few times and the flat head screwdriver to fix a few things on my outings. It’s not a small pocket knife, folded up it measures 5.1″.
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SOLO CANOE
OLD TOWN GUIDE 119
A good solo canoe for day tripping or even longer extended week long trips. Stable, affordable, durable.
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BENDING BRANCHES SLICE SOLO 280cm PADDLE
I started out with a 250cm paddle and kept getting drips inside my canoe. I switched to a longer paddle, this one, at 280cm and no more drips!
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NAVIGATION & SAT COMMUNICATION
GARMIN inREACH SE+
I’m old school and learned long ago to use a compass and map for land navigation. Today I still carry, and will always carry, a map and compass with me. The inReach SE+ is capable of land navigation as well, but the primary function I use it for is to check in with my wife at home when in areas outside of cell phone reach. Also, it has an SOS feature in case I find myself in a serious medical situation when alone in the wilderness. Peace of mind.
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BOY SCOUT COMPASS
I don’t have this new version seen below, mine is about thirty years old. It works great, and nothing fancy or more than you need. Affordable and functional.
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