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15 Comments

1. This has got to be the most comprehensive travel kit ever Great organization too Nice work.

2. An incredible list you have packed. Do I understand that you take most, if not all, as a carry on to an airplane?

   1. Yep – everything listed up to the section titled ‘Checked Kit’ goes in my carry-on bag.

3. I probably missed this…..how much does that carry on pack weigh?
   You have more access to usable materials in your pack than I do in my whole house!

   1. Without water in the water bottle it comes in at a little under 18 pounds, which I find comfortable to carry given my physical condition and travel style.

4. The problem in creating any of these bags/kits is what to leave in and what to leave out. It is impractical to carry everything you might need and it is a simple truth that you cannot always predict what you will need in a specific SHTF situation. But never the less I love to read these articles where someone has taken the time and energy (not to mention expense) to prepare such a kit so I can at least have a good list to choose from and the benefit of the thought process the author put into the kit.

5. Hammocks are tricky to use in camping so too in emergencies. First if it’s cold out insulation must be on top and on bottom and a tarp must be placed over it to block wind/rain.. Sleeping on the ground without an insulating pad is cold but the same in a hammock is much worse and even with top end insulation the wind can rob your heat. I use high quality down top and bottom quilts with mine but many use a ground pad and sleeping bag. Second the comfort factor is very subjective and affected by your set up plus the type of material you are laying on (thicker or thinner). All of that is counterintuitive. For example I set my camping hammock up with the foot end about 12 inches higher than the head end to make it work best (most prefer half that) and I like a lighter material than most would recommend for someone my weight (think softer mattress compared to a firmer one). A raised foot end helps keep you from moving down into a scrunched up position at the center and removes the uncomfortable ridge that can form under your lower legs. They are a steep learning curve that if mastered are the best way to sleep outdoors for many. That said they are not for everyone and I’d always suggest a sleeping bag and ground pad for those who just don’t fit.

   I use a Warbonnet hammocks https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com
   and Hammock Gear insulation
   http://www.hammockgear.com

   Pricey but well worth it for luxurious camp bedding…I don’t scrimp on food and sleeping arrangements when traveling outdoors.

6. my $.02 – there is an awful lot of redundancy in there…and alot of small things to sort through and probably lose. And alot of stuff not really condusive to EDC as much as general preparedness. Lots of good ideas but I would classify this series of articles as a catch-all kit to be held at a BOL …maybe a vehicle and not really on a person intending to use as EDC. EDC/basic 3 day kit you dont need much more than water and socks, garments appropriate to weather and a willingness to be uncomfortable till you hit your goal. More than that needs a purpose – trust me, you dont want extra weight. Not saying this is not a well thought out list with some good tips…just not EDC the shear amount of stuff makes me cringe a bit.

   1. I somewhat agree, but keep in mind this is a travel comfort/safety/health kit as well as a survival kit. Everything in it is something I’ve used (or wish I had) one or more times while traveling. For example, I got a seriously upset stomach the day of a return flight from China once, and I was seriously glad I had the right meds with me, because the flight attendants weren’t allowed to give me anything. I’ve also spent several nights sleeping in airports due to snow storms, and the ability to make some hot soup or oatmeal when everything was closed, along with having a warm blanket, made a huge difference.

7. Just got home from Scotland and Ireland this past thursday and while all this gear is wonderful you would not want to be found with any type of knife on your person under any circumstance you won’t be going back to the USA for a while. I tend to read a lot of gun magazines could not find one magazine about hunting or firearms in general in any book store or any kind of store for that matter they do not even like to talk about the subject any gun ownership there is nigh impossible. But I and my wife had a great time non the less.

   1. Agreed – I was in Ireland a few months ago, and all I ever carried was my Leatherman Juice or my small SAK. I had a larger folder but it stayed in my suitcase in my room (just in case). The SAK and the Juice are both Ok for carry in the UK, since the blades are under 3″ (https://www.police.uk/crime-prevention-advice/possession-of-weapons/).

   2. Ghillies(forest rangers/game keepers) are about the only ones with firearms,except very wealthy wingshooters/hunters. Goes back to English genocides in Ireland and Scotland and carried on by misinformation in schools

      1. We visited a farm when we were there for a sheep dog demonstration and farmers can own a firearm for fox the only predator they have but he told me that the security background check is very extensive and you have to store the gun and ammo just so and you and you can be checked out for compliance at any time they count how many rounds you have or had and why you may have more or less very strictly regulated.

8. Glad you mentioned E6000. Old Army buddy tipped me to it, told me it’d glue farts to moonbeams. Great stuff.

9. Some suggestions–utility will depend upon location (rural USA, post-disaster (e.g, hurricane) urban and suburban areas, Third World poor areas) and situation:

   1) The military have large maps of foreign areas that fold up to small packages –called Evasion Charts. Maps include local knowledge — foreign phrases, edible wild plants, poisonous plants, dangerous wildlife, environmental dangers, survival info, etc. Knowing the Arabic words for “spring” ,”well” etc can be useful in a desert area. The Sahara and Gobi have hidden water sources if you know where to look.

   The chart is waterproof, hence can be used for cover, collect water,etc.
   https://bushcraftusa.com/forum/threads/dod-issued-evasion-chart-evc.16968/

   Mentally, I have a problem being 100% dependent upon the internet for navigation, although it is certainly very useful for finding alternate routes around massive traffic jams. Still, I like a map even if it is a backup.

   2) In many places –including the USA — a mosquito headnet can be useful, given the nasty diseases being carried by mosquitos. It can be worn under a hat and it lets you sleep outside at night without being eaten up, if you have long sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and gloves.

   3) Deet. Lots and lots of Deet. The small enemies can screw you worse than the big ones.

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