what do you think of my list

[alex905]

i was board yesterday so i was playing around with equiptment lists and were to get it from. i used this a s a base http://www.woodsmoke.uk.com/p/v/Resources/Kit+Advice/Equipment/

and i used excel for all my links and stuff.

please keep in mind i am a poor student so chhep is good. i will put up with the cold

what am i missing or what could i improve on.

http://perfecthosting.biz/camping-equiptment.xls

 

[addyb]

Alex,

That's a fantastic list. Congratulations on putting together some excellent kit.

The only other thing I'd suggest that you look at it is a decent pocket sized survival kit. I'm a poor student myself so I know how hard it is to stretch a few hard earned dollars. Instead of buying an overpriced over the counter kit, you might want read over some survival manuals to get a good feel for what items you'd need. A tobacco tin works well for storing small items once you complile what you need.

Cheers,

Adam

 

[Zammo]

i was board yesterday so i was playing around with equiptment lists and were to get it from. i used this a s a base http://www.woodsmoke.uk.com/p/v/Resources/Kit+Advice/Equipment/

and i used excel for all my links and stuff.

please keep in mind i am a poor student so chhep is good. i will put up with the cold

what am i missing or what could i improve on.

http://perfecthosting.biz/camping-equiptment.xls

Alex don't buy stuff off the Ray Mears site its grossly overpriced.

For instance the Sabre 45 ruck sack he has for £89.95 can be purchased here for £67.99! (i've seen it cheaper elsewhere but can't remember the link).

http://www.johnbullclothing.com/products.asp?ID=1200

 

[Angus Og]

Alex don't buy stuff off the Ray Mears site its grossly overpriced.

For instance the Sabre 45 ruck sack he has for £89.95 can be purchased here for £67.99! (i've seen it cheaper elsewhere but can't remember the link).

http://www.johnbullclothing.com/products.asp?ID=1200

I agree, just had a look about and saved a £100.

Sabre 45 £70.00
http://www.awe-outdoors.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=97

side pockets £30.
http://www.awe-outdoors.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=162

Water purification £59.95
http://www.survivalschool.co.uk/acatalog/Water_Purification.html

 

[Brian]

Alex,

Good list mate, but as already said shop around for better prices, you could save a fair bit of money off your list

Brian

 

[alex905]

thanks for all the input my main prob with finding kit was i dident know any sites. but i will alter the list now or tommorow. and see what alse i can change

 

[moduser]

Hi Alex,

Good list. You'll find it get's refined alot as you use it.

Two things;

1. do you really need some many different ways of cutting things? Remember K.I.S.S. "keep it simple & stupid

2. You have a question mark around bug spray. People's opinions vary on this subject and a quick search of the BCUK archives will give you plenty of advice. Personally I prefer non DEET based products such as MossieGuard and Avon's after sun lotion (again explain in more detail in other threads)

Have fun and remember to practice with each piece of kit you buy in all weathers, even if it's in the garden or a local park. Make sure you can pitch your tent in the rain and in the dark. That you can light your stove or a fire when the wind and rain are relentless - kit is no good if you don't know how to use it.

david

 

[TheGreenMan]

...please keep in mind i am a poor student so chhep is good. i will put up with the cold

what am i missing or what could i improve on...

Hello Alex,

A few suggestions that are inexpensive and light weight (If you’re on foot all the way).

Useful little hand trowel for digging a small latrine (In soft-ish ground):
http://www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk/trading/misc.htm

Really good tinder pouch – this will last pretty much forever (I had a leather tobacco pouch many years ago, and within a year the plastic lining was very badly puckered and splitting:
http://www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk/trading/misc.htm

This ‘pocket cooker’ is a very nice piece of kit, great if you’re on land where you can’t light an open fire (Almost everywhere in the UK), and so long as you can gather a few twigs, you’ll never have to carry relatively heavy liquid fuels, and you won’t choke on the Hexamine, and it’s slightly kinder to the environment, and you’ll never have to buy fuel:
http://www.countrytrader.co.uk/acatalog/Outdoor_Cooking.html

This mat is nice and cheap, and no punctures to worry about. The ‘10mm Military Premium’ is, I believe issued by NATO, which is a little wider than the standard Multimat, and it’s more durable that the ‘value’ type:
http://www.skyblueleisure.co.uk/acatalog/Multimat_10mm_Military_Premium.html

And you can make up your own excellent medical kit with supplies here:
http://www.stjohnsupplies.co.uk/products/section.asp?cat=FC


Have fun!

Best regards,
Paul.

 

[Tengu]

For a poor student you seem to be planning on spending a lot.....

Im hard up too, so i get stuff from Car boots.

Ebay is good, though it is best to compare prices.

why dont you try making some things?

Theres lots of ideas on this forum.

you could start with some simple pouches and a coke can stove.

 

[addyb]

Moduser,

I know DEET isn't exactly a safe product and that's probably why in Canada, anything over 30 percent is a banned substance. I've tried using non-DEET products but for me they just don't cut it. I was lucky enough to buy the last two bottles of 100% DEET bug juice in an outdoor store once before they stopped carrying the product.

It's really powerful stuff. It'll melt synthetic clothing, strip paint off of axe handles and it's also a great firetstarter.

Adam

 

[moduser]

addyb,

That's why I don't like the stuff. Even the diluted version you can buy here in the UK cost me an expensive pair of shades, I forgot I had pushed them up on my forhead, when I sprayed my face with a DEET based repelent.

I came to the conclusion that if it does that to plastic I don't want it on my skin.

In fact I'm getting closer to the maxim that if I'm not prepared to ingest something I wont put on my skin - as my skin absorbs the stuff into my system.

Each to there own though

David

 

[addyb]

Well said!

 

[alex905]

just wanna thank Tengu for giving me a few bits and bobs. its the most generous anyone has been on a forum. :You_Rock_

 

[Feral]

the best insect repellent I have found is tobacco, the easiest way to make it is crush up half a dozen cigarettes with a little water and apply, our just chew them then apply.

 

[Grooveski]

Chew cigarettes?

You're having a laugh, surely?

 

[addyb]

Ya. I usually smoke 'em. What do YOU do with 'em, sir?

 

[alex905]

could be a new exprince. i dont really smoke but it could be good for a laugh. and i will have the added bonus of not getting bit

 

[alex905]

just wondering for all this kit do i need a 45 liter ora 100liter rucksack.

im gonna refine this list now with all your sugestions should knock off a few quide. also
Angus Og sent me a refionded version so with a few edits to that i should hve a final or near to list.

 

[moduser]

alex,

in fairness 45 ltrs should be more than plenty for the kit needed for a weekend and even a bit longer.

If the weather is going to be particularly cold/hostile then you may need extra room for spare/warmer clothes.

Personally 45 ltrs is what I prefer - easier to carry in dense woodland or over harsh terrain.

Remember to take what you need not necessarily everything you have

David

 

[big_swede]

Just some thoughts...

1) Why on earth do you wan't to spend more money on the sleeping mat than on the sleeping bag? A 10 mm foam mat is more than enough, as somebody already mentioned.

2) If you buy a tent, you won't need hammock, tarp, basha etc.

3) To cut corners, skip the tinder pouch and use a plastic ziplockbag, or a homemade canvas one.

4) Waterbottle? Use a PET-bottle(s), tape it up with ducttape to avoid sunlight (no good with bacterial growth), or spraypaint it.

5) if you have headtorch, why do you need a handtorch?

6) No need for two folding saws, do you need one at all, if you have both an axe, knife and multitool?

7) why the pouch? Seems really unnecessary.

8) Carry matches, and a firesteel as a backup, no need for a second firesteel

9) No real stove?

10) purification is available much cheaper... ordinary chlorine tablets (Puritab) or just boil the water for 6 minutes. Or use active carbon, etc.

11) I would skip the multitool

This was just my reflections, hope it's useful for you..