This is a list of the kit I take out when I'm hiking, camping or practicing bushcraft in the UK. Although I used to spend a lot of time in the outdoors when I was younger, I've only recently started doing it again so I'm still working out the best "load out" for various activities. When I started putting this kit together in 2020 I had a few principles in mind...
Comfort is context-dependant: a giant sleeping bag & fancy pillow are comfy, but their bulk and weight are uncomfortable to carry. A lightweight frying pan makes for a more comfortable pack, but cooking in camp is harder and less comfortable. When making trade-offs about kit, this principle forces clarity on what personal comfort means to me.
My kit also needs to work for both bushcraft and long-distance hiking. With bushcraft, durability wins the day; with hiking, low weight/size matter more. Where a compromise works well, go for that – otherwise lean hard in one direction.
<aside> 🧟 This principle also deprioritises "optimise for survivability". I'm in the UK, usually in populated areas with decent weather. While I might carry some survival kit, given a choice between being comfortable or surviving the zombie apocalypse, I'll prioritise the former.
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Wherever possible, choose kit that can do more than one job – so long as it does both jobs well.
Outdoors equipment can be insanely expensive. And as with most things, that expense is sometimes very justified. I'm not adverse to spending good money when it brings significant value in usefulness or longevity. If not, spend carefully. 💸
My spending rules...