The Best SURVIVAL Gear For Outdoor Adventures! 

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You need pliers in the backcountry....pulled about 100 porcupine quills out of my dogs mouth and face 10 miles from the truck on Monarch Crest trail

I keep about 20ft of paracord, but I also carry 100ft of 80lb braided fishing line. I can lash branches, make snares, tie stuff to pack, fish, sew and whatever else you can imagine. That way my heavier cordage stays heavy! We have kept a roll around for years when we had our farm. It's amazing stuff. And since it's made for fishing it is VERY abrasion proof. Like it's hard to cut with a knife

I would also like to recommend that i started using gitd reflective 550 cord on all my tie outs at camp...man!!!!!what a difference it makes at night as everyone is walking around... you can't miss it... I've always used od green or muted colors but recently switched to bright and reflective......makes a huge difference

Love my Leatherman Surge, too. You’re right that the wood saw is very effective.

The area you live in and travel in are beautiful, while I'm in the northeast and am not shy to nature, the mountains youre around are astounding.

Putting tape over your signal mirror is a good idea. I'll give you one of my ideas. A few years ago, I switched from Bankline and #550 paracord to #550 braided fishing line. It has the same strength as standard paracord but is only as thick as a single inner strand of paracord. I recently picked up a rope making tool so that I can process 4 strands of fishing line into #2200 cord. It might still be thinner than standard paracord.

The Leatherman Surge is the best product they ever made. I love mine. It has gotten me out of more jams than I can count and gets used regularly for a myriad of day to day tasks.

I always carry both 550 & #36 bank line. Also carry a Victorinox ranger.

So many videos on EDC and survival tools miss the "mental distraction" component. Thank you for the great idea.

Nice setup. I carry 20 ft of SurviorCord which covers a lot of fiber related bases. Big fan of the Leatherman Surge. Got mine at REI for $120 by using a 20% off member coupon about 3 years ago. I would add a mini sewing kit and a credit card size fresnel lens. Neither take up much room and are extremely light. Thanks for sharing, your backup flashlight is the bomb.

Coincidentally, I’m in the process of building one of these for my brother. In the dark days before RU-vid, me, and my backpacking buddies called these Lint Kits because we stuffed one of the pockets full of dryer lint as firestarter lol

Yes! More updates! Thank you! 🙏

For my compact hiking kit Tools: Mora 511/ or companion and Bacho folding saw, Leatherman with a saw on it (usually Rebar because it’s light weight) *Water: 8 oz titanium cup, and platypus bag (this is empty for the kit- I always have 2ltr of water to start when I go hiking) *Shelter: Frog Togs poncho and a single use Mylar blanket. 2x 50 gallon drum liners Cordage: 100 feet bankline, apx 25 feet of paracord. *Sylvia Compass *An old drivers licenses in my name for ID purposes wrapped with about 6 feet of gorilla tape. *Mini Bic lighter, one box of matches, and Light My Fire Army sized firesteel. About two feet of folded up wax paper stuffed in the kit somewhere is all ya need for tinder. *signal: I have an XXL orange long sleeve shirt that I can cut the sleeves off into strips to make trail markers, can make a head wrap from it, and still have enough to put over my pack and my coat. Also can be used as a scarf for extra warmth. *headlamp and pen light *walmart el-cheapo Swiss gear packable puff vest that balls up to the size of a softball

Great video, good comments and info. I waffle back and forth on pliers. They really come in handy for repairs. If you’ve ever had to sew thick webbing, you’ll really appreciate pliers to help pull the needle through rather than trying to push it all the way through. I had the shoulder strap break on a backpack while in the backcountry once. I was technical mountaineering so the pack was very heavy (ropes, protection, ice tools). I did not have anything to stitch it with, so I had to knot the webbing together. The strap was way too tight, but I made do. A heavy needle, heavy nylon thread, and pliers would have allowed me to repair it in a much more useable way.

Thanks for a good video. The webbing on the pouch is not MOLLE, it is PALS webbing. PALS stands for Pouch Attach Ladder System. MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load carrying Equipment. The packs and pouches are part of the MOLLE system, the webbing is PALS webbing.

One of the first things that I take is a good quality pair of bright binoculars. They don’t need to be massive. I don’t see any of these survival type videos ever even mentioning that item. A good quality compass is better than the useless thing you have there. And a small foldable solar panel is also a must with a multiple usb, usb-c, micro usb, lightning cable. As for a small light, I would suggest taking a look at the Wuben X3 with its optional powerbank. It lasts for weeks on a single charge. I got a couple from their kickstarter.

My headlamp is a Fenix HM61R V2, you can remove it from the headband and have a 90° flashlight with a magnetic base. I took the factory reflective headband off and put an olive drab Princeton Tec band on (just had to make 2 little cuts in the baseplate).

You've always been a staple for me for not only great gear recommendations but just being an all around good person in general.... thanks man!!!!and I use depending sometimes 550 sometimes #36 Bank line and recently been going with tecnora line...

I laugh at people who cut the handle of the tooth brush they hike with in half, just to save a gram or two. I'd rather be able to carry what I need. By say getting into shape. I carry an old Gerber Multi Tool, I have been since the 80's. By today's standards it is heavy. But it will outlast me.

I bought my Surge about 4 years ago and have never looked back. It's the best! I carry bank line and paracord.

I use a pliers based leatherman blast for urban survival and a victorinox swiss army camper for woods survival.

Agree on the pliers. I use the Helikon Tex Essential Gear Bag - it is bigger, but also holds a small med kit and the water bottle so for those 3-4 hour hikes, it is the only bag I need to take.

Thanks for the vid. So nice to see one that is for EMERGANCY SERVIVAL and giving the reasons that you chose the items. Very important. 1st time viewing this site but now subscribed. Once again, Thanks.

I would add a few cliff bars and a small fishing kit and maybe some snare wire , just in case

I think you have it covered, one can tell you have really thought it thru. Thanks for sharing.

Ive been saying this since i bought one, the Leatherman Surge is the best multi they make.

I owned a Rovyvon E5 and they are exceptional little lights and I loved all the features it had but those lights have one major flaw and that is the clasp. The clasp being metal eventually wore down the plastic it attached to and I started to lose batteries since it wouldn’t stay closed. Very basic to the point kit and as always great vid!

Also need: a magnet, a magnifying lens, string, fishing hook/line, muslin, mini-pack of playing cards, luminous sticky notes/mini-pencil(tik-tak-toe,hangman etc / maze-notes) & a needle/thread(like Rambo). Also something to deter creatures like red-ants, mosquitoes,etc e.g. incense stick

I use bankline as my primary expendable cordage. 550 is my non expendable cordage system for ridge lines and 6 ft utility ropes

I would add a pre-threaded sewing needle sealed in a straw.

get small power cords. I use 4" with 3 ends, C, Lightning, mini. Takes a quarter the room as your long ones

I still have THE ORIGINAL Leatherman Classic my brother gave me like 35-40 years ago and it is STILL a beast. It's lightweight because it just has the basics & not a bunch of gimmicky crap. The only thing I would change to the Classics would be replaceable wire cutter blades on the pliers in case you damage them. I've been hesitant to use it on anything other than very small wire because of that. I also carry micro-tools too to supplement some of my kits like the Gerber Dime and one Coast micro-tool that I have found is excellent, they both have scissors, the Dime's kinda worthless but the Coast's scissors is outstanding. The Dime has a hook that is great at opening those crappy hard plastic bubble wrap that the industry went to, but also wire stripper, MRE bag opener. The Dime's pliers have a nice tip detailed work compared to the others.

Awesome vid! I love the Surge. I’ve been using the Leatherman Free P2. Not as many tools as the Surge, but I love the magnetic action. Plus the tools being external is a bonus

Always carry # 35 bank line. And a 25 feet paracord with 4 prusik knots for fast ridge line

Very helpful, thanks!

I suggest 36 tarred bank line and or survivor cord

Glad you said that at 17:20. I realize sometimes you use what you have or what you can afford (black tools, camp bags, etc). But if it is really a survival kit, you want every opportunity to be seen. You aren’t going to be hunting turkey or hiding from Ice T. Especially because, 99.99% chance this will live at the bottom of your day-pack and seldom see the light of day except maybe at camp if you forgot something.

Really awesome kit!!!!!! Very well thought out....and I've never seen those water bottle attachments.... HOW cool!!!!!I hate water bladders too...and having to stop every time I need a drink gets to be a major pain!!!!!

Do you carry any sort of food? I keep lifeboat biscuits or cliff bars, honey sticks and instant coffee in mine. Getting lost sucks, but its a lot better with a cup of coffee and a touch of breakfast! One other thing I carry is several of the "strobe" fireworks. They are tiny, weigh nothing, but can be seen for miles even at dusk. To be found, you have to be seen!

Great kit!

I have that exact same Petzel head lamp (different color) and I love it. I didn’t know that is what the little bag is for…😂😂..good to know. I have the little clamshell carrying case as well. That kit is quite similar to mine, except I use a Vanquest Husky which you got my interested in years back. Lastly, I carry a work sharp field sharpener too. Love that thing. I keep mine in a little zipper nylon pencil case I got from a Michael’s store. The thing fits in there perfectly and even has a clip. Best $2 I ever spent. 😎

I keep both a Victorinox (normally Huntsman but have many) and a Leatherman in my kit. One is always in pocket and other is in pack. I’m a big fan of Victorinox scissors and saws but love Leatherman’s pliers and bit kit.

Thanks for the video! Just bought that little multi tool. Looks very handy. Always have a leatherman of some sort on my belt.

Im rocking a knock off of the older Maxpedition FRP. I picked the Gerber Suspension-NXT because it has a pocket clip., and RangerGrip79. My pouch is a bit too heavy but it almost has everything you would need so I based my bag around it. I picked MOLLE because its modular.

Love the content. Putting together something similar for some camping trips with the kids this summer

Great loadout and good that you mention to also bring it on day hikes. I EDC an SAK in my pocket but in my outdoor survival pouch is a simple multitool with pliers. I think all stuff in your outdoor survival pouch should be redundant so in normal situations you don't even have to open it. If you take things out and forget to put them back your are now outdoors without the item.

Normally use both. 550 and bankline. For a lightweight kit. I use bankline or Atwood micro cordage. Nice kit. Ive got one similar made using a large utility pouch. I like my Surge but the size and weight cause me to leave it at home normally. Unlike the contestants on Alone, i can bring more than 10 things. That has a lot to do with tbeir choices. Jmo. Excellent video sir!

I would also recommend the Kanipex mini pump pliers and a set of mini bolt cutters. Very excellent pair of tools.

Thank You

Awesome video! I had the charge TI and ended up going with the Arc for my EDC.

Love the flashlight combo. Definitely going to check them out. Thanks for your continued content 👊👊

Nice review!

Love your videos! I have made entirely too many purchases thanks to your gear reviews haha

Another great video Aaron!

I love the nite ize gear ties!!! SO useful...i bought some others from Wal-Mart there like a heavy duty reusable zip tie almost...made in the USA and comes in multiple colors.... very handy to hang things at camp or hang things from your vag maybe but we use them around camp to hang cooking utensils pots pans lights whatever they work awesome

A 'survival kit' IS my kit. Additional gear is either for a specific task or comfort. Always buy the best basic (5Cs of survival) gear you can afford - you can get by with less expensive snivel stuff. Always consider environment in your decisions.

So much usable information in this video. Thank you

I like the load out.

I bring a mini-multitool with pliers. Might as well.

Thanks again for what you do.

And a Middleton Black and Mild cigar.

Thanks for showing your kit and sharing your thoughts 👍. Hope you and your family have a good Easter. Take care.🇺🇲🔪🌲🔥

I ditch the para cord for bank line. and I always use the surge. I upgraded from the wave, and I use my surge every single day.

Having that little game is actually a brilliant idea.

Nice kit, thanks.

I got the same system for lhandsfree light - try the tikkina - I prefer it to my actik after trying both for over 12 months - tikkina my fav headlamp

Awesome video! 🔥

Great kit

The Surge is my truck edc. Wish extra blades.

Dude, replace the Surge with a Powerpint. The lighting system isn't what I use, but is well thought out and seems super functional. "I put scotch tape on my signaling mirror to keep from scratching it.", smart! Definitely buying the fire wick, that's awesome. Your fire kit in general gets 5 stars from me. I give the overall kit an 8.5 out of 10. Any other beef I have with it is just personal preference stuff. Well done sir!

Fire kit! Numerous ways to get fire!! 1 is none, 2 is one!

Good option is a victorinox huntsman!

Solid kit.

Great, thanks!

I would maybe add a few cliff bars and a small fishing kit , maybe a small snare wire , in case

I keep 25’ of parachord and a hank of 36 bank line and to me it’s more than enough. Right now I’m torn between carrying my leatherman or my victorinox ranger grip lol

Great updates mate. Cheers from Australia.

I always have a multi tool on my belt. So no extra weight in the pack.

There called one tie....Walmart sells them that's where i got mine you can probably get online as well... but my lord they work so awesome

Great video buddy

Newbie here. Looking for real users advice on multitools Mine should be able to cut barbed wire more than once. Have a good saw. The knife should be able to feather stick and scrape firesteels. A good pair of scissors would also be useful. Can and bottle opener. Don't necessarily need screwdrivers. Focused on bushcraft, hiking. I could use some real users advice, and no commercial bs. Thanks in advance! Greets, TW.

I love these videos,man i wish i could have it all

G'day Aaron, nice well thought out kit mate and yep always provokes a heap of analysis ; ) Personally, with its fantastic internal organisation, my Rush 12 is my kit, so I'll have a bit more than a pouch can hold. However, on body; a minimum !!!! of knife, compass, ferro rod & phone. In the bush, I'll carry both paracord and No. 36 bankline, as well as HD "stitching thread" just fine enough to use with a sail needle, (weighs noth'n and saves pulling other cordage apart for repair tasks). I'm surprised you dont carry a sighting compass, the mirror comes with it, as does a magnifier. Also, I reckon mini binos are often overlooked, (pardon the pun), I'll carry 'em even just for bird and animal watching, but "seeing far" is a pretty handy capability for plenty of other reasons too. Re; multitools ......... yeah, I had to chime in ; ) I went through my whole bag and found only three screws, folding saw, sunglasses and MC-2 compass declination screw. The compass comes with a tiny flat driver that fits my sunglasses too. The back of a knife blade, or several other items for that matter, can deal with the saw. I dont carry glass bottles, occasionally tins, though they have their own ring pull. (even if it breaks, annoying, though not difficult to get inside). Why carry scissors if you have a knife, .... or two, lol. .....In fairness I do have a pair of proper ones in the med kit. Pliers are good for manipulating hot pot lids, bail handles and the like ............ but so is a stick. Unless one is a snare trapper for example, not worth the carry IMO. Obviously I'm not a fan, though rather than simply saying I dont like 'em, I thought it important to say why. But hey man, (and like anything else), if you find 'em useful, far be it from me to say dont carry 'em. Especially with so many choices and knowledge sharing these days, main thing is you can get jobs done effectively, and in the simplest of terms. Cheers Duke.

Bankline with jungle knots

I carry paracord and bankline. PC is way more reusable than bankline bc of the tar IMO.

Nice kit

Thanks for another awesome vid...

The weight of pliers in a multi tool are worth it. They can come in handy pulling things off a fire. I've used it once to pull a large splinter out (yeah, it was big), but I couldn't get a grip with my fingers. Re: Alone - P4 Leatherman, Clay Hayes. Fantastic YT channel, one of the longest lasting...the things he did with the P4 on that show were amazing (granted, much of that is skill). Bankline is in my 60L longer term pack, I have firecord in my smaller pack. I love the uberleben system and ferro rods (but when it comes to fire and tender, I have A LOT of redundancy).

You asked about bankline. I'm a HUGE fan of good bankline. I carry 1/4lb each of #36 and #12 at a minimum. Also, I'm on team pliers.

Great video I really enjoy learning about the new hydration system I think it's pretty cool man great job

Everyone needs to have a head lamp of some kind. Your at home sowing up a pair of pants? Bam light. Got to us the John at 2 am after taco bell night? Covered. Wiring up that sick new sound system and need some extra light where you are working? Perfect. I literally keep a head lamp either on my person or in arms reach at all times. Also going to say a toothbrush and some toothpaste in a survival bag. Might not be a popular opinion idk. But you still need to be able to take care of yourself.

Awesome kit and gear 👍🏽 I carry a Leatherman 300 for a multitool.

I have a similar setup in a large vasque EDC pouch I think it’s 10 by 12 if I remember right. I love the dice I also have a pair of titanium dice along with a deck of water proof heavy duty playing cards mythical creatures edition 😃. Oh and great giveaway hook a brother up playa 😎.

Thanks for this, as always, Aaron. I'm curious about the headlamp that failed. Might be important information. In any event, I have pretty much stopped using pliers-based multitools, even in the bush. I rely on my Victorinox Workchamp, because it has an excellent saw, file, and scissors, has a good-sized locking blade, andhas pretty good ergos too. For pliers I carry a Knipex in a pocket pouch with some other tools.

Can never have enough gear … until it’s too heavy haha Love the content! 👍🏼

Switch off wifi, bluetooth, tracking, notifications etc on your phone to conserve battery.

I use lawson glow wire for cordage

Surge is King 👑🏆

wrap the trigger on your Big lighter so it won't leak on you Like the tap on the mirror