Nice video and common sense list. I see too many full of stuff that are more suited to somebody looking to trade lead with whoever they encounter Good to see the hydration items featured prominently. Thanks for the video
I've taken a very similar approach with your GP medium pouch. Mine is decidedly not TSA friendly due to the small puukko knife I keep in there (Sorry Evan, you'll never talk me outta my scandi-grinds haha ;). Its mainly space blanket, inreach, water purification, headlamp, compass and 2 ways to make fire, maybe a few other things I'm forgetting. I have a seperate first-aid kit. My survival kit and my first-aid kit both weigh about a pound each. (I was full-time on an ambulance for a long time so my first aid kit is a whole thing). Anyway, it works out great because when I move from pack to pack I just move these two kits with me and I have my bases covered.
Great video. It would have been nice to see the HPG Coyote Knife. It's a beauty, and it is without a doubt my current grail knife! The specs are exactly what I would want in my knife. Do you, by any chance, know when it will come back in stock? Also, I am curious to know which multitool and pocket flashlight you carry. I have several HPG packs and kits, including both the HPG Medium Belt Pack and the HPG Snubby Belt Pack. I found the Medium to be just right for my style of EDC carry - since it allows me to carry a few more things when needed - and I find the M2016 Butt Pack to be sufficient for my short, scouting trip pack. Great products! The only feedback I have is that it would be nice to have a more robust waist strap and a MOLLE sleeve that can be slipped over the strap in case one would want to add a few more things to the pack as you mentioned. I like to carry mine cross draw, and it would be cool to add an extra pouch or even my ESEE 3 directly to the strap. I like the idea of HPG packs being modular, but the belt packs are pretty standalone externally, even if they are modular internally. Thanks again for dropping knowledge!
We ordered more coyote knives months ago but I know LT Wright has a serious backlog so I odn't know when they'll come in. I'm carrying a Leatherman Signal as a multitool. For years I carried a Leatherman Sideclip which I also like a lot but the Signal has more functions which isn't horrible. I carry the regular (non USB) Streamlight Microstream. Dead simple, good level of illumination for what I use it for.
The point of this video is the contents - they're sold separately and you can put them in whatever container you like. We have toyed with the idea of selling the complete kit.
Solkoa can send me one of their very expensive tins for free and then maybe I will agree with them. However, until that arrives, pick the gear you need for the area you are going in, THEN pick your container to carry it all. Do not take a tiny tin if you need much more gear. Do I have tiny tins? Sure thing! Do I limit myself just to tiny tins? Heck no!
I had one of their tins for a while, def not worth it. Sorry Solkoa, you guys make great stuff, but the arbitrary idea that a survival kit needs to fit in an altoids tin is a man-made survival fantasy in my mind. I only say that because I went to tremendous effort to make a great one, and it just wasnt all-that.
I realize that there is additional context surrounding this which probably I should put into its own video -- this kit is NOT the primary plan anywhere that I go. A survival or preparedness kit by its very nature is for times when your primary and even your secondary plan has failed. You always pack for your primary plan. For example, my day hiking bag weighs a minimum of 20lbs, more in the winter. It's going to have enough water for most of a day, appropriate clothing and insulation, a robust emergency shelter (maybe even a tent), food, some kind of metal cup or pot, etc. etc. A survival kit then is for when you've somehow ended up in the exception case, lost all of your primary plan gear or whatever. That's why you are choosing the container first and filling it as best you can second. For example, on a motorcycle trip I'm already going to have all of the layers I need for the conditions I'm riding in, I'm not expecting to be in the backcountry, I'm expecting to have medical services somewhat readily available, etc. However, if all of that somehow goes sideways then this kit that I am able to throw in my saddlebags is what I'm going to have. On canoe trips I have a version of this that fits in a kit bag over my PFD. I have all of the weather and camping gear that I expect to need for my primary plan loaded in the canoe. I'm not expecting to be without all of that gear, if I'm separated from it it's already a bad day. But if I *am* separated from it, then this bare minimum of stuff that I am able to have on my person will hopefully see me through. As for SOLKOA, their very smallest kit fits onto the back of the flag patch on a soldier's uniform. This was their invention, it's still classified, but was inadvertently outed by others so in the public domain now. The reason its on the flag patch is because captors like to leave POWs with their flag patch for propaganda purposes. Ergo, the flag patch is the container. No soldier ever PLANS to lose everything but their uniform -- but if they do, that little survival kit on the back of their flag patch could be the difference between life and death. Would it be better to have more stuff? Of course it would, but given the constraints of the container (must fit on back of flag patch), it's built out as well as possible. SOLKOA has a wide size range of kits starting with the flag patch all the way up to 50lbs of gear in a good pack. What all of it has in common is that it is meant as a backup to all of the gear that is carried for the primary mission, it is only meant to be used if everything else has gone sideways. Since SOLKOA is back to focusing on training contracts, none of that stuff is public facing and might never be. @canadafree2087 @shrubjr893
Great little kit. Which reminds me now that summer is in full swing I need to get some more electrolyte tabs for my kit.
As always, great video Evan. Well rounded kit! I was wondering if we might see the newer items from the website come together in a video 👌
Nice video and common sense list. I see too many full of stuff
that are more suited to somebody looking to trade lead with whoever they encounter
Good to see the hydration items featured prominently.
Thanks for the video
Nice little kit. I can see myself just packing that as a minimalistic emergency kit. Perhaps for a day hike or even a hunt.
My day hike pack is a SOG Ninja. This is Canada, we need rain gear, we need an extra fleece, such things don't fit into a small pouch.
I always enjoy your content. Thanks for sharing!
I've taken a very similar approach with your GP medium pouch. Mine is decidedly not TSA friendly due to the small puukko knife I keep in there (Sorry Evan, you'll never talk me outta my scandi-grinds haha ;). Its mainly space blanket, inreach, water purification, headlamp, compass and 2 ways to make fire, maybe a few other things I'm forgetting. I have a seperate first-aid kit. My survival kit and my first-aid kit both weigh about a pound each. (I was full-time on an ambulance for a long time so my first aid kit is a whole thing). Anyway, it works out great because when I move from pack to pack I just move these two kits with me and I have my bases covered.
A 5x7 silnylon tarp would be a great addition to the kit along with some cordage.
If there was space, that would be nice.
Love your gear
Excellent well thought out kit. Similar to your Level 0.5 and Level 1 kits described at Hillpeoplegear. Thanks for the knowledge and experience.
Nate
Great stuff!
Great video. It would have been nice to see the HPG Coyote Knife. It's a beauty, and it is without a doubt my current grail knife! The specs are exactly what I would want in my knife. Do you, by any chance, know when it will come back in stock? Also, I am curious to know which multitool and pocket flashlight you carry. I have several HPG packs and kits, including both the HPG Medium Belt Pack and the HPG Snubby Belt Pack. I found the Medium to be just right for my style of EDC carry - since it allows me to carry a few more things when needed - and I find the M2016 Butt Pack to be sufficient for my short, scouting trip pack. Great products! The only feedback I have is that it would be nice to have a more robust waist strap and a MOLLE sleeve that can be slipped over the strap in case one would want to add a few more things to the pack as you mentioned. I like to carry mine cross draw, and it would be cool to add an extra pouch or even my ESEE 3 directly to the strap. I like the idea of HPG packs being modular, but the belt packs are pretty standalone externally, even if they are modular internally. Thanks again for dropping knowledge!
We ordered more coyote knives months ago but I know LT Wright has a serious backlog so I odn't know when they'll come in. I'm carrying a Leatherman Signal as a multitool. For years I carried a Leatherman Sideclip which I also like a lot but the Signal has more functions which isn't horrible. I carry the regular (non USB) Streamlight Microstream. Dead simple, good level of illumination for what I use it for.
Very helpful video, Evan!
Pretty similar kit to what I have setup in my medium SAR bag. Seems to work well for me so far
I'd love to own a cpl of your products.(pack&kit bag) currently can't afford either. Been building survival kits since 9yr old
You might try checking the classifieds section of our forum and also the owner's group on facebook -- you might find what you're looking for used.
Purshase my first chest rig
I see more gear I will be buying
Did my first Appalachian trail month ago
Will this be a chest rig or a shoulder bag ? Looks great!
The point of this video is the contents - they're sold separately and you can put them in whatever container you like. We have toyed with the idea of selling the complete kit.
That your dog behind you?
Thanks for the info!
Yep, Rocky is out doing his thing while I boringly sit in one place. Huskies like a lot of movement in general.
Did I miss cordage? That’s also TSA friendly if I’m not mistaken
Carried it a lot over the years, have never used it. A hank of 90lb test wouldn't hurt and there might be space for it.
What kind of hat band is that?
Solkoa can send me one of their very expensive tins for free and then maybe I will agree with them. However, until that arrives, pick the gear you need for the area you are going in, THEN pick your container to carry it all. Do not take a tiny tin if you need much more gear. Do I have tiny tins? Sure thing! Do I limit myself just to tiny tins? Heck no!
I had one of their tins for a while, def not worth it. Sorry Solkoa, you guys make great stuff, but the arbitrary idea that a survival kit needs to fit in an altoids tin is a man-made survival fantasy in my mind. I only say that because I went to tremendous effort to make a great one, and it just wasnt all-that.
I realize that there is additional context surrounding this which probably I should put into its own video -- this kit is NOT the primary plan anywhere that I go. A survival or preparedness kit by its very nature is for times when your primary and even your secondary plan has failed. You always pack for your primary plan. For example, my day hiking bag weighs a minimum of 20lbs, more in the winter. It's going to have enough water for most of a day, appropriate clothing and insulation, a robust emergency shelter (maybe even a tent), food, some kind of metal cup or pot, etc. etc. A survival kit then is for when you've somehow ended up in the exception case, lost all of your primary plan gear or whatever. That's why you are choosing the container first and filling it as best you can second. For example, on a motorcycle trip I'm already going to have all of the layers I need for the conditions I'm riding in, I'm not expecting to be in the backcountry, I'm expecting to have medical services somewhat readily available, etc. However, if all of that somehow goes sideways then this kit that I am able to throw in my saddlebags is what I'm going to have. On canoe trips I have a version of this that fits in a kit bag over my PFD. I have all of the weather and camping gear that I expect to need for my primary plan loaded in the canoe. I'm not expecting to be without all of that gear, if I'm separated from it it's already a bad day. But if I *am* separated from it, then this bare minimum of stuff that I am able to have on my person will hopefully see me through. As for SOLKOA, their very smallest kit fits onto the back of the flag patch on a soldier's uniform. This was their invention, it's still classified, but was inadvertently outed by others so in the public domain now. The reason its on the flag patch is because captors like to leave POWs with their flag patch for propaganda purposes. Ergo, the flag patch is the container. No soldier ever PLANS to lose everything but their uniform -- but if they do, that little survival kit on the back of their flag patch could be the difference between life and death. Would it be better to have more stuff? Of course it would, but given the constraints of the container (must fit on back of flag patch), it's built out as well as possible. SOLKOA has a wide size range of kits starting with the flag patch all the way up to 50lbs of gear in a good pack. What all of it has in common is that it is meant as a backup to all of the gear that is carried for the primary mission, it is only meant to be used if everything else has gone sideways. Since SOLKOA is back to focusing on training contracts, none of that stuff is public facing and might never be. @canadafree2087 @shrubjr893
What hat are you wearing?
check the link below the video