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Gear

survival kit, reviews on survival gear, the best gear for emergency shelters, backpacking, sleeping bags and survival knives. outdoor wilderness survival situations and snow camping.

UP Bravo Grail knife improved | Check out the elk antler re-handle

558 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

These Kendall Carpenter custom handles made my Bark River UP series “grail knives” even better. Here is how I chose the best handle for my hunting knives.

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Ten year review: The Leatherman WAVE multi-tool should be in your survival gear

533 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

When I find a piece of equipment that works well for me, I hang on to it and use it extensively. About ten or fifteen years ago, I got a Leatherman Wave multi-tool for Christmas, and I’m not looking for a replacement.

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Review: Best work boots? Irish Setter Ashby 83605 work boots may be your best choice

600 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Work boots don’t get the hype or have the glamour of more expensive, fancy-looking hiking or hunting boots. But if you’re working hard and on your feet all day, you’ll soon appreciate a good pair. These Irish Setter Ashby model 83605 boots are an excellent choice.

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Best everyday or bug out boots? We review the Timberland® Earthkeepers

600 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

The best endorsement of a product is to use it continually and take its reliability for granted. These Timberland® Earthkeeper boots fit that description and they have been through the ringer.

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Review: Naturehike® trekking poles for safer and more comfortable hiking

267 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Are you using trekking poles yet when you hike? Wonder if you need to, or if trekking poles are a good safety addition to your gear? These Naturehike® trekking poles could be a valuable addition to your gear.

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Best EDC light? We review Wuben G2 multi-functional EDC flashlight

515 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Survival gear needs to be lightweight and convenient to carry. Otherwise, there is a good chance it will be left behind. This Wuben G2 may be the EDC light you’ve been looking for.

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Five items beginner hikers should carry

595 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Everybody starts out backpacking as a beginner. While experience is the best teacher, here are a few items to take along so that first backpacking or hiking trip is fun and doesn’t become an ordeal.

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A shovel and toilet paper (in a waterproof container) are vital aspects of any backcountry privy construction. (Leon Pantenburg photos)

Make a portable privy or ‘How to do number two’ in the woods

257 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Where’s the bathroom? Where will you do Number Two? If you’re camping, or setting up a campsite, one of the first and most important tasks is to set up the latrine.

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Dry Canyon, near Bend, Oregon.

Start your survival kit with the Ten Essentials

600 300 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

You don’t have any wilderness experience, but you want some. So what do you take along to make sure you get back? Start your survival kit with the Ten Essentials

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Pilot bread

Pilot Bread: Try Alaska’s modern day version of hardtack

600 300 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Hardtack has been an emergency ration since time immemorial. Here’s a look at pilot bread, a modern day version of hardtack widely used in rural Alaska, and why you should consider including it in your survival gear.

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