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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.

best cold weather socks, buffalo down socks, bison socks

Five tips for choosing the right socks for outdoor wear

481 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Socks are often an afterthought. But your sock choices are really important and can make the difference between comfort and safety outdoors . Here are tips for making the best socks choices. 

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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: 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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Video review: O-Pen® pocket water purification system produces nothing – and that’s good!

600 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

The measure of success for a water purifier is not getting any reaction from drinking the water purified by it. And that’s what I got after using the Roving Blue O-Pen®. Nothing.

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Review update: Danner®  Incursions – Best hot weather hiking boot?

561 400 Survival Common Sense Blog | Emergency Preparedness

Use in the field and sustained wear is really the only way to evaluate footwear. I’ve been wearing these Danner® Incursions for well over a year, mostly in hot, desert environments. Here is what I found.

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