Hiking is something that my son and I enjoy doing. I have had an eternal search for a one bag loadout and this is the current one I carry. The gear inside it I have experimented with and built up over years. I will admit I am currently switching my gear loadout over to the Alps little bear but, I do not plan to take this kit apart. It has been refined to the point that I trust it in a number of situations.
The loadout starts with the Ozark trails hydration backpack with chest strap and belt. It carries well even with the gear that I have in it. I like it because this hiking loadout can be carried by me or my son. I have equipped this pack with a 3 liter hydration bladder. It might seem like a bit much but, if I am out hiking or fishing for a number of hours I like the capacity without having to refill my bladder.
Next is my hiking cook kit. I won’t go into big detail here in the article because I have written a full breakdown on the hiking cook kit that I carry.
The core of my hiking backpack is a molle bag that I call my emergency kit. Everything in here is meant to aid me if I am out longer than I expected to be.
- Esse altoids style survival kit
- .7mil 7’x9’ plastic drop cloth
- Sawyer mini water filter and 1 liter hydration bag
- Mylar emergency blanket
- 25+ feet of high visibility 550 survival cord.
This emergency kit is an item that can be useful day to day in the wilderness or if I am making a shelter or just practicing skills.
Everything else in the pack is basic equipment. This loadout gear around what i already carry with me. You will not find a large belt knife in it. For instance, when I go hiking I carry a belt knife and multitool on my person. Some of the gear here is upgrades or improvements on what is EDC.
- Shemagh
- Toilet paper
- Wet Wipes
These items should be self explanatory. When you need to go at least this will help you to stay clean afterward.
- First aid kit.
This is a basic lightweight to medium duty hiking first aid kit. I built it out according to my needs. It can handle most things short of heavy trauma. If that happens I will need medical attention anyway. If there is enough demand I can give a full breakdown on my first aid kit and why I carry the items I do.
- Ranger Lighter
- Ferro Rod with striker
- Marbles Match Safe
- Whistle
This is the basic fire kit I carry in any bag or kit that I make. I do carry other means of making fires on my person but, layering gear on the different tiers of your system means if one fails you are not out of luck.
- Baseplate compass with mirror and magnifier
- Map of the area I will be in.
Navigation is essential when you are hiking. Even though most places I go I can operate without a map and compass. I insist on carrying them anyway.
- Petzl Zipka with spare batteries.
- Petzel Noctilight
- Left, Right, Center
- UST survival playing cards
Illumination and entertainment are the last items I carry. Petzl is a great company and the combination of the Zipka and the Noctilight I can have a lantern or headlamp. I can even carry extra batteries and the Noctilight acts as a carrying case for it all making it compact and easy to carry.
Food is something I always carry but I am not mentioning it here because I have already posted a full breakdown on my hiking cook kit and what kinds of food I carry with it.
There is the basic information! You decide the outcome!
