Ah, gear addiction...such a sad thing!

I guess that depends on what is more important to you, the size or type of the container or the items that you need to have with you.....

I would decide what the PSK will need to do for you and where as well as how you will be carrying it. That will tell you minimum requirements as far as items and it will also tell you maximum size and perhaps the style, shape and qualities of your container.

My thoughts are that a PSK has essentials (knife, signalling, fire, compass, medical and perhaps fishing items) and can be thrown in a big pocket. Anything else goes into my BOB and is easily separated from my PSK or thrown in a pocket if need be.

In my younger years, I was all about go big or go home. Recently it seems that I've crossed some invisable threshold into a new world, and I'm trying to lighten and shrink the load.

So, to answer your question from my new middle aged perspective, I usually do a little of both. Right now, for example, I'm thinking about creating a new kit of urban/subburban outtings. I've got a list of stuff I want to carry, and am going to find a bag that it will all fit in. My goal is to keep it small so that it doesn't become my traditional unwieldly overkill.

That said, I have no doubt that no matter bag I ulitmately choose, I'll fill the nooks and crannies in it in no time. Hopefully I'll keep my head this time though, and leave room for the treasures my son usually finds along the way. My goal this time is for "Mom, can you carry this for me please?" not to mean I have to get a bigger bag.

my ditch kit/over board kit has to fit in the pocket of my life jacket so it was pick a container that i could cook in and go from there.

This raises a question I was going to start a thread on. I'm looking for a flotation vest with multiple outer pockets, 2-3 external straps and leg straps. In tactical black preferably. Any ideas?

Something like this?:

LONDON-BRIDGE-TRADING-CO-TYPE-V-TATICAL-FLOTATION-VEST

Pete

Snake..i would check out the PFD's used by the Kayak gang.they go over in white water all the time and would want leg straps.the sea kayakers have vests with big pockets so you might look at their sites to see what they use..
the tac vest is a bit "over board"
i just use a PFD from LL Bean with big pockets,

I actually pick the container first.
Then adjust the items accordingly.
Like you - I find otherwise that i will fill anything to the brim.
I prefer the "light and fast" approach to life.

Pete2

Omg thank you so much for helping me discover that, Im really loving the Range idiot song friggen awesome!

Yeah, he has several really funny songs.