Listed below are the contents of my (for lack of a better term) B/O/B. In truth, it also serves as my daypack for longer hikes - probably with some of the contents left in another bag in the truck, and perhaps with an addition or two depending on where I am going, how long the hike is, and how familiar the territory. There are a few items that I need to add or upgrade - I’ll mark the items that I think should be upgraded with a star (*). And I will list stuff that I think I should add at the end.

I am looking for three types of comments - suggestions for reducing the weight (I don’t know how much it weighs right now, but I will weigh it eventually), ideas for upgrades, and thoughts on any glaring omissions. One problem I have is that I don’t like to buy online or mail order - I like to see the stuff. So, some items will have to wait until I can get them in a brick and mortar. I am relocating to Maine in a month or so (I have lived in the same area before), where I will have access to a pretty good store or two, but I may not winter over - but I will be there in the autumn, which can get chilly. Will likely winter in warmer climes). I do spend a lot of time in the woods, mostly day hiking. The bag will otherwise reside in my truck, at least when I am using the truck.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I’ll list items by compartment, mostly so I don’t forget anything. The bag is a Kelty Redwing 3100.

Main Compartment -

Cargo Pants
Hooded Sweatshirt - cotton*
Pair of tighty-whitey’s
Pair long johns
Spare (polo) shirt *
Pair smart wool socks - warm ones
2 bandanas (yellow and orange)
About 50’ braided nylon rope (medium duty)
Roll of TP

(This leaves some room in this compartment - enough for a heavy Carhart Hoodie, when appropriate, and more)


Top (Outer) Compartment -

FAK - will usually be carried in a cargo pocket
Modified Ritter PSK in small Otter box - also will be carried on person
(Ziploc containing):
4 chemical handwarmers
2 large yellow HD trash bags
Emergency poncho * - would like suggestions on a good, but compact one - will probably carry two

Middle Compartment -

2 dish towels*
1 dishcloth
1 lexan dish
1 keychain knife sharpener
1 signal whistle
Ti fork and spoon
3-inch folder (Buck - okay)
Pro-Knot cards
2 pcs HD foil
Food (varies - I raid it)

Clif Bars
Snickers
Trail Mix
Crystal Lite packs

2 trash bags (for trash)
Nylon Tarp (9x12, grommeted)

Left Pocket -

4 tent stakes (for tarp)
2 Carry straps (for sleeping bag or tent, which I generally don’t carry)
Fiskars plastic trowel*

Firekit -
2 minibics
6 or 8 Quiktinders
W/P case w/ strike-anywheres & trick b/day candles
Mag bar
Small Case-type penknife
2 “lantern” candles

Right Pocket -

50’ Paracord
Pocket Binocs
Wool watch cap
Btl Camp soap
Sm roll yellow duct tape

Mesh Pockets -

Mess kit
Nalgene Bottle

On a zipper pull -

Inova keychain light

On daisy chain -

Sierra cup

On my person I would have, in addition to the FAK and PSK (and maybe the Ziploc with the trash bags and ponchos), my usual EDC -

Wave (old style)
Spyderco Native
Gerber Infinity*
Cheapo (but pretty good) Brinkman multi-LED*
2 minibics
Compass (which I have yet to procure - I seem to have lost mine)
SAK* - smallish Wenger - seen better days

My Modified Ritter Kit (Otterbox)-

Fresnel
Rite in the rain
Pencil
HD Foil
Rescue Flash
2 bandaids
Duct Tape
Fishing Kit - from previous PSK - liked it better than the Ritter
Twine
Nylon thread
ACR signal whistle (the original is in the bag elsewhere)
Gerber Bag
Sparklite
Tinder
Safety pins
3 or 4 matches*
Snare wire
Needle
Button Compass

The FAK is of my own assembly - the usual stuff, I guess.

I think I need to add:

Thermal undershirt
Lightsticks
Spare AAA’s (for the Brinkman, until replaced, at least)
Fixed blade knife (Maybe replace the Buck)
Sierra Stove & spare battery
(Another) Nalgene Bottle
Some grub
Fatwood
Water Filter
Water Tabs (the ones I had expired)
AMK Heatsheet
AMK Bivy (maybe)


Any ideas? I have been lurking forever - first post. I wouldn’t have gotten this far if it weren’t for this site.