I made up this kit simply because I have a lot of gear and wanted to see if I could make a complete PSK from the extras. I do take it in the car when I explore back roads, just in case I come across opportunities to hike.



Starting at the top, left to right.
- pouch: Warp Corp pack side pocket. It's about the size of a fanny pack, but has a great feature I'll discuss later
- bandanna
- 3" ace bandage, because I roll my ankles a lot while hiking
- 50' paracord
- 8-hour candle wrapped in foil
- bic lighter
- Sparklite kit
- rescue flash mirror
- Light My Fire SL3 knife: locking blade, whistle in handle, sparking rod insert
- toilet paper in ziploc with hand sanitizer
- waterproof paper, pencil, spare AAA, aluminum foil
- 16oz Sierra cup, steel
- Millenium food bar
- Silva compass
- Gerber task light (w/1 AAA battery)
- basic first aid kit (got cut off in picture)
- BestGlide basic emergency fishing kit
- Zippo tin w/duct tape, needle, pins, thread, buttons, safety pins, P38 can opener, glue stick
- Survival straw water filter
- 4x MP1 water purification tabs
- 4 each tea bags, sugar, salt packets, bouillon, wrapped in foil
- tweezers
- Ibuprofen, Benadryl, Pepto-Bismol
- 1L Platypus bottle, 2x 1qt. Ziplocs
- vinyl poncho
- 42 gal. heavy-duty trash bag
- Heat Sheet blanket



The best thing about this pouch is that it has a top panel that unzips and unfolds into a daypack.



I've stuffed a sweatshirt into it here, to give it some shape. All of the gear remains in the original pouch, which is now the bottom pocket.

Small headtorch. Hands free illumination is a must.

Where do you get the Warp Corp pack side pocket?

Thanks.

Unfortunately I'm not sure they are made any more. I bought this one, and a similar pack side pocket that turns into a fanny pack, several years ago from REI-outlet. I think they were only on the shelves a year or so.

There is a Warp Corp based in Seattle that does industrial canvas, so it may have been their product. You could contact them. I found them on Google.

Ebay, perhaps?

True. I wonder if I can get that little bugger to fit in one of my headstrap light-holders. I have many more lights, including headlamps, but I really was playing around and seeing what I could do with things I don't currently use. This is a very low-cost kit, and I got several of the items free (like that light) with other purchases.

As suggested, a headlamp would be good. I would remove the purification-straw, because you've already got Mp-1 and the effectiveness of those straws are questioned.

Maybe add a head-net and small saw-blade?

I'd be tempted to throw in a SAK/multi-tool - saw blade, couple of screwdrivers and a can opener, in a small package can be oh so handy and pretty compact

But nice kit generally.

that pack is cool! I've been looking for something like that, the closest thing is the maxpedition merlin right now, but I'm not a big fan of their stuff for casual use, too heavy.

Nice kit! I always like a bit more food, and to carry my own water (camelbak or water bottle) but you set-up is compact and seems complete. Do you edc a cell phone?

Teacher

Great kit. Interesting bag. Superb carpet.

How's the knife? If I recall, others here have questioned it's quality and sturdiness, especially under survival type situations. I assume that this is a backup knife for you.

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

JIM- No need for a head-net, thankfully. I think I got one mosquito bite last year, but that may have been the year before.

bigreddog- RE: multi-tool. Does that mean I have permission to buy more gear? Does my wife know about this? :-] I suppose I could swap in the Leatherman from my briefcase.

teacher- I have a phone in my EDC, yes, although the coverage here depends upon elevation. Down in the valleys the phone makes a very nice watch.

massacre- When humans are gone (except Will Smith) and cockroaches rule the earth, that acrylic shag will still be waiting for the return of disco. It is truly a survivor.

BigDaddyTX- The SL3 is a mediocre knife, which is why it has lived in a drawer since I got it. I've started fires with it, but there are easier ways (Sparklite). The blade is okay, but the lock is so skimpy that I treat it like an SAK with a non-locking blade. It's better than nothing (it cuts, whistles and sparks), but I definitely have better knives, whistles and firesteels.

Similar idea fanny/daypack:

Crooked Horn Outfitters Trailblazer Combo Pack

http://archerysportsusa.com/store/index.cfm/c303/i6734

http://www.cabelas.com/information/Arche...316513893a.html

No, leave the straw in. They ain't effective against viruses but they are useful for filtering particulates out.

That's what I wasn't sure about. I believe there's a lot of discussion regarding those straws?

Filter straws seem typically to have a filter of 2-3 microns. Viruses are 0.5 to 1 micron. So they are ineffective against viruses. Therefore chlorification is required first.

MP-1 it then drink through the filter. MP-1's are very effective but for emergency use two layers of purification is no bad thing.

Everyone on this forum has my express permission to buy more gear! :-)

Virusses are even smaller than that. 0.2 Micron is considerd the smallest size bacteria, virusses are simply too small to filter out. But than again virusses are considerd as a relative small risk in western europe and north america.
I personally don't have any problem with drinking filtered water in western europe (from a proper water filter), without mixing in purification chemicals.

I couldn't find the Warp Corp. bag, but Eddie Bauer has something vaguely similar. It's a fanny pack that opens out into either a backpack or a tote bag.

Hopefully the below link will work, but if not, just go to EddieBauer.com and enter i40 792 0154 in the item number field.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/home.jsp#ppl=%7Btype%3A%22transition%22%2CensembleId%3A%22%22%2CformatStr%3A%22eobproduct%22%2CpassedIdObj%3A%7B%22flds%22%3A%22%22%2C%22itemNbr%22%3A%220154%22%2C%22pageType%22%3A%22MATCHMATCH%22%2C%22productId%22%3A%225001883%22%2C%22result%22%3A%22true%22%2C%22effortcode%22%3A%22792%22%2C%22source%22%3A%22Previous%20Page%22%2C%22pricetypecode%22%3A%22R%22%2C%22firsteffort%22%3A%22792%22%2C%22department%22%3A%22i40%22%7D%2CcategoryId%3A%22null%22%2CpathInfo%3A%22undefined%22%2CcolorId%3A%22undefined%22%2CcatPath%3A%22undefined%22%2Ccs%3A%22undefined%22%7D

Hikin-Jim...Nice find!

I'll second that!

Thanks, guys. I'm actually surprised that there aren't more of this type of item. It seems like a no brainer that it would be convenient to have a container with a basic kit in it that you can expand so that you can pop in some food, water, and clothing if you want to go for a walk/hike.

It's overpriced for what it is, but this looks great for me as a backpacker. I've got my PSK in my little zippered container. I hike in and set up a base camp. The next day, I want to go on a side trip (fishing, peak bagging, whatever). I simply grab my PSK container, expand it out, pop in what I need for the day, and off I go. This way there's very little chance that I might sleepily leave behind my PSK in my main pack as I go off exploring. This is a realistic situation: In many higher altitude wilderness areas, summer "moonsoons" or thunder showers with lightning come almost every afternoon. In many months, one has to be off the high peaks and ridges by 1:00 PM or even noon. Getting up in the dark and hitting the trail at or before first light is not uncommon.

I am thinking of adding a tall pot to my kit. (A bit bigger than a water bottle.)

What kind of pot? I have the stainless steel Vargo Bot. It's one liter and nests perfectly with a Nalgene. No handle but a pot lifter works great.

1 to 1.5 liter.

A waist bag or lumbar pack can hold much more than just pockets --
a water bottle (or two), a jacket, trash bag, 4 protein bars...

I am trying out this idea for day hikes, using a 2 water bottle lumbar pack from Mountain Smith.

Which Mountainsmith pack are you using? They make great packs! I have a couple of their Day lumbar packs and several of the smaller Vibe packs. IMO with the bigger ones like the Tour and Day it's a good idea to use the Strappettes. They're small shoulder straps that help support the pack if you're carrying a bit of weight. They work great!

A sling bag would have similar advantages and be slightly more fashionable...

+1 to Phadrus' comments on the larger Mountainsmith waist packs...

Even a small 'fashion pack' can hold a nice sized kit.

I think the fanny/lumbar pack is a nearly ideal format for a PSK. I do have a sling pack that I really want to love; it's a great bag with great organization, well made, etc. But it just doesn't carry that well for more technical hikes. It's ideal for a bag to have a vehicle to keep your stuff organized and that could be carried if need be...but it just isn't ideal for steep terrain or rough, rocky ground.

My newest "lumbar" pack is a Mystery Ranch Hot Shot pack. I got it used and pretty filthy but in great condition otherwise. I took it to a car wash and power washed it out, then let it dry in front of a fan. So far I'm very impressed! It has a real frame and a great belt and is supposed to be capable of carrying 70 lbs (although it's only about 1200 ci so no way you'd ever get that in the pack). After a couple of test hikes I may move the contents of my sling pack into the Mystery Ranch fire pack.

Agree with the carry well comment.

Often looked at the Seal Line's Seal Pak Hip Pack, but the simple webbing belt put me off.

My mountiansmith pack has short straps on the bottom to hold a jacket.

Agreed that a fanny pack is just about right for a separate emergency kit. Big enough not to compromise on necessities, but small enough that it's easy to have with you even when you're away from your main bag.

Although they're absurdly expensive, I've been looking into a small chest pack (HPG Snubby) to carry a firearm without interfering with the waist belt on the pack, and while in the hammock, but one version has a second compartment that seems like it would be useful for essentials without getting awkwardly chunky.

I dunno if it has a fanny pack mode where it can be attached to your belt or around your waist with it's own strap as an alternative to chest carry, but it would be nice to have that flexibility.

The HPG Kit Bag works great! I prefer to keep my gun, mags and flashlight in there and very little other stuff; it tends to get unwieldy pretty quick if you overstuff it. A small waist pack for a bit of gear and the Kit Bag is a great combo for day hikes.