Ultralight Backpacking Stove, Stand and Adapter (Gear Review)

Hello everyone, here's my latest vid of some camping / hiking / backpacking equipment I picked up and used quite a bit this past summer.

The ultralight burner stove

Weight: In orange case: 4.0 oz.

              Burner only: 3.2 oz

Purchase price was less than $15

Pros: Very light, comes in a case, easy to use, quite sturdy, affordable price, compact size

Con: The pin that adjusts the flame can come off, it reattaches back with no problem but just make sue it/s snug and secure before you even attach it to a flammable canister.

Three leg stand and adapter

Weight: 2.9 oz

Puchase price was less than $10

Pros: Light, very sturdy, affordable, compact size

Cons: None

I used this primarily for our road trip this past summer. I had it set up on the ground, on a table, and a countertop. i never had any issues with it being too wobbly. It was quite convenient to have in the truck and doesn't take up much space at all.

Overall, I'm very happy with the products. Hope this helps with your purchasing decision.

CardSharp Credit Card Folding Knife (Budget EDC)

This is a quick look at the Cardshark folding knife. Purchased this for less than $10 on sale.

Some things I like about it:
Lightweight - weighs ~14gms
Fits perfectly in your wallet due to its credit card size dimensions.
Durable (so far) - I've carried this around in my wallet/pocket and so far no damage done to it.
Easy & safe to use - it has a lock for the blade so it doesn't accidentally flip on the open position. It turns into a knife in 4 motions - unlock safety, flip blade, fold smaller portion, fold large portion over that which clicks it into place.
Price (see above) - good for the budget conscious.

Some things I don't like about it:
There's only one actually - The final fold of the large portion to the smaller one doesn't always stay in place. After a couple of times, it pops open so you end up having to readjust your grip on the handle to keep it locked.

Here's a caveat: This knife might be awkward to handle for those who have really big hands.

For what it is, it's not too bad of an investment as far as having a knife with you for general purpose only.

IKEA Cook Set (Budget Camping Gear Under $10)

 

For this video I wanted to share this great find from IKEA - a stainless steel 4-piece of cookset that can easily be integrated into anyone's camping gear. As I've mentioned on the vid, we were originally there to purchase a bookshelf for our ever-growing collection of books (we found one for a great price by the way).

I also picked up a utensil caddy that I've seen in various DIY sites and vids used as a wood stove/ fire pit. Not bad for $5.99. They did have a shorter version of the same caddy but I went with the taller piece.

I've made it a habit to seek out items that may be used or repurposed as camping/outdoors gear whenever I'm at a shop. You just never know where you'll find something useful with a matching low cost to boot.

I'll be testing both items out hopefully soon to see how it holds up and will post the results here and on YouTube, of course.

Dirt Cheap Preps: LED Clip-On Light

Hello everyone. Been awhile since I posted any new prep related vids or blog posts. Here's the latest one.

These LED clip-on lights are less than a couple of bucks a piece. I have several of them in stock. It's small enough to keep in your glove compartment or carry around with you but it's also good to have in stock since it doesn't take up too much space.

As an urban newbie prepper, I always talk about space being very limited. Each addition really has to be multifunctional or doesn't take up too much space.

For such a small little device, this LED clip-on light is not only versatile but also very bright. Usually when you buy clip-on things, the clip part fails because it doesn't have much of a grip.

These lights however are pretty secure once you clip them on to the brim of your hat or your shirt/jacket. The battery for it is just your standard watch batteries. Another positive with this particular item is that it pivots around so it is adjustable which give you a bit more flexibility.

I've used this light as a booklight as well. Although my prepper library is mostly digital, we do have a large collection of print books so on occasion this clips on nicely on a book cover.

It just goes to show you don't have to spend a whole lot of money to have some emergency temp lighting. Always good to diversify what you have.

A lot of my viewers in YouTube are budget conscious (as they should be) so I try to review things that they can easily pick up. Good rule to have for newbie preppers: keep things simple and budget friendly.

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Site updates:

The tech editions of my YouTube channel have been a nice change of pace but I do have a lot of new articles/vids/reviews I'd like to put up. I have several prep vids already on standby. I actually have more equipment to review, specifically knives. There's also book reviews forthcoming.

As for the site itself: Some additional changes I was planning on implementing is put on hold for now for lack of time.

The site has reached over 50,000 views. Many thanks for all the support!

Book review: When All Hell Breaks Loose by Cody Lundin

With topics such as starting fires, purifying water, finding/catching/preparing food, first-aid, shelter, hygiene, proper burial among many other covered. It’s a very thorough book, topic-wise. It was almost too overwhelming for a noob to read. It’s my own fault for trying to read it from beginning to end as it were fiction. This is more of a reference book really and should be read as such.

I love that it’s written in a straight-forward manner that any average civilian could understand – you don’t have to be a hard-core survivalist to comprehend any of its content. His overall tone is pretty laid-back and fun which made it a quick and easy read for the most part. It’s peppered with humorous illustrations throughout as well (which was sometimes distracting). The best part about this guide is how it’s not focused on buying cool camping and survival gear. The projects he mentions are usually low-budget or no-budget at all (you may already have the materials in your home).

I came across Cody Lundin’s name after scanning for books to review for this site – he has a survival show (available on Netflix) which I’ve been meaning to watch. If I’m going to learn from someone, it might as well be from an expert who lives, breathes, and teaches this way of life.

Tons of info here for those seeking out a starting point. I actually read the e-book version of this which is perfectly fine, but I think this is one of those books that would be better off sitting in your shelf as a reference.

You’d probably get more enjoyment and use out of this if your preparedness and survivalist skillset is in the beginner or intermediate. Also good for the casual read.

Definitely a great addition to any prepper library. 4 out of 5 stars.

10 Tips to Prepare for a Real Campout

Note: This guest post is brought to you by the fine folks at GuestPostU

A campout can be a lot of fun, but preparing for it is important, this can help make sure you have fun, and avoid being stuck with nothing. If you have a campout and are prepared, you are sure to have a good time.

Tent
Having a tent with no holes that is the right size is key to any campout. Inspect it for holes all around, and make sure everyone can fit in it. Being able to sleep comfortably and safely is the basis for any camping trip.

Food
Having a lot of healthy and nutritious food is important for camping. This can make everyone feel at ease and healthy during the campout. Not only that, but eating enough food is good for the energy levels of everyone.

Water
Going without water too long can certainly be bad for ones health. This is especially true during camping. Make sure to bring enough water for everyone. Not only that, but if the camping is going to involve intense exercise, make sure to bring more than usual.

Weather Check
Make sure to check the weather before camping. If it will be hot, obviously bring enough water, if it will be rainy, make sure to bring protective gear.

Sunblock
Many people neglect taking sunblock when they go camping. This can be a mistake as people generally spend time inside in their day to day life. Getting a sunburn can mess up a camping trip very quickly.

Bug Spray
Avoiding mosquitoes and other bugs is important for a camping trip. Not only can bites make you sick, they can certainly make any camping trip less enjoyable.

Keep Warm
It is important to have adequate sleeping bags and blankets. Many people do not realize, most months of the year it is cold to sleep outside. Even in the summer time, having an extra blanket in the tent can make it more comfortable for sleeping.

Matches or Lighter
Many people neglect to bring this on a camping trip. Anytime food is going to be prepared, or people will relax around a fire, this is important. Though it can be done, it is very difficult to start a fire without this.

Flashlight
It is important to bring a flashlight when camping. We take for granted having lights in the house, but if you wake up in the middle of the night in the tent, having some sort of light is important.

Foam Pad
A camping trip is much more enjoyable when you sleep well. Having a foam pad can help you sleep much more comfortably. It is much easier on the hips on back to sleep on something soft rather than the hard ground.

When camping, bringing the essential items for comfort and safety are important. This will make the trip much more enjoyable for everyone. But it is important not to panic if an item is forgotten. Depending on the time of year and the region, certain items may not be so important. In the end, everyone has their own idea of comfort and security, but there certainly are some basics you should bring.

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Imogen Schipley writes about the outdoors, adventure & finding affordable boat insurance quotes.

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Reasons Why Everybody Needs a First-Aid Kit

Note: This entry is a guest post by one of the cool people from GuestPostU.

First aid kits are important for everyone to have. Whether you are going camping, going on long bike rides, or just having one in your house or car. Being prepared for whatever strikes is so important, no matter your age or activities. First aid kits can help with burns, cuts, poisoning, and even broken limbs. When buying a first aid kit, it would be best to open it up, and get an idea of what it has. If there are items missing that may be handy for you, it would be best to add them. Also, if need be, put the first aid kit into a container that protects it from water.

Isolation
Having a first aid kit is important for anyone that goes on long trips far from civilization. This is because it may be difficult to find a doctor, or a store that has the items you need. Sometimes while camping it may be difficult to find aspirin or splints for an injury. Any camper or backpacker should certainly have a first aid kit.

Money
Having a first aid kit can be a large money saver, this is because a first aid kit can help avoid visits to doctors. Many small injuries and ailments can simply be fixed if you have the necessary medicine or first aid item. Emergency room visits can be expensive especially when hospitals or doctors are out of your insurance network. Having the necessary equipment will save you a lot of money.

Kids
If you have kids, or watch kids, they are going to get into trouble. Kids are always getting cut up, or getting into things they should not. Having a kit available can help fix the small problems they get into. Of course, large injuries may need a doctor to fix. But any small scrape or cut can be fixed by a first aid kit.

Liability
In this day and age, it is a good idea to of course, avoid liability. Having a first aid kid can help save lives. If people are injured at your house, having a first aid kit can fix them up. Sadly, in this day in age, many people sue homeowners when they get hurt at someones house.

Acts of Nature
Sometimes hurricanes or tornadoes or other natural disasters will hit. It is important to have some kind of kit to help in case of injury. This is because during a natural disaster, local and state government agencies may not be able to assist quickly. Not only that, but fixing small problems on your own can free them up so they can help people in life and death situations.

A first aid kit can be a life saver, the great thing is you can buy one or make your own. It is very important to make sure it has all you need for your specific needs. Many people who hike out in the wilderness may put more anti venom items in their kit. People with kids may want to look at putting more band-aids in their kit. It is important to open it up every few months to make sure nothing has expired. A first aid kid may truly be a life saver. Or at least get you out of an uncomfortable situation.



Retta Gilbert writes about safety, privacy & the importance of a criminal background check.
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Guest Post U
The University of Great Content

Harbor Freight Survival Knife (Gear Review & First Impressions)

Here's another first impressions type of review. This time it's for a survival knife I picked up at Harbor Freight.

It's definitely got the cool factor going on. It's a visually appealing knife, with a handle that has an alternating pattern/texture which improves the grip. I have small hands and it feels pretty comfortable holding on to this. It's a pretty hefty-sized knife with a sharp and serrated edge. the grip has a screw top that has a built in compass. That opens up to reveal a compartment pre-packed with a few basic supplies (fishing line, sewing kit, matchsticks, etc.). I like this feature since this will allow me to customize what's inside.

It also comes in a nylon sheath which looks pretty flimsy but as I've mentioned on the vid, it's better than nothing. All you crafty people out there can probably make your own sheath for this (or buy one).

The pros:
Price - very affordable, under $15
Build - seems solid and durable but I haven't put it through a field test yet so we'll see if it holds up.
Compartment - Nice little extra place to stash additional supplies, plus the cap has a compass

The Cons:
Sheath - flimsy material but for the price it's not bad at all
This product might be suitable to newbies (like me), casual dayhikers / campers.

Modifications I'm planning on doing to this:
I'll have to make a better paracord handle for it and use an O-ring and a carabiner to hook it up to the side. I saw someone who made that mod and I thought it was more functional than the single string paracord loop that it comes with.

Budget Mess Kit

I've been on the look out for a basic mess kit for awhile now but I didn't want to spend too much on it. I was at a local store cruising the kitchenware section, and I found the mess kit displayed next to the lunchboxes, thermos, and water bottle section. It looked like a bento box (which I have a thing for - great way to pack your lunch by the way) so I had to check it out. I was surprised to see a dish nested inside the compartment as well as a handle that attaches to the exterior of it. For $5, it was a no-brainer.

What I like about it so far:
Stainless steel
price
the main compartment is deep, even with the dish inside, there's plenty of room to stash additional supplies (fire starter kit, pocket utensil, etc.)

What I didn't like:
It had a large brand sticker on the lid which was a pain to clean up (Goo Gone did the trick).

At the very end of the video, I mentioned that I was going to test this out on a gel chafing fuel with a rack on top of it to see if it works out or if I have to make modifications to the set up. Obviously, I don't plan on cooking elaborate meals with this, just basically warm up precooked food. I'll also test boil time for water just out of curiosity. I'll post the results here of course.

Lesson learned & also a good tip for those of you who are looking to expand your camping or preparedness gear: Don't always go to the obvious places to find what you're looking for. Having a keen eye and learning to see things as having multiple purposes can help you save a few bucks.

Rothco Medium Transport Pack - EDC Part 2 UPDATE

Here's the updated review on the Rothco Medium Transport Pack.

After about a month and a half of daily use, it's been holding up well. Better than expected, actually.
Keep in mind I have this thing packed to the brim with usually a very large and heavy textbook, a binder, my lunch, several other supplies in the front pockets, and even an android tablet every so often.

The more I use it, the more broken in it gets the better it is. The padded shoulder straps have been fantastic on keeping the support alongside with the multiple compression straps. I haven't had any back and shoulder pain, and as much as I walk around and take mass transportation it's managed to keep the stress off my feet.

The waterproof factor is just a bonus. I haven't had to really purchase additional MOLLE packs to go with this. I thought I was going to need to but right now this setup is sufficient.

So overall, I'm sticking with the original 3.5 star rating out of 5 for this product.

I use this mainly for: Everyday carry (EDC) school and work.
Location: Urban / City
Cost: $40 at a local army and navy store

I would imagine this pack would also be great for weekend trips, camping, and as a primary bug out bag.

Get yours now:

Winter EDC (Everyday Carry) Clothing Basics

Clothing is just as essential as any cool gadget under the sun so I wanted to highlight some of the basics of my winter outdoor gear.

I like to keep things classic and simple. It needs to be comfortable, functional, and of course, look good. In general when I'm in the market for outerwear, I look for something that's durable with plenty of pockets. For shoes, I always go with comfort since I practically walk everywhere.

Keep in mind, my winter gear is based on my geographic location - the Northeast, in the city, where the temps can drop below freezing and we get the occasional snow/icestorm.

Here are a few essentials:

1. Vest (medium weight, waterproof) - very versatile addition to any wardrobe in my opinion. I actually use this all throughout spring and autumn seasons as well. Excellent for layering.
2. Army boots (lined, waterproof, non-skid soles) - always good to have a pair of high boots if you live in an area that gets accumulating snow. The lining definitely helps with the insulation.
3. Hiking boots (waterproof, non-skid soles) - better for trekking around the city, although a bit heavier and chunkier than I prefer.
4. knit hats - very affordable accessory, I have a good handful of these in different thicknesses and designs.
5. Heavy duty ski-gloves - very warm, weather-proof addition. These types of gloves usually come with a clip that you can use to secure on a carabiner on your coat or pack.
6. fingerless gloves - medium weight gloves that I use daily. Good for casual use. I have another pair that is more flexible - it can transform into a pair of mittens.
7. Scarf - another great accessory to have, very affordable, and it comes in various sizes.
8. NorthFace Hyvent parka - very warm. I have a 2nd pair in a different color. Plenty of pockets, hooded, with adjustable cuffs. I have other coats (wool blend - more formal, and a couple of leather ones 3/4 length)

Anther essential that I forgot to include in the vid are my thermal shirt and pants. Another excellent layering component. It provides an extra layer of warmth while keeping sweat and moisture away from your kin. And of course, you can't forget about a thicker blend of long socks.

Once you have the basics covered, it's easy to build upon that.

Rothco Medium Transport Pack (Everyday Carry)

I picked this up recently at a local army and navy store after doing some research online. I was on the market for a backpack because my messenger bag puts too much strain on my right side.

I have another backpack that's seen better days - I can haul a bunch of textbooks in it but offers very little back support. Initially I was unsure about getting this one because it seemed too tactical-ish for use around the campus but went with it as soon as I saw it at the store.

First impressions: Nice looking pack, true to its "medium" transport size. I can see why some reviews deemed it too small - I think if you're between 5'4" - 5'10" tall this backpack should be just about right.

I've only been using this a little over a week but here's what I think of it so far:

Pros:
Comfortable shoulder straps with multiple adjustments
Sternum and waist straps offer extra support
Narrow profile with the compressions straps
plenty of pockets and compartments
waterproof
has room for hydration bladder
expandable (MOLLE)
Cost - $40

Cons:
Poor stitching in one of the interior pockets.
No interior hooks where I can put my carabiner / keys
no exterior side pocket for my water bottle
zipper pulls are not ykk metal tabs

Despite its shortcomings, this backpack is holding up to my expectations. It's been easy on my back during the commute back and forth. I can easily haul a large textbook,  a binder/notebook in the main compartment. If you need to carry more than 2 textbooks, you might have problems getting that too fit in this. I haven't tried loading up my 17" laptop but I don't think it'll fit at all. I was fully aware of this when I bought the product.

Keep in mind this is my first tactical-type backpack so I'd say this is great for entry-level buyers. I use it mainly for school but this would definitely come in handy for traveling as well as dayhikes.

I'll do another update review of it after a month or so of usage but for now here's a short vid I made:

New Prepper Series: The Bug Out Bag

The Bug Out Bag

What it is:
It's esentially a kit that  has all the essential supplies you need to get by for at least 72 hours. I've also heard of it referred to as a GoBag, a Get out of dodge (GOOD), You're on your own (YOYO) bag.

Not sure if I can even call myself a prepper at this point, maybe a prepper apprentice.

I don't have a huge stockpile of stuff. I'm not too familiar with a lot of the essential tools for survival. I don't have a military background.

But there's always a starting point.

I love watching vids, shows, and reading about preparedness and survivalism. So consider me a prepper neophyte. There are tons of info to be sifted through and it becomes overwhelming to process it all but I'm doing my best.

What I learned so far is that there are basics or essentials to consider such as water, water purification, food, shelter (tent/tarp/sleeping bag), first aid kit, toiletries, cooking supplies, fire starters, maps, cash, IDs, important docs, some extra clothes.

Then you can personalize it to your needs. Consider your environment for example. Do you live in a rural area or do you live in a city? Do you have medical conditions that need to be addressed? Do you have a vehicle? Pets? How many family members?

Regardless of the scenario you're preparing for there's always some kind of debate what needs to be in your pack.

My question is, not all scenarios are created equal - what you'd need in case of a hurricane evac is different from when you have a more extreme end of the world type situation, so how do you decide what goes in your kit?

I know some people pack two different kits based on seasons/weather condition or multiple kits for different scenarios.

For now, since I'm addressing the noob prepper (myself included) here's my take on it.
You don't have to spend a lot of money to get started, look around your house, what you need is more than likely readily available to you already.

Customize your own pack accordingly. Have one for each member of the family. And just have it stashed in a closet in your home.

So below is my personal bug out bag contents (last updated contents for Hurricane Irene). In this case we have family right outside the city that we can crash with so this isn't your rural/camping kit. Keep in mind this is just MY bag, we all have one each, including emergency supplies for the pets.

LED flashlight
water (I had more stashed in my truck)food (granola bars, beef jerky)
first aid kit (gauze, band aids, hyrdocortisone ointment, triple antibiotic cream, glucometer w/ strips, alcohol pads, liquid skin, tweezer, ibuprofen)
A small sewing kit
toiletries
extra clothes - rain coat that can be multifunction - it's waterproof
cash, ids, imprant docs in ziplock back as well as flash drive w/ the same info.
extra pair of glasses.
extra sets of batteries.
portable multipleband radio (it's battery operated) will upgrade to a handcrank/solar-powered one)
2-way radio
a small blanket
pocketknife
multitool
ducttape
playing cards
multivitamins
Phone and charger
laptop and charger
Tablet and charger

I'm currently looking into getting a few supplies to add on to my primary bug out bag, such as a portable stove, some sort of water purification system, and a survival knife.

I'm pretty sure I'm leaving stuff out, but you kind of get the idea here. Putting together your first bug out bag is a great jumping off point to get into the prepper mindset because it' a self-contained, personalized way of focusing on the essentials.

I'd love to hear from all of you new preppers out there, do share your experiences.

Next post in the new prepper series is about bugging in. Until then, be safe.

Kelly Kettle - woodburning portable stove

I scour the net for material for this site - part of it is survival/camping/outdoor gears, I came across this beauty called he Kelly Kettle. It's a woodburning portable kettle/stove. Has a unique design and boils water pretty fast based on some videos I've been watching. This is definitely on my wish list.

Here's a good video of a camp out and using the Kelly Kettle to boil water and cook. Doesn't take much to get the fire started.

 

Here's another video of a review for Kelly Kettle - he actually times how long it takes to get a rolling boil which doesn't take very long at all and he only had to use a few sticks and twigs he found in the yard to get the fire going. Good demo footage.

 

Visit the Kelly Kettle site.