I have been saying for YEARS that survivalists would be better served carrying a simple backpacker's sleeping bag over all the little gadgets and multifunction items. The line between actual, real-world "survival" and outdoor "living" has become way too blurry. All that heavy weight, unbreakable military style gear is missing the point. We seriously underestimate how durable and useful standard backpacking gear is. Long distance hikers figured survival out decades ago. The rest of us are playing pretend and "what-if" in the woods, from the trunk of our car. We're all having fun, but let's be honest about it.

People get hung up On the old saying “The more you know, the less you NEED. But all I need is to dress right and roll up in a ball and go to sleep, that doesn’t mean that what I WANT to do!

Routinely asking yourself, "how could I be wrong?" Is the true mark of a critical thinker

Ex soldier. 100L Bergan. Other than stuff we *had* to carry, we carried a sleeping bag, tarp, a change of clothes, and hygiene items. Add food and water and what else do you need? Never used a fire once, out for weeks at a time. Sleep system + spare clothes absolutely key to doing this safely. Buy the biggest, warmest sleeping bag you can. Lack of sleep kills.

Ive always mixed ultralight backpacking stuff with bushcraft stuff. Just makes sense.

The old boy scout saying "Be Prepaired" rings truest to me. A comfortable nights sleep is right next to eating properly to wake up with a good attitude towards the coming days events. 70yo here.

I through hiked 900 miles on the PCT, among many week long adventures, and I completely agree. I’ve always had the idea that you should go on multiple day backpacking trips to know what you can carry and what you actually need. Backpacking not only keeps your body in shape but also keeps your mind focused on what is necessary, thus seamlessly transferring over to a survival state of mind. Backpacking is what encouraged me to want to learn how to tie knots, learn different ways to build tarp shelters and start fires with sticks! Your channels and many more have been a big part of this learning experience. Thanks for sharing!

Survivalists one size fits all approach to kits and gear is a problem. Furthermore, their approach to food i.e. the you can go 3 weeks without food, so let's not include enough of it in our kit, mentality is nonsense. If you are carrying 10 or more pounds forget about survival kits and go with an ultralight hiking kit. You will be much better off. I mean why would i want a bunch of gear to make improvised solutions when for 10 lbs or even less I can have a tent, sleeping pad, 0 degree quilt and etc. It makes no sense. And in the vast majority of situations I'm not tied to fire to stay warm which means I can get a better night's sleep. It is good to see you coming around on this issue.

Even Nessmuk with his ultralight canoe and other lightweight considerations spoke famously of going out not to rough it but to smooth it.

I’m always laying my gear out so I can see everything at once. I will spend 2-3 days analyzing everything. I consider. Time, Terrain, weather, ect . Then I will weigh it. Then take a short hike with it. I’m a 60 year old retired Army veteran. Body hurts but I still love to go out

I'm a retired disaster manager who has experienced a lot but also wrote a thesis on it. What most people get wrong is they focus on govt takeovers, earthquakes, maybe an asteroid hit...While car accidents are a fairly common disaster, home and apartment fires, and especially bad weather in general are clearly statistically at the top of the list. House on fire? Your EDC might be your barenaked butt and a blanket. If you're smart you've got some shoes ready to slip into. Focus on the main survival eventualities instead of the less likely ones IOW have some camping equipment ready in the car or in the yard and practice doing it...and I'm only a minute into your video. You the man, Dave. I know the rest will be good.

Always good to question ourselves, in order to evolve. Love you, Dave!!!

One of the benefits of using contractor grade trash bags for a browse bed vs. an air mattress is that not only are the trash bags cheaper to replace, but also if they get punctured a piece of gorilla tape can be used to patch them up. Also they're less weight and take up less space in your pack when emptied and rolled up.

Dave, I have been merging minimalist, lightweight hiking, and survival gear for about 10 years now. Hours of watching KZfaq and reading and my bag is absolutely perfect for me in my environment. It allows me to survive in all situations and it’s about 20lbs. I’m a 270lb man so I can take that weight easy. But I also use other means like a fold up wagon, if I don’t have to carry it I don’t. I’m situated in the Southwest part of the country and extreme heat so the main worry here. Love the Videos and would love to sit and talk about survival and my lightweight system with you are ever up to it. Keep up the good work!

The older I get the more I NEED a really good quality sleep system and tent. In the "Old Days" like the 1970's I could get by with a Sheepherder bedroll which was a wool blanket and an oversize light weight canvas which could act as a ground sheet and tent. Not good in a bad storm but when you're young you can tolerate more. I also worked as a Wilderness Ranger in Eastern Oregon in the late 70's after I got out of the Marines where camp changed every day. My loadout was between 70 -80 pounds for a 10 day tour. Because most of my time was spent above 6000 feet you could expect low 70 degrees F. Down to below freezing with whiteout snow in any given tour. So I carried the extra weight for four seasons sleeping bag and tent and never felt bad about it. Fast forward I most likely won't walk more than 1 mile ever again so my 3/4 ton 4 X 4 GMC with trailer will pack my amenities and the tent if I so choose is 12 X 12 yurt that pops up in minutes... Cheating I know. What I didn't carry was water filtration and purification. That changed after a bad case of Giardia. Never go anywhere without water treatment. Great video.

What people really need to invest the time and money in is a backpack that fits their torso properly and research how to properly pack their items as far as weight distribution inside the pack.

Now that I’m older with some physical limitations a good sleep systems sound very good, when I was in my 20-30 I could sleep anywhere. I have minimized my kit over the last few years and enjoy my hiking much better. Good sleep system is key , very good subject to ponder on, thanks Dave

Yesterday I changed from my winter sleep system to my warm weather set up. I keep a Snugpak Antarctica, German army elephant skin tarp along with thermarest mats and air mattress Etc. So now I switch to a warmer weather snugpak and accessories. Here in Canada if you have an emergency in the middle of winter you better be prepared if you have to evacuate. Beginning of April is when I always switch everything and then back again in late fall

For me, survival is military-grade survival in comparison to camping, and survival doesn't always allow for having any gear available in which case we have to go off the land. I was a high-functioning professional and one day my entire world collapsed No backups no place to wait it out nowhere to go just Out in the street. I had an expensive winter coat, a pair of pants and shoes. that's it. I looked for a place to set up where I could be safe from the elements and from people. but close enough to town to attempt an employment search. I found a cliff on the river's edge where I found a 6x4 piece of black plastic, half of a light blue blanket like everyone has and a 3x5 piece of bubble wrap. that was my sleeping arrangement for up to -11 degrees F and snow that year. I showed up to a temp agency every day at 0530 even after shaking myself to sleep every night and when there was work I ate something hot until I had enough cash put away to survive. a surplus store had 1970s MRE main courses for 1 $ for days I couldn't work because of weather or no work. and things like forks and rubber boots. so that's the basics the list of most important things if that ever happened to me again. is sleep system and shelter and water purification because that high mountain river had giardia unlike when I was a child. and some type of food supplement or vitamins My situation was no fun and I now know it could happen to any one of us on any day. My advice get the very basics covered and ONLY the basics. there is no guarantee you'll live but at least you tried. 73 GoodBye Mickey biss

I'm a little jealous of the UL crew when I'm walking along with my pack on. Soon fades when it's set up camp time though. That extra weight is guaranteed comfort when I need to rest.

As I have gotten older I have reduced my pack weight to allow me to stay out longer and as a consequence I have embraced some of the lightweight mentality alongside my bushcraft experience. I always have a good sleep system to ensure a decent nights sleep. Great video Dave.

I recently went camping with family. I didn't realize we were going, so I didn't bring my gear. I slept on the ground with a couple of blankets. Never again...

I try to keep my air pad inside my bivy. This gives it more protection from puntures and the air inside stays warmer. Great video.

I'm a canyon backpacker and I LOVE my inflatable sleep pad. I only tore a hole once and a tent repair patch fixed it right up, still have that pad. and if it fails too badly I can rip it open and use it as a browse bed. Its waterproof so you could even used damp leaves and brush. I use the Ascend Deep Creek for winter and the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT the rest of the time.

There is no such thing as wrong when it comes to survival. I'm an old man and in poor health. When I was younger I geared my choices towards bugging out. I have no doubt that I can't walk very far due to medical reasons that I have no control over. Now I gear my choices for bugging in and defending my personal space and my family.

This video is right on time for me. Just wrapped up filming a new overnighter and I was questioning my sleep gear. It got a little colder than expected and I could've used more in the area of sleep. Thanks Dave! God bless!

great thinking points sir, appreciate your wisdom and perspective

Great content Dave! Really hit the nail on the head!!

Great points, thanks for sharing.

Thank you for the great info… absolutely great food for thought and advice

Excellent observations. The different outdoor pursuits (survival, Bushcraft, dayhikers, section hikers, through hikers, etc.) have a lot to teach each other.

I recently had a weeklong outdoor event in Central Eastern New York State near the Catslills which was more remote than I expected. I focused heavy on sleep gear/comfort. Slept like a baby, and was so engaged with everything during the daylight hours, I sometimes honestly forget I camped rather just having a great, remote, adventurous week with a few friends.

As always, well done. Thank you.

Great information Dave! Definitely things to think about

A lot of info,love your video,thank you much.

Dave, I really appreciate this video. I consider you the OG in my bushcraft and related skills experience. But over the years of watching you, I've also spent my own time in the woods. I have also done some Appalachian trail work, and spend time in that community as well. To watch this video and to see those two realities come together is pretty enjoyable. Thanks. Keep doing what you're doing!

Good discussion & I'm really glad to see/hear your thought process as you rethink things. You know I'm a hiker with some survival skills so this resonates with me. It all depends upon the individual. Whenever I visit the school, I'm always surrounded by serious bushcrafters & survivalists that love rugged gear. On the trail, minimal has a different meaning and rugged isn't as necessary because no one plans to break bush. I carry more than most but less than a hardcore bushcrafter. I also walk further and take less breaks than my bushcraft buddies on the trail because of their load. It all depends on what you want to do on your outing. Your videos and products tell me that you are on the right path, and you might be able to expand your market to include backpackers by offering different materials. For instance, I carry a keychain ferro rod and switched to a syl-nylon poncho to cut weight and still meet my needs. Not sure if that works with your core competencies. Oh, 25lb is the limit for a backpacker on a thru hike but way beyond what the average Joe is willing to take on a day hike. We are lucky to get them to carry something other than a water bottle. Keep it up, brother! You always have new ideas & approaches so I'll always keep listening. Thanks for always being the leader that you are.

Great video. Also really liked the last video on the M6 Scout. As a future video Idea I would really like you to demonstrate how to muzzle load it.

Love these mentality breakdown topics

Great video Dave! I have done a couple kayak camping trips where weight and balance of equipment on the "boat" is key and it really does work. I will be reviewing items within my kits and changing my outlook for my "foot" kits too!

IMO experiencing the different sleep modes in below freezing conditions as part of a controlled evolution becomes a valuable part of "what you know." That requires sufficent fitness to endure the planned modes ... Excellent video!

Another good video. Thanks.

Thanks for addressing this.

You’ve made some great points in this video, and I think it goes in all directions as well. All of us outdoors people tend to get locked into our spheres and miss out on a lot of great ideas for staying safe and comfortable in the backcountry. Survivalists, backpackers, canoeists, hunters, ultralighters all have something to learn from each other. As a canoe camper and backpacker I had never even heard of a swagman roll or woobie, which look like great options for winter backpacking and car camping trips - thanks for connecting our worlds!

Thank you for applying Reason. It’s nice to know YOU understand the importance of sleep, especially in a survival situation. lack of sleep makes it hard to think and reason out your next step to survive. Thanks.

I "skip" on the sleeping part for a Get Home Bag, but still include emergency shelter components, as I would not expect to sleep for at least the first night while attempting to get home. My 72hr+ back does place significant emphasis on sleeping gear as it would not be being used for GHB and would require coping with getting some sleep, of course. The main issue as I see it with the thru hiker gear is that most of it is very ultra-lite and very expensive, so is out of the financial range of what the everyday person would be able to justify for their 3 day pack gear. Plus they always are focused on getting to a known re-supply point whereas "Survivalists" in most cases will be tending to prepare for unknown routes and destinations.

Very good insight and it reminds me of the series you were doing on the "modern" woodsman kit. I feel it definitely has merit.

I am a thru-hiker as well as a bush crafter. My thru-hike base weight is 11-12 pounds, that includes shelter, backpack, sleeping pad, quilt, cooking gear, water storage and purification, clothing, compass, electronics -- everything except food and water. I agree the sleep system is the most important component of your kit, because you can't cheat sleep! It catches up with you.

It’s cool to see the bushcraft/survivalist community being open minded and learning from hikers. I’m not an ultralight backpacker but I am very conscious of how much time it takes out of the day to substitute in skills and crafting in place of gear. How far are you trying to go in a day? How much daylight are you working with? How heavily are you trying to conserve energy? These are all questions we have to ask ourselves. I’ve built shelters and browse beds and stayed warm by Siberian log fires all night. Doing those 3 things on the same trip in the same day take substantial time and energy compared to blowing up a pad, setting up a tent, and settling into a weather appropriate sleeping bag. It’s important to hone survival skills but maintain the mindset of practicality, efficiency, and speed. And backpackers can learn from bushcraft guys that carrying a 40 lb pack shouldn’t kill rhem. It’s less about whether or not you should carry a 40 pound pack to begin with and more about what can you do with that 40 pounds. It’s true that with proper bushcraft gear and hunting/trapping skills a person could survive a long time in wilderness, but I promise you with 40 lbs of modern gear and food a person could live in the lap of luxury for a week or more, staying dry, comfortable, warm, and expending a minimum of energy. P.s. editing to say fantastic video Dave!

I have alway's carried a sleep pad and I always will, if I am just out over night or a couple day's I would leave a tarp or tent at the house before I left my sleeping pad.

Dave wants to hike the A.T. Freakin awesome! Lots to be learned from thru-hikers for sure.

Great Video and food for thought. I currently have an air mattress a friend gave me. Paired with a poncho,woobie and wool blanket, I might be able to get some sleep.

As we age sleep quality matters more and more. 😁😁

This is something that drives me a little nuts. I was a lifelong boy scout, and back in the late 70s-late 90s it was very often the case that durable gear was heavy. Then I joined the military, and the idea with military gear is that it's, above all else, commonized and durable; hence the person conforms to the gear instead of the opposite. As hiking and camping and the aerospace/space industry have advanced, the materials used have also advanced. A strong shift into lighter methods to produce strong structures via advanced engineering has advanced exponentially. This all translates directly to a segment of outdoor life which has a strong division. For whatever reason, there's the survivalist/bushcrafting/para-military side of the house, and then there's backpacking/thru-hiking. The latter has placed a massive emphasis on lightweight and DURABLE goods which are often incredibly waterproof; the latter is somewhat intentionally nostalgic and/or still holds to the belief that heavier is more durable/better. An observation on bushcrafting ethos: Let's not kid ourselves, there's an intentional nostalgia to throwback days when men were men. Days ranging from skinning a buffalo and wearing its hide to flannel, jeans, and work boots while deer hunting. Y'all know I'm right. But let's take a beat and think about this: When flannel John was looking back at Grog the first ever bushcrafter, he was super happy that all his gear was uber-modern, lightweight, and readily available on a hanger down at the sporting goods shop. Flannel John Bushcrafter of the '60s WAS WEARING AND USING state of the art ultra-lightweight, high-performance gear. When, exactly, did that desire to advance gear change to making due with outdated, often dangerous gear? Now lest anyone think I'm hating on ye olde schoole bushcrafting style, I love nothing more than mid-40s through mid-60s design and tooling. While not always practical, it was certainly a beautiful period in Americana. On Backpacks: Even David said the phrase 'heavy duty backpack' a bunch of times. That's honestly the BEST place to change theory entirely. For example, a Durston Kakwa 55 weighs 2lb (my medium, which would be a large in most any other brand) literally weighs 2.09lb) is tougher than any pack I've ever owned, and fits amazingly well which makes it easy to wear for long distances. My Gregory Zulu 55 (which I got for $100 at Sierra... look there for deals, folks) weighs just 3.8lb and has a trampoline back, is equally comfortable, is incredibly durable and a little more compartmentalized (which some will love and some will hate, but is probably a better choice for folks here). The Gregory is actually pretty lightweight for a pack in its class, but even here you can see there's almost a 2lb difference just from what you're carrying your stuff in, and that either translates to being able to save 2lb of carry weight (and the burned calories attached to that which is critical in survival situations) or to fill that lighter pack with another 2lb of gear or food to make surviving easier. That's an incredibly delta right there and chances are you'll wind up with a MORE durable pack that is way more comfortable to wear. Now, I'm not a David Canturbury, nor do I want to be any YT presence aside from some short helpful tips here and there for my little band of brothers, but I put this video together a hint over a year ago. Already some of my gear has changed, but this is a really affordable setup. The food section is a little short, intentionally, and will change wildly depending on water availability. It isn't nearly as inclusive as I'd like, but the idea is sound. It'll upset some folks about redundancy and I'm not sure I sent quite the message I wanted to on that point, but I'll present this for your consideration as an exercise in thinking (more than gear). One element I just somehow forgot was that the quilt was to be used in conjunction with a poncho AND the UCO candle lantern (or something like it) to create a warmer spot pretty much anywhere (though is best when employed up against a windblock face you can lean against). The following video bridges some of the gaps, albeit clumsily, between bushcrafting theory and lightweight theory. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bLZ5htaI3b7Gnn0.html

When ever my wife and go out of town i carry our blankets even if it is summertime. And some essentials for our daily living. We are both have maintenance medicine and we can no longer hike like before but Dave is right,i prefer have a good sleep than a full stomach . We always carry the 5c's if survivability. And cover to the elements are our top priority. Just sharing my thoughts we are from the island nation Philippines..😊

I agree 100% my backpacking shelter is only 2 pounds and I have experienced some heavy weather in it and stayed dry as a bone. I wouldn’t want to be stuck in it during a blizzard or hurricane but I wouldn’t want to be stuck under a tarp either.

Look up the Arctic 1000. It was a challenge by three guys including Roman Dial and Ryan Jordan in the mid 2000s. Their goal was to cover 1000+ km completely self supported without resupply - in Alaska. They used all the minimal gear strategies possible. If I remember correctly only Romain Dial finished the entire route, although he had a hamburger in one of the towns. A testament of what is possible when you combine skill, experience, fitness, and grit. Lots to learn from that one.

I’m glad you put this out I couldn’t agree more I keep my pack under 20lbs but also keep 2 trash bag liners a sleep Matt , poncho , swagman roll ,dice blanket than I have a down blanket I carry I’m not sure why anybody would skimp on a sleep system .

First of all, I love your books. Bought them in my mid twenties just for grins, and they've been a great resource. That being said, I grew up playing outdoors, and spent most of the last 15 years, 3 season camping for recreation and work, with a couple of cabin style winters thrown in. My kit doesn't change much from car to backpack, so here's the breakdown. Miltec Bivy shell, 0° sleeping bag, 4R inflatable mattress, 10x10 nylon tarp, a 2 person hammock, and @100' of heavier Paracord (not 550, but a larger diameter). Mattress and bag get rolled into the Bivy and weigh @6#, the tarp, hammock, stakes, and cordage get thrown into a dry bag and account for another 3#. If it's REAL damned cold, I'll throw in an additional blanket at 4#. I also upgraded the hangers for the hammock, to heavier climbing clips for the sake of durability, and all of this straps to a frame, with a separate bag for food, and another for the few tools I take. Don't get me wrong, I love my wool blankets and canvas bedroll. However, if you're carrying this stuff all the time, this way is easier and thus far, their durability has matched the older kit, provided one accounts for proximity to fire. My bed kit has 1 year of adventure on it, with consistent use, for anywhere from 4 days, to 2 weeks at a time, and the prior mattress and sleep pad had been used for 4 years before the sleeping bag was packed out and I felt the need to get a warmer pad. The tarp and hammock have seen 3 season use for the last 6 years and are still going strong. I've always had a rule for my and my daughters camp time. We don't glamp. One pack each, that we can carry distance. If we are car camping, we do use a cooler and pack a bigger stove, but that's about it. Guys. For the love of Christ. Lighten up your kits and sleep well.

Thanks Dave

Really helped get an idea of how I need to be setting things up.

I love the fact the bushcrafters and survivalists are starting to see what else is out there and adapt.

Awesome video!!!!

Awesome video my friend.

I love this video and the evolution. I just recently read Walking with Spring by Earl Shaffer, the first AT thruhiker, and picked up on this merging of bushcraft and thruhiker mentalities. Great read.

Well said. I follow a few general principles, "any preparation is better than no preparation", "no one can be prepared for everything" and "the best gear is what you have on you" so I'm mostly a generalist and I prioritize what I enjoy using because it's more likely that I'll have it on me than not. Sometimes counting ounces is fun, sometimes that extra heavy duty gear is more enjoyable (Saddleback Leather fan here) but either way a little knowledge, skill and a bit of gear can go a long way.

I like to eat so if I'm carrying extra weight it's going to be some good chow. Good video, it gets the brain juices flowing. Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge.

I agree Dave. I carry a Nemo Tensor insulated pad w/ a Tyvek ground mat, and a Wilderness Innovations poncho and Osni cloak on anything besides a day hike in familiar terrain. My total pack weight (including water, food, and an entire QRP HF ham radio kit and an HT) usually weighs in around 30-35lbs. It's totally doable, you just have to be smart. Edit: I just packed up, and my entire kit including food, and all of my radio gear, weighs 26lbs. That's in an Eagle Industries JUTE.

I added a big Agnes rapide pad to my bedroll and love it. Have used it down to 8F with a surplus modular sleeping bag system and I want to go colder.

You operate with class, honor, and humility. Thank you

Thanks Dave I have been thinking along these lines for awhile. I have a lightweight sleeping system I tweak a little now and then but it is in keeping with what you guys teach. And the mentality aspect in all of it. I can say with confidence that the difference is phenomenal. This aspect is crucial to survival. On, under,, in..It’s simple and profound at the same time.

A good thought process

I've got your canvas ground sheet with a blow up sleep pad and a saddle blanket that I use for cowboy camping, it's honestly pretty great especially since I can roll it all together and strap it to the bottom of my pack. I have a tarp as well in my pack and that's really all I need especially since I can use that ground sheet as a hammock. Very nice set up if I do say so myself

Your awesome and awesome video be safe out there 😎👍🙏

Excellent explanation. This guy knows what he's talking about.

We always got it wrong when first started camping, tekking & exploring the outback but we learned through the years in prioritization & doing research before embarking on a mission. There's no perfect kit in any situation but knowing to improvise is an asset, that will only come in mileage amongst skills & experience. Cheers DC from Australia.

I’ve always carried a no name light weight mattress on multi-day backpacking trips and I’ve never had a problem with it or complained about the “added” weight. I’m getting too old to sleep on the ground and agree that a great night sleep is more important than the few extra ounces carrying it as part of my sleep system.

My current woods play system looks more and more like my army issue system these days. Cross training for that involuntary 4-seasons in a trench situation. Having the ability to round out my issue gear with private gear if the shit in the east kicks off is appealing. Having thoroughly tested the system up front matters. It's not a perfect system but i gotta work within the supply chains and uniform standards that we have.

8:30 yes most stuff lasts waaaay longer than people expect in general. I had a normal Jansport backpack from Walmart meant for high school use. I used it for weighted rucking uphill and for weighted pullups and pushups. I filled it with rocks and scrap metal like bolts. It probably weighed about 50-60 pounds. 40 minimum. I kept removing rocks and replacing them with more iron scrap when I found some. It lasted me about 4 or 5 years and I lost it. It was not damaged. A few stitches popped where the strap attached to the body but it was fully functional and I could have fixed that with a needle and thread in five minutes.

This was great in 28 and got into bushcraft at 10 when I found you few years later I was hooked. But one thing I’ve always struggled with was pack weight. I’ve always tried to emulate through hiking philosophy with bushcraft and survival but always had a heavier pack due to my sleep kit but now I see it’s not such a bad way to be packing.

I think you made some great points on using backpackers as an example. There have been alot of advancements in technology with fabrics used in backpacking gear the last 10 yrs. Light and still durable. It's going to cost more, but if your serious about it, will be worth it.

I'm glad that you're having this discussion. From my perspective (50+ year minimalist camper with section hiking experience), if you're taking a kit that's 25+ lbs, take your full backpack. My minimalist "survival" pack that I routinely take in the woods weighs less than 15 lbs and fits in a 13ltr MountainSmith lumbar pack. It will easily see me through an unexpected multi-night situation. It has an emergency bivy sack (it's important that you are aware that you can use trash compactor bags, but there's very little value in intentionally carrying them imo), space-blanket, and poncho/hammock for sleeping. My three season backpacking carrying weight runs 20-30 lbs and has no limit on days, outside of food (One 8 day section in the Sierra, my pack-weight, including food and bear barrel weighed 26#). The secret is to take items that do many things. The poncho/hammock being a great example. It's not really being a "weight weanie," but things like only carrying a 700ml titanium cup with some heavy-duty aluminum foil instead of extra pots are the type of critical thinking that gets your weight down without negative impact.

I learned survival skills by rustic family camping in N. MI. A warm, comfortable bed is mandatory (for smaller troops) even if it adds 10-20lbs.

Another great video. Survival is a thinking person's game and starts before we set foot outdoors. "The more you know, the less you carry" seems to easily become a dogma stopping us from exploring alternatives. Knowledge and practiced skills are of course vital but can become neutralized when injury's occur, carrying well thought out gear can be a lifesaver. I usually go bush by myself so will have to rely on me and my kit choices if I get lost or injured. I prep for a realistic worst case scenario; if I am immobilized and have to lie were I fall, then I wont be capable of making fire or constructing shelter or boiling water. The kit I carry in my pockets allows me to pull a trash bag under me (not warm but at least off the wet ground), an SOL Heat Sheet over me, a polypropylene balaclava on my head, and drink from my canteen (carried over my shoulder). The extra items in my haversack or knapsack give me extra comfort and increase my odds.

Good talk Dave. Wether your a woodsman, bushcrafter or a backpacker, we have to help and learn skills from each other😊

Yeah this is exactly perfect I always made sure I have the stuff like a tarp or a tent then I'm going to use and something to sleep on and in first and foremost then the basic survival stuff and then all the rest of it is just extra the food isn't anything you can throw a little bit on top of that in the end or put it in your pockets for that matter. I was debating doing this with a haversack but you almost have to have a small bag just for your sleep system if you're going to bring a haversack and survive with just that you really can't go for an extended period of time with just to have haversack and be comfortable.

Appreciate the restful, restorative sleep systems. Here, to insulate air mattress from the ground while also adding a little abrasion/ puncture resistance, a mylar faced, foam core windshield reflector(s) can work - i.e , larger ones for vans and semitrucks - which also, when insoles are traced onto and cut from them, insulate shoe soles from heat loss to the cold ground.

Dave, It’s great to hear a change in your thoughts. I’m a gram weenie myself, but I also go on a 5-6 day hiking trip each year on the AT. My pack for the last several years weighs 29 lbs all in, including food, water & fuel for 5-6 days. The bulk of that weight is food & water. If I wasn’t carrying so much food, I could get that down to 19 lbs or less. I take a 10 degree quilt, inflatable sleeping pad, piece of tyvek & a tarp for shelter & sleep. I’ve used the same equipment for the last 5 yrs running. I only carry a SAK for a knife. I only carry a mini bic w/vasoline & cotton balls for fire. I only carry a Pathfinder cup to cook in w/a BRS 3000 to heat food. I also don’t have any additional bags in the pack, except for one ziplock to use as a ditty bag. I do still take a map & compass, which many others do not. However, first aid supplies are to a bare minimum. There’s all kinds of ways to save weight. Ounces equals pounds & pounds equals pain.

As someone who started out as a backpacker and that led me into a survival mentality... I have looked at some of these "survival kits" as a joke because of the weight... I think you hit the nail on the head with this video... calories are king, sleep is queen, but weight is the kingdom... keep it lite and stay mobile folks

Very good advice, thank you. I have been working on a 25 lb backpack for hiking several miles, staying out up to 2 nights, in temperate weather. I am going through all my gear, weighing everything and recording the weights, and trying different combinations in the field. I am having no problem meeting my 25 lb goal with 3 quarts of water and food. I am using a narrow Big Agnes insulated air mattress, either a poncho liner or SnugPak XL Jungle Blanket and either a USGI poncho or a 9x9 silnylon tarp plus a tyvek ground sheet. I sleep in my clothes and am completely comfortable down to 40 degrees.. Below that my feet get a little chilly and I have an occasional shiver. I think a pair of insulated booties would take me down to freezing. Surprisingly, bulk is more of an issue than weight. I wanted to carry it all in a USMC Filbe assault pack (30-35 liters) but it was too small. I switched to a Soft Pak Bergen with the side pockets removed (70 liters) and found it weighs the same as the assault pack. A scale and an open mind will teach you a lot.

Love the video I concur I would rather be a mule hauling weight than not be comfortable, while sleeping.

@DavidCanterbury with your statement on thru-hikers only sustaining for 5 days, I’d say to extend that out by two more days. Many of us have gone up to two weeks before stopping into town, but we also manage our food carry differently when we do that. We prefer not staying out more than 5 days at a time because it’s the sweet spot for carrying just the right amount of food weight and covering 100-125 miles. Also, your swagman roll is perfect for the AT after the last frost hits. Used it from May in Damascus all the way to September 1st at Katahdin. Also used the swagman roll on the PCT, CT, and OST. Bought it when you first introduced them. Oh and your canteen cup is perfect too. I’ve also used that on everyone of my thru-hikes, and I’ve had other thru-hikers be jealous of it because of its multiple uses.

I'm using the same pad I've always used, it's a military surplus army issue pad that dates back past the 80's and I've had it since then. It has some holes in it, but it doesn't hold air so it just always works. I'm in East Tennessee and we got 4 seasons. So I pack for 4 seasons because like the other day it was around 70, tomorrow it will be back in the 30's again . I use the Military MSS sleep system with the Gortex bag, which that will keep the wind off no matter where you sleep and keep you dry even in rain. I can end up anywhere and my sleep system will keep me warm and allow a good nights sleep.

Dave is the King

I want basic bushcraft items: hand axe, knive, open-eyed auger. I'm trying to figure out how to transition up to a decent bushcraft cabin.

I learnt about the importance of good sleeping gear back in the eighties. A good nights sleep improves mood and function enormously. As important, it means you enjoy the whole experience more, therefore do it more and in time, normalise the experience. I feel similarly about back packs. I have used a modified LK35 for many years now. I have many other packs, which I do use from time to time but while not lightweight, I find the LK35 to be the most comfortable (for me). I take it out for long walks, with around 35lbs load and only start to feel it if I stop to chat for a while. In a survival situation you use what you have available. Otherwise, be comfortable. As Ray Mears said "if you're roughing it, you're doing it wrong" Good video.

I have two " Go Barrels " They are metal 55 gallon barrels that are food grade and water tight with large handles painted in camo and weigh in at 300 pounds each . They can be carried short distances by two men when they alternate sides . Or a long pole allows them to be carried on the shoulders They are for a family of six for 40 days and meant to be a storage cache .

I hiked for wrrks or months on end with a 1.5 to 2kg pack, that is with sleeping gear, clothes, electronics... I also love camping bushcraft and survival, most of my videos are minimalist camping. My camping pack is probably around 4kg including yarp, machete, knife, multitool, pot, sleeping pad and bag, and a light but sturdy backpack with which I'm bushwacking.

Thank god your pointing out the sleeping gear thing. Bunch of them have nothing to cook with either.

I’ll say it again; I appreciate the fact that Dave has the humility and wisdom to rethink what he has been doing in order to optimize what he could be doing- and teaching. Life isn’t static. So our thought processes and problem solving shouldn’t be either. As we age, we begin to realize the difference between how to “survive” in the outdoors and how to “thrive”. And that difference grows greater the older we get. Can I still spend a night sleeping on the ground without a thick cushion or cot? Yes. Will I be pain free the next day and be able to schlep my 28 pound pack over the hills and valleys with a smile on my face? Uh… no. So Dave’s message here is well placed, relevant and valuable to consider. And to me, that is; “Surviving” is what we have to do when there’s no other choice. Thriving is what we seek to do in every other circumstance.