5.11 Tactical Icon Pant
Colors
Black, Dark Navy, Flint, Kangaroo, Khaki, Ranger Green
MSRP
$75
URL
511tactical.com
Notes
While wearing these slacks isn’t the same as humping a three-day pack, the Icon Pant does offer a lot more carrying capacity than your average pair of skinny jeans. It has a whopping 12 pockets, including front utility pockets and two cargo pockets with internal dividers. Plus, with knee articulation, gusset construction, and Flex-Tac mechanical stretch ripstop, this 5.11 pant provides an excellent blend of mobility and durability that few competitors can match, if at all. The 6.8-ounce fabric is made of 80-percent polyester and 20-percent cotton with a Teflon finish, keeping spills and stains at bay.
Outdoor Vitals Dominion 1P Ultralight Backpacking Tent
Pack Size
20 by 5 by 5 inches
MSRP
$200
Notes
If you’re looking for a compact, lightweight shelter for a solo adventure or bug-out scenario, Outdoor Vitals offers the Dominion. It’s aimed at backpackers and others who want to keep their gear as light as possible. The Dominion features DAC Featherlite aluminum poles and ultralight 15-denier siliconized fabrics. And if you want to shave more off the 2-pound, 9-ounce trail weight, its modular design lets you leave the tent body behind so you can go in ultralight mode (just rainfly, poles, and footprint) at 2 pounds flat. The Dominion has two storage pockets, a ventilated double-wall construction, tie-outs and guy-outs for windy conditions, and an easy-to-use storage compression bag.
First Lite Men’s Wick Long Boxer Brief
Colors
Black, Conifer, Dry Earth, First Lite Cipher, and First Lite Fusion
MSRP
$45
URL
firstlite.com
Notes
Don’t let the camo pattern fool you; you’re not meant to wear only these skivvies when stalking your next meal in the backcountry. But you could certainly wear this as a baselayer for pretty much anything you set out to do — be it hunting, running, camping, or web surfing. Why? Because it’s made from First Lite’s wool blend called Aerowool. And as we mentioned in the description for the Varusteleka jacket on this page, sheep’s fleece is one of the best materials to wear for outdoor adventuring. Moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, insulating — wool will almost always outperform any fabric humans can create. This boxer brief features a 10-inch inseam with a next-to-skin fit to prevent the legs from riding up, while the jacquard waistband provides a comfortable mix of tautness and flexibility.
Varusteleka Sarma TST Woolshell Jacket
Colors
Green, Grey, Woodland Camo
MSRP
$186
URL
varusteleka.com
Notes
Varusteleka might be the best gear and apparel company you’ve never heard of. Started in 2003, this Finnish firm has since became the biggest military supply store in Europe and has even created its own lineup of clothes, packs, and more. The Sarma TST Woolshell Jacket is one such example. It looks like a tactical softshell jacket, but is made of a wool blend. Why wool? Because it’s Mother Nature’s super material, it breathes (unlike some synthetic fabrics), is naturally flame- and odor-resistant (making it great for active pursuits), and continues to provide insulation even when wet (unlike cotton). This jacket is loaded with user-friendly features, including an adjustable hood, hook-and-loop cuffs, underarm ventilation zippers, and elbow reinforcements with pockets for pads (not included). Plus, there are two upper-arm zippered pockets and two side pockets, both of which sit at rib height, so they don’t get in the way of your backpack’s waist belt.
HOKA ONE ONE Kaha GTX
Sizes
Men’s 7 to 14
Women’s 5 to 11
MSRP
$220
URL
hokaoneone.com
Notes
The appropriately titled Kaha GTX (the word “kaha” means strength in Maori) provides some serious support for backpackers carrying heavy loads across long distances. This means these hiking boots are primed for preppers and survivalists who might need to trek with their bugout bags through harsh conditions. Inside, the EVA top layer provides a comfy bed for your foot while the Rangi bottom foam offers both durable cushioning and responsiveness. Moreover, the Vibram Megagrip outsole has 5mm multidirectional lugs for superior traction in all sorts of terrain. While not meant specifically for frigid temps, the Kaha GTX does feature a Gore-Tex waterproof bootie and a full-grain waterproof leather upper to keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Ruffwear Climate Changer Pullover
Colors
Canyonlands Orange, Blossom and Cedar Green
MSRP
$50
URL
ruffwear.com
Notes
If you’re forced to flee a disaster in winter, you’ll want to make sure your canine sidekick can make the journey out of Dodge, too. For a smaller dog or a breed that doesn’t do as well in cold weather, this pullover sweater from Ruffwear adds an extra layer without restricting movement. Made of a nylon-spandex blend and a water-repellent finish, the lower panel retains body heat, sheds rain, snow, and dirt, and stretches to conform to various chest sizes. On top, the upper panel is made of polyester fleece that dries quickly and captures warmth without the bulk. The cap sleeves allow for a greater range of motion while fitting dogs with broad shoulders and thick chests. For added safety, there’s a loop for attaching a small light and reflective trim for visibility in dark conditions.
Gerber Gear Freescape Camp Saw
Frame Steel
2Cr13 stainless steel
MSRP
$58
URL
gerbergear.com
Notes
There’s no denying that, in the hands of a skilled woodsman, a two-handed ax can do some serious damage to a tree. But there’s also no denying that for the average Joe, a saw is a much more precise tool at cutting a thick branch. The only problem with both of these tools is that they can often be too cumbersome to pack when cargo space is at a premium. Enter the Freescape Camp Saw. This innovative tool looks similar to a hacksaw but folds down flat into a baton-like object that’s just a little over a foot long — and without any additional tool or disassembly. When opened, it has four pivot points to effectively cut larger diameter wood using the full length of its 12-inch blade, which can be easily replaced if needed. And its handle is textured for added “grippyness” and accented with bright green so it’s easy to spot amongst your other tools.
Aclim8 COMBAR Pro
OAL
15.75 inches
MSRP
$600
URL
aclim8.com
Notes
The COMBAR combines an ax, saw, knife, spade, and hammer — all housed in a single grip that’s roughly the size and weight of a pipe wrench. While the hammer is always at the ready, the ax and spade are easy to deploy — just lift the safety lever and rotate whichever tool you need. The knife and saw, however, are stored inside the hollow handle and require a few more steps to get to. A basic version without the latter two tools runs for $425. If you’re on a budget, both the basic and this Pro version shown here will be cost prohibitive. Still, if you have the dough, it’s an innovative multi-tool worth considering. Created by two former Israeli special operations officers, the COMBAR is meant to withstand tough conditions — whether you’re a soldier, survivalist, or outdoor adventurer. A holster ($45) and an overbuilt soft case ($95) are available for it, both sold separately.
Midland USA X-Talker T290VP4
Range
Up to 40 miles
MSRP
$90
URL
midlandusa.com
Notes
In some survival scenarios, communication is life. Whether you need to find a lost member of your party or you need to signal that danger’s approaching basecamp, a pair of two-way radios can be key. The X-Talker T290VP4 is a GMRS radio that has Midland’s trademark Weather Scan + Alert Technology — which cycles through 10 available weather band channels and locks onto the one with the stronger signal — alerting you of severe conditions in your area. It features 22 channels, 14 extra privacy code channels, 121 privacy codes, and a range of up to 40 miles. This set comes with two radios, belt clips, a pair of headsets, and rechargeable batteries. Unfortunately, it’s not USB compatible, but it does come with a desktop charger.
Hunter’s Blend Coffee Black Powder Roast
Weight
12 ounces
MSRP
$15
Notes
For many, coffee is life. For those who don’t get it, don’t worry. Just stock up on coffee anyway, because in a post-apocalyptic scenario, it’ll become a valuable commodity that you can use to trade for food, supplies, or your drink of choice. Until then, enjoy the Black Powder Roast from Hunter’s Blend Coffee. This mix of beans from Central America and east Asia will help fire up your morning, bringing that invigorating aroma and caffeine without the burnt taste that many other dark roasts have. Hunter’s Blend ethically acquires its beans via direct trade — cutting out the middle men and lobbyists who might not support the hunting and Second Amendment lifestyle — then has them roasted in small batches in Ohio.
Thyrm DarkVault Critical Gear Case
Dimensions
7.2 by 5.43 by 1.67 inches
MSRP
$90
URL
thyrm.com
Notes
The DarkVault was created with active-duty military and federal law enforcement in mind as a means to keep communication devices immediately accessible, thoroughly protected, and yet undetectable by blocking radio frequency signals. Sure, it’s not a true Faraday cage, which would require the case to be extremely large or quite metallic. But Thyrm says it’s been tested to block normal cellphone calls and data, as well as GPS signals, meeting the requirements of its government customers. Each case is made of battlefield-grade polymer with a gasket seal to keep out dirt, dust, and moisture. It also has a lockable latch, interior and external Velcro panels, and a quick-detach system that’s MOLLE compatible. The DarkVault Comms, the non-blocking version, is available for $60. Both made in the USA.
Ruike Knives P127-CB
OAL
8.46 inches
MSRP
$55
Notes
The P127-CB is a kwaiken-style folding knife with the business end made of 14C28N, a Swedish stainless steel that offers toughness, long-lasting sharpness, and strong corrosion resistance. We also like that the tanto profile is more functional and less angular than many popular tanto blades. It opens quickly and smoothly thanks to the high-carbon chromium ball bearings and has Ruike’s Thumb Up Safety Lock (similar to CRKT’s locking liner safety), which can lock the blade closed if you don’t want it to accidentally open or lock it open if you want to make it a virtual fixed blade. The slim handle has G10 scales with a carbon-fiber overlay and a tungsten glass-breaker on the end for emergency rescues or improvised pummeling. A model with only G10 scales is available for $50.
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