1st line

boots w/laces replaced by p-cord and hiking socks
boonie hat with p-cord laced through loops and ear plugs

hunting knife and sheath attached to belt
mini FAK/SK in Altoids tin attached to knife sheath
Watch with compass on band
INOVA blue LED light and whistle on necklace

2nd line

Surplus Mauser 98k
USGI Pistol belt, magazine pouch (w/ 6x stripper clips), canteen, canteen cover and canteen cup

The Pack-
German “mountain rucksack”

Shelter-
USGI Poncho
USGI Poncho Liner
German sleeping pad (this goes in the pack first and pads the back)

Food and Water-

USGI 2qt canteen
Esbit stove and 6x trioxene fuel tabs
Ziplock bag w/ 4x servings instant oatmeal and 4x breakfast bars
Ziplock bag w/ coffee filters (for prefiltering water) commercial water purification tablets)
3x servings canned food stored in old sock to prevent rattling
2x ramen noodle packs (can be eaten “raw” as well)

Clothing Bag-
One forest green T shirt, 2x pair heavy duty socks, foot powder

Hygiene Bag-
Soap, washcloth, toothbrush and paste, ½ roll of toilet paper

70 rounds rifle ammunition on stripper clips

Garden trowel


Tips for gear on the cheap

1) When perusing catalogs like Cheaper than Dirt or Sportsman’s Guide make sure you look for real military surplus gear.   There is a lot of foreign surplus available because many armies are switching to modular type gear.  You can get it for outstanding prices.  The “German Mountain Ruck” shown above can be had for around $20.

2) Stay away from the China made nock offs of more modern gear.  Except in rare instances it won’t work.  Don’t waste you money trying to look high speed-low drag!

3) Your boots and your rifle are arguably the most important parts of your gear.  But good deals can be had on them. 

4) Good rifle deals can be had in the form of surplus military arms.  These are made for rough use and can still serve if you master them and understand their limitations.  Good examples are the German 98k shown here, the Indian “Ishapore” Enfield rifle (I like it because it’s in a modern caliber and the Yugoslavian SKS (also in a modern military caliber.)  You can have one of these, second line gear and a decent ammo supply for a fraction of what a high end AR or AK might cost.  One serious disadvantage of a rifle like this is there poor performance at close ranges.  It would be good if every other person had a shotgun if close up fighting is expected, or better yet add a pistol and holster.

5) Shop the local surplus stores, gun shows, yard sales and thrift stores.  Things will be more expensive at the surplus stores and gun shows, but you can get a real idea for its durability and if it will actually work.

6) Shop for used gear, and people who have been in “the game” for a while need to be willing to part with their old gear for a reasonable price.  You have to get other people started.

7) Don’t ignore quality hunting and camping supplies.  Especially if it is well made and in a good Earth tone color.  Department stores frequently discount this stuff at the end of seasons.

8) Adapt a local, household and local available stuff to your use.  A ziplock bag is a ziplock bag, ramen noodles pack lots of carbs and Wal-Mart sells black duct tape.

9) Once you get the basics, test them.  Get in the woods for a few days.  You can improve your gear one or two pieces at a time.

10) Apply the “general gear suggestions” from the “my gear layout” page.