Ever wonder why some flashlights and headlamps offer different colors of light?
White: All purpose/general lighting. This will temporarily (10 – 20 mins) ruin your natural night vision.
Red: Terrible for general lighting, but excellent for maintaining your natural night vision.
Green: Great for picking up details in the dark. Particularly useful for tracking at night.
There is a difference between good enough…and good enough.
More specifically…the “meh…good enough?” and “Good Enough!”
Whatever it may be that you speak of…there comes a point where anything more is either ego or excess…or both…a point where no additional value is added…and is therefore wasteful.
Not only can we apply this ideology to our daily routines, but in a survival situation, conserving energy is vitally important. Needlessly expending precious calories is wasteful – therefore efficiency is essential.
Remember:
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. There is no waste in nature.
Emphasis should be placed on achieving maximum results for a minimum amount of effort. Knowing the difference between good enough vs. good enough – is the foundation upon which this approach is based.
Classic Mid Boot
The Bogs® Classic Mid is the perfect boot to handle anything your day may bring. Built with durable rubber to keep you dry and comfortable and to withstand the harshest conditions. Constructed with 7mm four way stretch Neo-Tech insulation. Comfort rated to -40˚F. Contour fit for maximum support and movement and a non-slip outsole to deliver excellent traction on any surface.
100% satisfaction guaranteed
– Bogs Footwear
Cost: Around CDN $90
I’ve worn these boots for a little over a year under various conditions in each season. Where I live (Manitoba, Canada) it gets extremely cold. With the right pair of socks, these boots are warm enough for daily winter tasks outside and jaunts around town. The Mid Boots are super easy to slip on and off and very comfortable, offering just enough height to keep out the elements. However, for serious cold and snow – they don’t cut it (at least not in my experience).
In spring, summer and fall, the treads on these boots are fantastic. They have a bit of arch support while allowing your feet to feel very close to the ground and sense the surface you’re walking on (not sure if that’s still the case – looks like the treads on the new model are noticeably more aggressive). On icy surfaces, I’ve found these boot to be a bit slick. Perhaps the new model offers better grip in slippery conditions.
I’ve tested the water resistant capabilities of these boots last year in the bush. We were trudging through water that came right up to the rims of my boots…No problem. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first, but I was pleasantly surprised. Although they aren’t the best for technical activities – “flat surface” walking through the bush is very pleasant, shedding dirt and mud quite well.
Fairly lightweight and durable, mine have tackled bushwhacking and a teething English Bulldog. While they may not have lasted too long with my dog, they’re pretty rugged.
Simple and convenient. Overall they’ve proved to be a pretty good boot.
Keep your hands dry. Your hands will become cold much faster if they are wet. If you must take your mitts or gloves off, try tucking them under your armpit, or better still, inside your jacket where they’ll stay warmer than if you leave them on the ground. Leaving your mitts/gloves on the ground leaves them vulnerable not only to loss, but to snow getting inside them, severely effecting their insulation value.
An Old Inuit Trick:
If you’re having trouble touching your thumb to your pinky finger – that’s a really bad sign. Get warm fast! It’s an indication that you’re so cold that your dexterity and sense of touch are failing, which in a survival situation greatly reduces your ability to accomplish basic lifesaving tasks, like lighting a match, using a lighter, manipulating a FireSteel, zipping up your clothing etc…
In a survival situation it’s crucial that you take care of your hands and feet. Your hands are essential for shelter building, gathering, knife skills etc… and you need your feet for mobility.
go·ruck [verb go + verb ruck] noun ruck is short for rucksack (aka backpack), it’s also a verb: to ruck is to move with a rucksack, and implies action, energy, and purpose.
Special Forces sent me to cities, mountains, jungles, and deserts, by day and night, in every condition imaginable throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. I surrounded myself with the best, a standard I grew to expect, and I trusted my teammates, my instincts, and my equipment. We never knew what we might find, so we always came prepared for anything. Throughout it all we worked hard and played hard, sometimes in that order, and I learned an honest way of life that will always be my core, and the core of GORUCK.
GORUCK introduces military-grade gear tough enough for Special Forces to adventure seekers worldwide. All GORUCK gear is built in the USA and adheres to the highest standards of functionality, durability and style.
GORUCK gear comes with our Scars Lifetime Guarantee, so play hard.
Wherever you’re going, whatever you’re doing, go ready, GORUCK.
– Jason, Founder
According to GORUCK’s founder Jason (former Special Forces soldier with the Green Berets), there are 3 rules you need to know:
1. Never get lost
2. Always look cool
3. If you get lost…look cool
“If you don’t take care of your equipment, how can you expect your equipment to take care of you?” – Ray Mears
Keeping your gear in top condition not only makes it a joy to use, but it also helps cut down on the need to replace items. It’s important to use and enjoy your equipment, but remember: There is a difference between using your kit…and abusing your kit.
Protection from the elements is an important consideration in a survival situation, for you – and your equipment. Today’s survival kits often contain such items as GPS units, cell phones and other electronic gadgets which require protection from not only mother nature, but from everyday bumps and bruises. An excellent way to protect your gear is with Pelican cases. Tough, water & dust resistant, crush proof, these cases are simple to use and very effective.
Founded in 1978 by a diver, they can be found protecting everything from iPhones, photography gear, medical devices and military equipment. The product speaks for itself…and they have the numbers to prove it. The California based company has been experiencing healthy sales growth. At the end of 2008, it had US$350m in revenues and bought its biggest competitor. Its factory in Torrance produces roughly 30,000 cases a month and they’ve become so efficient, they can convert plastic pellets into a case within five minutes.
Pelican cases come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to suit virtually any taste. Using a proprietary mix of polymers, Pelican creates a plastic which is virtually unbreakable. I’ve been using Pelican cases for several years now and they’ve never let me down.
The air pressure valve is a great feature which makes them ideal for air travel (I’ve traveled with similar products on the market without an air pressure valve and they were extremely difficult to open afterwards). They are great for stowing your cell phone and passport while in transit without worrying about anything getting crushed or wet – Pelican cases offer an extreme amount of peace-of-mind.
In my opinion, Pelican cases are reasonably priced and offer great value. Considering they should last you a lifetime and will protect your possessions from damage, they are a great investment – and recyclable!
Interesting fact: A custom-made container was used to carry a Formula One car.
Anything you want to protect from getting wet or busted – Put it in a Pelican!