The latest title to ride the SEAL tsunami is “The US Navy SEAL Survival Handbook.” I haven’t even read the thing yet, but I can reliably say that a Navy SEAL isn’t going to drop any special SERE sauce on you. At least not simply by virtue of being a SEAL. It just isn’t what they do for a living. However, author Don Mann was not only a SEAL but also served as a SERE instructor while in the Navy and that makes what he has to say worth checking out. It’s just too bad that it’s being sold as a SEAL book rather than as a survival guide written by a SERE instructor. Topics include: Making weapons and tools, Finding water, Wildlife for food, Making shelters, Signaling, and Sea survival. I’m a big fan of survival topics so I look forward to checking it out.
It’s well known in the prepper community that the Discovery Channel series hit a pregnant pause as the show looked for a replacement for Dave Canterbury. Old pro Cody Lundin has remained with the show but folks have been scratching their heads wondering who the new co-star would be. Well, we think we have it figured out.
We believe that the new co-host for season three of Discovery Channel’s “Dual Survival” is Joe Teti who is a Veteran of the US Marines, Army Special Forces and OGA. Joseph Teti is also the director of International Security Consultants.
Season three of “Dual Survival” is currently in production and just wrapped up episode four.
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 McCarthy, Founder of GORUCK
You get what you pay for…and when you pay for a GORUCK pack, you’re getting the best. I’ve used a ton of day packs and non of them cost nearly as much (especially for this size of pack), but non of them are quite this good.
I have been using the GORUCK RR (Radio Ruck) pack for around a year now as my EDC (Every Day Carry) bag and it’s absolutely fantastic. The GORUCK RR has more than enough space for your everyday stuff without being too large.
The simplicity of the design defines the functionality of all the GORUCK products, and the design is everything you need, and nothing you don’t. No unnecessary clips or straps found here. You may think that the lack of chest, waist, and compression straps seem odd (since virtually every outdoor pack worth its weight has them), but how often do you really use them? During high activity perhaps, but mostly they just flap around and get caught up on things. On the GORUCK, you won’t miss them. Having said that, the GORUCK stays close to you and is extremely comfortable. Everything about this bag has been very well thought out, and as a result it flows very well.
The entire front of the pack folds open flat (like a suitcase) making packing a pleasure and a breeze, as opposed to most “top loading” packs on the market where the zipper stops around 3/4 from the bottom. Isn’t this an inherently weaker design? Not if it’s a GORUCK!
The GORUCK is a specialty product – one that is steeped in craftsmanship and a relentless pursuit for quality. If you find yourself buying a new daypack every other year because of durability issues, design etc… consider making a long term investment in quality and functionality and buy a GORUCK.
At first glance, it may appear that the GORUCK line of bags lack organization in their design. In fact, the simplicity is a refreshing change and prevents over packing. It seems if a person is given a reason to fill a space, they’ll fill it. Stitch in 4 pen holders, and you’ll fill every single one of them – won’t you! And if you don’t (after all, when do you need to have 4 different writing instruments on you?), isn’t it a waste? The GORUCK is minimalism without sacrificing an ounce of functionality.
“Less is more, and more is lazy.”
– Jason McCarthy, Founder of GORUCK
From the GORUCK website:
RADIO RUCK
Medium Ruck
Volume 24 liters
Radio Ruck takes inspiration from the size of the primary radio used by Special Forces – hence its name. Radio Ruck is a versatile daypack that can accommodate whatever adventure the day brings.
Tip: Use Radio Ruck daily to compartmentalize a change of clothes in the main compartment from a computer and files in the laptop compartment.
Built in the USA of military-grade, highly water resistant materials
Two compartments: one main, one laptop/hydration next to wearer’s back
Main compartment opens flat, internal pocket layout allows for optimal organization
16″ tall compartment next to the wearer’s back extra reinforced to securely take a laptop or hydration bladder into combat
High stress points are strength tested at over 400 lbs
External slant pocket provides quick access to keys, snacks, and other small items
2”x3” Velcro on front allows you to customize Radio Ruck with the patch of your choice (patch is not included)
Scars Lifetime Guarantee
Style: Black Primary Material: 1000D Cordura Zippers: YKK with silent 550 cord zipper pulls Bottom panel: 1050D Ballistic Cordura Size: 12”W x 18”H x 6.5”D Laptop: Protects up to a 15″ MacBook Pro Hydration: Sized to hold a 2L hydration bladder (not included) Frame sheet: No Volume: 24 liters Weight: 2.40 lbs (1.08 kg)
Note: By military-spec submersion tests, waterproof means you could repeatedly submerge something and its contents would stay entirely dry. Our rucks are highly water resistant but not technically waterproof. 1000D Cordura protects internal contents from rain – this and its strength to weight ratio are why 1000D Cordura is the preferred material for Special Forces rucksacks.
If you are interested in what makes the Goruck RR so good, be sure to check out Radio Ruck Explainedfor the full story.
Spend a day immersing yourself in survival situations through a compilation of some of the greatest tales of survival ever. Live through harrowing true life adventures from the safety of your favourite reading spot and gain a new appreciation for those who’ve survived some of the most extraordinary survival ordeals ever recorded.
“The Best Survival Stories Ever Told recounts stories of ordinary mortals who achieved extraordinary things. Spanning the ice-locked Poles and the endless deserts of Arabia to the storm-tossed South Atlantic, the rainforests of the Amazon, and sheer peaks of the Himalayas, it charts the dangerous relationship between men and nature.”
“Jon E. Lewis is a historian and writer, whose books on history and military history are sold worldwide. Jon holds graduate and postgraduate degrees in history, and his work has appeared in New Statesman, the Independent, Time Out, and the Guardian. He is also editor of SAS: The Elite Special Forces in their Own Words.”
Got these back in November 2011…Finally got a chance to test them out.
The size of these snowshoes is fantastic – nice and compact without sacrificing performace. Relatively easy to pack, lightweight, and as far as I can tell, quite robust. The 1025’s also feature a system that make them extremely simple to put on, cinch tight, and remove – all while wearing winter mitts/gloves.
While trekking I found these snowshoes to be very comfortable and worked well in different depths and textures of snow. The All-Trac™ Toe Crampon really does help with traction and the dexterity and control on uneven terrain is awesome. The Heel Lift Bar is a great feature and is a tremendous help when moving uphill. Running with these snowshoes actually wasn’t too bad at all…pleasantly surprised – great general purpose snowshoes. One thing I did notice: Every now and then, this model has a tendency to kick up snow behind you (so wear the right type of water-repellent gear).
In a survival situation, hold the snowshoe like a shovel and the end portion of these snowshoes can be used as an improvised snow tool with which to help construct a snow shelter. Flipping up the Heel Lift Bar really helps with upward shovelling.
Overall I’m very pleased with these snowshoes. Although the 1025’s can easily accommodate a wide range of winter footwear, I find the Bogs® Classic Mid boot work very well with these snowshoes as they are a very clean boot with nothing to snag or get tangled up.
If you are in the market for quality all around snowshoes, consider the Atlas 1025.
“Atlas snowshoes are the choice of professional guides, elite athletes, the US Military Special Operations Forces and wilderness expeditions.”
Discover winter in the mountains with the rugged, Atlas 10 Series and Spring-Loaded™ Suspension. When the terrain gets more demanding, the 10 Series delivers with a climbing bar to ease calf strain and SLS for classic Atlas maneuverability and articulation. The addition of the new Wrapp™ Swift binding blends technical fit with the comfort and ease of use provided by a positive toe locator, warm EVA padding, and straps that cinch and release like a breeze. The tempered steel All-Trac™ toe crampon and Traverse Trac™ rails add sidehill control and confident strides. With dedicated men’s geometry for the proprietary Atlas 6061 aluminum V-frame, you’ll feel content hiking all day long.
V-Frames
A proprietary Atlas shape, our sturdy aluminum V-Frames are the key to an efficient, natural stride. The V shape tracks straight in deep snow, and the tapered tail pulls less snow as you step forward, saving your energy. The turned-up tail of the V-frame rolls easily into each step for a natural gait. Built with lightweight, durable 6000- and 7000-series aluminum, the V-frames are used on all Atlas snowshoes, including our new Youth Series.
Spring-Loaded™ Suspension
An Atlas tenet from the beginning, Atlas’ patented Spring-Loaded™ Suspension (SLS) keeps the snowshoe close underfoot for easy maneuvering and suspends your foot so it can move freely with its intended articulation. The suspension absorbs impact and lets your foot flex naturally side-to-side for a comfortable, stable position on traverses and uneven terrain. SLS enhances traction control too, as the flex provides deeper crampon penetration into the slope, especially on steep or off-angle terrain.
Heel Lift Bar
On steep climbs, calf muscles tire quickly and traction decreases when your foot matches the slope angle. The heel lift bar eases fatigue and ties directly into Advanced Aft Traction for grip.
Nytex Decking
Flexible Nytex decking is forgiving and quiet when hiking in the cold, providing durability without the weight.
All-Trac™ Toe Crampon
The time-tested geometry of our All-Trac™ toe crampon provides traction in all directions. Wider traction tabs on the sides and corners complement sharp front and rear points for confident hiking.
Traverse Trac™ Rails
The sharp ridges of our side rails augment the downhill function of the heel cleat, running parallel to the snowshoe frame for solid footing, even on firm sidehill terrain.
Wrapp™ Swift Binding
Built on the renowned fit and arch support of the Wrapp™ platform, the Wrapp™ Swift binding blends technical fit with great comfort and ease of use from the positive toe locator, warm EVA padding, and straps that cinch and release like a breeze.
Compared to other survival books, Hawke’s Special Forces Survival Handbook seems a bit cluttered. In fairness, this might have something to do with its small size which is a good thing if you want a portable survival reference.
The diagrams aren’t anything to get excited about, nor is the content, which for the most part contains standard survival book concepts and techniques. However, this reference gets to the point quickly, where others can ramble on and on…
What I do appreciate are some of Mykel’s viewpoints on survival – which are somewhat different from those people have been generally adopting.
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:
