A bushcraft adventure requires preparation, skills, and tools. And with the right shopping list, you can have much more confidence when in the natural environment as you will always have everything you need at hand. Bushcraft and survival are not spontaneous, the more prepared you are, the better. Also, bushcraft is different from a long-term survival gear list. It is also important to know the difference, so let’s learn more about the perfect bushcraft shopping list.
What Is Bushcraft?
You may already have heard this term, but bushcraft is completely different from survival or camping, so it’s important to remember the difference.
Bushcraft is about the use and practice of skills that allow you to survive in nature, so it is important what exactly you pack in your bushcraft kit bag. Bushcraft involves special tools and the knowledge of these tools so that you can make your adventure more comfortable.
The History of Bushcraft, Its Idea and Mission
Bushcraft has a rich history that was inspired by indigenous traditions. It represents the experience of professionals and enthusiasts and helps people to be better at survival and to be more resilient to the challenges of nature.
Dave Canterbury
Dave Canterbury is a survival expert who teaches different skills related to bushcraft. He is also the author of a series of books on bushcraft that are intended to help novices in this field. Dave Canterbury discusses tools, techniques, and realities of bushcraft adventures, and also explains how bushcraft has evolved with time.
According to Dave Canterbury, who gave provided a definition of this term in his book “Dave Canterbury, Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival”,
“Bushcraft” is a term for wilderness skills and is the practice of surviving and thriving in the natural world.”
Photo from gearjunkie.com
The Idea and Mission of Bushcraft
The idea of bushcraft focuses on the mastery of practical survival skills and the knowledge of tools. The mission of bushcraft also includes individual growth, community building, and environmental conservation. The goal of bushcraft is to make people stronger by educating them and to deepen our relationship with nature.
Shopping List for a Bushcraft Adventure
Let’s break down the different types of bushcraft kit essentials you need to bring and how to perfect your shopping list.
Photo from thedyrt.com
Essential Items to Pack
Here is a list of bushcraft gear and tools that are considered to be essential by experts and that you will need the most during your adventure:
Backpack
The backpack is a must. It’s not only about a comfortable bag, your backpack should allow you to pack all the essentials and be spacious enough. Investing in a quality backpack is always a good idea.
Water Filter
A water filter will help you with one of the most important and urgent needs – the need for drinking water. Here, again, quality matters.
Knife
A high-quality knife, like a bushcraft knife, is the best cutting tool you can bring with you. Educate yourself on knife types, invest in a quality knife, and you will be protected from different types of risks. Great example of bushcraft knife – Adventurer CSHF by BPS Knives.
Optional Items to Pack in your Bushcraft Gear List
Here are some of the additional items you can add to your kit so it only consists of the necessary items but includes gear for different needs.
Survival Gear for Firecraft
Firecraft can save you from hypothermia and allow you to cook while you need food for survival. It has other important benefits, so make sure you have the proper tools. You can also include a fire starter kit for ensuring you always have tools for light and warmth. A fire starter kit may include different tools, but sometimes, you will need to ignite fire really quickly, and proper tools will help you. Again, the more prepared you are, the better.
Survival Gear for Shelter
Building a shelter is one of the first essential skills for survival that you will need to learn as a top priority. The proper gear will make your shelter reliable and comfy.
Sleeping Bag or Space Blanket
The same applies to a sleeping bag or a space blanket, it needs to be comfortable as it protects you in your sleep. Make sure you consider the weather conditions and the climate, as well as the other dangers.
First Aid Kit
Your first aid kit for bushcraft should include:
- Gloves
- Antiseptic wipes
- Bandages
- Steri-strips
- Tourniquet
- Hydrocortisone cream
Weather dependent items
Clothing
Clothing is about comfort, temperature, and climate. Make sure your clothing feels comfy and protects you from external dangers.
Navigation
Even in the wild, you can fully rely on technology, so it is necessary to learn to be good at navigation. If you spend some time learning and investing in the necessary tools, you will be much more prepared to survive in wild areas.
What not to bring
Let’s have a look at a list of items that will NOT be useful and, as the list should be compact, they don’t deserve your attention:
Unnecessary Electronics
Electronics may be unreliable when it comes to extreme temperatures and weather conditions. Also, your stuff will have to be lightweight. So make sure you only include essential items.
Heavy or Bulky Gear
Nothing makes it more difficult to survive than a heavy load that you have to carry for a long time. Keep everything as compact and lightweight as possible.
Non-Essential Luxury Items
This may sound obvious, but opinions vary when it comes to the definition of luxury items. It’s always better to take something that you are REALLY going to use.
Why Is It so Important to Gather a Proper List for a Bushcraft Adventure?
A bushcraft adventure requires you to be highly practical, otherwise, it may be quite risky. So knowing what to bring with yourself, and what not to bring, saves time and effort. Also, it is much better to acquire certain survival skills before you embark on an adventure so that you feel comfortable in uncertainty. The same applies for the tools. The more advanced your preparation is, the better.
As Dave Canterbury put it in “Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival”:
“You must master a unique skill set that includes firecraft, navigation, trapping, creating shelter, tracking, and the use of tools, both modern and primitive.”
Photo from frontierbushcraft.com
Final Thoughts
Bushcraft itself is much more about an adventure than survival. After all, the romantic idea of being alone surrounded by nature and enjoying the environment in its wild form may inspire you to become much better at survival. Also, with due safety, this is a great hobby and helps you to be stronger and adapt in real life.
And, finally, it can be a cool adventure that will live in your memory forever! So try your hand at bushcraft to familiarize yourself with this experience.