Basic Bushcraft Gear – 11 Essential Tools for Survival

It’s either winter camping with your friends or a summer camp-out on a sandy beach, anyone who intends to do that needs some basic bushcraft gear. These gears are essential tools for surviving in any adverse situation. A good atmosphere can even turn into a bad situation before you make it out. When it comes to survival, you might be barely alive and still be struggling while bushcraft is about living simply yet comfortably in nature. However, to succeed in your camping in any difficult situation, you need a few basic bushcraft gears to handle those. Whether you are on a mountain or in a deep forest, these essential tools for survival are highly required.

What are Basic Bushcraft Gear?

Basic bushcraft gear is some kind of essential tool that you need to carry while you are going to camp with friends. These tools are so important that you may not even survive without them if it is a mission for multiple days. The basic bushcraft gear is, for example, starters, knives, ax, tarps, tents, and so on. People who are accustomed to this kind of camping are well-known for these tools.

The Basic Bushcraft Gear You Need to Pack

This bushcraft tools list should be in every beginner bushcrafter’s kit. If it is your first time camping, you can take some high-quality bushcraft survival gear in order to live comfortably. Everybody who is going on such a mission should study or research the bushcraft equipment you need to buy.

Besides your skills and experience, these bushcraft hand tools we are going to mention below are highly recommended. You can get these all from any tools shop near you or online.

If you are still thinking about how to pack your bushcraft backpack, well, this is high time we discussed them now.

---

11 Essential Tools for Survival

---

1. Bushcraft Backpack

What you need first to start preparation is a bushcraft backpack with axe holder. A backpack with huge storage and multiple compartments will help you organize all the bushcraft survival gears in it.

A bushcraft backpack with an ax sleeve is usually equipped with tons of pockets and is good for storing a lot of stuff and transportation. These kinds of backpacks are like Range Backpacks which are designed to last long and to withstand adverse weather.

You must check whether the backpack for bushcrafting is well-built or not. The soft-padded back panel, waist belt, and chest straps are great to have such a great backpack for your long-distance journey.

One more thing – a quality backpack must be made from good materials that don’t disappoint you easily. It is highly suggested to try to pick heavy-duty materials like Nylon or Polyester. It must save your day.

You may prefer TETON Sports Scout Internal Frame High-Performance Backpack for Backpacking, Hiking, and Camping. This camping backpack is a versatile quick trip pack. Can be able to hold 3400 cubic inches (55 L) weighing only 4. 5 pounds (2 kg). You will have multi-position torso adjustment fits for different body sizes. Above all, it is a trusted quality that you can trust.

2. Blade / Knife

The next essential item you need for survival is a quality knife or blade. Anyways, if you ask any wilderness survival expert what tool is their favorite for packing backpacks, almost all of them reply the same answers with a bushcraft knife or a sharpened blade. You must know, a bushcraft knife is incredibly versatile.

All knives are designed for the specific purpose they are meant to be used for. Want an example? Well, kitchen knives come in all shapes and sizes because they need to be used for different purposes. We recommend you try a knife that works for multipurpose. In that case, a 1095 High Carbon Steel Knife can be great for you. This knife can be used for fighting, hunting, everyday carry, bushcrafting, fishing, camping, hiking, and so many purposes. Well, you can carry a Folding Whittling Knife besides that quality bushcraft knife.

You need to know a bushcraft knife is more than just a blade and a handle. It’s a piece of steel that is able to withstand the harshest conditions. Your survival tool is frequently used for preparing food, carving wood to fashion hooks and stakes, protection, and even to help start a fire.

3. Axe/Hatchet

What if you need to cut down a tree or its branches to make shelter and fire? That is exactly where our next item comes into play.

The basic bushcraft gear we are going to point out here is an Axe or Hatchet. Both the terms are often interchangeable. A hatchet is smaller in size and certainly more compact than an axe. The choice is yours.

Compared to their sizes, Axe is bigger which is perfect for cutting big trees and branches while a Hatchet is used to chop down smaller trees and branches.

Anyways, you can use SOG Camp Axe for compact camping. It’s a survival hatchet and Hammer tool with a Sheath and 3.1-inch Bushcraft Axe Edge.

A hatchet is always compact and lightweight. It may come down to your preference. However, choose one according to your needs.

4. Bushcraft Tarp

One of the most important bushcraft equipment is the Bushcraft Tarp. This best bushcraft gear can save you from intense sunlight or adverse weather such as rainstorms. Most nature enthusiasts’ opinion is setting up a durable shelter is a number one priority for spending a significant time in nature.

What more can a Tarp be used for?

Well, as tarps are waterproof you can collect water and create makeshift floating devices. It can also be used as a stretcher in case you need it.

A quality tarp is durable, compact, lightweight, and waterproof. Perfect, huh? We highly recommend using one that is made of either silicone or polyurethane.

For making your best shelter with a bushcraft tarp, you can use Aqua Quest Defender Tarp which is 100% waterproof and made of heavy-duty Nylon.

5. Tent

A tarp is hung overhead to protect from intense sun or from heavy rain. But a tent is used to sleep well inside it which is an essential tool for camping. This basic bushcraft gear is quite emergency to have a sound sleep at night.

A tent is set pinning down the four corners with Insta-Clip pole attachments that can stand up to 35+ mph winds. The frame of the tent helps to stand it firmly.

You can be protected from various types of animals and insects inside a tent. A rainfly with an integrated door awning is included too.

In this case, as one of the most important bushcraft gears, you can use The Coleman Sundome 2-Person Dome Tent which is designed for quick and easy setup. The Coleman Sundome has large windows and a ground vent to help push warm air up and out to keep you comfortable. Besides, the durable Polyguard 2X double-thick fabric can withstand any extreme situation.

The main features are –

• Exclusive WeatherTec System
• Durable carry bag with separate storage bags for tents, poles, and stakes
• Entry-level price
• Great for small family car campers, solo travelers, and first time campers
• Adjustable Variflo ventilation
• Vented Cool-Air port
• Privacy vent window
• Easy two-pole set-up with shock-corded poles
• Interior gear pocket
• Electrical access port
• Easy set-up with continuous pole sleeves

In addition, this dome tent offers enough room for one queen size air mattress. Moreover, it comes with built-in storage pockets in order to keep your gears organized. You would like it for your great bushcraft trip.

6. Fire Starter Kit

What is needed most while trying to make a fire in the forest is a fire starter kit. It is essential to those who are newer to the world of bushcraft or wilderness survival. The warmth of the fire can save you from sudden cold weather. So, it is truly necessary to keep a matchbox or instant fire starter.

You can find any fire starter near you at any grocery shop or can order online too. Well, HomeRight Electro-Torch Fire Starter is a good quality one. It is a charcoal starter and lighter. Besides, this one is great for BBQ, grill, and chemical-free heated air with a built-in blower.

7. Sleeping Bag

At night, a comfy bed is required in order to have a sound sleep. This is why a cozy sleeping bag is so important. If the weather is so cold, you cannot sleep without a comfy sleeping bag.

A sleeping bag must be weather-resistant and would be able to keep you warm even in extreme conditions. Besides, it prevents you from any dampness because of the double-filled technology. The design also plays an important role. A half-circle hood with an adjustable drawstring keeps your head warmer. You can check out backpack travel gadgets and accessories to know more about it.

The outer cover material should be premium 210T Anti-tearing Polyester Fabric which is waterproof yet breathable.

However, you can try Oaskys Camping Sleeping Bag. This bag can endure 10~20 Degrees Celsius. You can use this camping sleeping bag in 3 seasons; summer, spring, and fall. It is lightweight and waterproof. And yes, the Oaskys Camping Sleeping Bag can be used for camping gear equipment, traveling, and outdoor styles.

8. First Aid Kit

Any camper must not leave any safety kit behind. Nobody knows when an accident happens. This is why always prepare for the worst. A First Aid Kit is the ultimate bushcraft gear that is unavoidable. So, this is one of the most basic bushcraft gears to pack your bag.

Leaving an open wound exposed in the wild is incredibly dangerous. So, as a primary treatment, you need to have some sterile equipment to clean and dress the wound. What can be included in the First Aid Kit?

You can at least try these out.

We recommend having a first aid kit with you. Band-Aid Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose Portable Compact First Aid Kit. It is a good one that includes 140 items. This emergency kit includes cleansing wipes, gauze pads, assorted bandages, rolled gauze, antibiotic cream, and itch stopping cream, acetaminophen caplets, an instant cold pack, and much more. You can use this compact first air in any case in case of emergency.

9. A flashlight

People only understand the necessity of a flashlight when they travel into the wilderness without it. I would say a flashlight is one of the most essentials for bushcraft camping. This is also a cheap bushcraft gear to have. A flashlight can be a portable source of light. So, this bushcraft survival gear is too important to forget to leave behind.

You can use an LED tactical flashlight which is water-resistant and has a feature of military-grade 2000 Lumens 5 Modes zoom function. It is certainly an ultra-bright torch.

With three modes for example high, medium, and low brightness you can use any of them anytime according to your need. It features strobe (intermittent flashing) and SOS (emergency signal) as well. This flashlight can provide an intense spotlight for the long-range observation that can reach up to 600 feet.

In addition, the LED flashlight is made from aircraft-grade aluminum. It means it can perfectly withstand any adverse situation from freezing to boiling. It is water-proof and shock-resistant. And yes, this flashlight is very portable and can easily fit in your pocket, handbag, or car compartment, so you can take it with you wherever and whenever.

10. Water bottle

An incredibly basic bushcraft gear is a water bottle. If you intend to spend an extended period of time to stay hydrated, a well BPA-free water bottle is a must. Also, it is a question of survival.

You can try a Hydro Flask Water Bottle with Straw Lid. The inside of the water bottle is made of stainless steel which is why it is reusable. Besides, to pour water the vacuum insulated-wide mouth helps a lot.

This New Hydro Flask water bottle has a slip-free powder coating outer shell that resists slipping from fingers. In addition, to get you well-hydrated with full satisfaction, these Hydro Flask metal water bottles help keep the coldest drinks icy cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks piping hot for up to 12 hours.

Apart from this, this reusable water bottle is perfectly BPA-free and phthalate-free. You can try it. Worth a shot for bushcraft camping.

11. Binoculars

If you are heading for camping in the forest, sightseeing and enjoying nature must be one of many purposes. This is exactly why you need to pack up your binoculars. A binocular helps you see the long distant view clear and bigger. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you may want to see birds or wildlife.

If you are searching for a quality binocular, you can obviously try the 12×42 High Definition Binoculars for Adults. It is a super bright binocular with a large and clear view from a long distance. 18mm large eyepiece for larger images and clearer details. 16.5mm big BaK4 Prism HD Binoculars are for a super bright and crisp view. It can collect 32% more light than a 12.5mm prism lens (e.g. 10×25, 12×25, 10×21 binoculars).

Weighing only 560g, these Adasion 12x42mm binoculars are able to deliver 367ft/1000yds a large field of view. In a word, it is the perfect binoculars for bird watching, hunting, and sports events.

---

What More to Pack Your Bushcraft Backpack?

We have already discussed the most important bushcraft equipment that cannot be avoided anyhow. But yes, you can take a lot more bushcraft tools if your bushcraft hiking backpack has the capacity to hold all the gears you intend to pack. Besides, carrying the bushcraft day pack is another important matter. Well, if you are strong enough to carry the heavy load, you are welcome.

So what more is there to count for basic bushcraft gear?

These are all important if you intend to stay for more than a couple of days. Look, all the equipment is necessary but you can get the work done with alternative options. For example, you can walk in low light with the help of a head torch instead of flashlights. A water mug’s alternative can be a water bottle. If you have a smartwatch, a compass may be unnecessary. If water is available, a water purifier won’t be needed. A folding saw is not that essential while an Axe is in your hand. So, you have to decide what kind of tools you need to pack you must.

---

Last Words

The basic bushcraft gear is truly essential for a bushcraft trip. The camping could be harder if you leave any more important bushcraft gear behind. For example, if you don’t take a sleeping bag with you during the winter season, you won’t even survive there. So proper tools and equipment are the demand of the time and situation. That’s why if you are a first-time bushcraft camper you must have advice from experienced ones. And if you are experienced enough you know how to reduce tools to use alternatives to make your backpack lighter. An experienced one knows better how to pack your bushcraft backpack with basic bushcraft gears.

Happy Bushcraft Camping!

---