GearFlogger

Coghlan's Magnesium Fire Starter

In the small but useful department, when you're in desperate need of a fire to stay warm, celebrate halloween in Detroit or fend off marauding hordes of zombies, getting a little chemical assist can be helpful.

Coghlan's Magnesium Fire Starter is a small 1x3x3/8 inch block of magnesium to help get you warm. You shave the block with a knife until you have a small pile of shavings about an inch in diameter, then you flip it over and scrape the strip on the back of the block to get sparks.

It's about as easy as it sounds, although you need a nice tidy pile of shavings for the sparker thing to catch. Or just use a match or lighter if you've got it. It's going to dull your knife, but if you're in that kind of situation you're probably going to be happy to make the tradeoff.

$6.94 at Walmart

Adventure Medical Kits Thermo-Lite 2.0 bivvy sack

Someone once said that adventures are nothing more than bad planning. By definition, no one ever intends an emergency bivy. But you can plan for it, and the Thermo-Lite 2.0 bivvy sack by Adventure Medical Kits is seven ounces of prevention that can last a lifetime.

The sack, as I shall call it, doesn't take up much space: it's smaller than a quart bottle in the stuff sack. There's enough room to stow a few more essentials in with it, maybe your entire survival kit if you pack efficiently. The bag itself is a basically a 36"x84" weatherproof space blanket with a few trick features. The side opens halfway with Velcro tabs, and the footbox opens as well. This helps manage the inevitable condensation that builds up in what is basically a vapor barrier liner.

It's definitely easy enough to get into and out of, just be careful you don't reef on it. The sack is really meant to be an emergency item and repeated use will tear it up unless you're abnormally careful. It says it can reflect up to 80% of your body heat, and that sounds about right. If you bring an ultralight pad, even a 3/4 length, you'll vastly improve your comfort and heat retention. The Thermo-Lite 2.0 is a nice, inexpensive piece of kit that can epic-proof your outings.

$33.00 at REI

PacSafe 55 Security Web

I know what you're thinking: PacSafe? Why does PacMan need a condom? After all there's just him and Ms. PacMan, so WTF? With those little hairy warts chasing them all the time you'd think they'd want to breed like rabbits to ensure their progeny survive. But I digress.

The PacSafe Security Web is a force field for your stuff. It comes in four sizes fitting everything from a small backpack to a large duffel. The beauty of the system is the interlocking net of slashproof stainless steel cables that cinch around your bag. The holes are big enough to pass a small hand through, but once it's drawn tight it's extremely difficult to unzip or open anything. The whole thing wads up and stuffs into its buff little nylon pouch, and it's fairly compact if a little solid at 18oz.

The PacSafe comes with a lock and three keys, so you can secure the whole tamper-proof enchilada to the nearest immovable object. This is great while you're sightseeing, swimming or just leaving a bag in the hostel. It used to be that you could check your bag with this thing on it and be assured no one would take the time to screw with your stuff; you can still do that but you'll have to get a different lock, as the included model is not idiot (i.e. TSA Travel Sentry) approved. If your travels take you anywhere near dens of iniquity PacSafe is your daddy.

$59.95 at REI

Atwater Carey Pro Series medical kit

Atwater Carey is a leading supplier of outdoors health and safety products. They make a wide range of medical gear including kits to fit every need from fast and light to slow and ponderous. The Pro Series comes in versions 1, 2 and 3 for up to eight people and/or three weeks.

Each includes a Backcountry First Aid book that will walk you through the routines, but the supplies go beyond the basics to include items such as 5.5" EMT shears, nitrile gloves and a CPR life mask. There is a particularly wide assortment of bandaging options including gauze, dressings and tape. Stepping up to the higher numbered series gets you even more options, including SAM splints and burn treatments.

The kits are well-packaged in a zippered nylon pouch that opens to see-through paneled compartments. They range in weight from 1-2.5lb and there is ample room in the bag to stuff it with your own extras. An especially nice touch: Atwater Carey stands by their products with an Ask the Expert function on their website.

$59.99 to $119.99 on eBay

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight .7

As a climber 99% of your time is spent buying, sorting and packing shiny things. The other 1% is spent adjusting your beret to a rakish angle (French), painting little fake six-pack lines on your abs (German), drinking yourself silly (UK) or trying to figure out some complicated sponsorship scheme involving sick children or animals (American).

In reality the first thing you should take with you on your backcountry adventures is often the last thing you devote any thought to: a medical kit. Lucky you, Adventure Medical Kits is here to enable your slacker lifestyle by doing your thinking for you. They produce a complete line of safety and survival products for just about any outdoor activity.

The Ultralight and Watertight series includes kits for one to four people, weighing from 3 to 10 ounces. All have an external ripstop nylon pouch with tie-in points and internal Aloksak waterproof bags - like ziplocs only beefier. The .7 is an 8oz 2-person kit containing all the basics, from moleskin, duct tape and tweezers to dressings, tape and medications. All the items are high-quality and sized right for the intended use. Use the Ultralight kit as is or supplement to your own specs, but don't leave home without an ounce - or eight - of prevention.

$24.95 at REI