Bushcraft backpacks are essential for carrying all your gear, in a comfortable and safe manner.
If you want a large pack, then there are also good options for you as mentioned below, but for this article, we are going to focus on a standard size daypack that is ideal for everyday bushcraft purposes.
So, what is the best bushcraft backpack for your needs? Here’s our favourite 3…
5.11 Tactical Rush 24
The Tactical Rush backpack from 5.11 is a good all-round pack for activities such as hunting, fishing, camping and the like.
It can also be used as a grab bag if necessary, ensuring all your essentials are ready to go and in one place.
5.11 kit is known for being tough and this pack doesn’t disappoint.
The bag features a MOLLE system, that you can attach kit to as necessary.
It also incorporates the Rush Tier System, which lets you add an extra bag if required.
If you want something that’s going to stand up to a beating and will last for years to come – then this is the pack for you!
Another great bushcraft backpack, that is also suitable for many other activities, such as hiking, camping, etc.
These packs come in 2 different sizes. One being a 30-litre daysack (featured), which is ideal for general day to day use – and a larger size which is 80-130 litres (if you attach side pouches).
The 30-litre size model can also have extras attached to it, using its modular system, further increasing its capacity and functionality.
These backpacks are rock solid and will serve you for many years
Capacity: 30 litres
Weight: 1.25 kg
Dimensions: 52 x 30 x 21 cm (HxWxD)
Main fabric: KS60-RS
Colour: Coyote
S-shaped shoulder harness
Sternum strap
One main compartment
Stuff pockets
Shock cord carry system
Twin ice axe holders
Ski guides
Coolmesh back system
Reinforced lid and base
QRM Compatible
Reinforced with bartacks
Durable water repellent (DWR)
Rot-proof thread
YKK zips
This video from the Humble Trekker goes through the pack in more detail:
Below, we have compiled a bushcraft gear list detailing the top equipment that is currently on the market.
Unless you want to do the whole ‘naked and marooned‘ approach, you will need to take some gear with you.
With that in mind, we thought it would be helpful to create a list of what we would recommend kit wise.
As you will see, we haven’t gone for cheap rubbish here! We are firm believers in always buying the best you can afford.
Good kit will last you many years, even a lifetime, and is usually worth the extra few bucks.
You will end up with good quality gear, that is usually better to use – and if you ever want to sell it on, there is usually a market for the decent items.
This can’t always be said for some of the cheap rubbish that you see peddled out there.
Go for the best and build your kit up slowly. It will be worth it in the long run.
Anyway, on to the gear…
Trousers (Pants)
Classic (but pricey) bushcraft trousers
If you want the best bushcraft trousers out there (or best pants if you’re over the pond), then the Fjallraven Vidda Pro are one of the best options available.
There’s no shortage of people using these, but for a very good reason though…they’re solid trousers and made for the job.
Designed in Sweden, Fjallraven has an excellent reputation for quality – and if you go for these trousers you will not be disappointed.
Fjallraven Vidda Pro video
They aren’t cheap and are by no means completely necessary, however, we consider it an investment worth making if you are serious about your gear and overall comfort.
For a daysack, this may be a little on the big side, but if you are out for an overnighter or multi-day trip, then it’s not hard to fill up a bag like this with all your kit.
A good set of boots are essential for ankle support and comfort and another critical item on your bushcraft gear list.
If you are active around camp or hiking – you need some sturdy boots.
Investing in a good set from the start is money well spent.
Make sure you allow some time to wear them in though before going on any extended trips.
There are a few good makes, however, one of the notable ones is Hanwag, with their Tatra Top GTX boot being extremely comfortable for all manner of outdoor activities.
If you do go for a set of these, make sure you get the wide option if you have medium-wide feet, as the standard fit is quite slim around the toe area.
If you want a low-tech, reliable stove, then a meths burner may be a good fit for you.
They are super simple and just work.
The two contenders are the Trangia and the Esbit burner. The Esbit is slightly more user-friendly than the Trangia as it has a small handle to operate the simmer ring.
However, the Trangia is slightly better built and is, therefore, our burner of choice.
Using a bivvy bag is a great way to help keep you and your kit dry
Using a bivvy bag is a great idea if you are sleeping out. They provide you with some extra protection from the elements, increasing your chances of a good night’s sleep.
They can, of course, be used on their own, with your sleeping bag inside, using the bivvy as your sole outer protection.
This is great for sleeping out under the stars, in good conditions.
They are also great when used in conjunction with a tarp or basha – which is the preferred method if you are expecting rain or snow.
This can be done straight on the ground, or in a hammock setup.
You may even want to use one inside a tent, affording you a bit extra warmth when needed.
Most are breathable and waterproof, but the quality does vary.
British Army Bivvy Bag
One of our favourites is the no-nonsense, British Army Gore-tex bivvy bag that is pictured above.
As with most equipment designed for the military, these are solidly made with fully taped seams and a drawstring hood section.
They are heavy compared to others, but this is made up for by the excellent, bomb-proof quality that they afford.
They will last you for years.
There is no zip on these, so you have to slide in and out, but on a plus point, this means there is less to go wrong.
As they are made with Gore-tex, they are relatively breathable, while still providing a good degree of all round water protection.
They are designed to be used underneath a tarp as the hood does not completely cover you, but you can sleep out in them on their own if the weather is dry.
If it does start to rain though, you can always roll over and sleep on your front if necessary.
The only problem is that these bags are not easy to come across these days, especially new.
If you can get one though, we would recommend them for a heavy-duty bag.
Due to the sourcing problem, we will recommend another which is more widely available, this being the Snugpak Special Forces Bivvi Bag.
Snugpak Special Forces Bivvi Bag
These are not Gore-tex, but do incorporate Snugpak’s Paratex Dry Fabric, which is designed to do a similar thing, in that it allows moisture from your body to escape, while not letting any outside moisture in.
They feature a central zip, which helps with getting in and out of them, as well as being very lightweight and packable.
Some users find that they get a condensation build-up in these bags, but this will depend on the conditions and sleeping bag used etc.
They are ultimately, a well-made bivvy bag for a reasonable price – that you can actually get hold of!
A hammock is a great way of sleeping off ground, keeping you away from the cold floor as well as any bugs or other creatures that might be crawling around camp.
They take a bit of getting used to at first, but once you learn how to sleep in them they are a great way to camp out, assuming you have something to tie them to of course.
Two decent trees are ideal, but anything that will provide a strong anchor point will do.
The fact that they can be packed away into a small stuff sack or similar makes them a great addition to your portable sleeping system.
One of the best out there for the price is the DD frontline, which includes a bug net and has proven itself all over the globe.
Obtaining clean drinking water is a must. You do not want to be getting ill.
There are a number of options for purifying water, including boiling, sterilization and filtration.
Water purification tablets are one option, but they do leave a bit of a taste in the water. The Katadyn tablets are one of the best if you do go down this route.
Boiling is another option but does require you to have a heat source, which is not something you are able to do – or have time for.
The modern water filters are one of the simplest and convenient options.
You can go for the bag type such as the Platypus Gravityworks, which is a good choice for around camp, but if you want something a bit more portable, then the Sawyer mini below is a great choice.
Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System
The Sawyer Mini Filtration System is a multi-functional water filter that is lightweight and easy to carry.
It can be used with the squeeze pouch that is provided, with your own bottle or bag – or placed on your hydration bladder hose, to filter water on the go.
The filter unit can be cleaned out and reused, so should last you for a good while indeed.
The units are USA made and a great price for what you get.
A good set of binoculars (sometimes known as binos) are a great asset to have with you.
They let you scan areas in the distance with ease and come into their own when wildlife spotting or during hunting activities.
It’s not just the size that matters!
The optics are the most important part of the binoculars, far more than the actual size of them.
A smaller, but higher-quality set, will let in far more light and be far sharper visually than a lower quality, larger set.
It, therefore, pays to invest in great optics, especially if you are using for hunting etc in low light conditions.
Binoculars are one of those items that you really notice the extra quality on, so it pays to spend a bit on them if image quality and light gathering matter to you.
In low light, such as dusk, a good set will pick out the animal or object long after a bad set will, which can make all the difference to your day or hunt.
Once you have decided on a good brand for optics, then size plays into it.
Size selection will depend on whether you want an ultra-compact pair or are happy to lug around something a bit chunkier.
For a good all-round pair, that will work well in woodland and out on the open hill, a set of 8 x 42’s are a great choice.
There are a variety of good makes to choose from, including Zeiss, Swarovski, Kahles, Steiner etc, all of which are a great choice.
Our current favourites are the Leica Trinovid HD 8×42, which are German made and top-quality.
Like the others, they cost a bit to purchase, but presuming you don’t lose them, should last you a lifetime.
The Thermarest ProLite Plus mat is designed to be compact and lightweight, while still providing a decent amount of comfort for the user.
Weighing in at just 670g in the regular size, this is a lightweight mat – that is suitable for many uses – when space and more importantly, weight, are at a premium.
My personal reason for buying this is for backpacking and canoe/kayaking trips.
Time will tell how this performs, but first impressions are very good.
How it looks and feels
On opening the packaging, this does indeed feel like a quality product – and so it should at the price of around £80.
The materials feel good quality and durable, considering the mat’s lightweight properties.
When packed up, inside its stuff sack, the size is certainly compact for this type of mat, which helps when space is at a premium.
Where is it made?
The mat that I purchased, is made at Therm-A-rest’s EU factory, which is located in County Cork, Ireland.
This is good to see, with so many products being produced in China these days, it’s nice to see something made in Europe like this.
My only slight disappointment was that the stuff sack is made in China.
This is not the end of the world, but I do think you should keep it consistent, especially when one of the main selling points is the mat’s EU origin.
I would like to see all the components made in the EU.
Never mind….
Therm-A-Rest also produce their mats in their US factory – to serve the North American market.
This is their original and main factory, and where your mat will be made if you are buying over the pond.
However, as I purchased this in the UK, we get the European made version, which should be equally as good. If not better 🙂
What’s inside the bag?
Asides from the mat itself, there are also a set of instructions included.
Upon taking the mat out of the stuff sack for the first time, you will find it wrapped in a clear plastic sleeve.
Remove this and you will be able to unfold the mat.
As the mat has been in storage in this compressed position, you will probably find that it is a bit reluctant to actually ‘self inflate’ at the beginning.
I actually thought that something was wrong with mine the first time I used it.
Unfold the mat and lay it out on a flat surface.
Open the valve and you should see it at least inflate partially, but the first time you may not see any movement at all.
Self-inflating process
The reason the mat will start (hopefully) to self inflate, is that the memory foam has been compressed and will try to return to its original shape when unrolled – and with the valve open.
In doing so it expands and in turn pulls in air from outside, which inflates the mat.
This self-inflating process will only inflate the mat to a certain point.
To get the mat to a usable point, you will need to put in some extra air by blowing it up yourself.
Place your mouth over the valve and put in some good puffs. You will need to do this a few times until it is full.
There isn’t a non-return valve on this type of mat, so you have to be quick with your last breath.
At the last moment, turn the cap in one motion, in order to seal the air in.
Once this is done, you are good to go. It’s very simple!
Packing the sleeping mat away
Deflating and packing away the mat is almost the reverse of the inflation process.
The main difference is that Therm-A-Rest recommends that you squeeze the air out of the mat first, by opening the valve and folding the mat up in half and then in half again, towards the valve end.
Once this stage is complete:
close the valve again and unfold the mat – most of the air will now be out.
fold the mat in half, length-ways, and tightly roll up from the bottom.
once you get near to the top, open the valve to expel any further air that has been pushed up.
roll all the way up and then close the valve again.
the mat will hold its folded shape and you can now place the mat back in the cloth bag.
Video run-through
A video of the inflation/deflation/storage process is below.
However, note that the ProLite Plus will require folding lengthways first before rolling up, as the stuff sack is smaller than the one in the video.
Comfort
I’m 6ft 2”, with fairly wide shoulders and this does feel quite slim underneath, compared to other full-size mats I have used.
However, I went for the regular size, as I wanted to try and strike a balance between comfort and trying to keep the weight down.
I tend to sleep on my side, and this feels comfortable for that, with a good layer of padding under my body, providing a good level of support.
Even when lying on my back, it still feels good – although a little slim.
I also haven’t noticed too much of a sweaty back when sleeping on this mat, which is a good thing. Some mats can be bad for this.
It’s just my arms that are not on the mat and lay to the side of it, which is not too much of a problem – I can sleep like this.
If you go for the larger version, it is another 12cm wide (5”), so it would be more suited to bigger persons, but does come in at an additional 210g, at 880g.
Not too much of a problem if you’re not concerned with weight, but it all matters if you are trying to minimize what you have to carry.
Your requirements
If you are buying this mat, then you are probably doing so based on weight, over outright comfort.
As ever, it is about trying to balance this comfort with what you plan to do.
I would say the regular size is a good compromise for most larger adults, but go with what you feel is best for you.
However, it must be remembered that this is designed to be a lightweight mat and if ultimate comfort is your goal, I would look at a different mat.
Something like the Thermarest Basecamp would be the one to go for, but they are a lot bulkier.
Printed logo on mat
Where you can use it
You can use this mat in a variety of applications.
In a tent, inside a bivvy bag, a hammock or just straight up on the floor.
It’s suitable for inside or outside use.
Place your sleeping bag on top and away you go – it’s as simple as that!
Long-term storage of your mat
Therm-A-Rest recommends that you store the mat in its inflated state when not in use.
If you do this, you will need to find a suitable place to do so, down the side of the wardrobe or similar.
This is presuming your other half will let you.
Storing the mat in this way will keep it in optimum condition, as the memory foam will be fully expanded, ready for your next trip.
ProLite Plus Specification
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Summary
This is a great mat, that’s lightweight, while still providing enough cushioning for you to sleep comfortably.
The fact that this is so packable means you can take in on almost any trip and still enjoy a good night’s sleep – without lugging around a hefty and bulky mat to do so.
I wish they did it in a green option, but I do actually quite like the red all the same.
If you are after a lightweight mat, that you can easily carry, then I think this is a great addition to your kit and would definitely recommend it.
Thanks for reading.
James
Bushcraft Hub
P.S. – please leave your comments and thoughts in the section below – it keeps us on the right track and ensures we are giving you the best content.
