I have always thought and even made mention before to other people that if someone could come up with a hiking boot a hunting boot that’s waterproof and had a waterproof upper that wasn’t neoprene on the outside, that was also flexible and comfortable, that the boot could do really well.
Well, I think that boot is finally here… it’s the Alpha Pursuit from the Muck Boot Company!
Muck Boots tagline is, “For All That Lies Ahead.” Well, we wanted to see what lie ahead with the Alpha Pursuit boots, so we found out!
Alpha Pursuit Boots From Muck | A Closer Look
The Alpha Pursuit looked sharp coming out of the box…
They say this Notch right here helps with Achilles fatigue… where I come from that’s called, “ankle don’t feel good!”
Check out these great hunting and fishing tees from more N1 Outdoors®!
But, the Alpha Pursuit boots have a memory foam insole…
…and the soft, flexible shell is a game-changer as well, as most boots in this category tend to be stiff and inflexible. With these factors, in addition to the achilles cutout, and I’m just telling you, they are comfortable!
The tread on the Alpha Pursuit boots is rugged, yet the boot is still extremely “soft” to walk in, due to the memory foam insole.
So, as you’re walking through the woods, whether it be hiking or hunting, and navigating wet and rainy conditions, this boot performs fantastically!
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Final Thoughts On The Alpha Pursuit
It’s hard to come up with something that’s really new in the boot category. However, the Muck Boot Company has done it with the Alpha Pursuit boots. They are extremely comfortable (thanks to the memory foam and soft outer shell), versatile, and of course, 100% Muck-Proof! We would definitely recommend these boots.
Bushcraft and survival skills are important for thriving inside and outside, offering you the equipment to be self-reliant, adaptable, and creative.
In this article we’ll cover beginner bushcraft and survival skills you’ll need to know to help you gain self-confidence, so that you can feel prepared in a wide variety of unforeseen circumstances.
You never know when you’ll need them! Being proficient in bushcraft survival skills can be very worthwhile, whether you’re an avid camper, an outdoors enthusiast, or just someone who’s on the lookout for being prepared for emergencies.
What Is Bushcraft?
Bushcraft refers to dwelling sustainably within the wild, using herbal assets and traditional skills to fulfill simple needs like shelter, food, and water.
While bushcraft and survival skills may overlap, bushcraft leans more toward long-term residing, while survival is a more oriented towards disaster.
Bushcraft emphasizes a deep bond with nature and the expertise to work with the surroundings.
Survival skills are centered on overcoming short-time emergencies and situations in which instantaneous action is needed to ensure safety and well-being.
Why Learn Bushcraft and Survival Skills?
Learning these skills offers several benefits:
Self-reliance. You’ll know how to handle emergencies independently.
Adventure. Skills like fireplace-making and foraging increase outdoor adventure possibilities.
Emergency preparedness. You’ll be more prepared to deal with unexpected conditions, from getting lost to natural disasters.
Mental well-being. Bushcraft can reduce stess and improve intellectual abilities.
Beginner Bushcraft & Survival Skills
1. Fire-Making: The Foundation of Survival
Mastering the skill of fire making is a cornerstone of bushcraft. Fire presents warmth, allows for cooked meals, purifies water and provides safety.
Bushcraft techniques to start a fire you should learn:
Ferro rod. A ferro rod (also referred to as a spark rod or ferrocerium rod) is a fire-starting tool that produces sparks when scraped against a hard surface, such as iron, steel, or certain types of rock, even in damp conditions. It is beginner friendly.
Flint and steel. Flint and Steel is a traditional way of fire starting. You start by striking the flint stone off of a steel striker. The sparks that this produces will ignite a flammable material that you can then use to ignite other small particles (twigs, leaves, etc.) to start a fire.
Bow drill. A primitive method of fire making that requires skill and patience, but that can be very rewarding to the fire starter. This method uses fireboard (typically woods like cottonwood, cedar, sycamore, poplar and aspen), a spindle (either the same type of wood as the fireboard or harder) and a cord or string to create friction that eventually gets so hot that it creates an ember that can be used to start a fire.
Fire making tips for beginners:
Gather dry grass, bark shavings, or cotton that you can use as your “fuel.”
Build your fire in layers: tinder, kindling, and larger logs.
Practice in various weather conditions to build confidence.
Shelters are crucial for staying safe and comfortable while in the wild. They can help protect you from rain, wind, and cold temperatures.
Below are some simple shelter types for beginners:
Debris hut. Build a frame from sturdy branches and cover it with leaves and moss.
Lean-to shelter. Use a fallen tree or a pole as the primary support, leaning branches against it and covering them with debris.
Tarp shelter. A versatile option if you carry a tarp. Learn knots like the taut-line hitch to secure it.
Shelter-building tips for success:
When building a shelter, choose a location away from hazards like falling branches or rising water.
Insulate the ground with leaves or grass to retain body heat.
Building a shelter can be very taxing, so be sure to pace yourself and conserve your much-needed energy.
Note:A reliable axe bushcraft device is also an extremely helpful tool for constructing shelters, as well as gathering firewood. See more helpful tools in the table at the end of this article.
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02/21/2025 05:24 am GMT
4. Navigation Skills
Getting lost in the wilderness can be life-threatening. Learn basic navigation skills to stay oriented.
Things to help you to navigate in the wilderness:
Compass: Understand how to use it with a map to set bearings.
Landmarks: Make note of natural features like mountains, rivers, or rock formations.
The sun and stars: Learn to find cardinal directions (i.e. North, South, East, West) based on the sun’s movement, or by constellations like the North Star.
Pro tip:If possible, carry a detailed map of the area you are exploring and practice navigation before heading into unfamiliar terrain.
Nature provides plenty of edible plants, nuts, berries, and fungi. However, proper identification is critical.
Rules for safe foraging:
Learn first: When foraging for food, use a reliable field guide or attend a foraging workshop prior to your first attempt.
The universal edibility test: Test for unknown plants by checking for adverse reactions (only as a last resort). This involves a series of steps that gradually expose your body to the plant over the course of a day. The test includes smelling the plant, (avoding plants with almond, acidic, or bitter smells), making contact with your inner elbow or wrist for 8 hours to test for contact poisoning/adverse skin reactions), and a 15-minute taste test, where you would chew it and hold in your mouth for 15 minutes before ingesting. If you have determined you can ingest the food, you would swallow and wait 8 hours to find if there are any adverse reactions. You would also drink plenty of filtered water during the 8-hour period.
Avoid lookalikes: Many edible plants have poisonous doppelgangers, so always be wary of poisonous imposters.
Learning bushcraft and survival abilities is an enriching journey that connects you with nature and equips you for challenges. Start with basic skills like fire-making, shelter-building, and navigation, and build your confidence little by little. Remember, learning bushcraft survival skills takes time to master, so get started soon!
Knives are essential tools that cater to various needs, from everyday kitchen tasks to demanding survival scenarios.
Types of Knives
Each type of knife has specific features and purposes, ensuring optimal performance in its intended use. so, let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of knives.
Tactical Knives
Most tactical knives are compact and foldable, allowing for easy carry. The most common types of tactical knives include folding, fixed-blade, combat, and karambit knives, to mention a few.
Tactical knives are versatile tools designed for demanding scenarios and emergencies. They are typically made of high-quality materials like stainless and carbon steel for longevity. Tactical knives also have features like serrated edges, and some have capabilities as glass beakers and seatbelt cutters.
Below are some key features of tactical knives:
Blade types: Tactical knives’ blades are often straight-edge, serrated, or a combination of both for cutting through materials
Compact designs: Many tactical knives are foldable for portability, while fixed blades provide extra strength.
Emergency tools. Some tactical knives are equipped with features like glass breakers, seatbelt cutters, and thumb grips for easy handling
Tactical knives are popular among military personnel, law enforcement, and outdoor enthusiasts. There are many manufacturers of high-quality tactical knives tailored to an individuals needs, including companies like CRKT .
Here are the common uses of tactical knives:
Self-defense, especially in close combat
Utility tasks, such as opening boxes, cutting ropes, and breaking glass in emergencies
Emergency rescue, mainly those with seatbelt cutters and glass breakers
Survival Knives
Survival knives can feature fire-starting tools, pommels, and saw back edges for hammering. Pocket knives (folding knives), fixed-blade knives, and machete knives are all excellent examples of survival knives.
A survival knife is perfect for wilderness adventure and emergency preparedness. Survival knives are designed for utility and durability and typically feature full-tang blades (blades that are a single piece of metal and extend through the handle for toughness and strength.)
You can use a survival knife for:
Building shelter: Survival knives can cut wood, carve notches, or trim branches
Fire starting: Often paired with a Ferro rod, a survival knife’s blade can create sparks to ignite a fire.
Food preparation: Effective for skinning animals, fileting fish, and chopping vegetables.
Hunting knives feature sharp, durable blades that make skinning, gutting, and butchering easy. They are also made of high-quality steel to withstand rugged outdoor conditions. Skinning knives, boning knives, camp knives, and gut hook knives are perfect examples of hunting knives.
Hunting knives are designed for processing game animals. A hunting knife is a must-have if you are a hunter or an outdoor enthusiast.
Below are some of the uses of hunting knives:
Skinning
Butchering
Field dressing, which involves gutting and cleaning animals after a hunt
Utility tasks like cutting ropes, preparing kindling, and performing campsite chores
Utility knives are some of the most versatile cutting tools for various tasks, including construction, crafting, and everyday projects. Their blades are made of durable materials like stainless steel or high-carbon steel.
Some key features of utility knives:
Adjustable lengths to allow precision for cutting materials of different thickness
Compact design. Many utility knives feature foldable or retractable blades for portability
Their blades are made of durable materials like stainless steel or high-carbon steel
Some utility knives also feature replaceable blades or adjustable blade lengths, making them perfect for DIY enthusiasts and professionals. You can use utility knives for:
Everyday household tasks: Opening packages, trimming tape, or slicing through rigid plastic packaging.
Construction and renovation: Cutting drywall, insulation, or carpet with precision
Crafting and art projects: Excellent for cutting paper, cardboard, or delicate material
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02/21/2025 03:40 am GMT
Pocket Knives
Pocket knives are compact, foldable cutting tools designed for convenience and everyday use. They are highly versatile, thanks to additional tools like bottle openers and screwdrivers. Pocket knives have folding blades that ensure portability and safety when not in use.
Models like the Swiss Army knives (example picture above) have additional features that increase versatility.
Below are some common uses of pocket knives:
Camping: Cutting ropes, opening cans, and preparing meals.
Everyday carry: You can use a pocket knife to handle everyday tasks like opening mail or trimming loose threads.
Emergency use: A pocket knife can come in handy during an unexpected situation.
Machetes
Machetes are long-bladed tools primarily used for heavy-duty cutting and chopping tasks, especially in agricultural or outdoor settings.
Machete features:
A blade length of 12 to 24 inches
A heavy tip for effective chopping
You can use a machete for:
Clearing bushes: A machete is ideal for creating trails or managing overgrown vegetation
Harvesting crops: Frequently used for cutting sugarcane, bananas, or other crops
Outdoor survival: Splitting wood or preparing food in the wild.
Knives are versatile tools designed to meet various needs, from daily tasks to specialized applications. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the different types of knives, their uses, and how to safely use them, so that you can choose the right cutting tool for the job, whether for cooking, outdoor adventures, or professional tasks.
