Watch this video review of the Tiny Pump 2X, from Flextail Gear!
Final Thoughts
Overall, we were impressed with the design and performance of the Tiny Pump 2X.
And, although the pumping performance was not super fast when pumping up the air mattress (10 minutes), it would allow someone time to set up something else on their campsite while letting the this little pump do some big work of its own.
The Tiny Pump 2X is a great addition to a camper or backpacker’s supply list!
The storage bags that Flextail makes are also a great use for the vaccuum feature of the pump.
All-in-all, a great little product from Flextail that won’t take up much space in your vehicle, backpack or supply bag, and will come in handy in a variety of outdoor scenarios.
Backpacking is one of the most unique ways to experience the outdoors. By accessing some of the world’s remote areas, you can certainly experience unforgettable moments outdoors.
However, backpacking is tough and requires a fair bit of knowledge and gear.
There are many camping stoves for backpacking on the market, and you need one that is reliable and of high quality. After all, these directly affect whether you can eat hot food on the trail or not.
One of those important pieces of gear is… a stove.
So, let’s take a look at best camp stoves for backpacking!
MSR PocketRocket
The PocketRocket stove from MSR is compact, structurally sound and efficient.
We will kick off the list with one of the most common backpacking stoves on the market… the MSR PocketRocket.
If you walk up to any campsite on the trail, there is a good chance they are cooking with the PocketRocket or a similar MSR model.
This is because the PocketRocket is efficient, versatile and easy to use.
As compared to other backpacking stoves of this size, this one comes in near the top. The PocketRocket is pretty compact, and has decent structure to keep the pot stable.
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03/07/2024 10:00 am GMT
It’s an overall steady camping stove and has good marks on about every subset you can apply to it.
However, one of the faults of the PocketRocket is the ignitor.
There are many reviews that say that the built-in ignitor is not reliable and does not work after a certain amount of time. So, always have a backup plan with matches or a lighter.
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Traditional camp stoves allow an open pot to sit on top to cook the food, but the entire Jetboil design is to specifically boil liquids very quickly, which is different.
The biggest drawback to the Jetboil is the amount of liquid that can be heated up at once. It is a small pot and really only serves one purpose.
So, if you want something that will make coffee or just enough water to add to a bag of dehydrated food, Jetboil is the stove for you.
The WhisperLite uses a hosed approach that puts the burner and stand right on the group and not on top of a fuel can. This adds stability and improves performance.
Going with an MSR stove with MSR fuel optimizes performance on the trail. This is important, as on longer treks it is crucial to have something reliable and steady.
For the price-conscience backpacker, the Soto WindMaster is not only affordable but super light, weighing in at only three ounces.
Our pick for the most efficient backpacking stove for the price is the Soto Windmaster.
For what you get, the Windmaster is a very affordable backpacking stove.
When a normal backpacking stove is faced with strong wind, the light will either go out, or the flame is so altered that cooking is slowed dramatically. But, as the name implies, the Windmaster is made to work well during high winds.
The stove itself is just three ounces, which is super light. The only other weight would be the isobutane or propane bottle that screws into the bottom of the bracket.
The BRS Ultralight Burner iscertainly super light, but is often outperformed by other backpacking stoves on the market.
One of the more unique offerings is the BRS Ultralight Camping Burner.
This “stove” is not the whole setup, but rather an attachment that goes on top of a propane bottle.
This helps you save money and overall weight. However, while you might be saving money, you may also be sacrificing better performance that can be found in other backpacking stoves.
The Ultralight requires a source of fuel. This burner screws right to the top of a fuel bottle, and you can then add your pot or anything else being cooked. The attachment is not super strong, but it is just about as light as it gets.
The Solo Stove is a steel cylinder that holds small pieces of wood and has air intake holes on the bottom to help you regulate temperature and steady burning.
This is a very light option, coming in at just nine ounces. Although you will save weight in your pack by not using fuel, you will need to either pack in wood or camp in areas with reliable wood sources.
Be careful how this is used, as many places will not allow campfires because of droughts and wildfire hazards. This probably does not classify as a “campfire,” but whenever using a live flame, it is best to check with someone and make sure it is okay to do so.
Whether you want to unwind by going off-grid or just get away from civilization for awhile, you should take a survival kit and there are certain things that should be included in it to ensure safety, comfort, and a better chance of survival.
You need to ask yourself, what would I do in a survival situation?
Why You Need A Wilderness Survival Kit
Survival kits are not just for folks who love to explore the wild. It’s also a bit of an insurance policy.
Do you have all it takes to survive? For a survival kit to be effective in a life or death situation, it must include certain things. Aside from essentials like shelter and food, there are other items that could sustain you for months if you use them sufficiently.
So, let’s take a look at some things you should consider includingin your wilderness survival kit:
Water And Water Filtration
In a survival scenario, a stream may be a welcome sight, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily clean water…
Water is a big deal in terms of survival in the wild. In fact, it’s absolutely critical. You have to assume that in a survival situation, it could be difficult to find clean water in the wilderness. Should you find water and be unable to boil it, you will wish you had a water filter.
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In addition, you should consider buying water disinfectants. When you find water in the wild, there is always the possibility of parasites and bacteria currently living in it. It’s a good idea to have iodine tablets to ensure the water you will be drinking will be safe.
Having a rifle with you in the wild promotes a better sense of security, and the effectiveness of a rifle shouldn’t be downplayed.
Almost any survival rifle can put down a medium-sized game, and is not large enough to ruin a small game. In addition, you can bag about 50-100, or even 500 rounds of ammo for your rifle in your survival kit without occupying much space, as a larger caliber would.
Having a rifle with you in the wild increases your security, but getting a larger once comes at the expense of space in your survival kit.
While in the wild, you are not always assured of encountering wild game, should you need food. In this case, having a supply of freeze-dried survival meals always comes in handy to help sustain you.
Freeze-dried meals are available in most stores; however, clean water must rehydrate and make them edible.
The need for shelter in extreme weather conditions makes a tent a must-have survival item.
You should have a tent to sleep in if you’re going to sleeping outdoors and it should be able to fit into your backpack. Understand that an emergency shelter tent may not last long enough in extreme weather conditions, but it will mostly protect you from the rain.
These type tents are small-sized, lightweight, and easily foldable, so they can be carried along with you.
Also, there is the Life Tent, which is an emergency tent that you can easily set up with rope to secure a quick, safe spot to seek shelter from the rain and sun.
A headlamp is a simple, yet extremely important component of any wilderness survival kit, allowing you to keep your hands free for other tasks when light is low.
If you don’t have a headlamp while in the wild, you have overlooked a simple, yet critical component of a survival kit. The headlamp is a must-have item for those who camp or explore in the wild.
The importance of having a headlamp to illuminate dark and cloudy nights cannot be overstated. A headlamp with an elastic strap, or one that clips to your hat, will allow you to have your hands free to do other tasks that require your attention in a survival situation, such as cooking at night or early morning, or working on a vehicle when light is low.
A headlamp with 550 lumens light is able to light up about 135 meters.
During times of survival, if at all possible, it’s a wise decision to keep in contact with other people.
In a survival scenario, a shortwave radio with solar power can be essential in making urgent calls. These radios are an excellent purchase to include in your survival kit and can often be used as a led light, charger, and radio.
A First Aid Kit may be a no-brainer for a survival kit, but it needs to have the right items in it.
While in the wilderness, you absolutely need to be sure you take a first aid kit with you and be knowledgeable about its contents and prepared to use them, if needed.
First aid is a crucial survival kit item that should be available at all times. You should be sure your first aid kit is stocked with essential items, including pressure dressing, to reduce bleeding, should there be an injury that needs attention.
When venturing out into the wilderness, be sure you have the appropriate clothing items in case you find yourself in a survival situation.
As a survivalist, you should ensure you have the right outdoor clothing. Having a comfortable pair of shoes should help you walk faster and easier. Additionally, sunglasses and a hat will help protect your eyes a from the sun.
Also, waterproof boots will help you more easily navigate through rivers and streams while in the wilderness.
Long sleeves also come in handy in protecting yourself from insects as well as sun. Also, moisture wicking socks will help keep your feet dry. You should also put on gloves to avoid blisters and insects, as well as provide protection from extreme hot and cold weather as well as hot objects.
And, while some may not consider a watch part of your “clothing,” having a durable one like the military G-Shocks watches is a big-time bonus in a survival situation. They’re built to last, and can withstand the elements. Some even have solar power.
In the wild, chances are, you may be required to do some “cutting” chores, so a quality and reliable knife is a must-have item for your survival kit.
You should get yourself a high-quality knife or a multipurpose tool that includes a knife in it. Your survival knife should be capable of skinning wild game, as well as cutting through and sharpening sticks. An excellent survival knife must be sharp and strong to easily cut through these tough materials.
In times of survival, you shouldn’t entirely rely on GPS, because the device you are using may not function properly. So, you should also carry a local map and compass along with you in case you get lost.
Maps and compasses are lightweight items, so they won’t take up much space in your survival kit.
Having a map and compass with you in the wild is a means to an end. Be sure you are familiar with map reading and compass navigation before you set out exploring!
Final Thoughts On What You Need In Your Survival Kit
This might seem like a lot of items to be carrying in a survival kit. Of course, it’s not a pleasant thought that you could face a life or death situation while exploring, hiking or camping, But, in terms of your survival in the wild, nothing should be taken for granted.
You should always pack a survival kit with you for your camping adventure. You should also know how to use every item in the kit and be physically and mentally able to use them if needed.
While there are certainly many other items than the ones listed that would be useful in a survival sitution, the ones mentioned above should not be overlooked.
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