Gear Up: New Survival Gear for January 2022

OffGrid Utility Bag Window Kit

NOTES
You don’t need to be a superspy or a tier-one operator to be concerned about online security. Everyone should be. After all, as the world and its processes become increasingly digital, so too are the criminals. That’s why OffGrid LLC (a tech company not to be confused with this publication) offers the Utility Bag Window Kit. It comes with three bags of different sizes, each made of lightweight, Faraday technology that provides heavy-duty protection against intrusions made through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, cellular, RFID, or FM radio. That means each bag shields its device from any outside network so it can’t be hacked, tracked, or even detected. Plus, each bag is flexible yet durable and wear resistant, so they’re ideal for traveling.

CONSISTS OF
3 bags for a laptop, tablet, and mobile device

MSRP
$330

URL
offgrid.co

Legend Compression Wear Cold Weather Merino Wool Tactical Boot Socks

COLOR
Coyote Brown

MSRP
$25

URL
legendcompressiontactical.com

NOTES
We’re big fans of wool — especially wool blends. Why? Because this super fabric is moisture wicking, odor resistant, and temperature regulating. And it continues to provide warmth even when wet. Nowadays, it’s combined with nylon and spandex to increase comfort and mobility while eliminating itchiness. These cold-weather socks from Legend feature all of the pluses of wool with one added benefit: compression. These mid-calf socks provide mild pressure and arch support to encourage blood flow, reduce soreness, and combat foot fatigue — all essential attributes when you’re hiking, rucking, or patrolling in boots. Moreover, dense terry cushion helps retain heat in frigid conditions. Worn by U.S. special operators around the world, these Legend socks are also flame resistant and incredibly durable.

Nutrient Survival Peanut Butter Bar Meals

SERVINGS PER CAN
10

MSRP
$35

URL
nutrientsurvival.com

NOTES
Did you know that your long-term caches don’t have to be stacked with only MREs and hardtack? Nutrient Survival makes a whole array of food, snacks, and beverages that don’t just last long but taste good, too. One such example is its Peanut Butter Bar Meals. Made of rolled oats, brown rice crisps, milled flax seed, and roasted peanuts, each serving (two rectangles) provide 14 vitamins, 14 minerals, Omega-3, Omega-6, 290 calories, 14 grams of protein, and 39 grams of carbs. While their shelf life is 18 months (and not three to five years like other survival snacks), the Peanut Butter Bar Meals are easily the most delicious and nutritious we’ve reviewed in this market.

True North Tradecraft Pandemic Measures

FORMAT
PDF

MSRP
$7

URL
truenorthtradecraft.ca

NOTES
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re already stocked up and handling the current situation pretty well. But we’re big advocates of doing periodic review of the fundamentals, which is why we recommend Pandemic Measures by Boris Milinkovich of True North Tradecraft. (He has served more than 20 years in the Canadian military and federal law enforcement.) His 40-page booklet is an easy-to-read and well-organized set of guidelines for making it through the current COVID-19 crisis, but also preparing for any future disasters. It also touches on topics that other manuals often miss, such as emotional needs that stem from isolation. Pandemic Measures makes a great gift for friends and relatives who you want to encourage to pursue preparedness.

Mantis Laser Academy Training Kit

CONTAINS
Pink Rhino laser, two sets of targets, mini tripod, large tripod, a set of target holders, laser cartridge extraction stick, portable carrying case, and access code to Mantis Laser Academy

MSRP
$149

URL
mantisx.com

NOTES
Everyone remembers the Great Ammo Shortage of 2020. Back then, if you were doing live-fire training, you were forking over double (or triple?) the cost for what a box of cartridges used to be, dipping into your ammunition stockpile, or just not training all that much. That’s why we’re pumped to see the Laser Academy Training Kit. This unique kit uses a laser cartridge that drops into your handgun’s chamber and fires a beam down the barrel every time the firing pin strikes it. These laser “shots” hit a Mantis target that is analyzed by your app-enabled phone or mobile device. This kit allows for a multitude of training drills — all without having to burn a single live round.

CRKT Catchall

OAL
10.25 inches

MSRP
$80

URL
crkt.com

NOTES
If the RAT-II isn’t beefy enough for your upcoming adventure, consider this fixed blade from Columbia River Knife & Tool. As its moniker denotes, the Catchall is a versatile edged tool that can excel in a variety of scenarios — whether it’s a hunting trip, a campfire cooking session, or an out-and-out survival situation. This 5.51-inch-long blade is made of high carbon stainless steel, giving you plenty of strength and power for skinning game or batoning firewood. Its modified sheepsfoot shape still has a strong tip for defensive thrusting or for more precise cutting for prepping meals. While the glass-reinforced nylon handle is more contoured than we prefer, it does fit comfortably in our medium-sized hands. It comes with a polymer sheath.

Adventure Medical Kits MOLLE Bag Trauma Kit 1.0

DIMENSIONS
7.87 by 5.51 by 3.54 inches

MSRP
$55

URL
www.adventuremedicalkits.com

NOTES
Whether you take a nasty tumble during a hike, encounter a car collision on your daily commute, or inadvertently cut yourself while chopping veggies, accidents happen. Fortunately, the MOLLE Bag Trauma Kit 1.0 has what you need to treat wounds before emergency services can arrive. As its name implies, it’s designed to be attached to your modular pack or chest rig and has enough supplies so that you can venture out from your basecamp for a day or two. It comes with 2-foot QuikClot dressing, bandages, dressings, and medications to handle the most common types of wounds, bleeding, and fractures or sprains. If that’s not enough, it comes with a compact medical guidebook that contains 100 illustrations for treating outdoor injuries and illnesses.

GORUCK Task Force Dagger Jacket

COLORS
Black, Black and Green

MSRP
$195

URL
goruck.com

NOTES
Our first reaction after putting on this jacket was, “Wow. This is a badass jacket.” Which was kinda surprising because at first glance it doesn’t look that different from most other fleece jackets. But this GORUCK jacket naturally hikes to the front of the line. Why? First is the Polartec 300-series fleece, which isn’t just super soft and comfy but also breathable despite being able to retain a lot of warmth. Its lightweight polyester yarns can also repel moisture and dry quickly. Next is its top-quality manufacturing — the jacket is durable, abrasion resistant, and won’t pill under a rucking backpack. Plus, it has two front zippered pockets and a chest zippered pocket. Made in the USA.

UPKnife UPK-T1 Rocket Tool

OAL
3.82 inches

MSRP
$30

URL
upknife.com

NOTES
Many one-piece multi-tools are more gimmicky than useful. Fortunately, the Rocket Tool falls in the latter group. Made of 154CM stainless steel, it’s a smartly designed pocket tool that can house in its center either a 2-inch hex bit or two 1-inch bits, which aren’t included. But what is included are heavy-duty O-rings to secure your bit(s) while increasing grip comfort. The two “hooks” on either side are dual claw pry arms. On the top end is a No. 2 Philips driver, and just below that is a 1/4-inch hex box end, which can also hold a bit. And on the opposite side sits a flat pry bar with a center split. The Rocket Tool is compact, lightweight, and functional.

Liteband Activ 520

COLOR
Night

MSRP
$50

URL
liteband.com

NOTES
Liteband brings a revolutionary approach to headlamps by providing a 210-degree beam of light from a low-profile headband. Its design allows for a much wider area of illumination while distributing the weight on your head more evenly. This bucks the traditional design, which tends to have a heavy and bulky light source in the front that provides a narrow field of light. Designed for hikers, campers, and outdoor athletes, the Activ 520 has five modes, including red, flashing, and a high of 520 lumens. It can run for up to 26 hours in low mode on a single 1,800-mAh rechargeable battery. Plus, it has an IPX4 rating, meaning it’s waterproof and can resist dust, debris, and impacts.

Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener

WEIGHT
4.6 ounces

MSRP
$35

URL
worksharptools.com

NOTES
The Guided Field Sharpener isn’t just lightweight and easy to use, it has five sharpening surfaces with built-in guides to restore and maintain a wide range of tools, from fixed blades and serrated folding knives to axes and fish hooks. There’s even a leather strop to get that final polish. Held in place by strong magnets, the two 4×1-inch diamond grit plates can be removed by hand to reveal two archery broadhead wrenches on one side and an open compartment on the other to store tinder, matches, or other small items inside the body of the sharpener. Brilliantly designed with quality workmanship, the Guided Field Sharpener is one of the best manual sharpeners available today.

Ontario Knife Co. RAT-II

OAL
7.125 inches

MSRP
$50

URL
ontarioknife.com

NOTES
While we love expensive knives, when it comes to a blade for everyday carry or a sojourn into the backcountry, we keep the safe queens at home and instead look for an affordable yet reliable model. The RAT-II certainly fits that bill. Made of AUS-8 stainless steel, this drop-point blade is sharp, versatile, and rust resistant. While the handle is made out of budget nylon, it does have just enough texture to give you a firm grasp, and the bone color makes it easier to find in a pack or if you dropped it in some foliage. Designed by Randall’s Adventure Training and manufactured by Ontario Knife Co., the RAT-II is a trustworthy knife in the field that won’t break the bank at home.

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