Choosing a Lightweight Bushcraft Setup
Essential Gear for the Minimalist Outdoorsman
Going away for a weekend in the car to a campsite or a short hike with an overnight stay in the woods normally means you can bring whatever gear you want. The deeper people get into the hobby of bushcraft, the longer and more isolated their trips become, at which point the regular heavy tents and stoves just won’t do. Choosing a lightweight bushcraft setup can make the difference of several extra miles over a day, but you have to be careful not to sacrifice quality for weight. Here are the most common items people take on bushcraft trips and the options you have to take a load off your shoulders.
1. Backpack: The single biggest factor to a carrying limit
(Sometimes a small and compact backpack is all you need)
Your backpack is the cornerstone of your bushcraft setup. When selecting a lightweight backpack, it’s essential to focus on durability, storage space, and comfort. For a minimalist approach, aim for a pack that weighs less than 2 pounds (900 grams) and has a capacity between 30-45 liters, depending on the length of your trip.
Key Considerations:
Materials: Look for backpacks made from durable and lightweight materials like ripstop nylon or Dyneema. These fabrics are strong enough to endure rugged environments while keeping weight to a minimum. Be careful not to get anything too thin, and on the thinner material backpacks, make sure the stitching where the straps connect is strong and won’t rip easily.
Storage: Choose a backpack with strategic compartments that allow easy access to tools, fire-starting materials, and first-aid kits.
Comfort: A padded, adjustable harness and hip belt can greatly improve your comfort while carrying a lightweight load, helping distribute weight evenly across your body. If you are only going on a short trip, consider a backpack with a firm frame on the backpiece to allow air to circulate, avoiding a condition known as “sweaty back”.
2. Shelter: Staying Dry and Warm with Minimal Bulk
The shelter is one of the most critical aspects of bushcraft, and achieving a lightweight bushcraft shelter setup requires a balance between protection from the elements and packability. Traditional bushcraft shelters are made from natural materials like branches and leaves, but carrying a lightweight shelter system ensures you’re covered in all conditions.
Tarp vs. Tent:
For a minimalist bushcraft approach, tarps are generally the preferred shelter due to their lightweight nature and versatility. A high-quality tarp weighs just 1-2 pounds (450-900 grams), packs down small, and can be made into a number of different shelters or just used as a groundsheet.
The Hiking Hammock:
Tarps are great if you like making your own shelter, but if you just want to quickly set up without having to worry about finding sticks and branches to tie things to, then the hiking hammock is the answer. They only take up as much room as a sleeping bag and weigh the same as a large piece of tarp. They are wind and waterproof and allow you to get a good night’s sleep regardless of how rough the ground is. There are two major downsides to hiking hammocks, with the first being they are completely useless without trees, though this normally isn’t a problem in the wilderness. The second is that they offer no internal working space. You have room to lie down but no space to get changed, cook, or go through your backpack, with standing outside under the cover of the top tarp providing the most sheltered working space.
Key Considerations:
Size: A 10×10 foot (3×3 meter) tarp offers enough space for sleeping, gear, and even a small fire if set up correctly.
Material: Silnylon or Dyneema tarps are highly durable, waterproof, and ultralight.
Guylines and Stakes: Opt for titanium stakes and Dyneema cord for ultralight but strong anchoring options.
Hiking Hammock: These are surprisingly cheap, but choose one that has a weight limit well above your own weight, and be careful not to get in with anything that could rip the material.
3. Sleeping bags and blankets
(Light-weight and convenient, but often take up more space than a blanket)
Something reliable to sleep in will help you stay warm and well-rested, crucial for maintaining energy and focus during bushcraft outings. The two main aspects of this are the bag itself and the ground mat, with the second being optional and easy to replace with a little reed or grass gathering.
Sleeping Bag or blanket?
Although interest in bushcraft blankets has been steadily rising, they are still a long way behind the popularity of sleeping bags. The convenience of quickly rolling it out and being able to climb in straight away makes them more popular, but a bushcraft blanket can save more space and is just as good for most of the year.
Blankets: Weigh as little as 1 pound and pack down to a small size. Look for options rated for the lowest temperature you expect to encounter.
Ground mat: For insulation from the cold ground and added comfort, a lightweight sleeping pad is essential. Self-inflating pads or closed-cell foam pads offer lightweight and compact options.
Key Considerations:
R-Value: A sleeping pad’s R-value indicates its insulation ability. An R-value of 3-4 is suitable for three-season camping, while colder conditions require an R-value of 5 or higher.
Weight: Look for pads weighing 1 pound (450 grams) or less that still offer comfort and insulation.
4. Fire Starting: Lightweight Tools for a Fundamental Skill
Starting a fire is a crucial skill in bushcraft for warmth, cooking, and signaling. While traditional fire-starting methods, like friction-based fire (bow drill or hand drill), are valuable to know, carrying lightweight fire-starting tools ensures reliability in all conditions.
Key Fire Starting Tools:
Ferrocerium Rod: A small, lightweight tool that produces sparks to ignite kindling. A good quality ferro rod lasts thousands of strikes and can work in all weather conditions. This is the single most reliable and long-lasting option for starting fires.
Charcloth: This is made by baking old pieces of cut-up cloth inside a tin in the oven. This removes all moisture and they quickly start to burn from the smallest spark. Though they are more of an addition to the Fero rod.
Gel, paste, and blocks: These are made from various chemicals and are designed to easily catch on fire and burn for a long time. Their size depends on the type, but a major downside is they are almost always made from something harmful and release nasty gases when burning.
5. Bushcraft Tools: Lightweight Knives and Axes
(The survival shovel is light-weight and combines a number of useful tools, though this is a good example of sacrificing strength for weight)
Bushcraft often involves processing wood for shelter, fire, and tools. Carrying the right tools, like a knife and a lightweight axe is essential in bushcraft. However, bushcraft tools can be heavy, so choosing the right lightweight alternatives is key.
Knife:
A fixed-blade knife is the most versatile and essential tool for bushcraft. For a lightweight setup, opt for knives with a blade length of around 4 inches (10 cm) and a full tang for durability.
Axe or Hatchet:
While heavier axes offer better performance for chopping, lightweight hatchets (or even a folding saw) can be used for wood processing without adding much weight to your pack.
Key Considerations:
Blade Material: High-carbon steel offers durability and ease of sharpening, while stainless steel is rust-resistant.
Weight: Choose tools that are under 1 pound to keep your load light.
6. Cooking and Water Filtration:
(A gravity water filter. Packs down to a small size and is light-weight, but probably not the best choice for most peoples needs)
Cookware:
A lightweight pot is essential for cooking, boiling water, and preparing food in the wild. Titanium pots are the best option for a lightweight setup as they weigh significantly less than steel while remaining highly durable.
Stove or Campfire?
If you’re traveling light, cooking over a campfire is a traditional and fuel-free way to prepare food. However, for convenience and in areas where campfires are restricted, consider a lightweight alcohol stove or a compact wood-burning stove like the Solo Stove Lite.
Water Filtration:
Ensuring access to clean water is critical in the wilderness. For a lightweight bushcraft setup, the Sawyer Mini or Katadyn BeFree are excellent water filtration options. Both weigh just a couple of ounces and filter water quickly and effectively. Purification tablets are a good choice and can take up less space and weight in a pack, but often leave a strange taste to the water and do nothing to filter out any bits.
7. Clothing: Lightweight Layers for Versatility
(Clothing is one of the bulkiest things you can take in your pack, so when going for a minimalist approach, make sure you still have everything you need for the weather)
The key to lightweight bushcraft clothing is layering. Opt for moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and breathable materials to regulate body temperature.
Base Layer:
Merino wool or synthetic materials are ideal for base layers as they pull moisture away from your skin and provide insulation even when wet.
Mid Layer:
A lightweight fleece or down jacket offers warmth without adding much bulk to your pack.
Outer Layer:
For protection against wind and rain, a lightweight, waterproof shell is essential. Look for jackets made with breathable materials like Gore-Tex or eVent.
When choosing the items for your lightweight bushcraft setup, it’s important not to lower the quality with the weight. The thinner the material the less it will insulated and the easier it will rip. As the material gets thinner, its quality should be higher to make up for the added chance of a sudden tug from causing a hole somewhere. Always look for rip-stop material when it comes to backpacks, hiking hammocks, or any kind of material that would experience a force strong enough to cause a tear.
