Helikon Tex Bushcraft Satchel | Load Out & Review | Solo Hike & Woodland Day Camp | Poncho Tarp

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I bought a bag with my own money three and a half years ago. I've used it almost every day since then. I thought I would share my views on it, and give a typical example of packing it for a day out in the woods.
© R. Lane/Cotton Bud
January 2024

[@teeflo2757]

TY Rich, I’ve been curious about the Satchel, good once-over you’ve done. not sure how I’ve missed this vid until now but pleased to have found it. 👍🏼✌🏼🖖🏼

[@CottonBud]

I blame the algorithm mate! 😅 Glad you came across it eventually and it's been of some use sir. 👍

[@darrellbesser3606]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@hackneeey]

Nice one Rich, looks a capable bit of gear ,I always run late in the woods too a similar phenomenon occurs in pubs ! All the best Mick

[@CottonBud]

Haha yeah thank heavens I didn’t try to sneak in a pub stop or I would have been setting up in the dark too 😅. Cheers Mick 👍

[@ervinslens]

Such a great review and presentation my friend!

[@CottonBud]

That's very kind, thank you!

[@Thedagda801]

Not one for a shoulder bag, I find them a bit uncomfortable! Horses for courses at the end of the day! Fab review and content! I bought one of those Sabre 45 backpacks! I like.

[@CottonBud]

Ooh good man Mick, I think the Karrimor will serve you well! And yep, I only really use the shoulder bag with fairly light weight as it does indeed get a strain if overpacked. This was all at a just about manageable 4.5kg. Looking forward to seeing the new pack in a vid some time sir! 👍

[@barneysbimbles]

Nice one Rich, you got a nice amount of kit in their. I've got the smaller Helikon haversack and really like that too. Great quality products, which seem to stand the test of time 👍

[@CottonBud]

Thanks Barney. Yeah I like the look of both the Haversack and the canteen pouch thing they do. I think either could double up as a very cool camera bag! Cheers for the watch mate 👍

[@Greg_M1]

Thanks for the video about the Satchel. Add one for three years also. Solid bag. Like you I'm going to look into some additional water proofing, though it holds up well in a light rain. I saw a tip from another user that said that rubbing candle wax on the zipper will both lubricate it and make it more water resistant. I'm gonna try that. Though I've never had a problem with it. Thanks again!

[@CottonBud]

Thank you for watching and commenting! And that tip makes sense - but I agree H-Tex stuff never seems to suffer from zip problems in general. Cheers. 👍

[@mrgee007]

Great review, amazing what you can get in there. I was wondering about the waterproofness when you mentioned it, quite a few good spray on waterproof liquids, so will be interested how that goes. What make were the gloves. Love the wooden spoon btw! great effort 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼

[@CottonBud]

Yeah I quite enjoyed whittling that little spoon - was quite a zen hour or two! Must have another go. The gloves are also Helikon-Tex, the Woodcrafter ones. They are nice but not the thickest leather so you have to be careful grabbing anything TOO hot, as I have learned... cheers Mr G! Consider that brew as down to your kind donation too 👍

[@BourneOutside]

A great review, Rich. All good valid points on the niggles. Would a “stiffener panel” be an option to add between the main pouch and that smaller front pocket, then add the organisational straps to that panel?… if you catch my drift 😊

[@CottonBud]

Haha men of our vintage can often benefit from a 'stiffener' eh mate 😅. No I get what ya mean - their Numbat chest rig has an optional organisational stiffener, would be great here.

[@CottonBud]

And as ever, thank your Mr B!

[@lordofgraphite]

Good kit ❤ not personally a fan of one shoulder bags but clearly works for you ❤

[@CottonBud]

Thank you! Yes I agree actually, shoulder bags can get uncomfortable. This load out weighed exactly 4.5 kilos, so fairly manageable, but much more than that and I do start to feel a bit ‘lopsided’ on longer walks, so out comes a belt rig or small day pack. Cheers! 👍

[@lordofgraphite]

@@CottonBud was really inspired by the contents, love the small groundsheet for example

[@PhilipOlsen11]

Great video. That bag is like Mary poppins 😁 I see you’re a fan of Helikon Tex. Do you get it from ‘Miltary 1st’? I’ve got a few of their things and recently bought - Helikon Cumulus Heavy Fleece Jacket (which is great). Also noticed the Fjallraven trousers - They’re the best I’ve ever bought!

[@CottonBud]

Yeah I do have a fair bit of Helikon Tex gear Phil, I think it's on a par with a lot of Fjällräven stuff, but not as trendy, so loads cheaper! That said the Vidda Pros are hard to beat eh? I have three pairs - crippled me financially, but I I live in them when not at work. I think I probably got about half my H-T stuff from Military 1st, and the rest direct from their website in Poland. Costs a fortune in shipping now, when it never used to (Brexit eh...? 🙄) Thanks for watching sir! Sub returned.. 👍

[@BurtonOutdoors]

Everything but the kitchen sink 👍 Wow! I Like, is that the Helikon Tex Polish woodland poncho? I have the same, although yours looks slightly different in colour. I do like their products. Lee

[@CottonBud]

It is indeed Lee, nice drab pattern on the Polish I think, although I’ve also got their small ‘Supertarp’ in US woodland (same as Barneys on your tipsy camp!) and that’s pretty stealthy too. Cheers for watching mate 👍

[@BurtonOutdoors]

@CottonBud Nice one, the colour difference is probably your super dooper camera, making the Polish look bolder 👍

[@CottonBud]

@BurtonOutdoors More likely my fannying about with (*ahem*) ‘colour grading’ 😬

[@BurtonOutdoors]

@@CottonBud 🤣🤣🤣

[@ysgolgerlan]

Thanks for the nice video and the effort. Was that a little whistle you had on the zipper ? 👍

[@CottonBud]

What a great idea! I may pinch that…But no, I forgot to mention that the zips have nice little lengths of paracord, bundled together with rubber tubing, making them easy to use with gloves. As always, thanks for watching and commenting sir 👍

[@RomanPepper]

Helikon-tex has separate Velcro inserts for bags. You buy them, they have hooks, and you sew the second part inside this outer pocket. And then you insert this part of the helikon-tex into the pocket with the second Velcro. Voila! :)))

[@CottonBud]

Good to know, thank you! Looks like asking another potential sewing favour from the wife though… I’m useless at it! 😬

[@RomanPepper]

@@CottonBud I gave it to the studio, they sewed it on for me for $2))) Now everything I need sits in this pocket and there is still plenty of space left))

[@hypo345]

With the pocket and it not having compartments I have solved this with a different bag by purchasing small MOLLE pouches, the bag I have has a loop inside so I attach a strap to the small MOLLE bag so I can’t lose it yet long enough to get to my stuff easily, a good security measure as well when using in town.

[@CottonBud]

Thanks for the tip. I have a few Helikon Tex SERE pouches and these attach via MOLLE, that could be the way to go... excellent little organisational tools! 👍

[@mjfeder]

That bag is like sport Billy’s. It seems to hold more than seems possible

[@CottonBud]

I was thinking more ‘Mary Poppins’

[@mjfeder]

@@CottonBud she’s a time lord her bags bigger on the inside

[@ohmlawx]

Hi, Will this bag good as an edc bag in ur opinion?

[@CottonBud]

Well I use it almost every day, so yes.

[@johnknight5485]

Ohhhh...you mean a purse.

[@CottonBud]

No not really. In English, a 'purse' is where your Nan keeps Morrisons vouchers, coins, and a fiver to give you when you go and visit her. A female wallet, as it were. If you are referring to the larger actual shoulder bag where I keep my lipstick, moisturizer, vanity mirror and tampons, that is actually called a 'handbag'.