Most Essential Survival Gear Item In The Backcountry

[@darrensmall4313]

Generally speaking, you can think of the rules of 3 when out in the environment. You can survive 3 weeks w/out food You can survive 3 days w/out water You can survive 3 hours in harsh weather w/out shelter Those are very rough numbers but gives an idea of what your priorities should be.

[@Slyder2828]

I taught some of this when I worked at REI, humans breathe out a significant amount of water in the form of vapor which adds to the condensation inside the shelter which is why venting is important

[@timdavis6088]

We also sweat in our sleep. Some more than others. I put my sleeping pad inside my fleece bivy and then put both inside my sleeping bag. It helps tremendously in managing your sleeping bag moisture. You'll never wake up in a sticky sleeping bag again.

[@hubriswonk]

Amazing that a Big Agnes tent poll failed on video! Hopefully BA will make good on it for you..........send them this video and see what they say. I have 3 BA tents and they are bullet proof!

[@Oldrush]

Hilleberg Niak, double wall, both up at the same time and mostly free standing except for the vestibule and the poles go in sleeves. Very fast, easy and dry inner.

[@jimfy3357]

Good video! Hammock + tarp is my go-to up here in the northeast where there is no shortage of trees where I'm hiking. It's good in the mountains where you might not have flat ground for other options. Can always use it as a makeshift bivy sack too when there's no trees.

[@grizzle31]

In SC, we pretty much always have trees. But the condition of the ground is hard to determine. So I typically choose a tarp, to suspend. Whether it's hung as a 3 wall, a Ridgeline, or a lean to.

[@craig2100]

Perfect timing. My brother and I are hiking and camping this weekend. These are fantastic tips. I hiked the AT and wish I had some of these tips and knots. Really enjoying all of your videos, thanks for sharing.

[@krisgee9553]

6:50 Sometimes a tent will come with a section of aluminum tube to use as a splint/sleeve to go over the break. You might not have noticed it. Otherwise, you could use duct tape or cordage to wrap around the break. Green sticks or extra tent stake to add support. Definitely something to plan for!

[@traillesstravelled7901]

First step in having any kind of tent/shelter is to loose any spare or repair items, then 1/4 of the stakes. So no, nobody ever has that stuff.

[@caseylee1553]

@@traillesstravelled7901 I always have that stuff. A matter a fact I keep the sleeve on the cross bar of my shelter.

[@dukeofdixieland]

So dang true lol

[@one-of-us9939]

Pole failure happens. It's almost like you planned it.🤔 Perfect job bro

[@bryanbyrd9478]

I had to rewind the intro. "what's up skidmarks" cracked me straight the hell up. Love this guy!

[@chreghan]

I went to see my psychiatrist. I told him that sometimes I feel like a dual-wall shelter and sometimes I feel like a single-wall shelter. He ruminated and replied, "You are just two tents."

[@mickeytollison]

Dad?

[@guyberg7093]

That's great buddy!! Just told that one to my wife, thanks brother.

[@chreghan]

@@mickeytollison Luke… I am not your father.

[@nameredacted1176]

AYYYYOOOOOO!!!!!! 😂🇺🇸

[@mickeytollison]

@@chreghan Oh ok, my bad.

[@jeffstull2534]

I started backpacking in my 50's and I still have my Sierra Designs Sirius 3 tent. It has never let me down. I also started using the Henessey Hammock shelter and it was much lighter and easy to set up...if you have trees around. i also used an UCO candle holder hanging in the tent for condensation which it handled nicely.

[@timdavis6088]

3:40 Every dog owner watching was laughing at your dog rubbing his head and thinking, "At least he wasn't trying to rub his ass". As a small gear maker I carry a 3 lb kit that has a tarp, a bug net, and a hammock w/ all the fixins. Your just over in GA so if you need anything let me know. As far as tarps, you actually can pitch a tarp on open ground just like you pitched the dyneema shelter. I use a 10x10 and 2 trekking poles for my personal gear. There are numerous configurations that a square tarp can utilize just like the dyneema shelter. But the square tarp can be tied in numerous configurations in the trees. It's basically a more versatile version of a ground shelter because it uses more tie-out points. I made a tarp for my primitive skills instructor that had 36 tie-out loop points. It's only limited by your imagination. Guy lines: I also use a trucker's hitch on one end of my ridge line as well as all of my guy lines. But on the other end I tie a Siberian hitch first. Then I only have to tie the trucker's hitch once. Ground Stakes: I can't stress enough on throwing out whatever ground stake comes with your gear unless it's an MSR Groundhog. The first tent stake has a problem with the very top portion just pulling off in your hands. Thanks ENO! The other round stake is actually better but it's too short, will pull up when the ground gets wet, and too heavy. Even if you bug out with nothing but a tarp and a good knife you're way ahead of most people. Work on getting some basic primitive skills for shelter and fire making.

[@tacticalskiffs8134]

With good quality poles they rarely fail. The ones I used are Easton xx75 aluminum, which is archery aluminum and regularly gets shot into things at 300fps. I used to sell gear, and we got a return on the NF VE24 tents from people who were somewhere in the far north, and got pinned down in extreme wind such that the dome got pressed down almost flat over the downwind side, putting an extreme bend in the poles over there and every pole had a zipper failure which looks like connected Ss on the tension side of the pole, for about 3 feet. They had multiple tent on the trip. They were stuck in those winds for 36 hrs. The poles still sorta worked and held for the rest of the trip, and NF paid for new tents, though I don't know how comparable the new guarantee is. Those tents were the go to for Everest type deals. There were also super heavy, about 7-9 pounds depending on the model. But the poles were not the heavy part. None of this to say tent poles are fabulous, One annoying thing is that they tend not to pack well.

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Great review & comparison. Thanks Chadd. You can make “dead men” (what I’ve heard them called) - essentially weights to hold the line for each corner. Simple trick for making dead men is to carry empty mesh sand bags & fill them with/ dirt, rock, sand, etc.; even snow will work, but you need to burry the bags & pack snow on top. Just something to remember when conditions don’t allow to drive stakes in the terrain, or have them stay put. IMHO, single wall is the way to go, just don’t forget your poles (or be prepared to make them). Lots of talk about making your own shelter. Just remember, this will take longer that you think, and will usually not be dry unless you brought some waterproofing material (tarp, poncho, large trash bags / plastic sheeting).

[@clintstinkeye5607]

I prefer double wall free standing, particularly in areas where there are rattlesnakes, poisonous spiders and scorpions. Yeah, it's a little whiny, but I'm still creeped out when I reflect on when I had a little spider live inside my ear for a few days. I tried to float it out with water, but that little bugger was a champ.

[@rogerjensen5277]

Why, they don't eat much!

[@paulkisser3128]

He was living rent-free in your head! (I got bit on my lip by a spider while camping although it’s not nearly as bad as in the ear. Must’ve drove ya nuts)

[@freebird1ification]

peroxide is the way to get those moros out your ears

[@v.german11b]

Valuable, practical, usable information. Thanks Chad! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Oldsparkey]

My choice is a good Jungle Hammock with a 12 x 12 tarp. I have been using Hammocks for over 60 years and a tent , those rare times , when I can't use a Hammock. The hammock offers so much more then a tent does plus extreme comfort and ventilation. Here in Florida the tent is a sweat lodge no matter how you do it. Plus I can get my hammock up while a tenter is finding a flat , root free , spot for his ground cloth.

[@Swamp-Fox]

Awesome video! It is always nice to have options when it comes to shelter. I love to see the dogs helping you out! Hope to see more of them in the future.

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

I did a short series on tarp-tent use in cold and breezy weather. I prefer a tarp because it requires no poles or stakes. You can go as minimum as wrapping up in it or cutting a pole or tripod and rocks where stakes would go.

[@timdavis6088]

Exactly the same thought. 16 ozs of military Multicam material can have a lot of invaluable uses.

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

@@timdavis6088 exactly

[@danielraab2155]

I like them dogs. I’d like to see them more in the videos. They looked like they were having fun

[@jtaylorb88]

There's a way you can set up the double wall tent by pitching the fly first then set up the tent body underneath it. To clip it under the fly you just start at the top and work down then you can connect it to the fly even from the inside of the tent.

[@johnd4348]

Love the dogs. Thanks for not editing them out.

[@margiechism]

Thank you ■ shelter examples

[@Imarhinoceros-ks4go]

I had fun with a tarp, can get it really low to the ground and throw some debris around it, might be a false sense of insulation but I liked it.

[@timdavis6088]

If you pile a few feet of leaves on top it's not only warm and dry but camouflaged. A debris hut of leaves can save your life.

[@jr-gi1vn]

Awesome video, reminded me I need to work on my knots. Only thing missing is remember to dig a moat!

[@MS_249]

That truckers hitch tip was AWESOME!!!! Not so much known in Europe I think!

[@TeamBrewer615]

Thanks Chad, great info here 👊

[@TrippUpthemountain]

Awesome presentation

[@dwightWSmith73]

Number one item: Garmin inReach. I carry mine even if on a day hike in crowded RMNP.

[@AndrewWisler]

Great info. I’ve been using an A-frame tarp exclusively for the past 3 years, and I always pitch it with trekking poles - I’ve never used trees to pitch a ridge line (although I could if I needed to). If you set it up right, it’s fast to pitch this way, and in the woods you can always find sticks to use if your trekking pole breaks. I have the corners and ridge lines set up with taught line hitches, and I can usually set up in a couple of minutes, even in a rainstorm. 7 ounces, and I’ve used it in some really terrible weather with good effect. I might hesitate to use it in winter weather - blowing snow would definitely mess you up in a shelter like that - so I’m considering adding something like a hyperlite ultamid for really terrible weather, without much weight penalty. I really appreciate that you’re bridging the ultra lite hiking ethos and shtf preparedness. I’ve long thought that some of the best options for “bug out “ scenarios should incorporate UL principles, because the less weight you commit to basic survival, the more you can commit to ammo, coms, and the other things you might need in a teotwawki kind of scenario.

[@jasonvickers2265]

Great stuff

[@JerryWDaviscom]

Sand and rocky ground will not be a problem usually, although sand sucks and so does sleeping on rocky ground. Level is #1, and you can use those rocks as anchors. Sand requires driftwood is available or some other heavyish object to hold the stakes down. I like your walking stick shelter, but currently I use a good tarp, which requires trees. I string up mu Eno hammock and also use a good underquilt when night-time ambient temps frop below 70 degrees. I will either use my sleeping bag as a regular quilt in warmer air, or as a sleeping bag is under about 45 degrees, down to 20 degrees or so. Packability is very important. Weight and size matter. Thanks for the vid.

[@grantharper7515]

Thank you, very helpful! ❤

[@one-of-us9939]

Pole failure happens It almost like you planned it 🤔 Perfect job bro

[@formatr6]

great video thanks for sharing!

[@fredcarter8382]

Great video Chad with good info as always. Never saw a tent pole fail like that LOL! I've always used ALPS Mountaineering tents.

[@gregory5671]

Shoot, those newer generation tents that you take outta the bag and basically throw on the ground and the poles are integral part, no pole breaking, no putting& pushing poles through sleeves, take a look at them

[@russellking2221]

That one was funny and honest. I luv it. Keep up the great work

[@chillis28]

👍👍 Great info as usual!

[@jimmyjones6497]

Appreciate the content

[@ragheadand420roll]

I experienced a “dual wall” a few times in the Philippines and a single wall in Okinawa 😂✌🏻👍🏻🙏🏻🇺🇸 When its too hard for tent stakes some 550 cord and some rocks puts you in the business

[@lisamonalisahikes]

Good shelter is important… knowing how to use it is even more important. I have watched to many people struggle and watch them pull out their phones and look up on KZbin 🤦‍♀️ please folks before you go spend time out on trail or backwoods set things up in your yard… and in bad weather

[@ashking4434]

This was actually very helpful.

[@thefamily2707]

Love this channel! Keep it up and thank you for your service to God and country! 🙏🏻

[@paratusllc3086]

Love your content and explanation. I teach a basics to survival and other courses, the tarp is my preferred shelter with the options of the Plow Point set up.

[@DeeMoback]

Omg.....absolutely......plowpoint.....

[@NateArrington]

Great video!

[@modernpopeye]

I used to be with various line companies in the Marine Corps infantry as a Navy Corpsman. Most of the time, I would only get to carry a ranger roll, which worked out ok, if you got the poncho water tight at the hood and had something to tie the 550 cord to. I did find that sleeping on jagged rock, in Sardinia, in the cold and wet, rendered a ranger roll useless. Lesson learned, ignore the gear list.

[@curtismccorkel6985]

Nice man stable tent better did Great job on tents

[@biker1958]

Great video thank you.

[@ky5959]

Great video, I love the content!!! Its starting to get cool outside so it's time to get out and do some hiking and camping.

[@budsmith4536]

Awesome always great content, I carry 4 flat tarps in my get home bag. Thanks Chadd.

[@Albert-jt4mf]

Awesome! Waiting for a video like this

[@reddog1171]

Thanks

[@HooyahDeepsea]

Haha that knot you did on that ridge line is called a “coonass come along “ …

[@shannonbarattini5772]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNBIASED INFORMATION. YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS PRICELESS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SURVIVE IN A SHTF INCIDENT. ME BEING OLDER I'VE PREPARED FOR MY FAMILY. BECAUSE WITHOUT MY MEDICINE I WOULD HAVE MAYBE MONTHS TO SURVIVE. SOO I WILL BUG IN. AND GOD HELP ANYONE WHO COMES TO TAKE WHAT I HAVE . VALHALLA

[@jimmyjs8907]

Those dogs are to much! Made my day.

[@clintstinkeye5607]

One more comment from the peanut gallery. I've never had a tent pole break, and I've set up a tent well in excess of 1,000 times. On the modern tents one should clip the peak of the tent first in order to not stress the pole physics. The old tents one had to slide the poles through the pole slots, ensuring even stress on the pole as tension was applied. I currently have a Mountain Hardwear Dry Pitch tent that is discontinued for some reason. It's a solid system for anyone that respects the process.

[@rogerjensen5277]

I like to carry both a 3 -season double-wall tent and a tarp when weight isn't an issue, lightweight tents are fine in lightweight weather but a hard rain will often soak thru the tent wall and the addition of a tarp makes a lot of difference! If weight is a issue then I do the cowboy roll thing wrapping a wool blanket in a tarp on the ground. I don't like the elevated tarp shelter since rain/snow will blow right thru and also if it is raining/snowing when you arrive at your set up site, then the ground will already be soaked! A tent gives you a small amount of personal security from animals (two legged and four), a second or two to respond! You need better tent pegs and the fiberglass poles (tent poles) are much more durable than the aluminum ones. Duct tape will repair patch the poles and fabric and IMHO is a necessity! I carry two contractor bags with me for many reasons, one being if you're camping on rocky ground, then you can fill them with debris and place them under your sleeping bag.

[@ZackariahCombs1]

You just call me a skidmark!?.,lol😂😂😂 nicest thing ive been called in a while! Lol godbless you😂 love the 3of7 project an the message you bring to people so keep fightin the good fight brotha godbledd you and ours!❤🎃

[@FgtRtd]

I thought that this dirgio was hyperlites brand new two person tent at first they look so similar, they just released it earlier this week .. I completely forgot that they made this tent years ago 😂 such a good design but they did figure out some of the weirder quirks of it to make it more roomy and storm worthy And as far as pitching on rocks or sand you can always wrap the guy out points to small logs or rocks and tension like that it'll work perfectly fine

[@DanielERodriguezMusic]

Truckers hitch: new handy info.

[@LeDiamondDog]

It would be very interesting a vid on your running kit what you use when you run 😉 Very interesting Sir 👍 RESPECT 🫡 from France 🇫🇷

[@MichaelWilliams-to3cj]

Nice bro

[@robertsherwood6378]

The thru hiker mentality may be able to survive for a good while in the back woods. However the bushcraft knowledge makes up for the lack of support and resupply. Cuban fiber / DCF tent is very important for rain etc. as it does not absorb water and stretch or sag. Then when you have to move your not carrying water weight. You just convinced me your worth following. Most bug out bush crafters are not going to make it because of the weight they are attempting to carry.

[@scottfast03]

If shit hits the fan I want this guy with me. Awesome videos. I’m binging them all

[@gw10758]

Thanks Chad... there is about 10,000 tarp setup guys on the channels. They have got some really creative ways to do it.... One is even a Marine...... Uncle Sams Misguided Children... uh rah!

[@HunterDownunder-c2h]

Thank u

[@buf7ord]

It’s important to be very careful when you pitch a tent.

[@samuelhall2444]

You can bury a × sticks, a anchor to hold down the corners of the tent.

[@KY_REDDYNESS]

I like a sealed shelter. Just to keep the critters out.

[@keatonjorgensen8793]

Yeah I have a floor less tipi and mice will wander in and want to snuggle or chew on stuff

[@KY_REDDYNESS]

@@keatonjorgensen8793 you're a wild man! 🤣

[@louieboe1164]

I would like to see you make a elk hunt video in Colorado

[@TheShantry]

You had me at ".. a minute and a half to full erection."

[@TheTedbull]

Trekking pole tent will work in sand or rock. Just takes more time and effort burying sticks and or stacking rocks.

[@josequintero5476]

I was thinking of using a hunting tree stand with some covering.

[@tacticalskiffs8134]

As an X rock climber, and multi talent maker, take quitting off the table, as far as getting an anchor. There is no terrain one can't pitch on. The must be, but never found one myself.

[@vinceaikens195]

I got 2 words for that tent pole repair Duct tape I gotta have a skeeter net and don't like sleeping with snakes and bugs so it's a little heavy but worth it

[@TeddDecker]

No mention of a hammock? Now a serious contender to the tent. No poles but need trees. aka bear burrito

[@grantwakeland8222]

You know WAY more than me. But I’m gonna disagree and say water is the most important.. depending on weather and terrain you don’t always need a shelter necessarily. But no matter what you’re always gonna need water

[@vincentstouter449]

What is your opinion of hammock type shelters? … No poles, no ground or water contact, rain fly incorporated.

[@robertsherwood6378]

Hunters,fishermen,hikers,and runners may survive because they are aware of light weight materials that will protect them from wet cold and extreme heat conditions. A few military aware of these ultra light materials and physical determination may make it also.

[@Macdaddy8124U]

Can anyone tell me why Chadd doesn't have a lightfighter tent? I wish he would do more survival videos . Please tell us your training

[@angryshrub1]

I thought this was a Rings of Power video from the thumbnail.

[@ronholbert5333]

Can you please reply with Brand and Model of the sunglasses you wear in your episodes? Thanks

[@joshuatrotter25]

LEONARD 🐶

[@kanatislings9307]

I sleep In a ranger burrito or a simple bivy sac…… gets it done ✅

[@chingama]

Thanks for the awesome and informative videos We greatly appreciate it 👍

Try a (Hilleberg) Tunnel tent. Takes me less than ten minutes for the basic all-in-one setup in one row - alone in the dark in storm and rain. No rain can reach the inner tent while erecting the tunnel. #dontbyacheaptent

[@keatonjorgensen8793]

They really aren't worth 1200 dollars

@@keatonjorgensen8793 I have mine since 1996 and I would pay the money again. But yes, it is a lot of money. Anyway, a tunnel style tent still would be/is my preference.

[@mathewrobeson4251]

Another option is a hammock, terrain permitting

[@markscott4881]

Whatever happened to tube tents? As simple to set up as possible.

[@petegarrido5406]

Good that your first tent setup failed for showing its disdvantage . Always carry a couple of ponchos and liners if you can ( rubberized )...life saviors . Give your dogs extra treats .

[@gemeni69]

Anything is better than the shelter halves they issued us in the military. Unless you had a buddy you could connect yours with.

[@joshroten3997]

👍👍

[@JamaniusFreebone]

Man those hyperlites are pricy

[@johnd4348]

If that other dog is named Skinard it would be great. Lynard Skinard.

[@andrewdavid9333]

Clumber Spaniel?❤

[@dc-123_v]

love the spaniel content ahha !

[@itzlitz1073]

What song was playing at 6:14 - 6:27??? Plz

[@joemores6196]

🖖

[@carmensolamanga8829]

Can anybody tell me what's the intro-music? Can't shazaam it 😞

[@LeDiamondDog]

Same

[@joshuamontgomery4992]

Seven days no food is my record