A night vision monocular allows you to see clearly in the dark, making it a great option for hunting and wildlife observing. But just like any other scope, some models are better and have a clearer picture than others.To help you find the best night vision monocular for your needs, we're going to share our […]
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The Snugpak Sleeka Elite is the jacket you need in your bug out bag, or in a survival kit. While your nice leather jacket may look great when going out to dinner, it will never be able to protect you from the elements in the long-term.
This is why so many people are choosing the Snugpak Sleeka Elite jacket as their favorite survival jacket.
If you’re sitting there wondering if your jacket will keep you warm in -10 C, the answer is no. You’ll be freezing, and if it rains, you’ll likely succumb to the elements as your jacket has no way to dry quickly and remain warm.
This is what the Snugpak jacket was designed to do – excel where others fail.
Let’s take a look at what really makes the Sleeka jacket special:
Just like the Snugpak Elite sleeping bag, Snugpak really wanted to redesign the way that jackets performed. After all, a lot of the jackets on the market look great, but they don’t perform well outside – not for long. The Elite version was designed with reinforced patches in those weak areas that always seem to need added support:
And if you’re walking through thick brush, hiking up rugged terrain or even out camping, this is the design quality that you should be after. Think of all those times your jacket’s elbows or shoulder area has become worn or even ripped – it happens a lot.
The reinforced design corrects these common design failures for you.
You don’t want to be outside wearing a jacket that’s heavier than a 10-year old to keep warm. No, you want something that is lightweight and won't make you sweat. The Elite weighs just 880 grams, and it’s breathable.
Featuring exceptional wicking properties, this jacket has a high-moisture transmission rate that keeps you dry when you’re active.
You won’t be drenched in sweat, and you won’t be cold either.
A jacket that is designed for extreme weather conditions must fit well, keep warm air in and cold air out, and adjust to fit you perfectly. The Snugpak Elite does this and more.
When the temperatures dip to -10 C, this jacket will keep you warm – that’s what it’s designed to do. And the neck adjuster allows for an overall better fit and aids in the insulation process of the jacket.
Keep in mind that this jacket is made with Paratex material. The goal of this material is to be able to be compressed to fit in your pack. Yet it’s also lightweight, dries quickly and fits just right. Did I mention that it’s actually insulated, too?
That’s right, the Snugpak Softie jacket is filled with Softie insulation.
I don’t want to get too technical here, but what really makes this insulation so special is that it can be compressed and unpacked without losing its thermal properties. Many survivalists will compress their jacket and place it in their survival pack so that it takes up less space until needed.
When you’re out in the wilderness and can only bring a small pack with you, this compression will be a welcomed addition, I promise you that.
The properties of a jacket’s material are really what matters most. The wrong properties can cause you to be cold, hot, wet or dry. And a lot of people don’t know what the Paratex material has to offer.
This material is built into the inner and outer fabric, and offers:
Paratex is a kind of Nylon.
An exclusive synthetic material is used to fill each Sleeka Elite. The softie material is 100% polyester, and small yarns are bound together with special resins to make the material feel like down.
Staple yarns are used so that the jacket’s insulation has a natural composition to insulate your jacket perfectly.
There are six overall size options available:
The weight of the jackets ranges from 820g – 1140g. For anyone trying to do the math, this is 1.8 – 2.5 pounds in total.
And while the jacket comes in olive, it is reversible to show either a black or tan exterior. This allows you to blend in with the environment or stand out for added safety.
Snugpak Sleeka Elite is what survivalists rely on when they’re out in the wild. Perfect for cold winter nights, this jacket does one thing your normal jacket doesn’t: keep you warm at night. Even when temperatures dip to -10 C, you’ll be warm and toasty.
The ability to breakdown nicely and be compressed allows you to bring this jacket with you even when space is tight.
If there is one jacket every survivalist recommends when out in the wilderness, the Snugpak Sleek is the clear choice.
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Survival knives are a part of every survivalist’s arsenal. Knives are small, compact and deadly, but a survival knife can be used for so much more. Defense and protection is a given, but knives can be used for prying, chopping and even batoning.
The Fallkniven A1 survival knife is a staple, but with the introduction of the Fallkniven A2, it becomes difficult to determine which knife is the right choice for you.
The A1 survival knife is far more affordable than the A2 at around $195 – a steal for a knife of this quality. Where the A1 truly excels is the quality of the construction. Even the Fallkniven A1 sheath is made of top-quality material to really push this knife to a new level.
Let’s break down this knife piece by piece, so you know what you’re working with:
A fixed blade with a full tang allows for the utmost in quality (your blade and handle will never separate). And the bottom of the blade goes through the handle so that it can be used as a baton.
If you’re trying to break something open or crack a nut, this will be of use.
A kraton handle is included, which is comfortable and well-balanced. What makes this handle material so special is that it allows for a maximum grip in all weather conditions, including the rain. This level of grip is far safer than the competition, and is the preferred choice for survivalists and hunters.
The blade spans 6.3” in length and features a drop point. This length puts this blade in the mid-size range, but everything about it is near perfect. When holding the blade, you’ll note the balance is one of the best in the industry.
The blade is also 1/4” thick, which allows you to chop or split wood with greater ease.
The blade is made of VG-10 stainless steel. This is short for V Gold 10. Offering a high carbon content, this blade material is stainless steel. It's often used in cutlery in Japan because it’s immensely sharp, holds an edge well, and can withstand repeated used without an issue.
The manufacturer uses a laminated VG-10 for the majority of their knives because it’s proven to be superior for sport.
Drop point blades are common for hunters, and this knife features a slope at the spine of the blade to the tip. This slope allows for some portions of the blade to be thicker and stronger, making it a good option for hunting or survival.
What’s really special about this knife is that it’s time-tested. Offered by one of the industry’s leading knife manufacturers, you’ll find a plethora of reviews for the Fallkniven A1 as well as information from long-term users.
It’s a knife that is made to last through the most rigorous of uses – and that’s what you want in a survival or hunting knife.
The A2 can be seen as the next step up from the A1. And you’ll see what makes this knife so different from the A1. One major difference between these two blades is the price you’ll pay for each. The A1 is far cheaper than the A2, which is sold for around $320.
So if you’re on a tighter budget, it may be best to go with the A1 – it’s still a great knife.
But the A2 does feature some outstanding features and specs that are really too hard to ignore.
The blade is full-tang, meaning that the blade goes from the point of the blade through the handle so that if the handle does break, you can still use the knife. Ultimately, full tang blades are the strongest, most reliable option on the market.
Survivalists don’t often choose folding blades because they can and do break – something that is unacceptable when out in the wild.
A small portion of the metal also protrudes from the bottom of the handle so that it can be used for hammering or as a baton.
This blade also features a drop point. The blade itself is far longer at just under 8” in length, with the full length, including the handle, being 12.8”. This is really where these knives differentiate from each other.
As you can imagine, the longer overall length of the knife allows for chopping and long-distance safety.
If you want the best hunting knife, the A2 should be at the top of your list because it’s length and lightweight design make it a knife that can be used at a distance.
Offering a drop-point blade, this knife is created with VG-10 stainless steel, allowing it to be equally as durable and sharp as the A1. The drop-point design holds the same advantages as the A1’s blade as discussed before.
A leather sheath is offered, and a kraton handle, too.
Since these knives are made by the same company, the designs are nearly identical. The weight of the A2 is a little heavier due to its longer blade, but the material and blade type are exactly the same, making your decision a difficult one.
The main difference has to do with length:
Your habits and usage will dictate which knife is the best choice for you based off of these metrics. The longer blade allows for chopping and long-range defense, while the shorter blade is a little better for prying and close range defense and combat.
Both knives are a great choice, but if you have the money, the A2 is slightly more versatile and the length will be a welcomed addition over the A1.
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A collapsible shovel is a major bonus to any bug-out bag or survivalist backpack. If you think this is something for just those “crazy prepper types,” you’re absolutely wrong. Sure, there are people prepping for the end of the world or an all-out war, but the best entrenching tool has a place in everyone’s arsenal.
If you fall into any of the following categories, you’re the perfect candidate for an entrenching shovel:
As you will find out below, a foldable shovel is a versatile and necessary tool that can be kept neatly almost anywhere, including your tactical backpack, without worry.
An entrenching tool looks a lot like a shovel, but it’s far more versatile. These are tools that have been in use in the military since World War I, and they’ve been refined and upgraded over time to be more versatile, too.
The benefits of these entrenching tools, in modern day, include:
These are the two main benefits that an entrenching tool has to offer. Weight for these tools can be 1.5 – 3 pounds on average, but it varies from one model to the next. When hiking, I like the lighter ones, but that is a personal preference.
You’ll also find that many entrenching tools have been designed for the military. Some have even been used by the military. Why does this matter?
The military has very high demand for quality and construction. If a tool is made for the military or has been used out in the field, you know that it passes the US military’s durability requirements – a tough feat to uphold.
Survivalists have to make the most out of the tools at their disposal and entrenching shovels are one of those tools that have dozens of overlooked uses. The most common uses outside of shoveling include:
The Gerber-E is a folding shovel that has been field-tested and can be used for all outdoor situations, including tactical, survival, military and hunting to name a few. Lightweight and durable, this shovel features an anodized shaft, which makes it ideal for heavy-duty usage. It is also small enough to fit neatly in my Tactical Rush 24 backpack.
This entrenching tool features:
One of the best entrenching shovels on the market today, the Gerber-E is able to withstand immense use. The feature that sticks out most – aside from the durable construction – is the serrated edge on the blade of the shovel.
The edge allows you to cut through roots, thick foliage and numerous other materials with ease.
The US GI Military looks a lot like the Gerber E-Tool, but it does have a few noticeable differences that will allow you to differentiate between the two. And this model is also slightly more expensive than our first option.
A genuine military issue, this is a tool you’ll find passed the quality and demand of the US military – so it’s well-tested.
This e-tool also offers:
Made for the military but available to civilians, this is an entrenching shovel that is able to best meet the stringent demands of survivalists and military.
The added expense also provides an axe edge, which adds an extra layer of protection to the user. Serrated edges further allow for cutting and sawing for those times when digging simply isn’t on the surface.
For the most universal model, this is a good choice.
I've used both of these folding entrenching tools while camping and hiking and if I was to choose just one I would go with the Gerber Folding Spade. It is durable, light and inexpensive. You won't be disappointed.
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Finding the right sleeping bag is a tough task – especially if you enjoy cold weather camping. You want something that will keep you warm without weighing you down. That’s exactly what the Snugpak Softie Elite 3 offers: comfort and warmth in a compact package. But does this sleeping bag really live up to the hype? We took it for a test run to find out.
We had just one minor complaint about this bag – it’s not waterproof. If your tent is waterproof or you’re sleeping in a hammock, this probably won’t be an issue. But it’s something we felt we should point out.
The Elite 3 is one of the most popular and best-selling models in the Snugpak Softie lineup. And it’s easy to see why campers and outdoor enthusiasts of all types love this sleeping bag. It may not be a down bag so you won't want to bring it along on a camping trip in the snow, but it will probably be one of the best synthetic bags you’ll ever own.
Let’s take a closer look at the bag’s construction and features before I share my experience with this sleeping bag.
The outer fabric is made of Snugpak’s Paratex Micro, which is 100% polyester. Paratex Micro is water repellent (not waterproof) and windproof. It’s lightweight and exceptionally durable, so it can live up to even your most rugged outdoor adventure. The outer fabric is breathable, too, so you stay warm in cooler temperatures and cool in warmer temperatures.
The inner fabric is made of Paratex Light fabric, which is incredibly lightweight, windproof and water-resistant. Its ability to wick moisture away makes it ideal for sleeping bag liners, and like the Micro outer fabric, it’s breathable, so you stay comfortable all night long.
While the inner and outer fabric allow for breath-ability and water and wind resistance, it’s the sleeping bag’s filling that makes it so warm. Snugpak uses Reflectatherm filling, which is metallized fabric that retains warmth and reflects heat.
The breathable fabric doesn’t add any weight to the sleeping back and adds 15% extra warmth. The nice thing about the filling is that it’s virtually undetectable by touch.
The Elite 3’s filling also includes Softie Insulation, which is a Polyester down-like filling, for added comfort and warmth.
The zip baffle expander system also plays a role in the Elite 3’s ability to keep you warm or cool at night. The baffle can be zipped into the bag’s main zip to add a little extra room. This extra space is ideal for bigger users or for warm nights when you want a little more space to stay cool.
For colder nights, you can zip the bag tighter to stay warmer while you sleep.
A convenient zippered chest pocket is built into the bag, so you can store essential items within easy reach, like a flashlight or a pair of glasses.
We’ve done our fair share of cold weather camping, and time and time again, we always find ourselves having to layer socks and shirts to stay warm throughout the night. The Elite 3 was different. We stayed warm all night long – without having to stack on layers.
While we probably wouldn’t recommend this for any weather colder than 25F (we haven’t tested it in temperatures lower than this), this is an excellent sleeping bag for just about any time of the year. It’s easy to pack, and it’s lighter than most bags.
A down sleeping bag would probably be lighter, but you’re looking at spending a lot more (double or triple the price). And some of these are not quite as compact as the Elite 3.
We spent the better part of a week camping in 35-degree weather, and we never had issues staying warm. The bag may be a bit snug for taller or larger users, but should be the perfect size for the average camper. If you’re a little on the short size, you can use the included clips to reduce the length. This is important if you’re trying to keep warm. Excess space on the bottom will lower the internal temperature of the bag because there is no heat to reflect.
The zippered chest pocket is a nice feature, but if you have a habit of tossing and turning (like we do), you may find yourself moving the bag and sleeping on top of whatever you have in there (ouch!).
While you can use the expanding panel to add room and to stay cool, this bag is probably still a little too warm for use in the spring or summer. But then again, that’s not what it’s built for.
The comfort and warmth the Elite 3 delivers is impressive, but its compact storage size is even more impressive. It won’t take up much space in your pack, and it’s a great option for motorcycle camping where you'll be short on space. Surprisingly, even after being compressed, this sleeping bag retains loft.
With its ability to retain heat and compress to a compact size, the Snugpak Softie Elite 3 is an excellent choice for cold-weather camping. Its baffle system gives you more room when you need it, and the bag’s fabrics work together to retain and reflect heat to keep you warm all night long. If you’re looking for a durable, warm, lightweight and compact sleeping bag for your next camping trip, the Elite 3 is a smart option.
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There is no better place to relax and escape from stressful urban life, than wilderness. But, if you don’t have what’s necessary to overcome its obstacles, you
might find yourself in a situation where your life is in danger and you lost all track of civilization. So, if
you love going outdoors hiking, exploring nature, on camping trips or
similar, you should always have a proper survival equipment with you,
because you never know just what might happen. To summarize, having your own survival kit near at hand is a must!
In order to help you with
that, we created a website where you can find some valuable information
about best survival gears and other items that can help you survive in
difficult conditions. 