The One Bag Scenario

You don’t need a fancy truck camper to enjoy the outdoors, however, I feel like there's some essential equipment that everyone should have. Another cool thing is that while all of this equipment is excellent for camping, it’s also super convenient to have as a backup in an emergency situation.

Mother Nature has been dishing out some hard blows lately. This gear will also help you be prepared for the unexpected.

So, here’s the scenario: if I were to be dropped off in the wilderness or I needed to leave my home quickly for an unknown period of time, and I could only bring one backpack, here's what I would put inside.

Disclaimer

I love backpacking, which is why I've invested in some expensive ultralight gear over the years. And I’ll talk about all that stuff, but I want you to know that this kit doesn’t need to be expensive. There are cheaper alternatives available and I'll include links to some of my favorite budget options below.

Pack

First, you'll need a pack. I use a 45L ultralight pack from Waymark Gear Co. It's made from an awesome material called X-Pac, which is highly water-resistant. I also appreciate the simplicity of its single compartment roll-top design, along with the spacious side pockets, and the stretchy front pocket.

Shelter

I recommend using a two-person tent. I prefer having the extra space inside to layout my gear and spread out.

I currently use the Zpacks Duplex tent, and it was not cheap. Unless you plan to do a lot of backpacking and are certain that this tent meets your specific needs, I highly recommend saving your money and opting for a more budget-friendly option.

For instance, I've always been a fan of the REI half dome 2.

Sleep System

For me, these have been some of the most important pieces of gear. Getting through long days is a lot easier if I know I can sleep comfortably at night.

In the kit I have:

Sleeping Pad: I use a Thermarest Neo-Air X-Lite. It's compact, ultralight, and has an R-Value of 4.5, which means it's suitable for most seasons.

Sleeping Bag: This is a 15-degree down sleeping bag from Katabatic Gear, which I use year-round. During the warmer months, I can lay it out as a blanket, and in colder weather, I can cinch it down tight for additional warmth. I keep it in a medium plus dry bag from Z-Packs.

Generally speaking, a 20-degree sleeping bag is a great all-around option. But, as a cold sleeper, I truly appreciate the additional warmth provided by a 15-degree bag.

When choosing a sleeping bag, you can select between down and synthetic materials. If weight and size are your main concerns for backpacking, down is the better option. However, keep in mind that it tends to be more expensive and loses its insulating properties if it gets wet. Synthetic materials are less expensive but are heavier and bulkier. You just need to determine what matters most for your needs.

Pillow: This is an inflatable type by Nemo. It’s really soft and definitely makes a difference in my sleep quality

Clothing

Feeling comfortable outdoors largely depends on how well we can regulate our body temperature, and a big part of that is determined by the clothing we choose. I like to use a standard layering system so I can easily add or remove layers as needed.

You'll notice another trend in my system: I use a lot of merino wool. This material has many advantages, but what's most valuable to me is that it doesn't retain odors like synthetic materials. When you're wearing the same clothes for several days, that make a difference.

I keep all my extra clothing in a Large Pod from Hyperlite Mountain Gear, which I like because it’s water-resistant. If that’s too fancy for you, you could also go with any sort of roll top dry bag

Base Layers

3x Merino Underwear (one is reserved specifically for nighttime) I like having a clean pair to change into for bed.

2x Merino Socks; my absolute favorite are the crew socks by Darn Tough. They have a lifetime warranty and they’re worth the money.

1x Merino Long Johns by Icebreaker

Tops

1x Merino Tee by Icebreaker
1x Merino Sweater; Expedition weight by Minus 33. It's super warm and looks like a regular sweater.
1x Patagonia Sun Shirt; not Merino, but incredibly comfortable and practical.

Bottoms

1x Patagonia Baggies Shorts; I love the pocket size and how quickly they dry.
1x Pants; I really like these CQR ripstop pants I found on amazon

Outerwear

1x Puffy Jacket; The Enlightened Equipment Apex. It’s synthetic, and while I’m not a huge fan of the color (and, I've been told it looks like a trash bag), it's the warmest and lightest jacket I’ve ever worn.
1x Rain Jacket; I use the REI GTX, which is Gore-Tex and has held up for years. It's also lightweight.
1x Rain Pants; Mountain Hardwear

Accessories

1x Merino Beanie; from Minus 33.
1x Leather Gloves

1x Leather Belt

Footwear

1x Hiking Shoes; if I were just backpacking, I’d choose trail runners like my Altra Lone Peaks. However, for this scenario of being dropped in the wilderness, I'd opt for boots—specifically the Miendl Vacuum Hunters. They’re bomb proof.
1x Crocs; I always find it worthwhile to bring my Crocs. They work great as camp shoes, river shoes, and shower shoes.

Cook Kit

For my Cook Kit, I keep everything in a waterproof Dyneema food sack from ZPacks. Here’s what’s inside:

1x Pot: I use this Snow Peak 700 Pot. I really only use the pot for boiling water, and that water can be used to rehydrate food, or make coffee, etc. if you want to do more traditional cooking it might be worth going with something larger. (I also keep a mug nestled inside but I wouldn’t say that’s a critical piece of gear)

1x Spoon: My favorite spoon is the TOAKs long-handle titanium spoon. Trust me on this one, the long handle spoon is where it’s at.

Salt: Essential for seasoning.

1x Stove & Fuel: Since making a fire isn't always possible, I carry a small camp stove. The MSR Pocket Rocket is super tiny and boils water quickly.

1x Bic Lighter: Always handy for starting a fire or stove.

1x Water Filter and Bladder: I like the Sawyer Squeeze paired with a 2L GNOC Bladder. When water is scarce, the bladder allows me to transport water easily along with my bottle.

1x Water Bottle: I use smart water bottles because they’re lightweight and have a sport tip which can backwash a Sawyer Squeeze filter.

Some Dehydrated Food: I enjoy options from PEAK Refuel, especially the Chicken Coconut Curry.

Instant Coffee Packets: This is a non-negotiable for me.

Electrolyte Packets: These help with hydration.

Extra Ziplocks: Useful for various storage needs.

Tools

Next, let's talk about some tools. I wouldn't bring all of these on a regular backpacking trip, but for our scenario of being "dropped off in the wilderness," here are the items I would consider essential:

Headlamp: I use a rechargeable Petzl Bendi. A headlamp is a no-brainer; it keeps your hands free while working in the dark. You can even create a makeshift lamp by wrapping it around a water bottle.

Multi-Tool: I almost always carry a Leatherman Wave. I love its versatility, but going through all its uses would take a long time, so I'll save that for another video.

Ferro Rod: While a good old Bic lighter is hard to beat, I also carry a small ferro rod. It doesn't require fuel and can throw sparks when scraped against the back edge of a knife, making it a reliable fire starter in a pinch.

Paracord: There are countless uses for paracord. We can discuss those in another video, but it’s an essential item to have.

Folding Saw: You can’t carry a chainsaw, but you can carry a Silky Big Boy folding saw. This thing is incredible for processing wood.

Hatchet: along with axes, these have staple of wilderness living for ages. I like this cheap one for its size and weight. I use it mostly for splitting small pieces of fire wood.

Sharpener: I’m no pro at sharpening knives, but this one from Worksharp makes it dummy proof.

Fishing Line and Hooks: These are pretty self-explanatory for catching fish to eat if you’re into that sort of thing.

Very Basic First Aid Kit: This is essential for handling minor injuries. This includes: bandaids, neosporn, anti-itch cream, gauze, a compass, a sowing kit, Ibuprofen wrapped with luekotape, alcohol swabs, antihistamines, anti-diarrhea tablets, n95 mask.

Trowel, Toilet Paper, and Hand Sanitizer: If you have to use the bathroom outdoors, you'll need these.

Hygiene Kit: Includes a folding toothbrush, travel toothpaste, floss, dr. bronners soap, tweezers, nail clippers, contact case, solution, chapstick and my glasses.

Wet Wipes: A quick wipe-down can feel luxurious after not showering for a while.

Butt Pad: This is a creature comfort item, but it’s nice to have something padded to sit or kneel on.

Depending on how far out I plan to be or how long I’ll stay in the wilderness, I would also consider carrying a rifle or a bow.

Power Kit

Since I use my phone as my navigation device with downloaded maps from GIAI GPS, I carry a power bank, which lasts about five days depending on my usage. It charges via USB-C, so I can use either a wall charger or a 12V cigarette outlet.

In addition I bring:

2x charging cables

1x wall charging brick

If I were truly going off-grid with no access to power, I would also add a portable solar panel.

Conclusion

Okay, those are my essentials, and the coolest part is that everything fits in a single pack. Does it cover every situation? Not exactly. However, I believe this gear list addresses a wide range of circumstances. By adding or removing a few items, you can be prepared for everything from a multi-day backcountry expedition to a short overnight backpacking trip.