Blaze orange and olive drab. Standing out and blending in. Born out of the need for hunter safety, it’s a combo in which two opposing colors manage to come together in complete harmony. As such, it makes an ideal choice around which to build a survival loadout, because the success of any excursion ultimately rests upon cooperation and careful planning.
So, while we may be on the heels of autumn, the two hues are still very much relevant when you’re out in the woods — visibility is key when you’re throwing yourself at nature’s mercy. Lucky for you, it just so happens that Gallantry stocks a slew of survival-ready EDC items. From Antarctic-approved notebooks to mil-grade keychains to bone dry duffels, we’ve assembled an assortment of gear that will surely prepare you to get out there and get after it.
Field Notes Expedition Pocket Notebook
Having survived Ben Saunders’ historic journey to and from the South Pole on foot, this hardy little notebook can easily stand up to anything your excursion off the beaten path has in store. With 48 ruled pages of water- and tear-proof Yupo Synthetic paper, it’s for an ideal writing surface should the weather prove unruly.
Elastic Precision PPK Rubber Band Gun
Reliant on wits, resourcefulness, and dumb luck, 007 is as masterful a survivalist as any other. However, his license to kill comes at the cost of years of special ops training — a luxury that most of us will never have. Instead, grab yourself this Walther PPK rubber band gun, a unit capable of firing 5 elastic projectiles at a time up over distances of up to 20 feet.
Matador Pocket Blanket 2.0
Blankets are an essential piece of contingency kit, no matter if you’re heading out on a local day hike or venturing forth into the unknown. This offering from Matador is not only incredibly lightweight and conveniently packable; it’s also water-repellant, puncture-resistant, and built with handy stability features like weighted corners, integrated corner stakes, and a sand pocket.
Arktype RMK Keychain
For such a simple EDC item, keychains are incredibly versatile in their application. Take, for instance, Arktype’s RMK model. With its black-oxide military-grade snap hook as well as its neodymium magnetic clasp, it makes for robust daily carry with an added dose of security. Top it off with Type III 550 paracord that can be unwoven in case of emergency, and you have yourself a survival staple.
Trayvax Axis Wallet
Admittedly your currency won’t do you much good out in the bush, but should you come across a town or other settlement, you’ll need a way to pay if you hope to replenish supplies. This innovative approach Trayvax should do just the trick, what with its stainless steel construction, lanyard attachment point, and lifetime warranty. Featuring room for up to 14 cards, 8 bills, as well as a hideaway pocket for coin storage, it comes in at just 0.5 inches thick.
Machine Era Field Twist Pen
A reliable writing implement is part and parcel to any notebook. Because of its stainless steel body and its textured grip, Machine Era’s Field Twist Pen makes for an excellent accompaniment to the above pick from Field Notes. It also features a twist mechanism machined in Germany from steel and thermoplastic as well as a pocket clip made of DLC-coated steel in New England, so you best believe it’s as durable a pen as they come.
Timex Archive Acadia Nato Watch
With their battle-hardened heritage, field watches are an ideal choice if you’re looking for a tough timepiece. Based on the 3F system — a classification made up of just three features: tough, lightweight, and highly visible — Timex’s Archive Acadia Nato model is a case in point. For instance, it comes with a robust 40mm resin case, a comfortable grosgrain strap, and a super bright INDIGLO Night-Light.
Benchmade 551 Griptillian Knife
With its versatile designs and quality builds, Benchmade is a name that needs no introduction. Its flagship folding knife, the Griptillian should an essential part of every outdoorsman’s loadout. In addition to a 154CM drop-point plain edge blade, it comes with an ultra-grippy handle as well as Benchmade’s innovative AXIS lock.
Mystery Ranch Urban Assault Pack 24
Inspired by military rucksacks, Mystery Ranch’s Urban Assault Pack is a capable performer out in the field or on your daily commute. It’s made from heavy-duty 500D Cordura fabric with reinforced YKK zippers, so you can rest assured knowing that it won’t fail on you. And thanks to its 3-Zip design, getting to your goods is as easy as can be.
Filson Medium Dry Duffel Pack
It pays to be prepared for the worst when you’re heading out into the unknown, so a pack that can stand up to the elements should be at the top of your list. Featuring a PU-coated 840D nylon construction and a roll-top closure, Filson’s Dry Duffel pack is completely waterproof. What’s more, it comes with sturdy nylon webbing handles, making it an excellent choice no matter the weather.
Scoured: The Best EDC Gear On Gallantry - October
If you’re after a more muted medley of items, be sure to check out last month’s guide to the best gear on gallantry. You can never go wrong with a classy combo like black and white.
