My Essential Pocket Gear for Bushcraft and Wilderness Trips
When living outdoors or journeying in wild country, being prepared is key – and part of that is having the right gear immediately on hand. One question I get asked quite a lot is, “Paul, what do you carry in your pockets?” So, in this article, I want to take you through what my standard pocket loadout consists of – whether I’m teaching bushcraft, camping in the forest, on a wilderness canoe trip, or snowshoeing with a toboggan. Yes, it’s a versatile system. This is my essential pocket gear for bushcraft and wilderness trips…
This isn’t about having a fully-fledged survival kit stuffed into every pocket, nor is it about lugging around so much gear that it affects your comfort and movement. Rather, it’s about striking a balance between practicality, preparedness, and convenience.
Below, I share the essentials that I carry on my person and why I carry them. These items help me tackle everyday tasks and make life outdoors smoother and safer.
Consistency is Key: Setting Up Your Pockets
First off, the basics; most trousers I wear have similar pocket arrangements. This allows me to be consistent with how I organise my gear, whether I’m in Fjällräven, Lundhags, or Norrona trousers, or even Carhartt cargo shorts. The setup is usually two waist (or hip) pockets and two thigh pockets. This layout allows me to always know where my items are, regardless of the type of pants I’m wearing. Consistency is key.
When I’m in wilderness areas, the goal is to have key items on me at all times. This is regardless of whether I’m also carrying a pack, wearing a jacket, or just in a base camp situation. My trousers or shorts are always equipped with my most essential items, because, well, I’m always wearing them.
Waist and Hip Pockets: Essential Tools Always at Hand
Since I’m right-handed, my belt knife and folding saw usually sit on my right side. They’re always accessible. But if I’m hiking with a backpack with a hip belt, I might need to adjust accordingly, stowing the knife and saw elsewhere.
In my right hip pocket, I always carry a pocket knife attached to a lanyard. These days my every day carry is a small Swiss Army knife with a non-locking blade, as it’s versatile and compliant with knife laws. But I do sometimes use other pocket knives, especially if I am not carrying a belt knife (such as on a backpacking trip above the treeline).
In my left hip pocket I have a lanyard holding multiple items. I’ve posted about this lanyard setup before. On this you’ll find some other key items: a ferro rod, a striker, a whistle, and a small microlight or flashlight. These all serve specific purposes—from fire-starting to signaling to illuminating—and being on a lanyard makes them easy to manage without losing anything.
Thigh Pockets: Utility and Safety
On my right thigh, I carry a small first aid kit—what some call an “ouch pouch.” This is for everyday minor injuries, like small cuts and grazes. Yes, I have a larger first aid kit in my pack. However, having some basic first aid items directly on me means I can deal with issues right away.
Alongside the first aid kit, I sometimes carry a small tinder pouch. This could be filled with birch bark or Swedish wax fire-lighting paper (tändpapper). While this can be in my pack or a jacket pocket too, it’s handy to keep it in my thigh pocket if I’m not wearing a jacket.
Also, in my right thigh pocket, I have a small sharpening stone. I know some people like to carry a sharpening stone on their knife sheath. However, I prefer to keep mine in this pocket, as it’s always accessible when needed, even when I’m not wearing a belt knife.
The Left Side: More Utility Items
In my left thigh pocket, I always carry paracord. It’s incredibly useful for a multitude of purposes around camp—tying, fixing, or creating things on the go. Having a length of paracord readily available is something I find invaluable. This is whether it’s for practical purposes or, in extreme cases, as part of a bow-drill setup.
In that same pocket, I also keep a lighter, usually in an Exotac Firesleeve, which keeps it protected from moisture and dirt. If I’m out in cold conditions, I might swap this out for a match case, since lighters struggle in extreme cold. I like to carry at least two fire-lighting methods on my person. It’s a layered approach to ensure I always can light a fire, no matter what. I’ll also have a third method, or a spare of the first two, in my pack.
Pocket Practicality First
The key to my pocket loadout is practicality. I want to be able to move, kneel, and work around camp without bulky gear in the way. I see plenty of folks weighed down with gear, jangling about, and struggling to keep their trousers up. The key is balance: carrying what you need, being ready, but not burdened by excess.
Another critical consideration is security – ensuring everything is where it should be, attached securely, and with pocket flaps fastened. Plus, it’s worth regularly checking all your gear is in place. Attention to detail keeps you ready, comfortable, and safe.
Final Thoughts on My Essential Pocket Gear
That’s it – that’s my basic pocket setup. It’s designed to be consistent, practical, and effective in different environments. Whether I’m deep in a wilderness, out on a day hike, or teaching a bushcraft course in the UK, the items in my pockets remain largely the same.
If you’re interested in seeing how I set up my gear and why I chose these particular items, I encourage you to watch the video embedded below. I hope you find this useful and gain some inspiration for your own setup, whether that means adding something new or simplifying what you already carry.
Watch the full video on my pocket essentials here:
Gear Featured In The Above Video
Light My Fire Ferro Rod https://amzn.to/3XvRxYh550 paracord https://amzn.to/3TC8AXuMini carabiners https://amzn.to/3TEuKbpFox 40 Whistle https://amzn.to/4evCEfsProton Microlight https://amzn.to/3zsQ1xVHammarö Lighting Paper (Tändpapper) https://amzn.to/4eVagUfBic lighters https://amzn.to/3XCloOuExotac Firesleeve https://amzn.to/3XGU3eqLoksak Bags https://amzn.to/3zzX08uFarmer Swiss Army Knife https://amzn.to/3zpd8K0Fallkniven DC4 pocket stone https://amzn.to/4ejzhIBBacho Laplander Folding Saw https://amzn.to/3zNyhxnFjallraven Vidda Pro Trousers https://amzn.to/3XKtSDrPK1 Wilderness Knife https://www.ravenarmoury.co.uk/product/raven-armoury-pk1-bushcraft-knife/Henes Leather Laplander Sheath https://www.instagram.com/p/B7QymvYg8NT/?img_index=1
Please Comment…
As always, I’d love to hear what you think – share your own pocket setups or thoughts in the comments below.
Related Material You’ll Also Like…
Getting Started With Bushcraft: Kit Considerations For Beginners
How I Optimise My Ferro Rod Pocket Carry
Essential Wilderness Equipment – 7 Items I Never Leave Home Without
19 thoughts on “My Essential Pocket Gear for Bushcraft and Wilderness Trips”
I’d need belt and braces to keep my breeks up
🙂
Aye and you carry the look very well! 🙂
I love these little kitlists, very helpful for finetuning my own. The wax paper is a nice idea.
Additionally I carry lipbalm, which can occasionnally help in firestarting as well. There is also an old fashioned bright red handkerchief in my right side pocket. I Inherited the ones from my grandfather, a keen fisherman and outdoorsman in his time. Handy for lots of uses.
Bright red hank in right rear pocket is a traditional hobo carry. It’s amazing how red stands against green…
unless you are red/green colour blind LOL!
But i note the comment
Hi René, it’s good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well.
Thanks for your comments. I’m glad you like these kitlists and ideas around fine tuning.
Lipbalm is something I will have somewhere in my kit. I don’t always have it in my pocket but on canoe trips I always have some in my buoyancy aid as I often get dry lips from wind, sun or both when paddling. Similarly on winter trips, when cold, dry conditions can contribute to dry lips I always ensure I have lipbalm (usually the Swedish Hudsalva for winter trips as it does not go too hard in the cold). Otherwise I keep some in my small wash kit.
A few commenters here and on YouTube have mentioned handkerchiefs, or small bandannas. Perhaps I should add one to my pocket kit too…
Warm regards,
Paul
Hey Paul,
thanks for your work and all the content you create. I have very often profited greatly from your podcast conversations and articles.
I have to say though, that for me kit-oriented videos and articles are a bit symptomatic for our western, educated, male, first class approach to spending time in nature. We (myself included) spent such a big amount of time optimizing our gear, that we sometimes seem to forget, why we wanted to go outside in the first place.
I don´t mean to offend anyone and hope this comment will be received as what it is – my personal opinion.
All the best from Germany.
Martin
Hi Martin,
Thanks for your comments. I think you make a valid observation.
As you know from my podcast articles and conversations, though, my primary focus is on gaining knowledge of nature and skilful application of techniques. I try to encourage others to do the same.
There are many, however, who are starting on their path of spending more time outdoors and heading to wilder places and I’m often asked kit questions. If these videos and articles around kit are helpful to giving people the confidence to venture further and for longer, then that’s good. But yes, kit-fiddling should not become the primary focus. Also, I have to say, the kit videos do well on YouTube, which helps introduce people to my wider work and all the other materials I have here on my site.
Thanks for reminding us all to think of the fundamental reason we go outside in the first place.
Warm regards,
Paul
Nice – pragmatic thoughts and guidance, short and simple. I use 5.11 Taclite trousers for similar reasons; small pocket for SAK, and another for a Bahco, plus another six, yes 8 in total! Other stuff in my pockets includes a handkerchief; obviously with many uses! Thanks
Thanks for your comments David 🙂 I hope you get to the bottom of your recent issue with the Laplanders!
Yes, a handkerchief or small bandanna is a good pocket item. I should probably add one as a standard piece in mine.
All the best,
Paul
Hi Paul, thanks another good article, I am wondering about ID. I assume you always carry some? Also I rather like having a hirt with two cargo pockets especially if I am not wearing a jacket, I find them good for a Bandarna and match safe, plus possibly Loupe.
Hi David, I don’t necessarily carry ID in my pocket when I am in the woods. My wallet has by driving licence in it but I don’t keep that in my pocket in the woods or on expedition. Similarly when I am overseas I will have my passport with me but it doesn’t live in my pockets.
In the absence of a jacket, if I am using a compass a lot, then I like to have a shirt with a pocket that I can put it in.
Warm regards,
Paul
Great list Paul.
As always, your suggestions are excellent.
I always carry a medium field dressing in one of my pockets, it is very light and takes up little room. This is a standard practice for arb workers. If you cut yourself badly, you want to staunch the flow quickly.
Hi Bob,
As always it’s good to hear from you. I’m glad you like the kit suggestions.
You make a good point regarding a field dressing/trauma dressing. When I am working in the woods with an axe, or in the bush with a machete/parang, I make sure I add a belt pouch containing a trauma dressing and a CAT (tourniquet). It’s very important to have these.
Warm regards,
Paul
Awsome article. I carry the same stuff.ferro rod,lighter, knife,sharpen stone,bandana,ouch pouch.every single day.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your comment here. I’m glad you liked the article and that it resonated with what you carry every day.
Warm regards,
Paul
Hello! May I also suggest a packable waterproof poncho to keep out the rain, a couple of hotpocket hand warmers and one of those thermal foil emergency blankets? They come in very tiny folded packets too.
I’ve used a similar set up for many years and found it comes in useful not only in rural settings. I’m with those who always carry a bandanna: it serves as pot handle holder, face flannnel, sunhat and so much more. Also in a trouser pocket at all times is a small package of lavatory paper- vital for its primary purpose but also useful for first aid and firelighting.
Keep up the good work.
Hello sir. Good to hear from you again. Yes a bandanna has a multitude of uses.
I also agree about the value of a pack of tissues in a pocket or daypack. Nothing worse than being caught short.
Warm regards,
Paul