Multi-Tool or Toolkit Pros and Cons of Each

Campers and, to a lesser extent, day hikers often bring an assortment of tools along on their adventures to help make any repairs necessary while on the trail. Historically, campers would often find it necessary to assemble a small toolkit from scratch, containing everything they may need while in the wilderness. However, over the last few decades, manufacturers began marketing multi-tools, which contain a variety of tools in one housing.

Multi-tools are quite popular among some outdoor enthusiasts, but others still prefer to bring individual tools instead. Neither approach is perfect for all circumstances, but we’ll try to explain some of the most noteworthy benefits and drawbacks of each strategy below.

The Benefits of Multi-Tools

Multi-tools provide a few important benefits, including the following:

• Multi-tools keep everything together and prevent you from losing any of the individual items
• Multi-tools are easy to access and use
• Multi-tools eliminate the need to select and purchase separate tools
• Can often be worn on a belt or strapped to the outside of your pack
• Great for simple tasks and repairs

The Drawbacks of Multi-Tools

Despite the benefits they provide, multi-tools also present a few drawbacks. Some of the most notable drawbacks include:

• You can’t use two different tools at the same time very easily
• You only have one of each tool, which can be a problem when trying to adjust bolts with more than one nut
• The handle or housing represents a bit of extra weight
• The knife blades included with multi-tools rarely lock into place
• It is sometimes difficult to achieve leverage with a multi-tool

The Benefits of Toolkits

Like multi-tools, toolkits provide campers with a few unique benefits. Some of the most important include:

• You can customize the toolkit, so it contains only those tools you need
• You can use more than one tool at a time
• You can add specialized tools to the kit to address unique needs
• You can carry tools in a lightweight nylon bag to save weight
• Many manufacturers sell pre-assembled kits, which alleviate the need to purchase items separately
• Often better for complex repairs

The Drawbacks of Toolkits

Also, like multi-tools, toolkits have a few drawbacks. Some of the most notable include the following:

• Individual tools can be lost
• Tools can clang against each other while you’re hiking
• You may have to dig through your toolkit to find the tool you need
• Purchasing tools separately is sometimes expensive
• You may end up carrying several tools unnecessarily if nothing breaks

Camping Tool Checklist

Whether you choose the multi-tool route, purchase a pre-made kit or assemble your own, you’ll want to verify that you have all of the tools you are likely to need. Typically, the best way to do this is by starting with a basic set of common tools, and then add any tools necessary to address your specific needs.

Basic Tools

The basic tools you’ll almost always want to bring include:

• Needle-nose pliers
• Conventional pliers
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Knife
• Wire cutters or small scissors
• Adjustable crescent wrench
• File

You can probably skip a few of these items if you are trying to reduce the weight of the kit. For example, you can usually use a flat-head screwdriver for Phillips-head screws in a pinch. You may also find that a pair of conventional pliers alleviates the need for an adjustable crescent wrench. Also, some pliers feature multiple gripping points, which allow them to simultaneously function as needle-nose pliers and conventional pliers.

If you’re more concerned with bringing a comprehensive toolkit than shaving unnecessary ounces, you may also want to bring a few more tools, including:

• Small saw blade
• Alligator clips
• Vise grips
• Small hammer
• Tweezers (although you probably have a pair in your first-aid kit)
• Small magnifying glass
• Small prybar
• Camping ax

Specific Tools

Once you’ve assembled your toolkit or acquired a multi-tool that contains all of the basic tools you’ll need, you’ll want to pull out all of your camping equipment and make a list of any specialized tools you may need.

For example, you may need a tiny screwdriver to adjust the valve on your camp stove, or you may need an Allen wrench to adjust part of your pack. Some items may even require custom-made tools, which are packaged with the equipment. For example, some camping stoves or lanterns may require a specialized wrench.

Just be sure to look over all of your equipment – particularly those items that possess moving parts – and identify all of the tools you may need to make repairs.

Rounding Out Your Repair Kit

Tools are obviously important, but they aren’t the only things you’ll need to make repairs on the trail. You may also need a variety of supplies to fix anything that breaks. This includes:

• Zip ties
• Duct tape
• Vinyl patch kit
• Superglue
• Thick glue (such as shoe glue)
• Small sewing kit
• O-rings, sized to fit your water filter, fuel tank connectors and any other devices that use them
• Nylon rope / paracord
• Safety pins
• Small bungee straps
• Tent pole repair sleeve
• Small can of WD-40 with a spray nozzle
• Spare light bulbs

Don’t feel like you need to stress out when choosing between a multi-tool and a toolkit — either choice will work. But, there are clearly a few differences between the two options, and it’s always a good idea to select the best camping equipment for your needs.

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Hygiene on the Trail: Staying Clean While Playing Outdoors

If you’ve ever been on an extended camping trip, you already know how dirty you can get while living outdoors. Dirt, grime and slime will coat every inch of your skin, you’ll smell bad and generally feel icky.

But staying clean on the trail isn’t impossible. In fact, we’ll provide several actionable steps below that’ll help you keep yourself clean while camping. And because hygiene isn’t limited solely to your body, we’ll also share a few tips for keeping your belongings clean during your next trip too.

Use wet-wipes liberally.

Wet wipes are great for quickly cleaning up when your hands get dirty, and they’re also good for cleaning your face or various cracks and crevices. They won’t get you as clean as soap and water will, but they are much more convenient and will help remove the dirt and grime on your body until you can wash up properly.

You probably don’t need to bring an entire package of wet wipes on most trips, so just take about 10 or so out of the package for every day you’ll be on the trail. Just be sure to keep them in a sealed plastic bag to prevent them from drying out. You can burn them after use to avoid having to pack them out.

Keep a small broom inside the tent.

A clean tent is a comfortable tent, so you’ll want to do your best to keep dirt and debris outside. However, you’ll invariably end up tracking in some dirt, so use a small, hand-held broom to help clean up the tent floor periodically.

Many retailers sell small brooms with an attached dustpan, but you’ll want to leave the dustpan at home – it’ll just take up space unnecessarily and add weight to your pack. Instead, just use a piece of paper or the back cover of a book as a makeshift dustpan.

Never, ever, ever wear your boots inside the tent.

Your boots will likely become coated in dirt, mud and gunk within the first thirty seconds of a camping trip – it’s just part of the gig. This isn’t a problem, but you don’t want to bring them into your tent, or they’ll get everything dirty. Instead, make it a practice to take your boots off each and every time you go into the tent.

Because this can get a bit tedious, many campers like to bring a pair of sandals or another type of slip-on shoes while camping. You can wear these around the campsite, as they’re easy to kick off when heading into the tent, and then change into your hiking boots when hiking or leaving the campsite.

Bring a collapsible water container for doing dishes.

Dirty dishes aren’t just gross – they can actually cause you to become sick, as any food residue left on them can support bacterial growth. Eat off dirty dishes on the trail and you’ll regret it – probably all-night long.

Most campers are aware of this fact, so they do their best to wash their plates, pots and cutlery after meals. But while washing dishes at home in your kitchen sink is easy, doing so on the trail is much harder. Many campers try to wash dishes in a nearby stream, but this is a bad idea – even biodegradable soaps take time to break down.

Instead, bring a collapsible container that will serve as a sink. This will give you a convenient washing station and make it easy to dispose of the sudsy water several hundred yards nearby creeks or streams, as is recommended. For bonus points, heat a pot full of water near the fire while you’re eating – warm water will make it easier to get the dishes clean.

Whenever possible, orient your tent so that it faces downhill.

You’ll have to consider a lot of things when deciding where to place your tent, but insofar as is possible, try to orient it so that the door opens downhill. This won’t profoundly change the amount of dirt and dust that blow into your tent, so don’t do so if it’ll cause a safety issue or force you to sleep on a tree root, but it is worth doing when possible.

Not only will this keep some of the dust and dirt from entering your tent, it will also cause the debris that does make its way into your tent to slide down toward the door. Here, it’ll present less of a problem, and will keep the dirt away from your face when you’re sleeping.

Bring plenty of ground tarps or plastic sheeting for the ground.

The best way to stay clean is to avoid getting dirty in the first place, so try to use ground tarps or plastic sheets when sitting on the ground. You needn’t break out the plastic every time you need to sit down and tie your shoes, but it does make sense to do so when sitting down to prepare or eat dinner, pack or unpack your gear or you want to play a card game with your companions. Sure, sitting on a plastic bag is at odds with the romance and ethos of camping a tiny bit, but then again, so is the notion of staying clean.

Plastic tarps or ground covers are lightweight and easy to pack, so there’s little reason not to use them. In fact, you could even use extra-large garbage bags if you like – they’ll also be great for bringing home trash or wet clothes, once the trip is over.

Use or make a camp shower.

You have two basic options for bathing during a backcountry camping trip (although car-camping sites occasionally provide shower facilities): You can take a dip in a nearby body of water or you can use a camp shower.

Bathing in a body of water presents a few problems. Lakes and ponds are frequently full of algae and particulates, which mean you won’t be able to get especially clean while doing so, and most mountain rivers are downright frigid. Additionally, you can’t use a soap – even a biodegradable one – in a body of water.

But a camp shower allows you to bathe in a more effective way – you’ll be washing the dirt off your body and right onto the ground, rather than swimming around with it. Additionally, if you place the shower far from nearby water bodies, you can use a soap suitable for camping.

There are a variety of commercially produced camp showers available, and some are even designed to warm up in the sun. But you can make a crude version on your own with little more than a garbage bag. You just have to figure out how to suspend it and then fashion some type of hole that will allow the water to pour out. You could add a clothespin to keep the hole closed when need be, if you want to be fancy. And, you may even be able to heat the water up a bit by sitting the dark-colored bag in the sun for a while or adding a pot or two of stove-warmed water to it.

Bring and store a change of clothes in the car.

In addition to staying clean during your trip, you’ll want to feel as clean as possible during your return trip to civilization. And the patrons at the local diner you like to stop at after camping trips will also appreciate your attempts too.

One easy way to lift your spirits and help you feel cleaner is by stashing a change of clothes – including underwear and socks – in your car. This way, you can use a few wet wipes or enjoy one last camp shower when you arrive back at the car and change into a set of fresh, good-smelling clothes. You can even store some deodorant in the car to help improve your smell even more.

You won’t be able to stay squeaky clean while camping, and you don’t need to either. Camping is, after all, an outdoor activity and you’re going to get dirty while enjoying the natural world. But by following the tips listed above and investing a modest amount of effort, you’ll surely be able to stay reasonably clean. This will help you feel better and enjoy your trip as much as possible.

 

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A Poison Ivy Primer: Everything You Need to Know

Spend enough time outdoors, and you’ll eventually have a run-in with poison ivy — the three-leaved scourge of the natural world. Famous for the incredibly itchy rash it causes, poison ivy is a common and benign-looking plant, which can wreck a camping trip and send you home with a long-lasting reminder of the encounter.

But, with a bit of knowledge, preparation and practice, you can learn to identify poison ivy at a glance and avoid it like a skilled pro. Below, we’ll cover some of the basic facts about the plant (and its close relatives), explain how the rash occurs and provide tips for avoiding the plant during your next outdoor adventure.

Poison Ivy Basics

Poison ivy is a broad-leafed, deciduous plant that is native to most of the United States east of the Rockies, as well as parts of Canada and Mexico. It usually grows along forest margins, where sunlight is abundant and pollinators (primarily bees and wasps) are common.

The plant can exhibit any of several different growth habits; it can grow as a ground-spreading creeper, a climbing vine or an erect, bushy shrub. Its leaves are green throughout the late spring to early fall, but they become bright yellow, orange or red as the days grow short. Shortly before winter arrives, the plant jettisons its leaves and remains bare until the early spring.

Poison ivy plants contain a yellowish oil called urushiol, which permeates most of the plant’s tissues. When bruised (which can happen with very gentle contact), the oil is released from the plant. This oil triggers an allergic reaction in many people, which leads to the itchy rash associated with the plant.

However, while humans may despise the plant, poison ivy is actually quite important for many ecosystems. Deer and other herbivores frequently consume the leaves without suffering any ill effects, and several birds and small mammals dine on the berries. Many animals make their homes amid the plant, and its roots and vines help to slow erosion. Poison ivy also competes with many invasive weeds and vines and helps to maintain the native species and biodiversity of the locations in which it grows.

So, while you may not want poison ivy growing in your backyard, and you certainly want to avoid it while camping, it should not be considered a “bad” plant. Instead, it simply deserves respect and deference.

Poison Ivy Vs. Poison Oak

There are a number of closely related plants that go by the name poison ivy, and scientists have long argued about the details of the plant’s family tree. Some scientists suspect that the numerous varieties of the plant are all members of a single species, while others recognize half a dozen distinct species or more.

Some, for example, contend that eastern poison ivy and eastern poison oak are distinct species, while others believe that they are the same species, and simply exhibit morphological differences based on the place in which they grow.

These types of debates may excite biologists, but they mean relatively little to outdoor enthusiasts. Most of the varieties/species look very similar, exhibit broadly similar biology and are capable of triggering a rash in sensitive humans.

Nevertheless, most authorities recognize the following species.

• Eastern poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
• Western poison ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii)
• Eastern poison oak (Toxicodendron pubescens)
• Western poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum)
• Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix)
• Japanese lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum)

Aside from the Japanese lacquer tree (which is not found in the US) and poison sumac (which is not encountered nearly as frequently as the other listed species), each of the species above look relatively similar and feature leaves with three leaflets.

Most of the species labeled poison oak have lobed leaves, but this isn’t an infallible rule. They all contain the same active ingredient that causes humans problems, and they’re all close relatives of each other. Many of the species are very difficult to distinguish, even for experts.

As far as hikers and campers are concerned, these differences matter very little, and you can treat them all similarly.

Poison Ivy Myths and Misunderstandings

Many hazardous components of the natural world become the focus of myths and misunderstandings, and poison ivy is no exception. Below, we’ll clear up three of the most pervasive examples:

Poison Ivy Myth #1: If you itch after a hike, you probably touched poison ivy.

Poison ivy elicits an allergic reaction, which often takes some time to manifest. Although some people may develop the rash within 24 to 48 hours, others won’t see the rash development for a week. This means that any itching that occurs immediately following a trip through the woods is very unlikely to be the result of poison ivy. It’s probably the result of sweat, bugs or some other itch-inducing plant.

Poison Ivy Myth #2: Scratching poison ivy rashes can cause them to spread.

Spreading urushiol around will cause your body to develop rashes in several different places. However, by the time the rash appears, you’ve (hopefully) washed off any of the oil that was present. This means that scratching a poison ivy rash will not cause it to spread.

Poison Ivy Myth #3: Poison ivy is poisonous.

Technically, poison ivy isn’t poisonous at all. Urushiol isn’t a toxic substance used by the plant in the name of self-defense; it is actually an oil that enables the plant to better conserve water. This is important, as the plant often grows in areas with full sun exposure, where water stress is common.

However, urushiol enrages the human immune system (at least in many cases – individual reactions vary). This triggers an overzealous allergic response, that results in the rash and itchiness.

Identifying Poison Ivy: Defining Characteristics

The best way to avoid problems with poison ivy is by learning to identify it so you can steer clear. And while there are a number of plants that resemble poison ivy, you can usually identify it by noting a few important characteristics.

Leaves of Three; Leave It Be

The easiest way to identify poison ivy is by noting the leaves, which are grouped in threes. Additionally, the central leaf is borne on a longer stalk than the lateral leaves, which helps distinguish poison ivy from many similar-looking plants. There are plenty of other three-leaved plants in the forest, so just avoid them all unless you are skilled at identifying the plant.

In the interest of being technically accurate, we must point out that what you’ll think of as poison ivy “leaves” are actually leaflets – the entire group of three leaflets comprise the leaf. But this is only an academic point that doesn’t matter for outdoor enthusiasts.

Berries White; Dangerous Sight

Most berries growing in and around forests are blue, black, red or purple, but poison ivy berries are yellow-white to off-white. Most poison ivy berries are located relatively high in the trees, so be sure to peek skyward if you are trying to identify a climbing vine.

Hairy Vines Lead to Bad Times

Poison ivy vines have numerous tendrils that give them a hairy or furry appearance. And although there are other vines that also look hairy, you can just avoid all of them to keep yourself safe. Note that all parts of poison ivy plants – including the vines – contain urushiol and can trigger reactions.

No Thorns Required

A few poison ivy lookalikes have leaflets clumped in groups of three and can be confused with poison ivy. However, several (but not all) possess thorns to help deter predators. Poison ivy is not equipped with thorns, which helps to distinguish it from blackberry, raspberry and a few other plants.

Helpful Tips for Hikers and Campers

Now that you understand the basics of poison ivy, it is time to put those lessons into practice. After all, the goal is to avoid contracting the maddening rash in the first place.

Try to follow these tips during your next hike or camping trip:

• Be careful what you burn. Inadvertently toss a few poison ivy leaves on the campfire and you may find a trip to the hospital is in order. The smoke from burned poison ivy can cause severe lung and throat irritation, potentially causing the throat to swell enough to necessitate emergency action.
• Don’t trust prior immunity. Scientists estimate that somewhere between 25% and 75% of the public is allergic to poison ivy. However, this can (and often does) change without any warning. Many people who’ve long thought they were immune to the plant’s irritating oil have suffered severe rashes after carelessly contacting the plant.
• Bring poison ivy wash if you are especially sensitive. You can wash urushiol off your skin with soap and water, but there are a few commercial products that may work better for some people. These types of products can also be especially convenient when hiking far from clean water.
• Speak with your doctor. If you know or suspect that you are strongly allergic to poison ivy, ask your doctor what to expect and how to best treat a reaction. He or she may, for example, recommend taking an antihistamine following exposure.
• Don’t forget about your dog. Dogs rarely suffer from poison ivy rashes, but they can become coated in urushiol if they run through a patch of poison ivy. This can represent a big problem, as they’ll not only get the oil all over you but your tent and sleeping bag too.
• When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Don’t spend 15 minutes trying to determine if the plant in front of you is poison ivy or kudzu. Just avoid it and keep moving on. The upside of correctly identifying a poison-ivy look-a-like is rarely worth the risk.

Poison ivy can certainly cause problems, but it is easy to avoid these by simply using a bit of care when traveling through the great outdoors. Learn to identify the plant and familiarize yourself with the places it tends to grow, and you’ll find that it’s usually pretty easy to stay rash-free.

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Six Super Foods You Should Always Pack

Don’t get the wrong idea, we didn’t say “superfoods,” we said, “super foods.”

The former refers to foods that provide substantial health benefits; the latter refers to foods that are simply awesome. Or, in this case, well-suited for hikers and campers.

However, there is certainly a bit of crossover between the two. Some of the foods discussed below may very well boost your metabolism or fight free radicals or help you live to 197 years of age, but that’s not why they’re on this list. Besides, many superfoods, including tomatoes and pomegranates, are full of water (read: they’re heavy), and therefore make less-than-ideal foods to take camping.

We’re talking about foods that are so spectacularly helpful for hikers and campers that you’ll always want to incorporate them into your overall meal plan.

Nuts

Nuts are essentially little bundles of protein, fat and fiber that don’t require refrigeration. They are also full of important minerals, which will help keep you feeling your best while traveling miles across backcountry trails. You can munch on nuts as a snack, incorporate them in trail mixes or use them in recipes (almonds, walnuts, pecans, filberts and cashews can turn many dishes into veritable five-star meals).

Note that we’re not distinguishing between true “nuts” and “legumes” or “seeds.” Sure, botanists will recognize some important differences between the various groups, but they won’t matter much from a camping menu point of view. So, don’t feel limited to true “nuts.” Bring sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts or peanuts, if those are your preference.

Anchovies or Sardines

Anchovies, sardines and other types of canned fish are great proteins to bring along on your next trip. They don’t require refrigeration, are rich in both protein and fat and they can be incorporated into a variety of different dishes. And while some people may not enjoy the taste of anchovies or other canned fish, they can be incorporated into recipes that largely mask their taste.

Aside from their caloric value, these small, oily fish also provide a wealth of omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds help your body fight off inflammation, which can help keep your knees, back and legs feeling fresher as the trip goes on.

Chocolate

Chocolate is often considered an indulgence, but it provides considerable value on the trail. For one, chocolate is high in calories, relative to its weight, and it is full of sugar. While sugar-rich foods aren’t always considered ideal dietary items in the everyday world, they can be worth their weight in gold on the trail. Fats, proteins and complex carbohydrates may help fuel your body in a steady, long-term fashion, but there’s nothing like a little sugar to give you a quick boost. This can be invaluable for those facing one more steep hill before arriving at the designated campsite.

Additionally, chocolate is delicious and helps to boost your mood. This can be very helpful when trying to navigate challenges or deal with problems. So, when you have to take cover from the rain mid-hike or you have to sit down with the map and figure out where you went wrong, break out the chocolate – it’ll help you stay positive.

Jerky

Proteins are difficult to bring on the trail. Most will spoil in a matter of hours if not refrigerated, so relatively few campers bring along filet mignon or rack of lamb when heading into the wilderness. You can bring some types of bacon, sausage and other smoked or cured foods, but these foods don’t offer much variety.

By contrast, you can get jerkies made from a variety of protein sources and flavored in myriad ways. You could select hickory-smoked turkey jerky, apple-flavored bacon jerky, spicy-beef jerky or any number of other combinations. This will help you avoid flavor fatigue and keep the menu interesting.

Also, jerky doesn’t require any preparation – just remove the wrapper and eat it. This makes it especially helpful for trail-side or early-morning snacking when you don’t want to break out the stove and make a proper meal.

Instant Noodles

We’re mostly talking about those noodles that start with an “R” and end with “amen,” but any brand of instant noodles will work. Instant noodles are great for a warm, but quick-and-easy meal and they are lightweight and easy to pack. And they come in roughly 3 billion flavors, so you don’t have to bore your self to tears eating the same ones during the entire trip.

But the real reason instant noodles are especially valuable is that you can eat them as-is. You don’t even need to cook them if you find yourself in a difficult situation. No; they are not particularly delicious this way, but it is nice to know you have an emergency meal at the ready.

Kale Chips

Before you skip this section like an 8-year-old tries to skip his lima beans, hear us out: When roasted with a bit of olive oil and sea salt (and perhaps some pepper, if you are so inclined), kale can be quite delicious. And because your food supply probably won’t have many vegetables, and kale is one of the healthiest foods in the world, you really should consider bringing some kale chips along.

Note that kale chips can be eaten as-is, but they can also be incorporated into other dishes too. You can crumble a few kale chips in your soup, or add them to pasta dishes, among other things. Incidentally, while kale is the vegetable most commonly used to make chips, you can experiment with making chips from plenty of other vegetables, including carrots or squash.

Give some of these foods a try on your next trip. They are all extremely well-suited for life on the trail and flexible enough to use in different ways. In fact, as you may have noticed, these foods can all be eaten as-is, which means they’ll also work as mid-hike snacks too.

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