Best Budget Haversack
A couple of days ago, I shared a photo on my Instagram of a simple haversack that I picked up several years ago from a military surplus shop. I only paid $7 or $10 at the time, if my memory serves me correctly. Still, to this day, it is one of the highest value pieces of gear that I own. So, with that said, I wanted to share a bit more about this Budget Haversack, how I use it and what I carry in it.
Rothco Vintage Canvas Military Tech Bag Review
The bag itself is the Rothco Vintage Canvas Military Tech Bag. It is compact, bare bones, affordable and holds a lot of gear compared to its small size. Here’s a quick breakdown of the specs for this bag. As well as some of the high and low points, based on my usage:
- Dimensions:
- 11 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ x 1 3/4″
- Strap:
1 1/2 Wide Adjustable Strap - Pros:
Super simple design.
Low profile for EDC.
Very high value at its $15 price on Amazon.
Comfortable to carry.
Minimal, but nice organization.
Zipper to secure the main compartment.
Just enough in terms of build quality/materials. - Cons:
I wish the hook & loop velcro to secure the main flap was larger and more ‘sticky’.
The bag could benefit from a slightly longer strap.
I try my best to stick with Dave Canterbury’s 5-C mentality for this haversack (container, combustion, cordage, cutting, cover). However, my canteen/container doesn’t fit well with the loadout you’re seeing photos of here. The rest of my “c’s” do fit nicely though and I always have a container elsewhere (either in my main pack or in my hand).
Budget Bushcraft Haversack Kit
On the exterior of the Rothco Military Tech Bag, I secure items like my winter gloves, trappers hat, and compass. The gloves and trappers hat don’t weight much, but they do take up a lot of room. So it makes better sense to secure them to the outside of my haversack to increase the usable space inside of it.
Opening the main flap of the haversack leads you straight to an exterior pocket which is great for quick grab & go items. I generally keep some jute twine, 550 paracord, a cotton bandana, extreme Sharpie and some gorilla tape (when it is not dummy-corded to the exterior of my bag).
Bushcraft Haversack Fire Kit
Fire is such an important factor while outdoors. I personally like to carry an assortment of fire making materials in my kit, so I have multiple options to secure a fire.
- ExoTac titanLIGHT Lighter (use coupon “anthonyawaken” for 20% off)
- Fatwood rolled up in a rectangle of leather, which doubles as a mat for tinder prep.
- Überleben Zünden Pro 3/8″ Fire Steel
- UCO Stormproof Matches
A lot of times I will also toss in some vaseline soaked cotton balls, various premade tinder or things that I’ve gathered along the trail (dead/dried grass, bark, etc). The lighter, fire steel & matches fit perfectly into a small zippered compartment within the Rothco Bag.
Cover/Shelter Elements
My cover and shelter elements within this haversack kit are very simple and compact. But they give me a lot of versatility if the weather decides to turn.
- Helikon-Tex Poncho:
Not only can this poncho be worn over top of my clothing in the pouring rain, but I can also fashion it into a tarp style shelter if needed. - Some Lightweight Tent Stakes:
These stakes, along with the paracord I carry work well with my poncho if I need to create a quick shelter. - Contractor Grade Garbage Bag:
As an emergency shelter element, I bring along one of the large, heavy duty contractor garbage bags. Stuffed with leaves this works well as an insulator from the cold ground. The bag adds very little weight or bulk to my kit. (I stuff it in with my poncho)
Bushcraft Haversack Knives & Tools
My tool selection is ever-changing. But I always like to keep a fixed bladed knife, a saw, a sharpener and a misc tool in my haversack. At the moment I have the following tools in my kit:
- Opinel No.12 Saw:
I’m a huge fan of Opinel Knives, as I’ve written about them before. The No.12 saw has proven to be a great piece of gear as well. It’s not quite as efficient as the Silky Saw’s I typically carry, but nonetheless, it’s a great tool if you work according to its limitations. - Condor Mini Indigenous Puukko:
I’ve been talking about this knife a lot lately. For good reason. It is fantastic and outperforms its size. It can carve, prep food, bust up kindling and so much more. The Condor Mini Indigenous Puukko just might have crept up into my Top 3 Favorite Knives. - Work Sharp Field Sharpener:
I’ve already written a full review about the Field Sharpener, which you can read here. It is always in one of my packs. And, as of late, it’s been in my Haversack Kit. - Morakniv 164 Hook Knife:
I’ve been carving a lot of cooking utensils lately. And nothing is as important to have as a hook knife for finishing these types of projects. I’ve used and loved the Morakniv 164 for many years.
Rite In The Rain Pocket Organizer
I have been using and testing Rite In The Rain’s Pocket Organizer for a month or so and I really love it. I’ve carried a Rite In The Rain spiral top notebook for as long as I can remember. So this pocket organizer is a great solution for carrying it and more.
- Rite In The Rain Spiral Top Notebook
- Rite In The Rain All Weather EDC Pen
- Olight i3t EOS AAA Flashlight
- 4x AAA Batteries (saran wrapped together)
- Small iFAK (boo-boo kit)
Final Misc Items
Rounding this haversack kit out are things that aren’t necessarily must-have items. But they are pieces of gear that I really enjoy having with me.
- Advanced Bushcraft Book:
I received this book as a gift for Christmas and I’ve been enjoying it a lot. I’m not much of a reader…But I am a big fan of Dave Canterbury’s and this book has me hooked. (And yes…I use Jute Twine as my bookmark, in case I need emergency tinder, lol) - Überleben Stöker Stove:
While I didn’t designate a “Top 10” list of gear for 2018, the Stöker Stove by Überleben definitely claimed one of my top spots. This stove is so much fun to use and very efficient.
* The contents of this kit are ever-changing as I test new gear. So, a knife or tool may alternate, I may take or add something from the kit…But it will typically look very similar to what you see here. This haversack kit is not necessarily a standalone kit either. I carry a larger backpack along with my haversack which contains cooking gear, food, a larger shelter, seasonal gear, additional tools, etc.
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Read Next: Lightweight Cook Kit | My Other Kits | All Bushcraft Gear Reviews
