My Favorite Gear Bag

Reddy Freddy Gear Bag

This was probably the toughest magazine assignment I think I have been given; pick my favorite item that I take with me and depend on the most when I am out on an expedition, wheeling or camping trip. Considering the fact that when I am out on any of these I am in or have my Jeep with me so I immediately went in that direction and began to think about which of the things that are in or on my Jeep that I would not want to leave home without… My American Express of gear if you will.

As I thought about the assignment I was surprised that I couldn’t put my finger on one thing and say “that’s the one item I couldn’t leave without”.  I had to go out and look at my Jeep in hopes of finding the answer to the question; even though I know everything that is on it without having to even make the trip out to stand in front of it and stare at it like a deer in the headlights waiting to be run down. The Hi-Lift came to mind, the Warn Winch, the spare tire, my Cobra CB, the PAKK RATT and then I began to look at the spare parts like replacement rear axle shafts, the fuel pump, fuel filters, and oil as well as valve stems that I usually carry with me and thought I had found my answer. Even though all of the a fore mentioned items are things that I make sure I have with me because in the past they have saved me from having to walk, hitch a ride or leave my Jeep on the trail until I could get back to get it out, I couldn’t pick one over the others.

In my Jeep I have a relatively small to medium size duffel bag that I always keep with me just in case I need one of the many items I keep in it. As I thought more about the task in front of me I realized that the items that I keep with me in my gear bag are just as important and have saved me as many times as those things I mentioned before. I keep everything from replacement u-joints, tire plug kit, snatch blocks, duct tape, tools, bungee cords, fuses, electrical tape and numerous other miscellaneous items.  This duffel bag is just one more thing that I always take with me when I do go anywhere because there are things in there that may make the difference in being able to get out on my own free will or relying on someone else to get me home.

After much continued thought and debate I had decided what I would consider the “one thing” that I wouldn’t want to be without if my very worst case scenario ever happen. Should I wind up either stuck way out somewhere that it could possible take days for me to walk out, be broken down or forced to stay and wait out the elements or hope that someone would notice I was missing and send help. This brings a common sense thought to mind, it is always in your best interest to go out wheeling with someone else or at the very least let others know where you are headed and when you plan to return so if you don’t meet the timeline they can send someone out to look for you.

And so it came to me… I would want my survival kit. One of my favorite survival kits that I keep with me is a product made by a company called Ready Freddy. They have a kit that comes with just about everything you would need to survive out in the elements for a few days. The kit has everything from food, water, a first aid kit, flash light, cell phone charger (to call for help if you have a dead battery and a chance at a signal), a tool bag, rope, protective gear like ponchos, candles, matches, duct tape and other survival intended items. The reason I like the Ready Freddy Pack is that all of this comes in an easy to transport backpack that is durable and holds all that I would need. You can always make your own survival type pack and hopefully will never need it but if you find yourself in that position just once, you will be glad that you went prepared. One of my favorite beliefs and sayings is that “I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it”. That is the one piece of equipment that I have with me in case the worst case scenario should ever become a reality and a survival situation.