Page 152 – RECOIL OFFGRID

New: Filson x Danner Grouse Boots

Posted on October 5, 2017 at 1:57 pm.

In the wilderness, a pair of good boots is worth its weight in gold. Poor-quality, unsupportive, or uncomfortable footwear can slow your daily trekking progress to a crawl. This effect only gets worse as terrain difficulty increases. Inadequate boots can even lead to serious injury as a result of a slip and fall, a twisted ankle, or a blister that opens the door to infection. For all these reasons, finding the right footwear is paramount for any outdoor adventure.

Fortunately, while synthetic materials and manufacturing techniques have come a long way in the last 100 years, the basic design characteristics of boots have remained relatively constant. Danner was founded in 1932, and has been producing American-made boots with the same core principles since then. Rugged soles, durable leather, and a time-tested lace-up design — it's a formula that works in the backwoods.

This year, Danner has announced a new collaboration with another even older gear brand. Filson was established in Seattle in 1897, and is still known for its tough outdoor clothing, from flannel work shirts to wool sweaters and leather jackets.

Filson and Danner have teamed up to produce the Filson x Danner Grouse boot. These 8-inch boots blend full-grain brown leather from Danner, water-resistant waxed tin cloth from Filson, GORE-TEX lining, and a Vibram Sierra outsole.

The Filson x Danner Grouse is being manufactured in Danner's Portland, Oregon facility, and each boot bears a clear “Made in USA” tag on its collar. However, a press release stated that production of these collab boots will be limited to 375 pairs, so it should be considered a limited-time project.

These hunting boots are available at Filson and Danner retail stores, or online at Filson.com or Danner.com. Their MSRP is $390, and they range in size from 8 to 13 (standard D width).

Inside a Prepper’s Bug-Out Property

Posted on October 4, 2017 at 9:00 am.

Written by Offgrid Staff

In This Article

The Writing on the Wall
Privacy
Accessibility & Security
Threat Proximity
Climate & Resources
Zoning & Utilities
Building & Supplies
Does it Make Sense for You?
Vetting a Real Estate Agent
Finding and Developing Rural Property
More From Issue 22

Photos by Mountain Motion Media

Recent articles in Business Insider, Forbes, and The New Yorker have all reported that some of the nation's wealthiest individuals are snatching up large swaths of land or even buying abandoned missile silos and converting them into condos in preparation for doomsday. If this is a sign of things to come, then it's definitely time to start thinking about securing your own remote rendezvous.

But where do you start, what do you look for, and what is really appropriate to sustain your family in the event of a long-term disaster?

While it might sound easy enough to fall back to your vacation property a few hours away, play out some hypothetical events first to determine if that's even realistic. If things get haywire, will angry hordes also desperately seek shelter in the same vicinity? Can you and your family reach the area on foot if it's inaccessible by vehicle? Are the altitude, temperature, and surrounding resources conducive to years of potential occupancy?

RECOIL OFFGRID got a chance to check out one owner's hideaway and pick his brain on what his impetus was for buying a secluded property, what his criteria were for choosing the right location, and what he's done to make it livable.

The Writing on the Wall

Joe Galt was born in California, but has lived in Colorado for 20-plus years where he's raised a family and now works as a professional. Although Y2K (and all the hysteria leading up to it) ended up being one of the biggest false alarms in human history, it got him thinking about how things might have turned out if the country had been technologically frozen on a major scale. Heeding this warning, he realized the Denver metro area wouldn't be safe if a similar event wasn't quite as forgiving and began establishing some stipulations for an isolated home away from home.

Through a real estate agent, he learned of a 70-acre parcel in rural Gardner, Colorado, for sale by a private party. Gardner is roughly two hours south of Denver by car, and Galt felt it checked off the conditions that were important to him. Although everyone's needs are different, we'll break down what his prerequisites were and how this property met those requirements.

Privacy

In the aftermath of a disaster, close proximity to dense population centers will draw attention to the resources and people you're trying to defend. The haves and have-nots will become that much more apparent if conditions become desperate. Galt's first order of business was getting away from major cities.

“I wanted an area that had access to roads, but wasn't close to big cities and didn't force us to pass through any while en route to the location,” he says. “I also didn't want to be anywhere people lived and commuted, or near any big industrial production or prisons.”

Galt forecasted some possible disaster scenarios to predict if his location would be in the path of possible population drifts from the closest major cities. If disaster struck, he anticipated those in Denver would head west to the mountains during the summer months because it's cooler. If a catastrophe occurred during winter, and snowplows aren't running, 6 inches of snow or greater is enough to severely limit any mobility in or out of many cities — most people would be stuck where they are until the weather breaks.

Gardner itself has a population of less than 100 people. It's an unincorporated area, and zoned for agriculture. The closest major highway to Galt's property is 30 miles away and has limited traffic consisting primarily of local farming and ranching activity. The city is devoid of tourism and any residential development. His location is 4 miles from any paved road and a mile off the nearest county road. Mail is sent to a P.O. box.

Galt also felt the likelihood anyone would stray 30 miles from the highway during a catastrophe was low.

“This location is hard to find if you don't know where you're going,” he says. “People just wouldn't think there's resources here. If someone has nowhere to go, they'd likely go somewhere they're familiar with like Aspen, Steamboat, or Vail, instead of a small city where they don't know what to expect. People might eventually find their way out here, but having an environment you can control, identify who's who, and block off vehicle traffic is critical — and that's what we have.”

The city of Gardner is essentially only accessible via one highway. The closest cities are Trinidad and Walsenburg, both of which are at least 30 miles away and have populations under 10,000 people according to the latest census data.

Accessibility & Security

The question of being able to get to the property if roads or bridges are blocked, or if transportation is unavailable, was something else Galt contemplated and attracted him to this particular location. Many people are so reliant on driving that they don't bother to examine topography or identify difficult terrain or obstacles that can't be traversed without a car.

There are no major waterways, mountain ranges, or thoroughfares to cross if he and his family had to escape on foot from Denver to his bug-out locale.

“If we had to walk it, we could do it in two-and-a-half days with our bug-out bags,” he says. It's generally assumed that civility will collapse within 72 hours of a major disaster, so this travel timeline works well within that prediction.

If vehicular transportation is still feasible, Joe didn't leave those considerations off his checklist either. Galt turned his '94 Toyota Land Cruiser into one of the most strategically built bug-out vehicles we've ever seen. Check out our article “Self Preservation” in Issue 33 of our sister publication RECOIL to learn more about his truck.

Joe keeps firearms at the ready whether traveling or at home. Shown here is an HK Mark 23 with Octane 45 suppressor, HK...

Galt's property backs up to approximately 4,500 acres of Federal Bureau of Land Management land, so vehicle access is confined to one direction. If he sees someone unannounced coming up the road, there's time to prepare. During his time developing the land, Galt added large rock landscaping to confine vehicular access to a narrow chokepoint. The sloping of the property also has certain spots conducive to natural listening and observation posts to defend against intruders.

As a big believer in personal protection, Galt also focused on finding a location where laws allowed him to store enough firearm provisions to defend himself and his family for an indefinite period. “You're expected to have a gun out here, and it's more shocking if you don't have one,” he says.

Assuming cell or landline connections go down, HAM and C.B. radios kept on the property allow Galt a variety of alternative communication methods. Having cameras as well as motion and security lights on the property also help keep the area protected. His bird-hunting dogs are another early warning system against trespassers.

Threat Proximity

Potential property buyers should also think about nearby threat locations. Ask yourself if you live near a city or installation that a foreign power or terrorist organization could benefit from disabling and how the attack might be carried out. Military bases, major areas of commerce, and powerplants all fit the bill.

The nearest military installation to Galt is the North American Aerospace Defense Command Cheyenne Mountain facility, nearly two-and-a-half hours by car northeast of his location. NORAD is a major military fixture, and potential nuclear target, so Galt considered these possibilities when prospecting the location. “Prevailing winds would send any fallout due east and pose no threat,” he says.

Also, take stock of any jails or prisons that may empty their inmates into the streets (a la Hurricane Katrina) if the situation gets grim enough. You wouldn't want to be in the path of a bunch of fleeing criminals.

“The nearest prison system is over 50 miles and two 14,000-foot [mountain] ranges away,” Galt says. “Odds don't support a successful migration of any criminal element without facing significant determent from locals, geography, and weather. The typical movement would place any escapees into the nearest forest and or population centers. Nowhere near our location.”

Climate & Resources

If you're going to live off the land, inclement weather is another consideration that'll affect a location's sustainability and growing season. Previously, Galt owned property at about 9,000 feet elevation, but harsh weather six to seven months out of the year meant it couldn't accommodate his family the way he wanted. Gardner sits at approximately 7,000 feet and is part of the state's Banana Belt, which doesn't have the climate extremes common to other areas of the state. Since the region is already of an agricultural makeup, the conditions lent themselves very well to long-term occupancy and cultivation. A preexisting apple orchard on the land complements the crops and other vegetation he added.

The National Weather Service reports that Denver receives an average seasonal snowfall of 57.1 inches — something to think about if you intend to grow produce or raise livestock.

“Snow storms 30 miles to the east or west will bury the cities, but I'll barely get 8 to 9 inches during the winter,” he says. “The average summer temperature is in the 70s. We frequent our location at all times throughout the year and have never had an issue making it in our cabin with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Even at times of 2 to 3 feet of snow, the gradient is subtle enough to allow for access.”

The Huerfano River is a mile away, and the surrounding area allows for duck hunting and trout fishing. Bear, elk, and beaver can also be found nearby if the situation calls for hunting beyond the allowed seasons and regulations if things became desperate, and it were a matter of surviving or starving.

Zoning & Utilities

Something else to investigate prior to purchasing a property are the political obstacles that stand in the way of building and adding the resources you envision. The fewer government agencies you have to go through for construction permits, the less headache (and cost) you'll experience while developing your land.

“In addition to low property and sales taxes, we have reasonable income taxes, and food tax is nothing. Fuel prices and groceries are typically 40- to 50-percent lower than anything along the I-70 corridor, the most common location for seasonal landowners,” he says. “The zoning laws are very limited and allow for full access to nearby BLM land as well as the tens of thousands of acres of forested ranching land.” The only other people who have access to the property when Galt isn't there is a local cattle rancher who leases the property from him for grazing purposes. This qualifies him for an agricultural tax exemption.

Although Joe had power pulled in, the Department of Homeland Security built a listening tower nearby and needed to run power through his location. Joe was able to be the beneficiary of this coincidence and keep his electricity costs low. He also keeps redundant generators and a fuel station on the property consisting of 300 gallons of fuel and 1,000 gallons of propane. He plans on installing solar panels and wind generators in the near future.

Opting not to pull in standard sewer and water, Galt installed a well on the property that comes off a natural spring. He not only uses it for irrigation, but it also serves as his drinking water, and he stores 3,000 gallons in an underground tank. Two manmade ponds fed by the spring were also added to the property and hold 20,000 gallons of water. Sewage is contained in a septic system.

Building & Supplies

While you might expect the location to look like some super-fortified structure to wait out the apocalypse, its unassuming appearance allows it to blend in with other homes in the area and avoid calling attention to itself. Joe hired a company to build everything from scratch. Gravel was added around the main structures to help keep the dust level down. The main cabin is 2,100 square feet and has practically all the trappings of your average home. Galt also keeps enough food on site to feed a family of eight for a year.

Do you have the tools to repair vehicles, home damage caused by weather or looters, or fabricate needed supplies? If...

For storage, a 53-foot shipping container houses tools, air compressors, welders, and off-road vehicles. A 40-foot shipping container serves as an additional shelter and contains assorted equipment, extra food, and a supplemental kitchen. A barn also allows storage of hunting gear, firewood, and other tools. Kayaks, ATVs, mountain bikes, and snowmobiles also reside on the property.

“I wanted efficient, capable vehicles that had low usage of resources when we finally reached the property, and we can do about 120 miles on 4 gallons of gas in an ATV,” he says.

Remember that purchasing a bug-out property is only the first step. Stocking it with enough food and water to sustain...

Does it Make Sense for You?

When it comes to getting a secondary home for emergency purposes, you might have every intention of buying or building something to try and mimic the daily routine you once knew, but a bug-out location should revolve around what's practical for dire circumstances. Civil stability and infrastructure may not return for a very long time. Get out of the vacation home mentality and start thinking about a long-term, clandestine existence with the kind of surroundings and architecture that makes sense for that. You're going to be living off the land, and whatever food and supplies you've managed to save up. Assume you may have to defend those supplies with your life.

Although it's logical to combine a secluded location with activities you might enjoy, like skiing or hunting so it's also practical for recreational purposes, be prepared to put the time, homework, and money into making it feasible for survival.

“You have to have functionality and make sure it'll be conducive to something you enjoy. It's got to be a labor of love though, as it takes a lot of work to make it livable,” Galt says. “Don't buy it for vanity.”

Joe estimates he's put in about $250,000 to get the property to where it is today and that doesn't include ancillary supplies. Not bad when you consider the benefits it offers, but it's still something that took several years to build and ongoing dedication to maintain.

Research city and county zoning requirements online to become familiar with the rules of the jurisdiction you're prospecting before you break ground. Regulations regarding setback from adjoining properties, easements from adjoining neighbors (ability for them to drive on your property), and installation of septic systems and wells are all things to keep and mind and could result in hefty fines if you deliberately or inadvertently ignore them. Also see our article “Safe Haven” in the Fall 2014 Issue of RECOIL OFFGRID for tips on buying a bug-out location.

Living off the grid doesn't always have to mean sacrificing comfort, or even style. It just takes enough time and...

Vetting a Real Estate Agent

Don't get taken to the cleaners. Pin down potential real estate agents with as many questions as possible until you feel like you're comfortable with their level of knowledge. Buying a home or large piece of property is one of the biggest purchases of your life. Here are some tips to help you find the right person.

Find a real estate broker local to the area of purchase.
Use a multi-office firm.
Use an experienced broker who has been in the business at least 10 years, not just a new real estate agent.
Ask for references from past sellers and buyers.
Ask escrow officers for real estate firm recommendations.

Finding and Developing Rural Property

Most residential real estate agents won't have the expertise you need to help you find and build on property suitable for a bug-out location. Read these recommendations to locate rural, vacant land; not just an empty lot in an area that faces the potential of surrounding development that would encroach on your desire for seclusion.

Real estate brokers local to your desired area can use the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) to find available properties
If possible, buy a property that's not for sale by talking with the landowner. You can avoid paying a 6-percent sales commission this way. Many people don't think of selling until someone offers to buy.
Review the rules of building in rural area with controlling jurisdiction with emphasis on zoning and building department regulations.
Find locations of the nearest water and sewer and review any issues that could impact your desired construction.
Inquire with jurisdictional planning department to check to see if your selected property is near any future planned development.

More From Issue 22

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 23

Read articles from the previous issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 21

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Tourniquets: Not a Last Resort

Posted on October 4, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Basic knowledge about medical trauma treatment is an incredibly valuable skill for any prepared individual. Whether you're up against gunshot wounds, badly broken limbs, or deep cuts, the sudden blood loss from these major injuries can lead to death in minutes. This is why it's essential to know how to stop the bleeding immediately, and to have the correct mindset and tools to do so. The recent tragedy in Las Vegas is a clear example of the importance of these skills.

The following article from Breach Bang Clear contributor Shawn Whittington explains the importance of tourniquets for trauma treatment, and dispels the notion that they're only a tool of last resort. Whittington is a licensed Tactical Paramedic with more than 25 years of experience in the EMS/Fire industry, and a senior instructor at 88 Tactical.

Tourniquet blood medical treatment first aid injury gun 1

Photo by FirelanceMedia.com

Editor's Note: The following article was originally published by our friends at Breach Bang Clear. It appears here in its entirety with their permission. For more from the Mad Duo and crew, go to BreachBangClear.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. You can also learn more about 88 Tactical medical courses at 88Tactical.com.

88 Tactical offers training in firearms, self-defense, self-rescue, field medicine, bushcraft and survival.

An injury on a shooting range, a motor vehicle accident, a child running through a plate glass door, and even an animal bite are all injuries I’ve personally seen in the field that required aggressive bleeding control to save the victim’s life. When I got started in EMS over two decades ago, we were taught that tourniquets were only to be used as a last resort. Once applied, the tourniquets had to be loosened every five minutes to restore blood flow to the affected limb to prevent extensive tissue necrosis – death of most or all organ tissue cells due to blood loss. The time of application was to be written on the patient’s forehead, in blood if need be.

Those days are long gone, and tourniquets are now at the top of the list as the recommended treatment for life-threatening bleeding from an extremity. Bleeding to death from an extremity remains a leading cause of death on the battlefield – a death that’s preventable with swift and appropriate treatment by the application of a tourniquet. These injuries don’t only happen in combat. Tourniquets have become standard equipment in most individual first aid kits as well as most Law Enforcement medical bags and active killer response kits.

In cases of tourniquet use, numerous medical studies have shown that commercial tourniquets can be left on for several hours without causing permanent damage to the affected limb. The same cannot be said of improvised tourniquets; research shows improvised tourniquets to be less effective and more damaging. This is mostly due to the improvised tourniquet not being constructed and applied properly. If you find yourself in a situation where the only option is to improvise a tourniquet, it must be done correctly.

88 Tactical only stocks and recommends C-TECC/C-TECC-approved windlass-style tourniquets: the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) and the Special Operations Forces Tactical Tourniquet-Wide with the new-style buckle. These tourniquets are approved for US military use and have been tested and proven in the field. Anytime I am participating in a high-risk activity (shooting, hunting, etc.), I have a tourniquet either on my person or within reach. I also keep extras stocked in my med kit.

While tourniquets are an important and necessary component of a well-stocked medical kit, your plan to stop life threatening bleeding cannot begin and end with tourniquets alone. A recent study on the wounding patterns of civilians at active killer incidents paints a different picture than the military wounding patterns most tactical medicine classes are based on. Twelve active killer events were reviewed, with 139 fatalities and a total of 371 wounds. All wounds were from firearms, with each victim having an average of 2.7 gunshots.

Compared to military statistics the death rate was significantly higher, and the number of potentially survivable injuries was significantly lower. Due to the location of the injuries, none of the casualties in this study would have benefited from the use of a tourniquet. Your treatment strategy should also include proper recognition and treatment of penetrating torso trauma and simple triage. Adding some extra chest seals to your medical kit is highly recommended.

The proper techniques for bleeding control are covered in 88 Tactical’s multiple levels of Tactical Medicine (TacMed) courses – offered to both civilians and law enforcement personnel. Like any piece of gear, you need to take the tourniquet out of the package and familiarize yourself with it. Purchasing an extra tourniquet for practice only is also recommended. You must be proficient in training first if you expect to apply a tourniquet successfully under the stress of a real-life incident.

You can read more about the referenced study here. For more information on the 88 Tactical TacMed courses, visit 88tactical.com.

New: Thyrm Clens Weapon Light Protector

Posted on October 3, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

If you're reading this and have been following our suggestions, there's a high likelihood that you already own at least one pistol, rifle, or shotgun for home defense. Actually, you might own several of each. Those home defense guns are also probably equipped with flashlights for better nighttime target identification — if they're not, go read our weapon-mounted light buyer's guide for a better understanding of the importance of WMLs.

Most of us who own guns with lights and practice with them at the range on a regular basis have encountered one annoying problem: the muzzle blast from your gun gets your flashlight lens dirty. This can drastically reduce the performance over time, and it's a pain to clean off completely. You might have paid hundreds of dollars for a high-lumen light, only to have its brightness degraded by carbon buildup on the lens.

Various improvised solutions to this problem exist, including smearing your light with gun oil, petroleum jelly, or lip balm to create a barrier that prevents carbon from sticking. These methods can be somewhat effective, but they also diminish light output by smudging the clear lens, and tend to make a greasy mess that must be cleaned up later.

Thyrm has developed a simple solution to this weapon light problem, called the Thyrm Clens (pronounced “cleanse”). It was inspired by the adhesive tear-offs used by off-road racers to instantly clean their helmet visors and goggle lenses of mud.

The Clens is a sheet of clear polymer that adheres to the lens of a flashlight, and peels off easily to remove carbon and debris. These clear lens stickers may seem like a simple product, but that's exactly the idea. Also, they sure beat smearing your light with grease or constantly scrubbing off the carbon.

The Thyrm Clens is available in $9 sheets of 12 protectors, with each sheet including three sizes for common weapon-mounted lights. These sizes are directly compatible with the following lights:

Small – SureFire X300U, SureFire Scout
Medium – SureFire G2X, SureFire 6PX, Streamlight Strion
Large – SureFire Fury, SureFire Intellibeam, Streamlight Protac HL and HL-X

While these are the lights Thyrm officially recognizes, it's very likely that one of the three sizes will fit your flashlight of choice, even if it's not on the list above.

Thyrm says the material attaches securely enough to withstand repeated muzzle blasts, and won't leave any sticky residue unless the lens is already dirty or damaged. To learn more about the Thyrm Clens, watch the video below from co-developer Aaron Cowan of Sage Dynamics, or go to Thyrm.com.

Issue 22 Gear Up

Posted on October 2, 2017 at 7:00 am.

Written by Offgrid Staff

Make & Model
TOPS Knives Yacare 10.0

Overall Length
15.5 inches

MSRP
$250

URL
www.topsknives.com

Notes
The Yacare 10.0 is a beefy machete with an international origin of sorts. Though designed and made in the USA, it was inspired by the tools TOPS general manager Craig Powell saw while he visited Colombia and Costa Rica — with a bit of influence from the Philippine barong. The 10.25-inch, proud-bellied blade is made of tough-as-nails 1095 tool steel and features TOPS' new Acid Rain finish. The canvas Micarta handle scales are ergonomic and give the right amount of grippyness without shredding your paws. While the nylon sheath leaves something to be desired, overall the Yacare is a cut above the rest.

Make & Model
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Powergrab

Tools Included
19

MSRP
$120

URL
www.sogknives.com

Notes
SOG might be known for its tactical knives, but it has a remarkable lineup of multitools built on the company's patented Compound Leverage mechanism. The gear-driven pliers system delivers about twice the power of conventional multitools, giving you greater power with less effort. Aptly named, the Powergrab is one of the newest models in this lineup and no less impressive. In addition to needle-nose pliers, it's packed with almost 20 tools — two blades, scissors, hex bit driver, and flat screwdriver, just to name several. It also comes with a hard molded nylon sheath with belt clip. It's 4.6 inches long when closed and weighs 9.9 ounces. For an extra $14, you can get the Powergrab with a soft nylon carry case with belt loop and a hex bit kit.

Make & Model
Camillus Les Stroud Mentawai Slingshot

MSRP
$35

URL
www.camillusknives.com

Notes
The slingshot is an ancient weapon, but modern images of it would have us believe it's just a tool for anarchists, vandals, and kids without enough parental supervision. The Mentawai Slingshot — codesigned by Camillus and Les Stroud of Survivorman fame — takes this hand-powered projectile weapon back to its primal roots. It features foldable arms for easy storage, a strong tubular powerband, and an ergonomic handle that has an integrated compass, as well as a storage compartment that houses four stainless steel ammo balls and a firestarter. In a post-apocalyptic world (or on a hunting trip), the Mentawai can easily take down small game with nothing more than a bit of sweat equity and steady aim.

Make & Model
OTAC Primus Trauma Kit

Dimensions
8 by 6.5 by 3.5 inches

MSRP
$157

URL
www.otacgyr.com

Notes
A first-aid kit is essential for any preparedness-minded individual who wants to be ready for anything. Whether it's a puncture, a gunshot wound, or a laceration, the Primus Trauma Kit is packed with various life-saving items to treat serious injuries. You even get to choose the type of tourniquet: CAT, RATS, or SOFTT-W. There's also a few other items that could be handy in dire times for non-injuries, such as a Sharpie and an emergency blanket. Everything comes in a rip-away pouch that opens into three compartments for easy access. There are PALS/MOLLE straps on the exterior so you can hook this to your range bag, bug-out pack, or vehicle's emergency kit.

Make & Model
Rite in the Rain No. 435 3″ x 5″ Pocket Top-Spiral Notebook – Elements Series

Colors
Arctic, Earth, Storm

MSRP
$3.95 each

URL
www.riteintherain.com

Notes
When society collapses or the grid goes down, so too will your smartphone and tablet. Even your two-way radios will eventually run out of batteries. Posting a letter at your rendezvous point might be the only way to provide a coded message to your family explaining where to meet next — unless of course rain or snow washes out your handwriting. Fortunately, Rite in the Rain has been making all-weather paper for almost a century, serving everyone from troops and firefighters to the logging industry. The company recently released notepads as part of its new Elements color series. Each notepad we tested has 50 sheets, an impact-resistant spiral binding, and handy rulers and conversion charts on the inside covers. The notepads will endure rain, stains, snow, and everyday wear.

Make & Model
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camp Cup

Capacity
14 fluid ounces

MSRP
$9 each

URL
www.gsioutdoors.com

Notes
You've probably gone on more than a few camping trips with paper or plastic cups loaded with your food and beverage supplies. The problem with doing that is, if you're going with a group, you'll need to bring many cups, which take up cargo space. Then you'll have to haul them all out (because trashing a campsite is just ignorant). Paper and plastic also don't hold heat or cold for long. The Bugaboo Camp Cup can change that. These vessels are made of lightweight anodized aluminum to retain the warmth of fresh coffee or the chill of an iced beverage. Plus, the bail handles fold to save space and there are convenient measurements stamped on the side. In a pinch, they can be used to boil water.

Make & Model
Live Fire Gear Ring O Fire

MSRP
$24

URL
www.livefiregear.com

Notes
Any prepper worth their salt knows you have to have multiple means of starting a flame. The Ring O Fire kit from Live Fire Gear will certainly deliver on that concept. This kit consists of three fire-starting items. First is the FireCord, a 550 paracord with its eighth inner strand being a color-coded red tinder that's waterproof and easy to ignite. Use the FireCord as neck lanyards, zipper pulls, or boot laces and you'll always have a way to spark a flame wherever you go. Second is the Live Fire Original, essentially a firestarter made from mineral oil, polymer resin, and other material that's waterproof, cedar scented, and can be relit again and again. It comes in a tiny tin with a slide-top lid, so you can limit its burn and even use it as a candle. Third is a ferro rod with striker. Together, they'll provide you with much needed redundancy this coming winter.

Make & Model
A/S Helle Fabrikker Algonquin

Overall Length
6.34 inches

MSRP
$169

URL
www.helle.no

Notes
If the Yacare is a little too much blade for you, the Algonquin might be more to your liking. A collaboration between Helle and Laura Bombier (a globetrotting photographer and outdoor adventurer), this short but stout knife is great for survivalists, hikers, and recreational campers. The key is the Scandinavian grind. Its two wide, flat bevels run down the side of the blade until they meet to form the edge, resulting in a razor-thin cutting surface. This is ideal for precision slicing, whether skinning hides or making tinder. Capped by a brass pommel, the handle is made of darkened oak, cURLy birch, and red leather inserts. It comes with a plastic-lined leather sheath and worn around the neck or tied to your belt. While there isn't much of a finger guard — be mindful when thrusting, lest your digits slide onto the stainless steel laminate blade — the Algonquin is a combination of elegance and robustness.

Make & Model
Kicker Lifestyle Products BF100

Dimensions
9 by 3.3 by 3.3 inches

MSRP
$200

URL
www.kicker.com

Notes
Blasting Metallica from a speaker probably wouldn't be the wisest thing to do in a bug-out situation in which speed and stealth is needed, but it's certainly good times if you're having a tailgate party to kick off the NHL season or relaxing by a campfire after a long day of tracking whitetail in the snow. The BF100 will let you do either, come rain, sleet, or shine. This waterproof, Bluetooth-enabled music system has an IP67 rating, meaning it can withstand dust, dirt, and being submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. But submergence for that long is unlikely because the BF100 also floats. About the size of a large tumbler and weighing 1.8 pounds, this unit had a 12-hour battery life, a hands-free speakerphone, and a Bluetooth range of 100 feet.

Make & Model
Western Rise DryWeight Merino Henley

Colors
Clay, Coal, Moss

MSRP
$98

URL
www.westernrise.com

Notes
Loyal readers know how much we love wool. It's nature's super fabric. Among other benefits, wool is naturally moisture-wicking, so it keeps you cool in the summer and dry in the winter — the latter being key to not freezing to death. The DryWeight Merino Henley is 50-percent merino wool and 50-percent TENCEL, which is derived from Eucalyptus trees and dries three times faster than pure wool, yet is incredibly soft. This combination provides superior temperature regulation in a strong, gentle fabric that's also odor resistant. Wear it alone in mild climates or as a base layer when the mercury drops. In addition, it features durable rubber buttons and hidden thumbholes at the cuff (which helps keep your hands warm if you forgot your gloves).

Make & Model
Outside Inside Gifts Backpack Bocce

Carry Bag Dimensions
5.5 by 5.5 inches

MSRP
$17

URL
www.outsideinsidegifts.com

Notes
For those who have had to evacuate to an emergency shelter or endured the task of supervising unruly kids during a backcountry getaway, entertainment is up there on the list of things you miss the most. TV, apps, a good book, video games. In a post-crisis situation, mind-numbing boredom can zap your morale and lead to stray thoughts. On a vacation, bored kids can lead to incessant whining and much gnashing of teeth. So, it's wise to pack a few games, preferably those that get the body moving. Backpack Bocce from Outside Inside Gifts is a portable version of the ancient game most associated these days with seniors. The set comes with nine lightweight PVC balls in a mesh pouch that takes up less room than an MRE. A simple yet fun game that can be played year-round in the backcountry, backyard, or back office.

Make & Model
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion Kit

Dimensions
6.3 by 4.3 inches

MSRP
$60

URL
www.RSDLReady.com

Notes
If you read our primer on gas masks on page 70, you know they filter out toxins in the air but won't protect you against chemical warfare agents that contact your skin. If that happens, soap and water might not be enough — and in some cases will make it worse. Fortunately, the Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion Kit can remove or neutralize a variety of chemical agents, including Sarin, VX, and mustard gas. The kit is simple to use: identify contamination on your skin, open the package to access the sponge, scrub the affected areas, and leave the RSDL ingredients on your skin for at least two minutes. Then rinse with water when it's safe to do so. Procured by the U.S. military for a decade and deployed to more than 30 countries, the kits are slim, light, and have a five-year shelf life.

More From Issue 22

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 23

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Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Infographic: Hydroponic Gardening with the Kratky Method

Posted on October 2, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

As the saying goes, man cannot live on bread alone — or any one food source, for that matter. You may be able to sustain yourself on stockpiled dry beans and rice for quite a while, but eventually you're likely to develop a nutrient deficiency that will affect your health. Also, it's simply demoralizing to eat an extremely restrictive diet. This is why ideal nutrition guidelines always recommend a variety of meats, eggs, dairy, grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Fresh-grown produce from the farmer's market is delicious and healthy, but it may not always be available.

In a survival situation, you may be confined to your home with limited access to outside resources, but that doesn't mean your diet has to be limited or unhealthy. We're big proponents of home gardening, either in the backyard or using an indoor hydroponic setup. Hydroponic gardening is water-based, and requires no soil or natural sunlight. So, with the right equipment, it's easy to set up a productive garden inside a garage, basement, or shed.

One especially simple type of hydroponics is known as the Kratky method. Unlike some other types of hydroponics, the Kratky method requires no pumps or electronic aids. If you grow outdoors or in a greenhouse, you won't even need grow lights, so this system can be entirely passive for grid-down situations. It's ideal for leafy greens, like lettuce, spinach, and herbs, though beans and tomatoes can be grown with some adjustments.

The following infographic from Green and Vibrant shows how to set up a Kratky method hydroponic system, how to maintain it, and which plants to start growing. Click here to download a full-size version of this infographic.

For more details on the science behind the Kratky method of hydroponics, watch the humorous and informative video from Jeb Gardener below:

Review: Hinderer Double Knuckle Shot Cup

Posted on October 1, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In This Article

Hinderer's “Battlefield Pickup” Copper
The Hinderer Double Knuckle Shot
The Removable Knuckles
Conclusions

Rick Hinderer has what most people would consider a dream job. In a way, this veteran bladesmith could be considered the Willy Wonka of the knife-making world. Granted, his laid-back and approachable demeanor doesn't match the wacky exuberance of the fictional chocolatier, but the products that leave his manufacturing facility often transcend the norm.

Many of the blades and pens produced by Rick Hinderer Knives are practical for every-day carry, and while priced at a premium, all that we've handled are built to a high standard of quality. The XM-18 is a mainstay of the knife collection and customization scene, and we were impressed by our recent evaluation of the MP-1. But the limited-run machined items from the company are often more unusual, excessive, and sometimes borderline absurd. Such is the case for the Double Knuckle Shot cup.

Hinderer's “Battlefield Pickup” Copper

We recently reached out to Hinderer for a sample of the Extreme Duty Pen for our Tactical Pen Buyer's Guide — coming soon in RECOIL OFFGRID Issue 22, on sale October 6th. Rick sent us a few samples of the pen, including one in a very special finish:

This Extreme Duty pen is machined from a solid piece of copper, then splashed and splattered with acid to create a one-of-a-kind etched finish. Hinderer calls this finish Battlefield Pickup because it looks like something dug out of a trench, as opposed to the glossy machined or smooth stonewashed finishes on his other products. Combined with the earth tones of the copper and the vibrant color of the burnt titanium pocket clip, it's a very striking look.

As you may know, copper also has a tendency to oxidize over time, so this patina will continue to develop as the pen is used. The material is also surprisingly heavy, making this tactical pen a formidable tool for self-defense.

The special-edition pen is finished with laser-engraved R.H.K. lettering and a cartouche symbol on the cap. These markings are intended to mimic the stamps and inspection marks found on vintage firearms, and they further the steampunk vibe this copper writing instrument gives off. For our full review of this pen, check out the Pocket Preps buyer's guide in Issue 22 of our print magazine.

As you can see in the photo above, Hinderer also included two other items which we didn't expect. These both share the same solid copper construction and Battlefield Pickup finish. The smaller Investigator tactical pen was previously reviewed here on OFFGRIDweb, but we must say that the new finish looks good on it. The metal cup beneath is something much more unusual.

The Hinderer Double Knuckle Shot

This solid copper cup is one of the most bizarre and extravagant limited-edition items we've seen from Hinderer to date. Yes, it's weirder than the Hinderer Wicked Divot golf tool and the double-edged Maximus folding dagger. We haven't been aware of anyone who has made a solid metal shot cup with a functional and detachable knuckle duster… until now.

Hinderer folding knife XM18 MP1 investigator tactical pen 14

The Double Knuckle is an evolution of the DoubleShot, which we reviewed alongside the Investigator pens.

The Hinderer Double Knuckle Shot is appropriately-named — it's ready to carry a shot of your favorite liquor, or to deliver a shot to someone else's jaw. Like the DoubleShot that preceded it, this cup is machined out of a solid piece of metal, with a raised diamond-pattern texture around the exterior and a weighted base.

While the patina inside the cup may lead you to believe the copper will imbue bitter or metallic flavor into your alcohol, we didn't notice any smell or aftertaste. However, don't fill it with any acidic or carbonated liquids, because there's a chance this could lead to food poisoning as a result of toxic levels of copper leaching into your shot. Best to stick with high-proof booze instead.

Rick Hinderer Knives double knuckle shot cup review 10

Note the standard filler tab opposite the pocket clip on this Hinderer MP-1 folding knife.

Unlike the DoubleShot, this cup has four flat sections around its circumference where Hinderer filler tabs can be installed and displayed. For those who aren't familiar with Hinderer knives, these filler tabs are oblong pieces of metal which attach to the company's folding knives in place of the reversible pocket clip. Each Hinderer XM-series knife includes one, so the user can switch its position with the pocket clip for tip-up or tip-down carry.

Special Hinderer filler tabs can be surprisingly rare, expensive, and sought-after in knife collector circles.

The customization scene has led to the release of filler tabs in special colors, materials, and intricate designs including koi fish, crusader's crosses, and skulls. If you're a Hinderer knife aficionado, the eight positions on the Double Knuckle Shot's exterior provide a place to store and show off your spare tabs.

Like the copper Battlefield Pickup pens, this special-edition cup includes an R.H.K. stamp and a cartouche symbol. Double Knuckle cups are available in other finishes, but those will not include these details. Flipping the cup upside-down, you'll see that the base has been engraved with the Rick Hinderer Knives logo.

This Double Knuckle Shot came to us as a box set, with two threaded bases. These bases are also made of solid copper; one is the same diameter as the cup, the other is taller and wider with a flared-out bottom. Each of the bases includes an O-ring-sealed cavity that Hinderer calls a stash compartment.

All we can say is that it's up to you what you keep inside — it probably wouldn't be wise to walk around with any illegal contraband stashed, considering the proximity to the aggressive-looking spiked knuckles, which are also illegal to carry in many jurisdictions (check your local laws).

The Removable Knuckles

Speaking of knuckles, we'll go into some more detail about the cup's defining feature. Like the rest of the body, the connected rings are machined out of solid copper, with a series of small holes drilled around the perimeter to reduce weight. At the front, four hardened spikes have been pressed in, and they're sharp enough that we certainly wouldn't want to take a hit from them.

The knuckles are attached to the cup by four small Torx screws, which match up to the holes in two of the eight filler tab openings. So, if you'd like to keep the knuckles at home for a less-weaponized appearance, or they're illegal to carry in your area, just remove these screws and set the knuckles aside. Extra copper filler tabs and screws were included to make the swap seamless.

Although we had no desire to get into bar-room brawls with the Double Knuckle, the spiked rings will do a reasonably good job of protecting your knuckles against impacts. More importantly, they feel comfortable to grip while drinking. They also make the cup look like a miniature beer stein, which is pretty cool for display purposes.

Conclusions

The Hinderer Double Knuckle Shot cup is ludicrous, unnecessary, and it retails for $400. Yes, that's right, $400 — assuming you can find one for sale at one of Hinderer's third-party dealers. Once those dealers run out of stock, the price might even go up, if private-party sales of special-edition Hinderer knives are any indication.

It's definitely the coolest-looking shot cup we own, and materials and craftsmanship are top-notch. But we can't see many people purchasing these unless they're hardcore Hinderer knife collectors, or they're rolling in Scrooge McDuck piles of f–k you money.

There are also the potential implications of carrying an object that combines alcohol consumption, spiked knuckle dusters, and a stash compartment that's just the right size for various uh… substances. It's the perfect accessory for a night of debauchery, but it'd take some explaining if said debauchery leads to law enforcement contact. And you definitely don't want your rare $400 shot cup confiscated.

That said, the ridiculous nature of the Double Knuckle Shot still constantly puts a goofy grin on our faces. We'd much rather spend our money on a practical folding knife or other EDC tools, but we love that this cup exists and that Rick Hinderer was crazy enough to bring it into (limited) production. It's up there with a pair of gold-plated nunchucks or a jewel-encrusted cane sword in terms of practical usability, but it's beautifully-crafted and one heck of a conversation piece.

For more information on the Hinderer Double Knuckle Shot, check RickHindererKnives.com or search the company's authorized dealers. Two of these cups are currently available through DLT Trading.

New: TOPS Missile Strike Combat Knife

Posted on September 29, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

There are a few constants that define a good knife — it must be sharp, durable, large enough to accomplish its intended tasks, and small enough to remain controllable. But beyond these points, much of knife design is up to personal preference. What works for you may not work for others, and that's why we see so much variation in the knife-making industry.

During his seven and a half years in the service, U.S. Army veteran Kelly McCulley developed his own opinion on what a good combat knife looks like. In 2010, he began putting these designs on paper, and eventually started producing them for fellow servicemen and women. Kelly's latest design has reached an even wider audience through a new partnership with TOPS Knives.

The TOPS Knives Missile Strike blends the piercing power of a combat knife and the practical slicing ability of a camp knife. Its most distinctive feature is its large forefinger guard, which allows the user to lock in a firm grip without concerns about slipping a finger forward onto the blade.

The 6-inch spear point blade is clearly designed for thrusts and piercing, but the top edge is actually a swedge. This means it lacks a sharp secondary grind by default. However, TOPS offers an optional sharpened top edge at no extra charge. The spine of the 1/4-inch-thick 1095 carbon steel blade features jimping grooves for added control, and the entire 11.3-inch full-tang knife is finished in durable coyote tan Cerakote.

The Missile Strike's handle is slender, with tan canvas micarta scales and a tapered pommel that's useful for overhand strikes and prying. The holes on the pommel and forefinger guard allow the user to weave a D-guard from paracord for an even more secure grip. This knife includes a tan Kydex sheath and molded nlyon belt clip.

The TOPS Missile Strike is listed at an MSRP of $210, though the current price is $170 through the company's web store. For more information, go to TOPSknives.com.

Prepping for and Preventing Winter Weight Gain

Posted on September 28, 2017 at 2:19 pm.

Written by Offgrid Staff

In This Article

Protein
Carbohydrates
Fats
Sample Meal
Fitness for Fat Loss
Conclusion
About the Author
More From Issue 22

Warning!
The exercises and content expressed in this column are for illustrative purposes only. Consult a medical professional before trying any physical activity or nutritional plan.

At this point, America is heavier than ever, and it doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon. The holidays, especially wintertime, seem to be synonymous with weight gain and poor health choices. As a prepper, this is directly at odds with your physical preparation plan. Extra weight gain will surely slow you down and make survival in a crisis even more difficult.

Shedding weight means minding your plates, both in the kitchen and in the gym. There are many different popular diet programs out there right now, but they all operate on the basic premise of a calorie deficit. Whether you're on a paleo plan, doing intermittent fasting, trying a ketogenic diet, or out in the wilderness eating anything you can scavenge, eating fewer calories than you use typically results in weight loss.

So, follow along as we review some strategies to avoid the winter bulge and keep you fit and healthy for what may lie ahead.

Protein

Protein is a critical component of anyone's diet, especially when it comes to losing weight. Higher protein diets tend to result in more weight loss. Protein contains 4 calories per gram, but more energy is required to break them down than carbohydrates or fats. This concept is called the Thermic Effect of Feeding. You actually use more calories when eating proteins. This is part of the reason why many higher-protein diets result in weight loss, assuming the rest of the diet is composed of healthy foods. Moreover, higher protein diets — when combined with a resistance training program — boost muscle mass. This can increase your resting energy expenditure, ensuring you'll burn more calories at rest.

Recommendation: Consuming up to 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight can help you feel satisfied longer after meals and improve body composition. Game animals can be a great source of protein, as can protein powders, eggs, or fish.

Carbohydrates

Carbs aren't the enemy they're made out to be. There's some truth to the idea that certain people handle carbohydrates better than others, but carbs don't necessarily make you gain weight. Much like proteins, carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram. But it's not the number of calories that's important, it's the type of carbohydrate that really matters.

When you eat highly refined carbs or simple sugars, you may end up getting higher cholesterol, higher triglycerides, insulin resistance, and more body fat. Foods like sugar, white bread, and pasta are good examples.
On the other hand, carbohydrates from better sources can do nearly the opposite. Lower cholesterol, less body fat, lower triglycerides, and better blood sugar control are all characteristics of slower digesting, higher fiber carbohydrates. These types of carbs include quinoa, brown rice, fruits, and vegetables. If times are tough and you're out foraging for food, you should grab anything you can. When given the option, though, keep an eye out for foods with higher fiber content.

Recommendation: When focusing on weight loss, you should include roughly one to two cupped handfuls of healthy carbohydrates per meal. Because carbs are handled slightly differently depending on the person, if you notice that you've gained weight or you're not losing any weight, consider reducing the amount you're eating before changing anything else.

Fats

Just like carbohydrates, there are good and bad fats. The thing to understand is that eating fat doesn't make you fat. That's important to grasp. Unlike carbohydrates and proteins, fats are more calorie-dense with 9 calories per gram of fat. So, be careful of eating too much fat, as it's easy to consume too much when they're readily available in shelled or nut butter form. This is why eating nuts in the shell typically results in consuming fewer calories.

Good fats from sources like nuts, avocados, fish, eggs, and coconut oil are great in moderate amounts. You should avoid trans fats like the plague, which are found in margarine, baked goods, fast foods, microwave popcorn, and frozen pizza — yes, all the foods you already know aren't good for you.

Recommendation: Because fats are so highly calorie dense, shoot for one to two thumb-sized portions of healthy fat per meal.

Sample Meal

Given the recommendations so far, a sample meal for weight loss might look like this:

One to two small chicken breasts (each one roughly palm-sized)
1/4 cup of quinoa (roughly one cupped handful)
Two to three fist-sized portions of spinach salad topped with two tablespoons (about two thumbs) of olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Fitness for Fat Loss

At the heart of the matter, obesity or weight gain can be partially related to inactivity. Beginning a workout program comes with many positive effects such as increased testosterone, reduced body fat, increased bone density, increased muscle mass, among others.

Resistance training should be an element of any weight loss program because it creates a substantial metabolic demand. To reduce body fat, we should focus on lifting moderate weight, roughly in the 8- to 12-repetition range with rest periods anywhere from 15 to 45 seconds between sets. For beginners, slightly higher repetition ranges can also work well.

We'll pair exercises that don't affect each other, such as a dumbbell chest press and a cable row. This way, when you train your chest, the back is able to rest, and vice versa. This is where the large demand on your body takes place: The muscles are able to rest, but the overall systemic effect still occurs. It's not uncommon to see weight loss purely from adopting this style of training and making little to no changes with diet. The effect is more pronounced when we include combination lifts, which are usually a mixture of one upper body and a lower body lift together in the same exercise. You'll see some examples of this in the sample workout provided.

To give you an idea of what this looks like, here's a sample of a workout you might use if you're looking to shed body fat.

Squat Jump: 4 Sets of 10 Reps

1. Begin in a standing position with or without a weight.

2. Quickly sit into a squat position, imagining you're sitting between your knees.

3. Explode off the floor.

4. Land softly, and repeat for 10 total repetitions.

Dumbbell Chest Press: 3 Sets of 12 Reps

1. Lie flat on a bench with dumbbells straight above your shoulders and your shoulder blades tucked back and down under you.

2. Slowly lower the dumbbells until your elbows are roughly in-line with your body. Your upper arms should be about 45 degrees relative to your body.

3. Press the weights back up just shy of locking out your elbows.

4. Repeat for 12 repetitions.

Kettlebell Goblet Squat to Overhead Press: 3 Sets of 10 Reps

1. Start by holding a kettlebell at your chest.

2. Sit your hips back until your thighs are about parallel to the floor.

3. Drive your heels through the floor, fast, and press the kettlebell over your head once your legs straighten.

4. Slowly bring the kettlebell back to your chest.

5. Repeat for 10 repetitions.

Barbell Bent-Over Row: 3 Sets of 10 Reps

1. Hold a bar at arm's-length with your hands just outside your thighs.

2. Keeping your back flat and knees soft, sit your hips back and slide the bar down just below your knees.

3. From that bottom position, drive your elbows back and shoulder blades together. Don't let your elbows pass your body.

4. Complete 10 repetitions, and drive your feet through the floor to stand back up.

Straight-Leg Sit-Up: 3 Sets of 8 Reps

1. Lie on your back with your arms straight towards the ceiling. You can do this with bodyweight or with a medicine ball or kettlebell.

2. Keeping your arms and legs straight, sit up and reach your arms towards the ceiling.

3. Slowly return back to the starting position.

4. Repeat for 10 repetitions.

Conclusion

This physical preparation plan yields weight loss. Everyone can make changes to both their diet and exercise routine, so make sure to get at least a couple of good takeaways from this material. The best results come with consistency, so try making small changes and progressively add more as you master the previous steps. ‘We all know winter is coming, but extra holiday pounds don't have to come with it.

About the Author

Ryne Gioviano is the owner of Achieve Personal Training & Lifestyle Design in Aurora, Illinois. He holds a master's degree in exercise physiology, a NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, and Precision Nutrition Certified Nutritional Coach. Gioviano is also an avid firearms enthusiast. For more information, please visit www.Achieve-PersonalTraining.com.

More From Issue 22

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Read articles from the next issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 23

Read articles from the previous issue of Recoil Offgrid: Issue 21

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Stealth RV: Tiny House Inside a Box Truck

Posted on September 28, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In the past, we've discussed the potential merits and drawbacks of RVs in bug-out scenarios. On one hand, they're comfortable and convenient — it's like rolling around in your own personal hotel room, with plenty of storage for all the gear, food, and water you need for a long journey. On the other hand, they're often very expensive to own and maintain. Also, traditional RVs have one especially substantial drawback: they're conspicuous.

While you might feel right at home in a cushy $250,000 RV, in an emergency situation, there will undoubtedly be those who want to take it from you. Since huge motorhomes don't exactly blend in with traffic, it wouldn't be hard for someone malicious to follow you to your destination and jack your home on wheels at gunpoint. In these situations, it's worthwhile to consider the “gray man” philosophy and choose a vehicle that's less ostentatious.

Box truck tiny house RV motorhome vehicle shelter 1

This old box truck doesn't scream “survival shelter” but offers plenty of room in a discreet package.

One enterprising DIYer from Minnesota decided to build his own stealth RV from a vehicle that's easy to overlook: a plain white box truck. The platform he used is a 1994 International 4900, with a turbo diesel motor and automatic transmission. It's reportedly small enough to be driven legally without a special commercial driver's license (CDL), and the side door and rear power liftgate make it easy to load up the interior.

The inside of the truck isn't as polished as a professionally-built RV, but it includes the comforts of home. There's a stowable bed, shower, chemical toilet, a table that converts into a couch or desk, and even a projector for watching movies. The full kitchen includes a sink, stovetop, oven, fridge/freezer, and lots of counter and storage space.

The box truck's water and air heating systems run on propane, and it also has digital air conditioning and 4-inch wall insulation to maintain a comfortable living space year-round. Its electrical system is powered by six golf cart batteries that are charged by the engine, and connected to a 1000-watt inverter. The haphazard wiring under the hood isn't the most confidence-inspiring, but it appears to get the job done.

Check out the full video below from Tiny House Listings for a walkthrough of this box truck stealth RV, or head to the owner's for-sale page for more details about this build.

We could see the merit of sticking a weathered logo on the side to make it less appealing to thieves — even the most desperate criminals will probably ignore a truck that says “waste disposal” on the side. But even in its current form, this International box truck looks nowhere near as conspicuous as a shiny and expensive motorhome.