Paleo Prepper: Is the Caveman Diet Realistic for SHTF?

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This article originally appeared in Issue 15 of our magazine.

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

The Paleo diet — or caveman diet — is the latest fad in the fitness and nutrition world. Advocates call it a healthier way of eating, as it brings us back to our hunter-gatherer days when there wasn’t any farming, let alone manufactured foods. This might appeal to many preppers who feel this diet aligns with their preference for a less dependent, more sustainable way of living. But critics screaming, “Paleo schmaleo!” call it a “Jurassic fad” that’ll leave you lacking in vital nutrients and with a big hole in your wallet.

Is it truly a healthier food plan? And why would you want to eat this way when prepping for the unknown ahead? Let’s cut into this meaty discussion and take a closer look.

Illustration by Lonny Chant

The Skinny on the Paleo Diet

So what’s the Paleo diet? It focuses on mimicking the food groups of our pre-agricultural, hunter-gatherer ancestors. It’s characterized by high-protein, low-carbohydrate, low-glycemic-index foods, including those that are high in fiber, moderate to high in fat, and more alkaline. It may seem a little confusing, but, simply put, the Paleo diet is solely composed of meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils.

The goal is to get your dietary intake of these foods in the least processed, most organic and grass-fed forms. The fewer steps from the farm to your plate, the better.

Our distant ancestors wouldn’t have access to many foods that we have today, including dairy, legumes, grains, refined sugar, potatoes, processed foods, and refined vegetable oils. This contrasts the standard American diet (referred to, perhaps fittingly, as the SAD diet) in that we’ve been told for ages that the bulk of our calories should come from carbohydrates, with much lower protein and fat. More recently, this is starting to change, but nowhere near what the Paleo folks recommend.

The Origins

The Paleo diet originated from a 1985 research paper titled “Paleolithic Nutrition” by Dr. Boyd Eaton from Emory University published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In it, the article suggested that the ideal human diet was to be found in the nutritional practices of our Stone Age ancestors, and not the way we had been taught to eat. At the time, the concept was somewhat revolutionary.

Later, Dr. Loren Cordain — an exercise physiologist and expert in the evolutionary basis of diet and disease — came out with his first book titled The Paleo Diet. In it, Dr. Cordain wrote extensively on the effects of the current American diet on our health, and how adopting a diet similar to our ancestors could lead to optimal health and performance.

Essentially, the premise was that our genes dictate our nutritional needs, which were heavily shaped by the selective pressure of the Paleolithic environment. Many of the foods we eat today are at odds with our genetic makeup, causing many of our modern diseases, according to advocates. They claim that by adopting the Paleo diet, we can reverse these diseases and restore our health and well-being.

The Effects

When looking at historical and anthropological records, hunter-gatherers were healthy and fit people who were, for the most part, free from heart disease and other ailments common in Western countries. Paleo diet proponents claim the health of humans after farming and agriculture began to show a decline compared to their ancestors (and there’s some research to support this), pointing to the inclusion of dairy products, cereal grains, legumes, potatoes, and eventually higher amounts of processed foods and sugar as the main culprits.

On the flip side, the diet’s biggest critics say the large quantities of meat being consumed could lead to health risks, based on some research correlating high red meat consumption with cancer.
Also, the lack of grains and legumes in the diet doesn’t have everyone on board. Opponents cite how legumes are actually quite nutritious and how whole grains aren’t a problem for most of the population — there’s research to support grains being nutritious (whole grains are high in fiber and are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates).

However, one of the primary stances of the Paleo faithful is how gluten can be an Achilles’ heel for some. It’s a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and millet. You may have heard of the autoimmune condition called celiac disease, which causes intestinal inflammation and damage in sufferers when gluten is ingested. Aside from a range of symptoms including pain, it can result in decreased absorption of nutrients.

Just because you don’t have celiac disease doesn’t necessarily mean you’re off scot-free. Lectins, proteins found in gluten, aren’t fully broken down through digestion. Grains (and dairy) also contain a protease inhibitor that blocks digestion of the lectins further. Your body views these large, intact proteins as foreign intruders like viruses or parasites. Long story short, this can still cause the immune system to mount an attack on these proteins. If your gut wall becomes damaged as a result, the entire contents of your intestines can enter your system. This is where the term “leaky gut” comes from.

The Prep

So how does all of this Paleo stuff fit into a prepper’s plan? Surprisingly well, actually, with some adjustments. Yes, some fresh fruits and vegetables that make up a typical Paleo menu don’t have a long shelf life. And not all of us farm or raise livestock. But, we can still shift our idea of Paleo to accommodate the needs of preparation and survival.

Meat makes up a significant part of the Paleo plan, and there are several different ways to include meat in your prepper diet. First of all, depending on your scenario, hunting and fishing are perfect options. If you don’t live next to a field or river, purchasing frozen, canned, dehydrated, or freeze-dried meat are your best options.

Growing a garden is a great way to get fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds in your diet. Eating off the land is about as Paleo as it gets, and given the right circumstances, is a sustainable option for nutrition.

Foraging, on the other hand, can be a little tough. Living in cities and suburbs, most of us will find little except for big-box and grocery stores, which could be raided during or after a disaster. Even if you do have the skills to identify edible plants in your concrete jungle, they’re probably tainted by pesticides and other contaminants. [Editor’s note: see “Urban Foraging” in Issue 8].

The Storage

Make sure to look past the typical route of long-lasting foods like grains, beans, or peanuts (which are actually legumes). As we mentioned earlier, they’re not allowed in a Paleo diet. Nuts and seeds are great examples of foods you can store pretty easily, however. You can buy these already packaged and ready to go. Stockpile as much as you need.

Canning works well to preserve meats, fruits, and vegetables, and it keeps them very close to their original state fairly well. Canning can be done with minimal equipment and is an easy way to store and stockpile food. [Editor’s note: See “Meat You Can’t Beat” in our Winter 2014 issue.]

Dehydration is a great option to preserve food by eliminating the water content, thus preventing bacteria or mold growth. This can also be an easy option to do at home by simply putting your food in the oven on the lowest setting for six to eight hours.

Freezing is an easy choice to store food long-term, but really only makes sense as long as you have access to power, a freezer, plenty of space for stockpiling, and a semi-permanent residence.

The Wrap-Up

The Paleo diet can have its place in the prepper lifestyle, especially considering foraging and hunting, at some point, may be your best means of survival. It may seem restrictive in our current day and age, but living the way our ancestors did long ago does have several health advantages, not to mention its practicality when in the wilderness. This may even require you to brush up on your survival skills, which is a great thing to keep top of mind. Following the Paleo diet in dire straits may not always be practical, but can be a great way to eat when thorough preparation and planning can happen.

Sources

About the Author

Ryne Gioviano, M.S.Ed., NSCA-CPT is the owner of Achieve Personal Training & Lifestyle Design. He holds a master’s degree in exercise physiology and is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. For more information, visit www.achieve-personaltraining.com. You can find Ryne on Twitter and Instagram at @RGioviano.

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

“Hidden War” Author John Nores On Joe Rogan Podcast

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We love spending time outdoors, but doing so comes with some inherent risks we must prepare for — sudden changes in weather, predator animals, topography that's difficult to safely navigate, and so on. Aggression from other humans may seem like it's low on that list of threats, but depending on your area, it may be more likely than you've considered. Black-market marijuana grow operations are sometimes concealed in remote wilderness areas, and if you come across one inadvertently, there's a substantial likelihood the individuals behind it will be hostile to your presence. You might stumble into booby traps and/or armed guards with little or no warning.

Regardless of your feelings about marijuana itself, these hostile, cartel-run grow sites are concerning to anyone who explores areas where they're prevalent.

John Nores, author of the book Hidden War, spent his career co-developing the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) to fight back against the armed drug cartel members behind these black-market operations. In his book, he offers firsthand accounts of infiltrations, firefights, and arrests from throughout his tenure with the CDFW.

Yesterday, Nores met with Joe Rogan to record a podcast episode. For those who didn't catch it live during the recording session, you can find it at podcasts.joerogan.net or watch the episode below:

Our sister publication RECOIL also caught up with him for a brief interview — read on for an excerpt:

RECOIL: Why was Hidden War important to you to write?

John Nores: The main reason was out of frustration of the impacts to are our wildlife, waterways, and wildland resources not only in California but the entire country, and the threat to public safety by these drug trafficking organizations/cartel criminals that are doing this stuff in America. They’re doing it for a black market within America that they’re profiting from and are utilizing our resources, our public lands, private lands, waterways, all the sensitive species, and everything else to make hundreds of millions if not billions of black market dollars at the expense of destroying our environment and threatening our public.

RECOIL: Which two pieces of information would you like people to know about illegally grown marijuana?

JN: One: There’s a possibility if it’s on the black market that it is tainted with very toxic substances that you can’t see. It’s not going to kill you right away, but it’s so deadly that two tablespoons of this substance can kill up to three to five miles of a whole Creek and everything living in that creek. That’s how dangerous this stuff is. There’s still a lot of this stuff on the black market all over the nation. So just be very, very careful where you’re getting your cannabis for legal recreational or medicinal use.

Two: Realize that there is something going on in the woods not too far from you, potentially, in any state in the union and it’s hurting your wildlife, it’s hurting your waterways it’s hurting the wildlands– Think of it from the standpoint of future generations your kids, your nieces, your nephews, your grandkids– do you want them to grow up in a country that has so little green spaces, so many little tracts of open space, and so little wildlife because of this or other poaching or destructive environmental problems? It’s critical for all of us to know that, whether we’re out there or not.

RECOIL: In your opinion, what needs to be done to win the hidden war on weed?

JN: You know we have to look at this not just individually state-by-state, but we need to look at this as a nation. Obviously, there is a huge black market right now, and that black market is fueling the desire for these cartels to produce all of this low cost, very potent, tainted cannabis. So, we have to address this as a nation. We have to decide as a nation if we’re going to regulate and if we’re going to regulate in such a way that we break the back of the black market or are we going to just regulate individually based on revenue and based on how we want to do our politics on the issue. And I’m not an expert on that but I can say from seeing the states that have regulated so far, my state California being the prime example, Colorado, Washington, and my new state of Montana– No one’s solved the problem and stop the black market by regulating the state as the regulations are written now.

For more from this interview, head over to RECOILweb.com. To learn more about Hidden War or purchase the book in print or digital form, click here. RECOIL is also offering a downloadable free sample chapter, for those who'd like to get a taste of the book.

RECOILtv: UBCO 2×2 Electric Utility Bike

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In the past, we've written about how postapocalyptic fiction often incorrectly portrays transportation. In the event of a world-ending catastrophic event, it wouldn't take long for supplies of refined fossil fuels — such as gasoline and diesel — to run out. That much is obvious. What's less obvious is that fuel stockpiles that remain can only be preserved for so long before they eventually degrade and become useless. That process might take months or years, but the clock would be ticking, and you won't be able to replenish your vehicle's gas unless you know someone who can drill for crude oil and operate a refinery.

While this makes for great entertainment, it's not exactly realistic. (Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

Beyond that, it's obviously impractical to be driving a gas-guzzling monster truck in a situation where fuel is limited. We enjoy the Mad Max movies as much as anyone, but we have to admit that the portrayal of marauders cruising the wasteland in armored semis decades after the apocalypse is unrealistic.

In reality, a small, efficient electric vehicle is a great option for that type of scenario — but we're not saying you should build a bug-out Nissan Leaf. An electric bike can be charged sustainably from solar panels in an off-grid location, and offers great range and maneuverability as opposed to a larger car. These are some of the reasons we took an interest in the UBCO 2×2 electric utility bike at Overland Expo.

As Mike Glover of Fieldcraft Survival explains in this episode of RECOILtv Transport, many bug-out situations will be more of a marathon than a sprint. So while the UBCO bike will only do 30mph, it can carry up to 400 pounds (including rider) and cover 50 to 75 miles per charge. It's nearly silent, and uses a 2-wheel-drive system for improved off-road performance — a feature that's reminiscent of the classic ROKON gas-powered utility bikes. The battery packs are removable and interchangeable, so you can carry a spare to double the range. There are even USB ports and a 12V outlet for charging other devices such as your phone, GPS, lights, or tools.

So before you roll your eyes at what resembles an electric off-road moped, remember that it might be a much better option than that tough-looking dirt bike covered in spikes and skulls if the world really ended.

The 2018 UBCO 2×2 starts at $7,000; spare 48Ah battery packs are $2,000. For more info, go to UBCObikes.com/US.

The Meaning of S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L. – Analyzing the U.S. Army’s Survival Acronym

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When it comes to survival guides, there are a lot of options on the market — we reviewed a (literal) handful of pocket-sized guides back in Issue 15. Each of these publications takes its own approach to the subject, with some specializing primarily in bushcraft techniques, first aid skills, or response to a manmade or natural disaster. In some cases, this specialization can be beneficial, but there are also times where an extremely broad overview of a large variety of survival techniques is essential to establish baseline competency. Such is the case for the U.S. Army Survival Field Manual, also known as FM 3-05.70.

This Army survival manual was published in 2002 to replace the previous edition, FM 21-76 (published in 1992). FM 3-05.70 is 17 years old now, but don't write it off as outdated — there's still much we can learn from this 676-page document.

U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens

Keep in mind that it was designed to provide a comprehensive primer on survival skills to soldiers, many of whom would have minimal combat or survival experience by the time they laid hands on this book. It's therefore written with easy-to-understand language, clear organization, and a structure that escalates from basics to more advanced and specialized scenarios. Some elements of the Army survival manual are primarily relevant to members of the military, but the majority is applicable to any civilian survivalist.

U.S. Army Photo by K. Kassens

The Survival Acronym

Anyone who has served in the military can tell you that acronyms are plentiful, and this document is no exception. The very first chapter opens with an easy-to-remember survival acronym for the tactics recommended throughout the manual: S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L. The introduction states, “This manual is based entirely on the keyword SURVIVAL. The letters in this word can help guide your actions in any survival situation.” Essentially, all 676 pages of FM 3-05.70 are summarized — at least in a broad sense — by these eight points.

Below, we'll analyze each point for its applications to a civilian survivalist, and provide a few links to additional articles that can help you learn more about topics related to that point.

S: Size Up the Situation

Photo by Mark Saint

This point covers the importance of observing three sub-points: surroundings, physical condition, and equipment. By analyzing these, you can determine the level of threat they pose, which will help you decide the urgency of your situation and the next steps you can take.

  • Surroundings could range from a pleasant forest with plenty of food, water, and other resources, to a barren warzone crawling with enemy combatants.
  • Physical condition may be healthy, rested, and mentally sharp, or injured, exhausted, and stressed.
  • Equipment might consist of a fully-stocked pack and pre-built shelter, or you might be washed up on the shore of a deserted island with nothing but the clothes on your back.

In many cases, your situation will be leaning towards the less desirable side of this spectrum — and if it isn't yet, it very easily could be as the survival situation continues. Weather may change, your health may deteriorate, and your equipment may get lost or broken. Sizing up the situation immediately will at least let you know what you can do next, and how fast.

U: Use All Your Senses / Undue Haste Makes Waste

This letter in the acronym is a two-parter. The first part is essentially re-stating the importance of observation in a more specific sense — use your sight, touch, sound, and even smell to give yourself an advantage. Watch and listen to your environment to detect threats (such as a human enemy, animal predator, or incoming storm) or opportunities (game animals, edible plants, water sources, signaling methods, or escape routes).

The second part is a timeless phrase that reminds us that moving too fast can make your situation worse. In a survival situation, you want to react swiftly and decisively. You don't want to sit around aimlessly or brashly rush headlong off a cliff. Find the happy medium.

R: Remember Where You Are

“Remember” might not be the best word here, since you need to do more than think about past events. We'd say that “Re-establish” is a more appropriate R — you need to periodically gather information to orient yourself.

If you have a map, compass, and basic land navigation skills, you can determine your location and your proximity to other important points. This enables you to safely plot a course to safe areas and water sources, as well as avoid dangerous terrain or other risks. You should check your position frequently to ensure you didn't veer off course.

In situations where you don't have a map and compass, you can rely on various celestial navigation techniques to determine a rough direction based on the position of the sun, moon, and stars.

V: Vanquish Fear and Panic

 

One of the biggest threats you'll face in any survival situation is your own mind. We've all seen people freeze, make rash decisions, or lose their composure in stressful situations — these are natural human behaviors that must be overcome through focus and training. If you're able to accept that fear is natural and use it as a motivator rather than a stumbling block, you'll be well on your way to staying alive.

I: Improvise

The rounded, frosted edge at the top of a car's side window is an excellent improvised abrasive for knife sharpening. If you learn proper technique on a traditional stone, translating it to the car window should be no problem.

Photo by Michael Janich

The Survival Field Manual puts it simply: “Our easy-come, easy-go, easy-to-replace culture makes it unnecessary for us to improvise. This inexperience in “making do” can be an enemy in a survival situation.”

Improvisation covers a number of tactics. You might use an existing resource for an alternate purpose, such as a length of paracord as a friction saw, a bottle of household bleach as a water purifier, or a ceramic mug as a knife sharpener. You might take a broken item and use its underlying parts for other purposes. Or you might take natural materials and craft new tools from scratch.

Beyond gear, improvisation also refers to your ability to go with the flow and come up with creative solutions to problems. Studying outside-the-box techniques and developing critical thinking skills can help you tremendously in this area.

V: Value Living

This point sounds almost laughably obvious — you should value life if you don't want to die?! We never considered that!

Don't blow this one off. Maintaining the will to live in a situation that may feel unlivable is far from funny… or easy. An absolute, stubborn, unyielding refusal to give up and die is hugely important in a survival situation. In fact, many would argue it's the single most important characteristic. There are many cases of individuals who, based on all the facts, should have died many times — but they didn't because of their powerful will to live:

  • Jan Baalsrud, the Norwegian commando who swam through icy water, survived an avalanche, and amputated his own frostbitten toes with a pocket knife
  • Alexander Selkirk, the castaway whose survival on a deserted island inspired the story of Robinson Crusoe
  • Sir Ernest Shackleton, the British Antarctic explorer who survived a disastrous shipwreck at the end of the earth, along with all 28 men under his command

Even if you're absolutely miserable, hopeless, and convinced that there's no light at the end of the tunnel, don't give up. Embrace the suck and live another day.

A: Act Like the Natives

Photo by Kevin Estela

As we've said many times, much can be learned by observing a region's native population and studying their history. Those hardy people became experts at surviving in their environment because they had to. Also, in most cases, they did so with far fewer resources than you have — no electronics, no synthetic clothing, no store-bought tools, no modern maps or compasses. If they managed to live off the land by hunting, trapping, gathering, and making their own gear, you'd be a fool to ignore what they can teach you (directly or indirectly).

In practical terms, this might mean studying Native American shelters, Siberian fire-sustainment, or even the actions of the homeless or vagrant population in an urban environment. It also applies to animal behaviors, since these can help you learn about nearby food, water, and predators.

L: Live By Your Wits / Learn Basic Skills

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Adam McQuiston)

Last but not least, we have another two-part survival acronym section. “Live by your wits” may sound like you're flying by the seat of your pants, but it actually refers to trusting your instincts. Natural instincts aren't always beneficial, as we previously stated, so they often must be replaced through training and repetition. That brings us to the second half of this point.

“Learn basic skills” — or as the guide puts it, “but for now, learn basic skills” — reinforces the importance of active education. You won't learn much if you don't bother to study, and that can take the form of reading (you're already on top of this one), watching videos, listening to podcasts or audiobooks, or talking face-to-face with experienced peers. But above all, you'll need to get off your butt, get your hands dirty, and learn by doing. Seek professional instruction and test your skills frequently in realistic conditions — only then will you achieve true confidence in your wits.

Conclusion

U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens

Survival is never as simple as memorizing an acronym — if it was, you wouldn't need to practice or train outside a classroom. Some of these eight points are more relevant and thought-provoking than others, and even if you know all of them by heart, putting them into action is a much greater challenge. However, studying the U.S. Army's survival acronym can get you thinking about areas you need to improve upon, and help you build a well-rounded mindset and skill set. That way, when the time comes, you won't be struggling to remember what the first V stood for — you'll instinctively apply the underlying principles to any real-life survival situation.

Video: Forging a Bi-Metal Bearded Axe from Scrap Metal

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Max Egorov, creator of the YouTube channel Advoko Makes, is what you'd call a Renaissance man. No, not like the Danny Devito movie — we're referring to the fact that he has a seemingly unending list of skills to demonstrate. He has a day job as a lawyer in the city of St. Petersburg, Russia. For fun, he produces content for his YouTube channel, demonstrating proficiency at videography and editing. And in those videos, he shows off his abilities at woodworking, bushcraft cooking, boat-making, cabin construction, and much more. We honestly wonder how he finds time for it all.

Max built his own log cabin in the woods during his time off from his day job as a lawyer.

In his latest video, Max forges an axe from a few pieces of scrap metal — soft steel from a railroad tie and high-carbon steel from an old Soviet file. Like his other projects, the results are seriously impressive, especially considering his admitted inexperience with blacksmithing. He said he made this axe as a gift for a friend — we need more friends like this.

Using an angle grinder jig he made himself (of course he did), Max cut the rail tie to the appropriate size. A drill press and chisel were used to set up a guide for the position of the eye, and then the metal was heated in a gas forge (which he also made). During the shaping process, Max welded up a custom metal drift from discarded tractor tread pins, enabling him to shape the eye more easily.

The shaping process continued with hammer, anvil, file, and chisel. Eventually Max split the blade edge of the axe to insert the high-carbon file, creating a three-layer sandwich with a hardened cutting edge for durability. The axe was differentially heat-treated in oil to further increase strength, and ground to a finish that still shows some hammer marks near the poll.

We're looking forward to Max's next video, where he discusses polishing the head, making a handle, adding decorative carbon fiber overlay, and making a heat-formed axe guard/sheath. For a sneak peek of what's to come, check out his Russian-language Part 2 video from his other channel.

Review: LifeSaver Jerrycan Water Purifier

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Humanity’s relationship with water is full of cruel irony. Roughly 71 percent of Earth’s surface is covered with water, yet water scarcity affects four out of every 10 people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Too much of it at once, and we drown; not enough, and we die of dehydration. And even when we do have the right amount of water, microscopic pathogens contained within it can cause life-threatening illnesses. The WHO estimates that waterborne diarrheal diseases cause 2-million deaths each year.

Waterborne illnesses don’t just affect those living in poverty-stricken developing nations. They’re a worldwide problem. In the United States, the microscopic parasite cryptosporidium affects close to 750,000 people annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other protozoan cysts, such as giardia, are common in lakes and streams — even those that look and smell clean. In urban areas, hurricanes and other natural disasters can cause widespread contamination when floodwater mixes with bacteria from sewage and garbage. Viral contaminants such as norovirus — the leading source of what we call “food poisoning” — are also easily spread through drinking water.

H2O to Go

There are a variety of water purifiers that can help us avoid this myriad of malevolent microorganisms. However, most of these are designed for low-volume individual use. If all you need is a quick sip from a stream, a pocket-sized straw filter can be a convenient solution. Purifying enough clean water for your entire family — including drinking, washing hands, cleaning dishes, and other daily tasks — is a much more formidable task. In a group setting, you’ll also have to consider the potentially complicated logistics of storing, transporting, and distributing this water.

After witnessing the devastation caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, British inventor Michael Pritchard created a portable water purifier known as the LifeSaver Bottle. (For a full review of that product, see our H2O Hygiene buyer’s guide in Issue 15.) Knowing that the bottle’s 750-milliliter carrying capacity wasn’t ideal for larger groups, the company soon developed the LifeSaver Cube, which combines the same purification technology with storage for up to 5 liters of water. More recently, the design was expanded yet again to create the LifeSaver Jerrycan.

As its name indicates, the Jerrycan resembles a large fuel can, with a tough polymer body that can hold 18.5 liters (4.9 gallons). It’s designed for off-the-grid mobility, featuring an integrated carry handle as well as a pair of holes that can be used to mount it on vehicles.

LifeSaver Jerrycan 20000UF Specifications

Colors
Blue, green, tan

Dimensions
18.5 by 13.3 by 6.8 inches

Dry Weight
8.8 pounds including shower attachment

Carrying Capacity
4.9 gallons (18.5 liters)

Filter Lifespan
Approximately 5,300 gallons (20,000 liters) dependent on water quality

Initial Flow Rate
1 gallon (4 liters) per minute

MSRP
$230 (plus $22 for shower attachment)

URL
iconlifesaver.com

How It Works

Operating the Jerrycan is simple enough that children can do it. Before using the purifier for the first time, it must be primed by filling the can with clean water, soaking the internal filter cartridge, and flushing out the system. Once the Jerrycan has been primed, it can be used according to the following steps:

Step 1 – Unscrew the pump from the top of the can, and set it aside.

Step 2 – Fill the can with dirty water from a tap, hose, lake, or river. Don’t use saltwater or water that may have been contaminated by chemical runoff (we’ll explain why later).

Step 3 – Replace the pump, and ensure the tap is closed. Then, pump the handle up and down 5 to 15 times to pressurize the Jerrycan.

Step 4 – Turn the tap to the open position. Clean water will begin to flow out of the tap.

Step 5 – Pump the handle approximately once every 3 seconds to keep the water flowing.

Step 6 – Close the tap to stop water flow. If no more water will be needed for an extended period, unscrew the pump slowly until pressure is released, then retighten.

The Technical Details

We shouldn’t have to explain why it’s unwise to go skydiving with a parachute you just bought on Craigslist, or undergo open-heart surgery by a back-alley doctor who tells you, “yeah, I totally went to med school; don’t worry about it.” Instead of assuming or hoping nothing will go wrong, you should always verify the effectiveness of anything your life may depend on. The same goes for water purifiers.

Every reputable water purifier manufacturer pays for independent laboratory testing to verify that its products meet or exceed the industry standards set by NSF International, and will provide proof of these results to customers. LifeSaver does both.

Specifically, the LifeSaver Jerrycan was tested and found to meet NSF Protocol 248 for Military Operations – Microbiological Water Purifiers, receiving a letter of compliance from the Department of Defense. At a minimum, the P248 standard requires:

  • 99.9999-percent reduction of bacteria
  • 99.99 percent reduction of protozoan cysts
  • 99.9-percent reduction of viruses

Clockwise from left: LifeSaver Jerrycan, hose attachment, 20000UF filter, activated carbon disc.

While P248 is a military-oriented certification with additional requirements for design and structural integrity, its performance requirements match those of NSF P231, the general industry standard for microbiological purifiers based on the EPA’s recommendations. The filter cartridges were tested separately by BCS Laboratories to further verify their adherence to this standard.

LifeSaver also integrates optional, replaceable activated carbon discs to remove chlorine, unpleasant taste, and odor from purified water. However, like all micro-filtration devices, LifeSaver products can’t remove dissolved salts and chemical pollutants from water. If you need to safely process seawater, urine, or water laden with harmful chemicals, you’d need a far more complex and bulky desalinator, still, or reverse osmosis system.

An optional shower attachment ($22) is also available, with a quick-disconnect fitting and O-ring seal that fit onto to the tap. The pressurized system can then be used to wash hands and dishes, or as a literal camp shower.

Long-Term Considerations

LifeSaver offers two Jerrycan models to choose from — 10000UF and 20000UF. These numbers indicate the lifespan of the filter cartridges, 10,000 liters (2,641 gallons) or 20,000 liters (5,283 gallons), respectively. We tested the latter. As you may expect, the lifespan will vary based on the type of water you’re filtering. If it’s extremely murky, turbid, or full of contaminants, the filter will clog more quickly.

Wisely, LifeSaver designs its filters with a Failsafe system, automatically stopping water flow before the filtration quality falls below acceptable NSF standards. This ensures the user doesn’t inadvertently consume water that hasn’t been adequately purified.

The Jerrycan is also a modular system, so the core components can all be replaced. Filter cartridges are $76 (10000UF) or $90 (20000UF), and can be bought sealed in foil with a 10-year shelf life for $10 more. A replacement pump is $40, a tap costs $13, and carbon filters are $25 for a five-pack. With a supply of replacement parts on hand, the Jerrycan will essentially last for as long as the can itself remains intact.

Our Impressions

Although we lack the scientific equipment and time to independently quantify the Jerrycan’s ability to remove waterborne pathogens on a microscopic level, this has already been done repeatedly, as we previously established. Instead, we focused our testing on practical use.

After priming the Jerrycan according to instructions, we filled it with water from various sources, ranging from a residential hose bib to a cloudy, stagnant puddle in a drainage ditch. We then pumped and dispensed the water, noting dramatic improvements to color, smell, and taste. Let’s face it — no water purifier is going to turn disgusting pond water into Evian, but the Jerrycan greatly improved the palatability. More importantly, the filter ensures you won’t end up puking your guts out or dropping trou every 15 minutes for the next week.

The Jerrycan’s BPA/BPS-free polymer body feels thick, sturdy, and durable. Its exterior picked up cosmetic scuffs fairly easily, but more serious damage seems unlikely unless you drop it out of a moving vehicle. LifeSaver manufactures its products in the UK, and builds them to withstand long-term use by humanitarian groups in places like Sudan and Haiti, so the average prepper or overlander will barely scratch the surface of its capabilities — that’s a good thing for those who appreciate overbuilt gear.

Periodic maintenance is required to keep the Jerrycan flowing smoothly, but it’s relatively simple. In the field, it can be rinsed and swished to remove sediment buildup; in cleaner environments, components can be rinsed in a sink, soaked in warm water, and wiped with a clean, damp cloth.

One potential downside to the Jerrycan is that it requires a specific storage procedure between uses. After it has been used, it must be stored unpressurized in a cool place with at least 1 inch of water inside to prevent the filter from drying out. If storing for more than a month, the activated carbon disc must be discarded and replaced (if desired) before next use. The Jerrycan should never be used or stored above 122 degrees F (50 degrees C), or below freezing — the latter can permanently damage filter integrity.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you’re going on a camping trip with the whole family, preparing your home for a catastrophic natural disaster, or traveling to regions where Montezuma’s revenge is in full force, the LifeSaver Jerrycan is a worthy investment. It goes beyond a simple source of drinking water to become a complete basecamp water solution, and its robust durability and replaceable parts leave us confident it’ll last for decades.

Video: “Indian Ice Cream” from the Soapberry Plant

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Food is a major morale booster, especially in survival situations. However, walking to the local corner store to buy some Twinkies and a Big Gulp isn't always an option. If you're in a remote area, you'll need to find your comfort foods in nature. Fortunately, Native Americans and Canada's First Nations loved tasty snacks just as much as we do, and came up with some pretty ingenious ways to make them. In the following video from Far North Bushcraft and Survival, Lonnie shows how to make sxusem or “Indian ice cream” from the Soapberry plant.

Photo via Lazarus000 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Shepherdia canadensis, also known as Canada buffaloberry or soapberry, is a plant that's native to the northwest half of the United States, from the southwest through the Great Lakes region. It's also widely available in Canada and Alaska, where Lonnie resides. The plant got its nickname from the fact that its berries are high in saponins, which produce foam and act as natural soap. You may recall from our previous article that yucca and creosote are some of the other plants that contain saponins.

Lonnie demonstrates the berries' effectiveness by plastering his hands with spruce pitch and dirt, then vigorously rubbing berry pulp in his hands to wash them.

The second, more interesting use of these soapberries is to produce “ice cream” — we use quotes because it's neither cold nor cream-based. It's more like a whipped mousse or pudding that consists of berry pulp, water, and a sweetener. Lonnie uses ordinary granulated sugar, but native peoples used naturally-occurring sweeteners like salal berries, thimbleberries, or fireweed. Once the pulp, sweetener, and water are combined in a container, they're stirred or shaken rapidly to create a thick pink foam. In some cases, snow was also added.

While this “Indian ice cream” is said to be sweet and tasty, the saponins also give it a slight bitterness. They can also be toxic if consumed in very large quantities — more than you'd be making in the wild — and may give some people an upset stomach or indigestion. As with any wild edible, it's a good idea to only try a small amount at first to see how your body reacts.

Trick Your Truck: 5 Easy Survival Vehicle Mods

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Photos by Niccole Elizabeth

It’s no secret that we love an awesomely appointed bug-out vehicle. Our sister publication, RECOIL, covers one in every issue. While these trucks, trailers, and overlanders are lots of fun to look at and drool over, most of us would have to win the lottery to be able to afford one. With price tags that routinely blast past six figures, ground-up custom vehicles for survival and preparedness are a bridge too far for most budgets.

According to AAA, the average American spends nearly 3,000 hours behind the wheel each year. With this in mind, it’d behoove us all to treat our vehicle as not just a mode of transportation, but a valuable tool that can provide all kinds of support in case of a crisis. Simply pulling out of your driveway in the morning gives you a rolling fallback point that includes climate-controlled shelter, signaling, power, navigation, fire-starting ability, and storage capacity for emergency equipment. So how do we optimize this incredible resource without spending the cost of a second home? The short answer is that it’s not nearly as difficult as one might think. We were able to get our hands on some simple, cost-effective equipment that enables any vehicle to become a rolling caddy of potentially lifesaving tools.

Vehicle Mod Considerations

This is by no means a comprehensive guide. With a little smart searching on the internet, you can find dozens of gadgets and gizmos that’ll help you prep your vehicle for in-extremis scenarios. The pieces you’ll see here were selected with a couple of key factors in mind:

Universality: None of these products are vehicle specific. Whether you’re daily driver is a super-duty pickup truck or a two-door hatchback hybrid, you can use them.

Portability: All of the items you see here can be easily removed from the vehicle. This is particularly important if you’re forced to leave your vehicle in case of an emergency, or if you must switch vehicles for any reason without losing capability. This could be as benign as renting a car for a business trip or as desperate as commandeering a vehicle on the fly in a high-threat scenario, requiring immediate transportation. Or if you must ditch wheels altogether and go on foot, all of this stuff can be hand-carried with a minimum of weight and bulk.

Cost: All of the products here, put together, amount to less than $650 at full retail price. If you shop thrifty and wait for holiday sales, you might be able to get that cost closer to $500. All but the tightest of budgets allow for purchase of these individual components over time, in most cases for less than three figures apiece.

Option #1: Super Visor

Zulu Nylon Gear MOLLE Visor Panel

Price: $40-$44

URL: www.zulunylongear.com

The first vehicle enhancement we’ll look at is the MOLLE visor panel. There are several companies that make these. This one is from Zulu Nylon Gear. We like the Zulu offering, because it’s small enough to fit sedan-sized visors. It features a combination of loop tape, MOLLE webbing, and elastic loops to fit a variety of survival odds-and-ends, and attaches by way of hook-and-loop straps that you can cinch down around the visor. It’s important to note that any car’s sun visor doesn’t permit the carriage of heavy or high-density gear. We configured ours with the following:

  • 3 x mini chem lights
  • 1 x Benchmade rescue knife
  • 1 x Benchmade “7-hook” seatbelt cutter
  • 1 x Tuff Writer click pen
  • 1 x PK Design Labs Flashlight

A visor panel is one of the better places to store a seatbelt cutter, as it can be easily accessed by the driver from a variety of positions. This permits effective self-rescue, even if you find yourself upside down or in rising water in your vehicle. The rescue knife seen here includes a glass punch in the pommel to smash windows. As long as you have free (or mostly free) use of one arm, you should be able to reach anything strapped to your visor. Even if the standard size is too large for your vehicle, or you choose to run a minimum of essentials in this position, Zulu makes a Micro Visor that’s narrower and more compact.

Option #2: Battle (Seat)Belt

Mayhem Syndicate VE3 Pouch

Price: $55-$120

URL: www.mayhem-syndicate.com

Moving from visor to seatbelt, we found the Mayhem Syndicate Vehicle Emergency Egress Essentials (VE3) pouch. This pouch is designed to be attached directly to your seatbelt. It can be worn on the shoulder strap or lap belt, and is a down-and-dirty kit of supplies to get you out of your vehicle and/or treat immediate traumatic injuries. In situations where even your visor is out of reach, the VE3 keeps supplies tight against your body for easy access even when partially immobilized. Since we set the MOLLE visor panel over the driver seat, we attached our VE3 to the passenger-side seatbelt to allow both driver and passenger quick access to emergency supplies. The VE3 can be had as a standalone pouch or pre-stocked kit. The pre-stocked kit comes with the following:

  • 1 x Gen 7 CAT from North American Rescue
  • 1 x Ontario Knife strap cutter
  • 1 x ARS decompression needle (LE/Mil)
  • 1 x Sharpie
  • 1 x chem light

The top flap is specifically notched to accommodate medical shears if you choose to pack these in lieu of a belt cutter. Our only note about this product is that the stocked kit does add a little weight to the seatbelt. This isn’t noticeable when you’re buckled up, but inhibits the belt’s ability to retract fully on its own. We could also see potential interference if you’re wearing body armor or a chest rig. Although, we suspect if you’re wearing that kind of gear, you’ve already got some or most of these supplies on you. For the rest of us, the VE3 offers a convenient way to keep some emergency essentials close at hand.

Option #3: Use Your Head(Rest)

RE Factor Tactical Drive-By Kit

Price: $110

URL: www.refactortactical.com

The Drive-By Kit was purpose built by folks who drive through some of the meanest streets on the planet. Security contractors and special operators often find themselves using a variety of local and imported vehicles for low-profile urban and suburban missions. This kit was designed with input from people who do these jobs on a daily basis, and it shows. The Drive-By includes storage for ammo and medical gear. It features two magazine pouches meant for AR-style magazines, but include a generous amount of extra room to accommodate other weapons. We stowed two AK-74 mags in it and had no issues with fit or accessibility. In front of the mag pouches is a large dual-zipper pouch lined with MOLLE and elastic loops meant for medical gear. It should be noted there’s no pre-loaded option for the Drive-By Kit. So decide ahead of time what you want to fill it with and purchase accordingly. We fit all of the following with room left over:

  • 1 x rolled gauze
  • 1 x Quick Clot Combat Gauze
  • 2 x HALO chest seals
  • 1 x Israeli Bandage
  • 1 x decompression needle
  • 2 x mini chem lights
  • 1 x Sharpie marker

If you already have a first-aid or medical kit in your vehicle, this pouch could also accommodate combat sundries like smoke grenades, flash-bangs, emergency strobes, even more ammo, satellite phone, stripped-down MREs or power bars, or some small hand tools. The kit mounts to the back of almost any headrest by a Velcro-strapped MOLLE back panel. The kit itself then attaches to this back panel. In case you have to get out of your vehicle in a hurry, you simply pull the release strap and the bag falls off the mounting panel. The bag itself also has a small carabiner-style hook that can be used to attach the Drive-By Kit to a larger pack, belt loop or chest rig for use on foot.

Option #4: Reach Back and Relax

Greyman Tactical Rigid Vehicle MOLLE Panel (Heavy Duty) & Rifle Mount Clamp

Price: $235 (Panel); $70 (Rifle Mount Clamp)

URL: www.greyman-tactical.com

Greyman Tactical has carved out a niche for themselves with their Rigid MOLLE Panels and Rigid Insert Panels. These slap-your-forehead-simple panels are made from 3/16-inch High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and have a system of holes cut into them to accept … well … anything you can get to stay on them. While the design is meant to accept MOLLE/PALS-style pouches, zip ties, hair ties, rubber bands, ALICE clips, and “dummy cording” can all be made to work with these panels. Greyman also sells some in-house mounting options for rifles and other gear. The panel you see is their vehicle-specific model, but they offer a wide array of smaller panels — many of which are sized for specific packs/bags popular in the EDC market. The vehicle panel attaches to the seat back by way of two nylon webbing straps with Fastex buckles. While the configuration options for these panels is essentially infinite, we dug a bunch of old pouches out of the garage and cobbled together the following setup:

  • 1 x AR pistol
  • 1 x AR mag
  • 2 x Glock mags
  • 1 x Military signal strobe
  • 1 x road flare
  • 2 x IWA civilian-legal flash bang canister
  • 5 x mini chem lights
  • 1 x flashlight

Again, the thing we love most about these Rigid MOLLE Panels is that they can be set up however you want with whatever attachment methods you can engineer in your driveway. We’ve even seen examples of these panels being hard mounted (screwed in) on the exterior of trucks to store recovery tools. If the large seatback panel is out of your price range, some of their smaller panels are priced as low as $50 and can be rigged to consoles, dashboards, or door panels.

Option #5: In the Bag

Suarez International Terrorist Interdiction Bag

Price: $65

URL: www.suarezinternational.com

Perhaps the easiest way to keep supplies ready in your vehicle is to simply pack a bag. As long as said bag fits inside your vehicle, you can use any type of bag filled with all manner of supplies that you see fit. Of course, we should all strive to do better than a trash bag full of paracord and loose bullets rolling around in the trunk. This is where the Terrorist Interdiction Bag comes in. Made by Suarez International, the TIB was designed as a compact grab-and-go solution for use during active shooter-type events. There are a number of excellent features including removable magazine pouches, loop-side tape lining the main compartment, elastic loop retainers in the front face pocket, and a waist strap that allows you to “fight from the bag” even while running, jumping, or shooting. Its flat, rectangular shape allows it to fit perfectly under the front seat of almost any vehicle. The actual TIB you see here traveled with the author on multiple deployments to Afghanistan where he did, in fact, stash it under his driver’s seat during convoys and mobile operations. It won’t fit the kitchen sink, or even 72 hours’ worth of food. But it’ll hold enough to get you out of an immediate jam. From Afghanistan to Arizona, our Terrorist Interdiction Bag has remained stocked with the following:

  • 3 x rifle mags
  • 1 x pistol mag
  • 1 x folding knife
  • 1 x flashlight
  • 1 x OC spray
  • 3 x flex cuffs
  • 1 x multi-tool
  • 5 x mini chem lights
  • 1 x Zippo lighter
  • 1 x spare bottle of lighter fluid
  • 1 x flash bang or smoke grenade
  • 1 x trauma medical kit (chest seals, tourniquet, Israeli bandage, etc.)

Again, you’re free to find whatever make and model of pack or bag best fits your need. But we really like the TIB as a vehicle-specific solution for packing some gear that’ll help get us the hell out of dodge. While MSRP is listed at $65, it is, at time of writing, on sale for $50, making it one of the most cost-effective EDC/bail-out bags we’ve ever come across.

Honorable Mention: Nice Rack …

DSG Inc.Ranger Rack and Mini Ranger Rack

Price: $95-$135

URL: www.dsgarms.com

Defense Solutions Group (DSG) carries a wide variety of tactical and survival gear. One of their more unique products fit right in with the theme of this article — the Ranger Rack, and its smaller sibling the Mini Ranger Rack. The photos you see here are of the Mini Ranger Rack, which fit our door better. The concept is to have a method to carry ammo pre-staged in your vehicle’s door pockets. Each Ranger Rack comes as a kit, with a mounting bracket and some combination of rifle and pistol magazine pouches. (The full-sized Rack holds two of each, while the Mini holds one rifle and two pistols.) These appear to be standard mag pouches with 1.5-inch belt clips that could just as easily be worn on your waist. The rack itself appears to be just a U-shaped Kydex bracket with a bunch of screw holes in it. Just clip the pouches to the bracket and then use the included screws to secure the pouches in place so they don’t slide around. The bracket then clips to the door pocket of your vehicle, also with 1.5-inch belt clips.

While we configured ours with the included pouches, in the suggested arrangement, there’s definitely the potential to run this in a custom setup that could be all pistol, all rifle, or possibly even utilize belt-mounted ammo carriers from other manufacturers. In terms of prepping your vehicle, this is one of the more specific products featured, with ammunition being the only thing it can carry. But some semblance of firepower should be a pillar of every good emergency preparedness plan. For that purpose, the Ranger Rack system is a quick and convenient way to keep reloads at the ready.

Driving it Home

Retrofitted military surplus trucks, armored personnel carriers, and turbo-diesel 6x6s are super cool. But the crux of being prepared is accounting for the fact that disaster doesn’t wait for us to run and grab the keys to our monster-rover, and requires the integration of self-sufficiency into the folds of our daily routine. The products showcased here offer flexible, low-cost solutions for just about anything out there with wheels and an engine. Regardless of whether you drive once or twice a week, or if your car is your mobile office and part-time home, don’t let behind-the-wheel be the place you get caught off guard.

RECOILtv: Bowhunting & Fishing in Hawaii

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There's something meaningful about learning to do things by hand, whether it's making a blade, hunting game, or reeling in a fish. These manual tasks often correlate to valuable survival skills, but they're also enjoyable hobbies. Even though we tend to think of survival training as testing your mettle against miserable circumstances, there's still much that can be learned while you're having a good time with family and friends.

For the latest RECOILtv Carnivore short film, Iain Harrison headed to Hawaii to meet up with a few friends, including well-known bladesmith Neil Kamimura (@rpm_neil) and his wife, Chef Flora Kamimura (@florakamimura). Iain set out on the water to catch a blue marlin, which was then turned into sashimi — no cooking required. Back on dry land, he hunted a feral lamb with a bow, and Neil forged a stand that would be used to roast it over an open fire.

Flora was in charge of preparing the lamb al asador, a traditional Argentinian roasting style. In this technique, the lamb is bound to crossed beams near the fire, and periodically dabbed with a brine using sage branches. Normally, the stick would be embedded in the ground, but Neil's movable stand allowed for more precise control of the roast.

Bowhunting, fishing, sashimi preparation, and roasting meat over an open campfire are all skills applicable to survival. However, they can be learned in an enjoyable way, as seen on this trip. The end result is a delicious all-natural meal. For more from Carnivore, check out the RECOILtv channel or pick up a copy of Issue 3, on sale 9/3/19.

Review: Shorts from 5.11 Tactical, Kitanica, and Vertx

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It's summertime, and for most of us that means increased outdoor activity. Whether it's a baseball game, barbecue, range day, camping trip, or all of the above, you've probably got plenty of activities planned to take advantage of the warm and sunny weather. However, that weather can also be a double-edged sword if you're not dressed accordingly. Moisture-wicking fabrics and ventilated gussets can go a long way to prevent sweaty discomfort, but sometimes letting your skin breathe fully is the best way to stay cool.

Here in Arizona, where the temperatures frequently exceed 110°F (43°C) from June through September, shorts offer a substantial breathability advantage over long pants. They also provide increased comfort and mobility in many cases, and if you're near the water, they won't get soaked if you have to wade in. Obviously there are also some trade-offs — you'll need to be cautious about protecting your skin from the sun, scratches and scrapes, and insect pests — but the decision really comes down to personal preference. And when the mercury rises well into the triple-digits, we tend to favor wearing shorts.

Left to right: Vertx Hyde LT (Alligator), Kitanica Range Shorts (MultiCam), 5.11 Tactical Ion (Stone)

In an effort to expand our wardrobe choices and replace some old pairs, we contacted three major outdoor apparel manufacturers to request some samples of their latest shorts. Today, we'll share some of our feedback on each, including what we liked and what we didn't. Read on for our reviews of the latest styles from 5.11 Tactical, Kitanica, and Vertx.

5.11 Tactical Ion Shorts

Colors: Black, Lunar, Stone (pictured), Mystic Heather

Sizes: 28 – 44

Inseam: 9 inches

MSRP: $40

URL: 511Tactical.com

These shorts feature an athletic 9-inch inseam that rides above the knee, and they're made from an ultra-lightweight 88% polyester and 12% Elastane fabric blend. The material is thin, stretchy, and breathable, so it's ideal for high activity in hotter climates.

This design offers eight pockets — two regular front pockets with two smaller pockets on top, two back pockets with hook-and-loop closures, and two hidden back yoke pockets at the 4:00 and 8:00 positions. These shorts can easily carry four AR mags without occupying the main front and back pockets — a handy feature for range days. Even if you're not using the yoke pockets for that purpose, they're ideal for inconspicuously stashing EDC items.

5.11 Tactical built a covert flex cuff pocket inside the front of the waistband. You can also stash a long strand of Kevlar cord, paracord, or Fire Cord here as part of a SERE kit. The primary pockets are deep and offer reinforced hems for attaching knives and other EDC gear. However, like the Vertx shorts, their high-cut wraparound design can cause larger items to print or fit uncomfortably at the edges of those pockets.

Pros:

  • By far the most breathable and flexible design of the shorts we tested — like a hybrid between gym shorts and tactical pants.
  • Yoke pockets were a great idea on the Defender Flex Jeans, and they're still a great idea now. They're perfect for AR mags, maps, knives, or other slim items.
  • Affordable price

Cons:

Strangely, the back pockets are wide enough to fit a 30-round AR mag sideways.

  • Back pockets are wider than they are deep, letting items slide from one side to the other. The small hook-and-loop closures also seems inadequate for the large pocket size.
  • Lightweight material won't last as long in hard-use settings as other types of fabric.

Kitanica Range Shorts

Colors: Black, Khaki, Ranger Green, or Wolf Grey; MultiCam original (pictured), Black, Arid, or Tropic; A-TACS iX; Kryptek Raid; Tiger Stripe

Sizes: 30 – 46

Inseam: 11 inches* (see notes)

MSRP: $159 ($149 for solid colors)

URL: Kitanica.net

There are many quick-access pockets for EDC items such as this Scorpion Six Knives Pingvin impact tool.

Comparing these to the other shorts in this article — or just about any other options on the market — feels sort of like comparing a Desert Eagle to a Glock 19. They're two very different approaches to a similar segment, and are likely to have two very different buyers as well. That said, we can't help but enjoy the sheer excess and in-your-face design employed here. It's sort of Kitanica's signature, after all.

The right cargo area offers storage for a large spiral notebook and writing instruments.

As an adaptation of the original Range Pants, the Range Shorts share many similarities. As always, they're made in small batches in America using domestically-produced materials. They're constructed from sturdy 50/50 nylon-cotton ripstop fabric with an incredible amount of stitching and bar tacks for reinforcement. Thick black nylon webbing forms the belt loops, pull tabs, and reinforcement for the front pocket hems (as if they needed more reinforcement).

It's worth noting that these shorts feature an 11-inch inseam, but a higher waist than the other pairs. They'll feel longer if you wear them where you're used to wearing other shorts.

The front pockets and back pockets are pretty typical, with the latter featuring hefty hook-and-loop closures with nylon pull tabs. A pair of contrasting black side pockets are asymmetrical — the right one (with the Kitanica bug logo) fits an AR mag, and the left is slightly smaller to fit a pistol mag or tourniquet. The right-side cargo pocket is zippered, with three pen holders on its exterior. The left-side cargo pocket is a full-blown admin pouch, with sub-pockets, elastic bands, and a retention loop for a carabiner or other items. Cinch straps on the waistband allow fit to be tightened, so you'll want to get one size up if you're in between sizes.

Adjustment straps allow slack to be taken out of the waistband without the need for a belt.

Pros:

  • Made in the USA and just as durable as previous Kitanica gear we've tested. If you're picking one pair of shorts for the end of the world as we know it, these are a strong contender.
  • Cinch straps allow precise fit adjustment without relying on a belt.
  • Tons of color and pattern options, including limited runs such as old-school Tiger Stripe camo.

Cons:

  • Love them or hate them, they're anything but subtle. Even in the most discreet colors, these are bound to be an immediate attention-getter in public.
  • Thick material has its benefits as mentioned above, but isn't the most breathable or flexible.
  • High price comes with the territory of complex design, overbuilt materials, and American manufacturing.

Vertx Hyde LT Shorts

Colors: Griffin, Desert Tan, Alligator (pictured)

Sizes: 30 – 44

Inseam: 11 inches

MSRP: $66

URL: Vertx.com

 

The Hyde LT shorts from Vertx offers a gray-man-appropriate design, with a sleek profile and several concealed features. They're made from stretch fabric with VaporCore — a material by 37.5 Technology that's composed of “active particles made from volcanic sand that have billions of micropores.” The manufacturer's explanation for how this material works sounds rather outlandish, but based on real-world use, we can confirm that it does a good job of keeping your skin cool and dry.

Although they may not look like it, the Hyde LT shorts offer a whopping nine exterior pockets — two front pockets plus a enlarged coin pocket, two yoke pockets at 4:00 and 8:00, two back pockets, and two lower-leg pockets. That last pair is asymmetrical, with the right being a larger, angle-cut dump pocket and the left being a slim rectangular utility pocket. The right front pocket also offers a retention loop at the bottom for tying down a concealed pocket holster or knife sheath.

A retention loop allows for concealed carry of a fixed blade. (Pictured: Thick Bastard by Greg Moffatt / Direction of...

There are a total of three miniature hidden pockets inside the shorts — one at the rear of the waistband, one at the front, and one inside the fly. These can contain E&E items like cuff keys, shims, or lockpicks, and at least one of them will be accessible if your hands are cuffed in front or behind your back. There's also a hidden comms wire passthrough in the right-side coin pocket, allowing the wearer to route a headphone or mic wire underneath a shirt and directly to a small radio or cell phone.

Stashing an emergency cuff key behind the zipper makes it easy to miss with a metal detector.

Pros:

  • Discreet design is far more capable than it looks to a casual observer.
  • Pockets offer lots of versatility, with various sizes and degrees of concealment.
  • Holster/sheath tie-down loop is a simple feature that goes a long way, and one we wish more pants offered.

Cons:

  • Vertx describes this as a “relaxed fit with contour waistband” — in other words, a tighter fit near the waist and looser fit around the leg. We'd prefer a more tapered leg.
  • Front pocket design and placement causes larger clipped-on EDC items like flashlights to press against the hip and print through the fabric.