3 Season Sleeping Bag by Survival Hax (Product Review)

This is a good, lightweight sleeping bag from Survival Hax. It is designed for three seasons: spring, summer, and fall. It comes in a storage bag with a drawstring that closes the top really well. That's a good feature for people like me who store gear in the garage and want to keep out bugs and such. It also has straps that make the bag function like a compression bag. Just pull the straps through the buckles more and they stay in place securely while impressively shrinking the size of the bag. It's a terrific sleeping bag to strap under a pack for an overnight hike. It's small enough too to keep in a vehicle in case of emergency.

At 7 feet in length, this mummy-style #sleepingbag can fit even the really tall folks out there like my teenage son, who was over 6 feet tall by age 12; it is awesome to have a bag that fits him so well. While not meant for winter camping, if you get a mild case of the chills, you can use the drawstring around the top and use it to cover up your head! Another feature I like is the bit of Velcro to cover the zipper pull.

It is not quite waterproof, so don't count on having breakfast in bed in your tent (which I have never figured out how to do anyway, in my many years *ahemdecadesahem* of camping). You definitely do not want to spill a bunch of hot cocoa or coffee in your gear while out in the boonies.

Check out this #survivalhax sleeping bag for yourself at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F8DMDV2

SKIVU Extreme Pak Digital Camo Water Resistant Backpack: Review

Let me say first of all that I am the one who ordered this pack. I am a wife and a mom of two teenagers. I volunteer with the local community emergency response team, I shoot a variety of weapons on a regular basis. My family routinely enjoys outdoor activities like camping, fishing, shooting compound bow, and survival activities. My husband is a former peace officer and is a weapons armorer. We go through our fair share of gear in this house!

I received my SKIVU Extreme Pak Digital Camo Water-Resistant Backpack three days after placing my order. It was unidentifiable on the outside, so anyone with prying eyes could not tell what was on the inside of the box. There has been an issue lately in our neighborhood with snooping so I appreciate those little steps that are taken to protect belongings.

This is a decent, small-to-medium size backpack with Molle strapping around the sides, the front, and on the bottom itself. The Molle strapping appears to be Mil-Spec. The zippers have extended pulls, which are great for use with gloved hands. The carry handle at the top has reinforced stitching and is comfortable. The edges are wrapped in over themselves for increased comfort. There is cummerbund strap that is adjustable. The zippers do have a cover to aid in water resistance. The pack does have strapped buckles that are to aid in heavier loads. The tag says "Made in China" though there is a US flag on the same tag, as it has "original stitching" and the design was "American-inspired."

The pockets are sewn on with single stitch. The zippers are sewn on with two rows of single stitch, not a true double stitch. The Molle straps are actually double stitched. The material is not Mil-Spec cordura, but feels more like a plastic. The Molle straps for the most part are Mil-Spec, except for the middle column, which does not allow a Mil-Spec D-ring through because this row is too small. The Molle straps on the sides are interesting: on one side, one column is mil-spec, but the other columns are not. On the other side, none of the columns of Molle straps are Mil-Spec at all. The Molle straps on the bottom are the same as the front (they are Mil-Spec except for the middle column). I used one of my D-rings to attach a water filter straw, so having Molle straps is a great, especially having so many of them. 

The cordage used for the zipper pulls is a bit thin and I am afraid will wear out easily over time. The covers over the zipper may make it water resistant, but I find myself zipping the cover into the zipper every time I open and close the pack. That may get easier with use. The padded insert in the back is removable and replaceable with something more comfortable if desired. You could even put a hydration bladder inside if you wanted. This is a nice feature. At the top near the handle, there are two outlets for either a hydration tube (or headphones).

The cummerbund strap keeps sliding up and down, but it can be adjusted and moved to a higher spot so it is more of a chest strap as opposed to a belly strap. This will make it more functional. There are two D-rings on the shoulder straps. They are placed in an excellent position but made out of a thin material, too thin for a very practical use. The shoulder straps themselves are a bit uncomfortable. 

A great addition to this pack would be a handle on the side, which would make it easier to carry in a suitcase fashion, and some Velcro on the front would be awesome for a couple of patches. This would make a great vehicle medical kit, or an additional kit of some sort (pet gear, children's emergency supplies, etc). I would not suggest it for a Bug Out Bag, or for serious use out in the field. I would have no problem using it for a vehicle emergency kit though. I would not trust it to hold more than fifteen to twenty pounds at most, as the bottom is a bit thin for my comfort level.

I received this item at a free or discounted price for my honest opinion. I do not receive any financial compensation for my review. My opinion is entirely my own. As an Amazon customer, I rely on reviews when I make my own purchases; I aim to help other customers by providing thoroughly written reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Digital-Camo-Water-Resistant-Backpack/dp/B00MZT089W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470690156&sr=8-1&keywords=B00MZT089W

#EXTREMEPAK

Emergency Supplies to Keep at Home

Preparedness Kit
This list is a compilation of items to keep at home in case of a serious event, such as a natural disaster or a crisis in society. Should evacuation be required, already having these items prepared will be of great help. Please consider the personal needs of your household’s members, such as any medical, dental, or emotional needs, and add them to the list to make it your own. (Another post is soon to come for a detailed medical kit.)

Water: One gallon per person, per day. Keep at least a 2-week supply at home. If evacuating, take along a 3-day supply.
Food: Non-perishable. Same as above.
Flashlights
Radio (hand-crank doesn’t require batteries)

Two-way radios for communication, as the Internet may be down

Batteries, if needed

Solar devices to charge any of your items, if needed

Multi-purpose tool

Gas valve shut-off tool

Hygiene items
Copies of important documents, in waterproof file (identification, passports, wills, medical information, deed/mortgage paperwork, birth certificates, marriage certificate, insurance policies, bank info)
Cell phone with charger
Contact info
Cash
Map(s)
Extra keys
Manual can opener
Whistle (one for each person)
Matches in waterproof container

550 Paracord
Work gloves
Items to secure home (boards & nails for windows, duct tape to prevent flying glass, etc.)
Towels

Clothing/Shoes (appropriate for situation)
Socks (Take note of socks. In a crisis, power may be out for extended periods, making for long, hard work days with no end in sight. Feet take the brunt of it all. Good socks are a necessity.)

Plastic sheeting
Duct tape

Tarp

Sharpie-type marker(s)
Scissors
Entertainment items (Everyone needs a sanity saver, especially in difficult times. Playing cards, notebooks, drawing pads, crayons...)
Sleeping gear

Basic cooking items (A cast iron dutch oven with a lid is great for about everything, along with a basic cast iron pan, utensils, and hot pads.)

5-gallon bucket: multi-purpose. Flush a toilet (pour bucket of water into toilet); wash clothes or dishes. There are even lids specially designed to turn a 5-gal bucket into a potty.

Household chlorine bleach (For emergencies only, you can treat unsafe or suspect water with 16 drops of liquid bleach per gallon of water. NO SCENTED OR COLOR SAFE BLEACH. Only straight household liquid chlorine bleach!)

Pet supplies (including leash, photos w/pet, and copies of shot records)

First aid kit