WAZOO GEAR

THESE MICROSIZED SURVIVAL TOOLS WON'T WEIGH YOU DOWN

- STEVEN PAUL BARLOW

Most stories you hear about lost or stranded hikers who must be rescued have several things in common: the hikers didn't have the necessary gear and supplies, didn't have the necessary survival and navigation skills, and didn't make sound tactical decisions - they left marked trails, overestimated their physical abilities, etc.

BIG REASONS TO GO TINY

One reason I like micro-sized gear is that it's not a burden to carry with you whenever you leave home. It's there without you needing to think about it until you need it. Wazoo is one of my favorite companies when it comes to micro-sized gear and ways to carry it.

Wazoo products are handy as emergency gear if an impromptu outing turns into an ordeal, and as Plan B backup gear to your primary equipment should that become lost or damaged or if you're somehow separated from your main pack. It's great, too, for when you simply want to travel as light as possible or you wish to be a bit discreet.

Here are some of the Wazoo products I've come to know and love.

ADVENTURE KIT

The Wazoo Adventure Kit is a bit on the pricey side with an MSRP of $110, but it's of good quality and not the junk you find in cheap kits. All of it can be priceless if you're in a critical situation.

The Adventure Kit contains 23 valuable gear items, including: button compass, ferro rod, ceramic striker/ knife, 2 Fire Plug tinder pieces, 3 fish hooks, 3 split shot sinkers, 40 feet of 50-pound fishing line, 15 feet of brass wire, 1-liter plastic bag water container, water pre-filter, 2 water purification tablets, 3 ranger bands, 2 safety pins, magnetized needle, 25 feet of cordage, 6 orange twist-tie trail markers, 2 zip ties (5.5 inches), whistle, signal mirror, aluminum foil (12 x 6 inches), 24 inches of Gorilla tape, LED flashlight, wire saw.