» jungle backpack http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:49:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 en hourly 1 My minimum kit into the jungle; Part 1 http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/2011/04/my-minimum-kit-into-the-jungle-part-1/ http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/2011/04/my-minimum-kit-into-the-jungle-part-1/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:55:43 +0000 Keong http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/?p=2226 Part of my minimum kit each time I head out into the jungle

We never go into jungle without a minimum kit. This is especially true if it is just a day trip. It is a kit that contains some must have items with us. Something we adopted from one of our previous jobs and [...]]]>

Part of my minimum kit each time I head out into the jungle

We never go into jungle without a minimum kit. This is especially true if it is just a day trip. It is a kit that contains some must have items with us. Something we adopted from one of our previous jobs and it has stuck with us ever since. While some of our friends thinks it is simply overloading, we find it necessary…even when we are with a group of friends. So…here’s a little bit on our minimum kit.

Opinions on the contents of a minimum kit varies tremendously and we suspect it is due to influences of geographical locality/ environment, local laws and most of all…individual preferences. When it comes to individual preferences, the mixture of ideas and opinions is limited only to one’s imagination. So…this is OUR minimum kit, a kit that we carry on day trips whenever we step into the jungle. If we knew it was going to be an overnight trip, we’d carry more stuff definitely.

The objective of (our version) minimum kit is quite simple…to be able to sustain ourselves for a night or two just in case we get stuck out in the jungle. We could be stuck out there for many reasons. (Touch wood) We could be lost, we could be absolutely tired or a member in the group is injured and not able to walk…a host of reasons why our day trip into the jungle could end up being extended into an over night trip. So…our minimum kit ought to have enough to see us (at least for one person) through the night. For both of us, we carry a similar kit to each.

The stretcher hammock I have in my minimum kit

During a recent over night trip to a nearby jungle with friends, I (Keong) decided to try out my minimum kit. From the very beginning, the group planned to overnight, but I thought I’d treat it like a day trip and see how I do with only the stuff I have in my pack. Generally, on a day trip, my kit would consist of the following (and often times a little bit more):

Parang
Fire starting kit (usually a lighter with some inner tire tubes)
Coils of ropes
Lengths of strings
A pot with several sachets of instant drinks/ soups
A small knife attached to a whistle and a smaller fire starting kit
Water purification tablets
FA Kit
A stretcher hammock
A multi tool with pliers
Head torch with spare batteries
A spare LED torch
A pair of spare specs
A 3m X 2m flysheet
2 units of 1.5 liters drinking bottle

All the above packed into my favorite pack.

My min kit all packed in the Blackhawk Patrol pack

So…this was the challenge I set for myself. Spend a night in the jungle with only the minimum kit. More on this in the following parts.

]]> http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/2011/04/my-minimum-kit-into-the-jungle-part-1/feed/ 20 Home made wood packs of the Bidayuhs (Borneo) http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/2010/05/home-made-wood-packs-of-the-bidayuhs-borneo/ http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/2010/05/home-made-wood-packs-of-the-bidayuhs-borneo/#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 22:54:38 +0000 Keong http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/?p=1716 Here is a video I have compiled on the wood packs hand made used by the Bidayuhs in Semban near Kuching. This pack consists of common materials, wood, rattan, nails, cordage and sometimes tree bark as straps. What’s more amazing is that the locals carry loads of up to 30kgs at times up the hill [...]]]> Here is a video I have compiled on the wood packs hand made used by the Bidayuhs in Semban near Kuching. This pack consists of common materials, wood, rattan, nails, cordage and sometimes tree bark as straps. What’s more amazing is that the locals carry loads of up to 30kgs at times up the hill to the village. One guy we saw was walking up to the village with two crates (each with 24 cans) of can drinks PLUS some other house essentials. Amazing!

]]> http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/2010/05/home-made-wood-packs-of-the-bidayuhs-borneo/feed/ 0 Choosing a jungle backpack for use in Malaysia http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/2009/04/choosing-a-jungle-backpack-for-use-in-malaysia/ http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/2009/04/choosing-a-jungle-backpack-for-use-in-malaysia/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:42:35 +0000 Keong http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/?p=628 Which backpack to choose for Malaysia jungle?

Which backpack to choose for Malaysia jungle?

How do you choose a jungle backpack for use in Malaysia? This is one question I get very often from friends. An important and valid question considering the amount of investment that’s going into this piece of outdoor gear.

More often than not, people purchase packs based on brands, fanciful designs and whatever’s current. It is also common that people choose a particular pack because of the ‘prestige’ feeling that comes with the brand. I know this because I am one of them …well, at least I used to be.


I have come to realize that in the Malaysian jungle, it all boils down to how practical the pack is for the environment. One may choose any brand or design that one fancies but the most important thing is that the pack should fit comfortably (with load) and should be made of reasonably durable material.

This pack back panel allows no ventilation at all. Probably more suited for the cold/ dry climate

This pack back panel allows no ventilation at all. Probably more suited for the cold/ dry climate

It may also be worthwhile to look at the back panel of the pack. I sweat profusely in the heat and humidity of the jungle. This has in many cases caused mild to severe rashes on my back. While this could be due to the fact that I have not showered in days, I also belief that it is caused by the constant ‘clamping’ of the pack to my back without any ‘airing’. My back is soaked with sweat and without some air ventilating it, becomes a great place for bacterial growth. The rashes will go away on its own (keep dry and wash with soap) but it certainly is one of them irritating things that will just ruin your trip.

The back panel of my Macpac Tekapo 45+, well suited for me

The back panel of my Macpac Tekapo 45+, well suited for me

This is not bad as well

This is not bad as well

Another rather good design

Another rather good design

So, if you are looking for backpack to use in the Malaysian jungle and your plans include hours of walking, it would be wise to consider a pack with a back system that allows some form of ventilation for your back.  Different brands have different sorts of back ‘systems’ but as long as it keeps your back ventilated, it would do the job.

Avoid backpacks that are designed for cold weather. The back panels of such packs will normally ‘stick’ to your back, with no room for ventilation. This makes sense in the cold where such designs would help keep the body warm but would probably a disaster for the rainforest kind of climate.

Osprey's airspace technology allows great ventilation

Osprey's airspace technology allows great ventilation

Osprey brand of backpacks used to have close contact back panels but their recent ‘airspace’ models are excellent for the jungle where there is high humidity. The back panel has a mesh and beneath the mesh there is a layer of foam with protruding ‘nipples’ (I don’t know what else to call them). This allows air to ventilate on a bigger surface area, hence a more comfy back for jungle use.

The foam 'nipples' allows air to ventilate

Osprey's airspace foam 'nipples' allows air to ventilate

SEE also other entries on outdoor gear by clicking on the following links:

Looking for more information on outdoor and camping backpacks in Malaysia? Why not try www.outdoor-gear-malaysia.com

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