Review: gear crates

I reorganized my camping/ bug-out gear recently, utilizing some pack-flat crates I salvaged from a big-name supermarket, dumpster, which use them for shipping fresh produce.  When expanded the crates measure 38cm x 58.5cm x 25.5cm (15" x 23" x 10"). When not in use they fold flat to the same footprint but only an inch thick. They are stack-able and light, with good drainage, in case of spills or exposure. Carry handles built into both the long and short ends for ease of transport. 

I find that the wider footprint allow for greater versatility than that offered by the humble Tactical Milk Crate. Whilst I still use Tactical Crates for a number of storage and organisational purposes, these four pre-packed crates form the core of my camping/ bug-out gear. I'll go through what i keep in them each, though many of the items I've previously covered. 

1) sleep systems

2) shelter systems

3) cooking systems

4) emergency systems

Crate One: sleep systems

Sleep systems: 

This crate starts off with a couple of hammock systems, both with ridgelines and bug nets, but without a tarp over-layer. one is the very fine 
Go!-outfitters-hammock and the second is the very capable One-Wind zippable which I've yet to review fully. 

I also have a pair of old style Aurora Wanderer sleeping bags which are rated to 0oC and zip together to form a double sleeping bag for cozy couple sleeping or extra room. 

In lieu of a pillow I have the very comfortable, snuggly wearable go! outfitters stratus hood-hammock-pillow. Also in this crate I have a folded up plasaticised fabric shower curtain to act as an impromptu rain fly or ground sheet, good for keeping kit and kith dry and warm. That red-capped bottle is a liquid fire gel that belonged in crate three.

Shelter systems:

This is a mix of tarps, straps and hammock systems.

Crate two: shelter systems

The multi-function Treelo system which can function as tarp, hammock or ground sheet. 

Another component item is the Sierra Madre Pares hammock that couples with the Nube shelter system to make a fairly complete shelter right there. In addition the Nube Winter barrier system adds a windbreak option for that system for additional warmth retention ( it's in the fourth crate).

Adding to the number of beds available Eagles Nest Outfitters hammock which makes a nice addition for very little space or weight needed.

There's also a very simple wish.com flyscreen equipped hammock, to add further bedding option. 

Crate two :shelter systems

There's also a couple of the very handy Go! Outfitters Landing pads which can act as personal rain-shelter, for you or your gear, as well as a ground-sheet under your hammock to help keep from dragging crud into your hammock.

The grey and blue sack is the Gobi Gear SegSac which is an internally segmented stuff sack, I have loaded up with webbing straps, cordage and all kinds of tarp or hammock slinging.

Included in this crate is my beloved  Boker+ Tomahook for all the right camp-making reasons, and the all important and often overlooked entrenching tool. This is an old Australian Army issued one I found in a park and restored. I especially like the pick end, for help in hard terrain. 

I could reorganize the two crates to pair up systems together but they pack nicely this way.

Cooking and fire systems

Cooking and Fire systems:

In my fire-crate are a number of items for both fire and lighting as well as some cookware. 

First up is the thermo-electric power-generating PowerPot which couples high tech power generation with cooking potential. 

Following up is the BioLite thermo-electric stove which does double duty as a fan-driven stove for good clean combustion as well as a power source for charging batteries or driving devices.

Also included are a selection of skillets and cast iron pans, and enamelware plates, bowls and mugs, for obvious reasons. There is also a nesting mess kit of mug and bowl. I have a Caribee folding butane burner and a bottle of butane for fuel. A collection of candles: pillar, tea-light and long burning votive-in-a-can. These can act as illumination, fuel or fire-lighters 

Matches, a cutting board, tongs and wooden spoon just make sense, as does another little hatchet for kindling and fire-needs.

Crate three: cooking and fire systems

As well a couple of space blankets for good measure, I have a couple of repurposed tin cans with wire loop handles for additional cooking / water boiling or candle-holders. 

Emergency Systems:

A bit of a misnomer perhaps as this is a catch-all crate, but it does contain some just-in-case items. 

First up is the Go! Outfitters Apex which is a tarp to pair with the hammock in the Sleep crate. It'd work well on its own or paired with another hammock just as well. It's design with a built in ridge-line makes it a quick-deploy shelter system that covers a wide area.

The Nubé Floor is an accessory that provides the ability to set up the Nubé as a ground shelter, without trees, but not with the hammock, obviously. The Nubé Winter Barrier acts as a weather barrier, cutting wind, rain and snow and can be set up both at ground or suspended as part of a tarp/hammock system. 

emergency systems

Next up in the emergency crate is the Sea to Summit kitchen sink which does double duty as washing up sink and portable bucket. Coupled with this is the just jiggle it siphon hose which can be used to get water out of hard to reach places, or even fuel if needs be. 

I also have a small air mattress, a microfiber towel and another small ground mat. bundles of paracord, a spool of fishing line and more webbing, as well as a couple of hammock accessories for gear storage. I also have a space blanket emergency shelter kit which features a triangular tube of space blanket mylar and a set of ridgelines and pegs for a complete in-a-pinch shelter system.

I also have a wind-up flashlight and multi function wind-up emergency radio, which has a siren, flashing lights as well as an AM/FM radio for emergency updates. it also has a headphone jack for sound discipline or power conservation. It also has a USB input for all your podcast needs. A generic First Aid kit rounds off the crate.

Crate four: emergency systems

These crates are far from complete or final, but they act as a quick go-to system that I can grab and go with, forming a core of items needed for a camping expedition or emergency get-away.  I typically supplement it with Tactical Crates filled with canned goods and other consumables, as well as other bulkier items like tents, cots and the like. Some items also get put to use and need to be remembered. 

My entrenching tool is currently in service in our vegetable garden.