For most outdoor adventures, I carry a slightly modified bushcraft set. Keeping frequently used items organized and within reach offers many advantages. In this guide, I’ll show you my ultimate bushcraft shoulder bag.

About the Set

I’ve been refining how I store my gear on outdoor trips for many years. Over time, I developed a setup perfectly suited to my needs and activities. Keep in mind: my ultimate bushcraft set may not be ideal for everyone.

However, this guide can serve as a solid starting point for assembling your own set. Take notes, grab your gear, and get hands-on!

Contents of the Shoulder Bag

The bag contains the essentials for bushcraft activities. On the outside, I hang my garden gloves, used for collecting wood or other “messy” tasks. In the front pockets, I keep a firesteel, knife sharpener, spare headlamp, and extra batteries within easy reach. The main compartment holds a knife, folding saw, compass, binoculars, and both headlamp and flashlight.

Around and inside the bag are additional compartments for a carrying net, microfiber cloth, folding knife, and two glow sticks.

The practical shoulder bag, called the Moorhead Travel Companion, is available at Galeria Kaufhof. Here’s a list of the standard gear:

• PETZL Tikka Headlamp, 350 lumens https://amzn.to/4altXoS
• Spare PETZL Headlamp (very old model)
• Flashlight with red light https://amzn.to/4oeG8rb
• Spare Batteries https://amzn.to/4pvOVWz
• Bushcraft Knife https://amzn.to/43Ujih3
• Opinel folding Knife https://amzn.to/48Brjdp
• Victorinox Knife Sharpener https://amzn.to/3K7Puab
• Bahco Folding Saw https://amzn.to/4alu186
• Nail-and-Wire Set (10 nails, 4 m wire)
• Small Microfiber Towel with 5 compressed Towels https://amzn.to/3JZ2uyR
• Compass https://amzn.to/49CqB0F
• Multitool https://amzn.to/4ppM8hu
• 2x 12 cm green glow sticks https://amzn.to/4pxzw8e
• Carrying Net https://amzn.to/3M6JKOx
• Firesteel with Container of Cotton Tinder https://amzn.to/4paIGrG
• Bonus Firesteel
• Binoculars https://amzn.to/44q5Fq5

Optional items, depending on the situation:

• Energy Bars https://amzn.to/4onbUCm
• Water Filter https://amzn.to/48hnHMh
• Paracord or Rope https://amzn.to/4rluw8n
• Carving Knife https://amzn.to/48af5bB
• Protective Glasses for Night Hikes https://amzn.to/489Ujcb
• Walkie-Talkie https://amzn.to/4p3f6nI
• Local Map
• Tea

Previously, a small first aid kit was included. It has now become its own separate set with MOLLE attachment options, allowing it to be mounted externally on most of my backpacks.

About the Moorhead Shoulder Bag

My wife jokingly calls it my “man purse,” and she’s not wrong. It’s perfect for short trips near camp. For example, when gathering firewood, I can grab my tools with one hand.

On hikes, the bag fits well inside a backpack. It can also be attached externally or simply worn over the shoulder.

The only drawback is the extra weight — roughly 300 grams — which isn’t a problem for me. I continue to carry my “man purse” in my backpack on every trip.

Unfortunately my original shoulder bag is nowhere to find nowadays, so I found a similar shoulder bag here: https://amzn.to/4ooe44H