Welcome to the TCSS gear page. Here we recommend gear we've found to be high performing. None of these endorsements are sponsored, and we recommend gear because we've used it in all four seasons, in extreme climates; and it came through for us. We know that in an outdoor emergency a gear failure can cost you your life, so we take our selections seriously.
Fire Making Equipment
As exposure is the #1 killer in the outdoors, the ability to make a fire in the field is indispensable to man. It will keep you warm, signal your rescuer, boil your water, cook your food, and provides a sense of safety and security. Modern man now has the ability to make a fire, quickly and easily, on almost any conditions with the right training and gear.
Webber Grill starter cubes (burns at 1200F for 10+ minutes, lights easily with a fire steel or match)
Fast Fire Fuel Cube (burns at 1200F for 10+ minutes, lights easily with a fire steel or match)
Emergency Signaling Equipment
Signal, signal, signal. If you've trained with us, you know we push this hard. Should things go wrong when you're far from help, you want to get rescue started as quickly as possible. Have a way to signal searchers both on the ground, and in the air, day or night.
ACR GPS Beacons. ResQ Link ResQ Link View
(see our lights section for recommendations on this category)
Thermals
A proper set of thermals will insulate when wet, dry rapidly, and stave off exposure. As your base layer, it's your first step in dressing for cold weather.
Polarmax Thermals. Bottoms
Smart Wool Thermals. Top
Icebreaker Thermals. Bottoms
Military Surplus Extreme Cold Weather Polypropylene Thermals. Bottoms Full Set
Pants & Shirts
Rugged, provide coverage from UV, plenty of storage room, these are all features of our pics for pants and shirts.
511 Tactical Pants. Stryke Apex
Cooking
If you are going to be hitting the trail regularly, you'll eventually need to cook there. Here's some systems we take with us on a regular basis.
Pocket Rocket Stove (if you're going fast and light this indestructible little guy will do the job)
Optimus Folding Titanium Spork (the best titanium spork out there. Tiny.)
Sleep Systems
Like sleeping in the outdoors? Well now you're gong to love it if you try out a Montbell sleeping bag, or a Hennessy hammock. Below are a list of our favorite sleep systems. They come in everything from ultra-light to ultra-comfortable.
Montbell Burrow Sleeping Bags
North Face Cats Meow Sleeping Bags
Hennessy Hammocks (great jungle hammock. will stop torrential rain and makes it easy to collect it for rain water. Very stable with attached bug netting, rapid set up and take down with the optional "snake skins")
Thermarest Pads (we find these to be the most tough and reliable, even in the ultra light category)
Medical Gear
Gauze Rolls: Johnson & Johnson “kling” design gauze
Dressings: Calcium Alginate Medihoney Triple Layer Non-Stick Combat Pressure Dressing Hemostatic Gauze
Medical Shears: Leatherman Raptor
CPR Mask: Ambu Mask
Splint: SAM Splint
Cases/Holders/Bags: Maxpedition Shower Rolls REI Shower Rolls
OTC Meds: OTC Med Packet Kit Refills
Tourniquet: SOF 4
Knives
A knife is a critical tool in the outdoors. Selecting one however, can be a daunting task. Here is what we use on our courses, and have worked well for us. We list large and small fixed blades, as well as muti-tools and Swiss knives for small survival kits. We suggest practice and training not just in their use, but in their care as well.
Victorinox Swiss Army Knives & Multi Tools. Ranger Grip Swiss X Tool
Leatherman Multi-Tools. Supertool Wave Charge Signal
Mora Knives. Companion Survival/Bushcraft Model
Emergency Shelter
As exposure is the #1 killer in the outdoors, you should always have a way to make shelter in the field. It can be as simple as the pocket sized "Heatsheet", or as tough as the Grabber e-blanket. They can function as emergency shade in the summer, as tarp style shelters in the winter, and as emergency blankets in mild conditions. Select a bright color and your shelter is now a signal.
Adventure Medical's Heatsheets
Tarp Style Emergency Blanket w/grommets
Water Purification & More
H2O is a survival essential. Train in how to locate it, purify it, hydrate with it, and treat it in the field. Below are a list of our favorite filters, chem tabs, and containers.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filters. standard mini
Lifestraw High Volume Gravity Filter
Camelbak Hydration Bladders. 100oz 1.5 Liter
Platypus roll up bottles. 2L 1L
Kleen Kanteen Stainless Steel, Single Walled/Non lined Bottles
Footwear
Treat your feet right. Below is a list of our favorite footwear, from comfortable lightweight mids, to highly rugged custom all leather boots. These provide protection, support, grip, and durability.
Whites Boots (custom made)
Asolo Boots Fugitive model
La Sportiva Boots
Zamberlan Boots (All models. Italian mountaineering company that has a wide fit option, as well as a forward rocker option in fairly lightweight boot models like the Lynx and Guide)
Fox River Socks (exceptional warm weather boot sock options and made in the USA)
Jackets
Montbell Compressible Down Jackets (alpine/alpine light models)
Cabellas Guide Wear Rain Jackets
Arcteryx Rain & Snow Jackets
Lights
Klaurus Tactical Lights (indestructible, reliable, well priced)
Princeton Vizz head lamp (made in the USA)
Streamlight nano (very small clip on, great for small survival kits)
New Shirts & Hoodies In Stock