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Outdoors

Outdoor Survival Stick combines camping essentials in one modular unit

By Ben Coxworth
August 01, 2023
Outdoor Survival Stick combines camping essentials in one modular unit
An exploded view of the Outdoor Survival Stick
An exploded view of the Outdoor Survival Stick
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The Outdoor Survival Stick is 13.8 inches long by 1.9 in wide (351 by 48 mm)
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The Outdoor Survival Stick is 13.8 inches long by 1.9 in wide (351 by 48 mm)
An exploded view of the Outdoor Survival Stick
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An exploded view of the Outdoor Survival Stick
Both the hammer head and the flashlight can be mounted perpendicular to the rest of the Stick, allowing it to be used as a handle
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Both the hammer head and the flashlight can be mounted perpendicular to the rest of the Stick, allowing it to be used as a handle
View gallery - 3 images

There are a number of "survival items" that people should bring on camping trips, which can be a hassle to round up and pack every time. The Outdoor Survival Stick offers a solution, by keeping everything ready to go in one stowable device.

Currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, the Stick is made by Hong Kong outdoor gear company Mars Players. It appears to be an equip-it-yourself version of the company's existing Emergency Tool Kit, which comes preloaded with various bits and bobs.

The Stick incorporates seven cylindrical hard-anodized aircraft aluminum segments which screw into one another to form a single baton-shaped unit. These segments include a compass on top, followed by a hammer head, four storage bins, and a flashlight.

Both the flashlight and the hammer head can be removed then reattached to the top of the Stick at a right angle. Silicone rubber sleeves help users keep a grip on it.

Both the hammer head and the flashlight can be mounted perpendicular to the rest of the Stick, allowing it to be used as a handle
Both the hammer head and the flashlight can be mounted perpendicular to the rest of the Stick, allowing it to be used as a handle

Powered by a 1,400-mAh lithium battery, the flashlight offers High (200 lumens), Mild (80 lumens) and Flashing output modes. One charge should be reportedly be good for three hours of use in High or eight hours in Mild.

The largest of the four storage bins is designed to hold items such as batteries and lengths of paratrooper cord, with the smaller three assigned to things like fishing line/hooks, first aid gear, waterproof tape, and matches. A graphic printed on the side of one bin even suggests sticking condoms inside … you can never be too prepared.

The Outdoor Survival Stick is 13.8 inches long by 1.9 in wide (351 by 48 mm)
The Outdoor Survival Stick is 13.8 inches long by 1.9 in wide (351 by 48 mm)

The whole thing measures 13.8 inches long by 1.9 in wide (351 by 48 mm), and is claimed to tip the scales at about 1.85 lb (839 g) minus its user-supplied contents. It's IP68 water-resistant, meaning it can withstand being submerged to a depth of 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) for up to 30 minutes.

Assuming the Stick reaches production, a pledge of US$129 will get you one – the planned retail price is $169. And no, it's not the only device of its kind. Potential backers might want to check out VSSL's Essentials survival kits, among other similar-but-not-quite-the-same products.

The Outdoor Survival Stick is demonstrated in the following video.

All-in-one outdoor survival tool

Source: Kickstarter

View gallery - 3 images

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OutdoorsCampingSurvivalModularKickstarter
7 comments
Ben Coxworth
Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.

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7 comments
JeJe
I assumed it was about 6 inches and came with the contents before I saw the later picture - for a backpacker that's huge. A heavy waterproof container for
those suggested contents makes little sense. A light plastic one would likely suffice and be more likely to float.
Miss Bea Have
I made the same sort of thing with a waterproof plastic container. To be fair I did not put in a hammer on the basis every where I go there are rocks which would double as a hammer. I have a flash with about 15 hours plus the batteries, matches fire rods kindling fishing line and hooks plus a Mylar blanket,a roll of bandaid tape and several other extras ladies need all waterproof taped up to be sure and it fits into a fannypack and is only 10 oz to carry. Cost? less than $15 all included.
Karmudjun
Nice write up Ben. At less than 2 lbs, or 840 grams, it is not a feather, but it is not as JeJe says: "A heavy waterproof container". It is pretty light for something big enough to use as a hammer and flashlight. I was thinking of recommending these for my scouts, then I saw the condom graphic on the handle. No way I can suggest something with that graphic to young boys and girls we are mentoring into adulthood with only proper behaviors being modeled. We adult all know how youth experiment and if we must stay vigilant we don't need to add "fuel to the fire". After all, watching all the other adults is enough added worry.
Pinemarten
Karmudjun and the 'reviewer' both seem ignorant of the fact that condoms have long been used in mini Ekits for water carry/ storage. They expand like a balloon, hold quite a large amount of liquid, and are designed not to burst!
Pat
Maybe a full length hiking pole with removable sections would be more useful. At least it would be carried in the hikers hand instead of being stowed in a pack.
rgbatduke
Not particularly impressed, especially at this price and size. For one thing, how is a "hammer" a wilderness survival tool? An axe, sure. A saw, definitely. A quality knife, sure. First aid equipment and perhaps a space blanket. Nowadays, a high grade water filter. Waterproof matches or other means of making fire, for sure. A light, beyond all doubt.

But this has a hammer -- nothing but dead weight. No built in axe, knife, firestarter, water filter. The integrated light is useless -- eight hours of low grade light? Seriously? A cheap over the counter head light can run 35 hours or more on batteries in low mode, and still flash, have bright modes, have red light, etc.

For the price they are asking I could easily assemble a compact multitool (knife, saw, pliers/tools, and probably a firestarter all in one), headlamp, waterproof match case, compact first aid kit, water filter, several mylar survival blankets, 50'+ of 3mm nylon string, a small fishing kit, and pack the whole thing -- possibly including my PHONE (a serious survival tool as calling for help is key if you happen to have service) into an IP68 waist pouch that I might even be wearing if I wandered away from a camp and got lost WITHOUT my pack. A kit intended to be carried strapped to your pack is -- pointless. Literally. If I have my pack, well, I have plenty of room for resources.

A waist pouch or pocket pouch or even a waterproof plano box are all going to be lighter, easier to carry in a pocket or on your person, easier to throw into a kayak or boat as well as fasten to a pack, and won't contain a hammer, as nearly anyplace I'm likely to be will have rocks or big sticks that I can use for that purpose in the unlikely event that I need to hammer something.
dave be
So for that much you get a $20 flashlight, an awkward hammer, you get to attach to essentially a waterbottle. Total pass. Better spending on a decent light, a combo hatchet/hammer, a decent water bottle, and a small plastic pouch for the consumables. Cost less and be more effective at every job.