These pieces of gear often go unnoticed. However, we commonly use them in the outdoors, where the cool factor frequently overshadows function. These true unsung gear hero MVPs are leather gloves, a cotton bandana, and a trusty sit pad.
Meet the unsung heroes of your adventures! Leather gloves shield your hands from challenging tasks and chilly winds, while a cotton bandana is your go-anywhere ally—wear it, tie it, or use it to dab away sweat. Don’t underestimate the sit pad, either; it’s your portable throne for well-deserved breaks. These underrated essentials let you channel your focus on the journey instead of fussing over gear. In the great outdoors, simplicity is the name of the game!
The Unsung Sit Pad Hero
The Tuff Possum Gear Multipurpose Sit Pad might look simple, but it’s a camping essential. At 15″x11″ with durable Cordura and a removable 1/2″ foam pad, it’s incredibly versatile.
Upon arriving at camp, I immediately use it for kneeling while prepping the fire and as a solid workspace for fatwood shavings. When stoking coals, its lightweight rigidity is perfect, and the Velcro closure transforms it into a pouch for tinder. While not fully waterproof, storing tinder above the pad on damp ground helps keep tinder dry.
During mealtime, it serves as a cozy seat, perfect for those cold rock tables. After cooking, it neatly holds my small grill inside. It also works great for carrying utensils while moving between camps.
As added insulation on my pole bed or as a shoe mat before entering my bivvy, it’s indispensable. When in my hammock, it props up my feet and keeps my gear safe from moisture below.
Durable and easy to clean, it shrugs off rain and ember debris. I use the orange side to spot ticks during the season. It even doubles as a signal tool when needed. This pad gets third place in the unsung gear hero MVPs!
Leather Gloves
A sturdy pair of leather gloves is a must-have for any Bushcraft adventure or survival kit. I can’t imagine camping or wandering the woods without them! They help me gather firewood, cook, and handle hot items without turning into a fireball.
On backpacking trips, they double as a pillow or knee pads and offer insulation on chilly rocks. Alongside my knife and possibles pouch, these gloves are my trusty companions during cooking and firewood missions.
Building shelters becomes effortless with leather gloves, protecting my hands from sharp debris and bamboo, which seem hell-bent on cutting me. They give me a temporary superpower against heat and cuts!
I currently use a pair from Amazon called Olson Deepak. They’ve held up for two years, survived a few repairs, and are perfect for winter with a size up. I usually wear a thin fleece pair underneath for warmth since leather can be cold.
In my view, leather gloves are essential gear—truly the second most unsung camp hero!
The Hero of MVPs
The bandana is the ultimate camping MVP, a must-have in my cargo pants or possibles kit. Outdoor enthusiasts have praised this square cloth for ages, and I can see why.
During my 2015 trips to Angel Falls and Mount Roraima in Venezuela, my orange cotton bandana became indispensable. With paper banned, it transformed into a face shield, headband, sweat rag, toilet paper, and washcloth—all while staying bright for visibility. Privacy was scarce, but I quickly mastered the art of using a bandana.
In the Amazon Rainforest, it performed even better than a hat. It cooled overheated friends, protected against the sun, and served as a bandage and pot holder.
I’m not into designer brands; most of us just end up with these little champions. That said, I do have a soft spot for Merino wool neck gaiters and Kerchiefs from Wazoo Gear. They regulate temperature and tackle multiple tasks, especially in winter.
In short, the bandana is the unsung gear champ! Try finding one item with as many endless uses as this!
Finding
These are my underrated gear picks that deserve more love than water filters, stoves, and tents. These unsung heroes truly enhance the camping experience, making life on expeditions easier and more enjoyable. In my book, they’re the real MVPs of the great outdoors!
