Bear Grylls Backpack

While Bear Grylls can certainly survive in the wild without a backpack, having one makes his treks in the outdoors a lot easier. Bear Grylls backpack must meet his strict standards, just like the rest of his gear. Many of the critical features for Bear Grylls’ backpack are snug fitting, lightweight, durable, and waterproof. Below are a few brands of backpacks Bear Grylls has used on his show, Man vs Wild.

Backcountry Access Stash BC Rider Backpack: A very good backpack that meets all of Bear Grylls needs. It fits snugly which is very important when navigating difficult or steep terrain. This backpack is waterproof, and as you know, bear ends up drenched in water in many episodes. Although this backpack has an adequate number of pockets, it could use a few more.

Why Bear Grylls Likes it:

  • 420 Ripstop/1000 ballistics
  • Solid padded back panel
  • 100 oz hydration system
  • Front access pockets
  • 2400 cubic inches of volume
  • 3 lbs. 9 ouches

Gregory Targhee backpack: Bear Grylls would use this backpack in extreme cold, and high altitude situations. The Targhee Backpack holds everything you need for a day in the snowy backcountry, from skis, to other outdoor gear. This is essentially a arctic backpack, fully outfitted to hold skis and poles. It features abrasion and puncture resistant fabric and stands up to abuse. The main compartment is accessed through a top zipper, and a convenient front pocket is large enough to hold a shovel or entrenching tool. The pack comes with an insulated tube to keep your drinking water from freezing.

Why Bear Grylls likes it:

  • High tenacity nylon
  • medium 1900-2100 cubic inch volume
  • Molded back panel with all terrain harnes and wastebelt
  • Hydration system compatible
  • Top load access
  • 4 external pockets
  • ski carry
  • snowboard carry
  • 3lbs 9 oz

Gregory Z25 Pack: This backpack would be chosen by Bear Grylls for shorter survival trips. It’s a lightweight day pack with advanced suspension, to make carrying easier. It is hydration compatible and has expanding pockets to accommodate larger loads. This is a great pack for rock scrambling, and moving quickly over rough terrain.

Why Bear Grylls likes it:

  • JetStream DTS Suspension
  • Auto-Fit harness system
  • Dual Hydration ports and sleeve
  • Expandable Front Pouch
  • Ultra-light at 2lbs 12oz
  • Axe/tool attachment points
  • 210d double box ripstop and broken twill nylon fabric

Although Bear Grylls backpack choices are well suited for his needs on the show, they may not always be the best backpack choice for you. These are great packs, and will meet most needs, but don’t be afraid to do more research and get something else if you require other features in a backpack, such as larger load capacity.

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Bear Survivor Trousers

Bear Grylls Survivor Trousers

You want a trouser that can stand up to extreme punishment whether struggling to survive in the harsh wilderness, or just out for a weekend backpacking trip. Quality outdoor gear is built to exceed the amount of abuse an outdoor enthusiast is going to dish out over the course of a week long backpacking trip. Survival Trousers also need to be comfortable and forgiving. If comfort wasn’t a factor, we’d all just strap steel plates to our legs and never look back. Bear Survivor Trousers are made by Craghoppers and have essential features to meet both comfort and durability requirements.

Essential Features for Bear Survivor Trousers:

  • SolarDry Supplex with Stretch Panels
  • Light Weight – 450g
  • 8 pockets – 2 with heavy duty zippers
  • Drying Loops
  • Heel Tape
  • Elasticated waist at back
  • Stretch Panels for ease of movement
  • Security, Wash & Wear, Stretch, SolarDry SmartDry
  • Lifetime Guarantee

What some of those features actually mean…

Security: Discreet storage pockets for valuables. Secure zipped closures for securing items when on the move.

Wash & Wear: Easy to care for. Fast drying, no ironing, crinkle weave construction. Creases should just disappear after putting the garment on for a bit.

Stretch: Comfortable fit. Stretch material is sewn into areas of the pants which bend often. The addition of stretch to the pants increases your range of movement and comfort.

SolarDry: Comes with Ultraviolet Protection built into the fabric, blocking out 97.5% of solar radiation. I would assume SolarDry meant they dry out quickly in the sun, but nope, it means they’re essentially sun block for the legs.

SmartDry: This feature means what I thought SolorDry meant. The pants don’t even really need to dry, because they hardly get wet. They’re treated with environmentally friendly water repellants. Nano technology locks the treatments onto the fabric, and rain and spills just run off the fabric surface. You stay nice and dry.

Affordable: Surprisingly, Bear Survivor Trousers are more affordable than expected. They actually cost less than other name brand pants found at places like REI. You can find these Survivor Trousers at Craghoppers or on Bear Grylls online apparel store.

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Bayley Knives

Knives are probably the second most important tool for the outdoor survivalist, right after quality boots. There isn’t a more versatile tool in the survivalists arsenal. Bayley knives served their purpose exceptionally well for Man Vs Wild star Bear Grylls. Bayley made a custom knife for Bear known as the Bayley S4, which he carried for seasons 3 and 4 of the show. Bear Grylls isn’t associated with Bayley Knives anymore, so the S4 is no longer referred to as the  Signature Bear Grylls Knife, and most unfortunately, is no longer in production.

Key Features of the Baley Knives, Baily S4:

  • Hand Polished 4″ Heat Treated, RWL Powder Metallurgy Steel Blade
  • Clip Tip Blade
  • 4 1/2″ Ergonomic, Textured G10 Grip
  • Full Slotted Tang
  • Strong one-piece Guard
  • Light Overall Weight
  • Center Balanced Construction

Obtaining an original Bayley s4 is now near impossible, and will most likely cost you more than $1000 USD if you can find one. There are not even any listed on ebay at the time of this article. The good news is that Bayley Knives is currently working on a newer model of the S4 Survival Series which will have a saw-back blade. There’s even a few other models he offers, one of which has a Damascus Steel blade, and will only cost you $1,300. Hey, custom hand-made knives aren’t cheap!

Check out the Bayley Knives Raven series if you are interested in owning a similar knife to what Bear Grylls used during season 3 & 4 of Man Vs Wild.

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Bear Grylls Wear

Bear Grylls popularity and reputation as an experienced outdoorsman have prompted many to wonder exactly what he wears. Obviously Bear Grylls wear must be top of the line to withstand the harsh beating he puts himself and his gear though. So what exactly does Bear Grylls wear? Bear uses gear common to most experienced outdoorsmen. An all synthetic or merino wool base layer to to assist in wicking moisture from his body. Rugged synthetic pants, and shirt. Durable boots with a strong sole and toecap, and a weatherproof outer layer. Most of Bear’s clothing and gear can be found readily online, or even at a local outdoors shop if you happen to live where an outlet is. It appears he prefers Craghoppers brand gear. He does have his own online apparel shop, which sells most of what he uses to conquer the wild.

Bear Grylls Wear: Bear Grylls’ base layer is dependent on the environment he is trying to survive. In hot desert climates he will wear an a-shirt style base, with a thin outer shell. While facing biting cold climates he will use a very plush thermal type base, followed by an in-between insulator (often more than one), he finishes his gear set-up with his weatherproof shell.

Base: Bear appears to prefer Merino Wool for his base layer. There are many benefits to Merino over synthetic fibers. Bear Grylls spends an extended amount of time on his survival trips. Merino is resistant to odor and funk. Using Merino Wool enables you to travel farther without stops to clean your gear in a creek or river. Take care when choosing a Merino Base Layer. Finer grades of Merino are more expensive, but also more comfortable, with less itch. Coarser grades itch more, but are more resistant to pilling and general wear. The Military usually wears coarse grade Merino, whereas most adventurers use the finest grade as they can afford. Adventurers usually don’t spend months at a time outdoors, and therefore can choose the finer Merino.

Insulator: A quality base layer can qualify as an insulator in less than severe cold. When tempuratures start falling, choose several thinner insulators over one thick layer. Insulators are intended to regulate your body heat to the perfect temperature. Choosing several thin layers allows you to adjust your tempurature by adding or removing layers. Choose an affordable synthetic material for your insulating layer.

Weatherproof shell: Bear Grylls Shell is always synthetic. Synthetic material is more durable than cotton, and dries quickly. There’s a saying in the outdoor community: “The best dressed corpses on the trail wear cotton”. Cotton takes ages to dry, and becomes very heavy when wet. Wet heavy gear doesn’t do much to weatherproof you. Choose a quality jacket such as the Bear Grylls Freedom Jacket.

You can outfit yourself in Bear Grylls Wear by checking out his online store, or buying Craghoppers brand clothing. If costs are a factor look into similar items with less notable brand names. Be careful when choosing outdoor gear. Unlike designer clothes which offer nothing more than a fancy tag for the extra cost, name brand outdoor apparel is usually worth the extra cost. Well known outdoor gear companies have experience in the outdoors and provide gear made to withstand the rigors of survival. Get geared up and use your Bear Grylls Wear to vs the wild.

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Bear Grylls Gear

Bear Grylls Gear is almost as important to his survival in the wild as his fitness and overwhelming knowledge of wilderness survival. Gearing up in Bear Grylls gear will give you some of the tools needed to increase your own chances of survival in the harsh wilderness. Keep in mind, gear alone does not make a wilderness survivalist. Bear has years of experience as an outdoorsman, training with the British Special Forces, and is willing to go to extremes to survive. Bear Grylls gear choices are great examples of what an experienced survivalist always has with him. Check out his choices:

Knife: Bear Grylls has used many different knives over the course of Man Vs Wild. Bear is currently using a custom made knife from Gerber (one of Bear’s favorite brands). It has a serrated half blade, and a semi-drop tip. This is a beefed up version of the traditional survival knife, providing several essential tools for survival. The Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife comes with a Molded rubber grip and knurled striking surface butt cap. Some other key features are Integrated fire starter with integrated diamond sharpener, Key ground-air communication patch, and Emergency micro lanyard whistle.

Boots: Bear knows the importance of solid footwear for wilderness survival. Good outdoor boots are probably the single most important piece of gear in Bear Grylls arsenal. If your feet fail in the wild, you are done for. Key features for outdoor footwear are waterproof construction, rigid terrain absorbing sole, solid ankle support, breathability, and excellent fit. Bear Grylls wears Merrells boots because they meet all of the required considerations for an outdoor boot. Merrill has over 100 years experience crafting quality outdoor footwear.

Watch: Like his knives, Bear Grylls has used more than one watch over the course of the show. Watches aren’t as important as Bear Grylls other gear, but they still have good uses in the wild. There’s a reason Bear chooses analog watches (watches with hands) over digital ones. You can determine direction and find true north using just the sun, and an analog watch. It also says something about Bear’s manly man status that he uses an analog watch. All grown men must wear a watch with hands. Some of his choices over the seasons have included Breitling Emergency, Bremont Chronograph, and Casio Dynamic Wave Ceptor.

You can find Bear Grylls gear at his online store, amazon.com, or many other quality vendors.

 

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Bear Grylls Watch

Bear Grylls has used different watches over the course of the Man Vs Wild show. He started out season one with a beautifully rugged Breitling Emergency, Multi-Function Analog-Digital Chronograph Chronometer. The Breitling is serious business, but it’s not exclusive to Bear Grylls watch collection. He’s also worn a Bremont Chronograph, which is on par with the Breitling Emergency. There are lots of rumors claiming he’s now wearing a Casio Dynamic Wave Ceptor, but I have yet to confirm the rumor. I can’t put much credence in this rumor until I see a clear screen shot of him wearing the Casio.  Casio just isn’t in the same league as his other two watches.

Bear Grylls Breitling Emergency: This watch is designed for Pilots and Aircrews. It has a built in microtransmitter which broadcasts on the  121.5 MHz aircraft emergency frequency. Bear is usually with crew members when filming the show, but this watch’s built in emergency function could still come in handy should he become separated and stranded. The micrtransmitter is activated by unscrewing a cap and pulling the antenna out all the way. Aviation equipment has exacting standards which would meet or exceed anything Bear can dish out.

Bremont Chronograph: Amazing piece of equipment built to take extreme punishment. The case is hardened beyond any other watch on the market, ensuring it stands up to obscene amounts of shock. Good luck finding a watch like Bear’s Bremont, as they only made 1000 of them.

Casio Dynamic Wave Ceptor: I’m not sure Bear Grylls has worn this watch. It is a great watch for the money though. It has a solar powered face, and atomic time. It’s made from stainless steel and has a couple cool features such as world time. I think people might be mistaking Bear’s Breitling for the Casio though. Feel free to correct me if I’m mistaken.

 

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