Where to begin your bushcraft adventure? Build your first forest kit

Bushcraft is more than survival in the woods – it’s an art of harmonizing with your surroundings, discovering your skills, and forming a deep connection with nature. It’s also about creating special memories. Moments like the scent of the forest at dawn, the taste of a meal cooked over your own fire, or the sight of a starlit sky can become treasured memories.  

At Helikon-Tex, we love connecting people with a passion for bushcraft and inspiring newcomers to explore it. If you’re starting your journey, you might wonder where to begin with your first bushcraft kit. In this guide, we present products from the Bushcraft Line. This solid, thoughtfully designed gear makes life in the wilderness easier and ensures safety and comfort on your adventures. Check out the essentials to enjoy your time in nature and be prepared for any challenge.

Choose your bushcraft clothing – Pilgrim or Woodsman sets

Bushcraft is also about craftsmanship, and the forest environment can be demanding. You’ll need outerwear that protects against moisture and mechanical damage without restricting movement. Our bushcraft line offers two dedicated sets: Pilgrim and Woodsman.

Pilgrim Anorak and Pants

This set is perfect for hiking in changing weather conditions. The Pilgrim Anorak and Pants are crafted from spark- and tear-resistant DuraCanvas® fabric, which you can wax for protection against light rain. The numerous pockets on the anorak allow you to organize your gear conveniently, and their strategic placement keeps your essentials accessible, even while seated. We’ve extended the jacket for added coverage and lowered the kangaroo pocket, allowing for an extended front zipper for better ventilation.

What do the Pilgrim Pants offer? Eight pockets for carrying plenty of extra gear and reinforced belt loops to hold even a heavily loaded belt. For added stability, you can attach dedicated suspenders. Since bushcraft often involves kneeling, the Pilgrim Pants have reinforced knees compatible with protective pads and a higher waistband in the back to protect the kidneys.

Woodsman Anorak and Pants

Are you heading outdoors, camping, or into bushcraft? The Woodsman Anorak is crafted from two high-quality materials – DuraCanvas® and the StormStretch® softshell at the back, which improves breathability and allows for unrestricted movement when wearing a backpack. The Woodsman Anorak features a large kangaroo pocket and double-sided side zippers that run from the armpit down to the hem, making it quick and easy to put on and take off.

Simple yet versatile, the Woodsman Pants embody a minimalist approach to bushcraft wear. They feature two classic pockets with reinforced edges and two smaller side pockets to hold a folding saw or knife. The large loops are compatible with belts up to 50 mm wide; additional loops can be used to attach gloves, for example. Reinforced knee sections that double as pad pockets and durable DuraCanvas® fabric ensure that these pants will last for years.

Want to learn more about our anoraks and pants? Click on one of these two words to choose a topic.

Pack your gear in a reliable backpack or bag

Besides the proper clothing, a backpack or bag suited to your needs is essential for bushcraft. To comfortably and safely enjoy a camping trip, you need to bring a few essentials. What to pack them in? Here are our recommendations.

Matilda Backpack – a piece of history with a modern twist

Matilda Backpack is a classic bushcraft pack inspired by old military designs – specifically, the legendary ALICE system, used by the U.S. Army since the 1970s. Made from lightweight nylon, it offers an impressive 50 liters of capacity, making it an ideal choice for extended forest outings. You have three large front pockets with buckle closures for carrying items like an axe or tools. An additional pocket on the top flap holds smaller accessories. With a reinforced back for comfort under load, Matilda’s classic look is a perfect fit for the bushcraft lifestyle.

Bergen Backpack – old-school style with functional form

Bergen is a sturdy, 18-liter backpack inspired by military models from WWII, ideal for shorter trips to the woods. Made of durable 500D Cordura, it offers three external buckle pockets and three slots for carrying essential tools like a saw or axe. The main compartment, secured with a flap and drawstring, protects against moisture, while internal pockets provide space for valuables and a hydration bladder. Bergen is a practical, minimalist option for bushcraft and everyday adventures in the wild.

Bushcraft Satchel – a field bag for special tasks

For single-day outings, the versatile Bushcraft Satchel is a great choice. Spacious and functional, its main compartment has a mesh pocket for valuables and two elastic pockets, perfect for water bottles. Outside, you’ll find a large zippered pocket and two open compartments (ideal for a knife, saw, or axe). Additional MOLLE/PALS panels and straps at the bottom allow you to attach extra pouches or tools, and compression straps let you adjust the bag size as needed.

Haversack Bag – a modern “bread bag” with historic character

Haversack is inspired by the old “bread bag” – a canvas or leather bag traditionally used to carry essential supplies on excursions. Despite its simple appearance, this clever bushcraft bag is ideal for holding water, provisions, fire-starting gear, and smaller “forest EDC” items. Secured with a flap featuring a British closure from the ’80s, it has a front pocket with the VIS system for attaching inserts and side slots for carrying an axe, saw, or knife.

Want to read more about Helikon-Tex backpacks? Check out our ranking.

Carry your essentials with a convenient belt

Forester Bushcraft Belt was designed specifically for camping activities. You can wear it over outer clothing and carry essential tools, navigation accessories, gloves, or a flashlight. The mounting system keeps everything secure – nothing shifts, freeing your hands and allowing easy movement through the forest.

Using loops, you can attach our dedicated forest accessories to the Forester belt, such as the SERE, Water Canteen, Compass/Survival, Bushcraft Dump pouches, or the Vagabond seat pad.

SERE Pouch is a universal container for survival and bushcraft gear. Named after the SERE training system (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape), it holds essential items for emergencies like a folding knife, multitool, fire starter, flashlight, and lighter.

Water Canteen Pouch is designed to carry a water bottle and cup. The partially reinforced construction makes removing and inserting the bottle easy, and MOLLE straps on the sides allow you to attach additional items. You can lower the pouch to wear it with a backpack or use it to store a knife, folding saw, or hatchet.

Compass/Survival Pouch is designed to hold most compass models and features a foam-padded construction, an adjustable flap with a buckle to secure navigation tools, an internal slot to tie down your gear, and space for small survival items like a survival tin or fire starter.

Bushcraft Dump Pouch is versatile and spacious. It can hold gloves, an extra water bottle, kindling, and fire-starting gear. You can use it to carry small items or as a compact trash bag. It has a hook-and-loop closure and can be lowered for easy wear with a backpack or long coat.

Vagabond Seat Pad is a lightweight, foldable mat made of soft, insulating foam covered with durable Cordura. You’ll sometimes need to sit down and rest on a forest outing. Thanks to its compact size, you can carry the mat on your belt or in your cargo pocket.

Take some accessories and cook a hearty meal

Food prepared over a makeshift fire or a field stove in a forest setting has an unbeatable taste, even if the recipe was thrown together in five minutes from three ingredients. Our 3-piece mess kit is perfect for outdoor cooking: it includes a large 1-liter pot, a smaller 0.7-liter pot, and a lid that doubles as a frying pan. The kit is made of electropolished stainless steel, thick enough for cooking directly over an open flame.

For more minor but equally important needs, like preparing coffee, tea, or instant meals, we recommend the Camp Set. This includes the Camp Kettle, Camp Cup with lid, a manual coffee grinder, and the Camp French Press. All the vessels are made of hard-anodized aluminum, making them lightweight and durable. You can use them over gas burners and open flames. The kettle, cup, and French press have convenient, foldable handles. Meanwhile, the stainless steel coffee grinder features ceramic burrs and a built-in container for freshly ground coffee.

Want to source your water on-site? Bring the Water Filter Bag. It is simple to use and will help remove sand, plant debris, and other physical impurities. After filtering, use purification tablets to eliminate bacteria and chemicals.

Set up shelter and stay warm

Sometimes sunshine, sometimes rain – you need to prepare for changing weather in bushcraft. It would be a shame if rain or cold interrupted your woodland exploration, and setting up a shelter in the field brings extra satisfaction. To ensure comfort at your campsite, even in bad weather, bring two reliable companions: a Supertarp and a Swagman.

Supertarp is a versatile, lightweight, and durable shelter tarp that can be configured in many ways, depending on the terrain and weather. With 19 sturdy attachment points, you have various options for setting up your shelter. It has a zippered cover for easy storage, even when wet, and special straps for attaching to your backpack. Need something smaller? Take the Supertarp Small.

Swagman Roll®, our multi-functional camping poncho, has endless uses. It can serve as an improvised jacket, hammock liner, travel blanket, or sleeping bag liner – all thanks to Climashield® Apex™ insulation, which provides excellent warmth. Want to know more about the Swagman? Check out our article here.

Protect your hands while working

Handling tools, gathering firewood, and building shelter are all demanding on your hands and can cause injuries. Please bring a pair of bushcraft gloves from our collection to make work easier on your hands. Made from premium cowhide leather, they mold perfectly to your hands and will last for years with proper care.

For woodland excursions, we recommend classic Lumber Gloves, Woodcrafter Gloves with added reinforcements, or Ranger Winter Gloves for cold weather. To see the full range and read about glove care, click here.

Be prepared for emergencies

When diving into bushcraft, remember that sawing or using a knife can cause specific injuries. Our Bushcraft First Aid Kit is tailored for such situations. It consists of a rectangular case with a rigid back. Inside is a quick-access, removable insert with compartments for a tourniquet, personal bandage, dressing, and a new internal slot for a tactical tourniquet. It can be mounted using MOLLE/PALS straps or worn on any belt up to 50 mm wide. 

Leave no trace in the forest

Lastly, an essential item for every bushcraft kit – a trash bag. As a true nature enthusiast, you likely don’t want to leave any trace behind, right? At Helikon-Tex, we care about the environment, so we created a simple solution for campsite waste – the Dirt Bag. Made of lightweight, coated material with taped seams, it has a roll-top closure that’s easy to secure and keeps trash inside, including food scraps, without leaking.

Check out our “clean” story under #NoTrashNoTrace. Plus, for every reusable Dirt Bag sold, we donate 10 PLN to the Wild Animal Treatment and Rehabilitation Center “Puchaczówka”.

Deepen your bond with nature

Bushcraft is an adventure that begins with passion and grows with the right gear and knowledge. Like in nature, it’s all about balance. Pack the tools you need for your forest journey, but also cultivate the ability to see nature as your ally. With Helikon-Tex’s carefully chosen clothing, backpack, and reliable accessories, you’re ready for whatever the forest – and fate – has in store, from building shelter to lighting a fire to keeping your campsite clean. Let this guide be your first step into the world of adventure and discovery, helping you feel at home in the heart of the wild.