This is my solution:
It’s my personal revision to old-school Marine Corps 782 (“Deuce”) gear.
https://sofrep.com/gear/old-school-...-it-relates-to-modern-day-survival-gear/It’s got everything I need to survive and some more. When I go backpacking, I put everything else in the backpack. When I go day-hiking/hunting, I mostly put extra layers in a light backpack. Either way, I can drop my main pack and explore with everything I might really need.
It usually weighs about 12 lbs, not counting the water I may carry.
Here’s what it contained last time I went backpack hunting. It’s basically my bat-utility belt.
FRONT CHEST PACK:
Extra 7mm Wby Cartridges
Headlamp (left pouch)
GPS (right pouch)
Rangefinder
Sunglasses & toilette paper in case
Hunting license (in ziplock)
R-F:
Paddle Holster & 10mm (DW Bruin or G40 (also clips on H-harness on belly))
Knife in Sheath
L-F POUCH:
Leather gloves (front sub-pouch)
Water purification tablets
Bik lighter
Toilette paper
Waterproof matches
iPhone in zip-lock
Extra 10mm magazine (in side pouch)
L-R POUCH:
Emergency food (4 Cliff Bars, whatever)
R-R POUCH:
Cigars
CANTEEN POUCHES (2):
1 full 1-liter bottle in one; coffee in the other
FANNY PACK:
First aid kit–small (appx. 7 oz): antibiotic ointment, bandages, butterfly closures, chloride and alcohol wipes, cotton swabs, Ziplock with Excedrin and Tums, gauze pads, Imodium, medical tape, rubber gloves, sting relief pads, tweezers, water purification tablets (Katadyn)
Rain pants
Medium fleece top
Reserve gear bag w/ zip-lock: Batteries (6 AAA; 3 AA), lighter, small flashlight, waterproof matches, cord, lighter fluid (for making fire in difficult times)
Rain jacket rolled up (strapped on the back) w/ light cap & waterproof gloves in pocket
ON HARNESS:
Whistle