The 7 classic mistakes with your outdoor gear (and how to fix them)

Every year, thousands of enthusiasts invest in bushcraft and survival gear: knives, stoves, sleeping bags, emergency kits. Yet, much of this equipment ends up in storage after just a few outings, damaged, misused, or simply unsuitable. The reason? Not a lack of motivation, but a series of classic mistakes we've all made at some point. The good news: these mistakes are avoidable. And even better, correcting them requires neither extra budget nor technical expertise, just a little method and common sense. Here are the 7 most frequent pitfalls, and more importantly, how to avoid them to get the most out of your gear.

1. Never test your equipment before the actual outing

This is the number one mistake, the one that turns an adventure into a nightmare. You receive your tent, your stove, or your water filter, you put it away in a cupboard, and off you go to the forest. Except that then, surprise: the tent is difficult to pitch, the stove won't light, the filter leaks.

Why this is problematic: Testing your equipment in real-world conditions allows you to spot defects, become familiar with how it works, and above all, identify what is missing (batteries, gas cartridge, tent pegs).

The solution: Organize a dry run in your garden or a park. Pitch your tent, light your stove, activate your water filter. You'll gain confidence and avoid unpleasant surprises 20 km from any civilization.

2. Neglecting maintenance (knife, stove, water filter)

A rusty carbon steel bushcraft knife, a dirty smoking stove, a clogged water filter: these are all signs that we forget that outdoor equipment needs maintenance.

Essential steps:

Bushcraft knife: After each outing, clean the blade with warm water and mild soap (such as Marseille soap), dry immediately, then lightly oil it (camellia or food-grade oil). Carbon steel naturally darkens, which is normal, but neglecting to dry it will result in rust.

Stove: Disassemble and clean the nozzles after use, especially if you have cooked greasy food. A dirty stove loses power and consumes more gas.

Water filter: After each use, rinse the filter with clean water (never with contaminated water), then let it dry completely before storing. A damp filter = bacterial growth and reduced efficiency.

Tip: Create a simple routine after each ride: 10 minutes to clean, dry, and oil. Your gear will last for years.

3. Improperly packing your backpack (weight, accessibility, waterproofing)

A poorly organized bag makes for an exhausting hike. Unevenly distributed weight, lost items, soaked clothes in a non-waterproof bag: all avoidable problems.

The golden rules of tidying up:

Weight: Heavy items (tent, water, food) should be placed close to your back, at shoulder blade level . Avoid loading the top or bottom of the bag, as this creates imbalance.

Accessibility: What you need first (water bottle, map, headlamp, windbreaker) should be easily accessible (side pockets, top flap).

Waterproofing: Use waterproof bags or covers to protect your sleeping bag, spare clothes, and electronics. A wet sleeping bag = a guaranteed freezing night.

Basic rule: Do not exceed 15-20% of your body weight. A person weighing 70 kg should carry between 10 and 14 kg maximum.

4. Buying too expensive or too cheap without thinking

The classic trap: either you give in to marketing and buy unnecessarily expensive high-end equipment, or you opt for low-end equipment that breaks on the first outing.

How to avoid this trap:

Identify your actual needs: Beginner? No need to invest €300 in a knife. A solid model between €50 and €100 will do the job. You can progress later.

Prioritize durability: Well-maintained, mid-range equipment lasts longer than neglected high-end products. Opt for robust materials (carbon steel, ripstop fabric, stainless steel).

Avoid gadgets: A knife with 15 useless functions is no match for a good, simple, and effective knife. Stick to the essentials.

5. Not adapting your equipment to the weather/season

Going on a winter bivouac with a 3-season sleeping bag, or hiking in the summer with overly heavy equipment: these are mistakes that can ruin a trip, or even become dangerous.

Key adaptations:

Winter: "Comfort" sleeping bag -5°C to -10°C minimum, mattress with R index ≥ 4, 4 season tent, multi-layered technical clothing.

Summer: Opt for lightness, bring plenty of water (or a reliable filter), and remember sun protection (hat, cream).

Mid-season: The most treacherous: variable temperatures, risk of rain. Opt for a modular layering system (technical t-shirt, fleece, waterproof jacket).

Tip: Always check the weather 48 hours before leaving, and allow a safety margin (actual temperature - 5°C when choosing your sleeping bag).

6. Forgetting the basics (fire starter, survival blanket, water bottle)

We think about the big equipment (tent, sleeping bag, stove), but we forget the small essentials that save an outing: waterproof fire starter, survival blanket, spare water bottle, spare headlamp.

The non-negotiable basics:

A reliable fire starter (ferrocerium, waterproof matches, storm lighter) A survival blanket (lightweight, weighs 50g, can save an unexpected night) An emergency light source (headlamp + spare batteries) Water (or a portable filtration system such as a filter straw) A means of signaling (whistle, signal mirror)

Tip: Keep a permanent "pocket kit" in your bag: ferrocerium, survival blanket, whistle, €20 in cash. You'll never use it, but the day you need it, you'll be glad you did.

7. Never seek training (internship, tutorial, book)

We buy equipment, but we forget that self-reliance is something that can be learned. Knowing how to light a fire in damp weather, purify water, navigate without GPS, build an emergency shelter: these are all skills that make the difference between a passionate person and a collector of equipment.

How to progress without an expensive internship:

YouTube and specialized blogs: High-quality French-language channels offer free and detailed tutorials (fire, knots, orientation, first aid).

Reference books: "Bushcraft 101" by Dave Canterbury, "SAS Survival Handbook" by John Wiseman (French versions available).

Regular practice: Go out once a month, even for just 2 hours. Repetition builds experience.

Local courses: Many associations offer accessible bushcraft initiations.

The bottom line: The best equipment in the world can never replace skill. An expert with a basic knife will always outperform a beginner with €500 worth of gear.

Conclusion: The right equipment + the right practices = confident autonomy

These 7 mistakes are neither shameful nor irreversible. We've all been there. The important thing is to identify them, correct them, and above all, adopt a pragmatic approach: test before you leave, maintain regularly, buy smart, adapt to the conditions, don't forget anything essential, and keep learning.

At WildTactic, we believe that preparation isn't paranoia, it's responsibility and freedom. Knowing you have the right gear, that it works, and that you know how to use it, means setting off with peace of mind. It transforms a stressful outing into a controlled adventure. And that's exactly what we want for you.

So before your next outing, take 30 minutes: test your equipment, check the basics, oil your knife. You'll thank us by the fireside!