We all carry around gear, but how much of it really stands up to the test of time and the elements? That’s where my friend Ruben comes in. He is the master of ultralight camping and minimalist survival. I recently sat down with Ruben, a man who spends over a hundred nights a year outdoors, to talk about what really works when you are living out of a pack, facing the wild, and relying on your skills and equipment.
Ruben’s approach is simple: carry less, but carry smarter. He once showed me a battered beer can stove that was five or six years old. Proof that the right piece of gear can last through countless adventures. Before that, he had one that lasted a decade. That’s the kind of reliability you want in your survival kit. I know this is very appealing for all you frugal preppers and survivalists.
So how many days a year does Ruben actually spend outside? When I pressed him for a number, he just smiled and said, “At least a hundred and something.” That’s more field time than most people rack up in a lifetime. He travels the world and teaches in some of the harshest environments. One of his favorite places to teach is in the Amazon rainforest. His experience is hard-earned, and his lessons are pure gold for anyone serious about prepping or survival.
Minimalist camping strips away the excess and focuses on what you truly need. This is not just about saving weight. It is about learning what works and what fails, and it is about being ready for whatever nature throws at you. If you look up survival kit, prepper supplies, or tactical gear, you will find endless lists and recommendations. But nothing beats real-world feedback from someone who has lived it. For a lot of you preppers that believe you are going to have to bug out then you better learn to carry light weight and learn how to use the gear. I personally believe that the best option in most SHTF situations will be to Bugin.
Preparedness is not just for the fringe. Emergencies can happen to anyone, at any time. The world is unpredictable, and being ready is about more than just having a closet full of gear. It’s about knowing what to do and having equipment you trust.
When we broke down Ruben’s kit, the focus was always on versatility and reliability. Here are the essentials that make the cut every time:
A quality multi-tool or survival knife
An emergency blanket for warmth and shelter
A fire starter kit, such as a ferro rod or waterproof matches
Water purification tablets or a portable filter
A compact first aid kit
Paracord for shelter building and repairs
A lightweight tarp or bivvy
High-calorie food bars or ready-to-eat meals
Each item serves more than one purpose. Together, they cover the Rule of Threes. Three minutes without air, three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food. This is the backbone of any real survival kit.
But what is the one item most preppers forget, the one that is always missed when disaster strikes? I will reveal that in just a moment.
Below is a link to the full video if you want to see the gear live in action. 4.5 Pounds❗️Ultralight Gear Setup | Over 100 nights a year
Ruben’s years outdoors have taught him that gear is only half the battle. Skills are what really keep you alive when things go wrong. When your lighter fails or your map blows away, can you adapt?
Here are the core skills every person should master:
Starting a fire in wet conditions
Finding and purifying water from natural sources
Basic first aid and trauma care
Navigating without GPS
Foraging for wild edibles
Building shelters from natural materials
If you want to see these skills in action, my YouTube channel is packed with real-world tutorials and field-tested tips. Subscribe now so you never miss a lesson.
Preparedness is not about fear. It is about confidence and peace of mind. Ruben’s minimalist approach is all about adapting to the unknown. Sometimes, it’s the little things—a dead flashlight, a forgotten medication, a broken water filter—that can turn a minor emergency into a major crisis.
Here is the real cliffhanger: the most dangerous prepper mistake is not running out of food or water. It is failing to adapt when your plan falls apart. Are you flexible enough to improvise? Do you have backup plans for your backup plans? If not, you are leaving yourself vulnerable.
With so many gadgets and gimmicks on the market, how do you know what is worth your money? Ruben’s experience proves that only the toughest, most versatile gear makes the cut. That is why I keep a list of trusted products on my Amazon storefront—everything there has survived real-world use.
Want to know which fire starter never fails, or which emergency blanket actually keeps you warm? I reveal my top picks and the gear that has failed me (so you do not make the same mistake) in my weekly newsletter and in-depth YouTube reviews.
No one survives alone. The strongest preppers build networks of family, friends, and like-minded people who share skills, resources, and information. That is why my Patreon community exists: to connect serious preppers, share exclusive guides, and answer your toughest questions in monthly Q&A sessions.
Next week, I will reveal the unconventional barter items that could be more valuable than gold in a crisis. You will be surprised by what makes the list.
Preparedness is a journey, not a destination. The way to stay ahead is to keep learning, keep testing, and keep connecting with others who share your mission.
Do not wait for the next disaster. Take action now. Subscribe to my FREE Substack for weekly survival strategies, early warnings, and exclusive podcasts. Join my YouTube channel for hands-on tutorials and gear reviews you will not find anywhere else. Support my mission on Patreon and access private guides, community forums, and monthly live Q&As. Check out my Amazon storefront for the gear I trust with my life.
👉 Want more no-nonsense survival and prepper advice? Follow me for free resources:
Substack: Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and podcasts at Jason Salyer On3Ready for great content and early warnings about emerging threats.
YouTube: Head over for detailed tutorials, gear reviews, and situation analysis you will not find anywhere else.
Patreon: Support my mission to spread real preparedness knowledge and get access to my private community, exclusive guides, and monthly Q&A sessions.
Check out my recommended gear and supplies. I have done the testing so you do not have to. Visit my Amazon storefront for trusted products that I personally use in my survival kits.
