Why Less Is More: The Unspoken Wisdom of Your First Bushcraft Course
When packing for a bushcraft course, most newcomers overload their bags with gear they hope will save the day. The irony? Carrying too much often gets in the way of true learning. On my first outing, I lugged along a mini shed of tools and cookware—only for my instructor to chuckle as I learned the magic of doing more with less. This post is for anyone whose backpack is groaning under the weight of 'just-in-case' gear. Let's set down the kitchen sink and see what you really need (and what you'd be surprised to live without).
Camp Kitchen Supplies: Less Is Deliciously More
One of the first surprises for new bushcraft students is how little kitchen gear they actually need. Many arrive with a full camp cook set, a bag of utensils, and a gas stove—only to realize these items rarely leave their pack. The wisdom of bushcraft is clear: less is more, especially when it comes to camp kitchen supplies.
Ditch the Bulky Camp Cook Set
On a bushcraft course, the focus is on learning skills, not managing a mountain of gear. Instructors often encourage students to leave behind the multi-pot sets, frying pans, and nesting mugs. Instead, a single, sturdy 1-liter metal pot with a lid is all that’s needed. This pot becomes the heart of your camp kitchen. It can:
Boil water for safe drinking
Simmer stews and soups
Serve as a mug for coffee or tea
Act as a bowl for eating
By simplifying to one pot, students learn to adapt recipes, manage fire heat, and clean up with minimal effort. More importantly, they discover how to cook efficiently over an open flame—a core bushcraft skill.
Leave Gas Stoves at Home
Gas stoves and fuel canisters are convenient, but they have no place in a bushcraft immersion. These courses are designed to teach firecraft: gathering tinder, building a fire, and cooking over coals. Bringing a stove not only adds unnecessary weight, but also distracts from learning essential outdoor skills. Instead, students should pack a ferro rod and a mini Bic lighter to practice multiple fire-starting techniques. Cooking directly over a campfire teaches patience, resourcefulness, and respect for natural materials.
Streamline Utensils: One Spoon and a Bandana
It’s tempting to bring a bag of utensils—forks, spatulas, ladles, and more. In reality, a single metal spoon is all that’s needed for most meals. A spoon stirs, scoops, and even serves as a basic knife in a pinch. Pair it with a cotton bandana, and you have a multi-use tool: napkin, coffee filter, pot holder, and even a makeshift strainer. This minimalist approach keeps your pack light and your focus on learning, not searching for the right utensil.
“By day two, my instructor was smiling as I learned to carve stakes with a single Mora knife and cook over coals with one small pot. Overpacking not only slowed me down—it actually limited what I learned.”
Key Takeaways for Your First Bushcraft Course
One Pot, Many Uses: A 1L metal pot with lid replaces a full cook set.
Fire Over Fuel: Leave gas stoves at home and embrace firecraft cooking.
Minimal Utensils: Bring a metal spoon and a bandana for all eating and cleaning tasks.
By packing less, students gain more: more skills, more confidence, and a deeper connection to the outdoors. The simplicity of a bushcraft kitchen is not a limitation—it’s an invitation to learn, adapt, and savor every meal made in the wild.
Bushcraft Tools: The Myth of More Blades, More Skill
One of the most common mistakes newcomers make when preparing for their first bushcraft course is believing that more tools equal more capability. It’s easy to think that a hatchet, folding saw, multi-tool, and several knives will make you better prepared. In reality, carrying extra blades and gadgets often gets in the way of learning true bushcraft skills.
On many reputable bushcraft courses, instructors encourage students to bring only the essentials. The reason is simple: bushcraft is about mastering skills, not collecting gear. When you rely on a single, dependable tool—most often a fixed-blade knife—you are forced to focus on technique, resourcefulness, and creativity. This approach not only lightens your pack but also sharpens your abilities.
Why One Knife Is Enough
Versatility: A quality fixed-blade knife, especially one made of carbon steel, can handle almost every core bushcraft task. From carving tent stakes and feather sticks to preparing food and processing kindling, a single knife is all you need for most course activities.
Skill Development: Using just one tool encourages you to learn proper knife safety, control, and maintenance. You’ll practice batoning wood, whittling, and other essential techniques that are often overlooked when you have too many options.
Reliability: Fewer tools mean less to lose, break, or maintain. A single, well-chosen knife is easier to keep track of and care for throughout your course.
What to Leave Behind
Multi-Tools: Unless your course specifically covers their use, bulky multi-tools add unnecessary weight and often duplicate functions you won’t need. The pliers, screwdrivers, and tiny scissors are rarely used in a bushcraft setting focused on primitive skills.
Extra Saws: Folding saws are useful for advanced wood processing, but most beginner courses emphasize knife techniques over sawing or chopping. Save the saw for later, once you’ve mastered the basics.
Hatchets and Axes: While these tools have their place, most introductory bushcraft programs teach safe wood processing with a knife and baton. Bringing a hatchet not only adds weight but also increases the risk of injury for those new to woodcraft.
“By day two, my instructor was smiling as I learned to carve stakes with a single Mora knife and cook over coals with one small pot. Overpacking not only slowed me down—it actually limited what I learned.”
The Instructor’s Test
Before packing any tool, ask yourself: Will my instructor be teaching me to make, adapt, or replace this in the field? If the answer is yes, leave it at home. The goal of your first bushcraft course is to build confidence with minimal gear, not to rely on a toolbox of gadgets.
Remember, in bushcraft, less is more. Focusing on one dependable knife allows you to learn the skills that matter most, without distraction or unnecessary weight.
Comfort vs. Function: Rethinking Sleep and Hygiene Essentials
When preparing for a first bushcraft course, it’s natural to want comfort. However, packing for comfort often means carrying unnecessary weight and missing out on valuable learning opportunities. Bushcraft is about adapting, improvising, and using skills rather than relying on gear. Rethinking what’s truly essential for sleep and hygiene can make your experience lighter and more rewarding.
Skip Inflatable Pillows and Extra Footwear
Many newcomers pack inflatable pillows and extra shoes, hoping for a good night’s sleep and dry feet. In reality, these items take up space and add weight without offering much benefit on a short bushcraft course. Instead, experienced instructors recommend a simple, functional approach:
Pillow Alternative: Stuff a dry bag or stuff sack with spare clothes. This creates a comfortable, adjustable pillow with zero added weight.
Footwear: Bring only one durable, broken-in pair of shoes or boots. If you’re concerned about wet feet, pack a spare set of insoles. Swapping insoles allows your main pair to dry while maintaining comfort.
This minimalist approach not only lightens your load but also encourages creative problem-solving—an essential bushcraft skill.
Essential Hygiene Basics Only
Hygiene is important, but a full toiletry kit is unnecessary for a short bushcraft immersion. Large kits and luxury items like solar showers are heavy, take up space, and are rarely used. Instead, focus on a few lightweight, eco-friendly essentials:
Toothbrush nub: Cut down a regular toothbrush to save space and weight.
Travel-sized toothpaste: A small tube is more than enough for a few days.
Biodegradable wipes: A handful of wipes can handle basic cleaning and are Leave No Trace (LNT) friendly.
Small biodegradable soap: For quick hand and face washes, a tiny bar or a small bottle is sufficient.
Toilet paper in a zip bag: Bring just enough for the course, protected from moisture.
By limiting hygiene items to the basics, you’ll have everything you need without the bulk. This also aligns with bushcraft’s core principle: learning to manage with less and adapt to the environment.
Forget Solar Showers and Bulky Toiletry Kits
Solar showers and oversized toiletry kits might seem like good ideas, but they rarely get used on a bushcraft course. Water sources are often limited, and time is better spent practicing skills than setting up luxury items. A small pack of biodegradable wipes and a bit of soap are all that’s needed for a few days in the woods.
“Before you pack an item, ask yourself: Will my instructor be teaching me to make, adapt, or replace this in the field? If the answer is yes, you can probably leave it at home.”
By focusing on function over comfort, you’ll not only lighten your pack but also open yourself to the full learning experience bushcraft offers. Essentials are all you need—let the woods teach you the rest.
The Instructor’s Challenge: Want to Learn? Pack Like You Mean It
Every new bushcraft student faces the same temptation: pack for every possible scenario. Yet, as many discover, the real challenge isn’t surviving the wild—it’s letting go of gear and trusting the process. Bushcraft courses are designed to teach practical, hands-on skills, not to see who can bring the most impressive kit. The less you carry, the more you learn. This is the unspoken wisdom that every experienced instructor hopes you’ll embrace from day one.
Before you zip up your pack, pause and ask yourself a simple question: Will my instructor teach me to make, adapt, or replace this item in the field? If the answer is yes, leave it at home. This mindset shift is at the heart of bushcraft education. Instructors want you to experience the satisfaction of carving a tent stake from a green branch, or boiling water in a single pot over a fire you built yourself. These are the moments that build confidence and competence—skills that last far longer than any piece of gear.
When you arrive overloaded, you risk missing out on these lessons. Heavy packs sap your energy, slow you down, and distract you from the training at hand. Instead of learning how to improvise, you’ll find yourself reaching for familiar comforts. The truth is, bushcraft is about adapting to your environment, not recreating your living room in the woods. The best instructors will gently encourage you to set aside the extras and focus on the essentials. This isn’t about making things harder—it’s about giving you the space to learn, experiment, and grow.
Courses are carefully structured to introduce you to core skills: firecraft, shelter building, safe knife use, and basic camp cooking. None of these require a mountain of equipment. In fact, the fewer items you bring, the more resourceful you become. A single sturdy knife, a small pot, and a reliable fire starter are often all you need. With these basics, you’ll be challenged to think creatively and work with what nature provides. This is where true bushcraft learning happens—when you’re forced to adapt, solve problems, and discover just how much you can do with very little.
Ultimately, packing light is not just about comfort or convenience. It’s a sign of respect for the learning process and for your instructor’s expertise. By trusting the course structure and leaving non-essentials behind, you open yourself up to a richer, more rewarding experience. You’ll finish your first bushcraft course with new skills, greater confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the wild—and you’ll realize that the best lessons come not from what you bring, but from what you learn to do without.
TL;DR: Forget the extras—your first bushcraft course is about skills, not stuff. Ditch the gear redundancy, travel light, and trust your instructor (and yourself) to adapt with less.
