I'm refreshing my hiking/get-home bags and was looking through some old GHB/BOB threads here. There's been a lot of good content lists posted, but I'm shocked how many of those lists are missing a compass. Some of those lists were pretty long and complete, but missing a compass. I felt like a PSA post is needed.
Get a decent compass.
Those little button compasses that come in survival kits usually suck. I don't even think they reliably point north. If it's cloudy and your phone doesn't have service, a compass can save you. It can at least save you a lot of time making sure you don't get turned around in between known landmarks/roads.
I am no compass expert and only have a loose grasp of orienteering, but here's some less-expensive suggestions:
Brunton TruArc 3 - Compact with some minimal extra features
Suunto A-10 - A little step up from the Brunton with a little more size to it
Learn to use it.
It sounds pretty self explanatory but a few youtube videos can give you some tips on how to get unlost with a compass. Basic knowledge of orienteering and declination would be useful to know too. Worth stating that you can't have any metal near it when using it (like a watch).
Any other suggestions would be welcomed. I'm helping my kids setup their first hiking bags too since they're to the age they might wander off now.
Get a decent compass.
Those little button compasses that come in survival kits usually suck. I don't even think they reliably point north. If it's cloudy and your phone doesn't have service, a compass can save you. It can at least save you a lot of time making sure you don't get turned around in between known landmarks/roads.
I am no compass expert and only have a loose grasp of orienteering, but here's some less-expensive suggestions:
Brunton TruArc 3 - Compact with some minimal extra features
Suunto A-10 - A little step up from the Brunton with a little more size to it
Learn to use it.
It sounds pretty self explanatory but a few youtube videos can give you some tips on how to get unlost with a compass. Basic knowledge of orienteering and declination would be useful to know too. Worth stating that you can't have any metal near it when using it (like a watch).
Any other suggestions would be welcomed. I'm helping my kids setup their first hiking bags too since they're to the age they might wander off now.