My husband asked for a Supercharger for Christmas but I told him he’d have to settle for a few more months of BattlBox instead. He seemed pretty happy and last night when the January box arrived he was like a kid in a candy store! Honestly I think it’s a win for both of us - I enjoy seeing what’s in the box each month almost as much as he does, and the items are useful and unique. (Heck, I got hooked on the Grenade Soap Co. Gunpowder Soap from the Mission 26 BattlBox and love it so much it arrives by subscription. And my hub can “always use” another knife, or so he says…). Aaaaand, as evidenced here (and here) they make for great blog fodder and maybe ideas for you, for camp gear or gifts!
Well, the January 2018 BattlBox is all about the jungle. Even in Colorado (which is not jungle territory) a lot of this stuff is useful in the back country and in desert terrain. So, here’s what was in this month’s box:
Basic Mission 35
1 – Jungle First Aid Kit: contains a variety of bandages and gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, alcohol and iodine wipes, antibiotic cream, sugar, and a first aid instruction card.
2 – Sniper Veil: cuz you never know when you might need concealment! Though actually a sniper veil can also be used as a scarf if it's cold, or as a towel or wash cloth if needed.
3 – Rothco Army Insect Repellent: we could’ve used this in the Sand Dunes
4 – Stansport Mosquito Head Net: can also be used as a strainer.
5 – Army Style GI Anglehead LED Flashlight: includes a button for signalling, and in the base of this light there are several colored filters - for use in case you're signalling a specific color, or use red for easier map reading. And, unlike the real Army flashlights this light has an LED bulb which lasts much longer than the old-school version.
Advanced Mission 35
Basic items, plus -
6 – BattlBox Jungle Hammock and Mosquito Net: sleeping off the ground in a warm environment is smart, and the mosquito net gives added protection from nighttime flying critters.
7 – Cold Steel Kukri – just plain bad-ass... Oh, and it's also an excellent utility tool!
Pro Mission 35
Basic and Advanced items, plus -
8 - Battltac Snake Gaiters / Brush Guards – these are a hefty pair of gaiters for sure. Useful in snake country anywhere. Heavy to wear but better than getting bit.
Pro+ Mission 35
Basic, Advanced, and Pro items, plus -
9 – Ontario Knife Co. ASEK Knife – because you need another knife...!? Seriously, however, ASEK stands for Aircrew Survival Egress Knife, issued to U.S. Army Aviation personnel so they could break through acryllic aircraft windows, cut through aircraft skin, cut electrical cables or use as a hammer or for close combat. Basically this is like the boss of knives and, like a Jeep, it's got a great history. This knife is a quality blade.
There you have it – nine items to help you survive and thrive, not only in the jungle, but in any back country environment. If I were putting together this box I’d include a water treatment option as well – after all, in the jungle there’s water water everywhere but not an [untreated] drop to drink…
If you're interested in a monthly subscription BattlBox for yourself or as a gift, here are the deets.
Happy Trails!
by Dawn Gallegos
Dawn Gallegos is the founding editor of the Chicks On The Rocks blog. When she's not working to fund her Jeep habit she's thinking up new ways to inspire others to explore the great outdoors.