Do It Yourself

DIY outdoor projects fall into three groups: things you build before a trip, things you repair in the field, and things you improvise when you have no other option. All three are worth knowing, and most need nothing more than cord, tape, a knife and some patience.

Build-at-home projects save real money. A tent footprint cut from builder’s plastic costs a few dollars against fifty for the branded version, and a hand-carved walking stick costs nothing but an afternoon.

Field repairs are what save a trip. Fixing a zipper on a sleeping bag at 9pm, or putting an edge back on a blunt knife using a river stone, turns a ruined weekend into a minor annoyance.

Improvised solutions are for when the gear is gone or was never there. Building a water filter from sand, charcoal and a bottle won’t match a commercial filter, but it will clear sediment and buy you options.

Start with the repair guides if you camp regularly. They’re the skills you’ll reach for most.