Rule one, don’t carry a lot of junk – every ounce is a fight for survival, not a fashion statement. Rule two, pick gear that does double or triple duty; a knife that cuts, sharpens, and can even act as a fire starter. Rule three, redundancy is key – a backup fire starter or a spare set of cordage. Rule four, durability over weight; a cheap, flimsy item will break when you need it most. Rule five, trust what you’ve tested; theory’s good, but a tool that’s burned a campfire twice in harsh weather is the real winner. If you can’t think of a use, toss it.