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The SOL Origin™ is an awesome concept and cool piece of gear for the realm of survival kits. The SOL Origin™ is the lightest, most space efficient, and most durable survival kit on the market. Weighing only 6.25oz and measuring 3.875″ x 2.75″ x 1.5″, this ABS- plastic waterproof case can fit easily in the palm of my hand.
Incredibly, the list of tools integrated into the hard case is actually quite expansive.
Here is what the SOL Origin™ has to offer:
1. TinderQuik fire starting tinder
2. 150lb-test braided nylon cord
3. Mil-spec stainless steel wire
4. Emergency sewing kit
5. Fishing kit
6. Flip-up Rescue Flash signal mirror with retro reflective aiming aid
7. One-hand-operable Fire Lite fire starter
8. Removable liquid-damped compass
9. Fully-functional AUS-8 drop-point folding blade knife
10. Ultra-bright LED light integrated into the knife handle
11. 100db rescue whistle
12. Backcountry expert Buck Tilton’s survival instruction manual
But, what is a review unless you put it to the test, right? So, I took the SOL Origin™ with me this past weekend on a short overnight backpacking trip to the Ozette Triangle on the Olympic Coast. While I did not use all of the gear included within the SOL Origin™, I do have a few comments on the tools which came in handy during our short 9.4 mile overnight trip. Of course, we were a far cry from a survival situation, in which the gear within the SOL Origin™ would be most utilized.
The SOL Origin™ fit easily into one of my small side pockets on my pack, which I usually rarely use. In the event that I would slip on the rocks and land on the gear didn’t worry me as the SOL Origin™ keeps its contents secure and dry in the ABS- plastic waterproof case. In the event of a drop the SOL Origin™ did not bust open as some small cases tend to do, but instead the hinged clasp remained securely clipped against the body of the case retaining the small tools safely inside.
At one point I slid the SOL Origin™ into my cargo pocket on my pants, to see if it would hinder my hiking abilities or jiggle around in my pocket too much. It’s always best to keep survival gear on one’s self instead of the pack, anyway. While it was noticeable, I did not feel it was an inconvenience to carry it in my pants cargo pocket because it is so lightweight. I can’t say the same thing for my former emergency survival kit that we usually pack on our trips, that thing wouldn’t fit in my pocket even if I divided it in half as it’s basically a gallon sized ziplock packed full of weird and wonderful emergency gear. It was reassuring that in the event that I needed to ditch my pack for any reason, I would still have what it takes to survive perfectly packed in my pocket. That’s where that handy 62+ tip sheet would come in handy, because honestly I don’t actually know much about wilderness survival. Only a short 7 years ago I was perfectly happy sitting in my perfectly air conditioned living room in Houston playing video games, and the only hiking I did was to the fridge to get another Coca-Cola. Then I met my adventure-loving wife from the Pacific Northwest who turned my whole world upside down and introduced me to this thing they call ‘Fresh Air’. Even if you go outside in Houston, it doesn’t exist. But, my point is that I better not lose that little folded sheet or I’m doomed.
I took charge making the fire for the night. I whittled a piece of dry drift wood into shavings and slivers using the SOL Origin™ AUS-8 drop-point folding blade knife, then I made a small little fingerling ditch in the fire pit. I placed the SOL Origin™ fire starting tinder perpendicularly across the little ditch, creating a teepee of shavings and slivers over it. Using the one-hand-operable Fire Lite fire starter I lit the SOL Origin™ fire starting tinder, which quickly caught fire and remained in flame for at least 2 minutes. In that time the shavings and slivers caught fire, and I was able to add small sticks and then larger ones to create quite the cozy fire in under 10 minutes. I also had used the one-hand-operable Fire Lite fire starter to light my MSR Reactor stove to boil my water for my AlpineAire freeze dried meal that night. The SOL Origin™ AUS-8 drop-point folding blade knife was also perfect for slicing off the top of my AlpineAire pouch like a ninja.
While I do not have some hardcore survival story to tell you how I used every piece of equipment you should rest assured that with the SOL Origin™ in hand you have what it takes do something useful with your time until rescue teams are able to find you. Just be sure to signal with the handy flip-up Rescue Flash signal mirror with retro reflective aiming aid and the 100db rescue whistle to help them find you. The whistle really works, while we didn’t want to test it out on our trip my wife made sure to empty her lungs into it only 2 inches away from my sleeping face this morning. I’m not a morning person, but when my ears are still tingling 2 minutes after I’ve woken up then I’m really not a morning person. She made up for it with a steaming latte delivered to my desk with a smiley face drawn on top with caramel sauce. I’m a sucker for those kinds of things, and she knows it.
I can’t wait to test out the SOL Origin™ fishing kit when we hike to a fresh water lake on our next trip. I’ll give you an update when I do. Have you had a chance to try out the SOL Origin™? Please comment, share, tweet, and connect with us on Facebook! We would love to hear from you.
Reviewed by:
Tim B
The Outdoor Adventure Team
The Outdoor Adventure Team
