I enjoy hiking abr damping, but my bushcraft and survival experience is limited to watching videos or reading articles. If at some point in the future you plan to go with a group of folks, either just on a day trip or perhaps an overnight trip, what are the odds, I could join your journey? That's w...

Even so, unlike many here I've never been a big fan of th Hildebrandt illustrations. They just come off really dated to me, and don't capture my imagination in the same way as the various Illustrations by people like Howe and Lee. Also, I absolutely imagine the Ithilien Rangers' masks as sort of ra...

I'm glad you made it over here! Welcome! I have a fair amount of kit already, just because of who I am, actor, larper, medieval enthusiast, etc. Though I would certainly love constructive criticisms, additions, if there is a topic section where people post what they have for the purposes of advice. ...

Like Manveruon, I don't find waxed leather bottles to give water a terrible taste (I use barley instead of sand, though, so that probably cuts down on grittiness), but they do require some care and feeding that a more modern water bottle doesn't. I've made a cover for a plastic bota liner, as has Ur...

My personal opinion is that "gauntlet" in this context means a heavy leather cuffed glove. Like you say, plate armor seems unlikely, especially given the rest of the description of their kit. I think leather bracers are also unlikely, for a couple of reasons. In Return of the King, Book V,...

I think I saw a picture of the tooling on Facebook, but the finished flacket is just lovely! I also really enjoy the composition of the picture with the map and the quiver - very nice! Wayne Robinson has a blog post on using a wooden mold to make a Mary Rose flacket. It's something I'd love to try, ...

Related to above post, now no longer necessary

I wear them with 18th century-style wool knitted stockings (we know that dwarves wore stockings - The Hobbit, Chapter 2: Roast Mutton), but knee-high cloth hose would probably work, too! I imagine that knitted stockings are more prone to getting caught on brambles and going into holes, so maybe clo...

I personally took the Professor literally when he said that men in northern parts would wear breeches. I know "breeches" is a vague word that can just mean trousers and that the Professor was not well-versed (nor particularly interested) in historic clothing, but I've been using 17th centu...

It’s good to hear from you!

I was ... hmm, I wouldn’t say worried about you and yours, since Rangers are prepared and resourceful folk, but I was concerned. I’m glad that you didn’t need to draw on your resourcefulness, though, because it sounds like you were well prepared!

Hmm, yeah i was hoping there was more. The lack of fur coats and jackets in medieval europe is also interesting. Might seem to have carried over to middle earth... The lack of fur coats and jackets in medieval Europe (especially the High Middle Ages in England and I think France) in in part due to ...

I’m not sure about fur jackets, but he did mention fur-LINED garments:

From The Lord of the Rings, Book II The Ring Goes South, Chapter 3 The Ring Goes South - “All were well furnished by Elrond with thick warm clothes, and they had jackets and cloaks lined with fur.”

I agree that a travelling craftsdwarf would be a very cool "in universe" disguise, and would add some fun kit to show folks for non-trekking outings, like Faires and Cons and the like. Folks do like looking at "stuff", it seems! it's tiny, very simple but useful for fine work lik...

Thanks, y’all! Seems like I’m in good company here, birthday month-wise

I agree with Udwin - your kit has come a long way! Good thinking to pack your gear in; even short little trips like that can provide you with a lot of valuable information. When I go to the southeastern Ranger moots, I always try to limit myself to the gear that I can carry into camp on my back in o...