The Wndsn Blog

Gear we Like

Here at Wndsn we have been kicking around for a long time an idea of showcasing gear we like. This idea has picked up considerable steam since the advent of the Wndsn Expedition Team Telegram. Members are frequently sharing their favorite pieces of gear and it has become a valuable resource for crowd sourced information from people who actually use the products on a daily basis. We are not sure what format this feature will take in the future but we are bringing it here first.

Have a beloved item that is crucial to your kit that you think the world needs to know? Submit your review to info@wndsn.com, subject line: Gear we Like, following the format linked here.

Gear we Like: Altoids Tin

2021-07-05

Reviewed by Wndsn staff, Germany

Observations

There is a lot of passion out in the world for an otherwise innocuous piece of trash. After you finish an Altoids tin, having had fresh breath delivered, there’s this hardy box just laying there empty. Someone figured out that it was absolutely perfect for enhancing one’s odds in not-just-survival conditions, and with it, a love affair was born. Altoids mint tins have been popular with outdoor enthusiasts for decades, being re-used as crush-resistant first-aid or mini survival kit containers. A curious term of endearment for these kits is “Bug-Out Altoids Tin” or BOAT.

• Typical wilderness survival kit items are: firestarter/tinder, waterproof matches, scalpel, wire, charcoal tablets, mini chem lights, etc.
• Typical urban survival kit items are: Mini BIC lighter, paperclip/wire, p38 can opener, duct tape, razor blade, money, an NFC chip with communication details or preloaded SIM card info, etc.

All to say, it is very easy to add an extra layer of protection and foresight while taking up very little space or attention. The only problem is when you actually need a breath mint and all you have are razor blades.

Strengths

The tins are crush-resistant and fit into most pockets.

Limitations

Altoids tins are not waterproof and would have to be sealed for long-term storage.

Conclusion

Not everything needs to be packed in a hard case, but for those small items that do, the Altoids tin is a readily available choice. Secured with a few Ranger bands (pieces of inner bike tube), it's an ubiquitous piece of outdoor kit and an exercise in fitting as much as possible into a tight space.

Telemeters in Altoids Tins

Did you know that a standard Telemeter fits into a standard Altoids tin? The Telemeter is a recommended item in a survival kit and at a thickness of about 3 mm, it can go on the bottom of a tin until it's needed. The tough Dyneema string can be used for many emergency applications (whatever you can do with two feet of strong string), just as well as the tungsten carbide plumb line weight.

On top of the Telemeter, add useful items, depending on whether the kit is wilderness or urban specific (see above).

For those going with the even more compact Altoids Smalls tin, our dog tag tools fit right into these.

Specs

• Manufacturer: Altoids
• Manufacturer’s Website: https://productcentral.mars.com/altoids/
• Price: 2.50 €
• Weight (empty): 31 g (1 oz)
• Size: Outer overall: 2.4" (60 mm) x 3.8" (95 mm) x 0.83" (21 mm), inner: 2.2" (57 mm) x 3.6" (92 mm), corner radius: .55" (14 mm)