The Ultimate Foraging Gear List: Be Prepared For Anything
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Looking to supplement part of your diet with wild edibles and reduce your grocery bill? Going back to the roots and doing what our ancestors did for millions of years can get you there! Our ancestors knew everything about their region, including all the tasty plants and mushrooms that grew there. They knew that nutritious food was all around them.
But unfortunately, a lot of this ancient knowledge has been lost. And only a few people realize that they could spend quality time adventuring in nature while bringing home amazing food ingredients.
If you want to harvest wild edibles you will need two things to start. A studious mind and the right gear to help you be as efficient as possible. Today you will learn about the latter. So keep reading to learn about the gear essentials every forager should have.
The good thing is that you don’t need a ton of gear to bring home a giant bag full of morel mushrooms. Unlike hunting or fishing, the gear investment is much more budget-friendly. But there are some tools to consider. Mostly because they will make your life so much easier and set you up for success.
So let’s start by going over some bag options. After all, you need something to carry all that gear and a huge harvest.
Foraging Bags
There are several options to consider when it comes to foraging bags.
Gear Backpack
You don’t have to get fancy with a backpack when you start. Just make sure that it is comfortable and has enough room and storage options to hold and organize all your gear. But if you are serious about foraging and other activities like hunting or fishing, I recommend getting something with quality. As you level up as a forager, you will want a backpack that can handle tough conditions and will be comfortable with a decent amount of weight in it.
I like to use my Alps Commander frame because I can strap a bag to it, as well as other gear. I can even use it to haul around heavy things on my back like a big bucket full of fresh Burdock Roots.
Foraging Harvest Bags
In the past, I have used large paper bags when picking plants and mushrooms. These are inexpensive and can get the job done. Although they have some downsides. Most of them are hard to carry, especially if you have to fill multiple of them. They also don’t close on the top to secure your harvest.
But the absolute worst is if they get wet. I went foraging with them in the rain before and ended up losing part of my harvest after a wet bag broke while I was heading back to the car. Never Again…
So in the last few years, I have switched to baskets and mesh bags to haul my harvest.
The mesh bags are especially great for mushrooms since they allow them to breathe and spread their spores. By allowing them to spread their spores you are giving them an opportunity to reproduce and settle in new areas. So mesh bags are great if you care about sustainability (which every forager should). I have settled on these right here. I like that the bag hangs a bit higher, because I can move through the woods fast without smacking it against my legs. You don’t want to smash your precious mushrooms to pieces. The only thing I wish it had are drawstings on top to close it.
Baskets are also great! They are the most traditional harvest bag and can hold up to the elements. They also look cool and make you feel much more primal. I don’t have one of these yet, but getting a backpack basket is on my list. Here is the one I have been eyeing and might pull the trigger on soon.
Blickey
A blickey is something I learned about while foraging with my friend Kyle Chamberlain in Washington. Kyle is a master forager and I actually did a great podcast episode with him if you want to check that out here.
Cooler Backpacks
I have never used these, but I know some friends who do. They recommend this one.
A cooler basket is great for plants and mushrooms that you want to keep cool right away. It also hides your harvest from other curious foragers on the trail.
I recommend keeping your mushrooms and plants as clean as possible before putting them in a cooler backpack like this one. There is nowhere for dirt to escape and fall through the cracks like there is in a mesh foraging bag. So dirty mushrooms will likely only get dirtier if you keep them in a cooler backpack while you are out and about moving around.
Knives & Tools
Knives For Foraging
Every forager needs a good knife … or multiple for different scenarios.
Most of the time you will have to cut through tough plant parts, trim mushrooms, and prepare your finds for cooking, either at home or at camp. A good foraging knife should have a sturdy, sharp blade with a comfortable grip.
If I am mushroom picking I like to carry a dedicated mushroom knife. It’s mind-boggling to me that some people never carry a knife when foraging. They will just break off the mushrooms with their hands. Use a mushroom knife to avoid damaging your precious harvest.
My favorite is the one from Opinel. A mushroom knife will usually have a brush attached to it. It might not seem necessary, but having a brush handy can save you a lot of work later in the kitchen. The brush will allow you to clean any dirt and debris from the mushrooms before you put them in your harvest bag. This will keep things a lot cleaner. Some mushrooms, like chanterelles, can be extremely hard to clean properly after they get dirt on them.
The last few years I have gotten more into root digging. And if you forage for plants with tasty roots, like burdock and salsify, I highly recommend one of these Hori Hori Knives. They are semi-dull and one side of the blade is serrated. With one of these, you can quickly cut the earth around the plant making the roots easier to pull out.
For everything else, I like to carry a good Multi-Tool that also has a saw built-in. A multitool will come in handy in many scenarios. They usually also have a bottle opener in case you need to open one of those homemade wine bottles.
Foraging Stick, Shovel, or Hand Trowel
Each of these is needed when you plan on digging edible underground plant parts like tubers. Some of these can reach several feet deep. Often times the bottom parts of wild roots are the most tender and tastiest, so you don’t want to leave them behind.
Our ancestors used digging sticks for this. You can buy those or make them yourself easily!
However, a portable shovel or hand trowel with a good edge can make things a lot quicker and easier, especially if you need to dig a big hole to get to the treasure.
Berry Rake
Berry season is something I look forward to every year. There are many different wild berries to go after and if you have your spots then all you have to do is time the harvest right. But berry picking can be a laborious job. It takes a lot of time to pick them up with your fingers. That is why I am using this berry rake this year. I chose this rake because it is less damaging to the plant compared to several other options out there.
Berry Hook
Another tool I recommend for the wild fruit picker is a berry hook. Tools like a berry hook were used by our ancestors throughout history to harvest from hard-to-reach branches.
Think of a pole with a hook on one side and a long rope with a loop tied to the other. You can use it to hook into branches and pull them within reach. Then step inside the rope loop to keep the branch in place. This will allow you to have both hands open for faster fruit harvesting. You can easily make one of these yourself. Leave a comment if you have questions on how to make one.
Garden Pruners
Pruners can be nice when you want to harvest branches or have to get through a patch of really thorny brush.
Foraging Gloves
I like to have gloves when I am working with plants that have physical defense mechanisms. Like very thorny plants for example. They are also great for picking plants that will make you itch like hell. You don’t want to touch wild parsnip for example! Wild parsnip has a chemical in it that can give you eczema and significant skin scares. My favorite gloves are the ones made from a tick animal hide. These will keep your hands protected and provide a sturdy grip! Check these out.
Binoculars
Binoculars for foraging??? Yes! You might not have expected optics to be on this gear list. After all, those plants and mushrooms won’t be running away if you get too close to them, so no need to watch em from a distance, right? Well, actually binos can be really helpful in some scenarios. I like to use them in forests when I am looking for mushroom clusters high up in the tree. I have used several binoculars in the past and love these from Maven Optics. Maven is a small company from Wyoming that makes high-quality optics in Japan.
Foraging Field Guides
Here is a list of some foraging books and field guides that have served me well over the years.
Apparel For Foraging Adventures
I highly recommend getting functional apparel for foraging that will make you more comfortable and protect you from the elements. Apparel isn’t as important for foraging as it is for hunting, but by choosing to wear the right clothes you will be able to make your foraging trips much more enjoyable. Below is some functional apparel I recommend.
If you forage in spring it’s a good idea to pack different layers! Especially, out here in the mountains the weather is very bipolar and can switch from clear skies to heavy rains in no time. So always prepare for the worst case in order to be safe. I like running Merino wool layers because they breathe well. Merino wool’s natural properties will provide warmth but also keep you cool on those super hot days. Don’t wear cotton, because once it gets wet, it will take forever to dry.
Rain Gear
Quality rain gear is a must for any outdoor adventure. No matter if you are foraging, hunting, or fishing. You always want to be prepared for when mother nature decides to soak you from above. Staying dry is always a priority. I wouldn’t wear rain gear in thick thorns or when it’s not raining, because you will likely get holes in it or sweat heavily. But keep it in your gear bag in case it starts to downpour.
I like my rain gear from Sitka. I mostly use this jacket and a pair of pants for my hunting setup. But it works great for foraging in the mountains as well. It is lightweight and breathable, which keeps you from being drenched with sweat when hiking. But you don’t necessarily need super expensive rain gear. I am more of the buy once, cry once type of guy though when it comes to gear.
Tough Outdoor Pants
I think it is also worth wearing a pair of long pants that will protect your legs from getting scratched up or coming into contact with plants that might cause an allergic reaction.
The one I recommend the most is this one from King’s Camo. It is made from a thick stretchable material. It also has side zippers to keep you cool on hot summer days. My favorite part about these pants though is the knee pads! These can be easily removed if you don’t like them. But I like to use them when I have to forage for things low to the ground.
Hiking Boot
A pair of quality boots might be the most important thing on the apparel list. If your footwear doesn’t fit, it will ruin your day really fast. Get something that goes above the ankles and has enough support to keep you from getting hurt.
I like boots with a waterproof membrane so that you can also take them through small streams or large puddles. I currently run Meindel Island boots. But my friend and hardcore Alaskan hunting guide, Tyler Kuhn, sold me on getting Kenetrek net. He recommends Kenetrek Mountain Extreme boots because they will last you for years if taken care of. But at the end of the day, you need to choose a boot that fits you well.
Waders or Hip Boots
Not all spots are easy to access! Sometimes you need to cross a body of water to get to your honey hole. And guess what? Often the real honey holes are the ones that have obstacles in the way. A stream will often keep other foragers away. So it is a good idea to carry a pair of waders in your vehicle. You don’t need anything fancy here! I have been using Frogg Togg waders for years and they have gotten the job done.
Other Gear To Consider
Insect Protection
I would definitely have some bug spray and even a head net in your gear bag. There have been times when I spent a few hours driving to a foraging spot only to run into an ungodly amount of mosquitos. I only forgot my bug spray and head net once…
Hydration
You could just carry a water bottle on your foraging trips. But for the trips that go several hours or even a whole weekend, I like to have a hydration bladder and water filter. My favorite part is that I can attach this filter directly to the hose on my water bladder. Having enough water also allows you to spare some for washing hands after harvesting.
Bear Spray
This won’t apply to everyone, but out here in bear country, you better keep some bear spray close. I don’t like to take chances so one of these is almost always in my bag.
GPS
This is another one that might be overkill for foraging in most states. But again, out here in the mountain west, I always keep my Garmin GPS close. I got locked out of my car in an area without service while Huckleberry picking once. It was late in the day when I came back to my car and realized that my keys were inside. Luckily, there was someone else on the trail willing to drive me home that day. Otherwise, I would’ve been sleeping under the stars with no one nearby in bear country. Yikes!
Dehydrator
So you harvested 10 gallons of morel mushrooms… what now? Eat them all in a week? Unless you have the appetite of a bear and LOVE mushrooms with every meal, I recommend you learn how to preserve those tasty mushrooms. And drying them is an age-old method that lets you do just that. This is where a dehydrator becomes invaluable. Preparing your mushrooms for the dehydrator is quick and easy. And then actually dehydrating them is even easier. There are tons of dehydrators on the market, but I recommend one that has a lot of trays, can reach high temperatures, and has a timer. A timer is nice so that you can let your ingredients dehydrate overnight. I have used the dehydrators from the company, Excalibur!. But a lot of my friends love this one.
I hope you learned something new from this post and are inspired to get after some wild edibles this year.
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