Bushcraft is a term you hear more and more, but what is it exactly? And how do you start without immediately buying a pile of gear? In this article we explain accessibly what bushcraft is, where it comes from and how to start sensibly, with the emphasis on skill rather than gear.
The meaning of bushcraft
Bushcraft is about being able to fend for yourself in nature with simple means and knowledge. Think of making fire, building a shelter, finding and purifying water, recognising food and finding your way. The word is hard to capture in a single other word, but comes closest to nature skill or outdoor living with practical knowledge.
The core is not gear, but what you can do yourself. Someone with a lot of bushcraft knowledge gets by with little, while expensive gear alone without skill is worth little.
Bushcraft is not the same as camping
A common question is what the difference is between camping and bushcraft. With camping you bring comfort: a tent, a mat, a cooker. With bushcraft you lean more on skills and what the surroundings offer. One is not better than the other, but the approach differs: bringing comfort versus fending for yourself with knowledge.
How do you start sensibly?
The biggest pitfall for beginners is buying a lot right away. Better to start small and build skill. A few practical steps:
- learn one skill at a time first, for example making fire or tying a knot
- practise close to home before heading further into nature
- read or take a course to safely master the basics
- do not go alone at the start, certainly not in remote places
By starting small you naturally notice which gear you really need, instead of guessing in advance. What gear you want afterwards is covered in bushcraft gear: what you really need.
Safety and respect for nature
Bushcraft also means dealing responsibly with the surroundings. Leave no traces, respect rules on fire and camping and take your rubbish with you. Where you may bushcraft and what is and is not allowed is covered in hiking in the Netherlands: where you may camp or bushcraft freely.
For anyone heading into nature, a reliable backpack is a logical first investment. Take a look at the outdoor backpacks as a starting point.
Frequently asked questions
What does bushcraft mean?
Bushcraft means being able to fend for yourself in nature with simple means and knowledge, such as making fire, building a shelter and finding water. The emphasis is on skill.
What is the translation of bushcraft?
There is no exact translation. It comes closest to nature skill or outdoor living with practical knowledge, meaning fending for yourself in nature with what you can do and what the surroundings offer.
What is the difference between camping and bushcraft?
With camping you bring comfort such as a tent and cooker. With bushcraft you lean more on skills and what nature offers. The approach differs, not the value.
How do you start with bushcraft?
Start small: learn one skill at a time, practise close to home, optionally take a course and do not go alone at the start. Build skill before investing in gear.
Getting started with bushcraft yourself? See the gear that gives you a solid base.
Folding shovel with compass → | 550 paracord rope → | Outdoor backpacks →
