Side Quest Kit

Less time researching gear. More time out doing.

You don't need a garage full of expensive equipment to have a good adventure. This is the gear that makes our favorite side quests possible, with practical buying advice, realistic prices and one current pick for each type. Buy by the notes, not the brand.

Gear that unlocks the most adventures

The types the most quests on the site call for. One of these opens a lot of doors.

Equipment

UV flashlight (365-395 nm)$12-3034 quests
Regional foraging field guide$16-3531 quests
Jeweler's loupe (10x-20x magnification)$8-2528 quests
Compact binoculars (8x25 to 10x42)$25-12025 quests
Led headlamp with red light mode$15-3022 quests
Waterproof field notebook with grid pages$12-1820 quests
Soft rubber brayer (4-inch)$6-1419 quests
Linoleum cutter set with blades$12-1817 quests
Regional field guide (physical book)$18-3515 quests
Reusable water bottleusually already owned14 quests
Smartphoneusually already owned14 quests
Digital kitchen scale (0.1g precision)$15-2513 quests
Comfortable walking shoesusually already owned12 quests
Polyhedral dice set (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20)$8–1512 quests
Digital caliper (6-inch)$10–2511 quests
Foraging basket or breathable mesh bag$15–3511 quests
Foraging knife or scissors$8–2011 quests
Portable digital voice recorder$30–8011 quests
Self-healing cutting mat (A4-A3 size)$15-2511 quests
Conversation starter card deck$12-2510 quests
Portable bluetooth speaker (3-5 watts)$30-5010 quests
Soil pH test kit$12-259 quests
Binoculars (8x42)$50–2007 quests
Block printing starter kit$25–407 quests
Digital kitchen timer with multiple channels$15–257 quests
Habit tracker journal$10-257 quests
Handheld light meter$30–1207 quests
Hori hori garden knife$20-407 quests
Instant-read digital thermometer$10–257 quests
Linoleum carving set$18–357 quests
Small first aid kit$10–257 quests
Work apron with tool pockets$18–607 quests
Breathable mesh harvest bags$12–256 quests
Digital voice recorder with timestamp$20–806 quests
Fast prime lens (f/1.8 or wider)$150–4006 quests
Food dehydrator with temperature control$50–1506 quests
Grid notebook$12–306 quests
Half-face respirator with p100 filters$25–606 quests
Mechanical kitchen timer$6–186 quests
Orienteering compass with declination adjustment$15-306 quests
Pocket dot grid notebook$7–156 quests
Reflective safety vest$8–156 quests
Safety glasses with side shields$12-206 quests
Baren printing tool$8–185 quests
Dry erase board with stand$25–555 quests
Fermentation weights with airlock lids$18–405 quests
Field guide to American architecture$18–305 quests
Film changing bag$15-355 quests
Hand lens magnifier (10x-20x)$12–305 quests
Magnetic dry erase whiteboard (24x36 inch)$15–455 quests
Pocket notebookusually already owned5 quests
Regional native plant field guide$16–355 quests
Small backpack (15-25L)usually already owned5 quests
Tactical flashlight (200+ lumens)$25–505 quests
8-inch chef's knife$40–1204 quests
Bench scraper$7–154 quests
Cut-resistant glove (level 5)$7–404 quests
Daylight LED desk lamp (adjustable arm)$25–504 quests
Digital timer with loud alarm$15–254 quests
Dot grid journal (hardcover)$15–354 quests
Handheld GPS unit$100-2004 quests
Insulated food carrier bag$15–354 quests
Interval timer with vibration$15-254 quests
Minimalist training shoes with wide toe box$60–1204 quests
Pocket monocular (8x25 or 10x25)$25–704 quests
Reusable shopping bagusually already owned4 quests
Small dry erase board (8.5x11 inch)$7–184 quests
Telescoping magnetic pickup tool$10–184 quests
Thorn-proof gardening gloves$8–404 quests
Transparent practice lock set$15–354 quests
Two-way radio set (2+ mile range)$50-1004 quests
Watercolor travel set (12–24 colors)$12–404 quests
Weather-resistant field journal$10–184 quests
Action camera mount system$15–453 quests
Adjustable LED desk lamp with color temperature control$25–453 quests
Amber glass dropper bottles (2 oz)$12–25 for 6-12 bottles3 quests
Bluetooth item tracker$25–35 each, $70–100 for 4-pack3 quests
Canning funnel and jar lifter set$8–203 quests
Clip-on daylight LED task lamp$18–303 quests
Close-focusing binoculars (8x32 or 10x42)$80–2003 quests
Cloud identification chart (laminated)$9–153 quests
Combination whetstone (1000/6000 grit)$15–503 quests
Crossbody sling bag$15–503 quests
Digital pH meter$15–403 quests
Ferrocerium rod fire starter$10–253 quests
Fine-tip permanent markers (multi-color)$8–173 quests
Flashlight with red light mode$20–453 quests
Folding pruning shears$12–303 quests
Foraging tool kit$20–503 quests
Full-length mirror$25–503 quests
Glass food storage container set$35–453 quests
Illuminated jeweler's loupe (10x)$8–223 quests
Infrared thermometer$20–353 quests
Japanese pull saw$20–603 quests
Keychain multitool$15–353 quests
Large diaphragm condenser microphone$90–2003 quests
Multi-medium art starter kit$40–803 quests
Personal safety alarm (130dB)$12–203 quests
Portable document scanner$120–2003 quests
Portable label maker$25–403 quests
Screen printing squeegee$10–223 quests
Smartphone gimbal stabilizer$60–1203 quests
Smartphone with GPSusually already owned3 quests
Smartphone with voice recorderusually already owned3 quests
Technical drawing pens (waterproof ink)$8–253 quests
Telescopic inspection mirror$15–303 quests
Trail camera with night vision$60–1503 quests
Visual countdown timer$15–303 quests
Waterproof field guide to animal tracks$8–253 quests
Wildlife tracking reference cards$8–253 quests
Wireless doorbell$10–253 quests
Wireless lavalier microphone system$40–803 quests
35mm film developing tank kit$35–502 quests
Acoustic foam panel kit$45–902 quests
Acrylic sheet (8x10 inch, clear)$7–152 quests
Action camera with wide-angle lens$50–1502 quests
Adjustable drawing board with storage$20–452 quests
Adjustable grip strengthener$15–252 quests
All-weather pressurized pen$25–452 quests
Artist's viewfinder$8-152 quests
Badge making kit or icon pack$0–15 digital / $25–50 physical kit2 quests
Baseplate compass with declination adjustment$35–702 quests
Bokashi composting starter kit$35-502 quests
Bone folder scoring tool$5–122 quests
Bonsai starter kit with live tree$25–602 quests
Bookbinding awl$6–202 quests
Camera drone$150-4002 quests
Cast iron skillet (10-12 inch)$25–352 quests
Clay sculpting wire tool set$8–182 quests
Closed-back studio headphones$50–80 per pair2 quests
Closed-toe work bootsusually already owned2 quests
Collapsible insulated cooler bag$25-402 quests
Collapsible reflector disc (5-in-1)$20–402 quests
Cork bulletin board2 quests
Corner rounder punch$10–202 quests
Cut-resistant carving glove$10–152 quests
Digital multimeter with auto-ranging$20–402 quests
Digital timer$7–252 quests
Embroidery starter kit with hoop$14–202 quests
Emergency mylar blanket$8–152 quests
Emergency whistle (pealess)$3–82 quests
Fabric resistance loop bands (set)$18–302 quests
Field guide to urban wildlife (regional)$10–252 quests
Fine-mesh strainer (8-inch)$10-202 quests
Foam core board (20x30 inch)$8–15 per board2 quests
Folding pruning saw$18–502 quests
Folding scissors with sheath$10–182 quests
Folding table (6-8 foot)$45–752 quests
Folding utility wagon$60–1002 quests
Foraging harvest basket with ventilation$20-452 quests
Full-spectrum LED grow light bar$45-852 quests
GPS bike computer$60–2002 quests
Grabber tool (24-36 inch)$10–252 quests
Habit tracker planner or productivity app$0–10/month or $18–25 one-time2 quests
Half-sheet baking pan$8–15 each2 quests
Hand-crank emergency radio with solar panel$30–552 quests
Harvesting scissors with serrated edge and holster$12–252 quests
Heavy-duty folding utility cart$60–1302 quests
Heavy-duty work gloves$10–202 quests
Hobby starter kit$25–752 quests
Indoor air quality monitor$70–1502 quests
Instant camera$70–1502 quests
Interval timer with visual display$15–252 quests
Kneeling pad$10–182 quests
Laser distance measurer$20–502 quests
Leather edge burnishing tool set$15–252 quests
Lightweight hiking daypack with hip belt$40–702 quests
Lock picking training set$15-302 quests
Long-reach stapler$15–302 quests
Magnifying lamp with stand$40–802 quests
Metal storage tin$6–102 quests
Multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver set$25–352 quests
Multi-gas detector$80–1802 quests
Multi-tool with pliers$19–602 quests
Natural sea sponge$6–122 quests
Overhead camera mount or document stand$25–602 quests
Paint brush set with extension pole$35–602 quests
Personal locator beacon (PLB)$200–4702 quests
Plant press kit with blotting paper$30–702 quests
Pocket journal (3x5)$5–122 quests
Pocket magnifier (3x-10x)$8–202 quests
Polarized sunglasses$20–402 quests
Pop-up canopy (10x10 ft) with sidewalls$120–2502 quests
Portable bluetooth speaker$25–402 quests
Portable chair or blanketusually already owned2 quests
Portable folding stool$15–302 quests
Portable induction cooktop$50–752 quests
Portable LED panel light with color temperature control$35–702 quests
Portable PA system with wireless mic$50–902 quests
Portable photo printer (4x6)$80–1202 quests
Portable seat cushion$15–302 quests
Portable tabletop easel$25–402 quests
Portable water filtration system$20–402 quests
Portable watercolor paint set$12–352 quests
Potter's rib set$10–182 quests
Rechargeable bike light set (500+ lumens front)$35-802 quests
Rechargeable keychain flashlight (200+ lumens)$15-252 quests
Screen printing starter kit$35–552 quests
Smartphone thermal camera attachment$130–2352 quests
Stackable craft storage bins with clear fronts$20–40 for 4-pack set2 quests
Stainless steel stockpot (6+ qt)$30–502 quests
Steel shooting targets$80–1802 quests
Structural assessment tool kit$25–602 quests
Tabletop tripod with ball head$25–502 quests
Tactical pen with glass breaker$15–252 quests
Tripod with phone mount and remote$20–352 quests
USB audio interface (2-4 channel)$120–2202 quests
Vacuum sealer system$40–1202 quests
Vacuum sealer with bags$35–752 quests
Water bath canner with rack$35-602 quests
Waterproof field journal$12-202 quests
Waterproof ripstop tarp (8x10 ft)$20–352 quests
Weather-appropriate clothing in muted colorsusually already owned2 quests
Wired earbuds with inline mic$15–502 quests
Wireless meat thermometer$35–602 quests
Woven harvest basket (3-5 gallon)$25–452 quests

Accessories

Clip-on macro lens for smartphone$15-4070 quests
Portable power bank (10,000-20,000 mAh)$20-3523 quests
Portable power bank (20,000+ mAh)$30-5018 quests
Microfiber lens cleaning cloth$5-128 quests
Instant film light shield$8–187 quests
Physical reward tokens$10–257 quests
Circular polarizing filter (clip-on or threaded)$18-456 quests
Waterproof phone pouch with lanyard$15-306 quests
Action camera chest mount$15–305 quests
Portable phone battery pack (10,000mAh+)$20–355 quests
Glass fermentation weights$10–204 quests
Laminated field reference card$8–124 quests
Binocular harness strap$15–303 quests
Camera clip mount$60–803 quests
Card storage box with dividers$8–203 quests
Chest mount phone holder$15–253 quests
Circular polarizing filter (CPL)$20–503 quests
Clip-on wide-angle lens for phone$20–453 quests
Close-up lens attachment for instant camera$8–203 quests
Remote shutter release$15–353 quests
Smartphone tripod with flexible legs$12–253 quests
Waterproof map case with lanyard$8–183 quests
3-ring binder photo sleeves (4x6 inch)$6–12 per 25-pack2 quests
Acrylic desk nameplate stand$12–252 quests
Adjustable tablet stand or arm mount$25–1202 quests
Armband phone mount$15–252 quests
Blue light blocking glasses$10–402 quests
Circular polarizing filter (52-77mm)$25–602 quests
Clip-on book light$12-202 quests
Color correction gel filter set$8–252 quests
Decision dice or randomizer$6–152 quests
Fingerless grip gloves with wrist support$10–252 quests
Flexible tripod (gorillapod style)$20–502 quests
Foam windscreen for microphone$5–152 quests
Furry windscreen (deadcat muff) for microphone$10-182 quests
Laminated plant identification card (protected species)$8–152 quests
Lapel pin or patch$5–202 quests
Pocket dice set$8–222 quests
Power strip with USB ports$15–252 quests
Reusable fine mesh strainer bag$7–122 quests
Silicone craft mat (heat-resistant)$15-252 quests
Slim wallet with card slots$15–302 quests
Sunglassesusually already owned2 quests
Variable ND filter (3-8 stop)$50–1002 quests
Waterproof index card storage box$8–152 quests
Wide-angle lens (16-35mm equivalent)$80–8002 quests
Wireless camera shutter release$15–402 quests
Workout gloves with wrist support$15–352 quests

Consumables

Weatherproof field notebook$12–2526 quests
Water-based block printing ink for fabric$10-1818 quests
Soil heavy metal test kit$25-4516 quests
Notebook and penusually already owned14 quests
Instant camera film pack$35–709 quests
Blank playing cards (printable)$12-258 quests
PH test strips$8-158 quests
Sunscreen and hatusually already owned7 quests
Achievement sticker pack$8–256 quests
Canvas tote bags (natural, unbleached)$12–185 quests
Graphite transfer paper$4–125 quests
Paracord (550 lb, 50-100 ft)$8–185 quests
Pocket field notes notebook$10–155 quests
Blank index cards (3x5 inch)$5–104 quests
Cash in small billsusually already owned4 quests
Cold-press watercolor paper pad (140 lb)$12–254 quests
Dot grid notebook (A5)$7–184 quests
Waxed linen bookbinding thread$8–154 quests
Adhesive name tag labels$5–153 quests
Air-dry polymer clay$10–203 quests
Challenge card deck$12–203 quests
Cyanotype paper kit (pre-sensitized)$8–153 quests
Mixed media paper pad$8–153 quests
Native wildflower seed mix (regional)$15–353 quests
Pencil or penusually already owned3 quests
Printmaking paper pad$15–243 quests
Ruled index cards (3x5 inch, color-coded)$7–153 quests
Unmounted linoleum block (6x8 inch)$8–153 quests
Washi tape$8–153 quests
Air-dry clay starter kit$20–452 quests
Alum powder (aluminum sulfate or potassium aluminum sulfate)$10–152 quests
Alum powder (mordant)$12–182 quests
Black and white film developer$10–352 quests
Colored dot stickers$4–122 quests
Dual-tip permanent markers$12-182 quests
Energy snacksusually already owned2 quests
Exterior acrylic paint$8–20 per quart2 quests
Habit tracker stickers$8–122 quests
Hand sanitizer and wipes$8–152 quests
Kombucha SCOBY with starter liquid$12–202 quests
Linoleum carving block$8–202 quests
Local history book$8–252 quests
Matte medium (8 oz)$7–122 quests
Micro geocache log sheets (waterproof)$8-122 quests
Mixed media sketchbook$15–252 quests
Natural fiber fabric (cotton or muslin)$6–182 quests
Photo emulsion kit for screen printing$20–302 quests
Quest tracking journal$8–182 quests
Sidewalk chalk set$12–202 quests
Soft-cut carving blocks$12–232 quests
Team identification bandanas or wristbands$8–202 quests
Topographic map (printed)$10–152 quests
Transfer pipettes$6–122 quests
Watercolor paint set (24+ colors)$12–30 student / $30–60 artist2 quests

Apps & digital

INaturalist appfree18 quests
Plant identification app (premium subscription)$15–40/year12 quests
Habitica premium subscription$5/month11 quests
Merlin Bird ID appfree11 quests
Offline GPS navigation appfree to $40/year11 quests
Gamification habit tracker app$0–5/month10 quests
Offline maps appfree8 quests
Quest tracking app$0–10/month7 quests
Notion or airtablefree (or $10/month for premium features)6 quests
Historical map overlay appfree (premium features $5–12/month for expanded archives)5 quests
INaturalist or PlantNet appfree (optional subscriptions $15–30/year add features)5 quests
Offline mapping app with custom layersfree to $20 one-time5 quests
Habit tracking app subscription4 quests
Library cardfree4 quests
Offline maps app with custom waypoints$0–154 quests
Plant identification app$0–30/year4 quests
Bird field guide or identification app$0–253 quests
Document scanner appfree3 quests
Gamification design book$15–253 quests
Habit tracking app with location features$0–5/month3 quests
Property records research subscription$20–40/month3 quests
Randonautica appfree3 quests
Sun position app$0–103 quests
Transit app with offline mapsfree (premium features $3–12/month, rarely needed)3 quests
Voice recording app with geotaggingusually already owned3 quests
Architectural field guide or app$15–302 quests
Architecture guidebook or app$0–202 quests
Audio editing softwarefree (Audacity, GarageBand) or $60 (Reaper)2 quests
Book cataloging appfree2 quests
EBird appfree2 quests
Gamification app subscription$0–10/month2 quests
Geotagging camera appfree or $0–10 one-time2 quests
Habit tracking appfree–$5/month2 quests
Liability waiver template$0–352 quests
Light meter appfree2 quests
LinkedIn Premium subscription (1-month trial)$0–402 quests
Location marking appfree2 quests
Makerspace membership$50–150/month or $15–30/day2 quests
Offline mapping app with property boundaries$0–40/year2 quests
Offline maps pro app subscription$10–30/year2 quests
Online learning platform subscription$10–40/month2 quests
Personal liability insurance rider$150–300/year2 quests
Sun and moon position planning app$10–12 (one-time purchase)2 quests
Sun seeker app (premium)$10–152 quests
Transit app pro subscription$3–5/month or $30/year2 quests
Translation app with offline modefree to $10/year (offline packs may cost $5–50 one-time for dedicated devices)2 quests
Urban exploration field guide app$0–15/month2 quests
Utility tracking app (free)free2 quests
Voice recording app with transcription$0–10/month2 quests

Find your gear. Start your next adventure. Browse the quests