C.U.A. - RakAdx Kill ‘n Pad
Whether it is a 4-hour hunt or a multi-day backcountry adventure, two important thoughts come to mind when loading out a pack:
Multi-purpose pieces of gear are clutch.
Ounces make pounds. Pounds make pain.
Truth be told, I tend to pack heavy for the average hunt. I prefer an extra pound or two for comfort vice ultralight set-ups lacking a few creature comforts. However, I still look for single items which serve multiple purposes. One of those items is the Kill ‘n Pad by RakAdx.
I discovered RakAdx back in 2018 while being hosted by Sportsman’s Choice Record Rack at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Outdoor Show during the National Finals Rodeo. My wanderings found me engaged in conversation with Heath Burchinal at the RakAdx booth. Heath was launching his hat and apparel line at the time. Not to stray off topic, but his hats, apparel and swag are of high quality and creatively designed. I digress…
Two years later, while prepping for a Washington coast early archery elk hunt, I desired a ground barrier for the floor of my tent and potential meat processing. At that time, the boys at Born and Raised Outdoors were encouraging hunters to locate scrap pieces of Tyvek at local construction sites to serve both purposes. Although new construction was in full swing in my local area, locating scrap Tyvek was as challenging and unproductive as my elk hunt turned out to be.
The 60”x55” Kill ‘n Pad provides ample room for gear or meat.
RakAdx has us covered. The Kill ‘n Pad is a 60”x55” rectangle constructed of lightweight, waterproof rip-stop material. Weighing in at a mere 6oz, this versatile piece of kit is a must have.
ground barrier, inside or outside of a tent
meat tarp
rain fly
poncho
pack liner
signal blanket
rain water catch
Currently available in 4 colors: red, yellow, green and orange, the future owner may choose the right fit for their pending activity.
The reinforced edges and corner anchor pockets allow “stake free” employment if desired.
Upon receipt of the pad, the user will find the tarp packed neatly in a stuff pouch made of the same material. I personally do not the use the stuff pouch. I fold my pad flat and place it in the very bottom of my pack. It provides additional moister protection for the bottom of my bag when placed on damp or wet ground and it takes up minimal space.
Next, you will find the edges and corners are reinforced for continued use and abuse. The corners have triangular sleeves for wind weights. The newer versions come with ground stakes (not an option when I ordered both of mine). The folded and double-stitched seams are strong and resilient.
Prepping a Nebraska whitetail for the 18-hour drive home. The Kill ‘n Pad was rinsed off, machine washed and air dried 36-hours after use. It looks and smells brand new.
Care and cleaning after use is simple. For dirt and mud, simply spray it off with a hose. After being used for a meat tarp, I throw mine in the washer and run on a gentle cycle with cold water, after a good hosing down of course.
The one negative I will dig up from the bottom of the barrel is noise. Bear in mind, I am digging deep for this one. The rip stop material is not quiet. However, it is no more objectionable than my Big Agnes Copper Spur ultralight tent. When properly packed in your backpack of choice, you will forget it is there. When being deployed in time of need, one is no longer concerned with surreptitious precautions. Hence, I remind you I was digging deep for a “other than positive” comment.
The Kill ‘n Pad staged upwind while filling the role of my “clean area”.
To share a personal experience, I have used one of my two Kill ‘n Pad’s 4 times since I purchased them the summer of 2020. The first use was in recovering a decaying 5x5 Roosevelt elk I discovered on the second to last day of season. The bull was so decayed you could hear the maggots crawling on it from 10 meters away. I used the pad as a gear staging tarp as I fleshed it out and prepped the head for transport. Post-recovery, I rinsed and washed the pad as I described above and it was ready for use, again.
The Kill ‘n Pad is hands down one of my favorite pieces of kit and I always carry one when stepping off the road or trail for time with Mother Nature.
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