The Importance of Map Reading and Land Navigation Skills
Navigation isn't just a skill—it's a lifeline. Whether you're on a multi-day trek, leading a survival course, or preparing for uncertain times, the right kit can be the difference between finding your path or losing your way. This guide breaks down exactly what goes into a professional-grade land navigation kit, based on decades of field-tested experience.
Why Your Navigation Kit Matters
A solid navigation kit bridges the gap between knowing where you are and where you're going. In the digital age, many rely on GPS—but batteries die, signals fail, and screens break. A well-prepared land nav kit never runs out of power and can guide you in total wilderness. It also allows for precise movement across terrain, whether you're dead reckoning through dense forest or performing terrain association in rolling hills.
Core Components of a Land Navigation Kit
1. Compass
The compass is your primary directional tool. A mirror compass with declination adjustment is ideal because it allows you to correct for the difference between magnetic north and grid north—an essential step when navigating with a map. Military lensatic compasses are rugged, but they are less precise and lack many of the features that civilian compasses offer.
Our professional wilderness instructors exclusively use, and consistently recommend the Suunto MC-2—the compass trusted in every course and field exercise.
2. Maps (Topographic)
Maps are the foundation of land navigation. A topographic map displays elevation changes and terrain features using contour lines, allowing you to identify hills, valleys, ridges, and depressions. These maps also include grid systems such as UTM or MGRS, which are essential for plotting your position and navigating to coordinates. Always protect your maps with a waterproof case.
We rely on custom maps from MyTopo for every GB2 course and adventure—durable, detailed, and field-proven for both training and real-world navigation.
3. Protractor/Coordinate Scale
The protractor is used to measure azimuths and plot points on your map. When used in combination with a grid reference system, it allows you to accurately navigate to known coordinates. A transparent protractor overlays directly onto the map, making it easy to use in any light condition.
Our instructors use and recommend the Round Military Protractor the most—it’s clear, precise, and designed specifically for fast, accurate land nav plotting. It has multiple map scales, a dedicated distance scale, a reverse azimuth scale, and can be used as a standard- or reverse-index protractor. It also has the most useful diagram for converting azimuths for local declination.
4. Pace Beads (Ranger Beads)
Pace beads are a manual method of measuring distance traveled on foot. As you walk, you track every 100 meters by sliding a bead. Knowing your pace count (how many steps it takes you to travel 100 meters) in different terrains is critical for dead reckoning—navigating without visible landmarks. This tool becomes especially important in dense woods or nighttime travel.
These Pace Beads are the same ones we use in our training courses—they’re lightweight, durable, and a critical tool for pace counting in any terrain.
5. Waterproof Notebook
This is your logbook in the field. Use it to record coordinates, azimuths, landmarks, or notes about the terrain. Writing things down keeps your plan organized and is invaluable when retracing steps or handing off navigation tasks to someone else. The waterproof paper ensures you can write in rain, snow, or sweat-soaked conditions.
This is the same Rite in the Rain Field Book our instructors carry—built for extreme conditions and essential for tracking coordinates and observations. Although the Tan Tactical version is a little more expensive compared to the green spiral notebook, it has more pages, is a better size for general work, and does not have the metallic spiral binding that can interfere with your compass when plotting or navigating.
6. Mechanical Pencil
A mechanical pencil is a precise, reliable writing tool that performs well in cold, wet, or windy environments where ink pens might fail. It allows for quick notes, fine detail work on maps, and easy corrections without smudging. When paired with a Rite in the Rain notebook, it becomes an indispensable part of your navigation workflow.
Our instructors prefer using the Rite In The Rain Tough Mechanical Pencil in the field—it’s dependable, precise, and has a single long lead that is heavy duty and hard to break. In addition, with the exception of the removable pocket clip, all metallic parts are brass and won't interfere with the magnetic needle on your compass.
7. Fresnel Lens
The Fresnel lens is a lightweight magnifying lens that serves multiple purposes. It magnifies marginal data and small map text—crucial for interpreting symbols or notes in low light. More importantly, it doubles as a solar fire-starting tool in sunny conditions. This backup fire method weighs next to nothing and can be a lifesaver in an emergency.
Our team always includes a GB2 Fresnel Lens in the kit—perfect for reading map details and starting a fire with sunlight when conditions allow. It has also been used by many of us to replace a pair of lost reading glasses in the field. It is truly an essential kit item.
Recommended Gear List:
- Suunto MC-2 Compass
- Topographic Map
- Round Military Protractor
- Pace Beads
- Rite in the Rain Tan Tactical Field Book
- Rite In The Rain Tough Mechanical Pencil
- GB2 Fresnel Lens
Conclusion
Having a dialed-in navigation kit is non-negotiable for serious outdoorsmen and survivalists. These tools don’t just help you find your way—they ensure you stay alive. Start with the right gear. Master the skills. And always know where you are.
Want to Learn More?
This article is based on Master Navigator Part 1: Map Reading and Land Navigation Kit, part one in a ten-part series covering our most popular live event (The Original GB2 Master Navigator Course). Download the full PDF for diagrams, pro tips, and a complete gear breakdown from Joshua Enyart, the Gray Bearded Green Beret.
The GB2 Tribe Member Training Pass unlocks our entire streaming library of training films (over 25 hours and growing). Annual plans get 2 months free. Join the GB2 Tribe today and take your training to the next level!
