Gear

The kit that earns its spot

You don't need much — but the right few tools turn a walk into a haul. Here's what actually lives in our baskets.

The list

basket   woven, open-weave (spores fall through)
knife    a small curved blade, kept sharp
brush    soft, for cleaning in the field
paper    bags for spore prints, not storage
compass  the app is great, the compass is honest

What to leave home

Plastic bags (they steam and rot your mushrooms), and the urge to fill the whole basket. Come back lighter than the woods gave.