Survival Gear Guide

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You know it without anybody’s advice: having survival gear maximizes your chances of survival, whatever hard situation you may happen to be in. Such essentials as a compass, knife, fire starting supplies, bug-out backpack or a folding close cart, pocket radio, first aid kit, duct tape, or even an ax are great assistants of any survivor. Read the article to learn more about the forms of equipment that can save your life one day.

What if it’s the end of the world, a disastrous event in your country, or at least an extreme situation of any sort when you have no safe place anymore and should rely on your survival gear items to save your life? For example, you are alone in the mountains. You need to cook food and build a shelter to protect yourself from the snow. You will not be able to do it without proper survival equipment.

In any more or less developed country, people usually are not ready for any such case or event. They do not have any necessary protection, and when a disaster happens, they suffer or even die. But there is a way to be sure that you are well prepared to survive in the face of danger.

If you have already started to collect and pack all the survival equipment needed, you still might worry about the completion of your emergency kit. Is there a way to understand that you are fully equipped? Yes! That’s why we have created a detailed list of essentials you may need, including a survival knife and other useful items designed for keeping you alive. With the gear from our list, you can be sure that you, your family, and your friends will be safe from any sort of threat that suddenly appears.

While packing your gear, it is easy to remember that you need a flashlight, a lighter, a generator, or a shelter to survive in unpredictable circumstances or the wilderness. But there is also a bunch of survival gear that you could forget about or even be unaware of. Let’s look at our page with great reviews of the top 70 useful survival tools.

We should warn you that our survival gear list consists of only instruments. You will not see any supplies here: the items that can end because survivors will, for instance, eat them, such as food or water, or use them up, like duct tape. Only fire starting supplies like permanent matches or tinder will be described here. The list of gear will reveal only the tools of high mobility you might use forever – for example, a compass, various protection items, and so on. The gear is split into themed sections for your convenience. We also added photos and videos, all rights reserved, to understand how all the items look easily.

Before we start, check our preppers list. Our bug out bag list is out there as well.

Tools to Filter and Clean Water

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Water is essential for humans’ bodies, and everybody knows that. You can survive for a while without food, but the length of your life will be cut quickly without liquid. In a situation of emergency, you will not necessarily have access to fresh and clean water.

However, there is a smart solution. It’s useful not only in case of emergency survival but also for camping-hiking moments. Here is the list of tools that will help you prepare water to drink it: filter and clean it.

1. A Bottle for Water

Survival Gear

Because water is a vital thing among survival items that everyone needs in an emergency moment, you have to ensure that your survival kit has a reusable water bottle. Imagine how stupid it is to finally reach a place where you can get the water, be completely thirsty, and don’t have an opportunity to create a drinking water stock.

The best solution would be a bottle of metal like stainless steel, not plastic. It will give you a chance to obtain boiling water. Be careful and consider bottles with one wall. If you get the bottle with a double-wall, it may explode when you warm it up.

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2. Water Storage

Many survivalists feel that just a bottle is not enough, and there should be something bigger for keeping the water. If you agree with them, a pack of stackable containers for water is for you. Such containers are especially useful if you are in a hot and dry area like a desert. Since water is scarce there, you will need to save as much of it as possible. Some water storage containers even have a built-in filter.

3. Sawyer Mini Water Filter

Sawyer Mini Water Filter A vital tool in your survival kit in conditions of emergency and no access to drinking water. With this filter, you don’t have to worry about catching tons of illnesses that occur when you accidentally consume water with bacteria or viruses.

This water filter will get rid of tiny parts and germs that pollute water and dangerous for your stomach. With this Sawyer Mini filter, you can be sure that your water is safe, and you won’t be affected by hazardous poisoning. Don’t forget about water purification tablets, an essential thing that you should add to the filter so it works.

If you want to see this filter in action, here is a video with a thorough review.

Survival Tents and Shelters

Ok, it is essential to consume water and fill your body with drinkable filtered liquid. But what if you suddenly find yourself without a place to sleep? It is a really bad sign. Natural disasters may lead to a life-threatening situation when people don’t have houses anymore, and everything is destroyed.

In wild nature, not having a particular survival shelter may cost lives. It is hoped that you will accidentally find something in the forest to lie down and not die because it’s freezing. But it’s smarter to protect yourself from the snow and cold weather with a tent or something like that, isn’t it? And how about a camping-hiking situation?

Here are our reviews of preferable options regarding survival tent types:

4. Hammock

Hammock We got used to thinking of hammocks as pieces of furniture designed to help you lie down and relax. Here is a hint: survivors often use unique survival hammocks in emergency cases.

Imagine you are alone in a forest full of wild animals. There’s not a single sign of civilization here. How can you sleep on the ground, knowing that a bear can eat you for its dinner any time soon? This is why you may need a survival hammock in your survival kit. It is also easier to carry: you can roll a hammock up, and it will be a light thing compared with a huge tent.

5. Survival Tarp

Survival Tarp

Though survival gear tarps might seem a bit unreliable, trust us, a survival tarp is a lifesaver if you seek shelter. However, you shall spend a fair sum on a tarp of the highest quality. Economizing, in this case, is not an option. Although tarps usually have a lower price than regular tents.

Spend some time to find a tarp that ensures you will survive: it should be waterproof and firm. That’s why we recommend you to read several reviews before buying. The most preferred sort of material is ripstop, and your tarp should have plenty of spots for setting up and anchoring. If you make the right choice among the tarps, yours will protect you from any weather whim: from hard rain to a snowstorm. In the video review below, you will see an example of a great survival tarp.

A tarp or simple plastic sheeting can be utilized in lots of ways, in addition to making a shelter. For example, you can collect raindrops in it to have some drinkable water.

In our reviews, you may find additional information about a survival tarp.

6. TACT Bivvy

Bivy Sack

TACT Bivvy is one of the indispensable survival gear items for all the shelters listed above. It is a warm, saving blanket that fits emergency cases perfectly. A bivy sack may fit as well. It’s surprisingly light: usually less than 10 ounces, easy to carry even for a kid. But it’s also very durable and does not rip. It is quite surprising because many lightweight blankets get torn apart very easily.

This emergency blanket is designed to keep you warm even if the temperature reaches 70 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.

7. Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag is indispensable for survival in the wilderness. For cold weather, it is even better than just blankets, because it can save warmth much better. A good sleeping bag should be high-quality and durable, so it will not tear apart when you are sleeping. But also it needs to be made of lightweight matter and do not occupy too much place in your backpack or a close cart. An unusual but great idea would be to use a big trash bag, for example, a 55 gallon one. It is very multifunctional – it can also serve as a full-fledged shelter, float, or even a backpack.

8. Wool Blanket

It is hard to find a person who doesn’t like wool blankets. Those items are warm, comfy, and give the feeling of coziness. And when you are in the cold wilderness, they are truly necessary. They can prevent hypothermia and even save your life in the snow and frost. Another great use for a wool blanket is to cover the windows of your shelter to keep the warmth inside.

But for survival, any wool blanket just won’t fit. You need a very specific one – a thick, tough, water-resistant, breathable, lightweight, and easy to pack at the same time. Probably, the best variant is a blanket made for the Army. You can buy it in a military surplus shop.

9. Inflatable Pillow

A warm wool blanket is important, but good pillows matter too. For survival, the basic level of comfort is vital. When you feel comfortable, you relax better, feel healthier, and have much more energy. But a regular pillow would occupy too much place in your backpack and would easily get wet. So, it is better to choose a durable and thick inflatable one. For example, there are great inflatable pillows made especially for hiking.

10. Tent for Cold Weather

Tent For Cold Weather We have to admit that in some places, a tarp would not be enough for your survival gear. Because of the awful winter, with low temperatures, lots of snow, and cold winds that blow constantly.

If you live in a cold place, consider packing a special tent for cold weather. A canvas tent may also be an option. The obvious disadvantage is the weight of the survival tents: usually, they are over 10 pounds each. But the result is worth it: you will be safe in the coldest forest.

You may check additional information in our reviews about cold weather tents and survival tent choosing.

Weapons

Vtomat Kalashnikova

You see the word “weapons” and think: are we still talking about surviving in the wilderness or an emergency case? Yes, we are, and we consider weapons an inevitable thing that should be included in a good survival kit. With them, you can save yourself from attacking wild animals or hunt them for food.

In our review, we have chosen a couple (eight, to be honest) of things that you can use to defend yourself in unpredictable circumstances.

11. Bow

Bow

survival bow gives you an option to shoot, defend, or hunt without making any noise or sign. With a bit of accuracy, your enemy will be defeated.

A firearm is useful, of course. But what if you need to hunt wild game and be unseen and unheard? Using a silent and quick arrow is better here than a loud gun.

 

 

12. Firearm

There are plenty of firearms (for instance, a survival gun or a good survival rifle) on the market, and to choose the perfect survival rifle or gun, you have to keep in mind several parameters: from precision and reliability to size and weight.

Think twice and explore some reviews before picking the best gun to help you survive because there are so many!

13. Homemade Survival Weapons

You can always apply your savvy intelligence and learn to create some DIY survival weapons at home. It all depends on your own features such as brain, skills, and imagination.

Think of the ideas and get inspiration from the history of gun making. We didn’t always have automatic production of items in factories. Besides the satisfaction that you will get after you have produced something with your hands, you will get a survival weapon and spend money only on materials that are usually cheap.

14. Bore Snake

Pen Bore Snake itself is not something that will defend you. But it will support you greatly. To shoot with your gun, you will need to clean it. And this is why you need a Bore Snake in your kit. It is a specially designed rod for cleaning firearms.

Every sort of weapon has a different bore size, so choose carefully.

15. Tactical Pen

In the hands of professionals, a tactical pen turns into a dangerous self-protection weapon, but you can have one of those items in your backpack or close cart just to be sure.

Also, check our tactical pen detailed guide or review.

16. Crossbow

Crossbow 1

An updated version of a survival bow, a crossbow of good quality, will be even greater in terms of silent shooting and precision.

If you are stuck in a forest and trying to feed your family with wild game, a crossbow is a perfect sort of gear for it.

17. Pepper Mace or Spray

Pepper Spray A pepper spray is a useful thing, not only if you have to survive in the wilderness. Plenty of young girls have it in their clutch or pocket to defend themselves if they meet a burglar or a rapist. So, the field of application of these items is quite broad.

Among all the trademarks, we recommend Devil’s Juice. It has one of the highest Scoville rates (around 3 million), and the drop can be lethal. The mace is also convenient: you can prevent the approaching threat easily.

18. Stun Gun

Stun Gun 1

Along with a pepper mace, a stun gun is a fantastic way to save your life if a threat is close. The electricity will punch an enemy and at least will make him or her fall.

A stun gun is a useful item to get a chance of running away and surviving and a popular non-lethal weapon.

Items to Start a Fire

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When we speak of survival, starting a fire is essential knowledge that everybody needs to learn. With the help of it, you can cook food, get warm, dry your clothes and give a sign to rescuers. An extreme situation may not be generous with perfect conditions, and you may often face awful weather and circumstances that will make a fire starting almost impossible.

But with some smart survival gear items, your chances are higher. You will find a lot of options because fire is one of the priorities in crazy conditions. Everybody needs them not only for emergency survival but for camping as well. Let’s see what’s in our reviews.

19. Lighter

Tesla-Coil-Lighters

It’s obvious: a simple survival lighter is the easiest way to get fire and cook food in most cases. But a regular lighter won’t work. You need a special one for your survival kit.

Take a closer look at premium fire starting supplies that will help out in terrible weather, like Tesla lighters. Middle-class Zippos are also fine but not the best. If you take the cheapest and ordinary lighter, your chances of success might slowly vanish, so we recommend having a reliable Tesla device or other brands’ backup.

 

20. Fire Laces

Emergency-Pocket-Stove

These items’ name reveals the secret: fire laces are your shoelaces that can start a fire. They have a special Ferro rod that works and a striker that you have to attach to your boots.

Absolute must need in your survival gear: you don’t have to pack and carry fire laces with you, because you will be wearing them anyway!

21. Permanent Matches

It often happens that matches extinguish before you even use them. Of course, if we are talking about ordinary sort of matches. Check out our survival waterproof matches.

To prevent such a case in survival conditions, always keep a spare pack of permanent matches in your pocket, close cart, or backpack. Those survival matches are not afraid of water, and with waterproof matches, you will be able to light a fire in any condition.

22. Fire Striker

Fire Striker

Unfortunately, all lighters and matches can end, but you will still need fire to get warm, cook food or give out a sign. A fire starter is a deal, with thousands of strikes and possibilities to start a fire. You will have to learn a bit about using the Ferro rod, but the result of using a fire striker will impress you in the end.

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23. Tinder Box

Grylls-Tinderbox

We are used to hearing the word “tinder” in the context of the mobile dating app. But tinder is still the easiest way to start a fire! This item speaks in a language of efficiency.

And a tinder box is a great tool that will help you to get some tinder. Those boxes are equipped with shredders designed to cut the wood into the tinder quickly. The fire-maker box’s content that you get after shredding and any fire starting tool will start a fire in a blink of an eye!

24. Fire Extinguisher

You will need not only to start a fire but also to extinguish it later, so that it will not spread to the grass or trees around you. Especially when you see a warning sign about it nearby. Of course, you can do it simply with water, but an extinguisher is much more comfortable and effective. Also, there are different kinds of fires and water is not applicable to all of them. So, extinguishers differ too – there are ones for fires caused by oil, metal, electrical devices, and regular combustible things. Probably the best one for survival is a typical domestic extinguisher because it is rather cheap and truly universal.

Gear with Blades

25. Knife

Ka Bar Becker Bk2

survival knife is on the top of the bladed items for survivors. Every person that cares about his or her emergency kit has already purchased one.

You can use a survivalist knife in numerous cases that it has every right to be called an irreplaceable tool. Experienced survivalists also recommend taking a closer look at a unique survival machete.

26. Credit Card Tool

Card Some readers of this review who are not experienced in survival yet might smile here. But a credit card is not only a method to pay but also a fantastic tool to survive.

A bladed card consists of over ten useful and tiny instruments that will help you survive, including a thin card knife. You can easily save money by buying it or a multi-tool that will fit in your pocket. Among all the products, check out Rescuecard or Survival Business Card.

27. Axe or Hatchet

Hatchet You can easily imagine an event when you need to cut a tree or a massive piece of wood. Unfortunately, a knife will not be enough. So, an ax or a hatchet seems to be irreplaceable in a survival kit, especially in the woods.

What’s the difference? The size and weight. A survival ax is a bit more massive than a survival hatchet. Anyway, their abilities are almost the same.

Nowadays, there is a two-in-one option: you can find a sort of hatchets with a pickaxe as a support feature built-in tool.

28. Multi-tool

Multi Tool

multi-tool is a survivors’ must-have. Besides the knife and other survival gear tools, it has pliers. It is a significant advantage that usually attracts many users.

Even though a good-quality tool is pricy, consider providing yourself with it because sometimes your fingers and arms are not that strong and need some support. For your survival kit, we recommend buying the sort of tool that will have needle-nose pliers.

Some multi-tool models have features that can be used for deer skinning and fixing tents, and some are equipped with such essentials as whistles or fire starters. So, a good, high-quality multi-tool can come in handy in lots of different survival situations, and it’s great to have one in your bag or close cart, even despite its expensiveness.

29. Shovel

shovel with a blade is not a prominent sort of survival tools. Many professionals consider it useless. But it has several advantages: only with a bladed shovel you can dig deep and get rid of pounds of mud. You never know when you might need a shovel to make a trench, do you?

 

30. Blade Sharpener

Spyderco Tri Angle Sharpmaker The last but not the least: without a blade sharpener, your knife-using will turn to failure through time. So, it is a very important part of survival gear.

Don’t forget to purchase a great sharpener and pack it into your emergency kit. Without it, all your knives and other bladed tools will be useless.

Rescue Items

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Sometimes you just get lost, left alone in a forest. In our review, we have listed the instruments that help you survive, but how about what will give you a chance to be found? Those light and tiny tools are real essentials that will improve your emergency preparedness.

31. Signal Mirror

Signal-Mirror

Some survivors forget about this tool and consider it unnecessary. However, signal mirrors can save you in camping or emergency survival.

You can use it in two fatal cases: when you get lost in the woods or have no lighter or matches to light a fire.

With the magic of sunlight and a signal mirror, a survivor may draw the rescuers’ attention, giving a sign to those who are looking for lost people using a helicopter or a plane.

The fire option is not that simple and might take some time. Though, with some tinder, it’s easier. And in our review, we have warned you about the tinder box already!

Another positive side of the mirror is its size. Signal mirrors are usually small and light, so you can put them in a pack or a pocket and carry them just in case to give a sign when it is needed.

32. Survival Whistle

Survival Whistle

With this noisy survival gear instrument, you will be able to find help from someone you can’t even see: the ability of a small whistle spreads wide through miles. You can be exhausted to scream, but whistleblowing is easier and practical, of course. So, it can be real support for you.

A distinctive but recognizable sound of a whistle will give others a sign that a person is in trouble. Among the market leaders, you will see Survival Frog, which is a good option among survival whistles.

Gear for Communication

33. Walkie Talkie

In the wild nature, where you cannot use a socket to charge your phone, it must be special gear to communicate with your group members.

Walkie talkies are a solution: you can exchange voice messages immediately at a distance (a couple of miles but still). Check out our reviews of these survival portable means of communication.

34. Radio

Eton-Scorpion-Solar-Powered-Flashlight Again, we don’t have Wi-Fi or stable internet in emergency survival. And we still want to feel connected to the world and find out some information: from the weather forecast to the news.

With a survivalist radio that needs no batteries or a socket, you are all set. Just go through the radio waves, and you will catch a channel eventually. It’s great not only in survival cases but also during hiking when you can get bored and start missing others’ voices. Check out the Eton Scorpion II hand-cranked radio, a great product of high-quality survival gear that will not let you down.

Illumination Gear

35. Headlamp

It is easy to explain what makes a tactical headlamp a popular survival gear tool. Your hands will be free! You won’t have to carry a torch, and having a spare hand to pick something in case of survival is vital.

Also, imagine first aid when it’s dark. You need both hands and a source of light. A headlamp of good quality would be perfect!

36. Tactical Flashlight

Firehawk Burned Background

You cannot be sure that you will survive without a critical source of light: a flashlight. Darkness comes not only in moments of emergency and survival. For instance, when you go to regular camping, it’s not only daylight that surrounds you. And if you are lost in the complete darkness, a flashlight will help you not only find a way but also give out a sign to people who are possibly looking for you. Finally, sometimes your apartment runs out of electricity because an incident had happened on the transmission lines.

The best sort of battery for a flashlight is AA or AAA, because they are very common and can be replaced with little effort. Also, it needs to have a full-fledged turn-on button that doesn’t require to be always pressed on. You will need your flashlight to do lots of various survival tasks, for which your hands should be free. Also, this is the reason why many survivalist professionals prefer headlamps to flashlights. With a headlamp, you don’t need to think where to put it – it already has its place on your head, and your hands are completely free.

Besides that, there are survival gear flashlight models which are designed as real weapons for self-defense, with extreme durability and toughness. They’re so rugged that it won’t be an exaggeration to call them nearly unbreakable.

Experienced survivors never ignore a flashlight in their emergency equipment. Don’t forget to put this useful gear in your backpack, too. If you get lost among all the products and trying to sort out which is the best, check out the FireHawk flashlight.

37. Solar Flashlight

Another useful device that is charged from sun rays is a solar flashlight. It is quite compact and easily can fit into a small place like a glove box. So, it won’t take up too much place in your survival gear bag or a close cart.

38. Lantern

Lantern good quality lantern can be powerful illumination gear that will light your tent or help you survive during the night in an emergency or give a well-visible sign to a rescue team. The market is full of different items, so you have an opportunity to select the perfect lantern that will fulfill your lighting needs. We recommend picking survival lanterns that work using the power of the sun.

 

 

Other Gear

We have reviewed the basics of the survival gear kits that everyone should consider when preparing for an emergency. In the following section, we have gathered the elements that might be necessary as well. But time goes by, technologies keep developing, and new protection items enter the American market. If you go through this review and feel a lack of some instruments, please push the button with an email address sign, contact us and suggest your ideas. And of course, before you finish online shopping for necessary gear and press a “close cart” button, recheck our list.

39. Watch

Watch The further time goes, the fancier gadgets are, and a watch is not an exception. Even those who don’t plan any surviving activities tend to wear a watch that will show them some data besides the time. Customers seek a special survival gear watch with various features that will reveal their fitness achievements and burnt calories, follow their sleep, and delicately wake them up in the morning.

Watch that attract survivors typically have high impact resistance. You will also find out some info like the altitude, the temperature, and other parameters in our survival watch guide. We have a favorite watch model: Rangeman Master of G Series watches that might suit your goals. Garmin is also famous for its smartwatch.

40. Bandana

Ust Survival Bandana Without a doubt, a survival bandana is a useful element of survival gear kits. Why? Because it doesn’t weigh much and doesn’t take much space, but it can protect you from the burning sun. A survival bandana is also essential for your first aid kit: imagine if you have to stop the bleeding and don’t have any spare cloth. A neck gaiter is also a great survivalist item.

 

 

41. Bike

Not a prominent item of your survival gear kit. Yes, it is large compared to other things we have mentioned, it will not fit in any close cart, and it is inconvenient to carry if something extraordinary happens.

Though we can’t exclude the possibility of EMP strikes, a petrol ending or breakage of public transport. Anything can happen, so you should be prepared and have an option to move around at the slightest sign of danger. A bike for surviving now is capable of carrying you through the mountains and terrible roads. Check out this survival bike.

42. Stove

Biolite Campstove After all the fire lightning options that we have suggested, we can include a survival stove in a range of “luxury survival.”

If you need to cook survival food or get warm, the items mentioned above will help, even though the process will be prolonged. But of course, a stove makes the life of survivors and cooking easier. Some of them can produce electricity, too. If you often go hiking and prepare survival food, a rocket stove is worth buying. Stoves of this sort are highly effective and need very little fuel.

A great alternative to them is a solar cooker. It runs on the power of the sun, so fuel does not matter for it at all. But the weather needs to be sunny. Another variant is a canned-heat survival gear stove. It can endure the weight of heavy food pots, it doesn’t occupy too much place, and also, its sides are covered to protect it from the wind. For this stove, you may use all kinds of canned fuel.

43. Gas Mask

Mira Safety Cm 7M

Of course, this gear is not essential to survive. The cases when you die because you didn’t have a gas mask are rare. However, nobody knows what can occur, and without breathing even for a couple of minutes, the end will be near.

Unexpected air pollution or a disaster on a nuclear power station are things that, unfortunately, had happened before. And the inhabitants were not prepared at all. Maybe packing a tactical gas mask just in case is a brilliant idea?

Also, survival gear masks are necessary items in an earthquake. Because when the ground starts to shake, it releases a lot of particles and toxic matter into the air. It can be extremely dangerous to inhale. One of the best variants is an N-95 mask and a P-100 respirator which can be reused. N-95 mask is so effective that it is often used by paramedics. But it doesn’t have resistance to oil and blocks only 95% of harmful particles. P-100 is more reliable because it stops 99.9% of them. Of course, having a mask in your survival gear is not the most vital requirement, because you can use a simple wet piece of cloth to cover your nose. But, of course, a mask is much more efficient.

If you want to be even more prepared, you can buy a pair of goggles in addition to the mask – to protect not only your nose and mouth but also your eyes.

44. Personal Hygiene Kit

Being dirty is not a good thing, even if you are in the middle of the wilderness. Of course, it is impossible to stay squeaky-clean there. Nevertheless, personal hygiene products are very useful, because they can protect you from many infections. It doesn’t mean that you should stuff your backpack or close cart with toilet paper. A better choice would be a travel bidet. It has a very compact size and is much more hygienic. Also, you can take a bottle or two of body wash, which does not require rinsing.

45. Map

Having a map of the location is truly essential for any survivalist. If you have a map, you will be able to navigate in the country much better and there will be a lower risk for you to get astray.

Nowadays the majority of people are accustomed to electronic maps on their devices, but we strongly recommend you to buy a paper map. The reason is simple – your phone can break down, run out of charge, fall into the water somewhere, and so on. The Internet probably will not work in the wilderness either. So, a good old paper map would be way more reliable.

If you worry about getting astray even with a map, you may draw all possible routes of evacuation and nearby locations of FEMA in your country on it beforehand.

46. Compact Binoculars

This survival gear item gives you an edge over your enemies that try to harm you while surviving or hiking. With binoculars, you will be able to see at a long distance and prevent threats trying to approach you but don’t see you. Compact binoculars will make you aware of suspicious movements and things to keep you safe.

47. Snares and Traps

Of course, if you are smart enough, making a snare or a hidden trap is something you can learn easily. However, having an option made by professionals that is ready here and now might be useful. You can have a couple of spare traps but read the instructions thoroughly to use them correctly.

48. Perimeter Defense Alarms

If you want to stay discreet, such items as defense alarms will help. They will notify you with a sudden noise or a sign if someone approaches, and you will have time to leave silently while the enemy is shocked, trying to come to their senses.

Noizy alarms are also a useful survival gear element for camping in wild nature. Imagine a bear slowly getting to you while you and your family are asleep. The alarm will serve you to survive and avoid quick death.

To find out about booby traps, check our review.

49. Fishing Pole

Ronco Pocket Fisherman E1607610463446 Some nature lovers go camping only because of a tasty fish soup that they will cook on an open fire. But to get fish, you might need a pole and other accessories!

Standard poles can be too big for camping or emergency. However, the market can already suggest survival gear poles that weigh almost nothing and are convenient to carry. Try looking for a pocket fishing pole. Besides this option, you can search for a telescopic or a short rod.

50. Fishing Tackle

Plusinno Fishing Lures Baits Tackle Including Well, we got the pole, but what should we do to attract fish? Packing a fishing tackle is never unnecessary if there is a need to get some fish and cook emergency food. With items like hooks, fake worms, and other tackles, you will easily deal with the fish situation.

Without a tackle box, you might need to create your own hook that may not be an attractive sign for the fish. Not the best option in a case where you just need to survive, right?

51. Spork

Light My Fire Titanium Spork Okay, we have written many words that prove the importance of a knife in your survival gear kit. But what about a spoon and a fork? Kitchen utensils are items that even experienced survival professionals can omit.

spork is a simple and genius thing in a list of items that combine numerous functions. It will fit in your pocket and help you eat any food from a plate: from soup to meat that you have to cut.

Of course, a survival tent is not a restaurant, and you are not customers. Nobody will take your orders. But with a spork, you may feel civil and comfortable in any condition, when eating your food.

52. Survival Saw

Pocket Chainsaw With Paracord Handle This survival gear item saves lives in the woods! A special survival saw brings you relief when you realize that you have nothing to cut a tree or a wood piece. The saw’s key advantages are its weight and shape: comfy to carry and easy to use.

 

 

53. Portable Solar Charger

We have already warned you that you will not think much of charging your phone in case of emergency and threat of death. However, some moments when you’re trying to stay alive are related to using your gadgets.

Imagine getting lost somewhere and having your cell phone working. You can immediately open an app with digital maps, use GPS, navigate yourself. But the battery sign is almost empty, and soon it is dead.

For such cases, a portable solar panel charger can save lives. All you need is a bit of the sun.

Let’s look at another example. You have planned a fantastic trip where you will both hike in the mountains and travel between different countries. Of course, it’s possible to write everything down in your notebook. But nowadays, being able to turn on your phone anytime and check your notes there sounds much better.

Among the winning offerings, you may see the Anytime Charge Power Bank Solar Charger. We recommend this portable charger to complete the set of gear that will help you survive. A portable solar generator would be a great upgrade.

54. Folding Solar Panel

What is a folding solar panel? It’s a portable survival gear panel with a built-in solar grid. This panel can be put under the sunlight, and different gadgets can be charged directly from it. Such panels are equipped with USB plugs to plug the gadgets in. You don’t even need to place them in the open air. They can function even when you put them near a sunny window. Also, not all of them require a completely clear sky – some models work even when it is a little bit overcast.

55. Anti-EMP Protection

An EMP, or an electromagnetic pulse event, can be quite an unpleasant thing. It can cause a short-circuit to all your electronic devices from the smartphone to the laptop with its mouse and keyboard. To avoid the possibility of it and protect your equipment, it would be a good idea to purchase special Faraday EMP protection.

56. Belt

Condor Tactical Belt Lots of men and women wear belts every time they go out. There is a special tactical belt for survivors and campers, a useful thing with pockets, details, and other important features. A tactical belt is an essential item in your gear.

 

 

57. Cup

Stainless Steel Portable Outdoor Travel If a bottle is a must, a cup is optional. But it gives you a chance to eat freeze-dried food for your breakfast or drink some tea with comfort. Survival cups don’t take much space anyway.

 

 

 

58. Games and Toys

Survival in the wilderness can be stressful. So, it would be great to have not only gear that will keep you alive, but also something for fun and relaxation. For example, cards would be a great choice, because they are small, easy to carry and can be used in lots of games. But it is better to buy not an ordinary sort of cards, but the ones that have useful survival tips written on their back. Also, if you’re traveling with kids, it would be a good idea to bring some small toys to cheer them up.

59. Bolt Cutters

Tekton 8 Bolt Cutter E1607611227666One of the items you will need in case the world stops living according to the laws. If you have to break through metal chains and various locks, bolt cutters are essential gear.

 

 

60. Battery Boost Charger

Noco Boost Plus Gb40 A vital thing if you plan to escape by car. This survival charger will save your car battery if it suddenly stops working. Using a boost charger is much better than hitchhiking and going somewhere with someone you don’t know, right?

 

 

61. Slingshot

The Scout Hunting Slingshot If you are a good shot, a survival gear slingshot is a wonderful idea. You probably won’t defend with it but shooting some game with rocks in a forest is possible.

 

 

62. Backpack

Evatac We have offered you 61 pieces of survival gear already, but you should have a reliable bag to put them somewhere. Numerous backpack options and brands on the market will let you choose the perfect size, fabric, number of pockets…

Many survivalists have two different backpacks: a three-day one and a two-week one. It is great to have all the necessary things already packed in case you need to go out as quickly as possible. A backpack for survival gear should be durable and spacious, but also comfortable and not extremely huge. Instead of an ordinary backpack, you can use a large bucket – for example, a five-gallon one. All the necessary survival gear will easily fit there.

We will leave a review on the Combat Bag produced by EVATAC so you can get an idea of special bags for survivors.

63. Folding Close Cart

A good alternative for a backpack is a folding close cart. It is suitable for people who are not very strong and trained. Carrying a regular backpack can be quite hard for them. So, a close cart is a much more comfortable option, especially when you need to move between different shelters.

You may ask – why a close cart, and not open one? Yes, open carts exist too, but a close cart is protected from the rain and dirt much better, so it will keep all your items safe and dry. A high-quality close cart is also very durable and will not tear or break apart.

In addition to that, a close cart is much more reliable – if you have an open cart, something can easily fall from it, but with a close cart, it will not happen – it’s protected by its lid.

64. Poncho

Frogg Toggs Ultra survival poncho is handy on a rainy day in everyday life. You will be happy not to get wet in unpredictable cases. Poncho will not take much space, but you will likely not get sick if you wear it under the heavy rain. Don’t forget to pick a poncho with a hood.

 

 

 

 

65. Paracord

Paracord Projects One of the most popular items among survivors, a pack of paracord can serve in tons of moments when you need to tie and connect something. Paracord is reliable and more comfortable to use than duct tape. There are over 15 ways of using these strong threads of unique material, and it is immensely useful to learn all of them. A paracord bracelet is a must in your survival gear. Check out other paracord projects in our guide.

66. Compass

Compass Getting lost in the woods is not the best way to start a day. Consider adding a compass to your survival gear, and the best option would be an outstanding military device. Usually, such compasses never make mistakes. A professional compass will always show you the right direction, regardless of where you are. Of course, a compass like that is not cheap, but it’s totally worth the price. Some compass models have additional features like glowing in the dark.

67. Tactical Boots

While surviving, you’ll probably have to walk miles and keep your feet safe and warm. Regular sneakers won’t work. Consider purchasing tactical boots of the highest quality that you will be able to use to survive and while walking and camping in a forest.

68. First Aid Kit

My Medic

Survivors in extreme conditions can’t avoid incidents that lead to injuries. If you don’t clean the wound, the results can be lethal. With a first aid kit, you will be all set with medical items like painkilling pills, a disinfectant, a bandage, and other essentials.

We prefer MyMedic kits because of the elements inside and the size. Try MyMedic Solo kit or Recon kit models.

Additionally, see our guide about first aid kits.

69. Tactical Gloves

Survival is impossible not only without quality footwear. Any survival gear would be incomplete without special tactical gloves. So, if you aim at long-term survival, invest in survival gloves. Work gloves would also be useful in an earthquake, because they wouldn’t let you harm your hands when getting out of the debris.

70. A Document Pack

It is great to have a plan. The best option is to write it down or learn by heart. At least, you should often talk about it with your family and friends. A plan helps immensely when you are paralyzed by fear and stress and don’t know what to do next. It can help you to be ready for harsh situations and make the right decisions during them. But if your plan is written, where can you store it, so it won’t get wet or spoiled any other way? Luckily, there is a solution for you. A fireproof and waterproof document pack will keep your plan safe regardless of the situation. Even if it’s raining heavily, the paper will stay intact.

Another thing you can keep in this pack is your passport. It’s useful to carry it with you too, because it may allow you to get identified and receive all the needed help. Also, such a pack is a great place for a map.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do I need survival gear in 2020?

Honestly, you always need this kind of gear, not only in 2020. History knows a bunch of moments when people did not have any survival equipment and died quickly. Wars, natural disasters, terrorism. Unfortunately, people in any country are surrounded by threats and are not ready to face them. So, buying and packing survival gear may help to save your life in some tragic event.

How to buy inexpensive gear?

Nowadays, buying items for your emergency kit is easy with the help of the internet. Try online shopping, don’t be lazy to spend some time on thorough research and reading customers’ reviews. And you will quickly learn to find gear of good quality, low price, and by reliable brands. Moreover, lots of internet shops provide free shipping, and they ship goods to almost every country.

Where to buy the best survival gear?

Again, the internet and online markets will help. However, if you are the kind of customers who prefer choosing equipment offline, consider visiting specialized markets and military shops. There, many great essentials are sold for an affordable price.

What are the three essential survival contents that should be included in a survival kit?

Every survivalist chooses his or her gear, considering the circumstances and the events they can predict. Everything is individual, so we have suggested essential elements in the first half of our review. We guess that the essentials would be items that help to drink water without a problem, start a fire, make food and sleep in the wilderness.

Which survival gear can I make?

As we have mentioned, you can learn to make primitive gear of diff

Author

A former USA Army sergeant and a highly educated survivalist and prepper with a degree and interest in Engineering and Electronics, Mike Millerson applies his extensive expertise in survivalism, homesteading, backpacking, hiking and hunting, spreading his deep knowledge about handling emergencies and prepping for them reasonably and effectively.

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