Best Survival Gear
When you’re venturing into the great outdoors, it’s important to bring the right gear for your survival. Every year, hundreds of people die while adventuring around national parks and wilderness areas. Some of these deaths could have been avoided if only they had the right survival tools and that is what we are trying to provide you with in this review.
Often, people are not sure what they need and why. With work and busy schedules taking over our lives, not everyone who wants to be a skilled, prepared adventurer has time to become one.
The list of items in this review will save your life in one way or another, you may not need to own all of them, but making sure you have the right ones for every situation is important. It can make the difference between life and death.
Univ Camping X
iunio Survival Ax, Camping Hatchet with Sheath, Multi Tool, Camp Ax Gear, Folding Portable Tools, for Hiking, Backpacking, Emergency, Hunting, Outdoor (Black)
A survival ax is a staple for your survival gear list. It can help you build shelter, move through thickets, hammer tent pegs, chop firewood for heat, hunt for food, and be a valuable self-defense weapon.
The ax we chose is the Iunio Camping Axe. It is exceptionally versatile, adjustable, and strong; Great for survival.
The ax head is made of high carbon steel and cuts well. The handle is adjustable in length, ideal for extra leverage, or for tight working angles. It’s great for splitting small logs and gently or clearing brush.
It is not ideal for heavy cutting though and the ax head can loosen if pushed too hard.
As well as being a camping axe, it is also a multi-tool. There is a flat hammer on the back of the head, a glass hammer on the base, a compass, a whistle, and storage for small items in a tubular design.
Pros
- Occupation
- The multi-tool
- Adjustable length
- Built-in tubular storage
- Comes with extra survival gear.
- light weight
- Cuts well.
Cons
- Not for heavy duty.
Product information
- Size: 16.93″
- Weight: 2.5lb
- Grip.
- Metal: High carbon steel and aluminum alloy
EG KH Gurkha Cookery – Army Issue
EGKH – Service No. 1 Gripper Handle Kukuri – Authentic Army Issue Khakuri Knife – Hand Forged Blade in Nepal by Ex-Army Khakuri House
A good survival knife is also a valuable addition to your survival kit. It will get you out of a difficult situation, skin game, cut food, help build shelters and protect you when needed.
It’s hard to find a more versatile survival knife than a kukri (a type of knife) and you won’t find one better than the EGKH Gurkha Army Issue Kukri.
This knife is made in Nepal by “Bishwakarmas” (Born khukuri makers) who have been making kukris for the longest time. It comes with the highest quality steel blade with a full tang for ultimate strength and durability.
It reaches extremely fast and clears its way through the forest with ease. It is ideal for any kind of knife work and has a handy notch on the base to prevent bleeding on the handle if you are hunting.
This cooker comes with a leather sheath, a sharpener that is also a flint, and a small survival knife for skinning animals. The handle is made of buffalo horn with finger grooves for extra grip.
You couldn’t ask for a better knife for your adventures.
Pros
- Occupation
- Made in Nepal.
- Great blade
- Great handle
- Extremely fast
- Full Tang
Cons
- Expensive
- Needs to be maintained.
Product information
- Blade Length: 16″
- 5160 carbon steel
- 2.2 lbs.
Life straw
The most important thing that we all need for survival is water. Without water, each of us will die after 24-48 hours. Carrying a proper filtration system while trekking is pretty much impossible but the LifeStraw makes it possible.
The LifeStraw is a thin, light, portable water filter that requires no power source. You just put it in the dirty water, suck up 1000 gallons of fresh, clean water through a straw and drink. That’s probably more water than the average person drinks in a year.
This filter removes 99.99% of all bacteria, parasites and microplastics from water, making any fresh water drinkable. Not only that, but with a slim, compact design weighing just 2 ounces, the LifeStraw won’t add weight or take up space in your bag.
The filtration system has been rigorously tested to give you confidence when diving in dirty water.
The only problem with the LifeStraw is that it’s a bit difficult to use, you have to lie down next to your water source and suck hard. However, for an easy-to-carry piece of survival gear, this one check all the boxes!
It’s an amazing product overall and with every purchase, a year’s worth of drinking water is provided to a child in need.
Pros
- Occupation
- Filters out 99.99% of bacteria and microplastics.
- 1000 uses with one filter
- the light
- Portable
- Charity
Cons
- Difficult to use.
Product information
- Filter capacity: 1,000 gallons
- Membrane thickness: 0.2 micron
- Dimensions: 9 x 1.2 inches
- Weight: 1.62 ounces
- Package includes: life straw, mouthpiece cap, bottom cap, detachable lanyard
EMDMAK Survival Kit
If there’s one thing, we should all have in our survival gear, it’s a comprehensive survival kit. Having one of these means the day you forget a fire starter, a compass, a knife, a survival pack has a spare, and more.
The EMDMAK Survival Kit has everything you could ever need, whether you are fishing, hunting, climbing or trekking, it has the tools for you. The tools aren’t the highest quality, but for $20 you’re getting a great set of tools that hopefully you’ll never need to use, but everything you need will be there when you do.
In this survival kit, there is a compass, wire cutter, multi-tool, fire starter, emergency blanket, and a flashlight to name a few. All these tools come in a slim, compact, waterproof, and shock-resistant case that weighs only 6.8 oz. Easy to store and carry on any adventure, don’t go on your next trip without one.
Pros
- Occupation
- Water resistant cover
- Light and compact
- 6 Survival Tools
- Ponchos
- Torch
- Compass
- Includes emergency blanket and whistle.
Cons
- Fine quality products
Product information
- Dimensions: 5 x 3.5 x 1.6 inches
- Weight: 6.8 ounces
- Case: Stainless steel
- Waterproof: Yes
- Package includes: stainless steel tool card, fire starter, compass, wire saw, emergency whistle, multi-function flashlight, pliers, emergency blanket, tool case
Survival Wear Small First Aid Kit
One thing that should be at the top of your survival gear list is a first aid kit. Accidents happen and in the wild, an expert first aid kit can be the difference between life and death.
The Survival Wear Small First Aid Kit is small, light and compact which makes it easy to carry.
It’s also MOLLE compatible, and can easily be added to your backpack. The bag is made of 600D polyester, is water resistant, and keeps all first aid items safe and secure.
The kit contains 100 basic items, clearly labeled and compartmentalized in the bag’s inner sleeves. It locates everything quickly and easily during an emergency.
The sleeves are also labeled by category and have an additional zip pouch for any prescription medications or supplements you may want to include.
The Survivor Small First Aid Kit comes with a money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty. This is truly one of the best small first aid kits around and should be at the top of your shopping list if you don’t already have one.
Pros
- Occupation
- MOLLE
- High-quality water-resistant bag
- organized
- Clearly labeled.
- First Aid Guide
Cons
- n/a
Product information
- Number of items: 100
- Bag Material: 600D Polyester
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 7.5 x 3.5 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
Garmin in Reach Explorer+
Despite being an expensive addition to your survival gear, the Garmin in Reach Explorer+ is a valuable asset to have with you. This small device gives you GPS, satellite text messaging, and an SOS system.
The unit connects to the Iridium Global Satellite System so that no matter where you are, you can contact loved ones, send an SOS to a 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center, know your location and can be traced.
The unit is waterproof, runs on a rechargeable battery with up to 100 hours of battery life depending on function. It comes preloaded with topographical maps and you can pair it with your phone to download US NOAA charts and more.
It is by no means just a GPS and satellite communicator. It is also a survival tool in itself as it comes with a compass, a barometer and an accelerometer.
If you often go off the beaten path or to the ocean, this little pocket item will be something that will give you and your loved one peace of mind, helping you find where you are. Should be, and will probably save your life.
Pros
- Occupation
- Satellite text messaging
- Preloaded TOPO maps.
- GPS
- Additional tools
- Sends SOS signal to search and rescue team 24/7.
Cons
- Expensive
- A clear sky is needed.
Product information
- Battery Type: Lithium Ion, Rechargeable
- Battery life: up to 100 hours (10 minutes tracking mode)
- Memory: 2 GB
- Waterproof rating: IPX7
- Weight: 7.5 ounces
Sharp Survival Emergency Tent
In most cases, you’ll probably be carrying your own tent, but it’s not uncommon to get stranded on a day trip or have your tent blown away or swept away by a flood. This is when having a quick survival emergency tent in your bag can come in handy.
The tent is made from high-quality Mylar, the same material they use in emergency blankets. Weighing only 5.6 oz, it comes in a small pack size to store and carry in your bag.
Mylar material is 100% waterproof and windproof to protect you from the elements. It’s also heat reflective and can keep up to 90% of your body heat inside the tent, ensuring you stay warm (maintaining body heat even without a sleeping bag).
It’s super easy to set up, just tie a rope and attach the tent and you’re ready to go. Once up, the tent is spacious enough for two adults to sleep warm and comfortably.
At just $10, this survival tent takes the hassle out of the hassle, avoids the need to build bush shelters, and can be used as an emergency survival blanket if needed.
Pros
- Occupation
- 2-person tent
- keeps you warm (maintains body heat)
- Water and windproof
- Easy to set up
Cons
- thin
- fragile
Product information
- size; 2-person tent
- Packaged Size: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1 inch
- Weight: 5.6 ounces
Leatherman Serge
Survival can mean many things. It fits the bill of fixing a car, fixing a boat, building a shelter, whipping up some food, opening a box, and all of those things, a good survival multi-tool.
The Leatherman Surge is built for heavy-duty survival situations and can handle whatever you throw at it. It has 21 tools that cover a wide range of different tasks. It’s often said that you can fix anything with some duct tape, cable ties and a leather man.
The Leatherman Serge Heavy Duty comes with three knives, a saw, pliers, wire cutters, bottle opener, can opener, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, scissors, a file and more.
All tools fold easily and lock into place for safe use. This Leatherman also has a hand opening so you can use your other hand as needed, perfect in an emergency.
Leatherman Serge Heavy Duty comes with a 25-year warranty and is built to last much longer than that. The only downside is that the black oxide finish rubs off.
In the end, this is one of those survival items you want in your bug out bag at all times.
Pros
- Occupation
- 21 different tools
- High quality wire cutters
- well made
- Durable
- 25-year warranty
Cons
- Black oxide rubs off.
Product information
- Dimensions: 5.30 x 3.60 x 1.97 inches
- Weight: 0.90 lbs.
- Tools: 21
WintMing 70L Survival Bag
You need something solid and comfortable to carry all your survival gear with you and the WintMing 70L Survival Bag is a great choice. It is affordable, practical, and built to high specifications.
The first great thing about this survival bag is the size. With a capacity of 70L, it is spacious enough for an expedition of 5 days or more.
To add to the space, the outside is lined with MOLLE webbing, so you can attach any extras that don’t fit or that you want to access quickly and easily.
It is made of double layer 600D oxford fabric with a waterproof inner layer. This makes the bag extremely durable and will prevent the gear from getting wet. As the Marines say, if your stuff gets wet, you’re done, or something like that.
There are enough storage compartments to keep things organized and it is comfortable to carry. The padded back panel, harness and shoulder straps support you while waist and chest straps spread weight evenly.
At such a low price, this bag is hard to beat for value and you won’t find a better-quality bag at this price.
Pros
- Occupation
- Very affordable
- Waterproof inner layer
- Bold and ventilated control and back panel
- comfortable
Cons
- The harness is not adjustable.
- Basic, no inner frame.
Product information
- Dimensions: 13.4″ x 6.7″ x 28.75″.
- Capacity: 70 liters
- Weight: 2.86 lbs.
Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400BJ-1JF
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s worth having a survival watch that not only tells time but also helps you survive tough survival situations.
Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400BJ-1JF has many functions that will help you in wild conditions. Like all G-Shock watches, it is shock resistant and waterproof to 200m.
The case is mud-resistant and the buttons are sealed to ensure they work no matter what environment you’re in. No matter what, this watch will live and continue to help you.
Rangeman comes with nuclear timing so it’s always accurate. It is charged by solar energy, so it will never die. And it has an altimeter/barometer, thermometer and compass to keep you safe and out of trouble. Of course, it also comes with the usual stopwatch, countdown, alarm, and sunset/sunset data.
It’s a bit pricey but should last a lifetime and is worth every penny if spending a lot of time in the wild.
Pros
- Occupation
- Charged with solar energy.
- Excellent range of functions
- Very durable
- Shock resistant
Cons
Expensive
Product information
- Digital display with solar charging
- Resin plastic band and case
- Sunrise/Sunset Data, Countdown Timer, Elapsed Time, World Time, 5 Alarms, Atomic Time
- Triple Sensors: Altimeter/Barometer, Thermometer, Compass
- Water resistant 200m (660ft)
- Case Size: 44 x 10 mm
The most important features to consider.
- Price vs. Reliability
Cost is a major concern when it comes to survival gear, but not necessarily in the way you might think. As opposed to looking for cheaper, more affordable options – which are possible – it’s better to look for devices that are high-quality with high-end price or high-survival equipment. Even if you look at the best-selling survival gear, you want to trust the quality of the gear, not just the popularity. The obvious reason is that when you’re out in the wild and need emergency supplies or equipment, you want to make sure it’s reliable. You may not always be in a safe situation where you can contact customer service and get a replacement in the mail next week. In emergency situations like an accident or dangerous weather conditions, you don’t want the equipment to be damaged because it is cheaply made. That doesn’t mean you can’t find reasonably priced gear. The point is that you shouldn’t just look for goods based on price, but instead, you should use a more collective rationale. Besides the price, is it a high-quality item and reliable?
- Durability
We’re talking about gear that will be exposed to inclement weather, extreme conditions, and maybe even shock or damage. For this reason, the stability of the equipment takes a high priority. Are the building materials suitable for outdoor use? Stainless steel is always a better material than plastic. Is the equipment weatherproof and will it still work in harsh conditions?
- The weight
For the most part, you’ll carry outdoor gear, whether it’s in a pack, on a belt clip, or in your hands. It needs to be efficient and reliable, but as light as possible. The heavier the object, the more tired you will feel. Additionally, in some situations, you may have to toss or leave heavy gear behind, so it’s best to avoid carrying anything.
- Application
What item is necessary? Is it something you can do without, or more specifically, something you’ll rarely need? The only exception is something you might need during an emergency. Although emergencies may rarely arise, you should still have the proper gear, just in case. At any rate, evaluate the item or equipment and decide if it is really necessary for the trip or activity you are planning. Carry only the essentials, because the rest will overwhelm you.
- Additional
Does the item require extras, and will you have to buy and carry these extras? For example, battery-powered lanterns will need batteries installed, and you may want to carry an extra set. When starting a fire, for example, is your lighter about to run out of fuel?
A guide to survival gear
Whenever you’re packing for an adventure, it’s important to think about how long you’ll be going, where you’re going, what you plan to do, and the weather. Your bag has a limited amount of space and forgetting something important can be a problem.
The guide below should give you the confidence to build a great set of survival gear for your adventures.
What survival gear do you need?
There is a huge range of survival gear in the market today and knowing which items to buy is not easy. The essentials for survival are water, shelter, and the ability to navigate. The top items include a water filter, survival knife, and compass.
With them, you’ll be able to build a shelter, stay hydrated, and navigate your way to safety. Beyond the essentials, axes, GPS, emergency shelters, and more can come in handy.
The place you are going also has an effect. Will it be wet, cold, or hot, of cell communication? Will the area inspire you? Some spare rope and correct footwear may be required. It is important to adapt your survival gear to the environment, weather and situation.
At all costs ensure you are dry, warm, hydrated, sheltered, and navigated and can contact rescue services.
Our Favorite Survival Gear
All the products in the review are key to survival and choosing a top three is impossible. Instead, we’ve ranked them below by usefulness, value, and what you should go without.
The best value product on the scene is the WintMing 70L Survival Bag. No matter the adventure, you’ll need a backpack and this one cover all the bases with an amazing price tag of under $50.
Survival Gear FAQs
What are the top 10 survival items?
The top and most important items on a survival gear list are always those that meet basic needs, as well as offer support. For example, a tent for shelter, a fire starter for a fire, a pot for cooking, or a lantern for light. For this reason, we recommend all of the items you see here, depending on how much you’re willing to carry. Start at the top and work your way down, just avoiding items that overlap. They are the best survival gear on Amazon.
What is the most important thing in survival?
The most important survival item is one that can serve several needs at once, like the Kosin 18-in-1 Survival Gear Kit. It provides the perfect survival kit as it includes tools, medical supplies, and important items such as a compass or survival blanket. We believe this is a top-notch gear item.
What food should I store to survive?
The best types of foods to store for survival, whether staying in one place, or traveling through the wilds, are those that are dry, offer natural preservation, and last a long time. Foods that spoil quickly are no good, especially during long journeys. With a 25-year shelf life, Wise Company’s Emergency Supply is a great example of a reliable, long-lasting food option.
What is the best shelter for survival?
Shelter keeps you dry, warm, and protected. That’s why tactical survival gear and military survival gear kits always include something to create or offer a temporary shelter. In reality, a proper shelter has only 2 main components. Shelter needs to keep you dry, but it also needs to provide warmth. In most cases, heat comes from your body circulating in a confined area. A tent is a great example of a shelter, especially a temporary one like the Go Time Gear Life Tent. You can also make a quick shelter by stacking wood, leaves, and other items to create a lean-to. In a worst-case scenario, entering a shallow cave or dense tree cover may also be helpful. In cold climates, such as in the mountains or snow, a temporary shelter can also be created using a thermal sleeping bag, emergency blanket, or similar covering. By climbing inside, you can stay warm even in cold temperatures. It’s not ideal and it’s not something anyone should plan for, but it’s a survival option.
