We receive a ton of suggestions from our readers; but one of the most popular emails we receive is from readers who want to share what’s in their bug out bag or survival kit.
We would like to thank everyone for their suggestions and have compiled a list of the top 101 pieces of Survival gear our readers carry with them. Some of these items are great for Bug Out Bags and wilderness survival, while others might be better suited for an urban survival situation.
This is a list of what our readers find most important to them and is in no way a list of what we think you should or shouldn’t carry. Everyone’s needs are unique and will change depending on a number of factors. The list of survival gear is presented so you can see what others carry, and to give you some ideas if you’re just getting started in preparedness.
Survival Gear List: 101 Top Suggestions from our readers.
- Cell Phone
- Water Bottles
- Flashlights
- MultiTool
- Pocket Knife
- Knife (we recommend the SOG Knives – The Seal Pup Elite Knife)
- Emergency Food or MRE’S
- First Aid Kit
- Compass
- Personal locator beacon (PLB)
- Hiking Backpack
- Sleeping Bag
- Canteens
- Sewing Kit
- Maps
- Duct Tape
- Plastic Tubing
- Lighter
- Space blanket
- Plastic Freezer Bags
- Crowbar
- Fire steel
- Waterproof Matches
- Emergency Candles
- Hiking Tarp
- Water Storage
- Water Filter
- Camp Axe
- Shovel
- Flares
- Signal Mirror
- 4 Season Tent
- Ham Radio
- C.B. Radio
- Bivy sack
- Whistle
- Good Hiking Boots
- Thermos for Cooking
- Chlorine Bleach
- Water-purification tablets
- 550 Paracord
- Hiking Hammock
- Tinder (for fire starting)
- Machete
- Plastic painters tarp
- Salt
- Mylar blanket
- L.E.D. HeadLamps
- Fishing line
- Dental floss
- Extra Socks
- Gloves
- Rain suit or poncho,
- Wide Brim Hat
- Ultimate Survival Kit
- Bandanas
- Bible
- Playing Cards
- Fire Extinguisher
- AM / Weather Radio
- Riffle
- Ammo
- B.B. / Pellet Gun
- Slingshot
- Snare Wire
- Multi-Vitamins
- GPS Device
- Portable Camping Stove
- Propane
- Batteries
- Solar Chargers and battery power banks
- Fishing Pole
- Magnesium Fire Starter
- A Survival Tablet
- Saw
- Plastic Trash Bags
- Binoculars
- Shortwave Radio
- Eating and Cooking Utensils
- Scissors
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Jumper Cables
- Cable Ties
- Oil (for your vehicle, can also be used to start a fire or create smoke for a signal fire)
- Tool Kit
- Tire Repair Kit
- Hard Candy ( can give you a boost of energy and a boost to your morale)
- Emergency Credit Card
- Personal Identification Papers
- Family Photos (morale Booster)
- Dust Mask
- Lantern
- Money (Putting a $20 or a $50 in you kit might come in useful someday)
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Pepper or Bear Spray
- Can Opener
- Chemical hand warmer packets
- Energy Bars
- Survival Books
- YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Survival Gear List at Amazon
As a Former Navy Corpsman attached to a Marine Infatrty unit. I spent a lot of time in the field. I can tell you that we saw as many if not more injuries from illnesses and sick call than from combat action. While your list is GREAT and EXTENSIVE you neglected to mention a lot of basic hygiene items you will need to stay healthy and prevent diasease. One of the most important things to think about is good dental hygiene a dental injury can lead to infection and even death so my list begins with:
toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, baby wipes (for GI shower) paper towels, toilet ppr, q-tips. Some things on the general list Leather work gloves, medical gloves, thermal underwear, camel bak, camo paint, balaclava, wool or knit cap, and writing paper and pen/pencil. Also you mentioned sleeping bag and bivy sack but no one mentioned sleeping pad…. the ground gets awful hard after 1-2 nights in the field.
Semper Fi:
Steve
are all those items suppose to fit in one bag
I started my survival stash about a month ago. I came across something this past week that I will include in my survival supplies. It’s those Therheat pads. I had an injured shoulder and came across those in the drug store. Even though I was skeptical about the heat lasting 8 hours, I decided to try them anyway…… I was in dire pain. I placed one pad across my shoulder not expecting it to do much. To my surprise, the pad was still very warm 10 hours later!! What a wonderful thing to add to your kit in case you need to keep your core warm in an unforeseen cold snap! Those Theraheat pads are large enough to cover any part of your body that needs to stay warm in case of an emergency, may even save your life! They would be better than just the hand Warner’s.
There is another thing that needs adding to this list.
A rifle is already there, but, you need more than 1 and a good handgun and shotgun with ammo (at least 500 rounds per weapon) Great list though. As for the knives, SOG is great, but, a couple of Gerber Steadfast knives and sharpening gear couldn’t hurt.
You should always have Cash. Good luck trying to run to the ATM when there’s a disaster. Also, never let your vehicle get under 1/2 a Tank of gas(Unless driving somewhere of course). And Keep Extra Gas onhand. 15-20 gal. could potentialy get you 400 miles from danger or 400 miles off the grid.
Best survival is knowledge. understanding what your bodies need to survive unless u have a fortified bunker with defence and plenty of storage. Wight and choosing tools realisticly. fancy gear and trucks on the move become targets to people without. you wouldn’t last a month. body needs protein and carbs plus your vitamins water. alfalfa is a plant that made into a tea for nutriance and peanutbuttet or dried beans you can survive. a can of veg have been cooked of most nutrition. mre are nice but who has thousands to stock up on dried food and find a way to carry. if u can that’s great but learning of plants as food,med. is very important. When it does happen and u have someone u care for gets ill u can’t go to get med what will u do. they can stop our truck take are guns our food tools ect. knowledge is your best tool willow bark boiled makes asprine.
One useful idea is to create a holder for the small but necessary items. Use a durable fabric and make an arrangement on it for things like a lighter, small blades, matches, whatever. Sew pockets or elastic grips to hold everything in place, and label what belongs where. The payoff is that is easier to find something small this way instead of having to empty your backpack to find something, labeling means you know if something is missing, and finally you can roll it up and store it safely in your bag.
Do not forget quart, gallon, and two gallon Ziplock freezer bags to waterproof everything. They are like duct tape, you can not have enough of them and hundreds of uses.
Not a bad thing to be comfortable if in camp and plan to stay. Otherwise list should be only what can be carried on you. This will be dictated by location, climate and order of needs supposing u r healthy. Generally and ideally always have a quality fixed blade(research and use), waterproofed survival manual(the more u know the less u carry), a metal water bottle(portable & potable-to carry & boil), and experience(why r u still reading? Go experience).
If u r yet reading due to my infinite wisdom-and/or offensive USMC confidence- im sure the above will become scrutinised as “too short” or “u need these items”. Resist the instinct to find fault, dwell, then merely succeed. If the list is to short u require more of the intangible list or a better manual. If u want more gear and weight either carry mine or double the above list-i prefer my kit as i do my women…2 by 2. :-)
i havent come across this one yet in the posts,, a bottle of antibiotics.. when you are in the bush and you get cut infected.. best to get a hold of a bottle of antibiotics.. also they would be like gold in the back country if you run across someone that is sick with infection,, get ahold of a bottle or more,, all you can get now! just my comments,, from an ex-Green beret (1970 – VIETNAM VET )
If you like natural medicines, you can try oil of clove for toothaches, tea tree oil for minor cut and oil of oregano for more severe infections. Just a thought, there is alot more if you look for it on the web.
Tea tree oil also helps get rid of ticks and lice.
Finger and Toe nail clippers are a must. Can also be used to cut fishing line.
Really? Need a bible to survive? Usually when someone is trying to survive in the wilderness, it’s because they have a lack of provisions and/or supplies. Just saying.. Terrible list in my opinion. How about a different top ten
If your looking to start a fire with more motor oil, make sure its used. New oil will not burn. It will smoke but wont burn and might put your fire out. All the carbons in the oil and little gas makes it very flammable and smoke like crazy.
You asked that I tell you what I am thinking…Here is what I am thinking. I am thinking that if we are lucky enough to have another election in ’16, I hope we have by then as a nation realized that neatness counts. We have GOT to pay attention, and elect somebody who will turn this ship around. Someone who is fit to pick up after the clowns who have been in office for the past (by then) 24 years. Petreaus comes to mind, maybe. But for the love of God, people, read some history. And—PLEASE!– think!
real great site, better then most
What every ones needs is the basics for survival. Everything else that you get is a bonus. I have a piece of land(woods)that has a basement and nothing else and is completely hidden you can walk right on top of it and wouldnt even know its there, 4 packs ready if i would need to leave the place in a hurry. Never ever give out your location. I am prepared for both situations rather it be by the government or by terrorists.. I have 2 kids and a woman to worry about if something happens. The list is pretty good if you have a place for everything and can afford it but also be prepared to leave most of it behind if need be. My opinion on the basics is simple— Guns, knives, water, medicine, fishing equipment, compass, change of clothes, blankets, food, boots and then put yourself in a survival attitude…. Cell phone –NO!!! No electric no gas and no water is what you need to be thinking of and the number 1 thing of protecting your family…..
What about medical supplies?
If its OFF the grid why would you have a laptop or a cell phone. That’s why you go OFF grid
A bible? Really?
Religion is probably one of the main reasons that people would be in the situation requiring the use of a survival bag.
Fights over ‘God’ are the main reason that society is going to the crapper.
‘God’ is responsible for more wars and deaths than all other reasons combined.
thought i was the only that knew that!
God isn’t responsible for our wars etc. Religion certainly can be. He gave us free will remember? Man has corrupted religion. God is always the same. Politicans crave power above all else. Liberals want to save the world with man a close third. All societies rot from within. Illegals love the U.S. because we give them the ability to get “things and stuff”, just as long as they vote liberal. As long as people use our political system to garner riches, power and an even bigger ego, we will be doomed to failure. Most dont even know the people who elected them and what they need. Man is the problem not God.