Survival Gear: 101 Emergency Preparedness Items That You Should Own

Survival Gear

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.

  1. Cell Phone
  2. Water Bottles
  3. Flashlights
  4. MultiTool
  5. Pocket Knife
  6. Knife (we recommend the SOG Knives – The Seal Pup Elite Knife)
  7. Emergency Food or MRE’S
  8. First Aid Kit
  9. Compass
  10. Personal locator beacon (PLB)
  11. Hiking Backpack
  12. Sleeping Bag
  13. Canteens
  14. Sewing Kit
  15. Maps
  16. Duct Tape
  17. Plastic Tubing
  18. Lighter
  19. Space blanket
  20. Plastic Freezer Bags
  21. Crowbar
  22. Fire steel
  23. Waterproof Matches
  24. Emergency Candles
  25. Hiking Tarp
  26. Water Storage
  27. Water Filter
  28. Camp Axe
  29. Shovel
  30. Flares
  31. Signal Mirror
  32. 4 Season Tent
  33. Ham Radio
  34. C.B. Radio
  35. Bivy sack
  36. Whistle
  37. Good Hiking Boots
  38. Thermos for Cooking
  39. Chlorine Bleach
  40. Water-purification tablets
  41. 550 Paracord
  42. Hiking Hammock
  43. Tinder (for fire starting)
  44. Machete
  45. Plastic painters tarp
  46. Salt
  47. Mylar blanket
  48. L.E.D. HeadLamps
  49. Fishing line
  50. Dental floss
  51. Extra Socks
  52. Gloves
  53. Rain suit or poncho,
  54. Wide Brim Hat
  55. Ultimate Survival Kit
  56. Bandanas
  57. Bible
  58. Playing Cards
  59. Fire Extinguisher
  60. AM / Weather Radio
  61. Riffle
  62. Ammo
  63. B.B. / Pellet Gun
  64. Slingshot
  65. Snare Wire
  66. Multi-Vitamins
  67. GPS Device
  68. Portable Camping Stove
  69. Propane
  70. Batteries
  71. Solar Chargers and battery power banks
  72. Fishing Pole
  73. Magnesium Fire Starter
  74. A Survival Tablet
  75. Saw
  76. Plastic Trash Bags
  77. Binoculars
  78. Shortwave Radio
  79. Eating and Cooking Utensils
  80. Scissors
  81. Sunglasses
  82. Sunscreen
  83. Jumper Cables
  84. Cable Ties
  85. Oil (for your vehicle, can also be used to start a fire or create smoke for a signal fire)
  86. Tool Kit
  87. Tire Repair Kit
  88. Hard Candy ( can give you a boost of energy and a boost to your morale)
  89. Emergency Credit Card
  90. Personal Identification Papers
  91. Family Photos (morale Booster)
  92. Dust Mask
  93. Lantern
  94. Money (Putting a $20 or a $50 in you kit might come in useful someday)
  95. Rubbing Alcohol
  96. Pepper or Bear Spray
  97. Can Opener
  98. Chemical hand warmer packets
  99. Energy Bars
  100. Survival Books
  101. YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Survival Gear List at Amazon

Shirts of Liberty

OFFGRID Survival book

Newsletter

27 Comments

  1. How about a life vest or one of those floating noodles. You may need to get across a river. Can double as a pillow. Weighs next to nothing.

  2. great list but i do find i strange that there is so much equipment that will keep track of you or tell people where you are when the site is offgrid survival. but as you stated it’s for those starting out on the survival part

  3. Seeds. Very small and can help you reestablish with food you like later id things are long term. Family would probably appreciate it. Im new to this, but the idea comes from the bible.

  4. Also,this was only mentioned once, but probably needs repeating. For those travelling with women of child bearing age, please dont forget menstrual items or things can quickly become a bloody mess. Things could turn into a breeding ground for disease if not handled.

    • Yes! Girls and women that bleed! You MUST take care of the monthlies, why? For the reasons stated above plus one very major reason…. Predators! Wolves, bears(especially bears!) are attracted to the smell of blood and will think your a nice injured meal just waiting for the taking! Beware!

  5. I think seeds would be a really good idea. First, bring fruit seeds. Not vegetables. Also, bring clover/alfalfa seeds (can be bought at most co-ops) for wildlife. After a few weeks, clover or alfalfa will be a surplus of wild game. Deer, rabbits and many other animals flock to that stuff. But be aware that along with prey comes predator so make sure you have weapons and not necessarily guns. I would prefer a longbow with a draw weight of 50lbs with 30 broadhead arrows than any rifle with 500 rounds. Rifle rounds are not re-usable, and will quickly run out. I would say bring fruit seeds because if you find an ideal survival spot (e.g. Next to a snow-melt river, in woodsy area with small clearings and plenty of animals) and want to settle in, fruit seeds grow more seeds, meaning an endless supply. Vegetables do not. Also, clover or alfalfa for bait, and a good longbow with broad heads (the wide, razor sharp blades). I would veer away from compound bows in a survival situation because they have so many things that could go wrong. Longbows are lighter, quieter and force you to more at one with nature, increasing your survivability. Basically when you go through the list on this site, ask yourself: if I don’t have this, will I for sure die? Not, ask yourself: if I have this, am I positive that it will help me to survive better? If no to both those questions, get rid of it because in survival situation, there is no room for luxuries, it is better to have 2 necessities than one necessity and one luxury.

    • But in a life and death situation the large mammal or small may not come within longbow shot. How many tens of thousands of shots will you need to become proficient? Will you be able to stand tall and draw back to shoot? This is where a modern crossbow will come in. They can be accurate to 75+ yards and bring down any game including bear and bison. The bows have never been banned for being to efficient. Crossbows have and until very recently in Michigan you needed to have a medical issue why you couldn’t use a bow. They are extremely deadly and silent. If needed to hand make the bolt they are shorter too.

      Also you can get seeds from vegetables. Melons and squash and potatoes are very easy to regrow.

  6. IMHO:

    Reading the comments in response to this list, I can not help but feel better about my chances to survive. The lack of common sense, close minded know it alls, and the sheer retardedness of some of you makes me laugh. Also, why didn’t 2/3s of you learn to spell or use spell check?

    For example:

    apple cider vinegar vs. airbourne toxins? Wow!

    lack of water in southern New Mexico? Ever been there?

    gas mask= intimidating? you watch too much wrestling.

    You need more than one rifle? Are you surviving or forming a one man rambo-style combat unit?

    Read the list for ideas. Add or subtract as needed based on your plan. Read a book or 12. Also, as crazy as this might sound, go hiking, camping, or hunting and gain some real world experiance.

    • I think part of the problem is a lack of a common operational definition of “survival”. People are confusing survival situations and off-grid living.

      In my mind there is no such thing as a survival situation that lasts 2-weeks, 2 months, 1 year. Within the first few days one should build shelter, start a fire, and locate a reliable source of water and food. After that it’s just like being at home, but without the PS4, laptop, etc.

  7. I think it is a great start for new people specially if they are only watching a show about surviving and never really been active like being in the military or something. This is a great start list, but personal hygiene and so many things that are critical to keep yourself strong are missing so you do not become ill. So you are able to maintain your strength to help those that you love. Whether it be the Zombies to hunting/camping or to an enemy you are getting away from, you will need to prepare one at home and in your vehicle. Obviously if the world is coming to an end, we will not have any communication via computers, satalite, phones etc… get me? No need to bring electronics unless they are walkie talkies. A solar panel will charge them when or if battery operated ones are no longer available. Just remember unless you have to go outside or leave during an epidemic, don’t, wait until everything has calmed down for a couple days. Lock everything. Board everything up. Set boobie traps whatever you need to, to keep everyone inside and safe. Believe me running is not the answer, calmly think about your moves before you do. It is like chess. Do an assessment of your location and chances. I wish that everyone that was taking a clear look at what this world was coming to would actually see what it needs…Good luck to everyone. Remember where there is a will there is a way…

  8. Another few things I would suggest: a small military grade grappling hook. I can imagine many situations where one would come in use, especially in urban situations. If things go really sour, smoke grenades would come in handy as a way to confuse an enemy if you are being pursued. The only ones I’ve found for sale are ones they use for paintballing, but they should work fine.

    Lastly, ditch the machete and get a Kukri instead. Although it is a little heavier than a machete, the Kukri is not only more suited as a self-defense weapon, but also a better wood-cutting tool because it has the ability to be used like a hatchet because of it’s shape and weight. Also, because of this weight and it’s long-perfected design, when used right it actually will save you energy if you are using it over a long period of time because it’s striking power uses gravity to it’s advantage as opposed to the machete, which only uses the strengh of your arm.

    Great list, I’ll certainly use this as a reference point while I prepare my survival backpack.

    Cheers!

  9. to those people who said that bringing a cellphone for survival is ridiculous, you are wrong! cellphone or smartphone for that matter is a very essential part of my survival gear because it has a wide variety of uses and using it to call is not one of them. you can store photos of your loved ones, store videos or PDF files DIY stuff, it serves as a flashlight and a lot more. i have an apple iphone and i bought myself a solar powered lamp with a usb port so i can charge my iphone. i do not plan on bringing anything battery oprated with me except for my apple iphone since it is easily rechargeable and the battery life is enough to last a week if not used online. SO think again folks, invest in a good smartphone but not for calling but for storing important files that could be useful for survival.

  10. Fun correspondence apart the SEALette (as a Navy corpsman from ’69-’73, I agree with the general consensus. That sort of valor-swiper stands out like a whore in church), & apart from some of the newsgroup-style snottiness that seems to be a part of all internet intercourse. My impressions:
    Even the initial list would fit better in a car trunk or a largish canoe than in a pack, & as further altered sounds more appropriate to a cabin in the woods, where it would be welcome.
    I take food with me, but the MREs mentioned are far too bulky. Canned goods are too heavy. Dried grains like rice or (O Hell Yeah) grits are perfect. Dried fruit. Salty protein supplements like Xtra sharp cheddar & the smaller whole hard sausages like salami or pepperoni do well chopped up into the boiled grain; helps with taste as well as nutritional value, & they keep unrefrigerated for a surprisingly long time, especially if kept in a ziplock bag. Tea, salt & sugar weigh nothing. Coffee is a little too bulky, sob. Your meals may be boring, but their weight & pack space will be trivial. Leaves room for clothing, sleep gear & other stuff.
    The heaviest stuff I like to drag along are items that allow me to do things; knives, axes, saws, rope, cord, fishing equipment & other tools for example. I’d love to haul along a passle of heat, too, but just a light center fire rifle, break action .22/shotgun combo & a center fire handgun together would conservatively weigh nearly 20lbs. One post suggested multiple long arms. A little .22 single shot & one center fire pistol ought to do the trick. Now, my list is for a real camping trip, not armed conflict.
    -The Prof

    • What would be the ideal bug out bag (and one that’s large enough), do you recommend for hauling all this stuff?

  11. Cell phone?? Why would you need a cell phone if your off grid, chances are you wouldnt even have service and the battery is going to run out eventually…

    and I hope this is in no particular order…

  12. Fishing line
    Fishing hooks (and maybe even a collapse-able fishing rod, since you already have 101 items, whats a fishing rod)
    bow and arrow (can reuse the arrows instead of running out of ammo)
    knife sharpener (knife will be rendered useless without a sharpener
    Axe
    Multitool
    Hat
    Seeds (seeds dont take up too much space and youll be able to grow crops just in case you spend more time then you thought out in the wild)

  13. I would suggest a small bottle with several little items such as small screws, safety pins, hooks, dental floss, shoe strings, fishing lures, paper clips, and one of those paper clips for big stacks (black with metal handles)With two or three of these and a good stick you can make a perfect fishing poll. just don’t forget your fishing line. If you get a think line you can also use it for snares. I have it all in one prescription bottle.

    The freezer bag swap out was news to me. I didn’t know they got weaker in time.

  14. How-to manuals on how to make diesel out of tallow,
    Firearms, ammo, gun cleaning supplies and reload supplies, fishing gear, water purification tablets of the means to distill water. Seeds, food and cast iron cooking pans.

  15. U gyes this I crazy u will need a bow and arrows reusable and u can re sharpen them and a bible is the mst important thing on earth and u can think less but it is true

    • I’m pretty sure the most important thing on earth is water and food. Ok the bible can bring peace of mind but you won’t survive long without food and water

  16. There’s a lot of replies to read through so I don’t know if this has been said already, but for women planning to bug out and needing menstrual products, planning on packing enough sanitary pads and/or tampons for even a year is going to take up a LOT of space. Good alternatives for anyone looking are menstrual cups (like the diva cup) that can last 10yrs+, or fabric pads that can be washed in cold water and reused. Hardly takes up any space in a pack, especially compared to disposables.

  17. Good list, but seeing lots of overlap.
    IMHO your bugout bag should be light and efficient.

    MREs for example are way heavy, go with dehydrated food so you’re not carrying around the extra water

    • Either way you’re carrying the water…either as water content in the meal or water separately for reconstitution. For a true “survival” situation (major earthquake or fire), I like to go with high calorie bars. Yeah, they taste like sh**, but they’re light and compact.

      We always pared our MREs down before missions. All the packaging (other than the actual foil containers) was thrown out. All the sporks were thrown out except one (or two if you’re one of those that like to lose things). Things like bread packets/crackers, candy, desserts and fancy beverage mixes were usually left behind. 3 to 4 day of meals would easily fit in our cargo pockets (until I made everyone carry their own IV and admin set in the right pocket).

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