The Best Survival Gear

What to Look For

In our search for the best survival gear, we focused on three main questions to guide us: Is it reliable in an emergency? Is it lightweight enough to toss in a backpack? Is the price fair for the quality? You might be surprised by the low cost of some of these potentially life-saving products. For starters, we recommend LifeStraw’s compact water filter for its dependable ability to quickly provide clean, potable water. And for those who plan to stay warm and dry in the rain, Hagon PRO can provide several ponchos for a bargain price. There are a lot of considerations, so read on for more of our in-depth reviews.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Hydration is key

Water is usually the number-one priority, which is why this filtration system made the top of our list.

Best Overall

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Without water, humans can survive for about three days. And if you’re hiking about, that window of time can be even shorter. That’s why we recommend grabbing a LifeStraw personal water filter for your next excursion. These compact, simple devices use a microfilter to remove dangerous microorganisms from water, rendering it immediately potable and clean. Better yet, they can even filter out microplastics and other contaminants. And considering the price, LifeStraw provides one of the most affordable ways to stay prepared.

Pros:

• The price is a bargain, and one LifeStraw can filter as much as 1,000 gallons of water before needing replacement.
• Even when drawing from still sources, this simple straw delivers clean-tasting, clear water.
• The compact size and light weight are perfect for backpackers.

Cons:

• It can take some strong sucking to draw water from sources with a lot of suspended particles.

Hagon PRO Disposable Rain Ponchos for Adults

Defy the downpour

Staying dry while in a survival situation is paramount, so we recommend stocking up on some lightweight ponchos for the inevitable.

Best Poncho

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In the wilderness, the weather can change from sunny to soaking in an instant. That’s why ponchos are a must-have. And because we’re looking for survival gear, we recommend going with these lightweight options from Hagon PRO. Not only do they take up minimal space in a backpack, but they can be unfolded and deployed in seconds. We also appreciate the adult sizes since more coverage means less wetness. And if you’re a medium-sized person with a medium-sized backpack, one poncho can even cover your cargo.

Pros:

• Sealed in its included pouch, each poncho is about the size of a sandwich. That way, you can pack a couple in a backpack without sacrificing too much space.
• This particular option comes with plenty of backups.
• They’re relatively resistant to tears, so you don’t have to worry about avoiding brushes with low-lying branches.

Cons:

• These are disposable, so it’s tough to get more than one use out of each one.

Yiderbo Small Waterproof First-Aid Kit

Bandage up and keep moving

As this pick proves, you don't need to spend an arm and a leg to keep a comprehensive first aid kit on hand.

Best First Aid Kit

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We probably don’t need to point out the importance of a first-aid kit. You hopefully won’t need to use it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Still, there’s really no need to splurge on the most expensive kit on the market. Yiderbo’s option comes packed with all sorts of essentials, from bandaids to sterilizing alcohol wipes. It even has a hand-crank flashlight and a versatile multitool with a can opener and a wrench. Those are just a few of the 273 pieces included in this kit, so we recommend checking out the complete list of items to see why we were so impressed.

Pros:

• Because the case is waterproof, you can add additional survival gear, like matches and cordage, to cover all your bases.
• Another super lightweight design, this option weighs in at little more than a pound.
• The price is super affordable, considering all the included items.

Cons:

• The case is packed to the brim, so you have to organize the different items’ placement carefully to ensure everything fits.
• Some of the tools, like the tweezers, sacrifice durability for their light weight.

Kosin 17-in-1 Emergency Survival Kit

Everything you need, one place

This kit has almost all the necessary ingredients for survival and boasts high quality to boot.

Best Complete Kit

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It can be pretty overwhelming to buy all the different components for survival separately. So for those that want to take the fast track to emergency prep, we recommend checking out Kosin’s 17-in-1 survival kit. Stow it in your go-bag or the trunk of your car, and you’ll have all the tools you need for cutting, fire-starting, applying first aid, staying dry, and much more. There are almost zero emergency scenarios in which this jam-packed kit would fail to serve.

Pros:

• This makes a great gift for outdoorsy people since it even includes tools for fishing and self-reliance.
• Combining the first-aid items with the survival tools, this single pack boasts a total of 500 pieces.
• The case has handy straps and a clip so it can be attached to a go-bag in a snap.

Cons:

• It comes packed, with little room for adding additional items, so you may have to remove some of the duplicate items to make space.

LcFun Waterproof Windproof Survival Lighter

Heat at the ready

Even in the wind, rain, and snow, this robust lighter can start a life-saving fire.

Best Lighter

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Many survival experts would agree that a warm fire can save a life, and that’s why we suggest replacing your flimsy matches with this awesome lighter from LcFun. It uses a rechargeable battery to generate an electrical arc that resists rain and wind. Encased in a grippy, waterproof case, this reliable fire starter is undeniably superior to rubbing sticks together.

Pros:

• There are a lot of similar options out there, but few can compete with this one’s quality design and bargain price.
• The electrical arc ignites dry tinder in seconds, so the battery can last for a long time before needing a recharge. And because it charges via USB, you can easily juice it up with a portable battery pack.

Cons:

• The contacts need to be kept clean of debris, so you may also need to have a cloth or alcohol wipes on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I don’t travel much, do I still need a survival kit?

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a survival kit in the trunk of your car and one in your house. Even if you never end up needing to need it, a survival kit will provide peace of mind for the unpredictable.

What are essential survival tools?

Many of us are familiar with the three elements of survival: food, water, and shelter. However, you will likely depend on different tools in different environments. For example, cold climates will demand a greater focus on shelter and warmth, so a reliable fire starter is a necessity. In areas that are hot and dry, water quickly becomes the priority. We recommend doing some research into your particular place in the world and the tools that might be needed.

About the Author

If you're a console gamer, Dani won't hold that against you. Although he plays on the PC, he grew up with an Xbox controller in his hand. He's also a filmmaker and musician, so he's figured out the importance of quality gear. He hopes to use his expertise to help people make informed decisions in their search for tech that works.

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