What should I put in a survival kit?

Think about the basic things that a human needs to survive. Then compile your checklist. Drinking water — It's vital to stay hydrated. Make sure to have something to filter drinking water if you need to get water from less than ideal places. Food — Have some emergency rations just in case. Shelter — Whether this is a space blanket, a bivy bag or tools to build a shelter, think about how you will stay warm and dry. First aid items — Just in case something goes wrong or someone is hurt. Light — Either a flashlight or headlamp. Survival knife — make sure to have a knife or multi-tool. Knives are really hard to substitute for in a lot of situations. This one is surprisingly important. Whistle — Having an emergency whistle can make the difference between signaling for help and being found, and...not. There are lots of other things you may want to add to your survival gear kit, but these are some of the basics. Think about what you personally will need, and go from there.

What foods should I stockpile for survival?

If you plan to stockpile foods, make sure they are nonperishable. Freeze-dried foods are popular because they last for long periods of time, have lots of nutrients, and can even taste pretty good if you get the right ones. If you're not worried about weight, canned soups are also a good option, along with protein bars. Think about foods you really like to eat, and how to find it in a nonperishable version.

Should you keep cash in your kit?

This depends on where you plan to be, and what you want your kit to be used for. If you are preparing for a backcountry emergency, you might not need cash, however, it never hurts to have a little. If you want to be prepared for a natural disaster at home, you may want to keep more cash in your emergency kit.

What’s the best way to organize survival gear?

When organizing outdoor gear, there are certain fundamental rules to follow such as packing the sleeping bag at the bottom and placing most of your heaviest items in the center of the bag, with clothing like thermal tops and hiking pants, etc above that. If you’re carrying a tent it should be lashed to the side of the pack. Survival gear – like most of the items reviewed above – is often small and light and should be distributed in the exterior pockets of the backpack where it can be easily accessed in an emergency. Place items related to the same task in separate pockets; i.e. place all your fire starting related items in the same ziplock bag and put them in one pocket then put your navigational aids together in another pocket. Things like a space blanket and bivy tents might be best suited to the bottom of the pack. A knife is best carried on your person, or close at hand.

How should I pack survival gear?

Any items that might be affected by moisture should be placed in a dry bag, including your first aid kit and any warmth-providing items like sleeping bags, hats, gloves, and other clothes. Some emergency blankets may fall in this category but most are water-resistant or waterproof. Other parts of your gear should be packed together based on application (food prep, fire starter, shelter related). Keep things you need often, like a multi-tool or survival knife, or water bottle to stay hydrated, within reach.

Gear - Page 11 of 413

"Gear" is a pretty general term. But for those of us gear-heads, it tends to mean the products that you rely on when the going gets tough. These included things like the "10 essentials of survival" and EDC knives and tools. Our Gear experts also test many outdoor products like backpacks, and wearables that serve a purpose such as hiking boots. We rigorously test all products in the gear category in their intended environments and for their intended purposes.