Best Survival Gear

Preparedness is the key when going to the wilderness. That’s why it’s important that you get the best survival gears that fits your needs when building your own survival kit.

People often forget to pack an adequate amount of food and water, and no gear and equipment when out on a hike or camping. After all, who wants to bring heavy things when traveling? 

We all want to pack light when we’re out and about.

Carrying large and heavy bags is a hassle but when camping and out in the wilderness packing light is a no-no and ill-advised. Being well-equipped and well-packed is the way to go. It adds a bit of self-confidence and comfort that you can withstand or address any unforeseen event that may arise during a trip.

But where to start? 

Fret no more. 

This article will give you helpful tips when buying survival gears and building your own kit.

4 Survival Gear and Kit Considerations

• Where are you going? What’s the weather going to be like? Will you just go on a hike or are going to camp there? 

The way you pack and what gears you would need for the journey is easily answered once you’ve determined where you’re going to be and what your activities going to be. Once you’ve done this, you can check your gears and determine which one is important and leave the unnecessary ones. This way you can avoid overpacking.

You won’t be bringing winter jackets if you’re going to be in a hot place. 
 
So be sure to check the location’s weather before your trip to ensure that you’re wearing the proper outfit and equipped with the appropriate tools.   

• Will you be bringing perishables? What’s their shelf life going to be? 

You need to make sure that all your perishables (food and medical supplies) are not expired and will not go bad easily.  

• What’s your budget for gears and their weight? 

Don’t skimp when it comes to your gears. They should be reliable and don’t break upon first use. It’s a matter of life and death out there. It pays to spend a little bit more when it comes to your safety. 
 
Do some research and watch videos or read reviews online to get an idea of what quality brands are out there that fits your need. You don’t have to break the bank just to get high-quality equipment in the market. 

Stay away from gimmicky gears as they’re likely to be easily broken.

• How many people will be joining you? 

If you’re going to be on your own then there’s no need to pack heavy. But if you’ll be with other people, take into account their medical conditions or if they have any allergies. That way you know what to avoid or how best to accommodate their needs during the journey. 
 
What’s The Best Survival Gear Should Be?
 
The perfect survival kit does not exist. It's likely too big to be carried around or is under a prepper’s basement. But what you can do is build the best survival kit that has exactly the gears and equipment you need whenever.
 
Below are some of the best survival gears your kit should have:
 
For Health – First Aid
 
On the top of your survival kit should always be the first aid kit. Accidents could happen so having one can help address any injuries at first before you’re able to see a doctor or, worst, before a rescue team arrives. 
 
A basic kit should have bandages, sticky tape, scissors, gloves thermometers, antihistamine, painkillers, tweezers, plasters (in various sizes and shapes), eyewash solution, a syringe, and gauze dressings. It should also have a manual in there. 
 
For Nourishment – Water Bottle and Food

Be sure to pack some food and a bottle of water whether you’re hiking or camping out. 
Depending on what your activities are going to be, it’s important to pack food that can last for a long time, such as jerky or protein bars. And, be sure to have a big bottle of war that can last you throughout the day. 
 
For Cutting – Knives

A simple yet versatile tool. You can either use it for self-defense, cut bandages, open cans, and food packages, or as a replacement kitchen knife. They come out in all shapes and sizes, but for portability purposes, having a small one is best.
 
It is best to check with your local gear store to determine what fits you best as there are a lot of them, and your safety. 
 
For Light – Flashlights or Headlamps

Having a flashlight or a headlamp at your disposal is neat. You're able to see at night in a forest. You can also use it to scan the trunk of your car when looking for gears and equipment. 

With a headlamp, it is more portable. It also frees up your hand to work on anything that needed to be accomplished. 
 
For Heat – Fire Starter

Fire always plays a significant role in any survival scenario. We survived because our ancestors discovered fire that protected us from wild animals at night and allowed us to learn how to cook food. 
 
You can always carry a lighter with you for quick and easy set-up. But there are also wet fire products that you can buy online. These are individually packaged tinder cubes that can be used even when it's rainy. You can quickly start the fire camp instead of the traditional way. 
 
For Cordage – Paracord 

A paracord can go a long way. It is made up of lightweight materials a.k.a multiple strands of nylon fiber but is very durable and strong. 
 
It can help fix your clothing, build shelter, secure your belongings/gears, repair equipment, and make weapons. 
 
There’s a wearable rope bracelet that you can purchase online, giving you access to a high-strength paracord at all times. 
 
For Cleaning – Hygiene Kit 

There’s no bathroom in the wilderness so be sure to have a small bag of toothbrush, toothpaste, and wet wipes to carry you over during the hike, trip, or camping. There are also available portable toilets that can help you do your business quite comfortably. 
 
For Communication – Shortwave Radio and Signaling Devices

Besides your phone, it’s important to have a second form of communication. Some areas and spots don’t have any phone signal. 
 
If all else fails then be sure to have a signaling device with you. This way you can get the attention of anyone who is nearby. This can either be a flare, a whistle, or a space blanket with a foil side. You can use it to reflect light. Three flashes is universally understood as a distress signal. 
 
For Shelter – Tent, Tarp, or Hammocks
 
Having a solid tent when camping outdoors and during an emergency is important. It can shield you from weather elements, harmful animals, and provide a comfortable place to sleep in. But depending on your level of comfort and expertise a paracord and tarp are more than enough. 
 
You can also check out bivvies or hammocks as they are a cheaper option and lighter to carry, unlike tents. 
 
For Navigation – GPS unit, a map, or a compass
 
It is important that you know and understand the area you’re in and the direction you’re going towards. But mistakes can happen even if you know the terrain well. That’s why having your GPS unit that has a satellite or cellular coverage helps. 
 
Your phone’s GPS can help too, but their batteries drain, or there’s no signal, so reviewing the map before going there helps. Then, be sure to learn how to read a compass. You can never go wrong with the map and compass at your side. 
 
For Carrying – Backpack
 
It is important to have a backpack that can withstand the weight of your tools and equipment. Don’t be cheap, and get the best bag that fits your budget, style, and needs. Always go for quality and budget-friendly. 
 
There are at least three backpack categories you can choose from: 

• Frameless – is the lightest option among the three. It is unable to transfer weight from shoulders to hips.
• External Frame – great for long distances as it is designed to help carry the weight that the owner carries. It is comfortable to use but can be quite hard to come by compared to the two. 
• Internal Frame – has a stiffer design, allowing the weight to go off from the user’s shoulders.

For Electricity – Generators

If you want to camp comfortably and in style, you may want to consider having solar-powered generators. Many of them are quite Earth-friendly and easy to carry around such as Nature’s Generator. 
 
It is ideal if you plan on an extended stay in the wilderness having the power to recharge your phone and other gadgets are necessary. It allows you to stay connected to everyone, especially during emergencies. 
 
Conclusion
 
Preparedness is the key. That’s why it’s important to pack everything that you’ll need when going out on a hike or camping out. Control whatever you can by packing everything you’ll need. Because despite your best effort to plan for everything and execute everything immaculately expect something to go off the rails. 
 
You don’t have to get every fancy gear in the market. What matters most is that you have quality survival gears within a kit that is built to suit your needs.
 
And a piece of advice, be sure to check that your gears are working and practice using them before you go out on your journey. This way you won’t be surprised that your equipment is faulty during emergencies since you’ve replaced them before the trip. 
 
Practice using your survival gears so you’d be familiar with how to use them and be confident when the need to use them arises. 
 

  * We want to give credit where credit is due. Professional writer, Cris Ilao, contributed research and content to this blog titled: Best Survival Gear Thank you, Cris, for your contributions!