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In the world of outdoor exploration, being prepared is paramount to ensuring a safe and enjoyable adventure. Every year, the number of incidents involving outdoor enthusiasts lacking proper survival gear increases, leading to unfortunate consequences.
The key to a successful journey lies in choosing the right survival gear that complements your specific adventure. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of selecting the best survival gear for your next trip into the wilderness.
With the right equipment by your side, you’ll embark on your adventure with confidence, knowing that you’re equipped to handle any challenges that come your way. Let’s dive in and discover the essential tools and gear that will make your outdoor experience a memorable and secure one.
Why do you need Survival Gear?
A few years ago I was lost in the woods for over 24 hours during the rainy season and as I can recall it was the most horrifying experience and worst scare of my life. This was about seven years ago in 2013 when this happened to me. When I went into the woods I thought I knew where I was going and I could just simply follow the grass trail back to where I started.
After circling around the woods a few times and landing back where I started from I had a beat-down path of long grass and I couldn’t find the originating trail that went back to my vehicle. Once it set in that I was completely lost out in the middle of nowhere I freakin’ panicked badly!
I used all my energy in the first few hours running around, and climbing trees to see if I could see anything of course I had left my cell phone in the vehicle so there was no calling for help. Luckily, I was wearing a rain jacket but talking about the cold. Have you ever got rained on for hours during a long cold night? I was shivering all night while listening to the coyote’s howl and hoping I didn’t get attacked by any other animals like a bear.
And Also Furthermore
Had I actually prepared for this, I would have been able to return back to my vehicle avoiding all this. At that time, in the moment, after 20 hours of being lost, I thought I was going to die in the woods from starvation or animals.
This can be easily avoided by having survival gear for when you go do your thing in the woods no matter if it’s the following: camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, bushcraft, etc… – you name it. You must be prepared for anything.
Each type of adventure campaign has a different environment and scenario. Hiking is different from hunting. Similarly, Camping and Scatting scenarios also have a considerable difference in the environment and dangers. So, for each of these scenarios, you can`t use a single survival kit. Instead, each adventure scenario demands different survival tools and equipment to handle around.
Although, there are a certain number of survival tools that may be common in different scenarios like a compass, raincoat, and medical kit. But some may require specialized survival gear. So, you should plan for selecting the best survival gear for your next adventurous campaign.
Best Survival to Have
In this section, I will discuss some generic best survival gear that will assist you in any type of wilderness and survival campaign. You can say that these survival tools are a ‘have must’ part of your collection of best survival gear kits. I will provide you with details about:
- Best Fire Starter – The Clickspring Fire Piston
- Best Water Bottle – Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier
- Best Compass – The Suunto MC-2g Compass
- Best Shelter – Sharp Survival Tent
1. Best Fire Starter - The Clickspring Fire Piston
Enjoying an attractive campfire outdoors is really a treat for adventure lovers. While moving outdoors on any adventure, you should be well equipped with equipment and knowledge about various methods to get this campfire starting for your warmth. Clickspring Fire Piston is a high-quality product designed for dealing with expected and unexpected situations where you are in search of fire. It is specially designed for campers, adventure lovers, and hikers.
Clickspring Fire Piston uses an entirely different technique as compared to other fire-starting methods. Due to this, you are good to start a fire even in high wind and high altitude conditions. It’s really the best survival gadget to have in your survival toolkit. One of the main beauties of this product is its ease of use, it’s really easy to play with.
The durability of this device is made possible by the use of an aluminum cylinder and brass shell. It comes with a tiny compass mounted on the top helping you in navigating your way while you are hiking with friends or trying to survive the unexpected loss of path.
2. Best Water Bottle - GRAYL Geopress Water Purifier
GRAYL Geo press Water Purifier is the world`s quickest water purifier. I personally recommend you carry this one among other useful best survival gear for water purification with you while you are on an adventurous journey. This product is designed for hikers, adventurers, hunters, and backpackers. Its capacity is about 24 oz so it is quite easy to carry around in tense survival situations.
This water purifier is so powerful that it can kill almost all viruses and bacteria found in various parts of the world. Pesticides, chemicals, and heavy metals can also be filtered with it easily. So, now you don`t need to worry about going short of water. All you need is to find a water source anywhere, fill the water from the source and the rest of the cleaning will be done by this wonderful survival gear tool.
The filter cartridge is really powerful in that it can filter up to 65 gallons of water before requiring replacement. So, it is truly a must-have tool/gadget/gear that you must have with yourself. Due to the use of heavy-duty plastic as a building material, it is quite durable.
3. Best Compass - Suunto MC-2G Global Compass
When you are in the wilderness, navigation is the main threat you are facing with. You don’t exactly know where to go for help. This thing lower your chances of survival. The Suunto MC-2G Global Compass is specially designed for professional navigation in wilderness areas. This feature has made this compass a part of your best survival gear. The inclusion of a needle called a “Vertical Needle” has made it more accurate even in those areas having larger magnetic disturbances.
A specially crafted mirror is also placed in this compass for increasing accuracy in directional navigation. The mirror is so illuminating and clear that you can get a clear idea of compass needle positions in that. This compass is made up of a magnifying glass that you can use for a variety of purposes. Due to the luminous bezel, you are able to see the compass properly even at night time. So, whenever you are going out on a vacation in hills or deserts, or any other wilderness area, don`t forget to take this one of the immaculate survival gadgets with you.
4. Best Shelter – Sharp Survival Emergency Survival Shelter Tent
In the event of wilderness survival, you must look for a strong and reliable shelter to spend your nights in. So an emergency survival shelter tent should be a must-have part of your collection of best survival gear. Sharp Survival Emergency Survival Shelter Tent is long enough to facilitate two persons out there. Due to its lightweight and smart size, you don`t need to worry about it. You can easily fold it and take it with you anywhere on an adventurous campaign.
One of its main attractions in it is that it is made up of heat-reflective material. This material prevents the body heat from escaping the tent. So, it provides you warmth in cold. Being waterproof and windproof you don`t need to worry about rain, snowfall, or any storm. Its design is so amazing that you can set up it in a few minutes.
Best Survival Gear for Camping
Most of us love camping and campfire. Most of the time it is one of the most loved campaigns. But either due to nature will you may need to handle survival situations. In both such situations, you should look for the best survival gear for camping.
1. MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit
Cooking is one of the most loved activities in a camping campaign. However, in any odd event, you also need to have proper nutritional factors to keep you going. Having lightweight cooking survival gear is really necessary for handling both situations. Meet the MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit.
MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit is one of the best camping cookware containing eighteen pieces. You have a cooking pot, pot cover, non-stick pan, two bowls, stainless steel spork, soup spoon, wooden spoon, cleaning sponge, traveling pouch, fire starter, burner, spoons, fork, and knife in this package. These pieces are completely coated with aluminum and are non-toxic and non-stick.
You are also provided with an emergency cookbook for recopies. While the cooking kit is really compact and lightweight to carry around. You don`t need to carry individual gear pieces separately. Instead, you can pack it in a single unit. This cooking gear is highly reliable, compact, and lightweight.
2. Odoland Portable LED Camping Lantern
Darkness in the wilderness is really a horrifying sensation. Obviously, you don`t want to be in darkness. We use a variety of lights in our homes, vehicles, and even jogging tracks for light. So, how can you think of going on an adventure without any emergency light? In fact, I recommend that you should have a portable camping lantern in your survival gear kit.
Odoland Portable LED Camping Lantern is highly portable and reliable for this purpose. It contains eighteen highly bright LEDs. So, you can get ultra-bright light in the darkness. This LED camping lantern is really smart and lightweight. You are provided with a compaction option that really helps you to pack it around in your collection of the best survival gear.
Due to the use of military standard material, it is really rough and tough. One of the most exciting features is that it comes with a portable ceiling fan. Although the fan is lightweight, it is so powerful to provide you with a considerable amount of air. Fan speed is adjustable but you have two-speed options in it. Batteries can keep this whole thing running for up to 37 hours if you opt for regular use. However, batteries will completely dry out if you use it for full option e.g. full fan speed. With the help of a hook mounted on top, you can hang it easily in your tent or tree bush.
Best Survival Gear for Hiking
Hiking requires quite a different type of survival gear as compared to a camping adventure. On your hiking trip, you must have ropes, hooks, shoes, and other such gear with you. I will be discussing the most important survival gear for hiking.
1. Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boot
Proper hiking boots make it look and feel easier to hike on mountains. Your best survival gear should include hiking boots that can also work for you while trekking. I am presenting you one of the best hiking boots named Columbia Men`s Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boot. Boots are built with leather which makes them really reliable and suitable for rough and tough conditions. Due to being super lightweight, these shoes don’t put extra pressure on your feet.
These hiking boots are totally waterproof. Due to this, you can use these in watery and slippery conditions with ease. A 1.5-inch heel provides you with proper comfort and grip while running and hiking. You can get rich lace adjustment options to make it fit your feet.
As far as comfort is concerned, these boots come with super-quality cushioning. The sole is made up of supreme quality rubber that is tear resistant. So you don`t need to walk on steep ridges. Rubber sole provides high traction to make you more comfortable while you trek/hike on slippery surfaces. These boots come in multiple designs/colors and size options.
2. EMDMAK Survival Kit for Outdoor Hiking Emergency
A hiking emergency kit is a great companion for you on a hiking adventure. A good hiking emergency kit always comes with a collection of very handy survival gear. So, don’t forget to accompany it with your best survival gear.
EMDMAK Survival Kit provides you with various handy tools that you may require while hiking on mountains. Whether you are doing adventurous trekking or surviving a disastrous event, you can utilize provided tools. All these tools come in highly durable, waterproof, and shock-resistant zipper cases. Waterproof coating makes it really durable for usage. It is perfectly compact-sized and lightweight. You can easily place it inside your backpack.
This kit contains a very nice emergency whistle, compass, fire starter, multi-card tool, wire saw, multi-functional pliers, emergency light, and an emergency blanket. An emergency is quite loud. An emergency light is very bright that can assist you in darkness. You can navigate easily with the help of a high-end compass. You can cut almost anything with a sharp wire saw. Multi-function tool card can serve as a bottle cap opener, knife, ruler, wrench, and key ring holder.
Best Survival Gear for Disasters
Natural disasters can`t be accurately predicted. But you should always let yourself prepared for dealing with such situations. Whether it is a flood, earthquake, or any other disaster, you should have survival gear for dealing with these disasters. This type of gear not only comes in handy in the event of disasters but also helps you in surviving in the wilderness. In this section, I am going to discuss some general gear for disaster management.
1. Best Complete Earthquake Survival Kit
For dealing with situations like hurricanes, earthquakes, storms, or any other such situation you should have a Complete Earthquake Survival Kit with you. It is indeed the best survival gear collection for you in the form of a backpack. This backpack comes in different packaging. You may need a backpack for one person, two persons, or more persons. Even you can have it prepared for six people. However, the standard Complete Earthquake Survival Kit comes for two persons. I will be discussing the features of the standard package.
In any disastrous situation, food and water are two important supplies that keep your nutritional and hydration levels. Both of these are necessary to keep you going. This survival kit comes with two (2) food bars, twenty-four (24) water pouches, two (2) hydration bags & straws, and twenty (20) water purification tablets.
You will also find a first aid kit, two (2) hygiene kits, two (2) pocket tissue packs, and two (2) waste bags. All of these things are necessary and useful for you in case of dealing with any medical situation.
Living in darkness is really a terrifying experience. Nobody wants to go through it. In order to deal with darkness, you will find multiple items like candles, bright sticks, and flashlights in this backpack. Bright stick battery power can assist you for up to 12 hours. For lighting up candles, you are provided with waterproof matches.
Most of such disastrous events come during winter. So, you need to keep yourself warmer. For this purpose, this backpack facilitates you with an emergency poncho liner, sleeping bags, tube tent, and body/hand warmers. In addition to all these things, you will also find miscellaneous items like a radio, phone charger, pencil, notepad, nylon rope, safety goggles, leather gloves, dust mask, and an emergency whistle. I personally recommend this backpack. You must have this one is it is one of the best survival gear kits.
2. Best Survival First Aid Kit
One of the major problems in survival situations you may face medical conditions. Medical conditions not only pose physical problems but can also make you fatigued and depressed. Medical gear is not only useful for survival but it can also become handy in the event of natural disasters even at your home or office. I personally recommend you include Survival First Aid Kit as a part of your best survival gear kit collection.
Survival First Aid Kit contains a huge number of all the important first aid equipment that helps you deal with medical emergencies. This medical backpack is highly durable and has a zipped structure. You will find multiple medical equipments like temperature strips for vital sign monitoring. There is a medical emergency guidebook inside that will help you in any odd circumstances. This book contains information about the diagnosis and recovery procedures of CPR, choking, and stroke.
It is designed in such a way that it reduces the anxiety level of survivors. The medical kit can be used in an easy way. All box items are color coded. Each first aid item is properly labeled. This labeling contains the name, purpose, dosage, and even expiry date of the product. This medical kit bag is easy to carry and is in fact highly durable. This kit contains all FDA-approved first-aid items.
You will also find a variety of bandages including common dressings, cotton swabs, wound closures, triangular bandages, head bandages, eye pads, and pressure bandages. However, this survival medical gadget contains many other items including a CPR kit, sterile gloves, hydro gel for burns, an emergency blanket, and many more. You will also find a scissor and antiseptic in the third compartment.
The Best Survival Gear - Frequently Asked Questions
What survival gear is a must need when camping deep in the wilderness or off the grid?
This is a common question and in short, it really all depends on what you’re doing and where you are located. It’s going to be different if you’re in Washington state or somewhere in another country like Canada. The main things you need are a first aid kit which you should already be well trained in first aid or have taken a course so you can treat yourself and other people you may be with.
Another very important thing you must take into consideration is food. You will need plenty of food and water and being able to forge food in the woods and knowing what you can and cannot eat will make survival much easier in south America. I definitely recommend picking up: Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods and familiarizing yourself with the types of food that are editable.
Being prepared and being safe to protect yourself from wildlife is yet another important thing when surviving in the bush. No matter where you are traveling to you should always be aware of the potential threats out there in the wild.
Having the proper tools and protective gear is key too. If you live in the states then packing a pistol is always a great option. However, if you live somewhere like in Canada where they regulate guns then there are alternatives and hunting equipment you can purchase to better your chances of staying alive.
Final Words
I have tried to discuss all the basic necessities and survival gear that you must carry with you on an adventurous campaign. Some of these products are generic that can be used anywhere. I personally recommend you build your collection of the best survival gear. I have tried to write totally unbiased review of these products. I am sure that you will love it. Stay tuned for more.
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