Building the Ultimate Survival Kit: Gear Guide for ANY Prepper

Put some PREP in your step.

Life can be nuts. Are we right? Well, you can go at it blindly, or you can prepare in advance for all sorts of shenanigans. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide on how to build the ultimate survival kit. As gear junkies and connoisseurs of all things online, we wanted to showcase some of the needed items any level prepper could/should stock up on and familiarize themselves with, especially as we head into 2023. No matter what your budget is or what kind of prepper you are, this guide has you covered.

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What is a Survival Kit?

Every seasoned prepper knows the importance of having a reliable and up-to-date survival kit. Your survival kit is, quite literally, your lifeline in the event of an emergency. That’s why it’s critical to ensure that yours is stocked with only the highest-quality gear to increase your chances of making it through whatever mother nature throws your way. A survival kit is a collection of items that are essential for survival in the event of an emergency. The contents of a survival kit may vary depending on the situation, but typically, it will include items such as food, water, and shelter. A survival kit may also contain a first-aid kit, a fire starter, a reliable radio and a flashlight. For those who are interested in preparedness, there are many books and websites that provide instructions on how to build a survival kit. Survival kits can be purchased pre-made from many different retailers, or they can be assembled from scratch. Either way, having a survival kit is an important part of being prepared for an emergency.

In this post, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide to building the ultimate survival kit. We’ll walk you through what items to include, where to find the best deals on survival gear, and share some essential tips for putting your kit together. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll have everything you need to put together a world-class survival kit that will serve you well in any emergency situation.

Let’s get to preppin’…

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Choosing the Right Gear for Your Survival Kit

One of the most important aspects of putting together a survival kit is choosing the right gear. There are literally thousands of different products on the market claiming to be essential for survival, so how do you know which ones are worth your hard-earned money? We’ve done the legwork for you and compiled a list of only the best gear for your survival kit. Here’s what we recommend including:

Survival Kit List:

(Click Each to Jump Ahead):

1. Survival Books

2. Illumination: Tactical flashlights/lights

3. Clean Water

4. Cordage and Tape (Parachord)

5. Fire-Starting Kit

6. Emergency Blanket

7. Basic First Aid / Medical Kit

8. Batteries/ Chargers

9. Multi-tools/Knifes

10. Backpack/ Bags

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01 | Survival Books

The best way to kick off any survival kit is by grabbing a top survival kit book. If you’re looking for the best survival books to help with that, we have found some of the highest rated online. After collaborating with some of the top outdoorsman, gear junkies, and those who have put these books to the test, we would recommend the following books for those wanting to get all they need to prep, stock up, and be prepared when uncertainty arises.

These are the best survival books to read in 2022:

1. Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival

2. Camping and Woodcraft: Complete and Expanded Edition

3. How to Stay Alive in the Woods: A Complete Guide to Food, Shelter and Self-Preservation Anywhere

4. SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere

5. The Prepper’s Survival Bible: 8 in 1 Guidebook

6. The Survival Medicine Handbook: THE essential guide for when medical help is NOT on the way

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02 | Illumination/ Lights

Power goes out, lights go off- you will need something to light up the dark halls, the night sky, even find your way around in pitch black situations outdoors. No matter what kind of survival situation you find yourself in, having a reliable source of light is critical. A flashlight can help you signal for help, find your way around in the dark, or simply provide some much-needed illumination during a power outage. And while most people think of flashlights as being powered by batteries, there are actually many different types of survival lights available. From solar-powered lights to hand-cranked models, there’s sure to be a light that fits your needs.

These are the Best Illumination Essentials for 2022:

1. Barebones Living LED Lantern: Use code “duuudecrew10” for 10% off

2. LAPG Tactical Flashlights: with quality tactical flashlights starting at $19

3. 5.11 Response XR1 Flashlight

4. 1tac TC1200 PRO Tactical Flashlight

5. Pelican 3715 Industrial Handsfree LED Light

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03 | Clean Water

Purifying water is a key part of survival, and there are a number of ways to do it. Some prefer to boil the water for at least 10 minutes to kill any harmful bacteria or parasites that may be present. But if you do not have the capacity to boil water, and only have the water at your feet or on the ground, another option is to use a water purification filter. There are a variety of filtration systems available, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, some filters can remove more impurities than others, but they may also be more expensive. Ultimately, the best survival strategy is to have a variety of methods for purifying water, so that you can be prepared for any situation. We stock up on both filtering straws but also water purification tablets and packets.

These are the Best Water Cleaning Grabs in 2022:

1. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

2. LA Gear Collapsable Water Bag- 2 gallon

3. P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets

4. Shurex Gravity-Fed Water Bag for Sawyer Survival Water Filter Straw+ 1.5 Gal Large Gravity Water Bladder

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04 | Cordage and Tape

Survival situations often demand the use of cordage and tape. Whether you're building a shelter, repairing gear, or securing a load, having the right cordage and tape on hand can make all the difference. That's why survival experts recommend including both in your survival kit.

Cordage is an essential survival tool. It can be used for everything from building shelter to rigging a pulley system. The type of cordage you need will depend on the task at hand. For example, you'll need strong, sturdy rope for rigging a pulley system, but lighter weight cordage will suffice for creating a basic shelter. When choosing cordage for your survival kit, it's important to consider both strength and weight. You don't want to be bogged down by unnecessary weight, but at the same time, you need cordage that will be up to the task when the time comes.

Tape is another survival must-have. It can be used for patching holes in gear, mending tears in clothing, and a host of other repairs. When selecting tape for your survival kit, look for a variety that is durable and can withstand extreme temperatures. You also want to choose a tape that is easy to tear by hand; in a survival situation, you may not have access to scissors or other cutting tools.

These are the Best Cordage and Tape Grabs in 2022:

1. Bass Pro Shop Parachord- 50 feet $4.99

2. TOUGH-GRID 550lb Paracord

3. SURVIVEWARE Waterproof Duct Tape

4. Gorilla Glue Adhesive Tape

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05 | Fire-Starting Kit

A fire starter: Being able to start a fire is crucial for both warmth and cooking in a survival situation. We recommend including both matches and a lighter in your fire starter kit for maximum versatility. For the survivalist or prepper, a fire starter kit is an essential item. Fire is essential for survival in a number of ways, from providing warmth to cooks food to signaling for help. A quality fire starter kit should include a variety of items to help you get a fire going in any situation. The most important item in the kit is, of course, the fire starter itself. This can be something as simple as a lighter or matches, but there are also more sophisticated options available, such as flint and steel. Other essential items in the kit include tinder (something that will ignite easily, like dry leaves or paper), kindling (small pieces of wood that will help the fire to grow), and fuel (larger pieces of wood that will keep the fire burning). With a well-stocked fire starter kit, you'll be prepared for anything.

These are the Best Fire-Starting Kits in 2022:

1. 5.11 Sol Fire Lite Fuel-free Lighter

2. SMKW ESEE Rat Match Fire Starter Tool

3. GoFire Ultimate All Purpose Fire Starter (100 Pack)

4. EXOTAC polySTRIKER XL Fire Starter

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06 | Emergency Blanket

A space/emergency blanket is an essential item for any survival kit. Also known as an emergency blanket, a space blanket is made of thin, heat-reflective material that can help to keep you warm in extreme conditions. Space blankets are compact and lightweight, making them easy to pack in a survival kit. They can also be used to create emergency shelter, reflect sunlight, and signal for help. In addition, space blankets can be used to help provide warmth during cold weather camping trips or other outdoor activities. If you are a prepper or survivalist, a space blanket is a must-have item for your survival kit.

These are the Best Space Blankets in 2022:

1. 1tac Emergency Survival Blanket

2. Sierra Mountain Knife Works Explorer Emergency Blanket | $2.99

3. SOL Heavy Duty Emergency Blanket

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07 | Basic First Aid / Medical Kit

A first-aid kit: A well-stocked first-aid kit is an absolute necessity for any serious prepper. Having quick access to medical supplies could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Be sure to include items like bandages, gauze, antiseptic cream, pain medication, etc. in your first-aid kit.

These are the Best Basic First Aid Kits in 2022:

1. LAPD Gear Elite First Aid I.F.A.K.

2. First Tactical Trauma Kit Bag Only

3. MediTac Rucksack Assault Trauma Tactical Kit

4. Tactical Trauma First Aid Kit, 55 Piece

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08 | Batteries/ Chargers

A survival kit is only as good as its weakest link, and for many people, that weak link is their batteries. In a survival situation, having a dependable source of power can mean the difference between life and death. That's why it's important to have high-quality batteries and chargers in your survival kit. Batteries are the key to powering survival devices like flashlights, radios, and GPS units. But they won't do you any good if they're dead. That's where chargers come in. A good charger will keep your batteries charged and ready to go when you need them most. For the ultimate in survival preparedness, make sure your survival kit includes batteries and chargers that you can rely on.

First, consider the type of battery. Lithium ion batteries are a good choice for survival kits because they have a long shelf life and can be recharged multiple times. Second, choose a charger that is compatible with the batteries you have selected. Solar chargers are a good option for survival kits because they can be used to recharge batteries even when there is no electricity available. Finally, make sure to include extra batteries and chargers in your survival kit so that you have a backup in case the primary power source fails.

These are the Best Batteries/Chargers in 2022:

1. TOGO Portable Power Station

2. TOGO 120W Solar Panel+Power Station Advance 240, 231Wh

3. 1TAC PowerPlus Triple-A (AAA) Batteries

4. Biolite Solar Charging Panel 5 or 10+

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09 | Multi-tools/Knifes

A good knife is one of the most versatile tools you can have in your arsenal. In addition to being useful for basic tasks like cutting various materials and preparing food, a knife can also be used as a self-defense weapon if necessary. Be sure to choose a knife with a comfortable grip and a strong blade that won’t break easily. A multi-tool is another must-have for any comprehensive survival kit. A quality multi-tool will come equipped with all sorts of handy features like pliers, scissors, a saw, and more—all in one convenient package. This means that you won’t have to waste valuable time fumbling around looking for different tools when SHTF.

These are the Best Kives/Multi-tools in 2022:

1. 5.11 EDC Knives- Variety

2. Colombia River Knife Pilar EDC Folding Knife

3. Leatherman SURGE Multi-tool

4. Gerber Gear TERRACRAFT - FLAT SAGE

5. SOG Knives Multi-tool and knives

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10 | Backpack/ Bag

What will you carry all your gear in or store it for easy access? A backpack or go bag is the way to go. When considering a bag/backpack, ensure you find one that has several sections for easy compartmentalization of the essentials. An easily stowed and divided bag will help you with accessing what you need- without wondering where it went. Differing size bags are good for various needs such as quick access in trunk vs larger bags for long stretches of time. Consider a bag that has plenty of room, comfortable, and compartments for organization. Velcro patches are solid to for storage outside of the bag as well.

These are the Best Bags in 2022:

1. 5.11 Emergency Ready Bag/ Emergency Bag Kits

2. LA Police Gear Jumbo Bail Out Bag

3. Tactical X-Men Lii Gear Mr Control Sling Bag

4. First Tactical TACTIX Half-Day Backpack

5. Mountain Hardware Duffel Bags

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Wrap-Up:

From a basic first-aid kit to long term food storage, this guide has you covered. Be sure to check out the individual product links for more in-depth information on each item and where to buy them. And remember, no matter what your budget is, there’s something for everyone. With the right preparation, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to handle whatever life throws your way.

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