Always be prepared. When you go venturing into the great outdoors, there’s no telling what might happen. If you’re on a camping trip say, and have gone on a long hike in unfamiliar territory, you could find yourself lost or stranded. And having the best possible survival kit can make all the difference in how that turns out for you.
We’re going to level with you – choosing a really good survival kit can be tricky and there’s a lot to think about and consider. But we’re here to make this decision easier for you. Coming up shortly we’ve got some reviews on our handpicked Top 5 survival kits, and after that there’s a handy buying guide where we’ve tried to include all the most important factors to consider.
Best Survival Kit – Reviews
- [250 in 1 Survival Kit]: Having an emergency kit is an important step to prepare and protect your and household for some unforeseen events. This emergency survival kit is specifically designed and...
- [Basic First Aid Kit]: Designed to stow conspicuously, the included first aid supplies are packed in a extra bright red bag. It includes essential items such as tweezers, scissors and pins, would pad,...
- [Portable Molle System Compatible Bag]: The 2022 upgraded emt bag was made of military grade water-resistant 1000D nylon with a size of 8” x 6.5” x 6''. You can attach it to other molle compatible...
- [2022 Upgraded Version]: Nobody can count on friendly weather during an emergency. This kit can help you to deal with the worst. It is the most multifultional survival kit in the market, contains...
- [Must Have Survival Gear]: All of the items have been tested to ensure they can withstand even the toughest emergencies and conditions, such as outdoor adventure, hunting, camping, hiking, travel,...
- 【Christmas Gift Recommendation】For outdoor enthusiasts, assemble a genuine survival kit before Christmas. Combine the thrill of daily surprises with tools you'll use year-round.
- 【21-in-1 Survival Kit】This professional emergency survival kit features 21 essential tools. Includes: multi-function axe, waterproof case, tungsten steel pen, compass, flashlight, water bottle...
- 【Safe and Practical】This camping accessory is the perfect companion for any emergency. It also keeps you safe during hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, backpacking, or exploring.
- 【Essential Gift for Men & Teens】A cool gadget and perfect Christmas gift for men. It's one of the best presents for husbands, best friends, brothers, hunters, or anyone who seems to have...
- 【Thoughtful Service】This survival kit is a perfect way to show your love for your father/husband/boyfriend. If it doesn't meet your expectations or you have any questions, please contact us. We'll...
- Emergency Supply Kit: this kit includes a variety of practical items, including 1 emergency thermal blanket, 1 camping sleeping bag, 1 solar rechargeable flashlight, 1 emergency safety whistle, 1...
- Emergency Thermal Blanket: made from a durable aluminum foil composite material, it's waterproof, windproof, and tear-resistant; It's reusable and reflects and retains approximately 90% of body heat,...
- Emergency Sleeping Bag: measuring about 82.68 x 29.53 inches/ 210 x 75 cm, it's suitable for most adults; The cotton filling and polyester fabric provide excellent warmth and a soft feel; It comes...
- Solar Flashlight: made from quality plastic, it's explosion-proof, shock-resistant, and rainproof; It features dual-mode lighting for both the main and side lights; The battery can be recharged by...
- Multi-functional Thermal Protection: the beanie, gloves, scarf, and socks are made of soft, stretchy fabric to fit your head, neck, hands, and feet, providing comprehensive insulation; This...
- [Preparedness for the Unknown]: While no one can predict when or how severe a disaster or accident will be, our 262pcs survival kit ensures your family’s safety during the critical first 72 hours....
- [Comprehensive First Aid Kit]: The included first aid supplies are stored in a bright red pouch, containing tweezers, scissors and pins, non-woven pad, triangular bandage, tournquet, cotton swabs,...
- [Safety Companion for Journey]: Our emergency kit includes many survival gear and supplies to ensure access to food, water, warmth, and light in a crisis. The fishing kit and multi-usage spoon help...
- [Essential Survival Gear]: Additionally, this survival kit includes a detachable multifunctional axe with hammer and a 2-in-1 shovel with pick, made of sturdy cabon steel. Combined with wire saw,...
- [Convenient Packaging]: The survival gear and supplies are packed in a crossbody bag, making it easy to carry and access in emergencies. The bag features multiple compartments and molle compatible...
- [Preparedness for the Unknown]: While no one can predict when or how severe a disaster or accident will be, our 262pcs survival kit ensures your family’s safety during the critical first 72 hours....
- [Comprehensive First Aid Kit]: The included first aid supplies are stored in a bright red pouch, containing tweezers, scissors and pins, non-woven pad, triangular bandage, tournquet, cotton swabs,...
- [Safety Companion for Journey]: Our emergency kit includes many survival gear and supplies to ensure access to food, water, warmth, and light in a crisis. The fishing kit and multi-usage spoon help...
- [Essential Survival Gear]: Additionally, this survival kit includes a detachable multifunctional axe with hammer and a 2-in-1 shovel with pick, made of sturdy cabon steel. Combined with wire saw,...
- [Convenient Packaging]: The survival gear and supplies are packed in a crossbody bag, making it easy to carry and access in emergencies. The bag features multiple compartments and molle compatible...
- 【Comprehensive First Aid & Survival Kit, Cool Gifts for Men, Dad, Husband & Families】 Designed by emergency responders and survival experts, this ultra-compact yet complete medical and tactical...
- 24 Survival Essentials – Unwrap the ultimate outdoor gift this holiday season with 24 high-quality survival tools, including a hatchet, folding shovel and pick, headlamp, survival bracelet, saber...
- Built for Outdoor Adventure – Whether you’re camping, hiking, climbing, boating, or on a road trip, this survival advent calendar equips you with versatile tools designed to keep you safe,...
- Unique Gift for Men & Teens – Perfect for dads, husbands, brothers, or teenage boys who love the outdoors. A creative Christmas countdown gift that blends holiday excitement with practical gear...
- Durable & Compact Tools – Each tool is crafted with durability in mind, easy to pack in backpacks, cars, or emergency kits. From daily preparedness to extreme adventures, this set offers reliable...
- 【MOVINPE 2025 ADVENT CALENDAR SERIES】Explore the MOVINPE 2025 Advent Calendar Series, offering a wide range of value-packed advent calendar gifts. Whether it's for your daughter, son, wife,...
- The Road Guardian- The portable roadside assistance kit is designed and hand picked by a group of experienced veterans and experts to provide every essential tools you need in roadside emergencies....
- Top-Notch Digital Auto Tire Inflator- lightweight and compact air compressor can inflate your standard vehicles tire in seconds. With auto shutoff function, simply plug it into the 12v power outlet...
- Copper-Clad Aluminum 12 Feet 8 Gauge Jumper Cable- A durable battery starter cable is a must-have for your trip. Unlike other kits on the market, our jumper cable has reasonable length to get your...
- Completed 108 Pieces First Aid Kit- By having a completed first aid kit, provide you and your family proper basic wound/hygiene treatment before it possibly get worsened during your road trip. Our kit...
- Veteran Owned Company 5-Star Customer Support- Everlit is committed into providing the most comprehensive customer service. We proudly offer the exclusive 60-days hassle-free return among all...
- 【Christmas gift ideas】 High-quality comprehensive emergency survival first aid equipment, best gifts for men, boy, father, family, friends. You can enjoy a more relaxed and safe adventure with our...
- 【A Must Have Survival First Aid Kit】LUXMOM survival kit is unique in that it was specifically designed by survival experts. The comprehensive survival kit not only includes 21pcs multipurpose...
- 【Wide application range】This survival kit is great for firefighters, first aid personnel, hikers, campers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, etc. It is idea for car, ship, bicycles, motorcycles,...
- 【Practical Survival Gears & First Aid Kit】LUXMOM emergency kit contains the most popular survival accessories: Hatchet, 3-mode flashlight, Multifunctional Card, Survival Bracelet, Dual-tube...
- 【Compact Lightweight & Durable】All items are neatly arranged in a 600D nylon bag measuring 9 inches x 6 inches x 5 inches. Easy to carry, small and lightweight, can hold all the 142pcs emergency...
Best Survival Kit – Buyers Guide
Your starting point in deciding what kit to get should be based on what you can anticipate needing. You will need to determine what sort of uses you might have for it and take your decision from there, as this will inform what items you’ll need in the kit, and ultimately then which kit best suits your needs.
When you’re lost or in danger there are some things that become more important than others. You need food, water, shelter from the elements, ways of identifying where you are, and ways of alerting people to your whereabouts. Or if you’re hurt you will be in need of some first aid. If it’s dark, you’ll need a flashlight.
And on that note, let’s move onto our next section.
Items you may want to see included
One of the more central decisions to make is whether you want food and drink included in your survival kit.
When it comes to water, which is hands down an essential, a bottle of water, or several bottles, can at times be heavy to carry around, especially if you have a lot of other gear to carry. To that end you may wish your kit to include a water filtration system or purification tablets.
You may want to get a campfire going, whether to cook food or simply keep warm. Or you could perhaps have an emergency blanket to keep warm.
Or to protect yourself from the weather, you may make good use from an emergency tent, a fold-up emergency blanket, or ponchos.
In terms of first aid items, you might want to consider sterile gauze wound dressings, something to keep the dressings or bandages in place and antiseptic wipes to clean up any wounds.
With regards to alerting others to your presence and whereabouts for a rescue mission, your options include a good old fashioned whistle, or to be more visible, a flashlight would work well, or even a glow stick.
Many outdoor survival kits can also feature a compass, which can be super handy for hiking trips where there’s no GPS gadgets at hand.
Size and Weight
Ultimately the size of your survival depends on what types of emergencies you intend to prepare for.
If your survival kit is intended primarily for outdoor use, then you may also be concerned about the kit’s size and weight. You might want to fit into a backpack and/or carry it long distances on foot. Fortunately many survival kits are put together with this in mind, including several in our Top 5 picks.
If your emergency involves waiting out some sort of danger, while you shelter in an enclosed space, then again the size of your kit can also become a factor to consider, say if you were laying low in a camping tent not knowing if there are potentially dangerous animals in the surrounding area.
It goes without saying, the more people you have with you, the more items you may need in terms of food, water and shelter. But on the other hand, you also have more carrying power for any items you want to take or include. You could have one person carry the food and water and another carrying a first aid kit and an emergency tent.
Cost
Survival kits can vary quite considerably in their price point, but it’s important to note that cheaper doesn’t always mean better. Instead what you should focus on is ensuring that you have every item that you may need. In fact once you’ve found your ideal survival kit, you may also see fit to pay for one or two more things besides. Which brings us onto our next section.
Additional Items you may need that aren’t typically found in a survival kit
Certain modern items can come in very handy when you find yourself stranded outdoors, and you definitely won’t get them all in a standard survival kit.
To alert others to your emergency, a cell phone with a good signal can be a godsend. Similarly, to ascertain exactly where you are, a really good item would be one that features GPS tracking. It doesn’t need to be anything bulky, you can get some great watches that feature GPS tracking, often with other handy features for hikers. You may also be interested in a water filtration bottle.
When it comes to using modern gadgets outdoors, you may also want to think about whether they need a portable power supply, such as batteries. Or solar powered gadgets could be another alternative.
For hikers, we would also recommend taking a fold-up map of the area if possible, particularly if there are no GPS gadgets at hand.
