The aim of this site is to be a GREAT resource for people looking to learn about Bug Out and Survival tactics. Part of this is to look at tools and other items that would aid in a survival situation and we examine many such items on several of our posts. To assist you in looking for helpful Bug Out and survival related items we have created this page as a consolidated list of what we review and recommend on this site.
Many of the items are available on Amazon if you would like to search for them there or look for more information, please click on this link: Amazon Home. Clicking on the items in the lists below will also take you to the relevant Amazon page for your convenience. If there is a specific category of items that you would like is to take a look at or something you would suggest please email me at info@thebugoutbagguide.com and I will create a special link for it. Thank you again!
Bug Out Bag Essentials
Survival Knives
| Camillus Survivorman Les Stroud Ultimate Survival Knife | United Cutlery Bush Master Survival Knife | Rothco Deluxe Adventurer Survival Kit Knife |
|---|---|---|
  |   |   |
 | | |
Water Filtration
| Sterpien | LifeStraw | Tablets |
|---|---|---|
  |   |   |
| | |
Sleeping Options
| Sleeping Bag | Camping Hammock |
|---|---|
  |   |
| |
Every Day Carry Items
| Item | Click image to view on Amazon |
|---|---|
| CRKT M21 |   |
| Kikkerland Classic Survival Tool |   |
| Carabiner "Grenade" Survival Kit Key Fob |   |
| Zitrades Mini Cree Led Flashlight |   |
| LifeResQ 6-In-1 Car Escape Tool |   |
| Leatherman Sidekick Multi Tool |   |
| BOKER Minibar Blade |   |
| Schrade Key Chain Pry Tool |   |
| The Friendly Swede Paracord Bracelet w/ Fire Starter |   |
| Para Cord Brands Survival Bracelet and Watch |   |
| Type-III 4pc Liquid Filled Slip-on Compass |   |
Premade Bug Out Bags
| Bug Out Bag | Name | Cost | # of People Supported | Type of bag | Type of Kit | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Guardian Survival Pal | $32.99 | 1 | Small bag | Bare Bones | This kit is very basic and would be well suited to be the Bug Out Bag to keep in a car or office as it is small and lightweight. It does have good food and water options for its size and cost as well as a hand powered flashlight. |
  | ESEE Advanced Professional Survival Kit | $121 | 1 | Shoulder bag | Deluxe | Great basic kit, has high quality items and many survival supplies not included in cheaper Bug Out Bags including a fishing kit, can opener, firestarting flint, and comprehensive first aid kit. The higher quality of the included items means that you would need to replace less and can simply build out from the foundation this kit provides. |
  | Fox Tactical Field Operator's Action Pack | $169 | 1 | Backpack | Deluxe | This has a very high quality backpack that stores some excellent survival gear. The inclusion of an LED flashlight, sanitary pads, and wet naps are all well thought out additions. The makers of this Bug Out Kit did no skimp on quality when assembling. |
  | Mayday Deluxe 1 Person Backpack Kit | $54.16 | 1 | Backpack | Basic | Great basic kit. This has all the Bug Out Bag essentials a person would need. This is a great base to build your customized survival kit out of. |
  | Guardian Elite Survival Kit | $73.99 | 1 | Backpack | Basic | This is a good basic kit that will be a great foundation to customize and build upon as the bag is designed with additional space to put your personal items in. It includes an emergency shelter, hand powered flashlight and water purification tablets, useful items that not every basic level kit gives you. |
  | FOX Tactical Rio Grande 75L | $535 | 1-2 | Hiking Pack | Super Deluxe | This is the most complete Bug Out Bag that we have seen. You could take this as it is and survive for more than the minimun 72 hours. The bag and contents are brand-name and high quality including Leatherman, Fox, AMK, and Black Kaito. The addition of a solar and hand powered radio/flashlight combo is excellent. With a great bag and high quality contents, This is the bag to go with if it is in anyone's budget. |
  | Fox 2 person 72hr Survival Kit | $339.95 | 2 | Hiking Pack | Deluxe | This is a high quality 2 person kit with many essentials. Both the bag itself and items within are very high quality with a price to match. |
  | Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Kit 2014 | $102.75 | 1 | Zippered bag | Basic | Very basic kit as far as the contents provided but the survival equipment inside is very high quality being that it is manufactured by Gerber. The inclusion of the Priorities of Survival Pocket Guide is an excellent addition for the inexperienced. |
  | 2 Person Guardian Deluxe Survival Kit | $70.99 | 2 | Backpack | Basic | This is the 2 person upgrade from the Guardian Elite Survival Kit and is a good basic kit that will be a great foundation to customize and build upon as the bag is designed with additional space to put your personal items in. It includes an emergency shelter, hand powered flashlight and water purification tablets, useful items that not every basic level kit gives you. |
  | Deluxe 2-Person Perfect Survival Kit for Emergency Disaster Preparedness | $98.95 | 2 | Backpack | Deluxe | Good basic kit with a lot of bonus features that you do not get with the cheaper ones such as a hand powered flashlight, hygiene items, and ample water. |
  | Wise Foods Wise Deluxe Survival Kit | $229.99 | 4 | Duffel bag with wheels | Deluxe | This kit has many of the features of a basic kit such as a first aid kit, hand powered flashlight, and an emergency shelter as well as some of the more advanced, "kitchen sink" options such as a multitool, water filtration bottle, and a stove and fuel. It also has 44 portions of food which will keep a survival party going for a long time. |
  | Dan's Adirondack Survival Kit | $530 | 1 | Backpack | Deluxe | This is an interesting kit that has several items we don't see elsewhere such as duct tape, a sharpener, a bandana, and a machete. It also comes with a survival DVD to watch at home to help prepare you. Generally, the items in his kit are high quality and should not need replacing. |
  | Deluxe - 4 Person Emergency Survival Kit - Back pack Kit | $59 | 4 | Backpack | Basic | Good basic kit, stocked with a lot of useful items including Coast Guard approved rations. |
  | Ready America 70280 Grab-'n-Go Emergency Kit, 2-Person, 3-Day Backpack | $39 | 2 | Backpack | Basic | Good basic kit. Quality of items is in line with the reasonable price. Some items may need upgrading. |
Wilderness Survival Customization Items
| Item | Picture |
|---|---|
| Survival Fishing Kit |   |
| Basic Compass |   |
| Tritium Compass |   |
| Eagle of Sniper G5 Slingshot |   |
| Survival Hammock | |
| Sleeping Bag | |
| Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent |   |
| Edible Plant Guide |   |
| Tri-fold Shovel |   |
| Fillet Knife |   |
| CRKT Shakaulu Skinner |   |
| Hatchet |   |
| Paracord |   |
Urban Survival Customization Items
| Item | Picture |
|---|---|
| Ka-Bar Becker |   |
| Stanley FUBAR - Small |   |
| Stanley FUBAR - Large |   |
| Ontario SP16 Spax |   |
| Spork |   |
| Pepper Spray |   |
Bug Out Bag Backpacks
| Backpack | Bag Name | Features | Hydration | Molle | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 5.11 Tactical Rush 72 Backpack | Sized for 3-day excursions. Designed by special operations combat veteran. Large, external shove-it pocket, Top exterior crescent-shaped organization pocket, two exterior, side, gusseted zippered pockets. Water-repellent coating. | Yes | Yes | $$$ |
  | VVV Gear Paratus 3-Day Operator's Pack | Modular design - 3 packs in 1 2 large compartments, multiple interior pockets/organizers, two attached MOLLE pouches Heavy duty zippers | Yes | Yes | $$ |
  | Reebow Tactical 3-Day Backpack | 1 large compartment but with many other organization pockets. Great value for the price. | Yes | Yes | $ |
Survival Pocket Knives
| Knife | Length | Weight | Seatbelt Cutter | Glass Breaker | Gut Hook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smith & Wesson Border Guard 2 Rescue Knife  | 10" | 8.8oz | Yes | Yes | No |
Gerber E-Z Out Jr Knife  | 5.5" | 1.7oz | No | No | No |
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Escape Knife | 8.2" | 4.8oz | Yes | Yes | No |
Wartech 8" Assisted Open Folding Tactical Survival Pocket Knife  | 8" | ~8oz | Yes | Yes | No |
CRKT Graham Folding Razel Knife  | ~8" | 6.1oz | No | No | No |
CRKT M-21  | 6.6" | 4.8oz | No | No | No |
GERBER Paraframe II Tanto Knife  | 9.5" | 4.3oz | No | No | No |
Spyderco Tenacious G  | 7.76" | 4.8oz | No | No | No |
Buck Knives Folding Omni Hunter Knife  | 9" | 4.6oz | No | No | Yes |
| CRKT Kommer Free Range Hunter Folding Lockback   | 8.9" | 4.4oz | No | No | Yes |
If you are interested in building a Bug Out Bag, please check out our posts on Bug Out Bag Essentials and How to Choose a Bug Out Backpack as well as and try our Free Bug Out Bag Planning Tool to choose what you want to pack and see how it will affect the overall weight of your Bug Out Kit.
Once you have this squared away, visit our How to Make a Bug Out Plan and Basic Survival Skills posts to learn how to maximize your odds of surviving when disaster strikes!
Your Thoughts
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