It’s hard to believe, but 2015 is almost over. Along with the end of another year comes the holiday season – a beautiful time of year where love and togetherness are celebrated, pretty lights cover the streets, and families get together for long overdue reunions.
However, the holidays can also be stressful, especially when trying to find the perfect gift for that picky prepper on your list.
Not to worry, The Bug Out Bag Guide has you covered! We’ve compiled our annual list of the top survival gear any prepper would be thrilled to receive. We’ve spent the year reviewing all things survival and have evaluated each item to narrow down our list to the top gifts that are perfect for any prepper on your list.
If you happen to be the picky prepper, consider sending this link out to friends and family as a helpful hint!
Ultimate Prepper Gift Guide
The answer to the question, “What does the prepper in my life need?” really depends on the answer to the question, “What problem is he/she trying to solve?” When it comes to survival, there are a multitude of scenarios and tasks to consider, and having the right tool for each specific task is crucial.
In our Ultimate Prepper Gift Guide, we’ve evaluated all the essential prepper tools and determined which ones best fit the needs of preppers while minimizing weight and size, and maximizing functionality.
Always remember, when shopping for prepping gear, it is not always the most expensive item that will best suit your purposes, but there is no substitute for quality. Ensure you invest in high quality gear that is built to last – you’re investing in more than items, you’re investing in your ability to survive.
| Gift Idea | Great For | Why It's Great | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
Eagles Nest Outfitters JungleNest Sleep System  | Backpacking Camping Bug out bag Get home bag | This hammock set includes everything you need to sleep comfortably anywhere! DoubleNest Hammock, Guardian Bug Shield, Rain Tarp, Atlas Suspension Straps, Steel Carabiners, Aluminum Stakes, all tucked in a stuff sack for easy transport. | Bug-Out Hammock:An Essential Addition To Any BOB |
| Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person 3 Season Tent | Backpacking Camping Bug out bag Get home bag | Weighing just 5 lbs, this 2 person tent is perfect for outdoor life. Bathtub floor and taped seams keep the rain out, while mesh panels allow for ventilation. The dual doors make it easy to get in or out without disturbing each other. | How To Choose The Best Lightweight Tent For Camping, Recreation, and Bugging Out |
| Ambient Weather WR-111B Radio | Bugging in Bug out bag Get home bag Traveling | Multiple power options make this emergency radio great for home or travel. It comes with mini, micro, and USB adaptors for charging cell phones and other devices. The LED flashlight provides an emergency light source, as well. | Stay Connected: How To Choose An Emergency Weather Radio |
| Leatherman Skeletool CX | Every day carry Bug out bag Get home bag | A well-designed multitool strong enough for any job yet light enough for EDC. The blade is located on the outside for quick, one-handed access. Inculdes 4 universal driver bits, pliers, wire-cutter, and intergrated carabiner to clip to a belt loop or strap. | Best Multitool For Backpacking & Survival |
| Wartech 8" Assisted Open Folding Tactical Survival Pocket Knife | Every day carry Bug out bag Get home bag Camping | This survival knife is loaded with extra features, such as a glass breaker, seat belt cutter, and LED light. The blade opens with the touch of a lever and stays locked when in use. It is a sturdy pocket knife with many survival applications, making it a great tool for experienced and novice preppers. | Survival Pocket Knives – Our Top 10 |
| Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen | Every day carry Bug out bag Get home bag Travel | I get a lot of compliments on this pen. Its rugged yet inconspicuous design and Rite In The Rain cartridge lend well to daily use. Click operation means no cap to drop or lose. I have used the glass breaker tip on 1/2 in thick window glazing with no trouble. | Finding The Best Tactical Pen For Your Kit |
| Salomon Men's Quest 4D GTX Backpacking Boot | Bugging out Hiking Backpacking | These boots provide ultimate support and protection. Lined with waterproof Gore-Tex, with a gusseted tongue for sealing out water and debris. Control flex design provides ankle support and relieves muscle strain, which is essential for long hikes. | Gear Up: Top Rated Survival Boots For Men And Women |
| Salomon Women's Quest 4D GTX Hiking Boot | Bugging out Hiking Backpacking | Lightweight and flexible enough for trail running, with a cushioned gusseted tongue to alleviate lace pressure. The braking pattern on the outsole provides extraction traction when descending steep terrain. | Gear Up: Top Rated Survival Boots For Men And Women |
| 5.11 Tactical Women's TacLite Pro Pant | Bugging out Hiking Backpacking | When you're on the move, you need clothing that moves with you. These tactical pants fit the bill, with breathable ripstop fabric, action wasteband, and reinforced seams. Hip mounted D-ring provides quick access to keys or tools. | Gear Up: How To Choose the Best Tactical Pants |
| 5.11 Tactical #74273 Men's TacLite Pro Pant | Bugging out Hiking Backpacking | These pants are designed for comfort and performance. High stress areas feature extra layering and triple stitching for durability. Seven pocket configuration holds all your gear close at hand. Fabric is teflon treated to repel stains and spills. | Gear Up: How To Choose the Best Tactical Pants |
| Military Issue Tri-Fold Shovel | Bug out bag Backpacking Camping Bugging in | Use it around the campsite for burying waste, building shelter, and clearing the firepit. A shovel can also serve as a back-up self-defense weapon. Folds to fit into a slim carry case, with a total weight less than 3 lbs. | How to Customize your Bug Out Bag Contents for a Wilderness Survival Kit |
| CRKT Kangee Tomahawk | Bug out bag Backpacking Camping Bugging in | Our top pick for a survival tomahawk! Forward weighting adds force to each swing while its light weight makes it easy to carry. Highly durable and versatile as a tool or self-defense weapon. | How To Choose The Best Survival Tomahawk For Your Bug Out Bag |
Flint & Steel Striker Set #7 | Bug out bag Get home bag Backpacking Camping | A handmade fire making kit that includes a handforged striker, tinder box, piece of flint, jute twine, and a manual with step by step instructions for striking a fire. | PrimitiveFireMaking Store |
| Catatonk Atlatl | Bug out bag Hunting | A unique gift for sharpshooters! Engineered specifically for hunting, the hammer grip tranfers more power to the arrow while the moderate shaft flex improves control. | Comparison of Ranged Survival Weapons |
Fully Equipped Kits
Have a prepper to shop for but don’t know the first thing about prepping? Consider buying a fully-equipped kit. Your prepper will love it and you can rest assured that your gift has just the items he/she is looking for. Alternatively, if you’ve already embraced the benefits of prepping but have someone in your family who needs a little encouragement, start off their prepping journey with one of these fully-equipped kits. When it comes to gifts, it’s the thought that counts, and what could be more thoughtful than arming your loved ones for survival?
The Ultimate Urban Survival Kit
TUUSK (The Ultimate Urban Survival Kit) was custom designed in collaboration with Ready To Go Survival. Weighing only 16 pounds, it is packed with carefully selected, high quality gear to enable you to survive an urban disaster. Included in the kit are means of protection, self-defense, communication, first aid, fire starting, shelter, water purification, and more.
Wise Company Deluxe Survival Kit
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. Click the image to view on Amazon.
Stocking Stuffers
You’re never too old to hang a stocking for Santa! We’ve got a ton of great stocking stuffer ideas including some that are completely FREE (simply pay shipping)! For all those little gifts that will surprise and delight the prepper in your life, or to share the joy of prepping with those you love, stock up on our top stocking stuffers!
| Gift Idea | Why It's Great |
|---|---|
| LifeStraw Personal Water Filter | Never be without clean drinking water! Removes over 99.9% of bacteria and parasites without the use of harmful chemicals. Filters up to 1000 liters. |
| Black Diamond Positron Screwgate Carabiner | Carabiners have endless survival applications. They are great for clipping gear to a belt or pack for easy access, hanging a hammock, securing food out of reach of wildlife, as well as climbing and rappelling. |
| Nitecore EC11 LED Flashlight | Every prepper needs a dependable flashlight for their EDC and BOB. This one is waterproof IPx-8, with multiple beam size and intensity settings. Charger, case, clip, and bonus LightJunction keychain included. |
| Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Bottle | Aside from the obvious benefit of a BPA-free way to transport water, single-walled stainless steel bottles can also be used to boil water or heat food in a survival situation. |
| Swiss Army Tinker Knife and Sharpener Set | A classic survival tool, featuring two blade sizes for handling a variety of tasks. Screwdrivers, bottle opener, tweezers, and more. Includes a keychain sharpener to keep the blades in top condition. |
Books and Media
Books and media make the perfect gift for both experienced preppers and those just starting out. Check out our list of the top prepping resources including our own Ultimate EDC Kit ebook, Run Prepper Run, and Aquaponics. Each of these fantastic resources provides a unique set of prepping knowledge to help readers prepare for survival as well as an entertaining read.
- The Every Day Carry Guide ebook makes a great gift for preppers who want to build or enhance their EDC kit. It is packed with information on daily preparedness, assessing threats, and choosing the right gear for their needs.
- Learn how to grow your own endless food supply! Easy DIY Aquaponics will teach you how to get started with aquaponics, how to maintain your system, and how to make crucial improvements and adjustments to accommodate your family’s changing needs.
Conclusion
Here at The Bug Out Bag Guide, we wish you and your family a very happy holiday season and hope that you stay warm, safe, and most importantly, prepared!
Your Thoughts
Do you have a perfect holiday prepper gift you didn’t see on our list? Tell us about it in the Comments section and we’ll be sure to check it out for our 2016 list!
