Best Survival Kits of the Year

When choosing the materials for any specific kit, take into account the activities and settings you’ll be in. Light-duty kits are on the other end of the range and often include simple first aid materials like bandages and disinfectants. Fire-making equipment and space blankets are more specialized solutions, such as those for outdoor activities. The best survival kit includes:

Air Filtration Mask
We are accustomed to carrying a face mask for COVID protection. However, cotton masks are not intended to filter particles from the outside, merely to keep particulates within. An N95 mask should be packed if you’re going to a place where wildfires or volcanic explosions are common. If worn properly, the entire mask functions as a respirator to filter out the tiny, inhalable particles seen in smoke from wildfires.

Aluminum Cup
Snow needs to be melted into the water. You must boil water. A cup made of metal will be useful. While some canteen kits include an aluminum cup made of thick gauge metal, others are made to fit over a 1-liter water bottle. Boiling water quickly inside a stainless steel water bottle is also a simple option.

A sturdy, multipurpose pot that is fire-safe can be used to cook, filter water, and gather water.

Bivy Bag
When you find yourself spending an unplanned night under the stars, a bivy bag is the ideal, portable emergency shelter.

Device for Communication
Cell phones are a common possession. Make sure you have a local SIM card, a cable and converter, and a battery bank if you are traveling abroad.

Duct Tape
Duct tape, also described as a survivalist’s best friend, can be twisted into rope or loops to hang stuff from your backpack, patch a leaking tent, keep food bags closed, and brace a limb. To reduce its size, experts advise bringing around 20 feet and wrapping it around your water bottle.

Safety Blanket
Everyone agrees that wool is the best material for staying warm even when it’s wet. Lightweight Mylar space blankets that can also serve as reflective devices may be more portable. Whatever you carry, the most important consideration is whether it will retain body heat.

Medical Kit
The bare minimum in a first aid kit would be a Sam splint, some Ace bandages, and various-sized gauze pads. In addition, Merola and Weinstein advise using a tourniquet, a compression tool that could save your life if you need to stop the blood flow.