READERS COMMENTS

WOW, some great info. here thanks! I agree on the knife...high carbon, fixed blade (full tang), include also a multi-tool, and a small hatchet...no mention of it, but DO NOT FORGET A SMALL KNIFE SHARENER OR 2...a small stone and a medium diamond stone will be just grand!
Posted: Jul 01, 2009 Siskokid

Great discussion! in addition to everything else you folks carry, I always bring my chapstick for wind and sun protection. Not much cell phone coverage where I go, sometimes not even text messaging. It is all about location isn't it?
Posted: Jun 18, 2009 lady of the woods

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Bic Lighter -
I agree with carrying a butane lighter, just not the "Bic Lighter".
You want a butane lighter that is transparent so you can actually see how much fuel is in the lighter. Bic's are opaque and you never know how much fuel is left. Nothing worse than getting to the point of needing a flame and you are out of gas.
Usually a little less expensive than a Bic.


Coghlan's Emergency Tinder -
Why pay $3.50 for something you can make BETTER at home.
Petroleum Jelly soaked cotton balls. Just coat the outside of a cotton ball with a Vaseline and store them in a 35mm film canister. You can get the film canister from any film developing store (Walgreen’s, WalMart,etc.) for FREE. The cotton balls are like $1.00 for 250 balls. You can get 5 -7 balls in the film canister.
These little dandies will burn for 5 minutes or longer.

The only thing I would add is 2 - 55 gallon drum liners. Can be used as a poncho or as a makeshift tent.
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Posted: Jun 17, 2009 CJT

My philosophy is that you need to be able to: (i) let people know you are screwed so they can come track you down and find you; and (ii) "keep it together" and stay alive until they rescue you--which with a PLB can be within 4 or so hours (and should be within 24 hours even under really challenging circumstances).

1. PLB (I think ACR rules--it worked for me in Big Bend--where I was the first PLB rescue in Big Bend National Park about 3 years ago); 2. Whistle (Fox,ACR, etc., pea-less, LOUD, emergency whistle) worn around your next on a strong cord--you can only shout so much. Blowing that whistle is more or less effortless (will also help scare away some apex predators); 3. Spark-Lite fire kit (a small flint wheel on a plastic tool that creats sparks that WILL UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ignite the tinder plugs included in the kit) When you are cold, even a small fire will improve your outlook in unbelievable ways.; 4. Signal Mirror (there were bogus knock offs on the market for a while--make sure you get the real deal); 5. AMC Bivy ( while the heatsheets blanket works well--and probably saved my life--I think that having a bivy that completely wraps around you would be way better, and easier to use when the wind is blowing 50mph+: 6. 8 oz "cheap, Nestle's or Wal-Mart) plastic bottle of water and some trail mix in a zip lock--keep this on you at all times--if you get stuck, this will improve your attitude; 7. Durable Gloves--if your hands get messed up, you are truly screwed; 8. Combat tourniquet; 9. Hemostatic sponge to quickly stop bleeding; 10. A real good, and sharp, lock blade knife; 11. Photon LED Freedom light--probably the smallest, brightest, most reliable light you'll ever find.

I've also got other stuff in my kit, but these things seem to me to be the ones that are the most important.

AND--HAVE ALL OF THIS STUFF IN YOUR PANTS POCKETS, SHIRT POCKETS, ON YOUR BELT, ETC. AT ALL TIMES.

By the way, Jeff was one of the dudes who rescued me. Hi, Jeff!
Posted: May 29, 2009 Bill Egger

Lots of great advise, but I think people have forgotten the basics. Be able to stay dry, (rain coat and pants) matches or lighter plus some type of starter, a couple of enrgy bars, a whistle to signal for help and a good reliable flashlight. Anytime you are above 3000' the weather can change quickly. I also always carry a compass and a topo map. Ad of course sigh out at the ranger station let a friend know hwere you are bound and when you do get lost sit down and wait for help. The further you walk the further you are from getting help.
Posted: May 07, 2009 John

Two kits, keep one on your person the other with your gear. Specifically your medical kit should cover every basic need. Even keep spare room for any navigation equipment. Double line with plastic, and you have waterproof matches. Color code your essentials for fast recognition.
Posted: May 01, 2009 clearlineofsight

I forgot to add, but I agree some way to boil water is a must, and in my opinion it should be some way to cook rice or ramen too (like the canteen cup the guy below mentioned) I will also always have at least one ramen or small baggie of rice in my survival kit from now on as well.
Posted: Apr 30, 2009 Ryan

I forgot to add, but I agree some way to boil water is a must, and in my opinion it should be some way to cook rice or ramen too (like the canteen cup the guy below mentioned) I will also always have at least one ramen or small baggie of rice in my survival kit from now on as well.
Posted: Apr 30, 2009 Anonymous

I have been camping for most of my life, but went on my first backpacking trip last summer in Montana. We planned a 40 mile trip across a mountain range to do in 4 days; all 4 of us were newbies, and flatlanders from MN (yikes elevation effects!) During the trip, we decided to go on a day trip to a lake with no trail going to it, and had to climb up and over a mountain to do it (2800 feet up and then down from our campsite). We now look back and yes we realize, it was dumb. We left at 11 am, with almost no gear except our headlamps, fishing gear, and what we now know were practically useless survival kits. It's a long story, but with a storm coming, and the way we came to the lake being way too much for our extremely tired bodies to handle again, we decided to hike all the way around the mountain back to our campsite (9 miles, almost all of it bushwacking without a trail) We only made it about half the way, but got off the mountain and into a little lower elevation next to the stream just after dark. So, we had to spend the night (we ended up making it back to camp at 11 the next morning-a full 24 hours) None of us were wearing anything more than zip off pants and tank tops. We were super exhausted, cold, and a little worried especially after one guy fell in the stream. The temp dropped to the low 30s that night like it had the whole trip, but never ended up raining thank God. We tried to build a little lean to next to our fire (one guy did have his folding saw), and somehow shivered through the night.

As can be imagined, we are all now much more knowledgeable and prepared for such an event. So I would like to throw my 2 cents in. I would definately add parachute cord to the survival kit list, for all of its uses. One of us was carrying 20 feet of it and it was extremely helpful in building the lean to, and I'm sure there's a ton of other applications. Also, a way to cut branches either with one of those emergency hand chainsaws or leatherman saw blade really helped us with the lean to. We had one space blanket to go around, and it was all but useless. We tried sleeping as close as we could, but it did very little if anything. So I would say he's right on with the space blanket bivy sleeping bag style; I will be buying one for this year's trip. Also always make sure to bring some extra clothes like at least the windbreaker he recommends-we found that out fast. I've done a lot of looking around and scrutinizing survival gear since then; keep in mind a lot of stuff is maybe good in theory but sucks in practice. I will be buying Ultimate Survival Technologies survival kit; it looks very practical and high quality.

So after learning the hard way about the need for quality practical survival gear, please do what we didn't do and take the time and money to get it right (we're college students so thought we'd be ok skimping) Believe me, it sucks being in an actual survival situation like that, and I will do my damndest to never make those mistakes again!
Posted: Apr 30, 2009 Ryan

Check out the new sec candle on ebay, survival emergency camping candle. 29.00 looks like it will do the job.
Posted: Apr 29, 2009 mmmstay

Does anyone know of a store that has affordable but efficient camping/hiking gear?
Posted: Apr 28, 2009 Venturer

Does anyone know an ultimate store for hiking and camping materials, that are affordable but efficient?
Posted: Apr 28, 2009 Anynomous

Lots of good ideas here for survival kits. I'm in the Army right now but you hikers, campers and outdoor enthusiasts always seem to come up with better stuff than we do, which is why I always come to these websites for ideas. One suggestion for the water boiling is the Army canteen that fits into a tin cup that has folding handles. It's compact, lightweight, cheap and are fairly easy to find. The canteen, tin cup, canteen cover and carry strap usually sells for about $20.00 max in any surplus store. Most of ya'll probably already are aware of this setup but I just wanted to pitch a good idea too. Keep the good ideas coming.
Posted: Apr 14, 2009 Chris

Hey to all you people that might be rolling your eyes at this kit, this is what WORKS FOR HIM IN HIS ENVIROMENT(i am not yelling at anyone, just making these words stand out as they are the main point of this comment. Please dont take offence.). We all have different opinions and different enviroment to handle, so we need to take some time to see what we can add and or take away in our situation. OH and use your brain to reason it out and even though you may be surviving, take some time to have fun and/or enjoy where you are because is that not what we came to do in the first place?!
Posted: Mar 19, 2009 BackCountry~Junkie

I think everybody has their own opinion and tastes on what item/gadget they should bring when go for outing. For me, I'll bring along; Leatherman Wave,Petzl MyoBelt 5 headlamp,210 lumens Nuflare torchlite as backup,Garmin 60CSx gps,Buck CampAxe,Suunto compass as backup,...and sometimes 6 in Joker Hunting knive. Carmen,I agree with you...those item are just suggestions and we should respect others and we are not forced to follow.
Posted: Mar 13, 2009 charliedelta155

If I hiked in Yosemite, the ranger's list would make a lot of sense. When I hike or backpack on Baffin Island or anywhere north of the tree line, many of the items would be useless and other essentials are absent. Survival kits have to suit the terrain in which you travel.
Posted: Mar 12, 2009 FloeLake

It seems that we've gotten used to the plastic,electronic gadgets of today and forgotten that the best equipment in a survival kit is one's brain. My own kit consists of a Swedish flint, a Workchamp Swiss Army knife,and a pouch containing a bic lighter,small fishing kit, motrin,duct tape, safety pins,space blanket,compass,chicken boullion cubes, a ouple of condoms(to carry water)and some potassium permanganate.
I have met tecno-campers who have the latest GPS units but can't read a map or compass. Some didn't know how to light a fire in the middle of a rainstorm, or build an expediant shelter. Ah, isn't progess wonderful.
Posted: Mar 12, 2009 John P. Thompson

agree with the comments about tailoring the kit to suit your needs. survival kits for the jungle, alpine tundra, desert and detroit would have few different things,
Posted: Mar 08, 2009 davef

What you carry will/should be directly related to what your trips' purpose is. This "purpose" will define what gear you pack. Each of us have our personel favorites in jackets, knives, stoves, etc. I see this topic as being very simple; pack what you need, know what value each item packed brings to your trip, be able to use what you pack without hesitation, and know what your capabilities are prior to departing (experience, mental, and physical). Knowledge is the key. You must feel comfortable and have confidence with each item you've packed. Experience is making mistakes and learning from them,,, any "newbies" please make these mistakes in your back yard, day hike, or somewhere you're able to safely regroup.
Posted: Feb 20, 2009 Phil

Comments above are really on target. Need to base your survival kit on your situation. I wonder why Backpacker continues to publish this article considering that it has been so widely criticized both here and on the forums. I think the editors would do better to refer readers to Cody Lundin's book, 98.6. As for specific criticism, I'm certain you can find a far better jacket for $125, although it may weigh more and not be as "green". The S&W knife he suggests for $30 is junk. Even an expensive folder is held together by one pin. Think full-tang, fixed blade, preferable carbon steel so you can sharpen it in the field. Doesn't need a blade over 3.5 to 4 inches. Plain blades without serrations are usually best in a knife that size. Keep your multi-tool in your pack for it's various purposes, but keep the fixed blade on you belt or waist strap, so it's available in an emergency.
Posted: Feb 19, 2009 Striker

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