Last Updated on April 26, 2023 by Lisa Vargas
Having the right gear with you can literally save your life. You can never be too careful, especially if you find yourself outdoors alone. Of course, if you end up in the wild, your wit will help you more than the equipment you’ve brought.
However, you should always know what the best survival tools that you must have with you at all times are. In the end, if you end up injured, the right equipment can make a huge difference. On some occasions, survival gear can even save your life.
If you plan on going in the wilderness, below are the best survival tools to have with you at all times.
1. Bayite Firestarter
This Bayite Firestarter will help you ignite a fire in any weather conditions, even when it’s raining. It’s a perfect kit to help you stay warm when other ways to start a fire won’t work.
You can use it while hiking, hunting, barbecuing, fishing, and similar activities. At the same time, it’s light enough to carry, so you won’t have problems packing it.
- Comes with 9ft Paracord for a good grip
- Made from tool grade HSS steel and ferrocerium rod
- HSS Steel striker with 6 striking edges that can be used by both hands
- Works in all weather conditions
- Creates 5,500 F (3000 C) sparks
The only downside to this item is the striker. However, if you don’t like it, you can always use a knife or keys to ignite the sparks. Also, we advise scraping the black part of the rod beforehand. This will make the igniting process a lot simpler.
All in all, having the best survival firestarter is a must when it comes to survival gear. Bayite’s product is one of the best ones currently on the market. It comes in many sizes, which is good as people with large hands may require bigger rods.
Pros
- Affordable
- Waterproof
- Weatherproof
- Easy to carry
Cons
- Could have a better striker
- The product isn’t long-lasting
2. KA-BAR Becker BK2 Survival Knife
This KA-BAR Becker BK2 Survival Knife is fitted for all camping activities, but also emergencies. It was designed by the famous Ethan Becker and it’s great for various purposes. Its long handle makes it easy for use even if you wear bigger gloves.
You can use it for cutting any obstacles in nature, as well as for chopping onions next to a campfire.
Features
- An extra sharp knife that can cut almost anything
- Comes with a glass-reinforced nylon sheath
- Made in the USA
- Flat, drop point blade
- Designed by a professional
It comes with a glass-reinforced nylon sheath that is a MOLLE compatible. You can carry it with you at all times, whether you are camping or hunting. You can release it from the sheath after pressing the spot for unlocking. Also, it will lock into place for added safety, so it won’t fall out.
The handle provides a balanced grip and the knife is rather short so it doesn’t get in the way. At the same time, it’s long enough to cut anything that you might deem necessary.
Pros
- Multi-purpose
- Comfortable in hands
- Durable
Cons
- The sheath could be made of better quality
- Heavy handle
3. Sportneer Military Compass
No matter where you go if you are in nature, you will need to have a good compass with you. This way, you will ensure that you always know where to look and what is the right direction. This compass is perfect for that.
Features
- Tough, military construction that makes it waterproof
- Glows in the dark thanks to its fluorescent features
- Portable, can be attached to a belt or placed in a pocket
- Designed to let you have perfectly accurate readings
- Made with professional grade, that is used in the Military
It was constructed with military compasses in mind, so you know it will do its job the right way. Not only will it navigate, but it can also help you measure angles and slopes as well.
Also, it has both centimeter and inch scale to further help you in the wilderness. The compass has an additional lens to help you magnify the card dial. This will help you by providing such an accurate reading that it is nearly perfect.
Make sure to read the best compass for survival to learn about various options for your survival tool kit.
Also, this product is portable. It has a belt loop attachment, so you can always keep it close. The fluorescent feature can help you get a reading even in dark. And this product is nearly indestructible. A true military companion!
Pros
- Waterproof and shake-proof
- Accurate
- Durable
Cons
- Rather heavy
- The pouch can break easily
4. Surviveware First Aid Kit
While camping or hunting, you will always need a well-equipped first aid kit. There are plenty of them that you can choose, but we will always decide on using the Surviveware First Aid Kit.
It has all the necessities, as well as some additional but useful items. Everything in this kit is high quality, made with your needs in mind.
Features
- Made from 600D polyester that makes it durable and long-lasting
- Packed with over 100 essential first aid supplies
- Compact, portable and light
- Wateproof packaging and inner contents
- Nicely organized, every item has its own inner pocket and a label so you can find everything without trouble
- HSA and FSA Approved
The bag itself comes with high-quality zippers. It also has many pockets and pouches, and everything is well organized. You’ll always know where to reach for what.
This is also useful as you can easily see what needs to be replaced. It has an additional pocket for your personal medication.
This survival kit also comes with a guide that explains in great detail what to do in case of an emergency. In short, if you need to ensure your safety, be sure to have it with you all the time.
Pros
- Contains all the necessities
- Well organized
- High-quality items and bag
Cons
- A bit on the expensive side
- Doesn’t include a trauma pad
5. Though Grid Paracord
No matter where you go, you will always need a paracord to be a part of your survival kit. This paracord can easily be included on your list of best survival tools, for sure.
Features
- Item approved by the US Military and recommended by numerous veterans
- Made from 100% nylon, with 11 triple strands that never get spliced thanks to the professional USA manufacturers
- Comes in various lengths, from 50ft to 1000ft, each packed accordingly
- Extremely tough, while remaining soft and elastic so you can use it without trouble
- It’s extremely easy to use and can be carried with you all the time
It’s made of 100% nylon, to ensure toughness and quality. It can hold up to 750lbs (340kg), which makes it one of the strongest cords you can find.
The product is manufactured in the USA, which is additional proof of quality. Despite being strong and tough, it’s rather flexible and soft to the touch.
This makes it easier to tie and to carry around.
Whether you’re out camping, hiking, or hunting, having a good cord is a necessity. You can use it for various activities, from crafting or helping you set up your tent. Who knows, it can even save your life!
And even if you don’t ever end up using it, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. It’s lightweight, and we would always recommend keeping one in your backpack or your truck, just in case.
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons
- If you’re wearing gloves it can be too thin to use comfortably
6. LifeStraw Water Filtration System
This award-winning product is one of the best survival tools you can get for yourself. It’s perfect for any outdoor activity, whether you are camping or hiking. At the same time, it might save your life if an emergency happens.
Features
- Can filter up to 1000 gallons (4000l) of water, cleaning it without the use of chemicals
- Removes 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of protozoan parasites, which surpasses standards set by EPA
- It’s a perfect alternative to bulkier products or iodine tablets
- Comes with a sealed bag so you can carry it around while keeping it sterile
- Won several awards for its usefulness
The LifeStraw filtration system doesn’t require batteries to work, so you can use it anywhere. It also has no moving parts, so you don’t have to worry about losing some essential bit of it.
can use it instead of iodine tablets or other, heavier and bulkier purifiers. In fact, this product is completely lightweight, while providing a high liquid flow rate for comfortable drinking.
Keep in mind that this, and any other filtration system, won’t remove chemical toxins from the water. It will, however, make it clean from any bacteria and parasites, but not from viruses.
This is because these filtration systems have a microfilter that is still not small enough to remove so tiny particles. You can learn more about the best ways to filter water when away from home by reading our article.
Still, in nature, you will rarely find water that is contaminated with anything but bacteria and parasites. Also, it can’t remove salt, so you can’t use this or any other filter to drink salt water.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comes without any moving parts
- Great filtration power
- Affordable
Cons
- Some people reported that it’s hard to suck water from it
7. BengMxj Rechargeable LED Flashlights, 90000 High Lumens Flashlight
Even if you’re not planning a trip to nature, you should always have an excellent flashlight with you. This BengMxj Rechargeable LED Flashlight is one of the best flashlights for this price range.
It’s super bright, and the brightness can further be adjusted with various light modes it has. In fact, this is one of the more versatile flashlights you can find. It even has a strobe mode that will help you stay safe in almost any situation.
Features
- Various light modes that make it extremely versatile
- 90,000 Lumens
- Small in size, but waterproof and weatherproof
- USB Rechargeable
- 2 year warranty
It comes with a rechargeable 18650 battery than can be charged with a USB port. The battery has an internal control circuit that prevents overcharge. This will further expand the life span of this device.
The flashlight is small enough to be held in your pocket while remaining extremely powerful. The product’s size is 9.72″D x 1.26″W x 2.36″H!
It is designed to sustain any weather conditions, and it is waterproof. This makes it one of the best and most useful flashlights you can find. Also, if for any reason you’re not satisfied with the product, you can easily return it.
Pros
- Waterproof and weatherproof
- Small, easy to carry
- Recharges using USB port
- Useful light modes
Cons
- Fully charged the flashlight only lasts 8 hours
- The flashlight gets really hot
You can read our other article titled “Best Survival Flashlights: A Buyer’s Guide” to find out more about flashlights.
Survival Gear Can Save Your Life
Most nature lovers, hikers, explorers, and hunters will most likely never use a survival kit. It will remain at the bottom of a backpack, sometimes even for years.
Still, having the best survival tools with you can save your life. You can never know when an emergency can happen and it’s always better to be prepared for the worst scenario. Equipping yourself with the best gear possible is never a bad idea.
Of course, what you will bring with yourself on a hiking trip depends on many factors. For example, if you have a small backpack you probably won’t be able to bring a huge tent with you.
You have to be able to comfortably carry all the necessities with yourself. This is why most survival tools have to be small and compact.
Also, you should always keep in mind that you don’t need everything that is being advertised. Some items aren’t really useful and serve only to impress the potential buyer. If an item is too fancy or complicated to use, you most likely won’t have any need for it. This is why our list contains only items that you can end up using every day. They will help you survive in the wilderness if you have to wait for a rescue team to come. Even if that emergency never happens, they can help you get by easier.
Final Thoughts
Any expedition in nature has to be planned with great details. Even if you hire a guide or know the location, accidents can always happen. Even the best of us can get in trouble.
This is why you should never go anywhere without survival tools – and you deserve the best.
We would recommend that you always have products from the list with you everywhere you go. You don’t have to have the exact same items, but buying some similar items can’t hurt.
On the contrary, they can be extremely helpful. You can never be too careful when it comes to your safety!