18 Survival Essentials to Stash in an Emergency Bugout Bag

A well-stocked bugout bag isn’t just for emergencies. It’s plenty useful other times, too.

A collage of six images related to outdoor activities and camping: a close-up of hands striking a fire starter to create sparks, two hikers with headlamps walking through a forest accompanied by a dog, a close-up of an orange tent corner with a pole and zipper, a blurred image of a firearm, a walkie-talkie with an orange carabiner clip on a map, and a blurred image of a yellow flashlight on a wooden surface.

Published 4 hours ago

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A well-stocked bugout bag isn’t just for doomsday preppers. It’s peace of mind in portable form, and it’s often just as useful in everyday life.

Here are a handful of versatile tools and accessories you’ll want within arm’s reach when it matters most … and even when it doesn’t.

Gear Patrol Outdoor Awards 2025 text overlay on a background split between an orange surface with black threaded inserts and a blurred dark area. The word "Outdoor" features a stylized tree inside the letter "O.

Black backpack with a front zippered pocket and an elastic bungee cord crisscrossing over the pocket. The backpack has adjustable side straps and a top zipper closure. The material appears durable and slightly textured.

Best Daypack

ULA Equipment Ultra 30L Dragonfly

Crafted from fabrics 15 times stronger than steel by weight, twice as abrasion-resistant as same-weight nylons and waterproof to 200 psi, this daypack is literally ready for anything.

$290 at ULA Equipment

Lightweight orange and beige camping tent with a mesh side panel and an extended rainfly supported by two trekking poles at the front.

Best Backpacking Tent

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 XL

Proprietary HyperBead fabric makes this award-winning tent lighter, stronger and more waterproof than ever before.

$630 at Big Agnes

A winter cap featuring a textured olive green fabric on the top and sides, combined with a black fabric visor and ear flaps. The ear flaps appear to be insulated and designed for warmth.

Best Beanie

Ciele VLVBeanie

Over-engineered? Maybe. The most insanely functional and capable beanie ever? Absolutely.

$90 at Ciele Athletics

Darn Tough

Best Hiking Socks

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks

More-than-average amounts of wool in these mid-cushioned outdoor socks means above-average comfort, mositure wicking and temperature regulation.

$25 at REI Co-op

A pair of black gloves made from a smooth, stretchy fabric. The gloves have a simple, sleek design with individual fingers and a slightly extended cuff. The left glove is shown with the palm facing down, and the right glove with the palm facing up.

Best Glove Liners

Icebreaker Unisex 260 Tech Glove Liners

Never miss a text with these touchscreen compatible, merino wool glove liners.

$45 at Icebreaker

Smartwool

Best Neck Gaiter

Smartwool Active Fleece Neck Gaiter

Merino and polyester play well together in this cozy, protective and breathable neck gaiter.

$35 at Smartwool

BioLite

Best Headlamp

BioLite Range 400

BioLite’s updated headlamp offers 400 lumens of brightness, USB-C fast charging and a comfortable, moisture-wicking band. Its IP67 waterproof rating and one-handed tilt make it a versatile choice for a variety of settings.

$60 at BioLite

Yellow cylindrical outdoor battery with black screw cap and attached loop, labeled "OUTDOOR BATTERY 5000N" with features including IP67 waterproof, dustproof, and shock resistance.

Best Power Bank

NestOut Power Bank

Small but tough, this 5,000mAh charger is the pocket-sized lifeline for your devices. It’s rugged, splashproof and compatible with a range of add-on accessories, such as lanterns and fans.

$45 at NestOut

Compact first aid kit with various medical supplies including an emergency blanket, fabric bandages, adhesive bandages, safety pins, wound closure strips, antiseptic wipes, lubricating jelly packets, blister gels, zip ties, and a small pouch containing additional items. The kit is organized neatly on a white background.

Uncharted Supply Co. Triage Kit

Designed with expert input, this collection of first aid essentials packs into a water-resistant, pocket-sized pouch.

$38 at Uncharted Supply Co.

HydraPak

Best Water Filter

HydraPak Seeker+ 3L

This almost-weightless backcountry water storage can now be used as a go-to water filtration solution. Collect water, then roll and squeeze to filter. Pack it down to pocket size when your thirst is quenched.

$65 at HydraPak

SOG

Best Survival Knife

SOG Hidaka FX 3V

As elegant as it is effective, this survival knife is styled by Kiku Matsuda with a Japanese design influence, featuring a hybrid drop point and tanto blade shape.

$310 at SOG Knives

RTIC

Best Water Bottle

RTIC Outback Bottle

The ceramic lining on this leak-proof insulated water bottle maintains fresh taste and smell, so every sip goes down easy.

$20 at RTIC Outdoors

Yellow plastic safety cover with a black inner component, designed to protect the tip of a small tool or device. The cover has a rounded top and an open section revealing the black inner part, with a small rectangular slot at the bottom. The word "ust blastmatch" is embossed on the front.

Best Fire Starter

UST BlastMatch

Start fires with one hand (if necessary) thanks to this unique, flint-based fire starter. Lasts up to 4,000 strikes, and works while wet.

$16 at UST Gear

Best Muilti-Tool

Leatherman Signal

Nearly two-dozen functional tools, including the first built-in ferro rod, hammer and emergency whistle in a compact multi-tool. In other words: 4.5 inches of pure utility.

$140 at Leatherman

Black folding shovel with a serrated edge on one side, compactly folded with a handle at the top.

Best Backcountry Shovel

SOG Entrenching Tool

Stay prepared for anything with SOG’s folding shovel, designed with a tempered steel blade with teeth cut in for cutting and slashing. Folded up, you’ll barely notice it.

$35 at SOG Knives

Gerber

Best Hatchet

Gerber Bushcraft Hatchet

This ergonomic hatchet’s genius isn’t in its blade; it’s in the hidden, water-resistant storage compartment built to house fire-starting material.

$70 at Gerber Gear

Compact black and dark blue walkie-talkie with a short antenna, an orange carabiner attached at the top, and a black carabiner connected to a coiled cord at the bottom. The front display shows "ROCKY TALKIE" and channel 128 in green digital numbers.

Best Walkie Talkie

Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio

Designed with climbers and skiers in mind, this rugged radio has a range of up to 35 miles and a four-day battery that’s cold-rated for -20 degrees Fahrenheit. It also comes with a built-in carabiner and is ready to use right out of the box.

$110 at Rocky Talkie

Garmin

Best Satellite Messenger

Garmin InReach Messenger Plus

The InReach Messenger was already backcountry survival staple, giving users the ability to send short texts without wi-fi or cell service. But addition of photos and voice messages makes the Plus version a true backcountry communication tool.