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Spending time outdoors can be a lot of fun, but things can change quickly if you get lost, injured, stranded, or caught in bad weather. A trip that starts as a simple hike or camping weekend can turn into a survival situation before you have much time to react.
That’s why it helps to carry a few basic supplies before heading out. You don’t need to fill your backpack with every piece of survival gear available. A small collection of useful items can help you stay warm, find or treat water, signal for help, and handle minor injuries while you work on getting back to safety.
These are 17 items worth keeping in your outdoor kit, vehicle, or emergency bag.
1. Food Supplies
Food may not be your first concern during the first few hours of an emergency, but having something calorie-dense can keep you going if you’re stranded longer than expected.
Protein bars, nuts, trail mix, jerky, and dehydrated meals are easy to pack and don’t take up much room. A few freeze-dried meals can also provide a decent amount of food without adding much weight to your bag.
The goal isn’t to carry a full pantry. A handful of compact foods can give you something to eat while you figure out your next move.
Related: 10 Canned Beans Every Emergency Pantry Should Have
2. Fire-Starting Tool
Fire can provide warmth, light, and a way to cook food or boil water. Carry more than one way to start a fire, such as waterproof matches, a lighter, or a magnesium fire starter.
It also helps to carry dry tinder or commercial fire-starting cubes. They take up very little space and can be useful when everything around you is wet.
Related: 15 Fire Starting Tricks to Ignite Your Survival Skills
3. Knife or Multi-Tool
A sturdy knife or multi-tool can handle a surprising number of small jobs. A Leatherman or Gerber multitool, for example, can give you access to pliers, screwdrivers, blades, and other tools without carrying a separate toolbox.
A knife can be used for preparing food, cutting cordage, working with wood, and making basic repairs. Choose something you’re comfortable carrying and, more importantly, know how to use safely.
4. Water Filtration System
Water should be near the top of your list during any outdoor emergency. You can go much longer without food than you can without water.
A portable filter, purification tablets, or a filter straw can give you options if your drinking water runs out. A collapsible container is also useful for collecting water.
If you plan to boil water over a fire, carry a metal container that can safely handle heat. Filtering or treating water does not automatically remove every possible contaminant, so know what your particular filter or treatment method can handle before relying on it.
5. Compass and Map
A phone can be useful for navigation, but it shouldn’t be your only option. Batteries die, screens break, and you may find yourself somewhere without a signal.
A basic compass and a paper map of the area give you a backup that doesn’t require electricity. Learn how to read the map and use the compass before you need them. A button compass takes almost no room in a pack, making it an easy backup.
6. First Aid Kit
Cuts, blisters, burns, sprains, and other injuries can happen on even a short outdoor trip. A compact first-aid kit should contain items such as bandages, gauze, antiseptic supplies, medical tape, and pain relievers.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, consider taking a first-aid or wilderness first-aid course so you know how to use what you carry.
For more serious injuries, some people also include items such as pressure bandages or hemostatic dressings. These require proper training, so learn how to use them before putting them in your kit.
Related: 12 Surprising Uses for Rubbing Alcohol That Go Beyond First Aid
7. Shelter
Getting out of the wind and rain can make a huge difference in a survival situation. You don’t necessarily need to carry a full tent. A lightweight tarp, emergency bivy, or emergency blanket can give you a way to create a basic shelter.
Emergency blankets are especially handy because they’re small and lightweight. They can reflect body heat and provide some protection from wind and rain when used correctly.
8. Cordage
A length of paracord can come in handy for countless small tasks. You can use it to secure a tarp, tie down equipment, bundle branches, hang gear, or make simple repairs.
A few feet may be enough for a day hike, while longer lengths make sense for camping or more remote trips. Keep some in your backpack rather than assuming you’ll find usable cordage outdoors.
9. Clothing for Layering
Your clothing does a lot of the work of protecting you from the weather. Dress in layers so you can adjust as temperatures and activity levels change.
A moisture-wicking base layer, insulating middle layer, and weather-resistant outer layer can help you stay comfortable in changing conditions. Pack extra socks, too. Wet feet can quickly become miserable and can lead to blisters and other problems.
10. Flashlight or Headlamp
Darkness can turn a simple hike into a dangerous situation. A flashlight or headlamp lets you see where you’re going and helps you find things inside your pack after sunset.
A headlamp has the added benefit of keeping both hands free. Carry spare batteries if your light uses them, or choose a rechargeable model with a backup charging option.
11. Signaling Devices
If you’re lost or injured, getting someone’s attention may be more important than trying to walk farther.
A whistle can carry much farther than your voice while using very little energy. A signal mirror can also attract attention in daylight. Brightly colored clothing, bandanas, or other visible gear can make you easier to spot from a distance.
These items are small enough that there’s little reason to leave them behind.
Related: 14 Household Devices That Should Never Be Plugged Into a Power Strip
12. Bug Repellent
Mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and other insects can turn an outdoor trip into a miserable experience. Some also carry diseases, making insect protection more than a comfort issue.
Pack an insect repellent that works for the area you’re visiting and use it according to the product directions. Long sleeves, long pants, and other physical barriers can also help reduce bites.
13. Sunscreen
Sun exposure is easy to underestimate, especially when you’re busy hiking or trying to find your way back to safety.
Pack sunscreen and apply it to exposed skin as directed. A hat and lightweight clothing can provide another layer of protection.
A painful sunburn can make an already difficult situation much harder, especially if you’re spending several days outdoors.
14. Survival Guide or Knowledge
A small survival manual can be useful when you’re tired, stressed, or trying to remember something you haven’t practiced in a while.
Still, a book shouldn’t replace actual skills. Learn how to read a map, start a fire, build basic shelter, treat water, administer first aid, and signal for help before heading into remote areas.
A pocket guide is worth carrying as a backup reference, even if you have plenty of outdoor experience.
15. Poncho
A lightweight poncho takes up very little room and can protect you from rain. Staying dry can help you stay warmer and more comfortable when temperatures drop.
A poncho can also provide some cover for your gear or serve as a temporary ground barrier. It’s a cheap addition that can earn its place in an outdoor bag.
16. Wipes
Clean hands are easy to take for granted until you’re away from running water. Packets of wipes can help clean your hands before eating and can also be useful for basic personal hygiene.
They’re especially handy during longer trips when a proper shower or sink isn’t available.
17. A Positive Attitude
Gear matters, but your state of mind matters too. Panic can lead to poor decisions, while staying calm gives you a better chance of thinking through your options.
If you realize you’re lost, stop and assess the situation instead of wandering around aimlessly. Think about where you last knew your location, check your map, conserve water, and use your signaling equipment if necessary.
Survival isn’t about being fearless or pretending nothing is wrong. It’s about staying calm enough to make sensible decisions with what you have.
