When things go sideways for real, you won’t care about comfort or convenience—you’ll care about survival and staying sharp. Most folks pack gear thinking about short-term problems, but in an actual long-term crisis, the stuff you reach for every single day gets real simple. These ten items aren’t flashy. They’re practical, reliable, and used constantly once the grid’s down and daily life changes. If it doesn’t help you eat, stay warm, or stay aware, it probably won’t see much use. These will.
Knife
You’ll reach for a knife more than just about anything else. It’ll open food, prep kindling, cut cordage, and handle all kinds of fieldwork you can’t predict ahead of time.
Fixed blades get the edge here—less to break, easier to maintain. Keep it sharp, keep it close, and make sure it’s not some cheap stainless junk that won’t hold an edge. A dependable blade is a survival workhorse.
Water Container
Clean water takes effort, and once you’ve filtered it, you need a way to carry it. A good canteen, Nalgene, or metal bottle gets used every day without fail.
Forget collapsible junk that leaks or cracks in cold weather. Go for something that can take a beating and still hold up. If it doubles as a boil pot, even better. Staying hydrated is a daily grind when taps don’t run.
Flashlight or Headlamp
Once the sun sets, you’ll rely on your light source like it’s an extension of your hand. Whether you’re fixing gear, checking the perimeter, or reading maps, light becomes essential.
Headlamps let you work hands-free, which is a game changer. Stash extra batteries, keep one on your person, and have a backup in your bag. Light buys you time, safety, and clarity when everything else feels uncertain.
Fire Starter
If you can’t make fire, you’re not going to last long. Whether it’s for boiling water, cooking food, or warming up at night, fire is survival 101.
Daily use wears out your primary source fast. That’s why it’s smart to carry both lighters and ferro rods. Having a fire starter that still works in the rain or after it’s been dropped in the dirt is what keeps you going.
Multi-Tool
When something breaks—and it will—a multi-tool saves the day. You’ll use it for gear repairs, makeshift fixes, or anything that calls for a screwdriver, pliers, or a tiny saw.
It doesn’t replace full-size tools, but when you’re mobile or out in the field, it’s the next best thing. Leatherman and Gerber dominate here for a reason: they’re built to work, not impress.
Cordage
Paracord, bank line, or even basic twine—doesn’t matter. You’ll use cordage more than you expect. It helps with shelter, repairs, hauling, traps, and everything in between.
Smart preppers always carry extra and keep some tied to gear for quick access. If you’ve ever had something break and needed to rig a solution on the fly, you already know how much this stuff earns its place.
Gloves
Your hands take a beating fast when SHTF. Splinters, burns, cuts, or just cold can wreck your ability to function. A good pair of gloves saves you from that.
Mechanix, leather work gloves, or even insulated options for winter—pick what fits your setting. You’ll wear them daily. Once your hands go down, so does your ability to survive.
Tarp or Shelter Cover
Rain and cold can ruin everything. You need something that can keep you dry fast. Tarps work for shelter, ground cover, and even hauling gear.
They pack light and set up quick, which makes them one of the most-used items out there. Even folks who have tents will reach for a tarp daily to cover firewood or shade gear.
Bandana or Shemagh
It’s not a fashion statement. A shemagh or bandana gets used as a rag, a pre-filter, a sling, a sun shield, or even a mask when the dust kicks up.
You’ll be surprised how often you grab for it. Lightweight and easy to carry, it becomes one of those “always with you” items that gets more useful the longer you’re off-grid.
Small Pot or Mess Kit
You’ll need something to boil water, cook meals, and even melt snow if it comes to that. A small metal pot or mess kit sees daily use in any real bug-out or long-term survival scenario.
Aluminum or stainless steel pots that nest with your stove or gear are ideal. As soon as you’re away from store-bought meals, you’ll rely on this for everything from soup to purified water.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
