Searching for the coolest urban survival gadgets to gift your prepper friends? Check out this list!
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The Best Urban Survival Gadgets Every Prepper Must Have
Urban Survival Essentials
Despite the comfort of the modern world, we can't ignore the possible dangers threatening our peaceful existence. The creation of clever devices as a survival gear aid in our most basic needs to survive.
Whether it's a day's long trip in the woods or an actual survival situation, these urban survival tools prove to be most useful in planning your urban bug out bag.
1. LifeStraw
I gave myself this present a few months back and only had the opportunity to try it a few times. So far, though, it’s been love at first sight for the Lifestraw.
This gadget is the star of stars in a real survival situation. It takes only three days for the human body to survive without hydration. This bad boy might just increase one's chances of being rescued by staying alive for a few more days.
2. Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System
This survival tool is advertised to filter up to 378,000 liters of water instead of just 1000 L. Sawyer also scores points for its design as an extension to ordinary water bottles while having its own collapsible water bottle. Either way, both the LifeStraw and Sawyer make great stocking stuffers.
3. Leatherman Squirt PS4
I have to admit, I’m not the biggest fan of multi-tools, but even I can admit the PS4 is pretty solid. It’s noticeably smaller and more compact than most other high-quality multi-tools, yet it still contains all the basics any survivalist is after.
My favorite aspect of the design is every item is accessible without opening the entire tool, which really makes this little guy far more convenient to use than many of its competitors.
4. VSSL First Aid Critical Emergency Gear in a Durable Organized Container
Cuter than anything else, the VSSL is a magic box of basic medical gear. It’s like a first aid kit you can fit in your pocket or keep at the bottom of your everyday backpack — extremely convenient and can be easily slipped into any urban survival kit.
5. Everstryke Waterproof Lighter
Safety & Survival 「Everstryke Match Pro Lighter – Waterproof Fire Starte https://t.co/dukCV6Q0VV pic.twitter.com/A97NDPQC38
— us-sales (@us_ebooksales) April 23, 2016
Waterproof lighters aren’t just for camping; a fact appreciated by survivalists who experienced 2017’s rough season of floods and storms. This also happens to be the only product on this list I’d literally suggest throwing in the toilet.
Go ahead, then fish it back out again and be amazed that it still works. This thing is as tough as nails and able to get a fire going even under ridiculous conditions.
6. Kershaw Ken Onion Blur Folding Knife
Easily one of the best folding knives on the market right now, the Blur is beloved for its light weight and versatility. The corrosion-resistant blade is a dream for both cutting and stabbing and holds up pretty well under pressure.
Plus, the grip is amazing, and it looks sweet as well. This survival knife is definitely a good idea to include in your urban survival kit.
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7. Credit Card Knife
If you want something even more discrete, it’s harder to get something thinner than the credit card knife. Small enough to fit in a wallet but still sharp enough to get the job done, this little guy is a great everyday carry companion. It can even be a means of self-defense tool in an urban environment.
8. Trangia Spirit Burner
Likely to bring up childhood memories of Scouts weekend trips, the Trangia has stood the test of time for a reason: it works.
These camping stoves are great for when the power goes out, and are both easy to use and virtually impossible to destroy. Plus, they’re dirt cheap and an essential addition to your urban survival gear.
9. MSR Whisperlite Universal
A favorite of wilderness survivalists and hikers the world over, the Whisperlite has worked hard to maintain its popular moniker, the Kalashnikov of stoves. It’s easy to use, easy to maintain, and can run on a wide variety of fuels.
What Is Kalashnikov? It was used here as a reference to Kalashnikov, one of the biggest and best manufacturers of assault and sniper rifles in the world.
Its newest variant, the Universal, runs on white gas, kerosene, and unleaded gasoline and even butane. Realistically, it’s probably better suited to the wilderness than the urban environment, but come on, you know you want it.
10. AUKEY 21W Solar Charger
Okay, so this one is just plain cool. It’s a collapsible solar charger for your smartphone.
Whether you love or hate smartphones, you’ve got to admit this is neat, and potentially, extremely useful. Imagine the power goes out during a flood, and you want to keep up-to-date with the forecast.
All you need is a few moments of clear sunlight, and you’ve got just enough charge to keep the smartphone alive and kicking.
11. Exotic MREs
From exotic fruit & 5star hotels overlooking Quito, Ecuador to MREs in tents sleeping on cots w/ mosquito nets. The last 24 days have been amazing. But I’ve never been more ready to get back to wifey and the kido’s for some much needed couch time. pic.twitter.com/5MGHvyI9VK
— E. Green (@EJNiner) June 23, 2018
Every survivalist loves to taste test a Meal Ready to Eat (MRE). It’s like exploring the world through bland emergency rations.
In all fairness though, some MREs are legitimately good. French MREs are the stuff of legend, while South Korea’s are apparently some of the most flavorful you’ll ever get. Russian MREs, on the other hand, are often considered so bad they’re worth trying just for laughs.
12. MECO Hand Cranking Solar Powered Rechargeable Flashlight
Most survivalists already have their own favorite flashlight, but what about a backup? The MECO is built for last stands when you’ve run out of batteries and the candles are burning low.
This solar-powered flashlight can be easily charged by simply attaching it to the outside of your bag. If there’s no sun, don’t panic: six minutes of turning the crank will provide you with around an hour of light, meaning you’ll never be left in the dark again.
The slightly pricier ThorFire is also supposed to be good and has the added perk of being advertised as somewhat waterproof.
13. Vaughan B215 15-Inch Long Original SuperBar
http://t.co/ED7qGESlIg Vaughan B215 15-Inch Long Original SuperBar
Vaughan B215 15-Inch Long Original SuperBar… pic.twitter.com/zibsvVJpYH
— Kassidy (@kassidy563) July 31, 2014
The king of crowbars, the B215 SuperBar has long been a favorite of tradespeople and has garnered a bit of a cult following among urban survivalists. Its heavy-duty design will make it your best friend when things get rough.
Can the Lifestraw really be trusted? Check out this video by Backpacking Bananas:
This gadget list is definitely a dream collection for urban preppers out there. Just remember that a survival plan in the woods is different from what could potentially happen in the urban areas.
People might resort to violence when provisions run out, so it's a different kind of chaos. Either way, these survival tools will be helpful in an urban disaster, one way or another.
What can you say about these urban survival gadgets? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Up Next:
- 37 Urban Survival Skills To Master Before SHTF
- How To Stay Hydrated In Hot Conditions
- How To Sharpen A Knife At Camp [Video]
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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I’ve traveled enough to know what matters most in an urban pinch. It’s a paper map and compass to find your way about and a long-lived flashlight to handle the darkness. One with a 18650 battery and a moonlight mode is great. I’ve got one that’ll give me 320 hours of slipping through the darkness. If it’s a survival situation, I won’t have time for a solar recharge and hand-cranking is a pain. I want to have light not have to make light.
I’m like G. K. Chesterton who, when asked what book he’d want with him if stranded on a remote island, replied that it’d be a book on practical ship building. If I’m in a city turned into a survival situation, I want gear that’ll get me somewhere else ASAP.
Oh, and if communicating matters, I’d carry one of these. It’s satellite texting from anywhere to anywhere. No dependence on cellular.
https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/
Thank you so very much, Y’all never seize to amaze me
And y’all never amaze to seize me.
A old fashion canteen can be used for several purposes, My favorite boiling water.
I have yet to see foreign MREs advertised for sale. Links, please!
MREMountain
Amazon advertises French MRE’s
Had some French MREs when I was in Somalia back in the day. The best part was the can of beer or little bottle of wine they included… 😉