The 6 Best Survival Kits That Contain Food, Medical Supplies And Tools (2024)

Cassandra Brooklyn

Contributor

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Uncharted Supply Co Seventy2 Pro 2-Person Survival System

Capacity: 2 people | Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 8 inches | Weight: 18 pounds

As the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and considering the high price tag of the Uncharted Supply Co Seventy2 Pro 2-Person Survival System ($579), we’re happy to report that it delivers. After the initial sticker shock wears off, you’ll notice that, by far, this is the most all-encompassing kit on the list—it’ll support you and another person through a range of scenarios.

In addition to essential items like waterproof matches, cleaning wipes, first aid supplies and two 2400-calorie bars, you’ll also find items that aren’t included in lesser-quality kits. For instance, it also includes a multitool, a 550-pound paracord, two beanie caps and a tube tent. There’s also anti-fog ski goggles, a tri-band emergency radio and step-by-step instructions to guide you through fire-building, staying warm and administering first aid.

Not only are there more items in this pack, but the quality of the items is also far superior to what you’ll find in other packs. Instead of cheap items that you hope will stand up to harsh conditions, Unchartered Supply Co includes professional-grade tools from name-brand companies, like the Sawyer Mini Water Filter and Bladder.

Keep in mind that because this kit is so large, it’s quite heavy and bulky, so you’re definitely not going to want to haul this around on a hike. At 18 pounds and nearly two feet tall, stash it in the basem*nt or garage until you really need it.

Ready America 72 Hour Deluxe Emergency Kit

Capacity: 2 people | Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 15 inches| Weight: 2 pounds

Looking for that happy medium between ultra-high quality, exhaustively stocked and expensive kits and bargain basem*nt kits assembled with hopefully good-enough supplies? Well, you’ve found it in the Ready America 72-Hour Deluxe Emergency Kit that supports two people for three days (one- and four-person kits are also available).

In addition to standard staples like a minimalist first-aid kit, there are some bonus items of note, like two hygiene kits (including toothbrushes, toothpaste and wet wipes), a biohazard bag and two Coast-Guard approved MayDay brand 2400-calorie ration bars. You’ll also find 10 yards of duct tape, a multi-tool, a hand-crank radio/flashlight and a set of Mylar emergency blankets.

The included items (such as the radio and the multitool) are definitely not as luxurious as those in our overall top pick, but the price point on this pack is far friendlier on your wallet. The backpack design makes it easy to grab the kit and take it on the go.

SOL Scout Kit

Capacity: 1 person | Dimensions: 6 x 3.75 x 1 inches | Weight: 0.34 pounds

Many hikers already own and carry key items like water bottles, flashlights (or headlamps) and even water treatment tablets or water filters. As such, they don’t necessarily need to invest in a separate survival kit that also includes these items, particularly if the quality is lower than what they already own. As such, a great survival kit for hiking is one that will be small enough to fit in your hiking backpack, include key items to help you in an outdoor setting and not duplicate what you already own.

The SOL Scout Kit is a great pick because it ticks off all those boxes and it’s also waterproof, meaning it’s better suited for poor conditions should you get caught in the rain (or fall in the river). It contains wilderness survival items like fire starting supplies, a survival blanket, a whistle, duct tape and a survival fishing and sewing kit. It also packs a signal mirror and compass—items you won’t easily find in non-wilderness kits. You’ll still want to complete the kit with a pocket knife, compact stove, ziplock bags and perhaps some fishing line just to cover all of your bases.

Capacity: 1 person | Dimensions: 2 x 3.81 inches | Weight: 0.42 pounds

Not only is the Essentials Ready Kit from VSSL the smallest survival kit you’ll find on the market—it’s about the size of a stick of deodorant—but it comes ready with unique items that aren’t found in some larger kits. The Ready Kit contains an oil-filled compass with shatterproof glass, eight feet of paracord, a 25-foot rope, a razor blade and a small wire saw. That’s right, VSSL figured out how to pack a wire saw into a tiny, palm-sized tube.

The contents can be used to repair gear, build shelters, navigate terrain, shave kindling and hang dry lines, and the design of the kit itself shows a bit of genius. Everything about this kit is intentional, including the compass, which doubles as an end cap to seal the kit shut, and the tins can be refilled with new gear in the future.

While the contents are enough to help you get yourself out of quite a few situations, this compact kit is intended to be paired with other kits and gear. There’s no water filter, food rations, filtration tablets or survival blanket, so depending on your situation and the adventure at hand, you’ll likely need to bring those as well. This kit is built to hold unique, essential wilderness survival tools in a tiny canister that’s easy to throw into a backpack. Pick up the larger First Aid Stash Light for a more well-rounded kit.

Weyland Emergency Survival Kit

Capacity: 1 person | Dimensions: 11 x 5 x 3 inches | Weight: 1.7 pounds

The Weyland kit includes a good selection of products—a fire starter, paracord bracelet, blanket, whistle, tactical flashlight, multitool card, wire saw, signal mirror, compass and sheath—that are of decent quality. But what makes this survival kit really shine (quite literally) is the included knife; it’s sharp, durable and complete with a series of edges for different tasks. In fact, many customers who bought this survival kit report that the knife alone is worth the price of the kit. The full-tang (single piece of steel) blade is strong enough to cut through wood, but it shouldn’t have any problems cutting through a seat belt strap or fabric should you become trapped in your car, either.

Furthermore, the kit’s plastic case has a bit of room to spare, so you can add in other essentials, and the container can be used to collect and purify fresh water via "hot stone boiling." At 11 x 5 x 3 inches, it’s also small enough to fit under a seat and possibly even in your glovebox.

Capacity: 1 person | Dimensions: 14.8 x 9.9 x 4.4 inches | Weight: N/A

Taking care of the kids is a top priority in any emergency situation, but they can also carry useful items like food rations, small amounts of water and basic first aid supplies. However, you don’t want to weigh them down with one of the robust (and heavy) survival kits on this list. That’s why the Blue Coolers Blue 72-Hour Emergency Backpack Survival Kit is such a great pick for the kiddos.

The kit, which comes in the form of a standard backpack, is designed for one person, so it won’t be enough to support an entire family, but it can be carried by a single (small) family member Inside, you’ll find basic items like one 2,400-calorie SOS ration block, five packets of potable water, a Mylar blanket, tissues, a small rain poncho, a dust mask, a flashlight and a survival whistle. There’s also a bit of space left in the pack if your kiddo wants to pack a stuffed animal, favorite toy or change of clothes.

Keep in mind that while this is a great kit on its own, you should use it in tandem with another kit that contains additional essentials for multiple people.