Wilderness survival gear
and equipment

Selecting the appropriate wilderness survival gear is important to have a safe wilderness trip. However, remember your most important survival gear is your brain! Mental preparedness, knowledge and skills are a must, without that, nothing else really matters.


Choosing your gear

What gear you take with you is largely a matter of personal taste and the type of wilderness trip you are taking, such as a day hike or a one week backpacking trip. However, please take your time to understand the type of equipment that is best suited to your needs.

Tailor your equipment to the environment you will encounter, for example, on a three hour hike, you probably don’t need a sleeping bag or a cook stove, but on a 30 day backpacking trip, you may not survive without them. It’s bad planning to bring the wrong type of equipment. In addition, make sure you understand how to use your gear, and that it's working properly. For example, if you plan to bring a tent, make sure you should know how to pitch it properly.


Backpacking gear

As a wilderness backpacker or camper you will probably need a tent, backpack, sleeping bag and a stove.


Map and compass

Navigation is a required skill for all wilderness travelers. Do you know how to find your way with a map or compass?

Find out more about backpacking gear and navigation skills by clicking here.


First aid kit

Check what every wilderness first-aid kit should include.


Wilderness survival kit

In a critical survival situation, a few key items in your wilderness survival gear can make the difference between failure and success.


Well spent time

The care that you take in the selection process of your equipment is time well spent.