Have the appropriate survival gear on your camping or hiking trip – from multiple night stays to day hikes – is crucial. Packing essential tools and equipment could mean the difference between suffering a backcountry emergency or making it out unscathed.

Survival gear should include shelter, water, food and fire. Depending on your environment and excursion type, this could include anything from tents to tarps as appropriate solutions.

Shelter

Shelter is one of the essential survival necessities, providing protection from rain, wind and snow which deplete your body’s ability to produce heat and can lead to hypothermia. Carrying a tent, tarp and emergency blanket in your survival gear bag will provide invaluable shelter from these conditions.

REI’s Screen House shelter is our top pick for portable camping-style shelter. Large enough for two but easily transportable, its screened walls keep insects at bay while its tarp design provides full weather protection in case it rains.

When faced with an emergency situation, one of the first instructions you may hear is “Shelter-in-Place.” More Prepared offers Shelter-in-Place Kits designed to keep you alive until rescue arrives.

Water

Water is one of the cornerstones of survival camping equipment and should always be prioritized over any other necessity. Not only is it necessary for drinking, cleaning and providing energy but it can also act as a protective shield from dangerous wildlife or as an emergency signal device.

Water may present a challenge during your excursion, so having a purification kit on hand is essential to avoid drinking bacteria-filled waters like lakes and rivers. Many kits also feature convenient collapsible storage bags to make transport easy.

Waterproof matches and fire starters are essential items for outdoor adventurers. As nature can often surprise us during camping trips, it is wise to be prepared for anything that comes your way. Waterproof camping gear can save your life from drowning, hypothermia or cold shock while protecting belongings from rain, dew or snowfall. Many waterproof gear items made of synthetic materials remain warm even when wet while drying quickly – proving an alternative to down-filled sleeping bags.

Food

Though food may not strictly qualify as survival gear, it remains an integral component of any camping trip. From snacking on berries and leaves to creating more substantial meals from scratch, a quality camp cooking set should always be included on any camping adventure. Look for lightweight tools that are portable yet can also be used over an open flame for best results.

Headlamps make for ideal illumination sources, since they’re lightweight, dry quickly, and allow your hands to remain free while moving about freely.

As for food, be sure to choose nutrient-dense options that require little prep. Freeze-dried meals from Valley Food Storage are lightweight and can be eaten hot or cold – as well as providing calories needed to stay energized in the wilderness. There are options to meet all dietary needs as well, including gluten/dairy-free and vegan/vegetarian.

Fire

Fire is essential to our survival; it helps warm our bodies, cook food and purify water while providing navigation aid should we find ourselves lost in the wilderness.

Survival camping gear should include a fire starter. Some prefer using a flint striking stick to ignite their tinder, while others may opt for something simpler like waterproof matches or even an bic lighter.

Have multiple methods for gathering and processing tinder is essential. While having a fire kit in your backpack is useful, practice making fire under both ideal and terrible conditions prior to embarking on any wilderness adventures.

Solar power banks can be an essential piece of survival camping gear. Not only do they recharge electronics while you’re outdoors, they can also serve as flashlights and emergency sirens! Be sure to test it beforehand to make sure there is enough charge – the last thing you want is running out halfway through your camping adventure!