You’ll never know when another disaster or pandemic strikes, or as survivalists call it – when the “Shit Hits The Fan.” So you’d better be ready than sorry. We list the essential SHTF gear to help you survive whatever comes next.
What should you have for SHTF? – The Ultimate SHTF Gear List
When choosing your SHTF gear, look for the best of the best, because you’ll never know when (or if) everything will go back to normal. It’s better to pick heavy-duty gear that can last a long time.
SHTF Weapons
Having the best SHTF gear is useless if you have ineffective weapons, scavengers will just take them by force. So we tagged SHTF weapons as a priority item in this list.
Guns
A gun is one of the most effective self-defense weapons, even during non-SHTF scenarios. So if you already have one in your EDC kit, good for you! Guns will efficiently defend you from attackers and allow you to maintain a safer distance.
Knives
Knives are useful tools for preparing food or gathering crops for food. You can also use them to defend yourself. For knives to be effective self-defense weapons, pick either tactical knives or combat knives. One disadvantage of knives, however, is that they can only be used while your attacker is very close . . . uncomfortably so.
Friends
If you’re a single person or family trying to defend goods or territory, you will lose. The best strategy is to work together with a group of people that you know and trust.
Protective Gear and Clothing
It’s critical that you pack clothes suitable for all types of weather because you’ll never know how many seasons you’d be spending away from home. But since you can’t bring all of your clothes, be sure to pack a pair or two for every season.
INCH Bag
Your INCH bag should contain only the essential stuff that can help you survive not just days but months (or even years) away from home. Consider its modularity, capacity, and material quality (get one that’s waterproof) among everything else. Check out the article where we picked the best and the sturdiest INCH bags this year!
Tactical Pants and Hiking Boots
![Best Tactical Pants Every Man Should Own - Buying Guide [TOP 10]](https://reloadyourgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Black-Pants.jpeg)
A pair or two of reliable (and comfortable) tactical pants and hiking boots will be extremely useful if you’re going on long walks or if you’re going on a supply run.
Work Gloves
If you can pack a few pairs of work gloves, do so. You don’t want splinters getting in the way while building your shelter or chopping wood and protecting your hands from injury is a top priority when you’ll need them every day.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE TASK SPECIFIC WORK GLOVE - The number one selling Ironclad work glove
- HAND SAFETY - Thermoplastic rubber knuckle protection provides impact and abrasion protection across the knuckles
- COMFORTABLE AND BREATHABLE:13 Guage Premium red nylon seamless knitted shell provides Bare Hand Sensitivity and Great Breathability! Light Weight with Good Grip! Thin enough to feel everything!
- SUPERIOR PROTECTION:Ultra-Thin Polyurethane coating offers excellent abrasion resistance and superior GRIP performance!
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Food and Water
Your body won’t function properly without enough hydration. So pick a bug-out location that has quick and easy access to a water source, like a river or a lake.
Water Distiller/Water Purification Tablets
In an SHTF situation, it’s possible that all the water sources are contaminated, and drinking untreated water can lead to health problems. Distilling water removes any bacteria or impurities. So you’ll be needing a water distiller, water purification tablets, or a way to boil water to get potable water.
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- Two Bottles Of 50 Count Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets
- Water Treatment Tablets, Providing Water Purification For Camping, Hiking, Traveling And Emergency Water Preparedness Situations
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Water Bottle
Pack a water bottle so you can stay hydrated during supply runs or long walks away from your water source. We suggest getting one made from stainless steel. This way you can use the bottle as a boiling pot as well.
- TempShield insulation keeps beverages cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 12 hours
- Made with 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel to ensure durability, pure taste and no flavor transfer
- 24-ounce insulated stainless-steel water bottle with a FreeSip spout and push-button lid with lock
- Patented FreeSip spout designed for either sipping upright through the built-in straw or tilting back to swig from the spout opening
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Meals Ready-to-Eat (MRE)
If you don’t have a bug-out location prepared, it will probably take you a few days to find a good place to hunt or get food from and settle down. An MRE is a dehydrated meal that’s complete with all the nutrients you need. Plus, it can be easily packed and can last for a very long time.
Shelter
Next on our ultimate SHTF gear list is a survival tent. This will be your first form of protection against rain, extreme heat, or snow. We suggest getting a tent that’s easy to pack and is built with durable and waterproof material. Or, get a tarp for more versatility and learn to make a waterproof shelter with it!
- Weatherproof: Welded corners and inverted seams keep water from getting in; Included rainfly offers extra weather protection
- Wind and rain tested: Strong frame withstands 35+ mph winds
- Sleeps 9 people; Fits three queen air mattresses; Center Height: 72 inches
- CORE H20 Block Technology and adjustable ground vent.Pole Type: Traditional Fiber Glass Poles
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fire
You may get buy on iodine tablets for a while, but sooner or later, you’ll at least need to be able to boil water. More than likely, you’ll also need a fire for warmth and food prep. So, having multiple ways to obtain kindling and start a fire is critical. Don’t forget to practice these skills ahead of time. Our article on how to build campfires is a good place to start before you do some hands-on practice.
First Aid Kit
Living outdoors post-SHTF leaves you vulnerable to injuries and accidents, so preparing a first aid kit is critical. Your survival medical kit should contain the basics for treating minor scratches and injuries, such as disinfectant alcohol, band-aids, gauze, medical adhesive tape, surgical gloves, tweezers, a needle and a thread, a tourniquet, and saline eye drops. You should also include antihistamines, ibuprofen, loperamide, and insect bite ointment as space permits.
Navigation Tools
Getting your way around unfamiliar territory is difficult without reliable navigation tools to aid you. Here are the essential navigation tools to include in your SHTF gear list.
Map
Internet services will most likely be down and you can’t rely on online maps. So we recommend bringing one 1:250,000 map of your destination and at least 2 detailed maps with locations where you can get supplies from.
- Made in the USA
- Updated
- Lonely Planet (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Compass
We suggest packing a military compass instead of an ordinary one. Aside from pointing to your destination, a military compass also indicates your current location and the best route to where you want to go.
- MADE IN THE USA - This aluminum compass is the top quality pocket compass on the market. Accurate to +/- 40 mils, it performs flawlessly in extreme temperatures.
- OFFICIAL US MILITARY COMPASS - With this professional tactical compass survival is more likely. A survival compass backed by our government!
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Watch
![Best Outdoor Watches – The Complete Guide [TOP 7]](https://reloadyourgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Touching-Watch.jpg)
Most rugged watches function as multi-purpose tools that can help you in the most difficult situations. Get a watch with a temperature readout, a compass, and a barometer. This may also serve as your backup compass in case your main compasses malfunction or get lost.
We also suggest getting a watch that’s solar-powered so you can charge it whenever there’s sunlight or one that’s powered by movement.
Power Source
Lantern
Using lanterns as a light source at night is more practical since campfires are troublesome to clean up and assemble. Get one that’s collapsible so you can easily pack it, and solar-powered so you can just charge it under the sun when needed.
A survival flashlight is also a great alternative as it can also be used for self-defense.
Solar-Powered Charging Kit or Power Bank
There’d most likely be no electricity, so be sure to bring a portable solar-powered backup power source. You can use it to recharge your flashlights, mobile phones, GPS, or any of your USB-powered devices.
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- Slim Size, Big Power:One of the slimmest and lightest 10,000mAh portable chargers on the market. Provides 2.25 charges for iPhone 12, 1.6 charges for Galaxy S20 and 1.2 charges for iPad mini 5.The two...
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Batteries, Lighters, Matches
Packing a few batteries, lighters, and matches won’t hurt, they won’t take up much space in your INCH bag anyway. These will be great backup tools when going on a supply run or just as a backup power source in your bug-out location.
Means of Communication
All telco and internet service providers will probably be down, so we suggest that you use a solar-powered or hand-cranked radio as means of communication. This will help you contact your family and friends in case you get separated. It will also allow you to gather news and information about what’s happening around you.
Important Documents
Last but not least, don’t forget to pack IDs to confirm your identity and documents to verify the properties you have left once everything goes back to normal.
FAQs
What is the best Shtf weapon?
The best SHTF weapon can be a firearm, a knife, or a tactical flashlight. What matters most is that you’re comfortable and skilled in using your chosen weapon as it will be your first line of defense against hostiles or wild animals.
What is an SHTF loadout?
An SHTF loadout is a tactical plan laid out to help you and your family survive any SHTF scenario. An SHTF loadout is similar to our SHTF gear list above but supplemented with planning.
What is the first thing to do when SHTF?
The first thing to do? Don’t panic. You already have a plan laid out and you’ve got everything you need. Just put your plan into action ASAP.
Our Key Takeaways
That completes our ultimate SHTF gear list. Don’t miss a single one once you begin packing, as they’re all essential for your survival. And be sure to maintain a healthy body so you can rise above whatever comes your way.
