Survival Gear Checklist: What You Actually Need in a Camping and Emergency Kit
A flat tire on a back road. A storm that cuts the power for a weekend. A camping trip where the rain never stops. Small problems turn into big ones when you don’t have the basics.
A good kit is like an umbrella: cheap insurance you’re glad to have. In this guide we go through the five things every pack should cover, what they cost, and where we found a solid selection in one place.
Quick summary
- What it is: a U.S. online store for camping, survival and emergency gear.
- Main categories: water filters, fire starters, solar power, first aid and outdoor gear.
- Prices: from under $10 (fire starters) to complete water and power kits.
- Good to know: free shipping over $149, but allow 8 to 12 business days to ship.
The 5 things every kit should cover
You don’t need a garage full of gear. Most situations come down to five needs. Cover these and you’re ahead of most people.
Water
Water is the item people forget most. A gravity filter lets you clean tap water or water from a stream, lake or river.
- Alexapure Pro Water Filtration System$279.95
- Alexapure Pro Replacement Filter$119.95
- Ultimate Water Filtration Kit$829.65
Fire & heat
Matches get wet. Lighters run out. Fire starters and canned heat let you boil water and warm food without power.
- InstaFire Fire Starter Pouches (12 packs)$27.00
- InstaFire 6-Hour Canned Heat+ (3-pack)$14.95
- 48-Hour Canned Heat+ Pack (24-pack)$119.60
Power
During an outage, your phone is your flashlight, radio and map. A power bank with a small solar panel keeps it running.
- 65W Power Bank by Grid Doctor$69.95
- 15W Solar Panel by Grid Doctor$49.95
- 65W Power Bank + 15W Solar Panel$119.90
First aid
Cuts, scrapes and blisters happen on every trip. A stocked first-aid kit is cheap and takes little space in a pack.
See first-aid kits →Shelter & gear
A good backpack, a multitool, a headlamp, cordage and a compass cover most situations, from camping to a road-trip breakdown.
See camping gear →Product names and prices as shown on the store’s website in November 2026. Prices and stock may change.
Quick checklist for your pack
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day, plus a filter
- Light: Headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries
- Power: Power bank and a small solar panel
- Fire: Waterproof fire starters and a lighter
- First aid: A stocked kit and any personal medicines
- Tools: Multitool, cordage, duct tape, knife
- Shelter: Emergency blanket, tarp or tent
- Docs: Copies of IDs and an emergency contact list
Why we like this store
The biggest plus is having everything in one place. Instead of buying a filter on one site and a solar panel on another, you can cover water, fire, power and first aid in one order.
That also helps with shipping. Orders over $149 ship free, which is easy to reach once you add a filter or a power kit.
Their water filter is a good example. The store describes it as a way to clean water from the tap, or directly from a river or lake, so you can stay hydrated almost anywhere. That makes it useful for both camping and power outages at home.
What customers say
“We do a lot of weekend camping. The water filter was the first thing I bought and it’s now in every trip.”
“After the storm last year we were without power for four days. The power bank and solar panel kept our phones on.”
“Fire starter pouches are the most useful cheap thing in my pack. They light even when it’s damp.”
“Shipping took about a week and a half, so order early. Customer service picked up the phone fast.”
Representative testimonials based on publicly available customer feedback. Individual experiences vary.
Pros and cons
What we like
- One store for water, fire, power, first aid and camping gear
- Real product prices listed on the site, from under $10
- Free shipping on orders over $149
- U.S. phone support 7 days a week
- 30-day return window on unopened items
Keep in mind
- Shipping can take 8 to 12 business days when demand is high
- Returns only for unopened, unused products
- Bigger water and power kits are a real upfront cost
Shipping, returns and support
Orders over $149 ship free. Right now the store asks customers to allow 8 to 12 business days for orders to ship because of high demand. So if you have a trip coming up, order early.
According to the store, unopened and unused items can be returned within 30 days. Phone support is based in the U.S. and open every day.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the official store website?
No. This is an independent guide. Orders, shipping and returns are handled by the official store.
What should I buy first?
Start with water and light. A water filter and a good flashlight or headlamp cover the most common needs. Then add fire starters, a power bank and a first-aid kit.
How much water should I store?
A common guideline is about 1 gallon per person per day. A filter helps because you can clean more water as you need it.
How long does shipping take?
Free shipping applies to orders over $149. The store currently asks customers to allow 8 to 12 business days for orders to ship, so order before a trip or storm season.
Can I return items?
According to the store, unopened and unused items can be returned within 30 days. Check the store’s return page before ordering.
How do I contact the store?
The store lists phone support at 800.856.2325, Monday to Friday 8am–10pm and weekends 9am–9pm (Eastern).
Our verdict
So, bottom line: if you want to build a practical camping or emergency kit without shopping on five different sites, this store is a good place to start.
Begin with water and light, add fire starters and a power bank, and finish with a first-aid kit. Order a bit ahead of time, and you’ll be ready for the next trip or storm.