Gear guides
Original product research to help you choose what belongs in your kit. These are not current sale listings. Check Amazon for the latest price and availability.
Reliance Aqua-Tainer: Store water before you need to filter it
A seven-gallon container makes stored drinking water easier to dispense. Plan its weight, cleaning, and refill schedule before an outage.
Sawyer Squeeze: A compact filter with a clear job
The Squeeze is a portable membrane filter for bacteria and protozoa in suitable freshwater. It is one part of a water plan, not a cure for every contaminant.
LifeStraw Personal: A light backup for one person's water
The original LifeStraw is easy to stash for individual use. Understand its biological filtration limits and how you will carry clean water afterward.
EcoFlow RIVER 2: Size a backup battery around real loads
A 256 Wh power station can cover small electronics and lights. Match its output and usable runtime to the devices you actually need during an outage.
Midland ER310: Keep weather information off your phone
The ER310 combines weather-band reception with a rechargeable battery, hand crank, and solar panel. A reception check matters more than its feature count.
Mountain House Classic Bucket: Count water and calories too
The Classic Assortment Bucket is easy to store, but serving count alone does not tell you how long it will feed a household.
Energizer Vision HD headlamp: Leave both hands free
A basic AAA headlamp is useful for repairs, cooking, and moving around in the dark. Keep spare batteries and use the lower light mode to extend runtime.
Adventure Medical Kits Hiker: Start with a kit you can inspect
The Mountain Series Hiker organizes supplies for minor trail injuries. Review the contents and add personal medicines and training separately.
Leatherman Wave Plus: Useful fixes without a full toolbox
Pliers, drivers, cutting tools, and a file make the Wave Plus a versatile backup. Its compact size still limits torque and cutting capacity.
MSR PocketRocket 2: A stove for compact outdoor cooking
The PocketRocket 2 packs small and boils water with a separate fuel canister. It is outdoor equipment, not an indoor outage stove.