2020 update: Direct links have been removed as I have left the Amazon program. I now recommend building your own, but these two are still good if you want a preassembled kit.
You don’t need a survival kit in your everyday routine. But what if you are in an emergency?
What I mean by this is that we all need a helpful kit. Now, this kit, a survival kit, is not something that you will use everyday. However, our current situation is always changeable and sometimes life has other (interesting) plans for us.
Whether it is a minor accident or something more serious, day-to-day life changes can seriously affect our lives and we need to prepare for them. That is what my experience has taught me and it is the reason why I’m writing this article on mini survival kits.
You don’t have to buy a kit just because you are suddenly afraid there won’t be any dental floss at your friend’s home. However, why not be prepared all the time, not just when going camping?
I have two that I like personally. They’re both compact, easy to work with, and have pretty much everything you need in a small sized survival kit. (This isn’t an all-encompassing kit, you’ll need a bigger one for that. But these will still serve you well under temporary emergency conditions).
S.O.L. Survive Outdoors Longer Origin Survival Tool
This is one of those mini survival kits that really sticks to the basics and focuses on the possible dangers you could get into.
It comes in a small package that is practically indestructible, which is what you want because you will want to carry it everywhere with you and not worry about it breaking easy.
This tiny package of all the tools you might need is the size of the palm of your hand and it weighs only 7 ounces. However, don’t freak out. It has everything to get you out of a sticky situation.
The kit has all the basics you might deem useful: a sewing needle, aluminum foil, heavy duty pack, and a combination knife. These alone would prove to be extremely useful in almost any kind of situation, especially an emergency.
Still, that’s not all. S.O.L. survival kit comes with a LED light as well and a whistle. Imagine ending up in a place where you cannot see or hear anyone near you. That is when these tools could save your life.
You also get a liquid-filled compass and a fire striker, four fish hooks and a fishing line. Now, if you are a frequent camper, this might just be what you need for everyday use.
However, if you find yourself in dire need of food, you would not have any trouble with these tools by your side.
Apart from many basic survival instruments, you also get a safety wire, a signal mirror, two snap swivels, two split shots and four Tinder Quicks.
Luckily for all of us, this kit also comes with a booklet filled with surviving techniques and ways to make your life easier in a complicated situation. Not too shabby for a survival kit valued under $30.
Limitless Equipment Mark 1 Survival Kit
Packed in a small tin box, this survival kits sure knows how to use all the space possible and give you everything you need.
The box is the first thing that grabbed my attention. Usually, I always look for something sturdy, and this kind of packaging is exactly that. The tin box is convenient enough to store away, but it is not as small as the previous kit.
This survival collection is something that you can use every time you go for a hike or camping. However, its use goes even beyond that because the items in here are bound to help you during an emergency as well.
Although rather small, this box is completely full. It includes a premium black firecord, a lovely and bright red LED lamp and a high-quality compass. Pretty basic stuff, but crucial for any sort of survival plan.
Next, we have light sticks and a firestarter, as well as some reflectors and again, fishing equipment. There is also a whistle, water carriers, and morale boosters. Yes, you read that right.
This kit goes above and beyond to give you anything that may help. So, it is no surprise they have provided morale boosters like a sachet of sugar.
Imagine being all alone, without anyone to find you. There is a chance that you will feel down, and sugar is a great way to combat those feelings.
Among other things found in this kit, there is also a tampon, two sachets of salt, tinfoil, and dental floss. These essentials mostly apply to emergencies, but if you think about it, there is also the comfort factor. Many of these items might seem strange, but they are also something you wish you had when you last ended up stranded.
The kit also contains a mini saw that you can use to cut up branches in order to make a fire. It also features a more-than-enough first aid kit. There you will find gauze, wound dressing and tinder, just to name a few items. All of that, and many more items, also for under $30.
So, Which Mini Survival Kit to Choose?
The need to survive is a person’s basic instinct. We will struggle, we will fail, but we will never stop trying.
However, in order to make it a little easier, a mini survival kit is just what we need.
Both of these mini survival kits are a great choice if you are often outdoors. They will save you time and money because you won’t have to buy the full sized items. Besides, no one likes carrying a great load while camping or hiking.
Still, I have to say that the Limitless Equipment survival kit just captured my attention the right way. Maybe it is the adventurer in me, but the fact that it contains more than 40 items just blew me away. Plus, I own both (to test them out for this article), and I have to lean that way a bit. But in reality, either one will suit you well. Just buy based on your own preference.
That small tin box has everything I might want and everything that I didn’t even know I need. The convenience is there, and so is the usefulness, which makes it a clear winner in my book.