Wars, pollution, global warming, protests, civil wars…these are just some of the troubles that the world is currently going through. If you are watching the news, the invasion of Ukraine might as well be the last drop that will make you say: “I am done”. If you are aware that things are getting out of control and you are considering just bugging out, make sure that you are well prepared. There are some things that are key to survival in a crisis situation. 10 items that are essential to your SHTF loadout list is what this article is all about. So read on and find out what they are.
10 items that are essential to your SHTF loadout list
- Solar Charger
- Multitool
- Portable Water Filter
- First Aid Kit
- Headlamp
- Duct Tape
- Water Container
- Weapon for Self-defense and Hunting
- Binoculars
- Backpack
Of course, the list does not include items that common sense tells you to bring. Such as warm clothing, food supplies, map, compass, etc.
10 Items That Are Essential to Your SHTF Loadout List
Solar Charger
Think for a second about the tools that you use on a day-to-day basis. How many of them are running on electricity? A lot, right? That is why it is essential to bring a portable solar charger with you. Luckily, plenty of modern chargers are built so that they can easily fit into your pockets, thus saving precious space in your backpack. Which model you want to choose is your personal preference, but make sure that you can efficiently charge your mobile phone, smartwatch, and headlamp.
Multitool
The gear of a serious prepper is not complete without a multitool. The name of the items speaks about the purpose it’s supposed to serve. Several tools combined into one. Multitool that you should bring with you when SHTF got to have a can opener, scissors, knife, bottle opener, screwdriver, and pliers. Anything else is just a bonus. There are plenty of affordable multitools out there, so getting a decent item for a fair price shouldn’t be a problem.
Portable Water Filter
Water is the source of all life. It doesn’t matter what kind of catastrophe will potentially hit us, water will be essential. So you need to be able to purify it to consume it safely. Water filters are coming into play here. They truly are items that are essential to your SHTF loadout list. Ideally, a water filter in your loadout should be able to purify sediment, debris, and microorganisms.
First Aid Kit
It’s only normal to assume that there will be a need for some first aid when SHTF. That is why it’s crucial to have access to sterile bandages and some band-aids. But, your first aid kit should have much more than that. Your regular first aid kit from the car just won’t cut it in a crisis. So make sure that you add a couple of items to it. Paracetamol, hydrocortisone cream, sterile gloves, and an emergency blanket are some of the items that you should take with you. Basically, your first aid kit should consist of items that you will need depending on the SHTF situation.
Headlamp
Loss of electricity is something that is quite expected in any kind of SHTF situation. When you are somewhere safe within your own four walls it’s okay to use a flashlight, candles, or oil lamps. However, when you need stable light and you need to do something else with your hands, a headlamp comes in as a perfect solution. Important factors that you have to take into account when you are choosing a headlamp are that it is waterproof, has a rechargeable battery with long life, and that it’s made of durable material.
Duct Tape
There are a few cracks and loose wirings that good old duct tape can’t fix. Having this multipurpose tool in your loadout is crucial for your survival. You can use it to build a trap for animals, fix a leakage in your lodge or your vehicle engine, repair a broken window, and apply it to fix a hundred different things. Of course, all of this would be temporary, but it might be enough to get you through another day. The duct tape that you should pack has to work on several surfaces, such as wood, plastic, metal, and vinyl. It also has to be waterproof.
Water Container
Water that you will purify with the filter has to be stored somewhere, doesn’t it? That is why the water container is a must-have item on this list of items that are essential to your SHTF loadout. The water container should be big enough to store water that will get you on through the day, yet, it should be practical so that it doesn’t take too much space. Durable, rustproof material is a must of course.
Weapon for Self-Defense and Hunting
This is one piece of your loadout where you can go crazy. Choices are countless and in the end, it’s really all up to you and your preferences. Do you like bladed weapons? Go with an ax (hunting will be hard with it). Do you like firearms? Hunting rifles should do the trick. Do you want to keep your distance and use a stealth approach? Crossbow is your game. Whatever you choose, just make sure that the weapon of your choice is lightweight, easy to handle, and deadly. You don’t want that deer you’ve been tracking for hours to get away, do you?
Binoculars
The vast majority of states where you should be when SHTF has a lot of forests, mountains, and vast plains. Good scouting is something that you will be doing quite a lot. On these huge terrains, it simply isn’t possible to spot everything with the naked eye. That is why you’ll need binoculars of high quality. 10x magnification, lenses with glare reduction, and a wide field of view are some of the key factors that you should look for when choosing your survival binoculars.
Backpack – Most Essential Item for Your SHTF Loadout List
All of the items above are meaningless if you don’t have something to carry them in. A professional backpack with a lot of space, sturdy materials, and a hip belt will help you with that.
There are thousands of backpacks on the market. Some are very cheap, and some are overly expensive. One thing is sure, a backpack is not something you should be skimping on. Having a good backpack can potentially save you a lot of trouble when SHTF.
Everything that you scavenge along the way will be stored in it. Everything that you have to bring with you when you go out scouting or looking for resources will be placed in it. In other words, a backpack will be one of your best friends. Threat him well.
Final Thoughts on Items that Are Essential to Your SHTF Loadout List
The list that we composed is definitely not written in stone. You can add additional items, remove some of the ones that we listed, or just switch them for something you may find to be more useful. The items above are just the ones that we would take with us in a crisis. Realistically speaking, it all depends on the situation. Your location, type of catastrophe that occurred, potential challenges that you may come across, climate, abundance, or lack of resources are just some of the factors that you should consider before you put together your loadout.
However, our list of essential items for the SHTF situation should be enough to get you through the most of catastrophes that could happen. So start building your loadout and be prepared. You never know what can happen tomorrow, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Good luck and take care out there!