Gear, shelf by shelf
Everything worth owning, sorted the way a garage should be. Tap “I have this” to track what you've got.
Water
0 of 6 ownedSawyer Squeeze water filter
Filters bacteria and parasites from streams and lakes, and lasts for years.
My pick: Sawyer Squeeze SP129
LifeStraw personal water filter
Cheap, light and simple. Good in every go-bag.
My pick: LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, 1-Pack
WaterBOB bathtub water storage
Fills your bathtub with about 100 gallons of clean water before a storm.
My pick: waterBOB bathtub storage, 100 gal
Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7 gallon jug
Sturdy, stackable and has a spigot. Easy to fill from the tap.
My pick: Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7 gal
WaterBrick stackable containers
Fit under beds and in closets. Great for apartments.
My pick: WaterBrick 3.5 gal
Water purification tablets
Small backup for treating water when you can't boil it.
My pick: Aquatabs 49mg Water Purification Tablets (30 Pack)
Light & power
0 of 6 ownedMidland ER310 emergency radio
NOAA weather alerts with crank, solar and battery power, plus a flashlight.
My pick: Midland ER310
Rechargeable headlamp
Hands-free light for cooking, caring for kids and getting around.
My pick: Black Diamond Storm 500-R Rechargeable Headlamp
LED camping lantern
Lights a whole room much more safely than candles.
My pick: Coleman 4D Battery-Powered LED Camping Lantern, 700 Lumens
Anker power bank
Keeps phones charged through a multi-day outage.
My pick: Anker 325 PowerCore 20K
Portable power station
Runs lights, fans, phones and small medical devices with no fumes.
My pick: Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station
Rechargeable AA and AAA batteries
Pair with a solar or USB charger so you never run out.
My pick: Panasonic eneloop AA + AAA, 8 each
Heat & cold
0 of 7 ownedBattery carbon monoxide detector
Required if you use any fuel-burning heater, stove or generator.
My pick: Kidde battery CO alarm
Wool blankets
Warm even when damp. A prepper and sailor staple.
My pick: Pendleton Yakima Camp Wool Blanket
Cold-rated sleeping bags
Sleep warm in a cold house. Check the temperature rating.
My pick: Coleman North Rim 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag
Hand and body warmers
Cheap, compact and surprisingly effective.
My pick: HotHands Hand Warmers, 40 Pairs
Mylar emergency blankets
Pocket-sized backup for go-bags and cars.
My pick: Swiss Safe Mylar Emergency Blankets, 10 Pack
Rechargeable battery fan
Moves air during summer outages.
My pick: O2COOL Treva 10-Inch Rechargeable Portable Fan
Cooling towels
Wet, wring and wear to cool down in a heat wave.
My pick: Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad Cooling Towel
Outdoor cooking
0 of 7 ownedTwo-burner propane camp stove
The most familiar off-grid cooking setup.
My pick: Coleman Classic 2-burner propane stove
Rocket stove
Cooks on sticks and twigs, very little fuel.
My pick: EcoZoom Versa Rocket Stove
Cast iron Dutch oven
Bakes, stews and roasts over coals.
My pick: Lodge 6 qt camp Dutch oven
Cast iron skillet
Works on any fire, lasts forever.
My pick: Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet (L10SK3)
Charcoal chimney starter
Lights charcoal without lighter fluid.
My pick: Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter
Heat-resistant gloves
For handling hot pots and coals.
My pick: Lodge 18-Inch Leather Outdoor Cooking Gloves
Fire starting
0 of 4 ownedStormproof matches
Light in wind and rain.
My pick: UCO Stormproof Match Kit with Waterproof Case
Fatwood fire starters
Resin-rich wood that lights fast.
My pick: Coghlan's Fatwood Fire Starter Sticks, 12 Pack
Shelter & sleep
0 of 5 ownedRipstop tarp
Roof, wall, windbreak or ground cover.
My pick: Aqua Quest Safari Waterproof SilNylon Tarp, 10x10
Paracord, 100 feet
Lines, lashings and a hundred fixes.
My pick: Rothco 550 lb Nylon Paracord, 100 ft
Insulated sleeping pad
Stops the cold ground stealing your heat.
My pick: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Foam Sleeping Pad
Bug-out bags
0 of 6 ownedHiking backpack, 40 to 50 liters
Big enough for 72 hours, small enough to carry for miles.
My pick: Osprey Kestrel 48L Backpacking Backpack
Water filter bottle
Fill from any stream and drink through the filter.
My pick: LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle, 22 oz
Compact rain poncho
Doubles as a ground cover or small shelter.
My pick: Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Reusable Poncho
Merino wool socks
Dry feet keep you moving.
My pick: Darn Tough Hiker Merino Wool Micro Crew Socks Cushion
N95 masks
For smoke, dust and ash.
My pick: 3M Aura Particulate Respirator 9205+, N95, Pack of 20, NIOSH
Dry bags
Keep clothes and papers dry.
My pick: Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag 3-Piece Set (3L, 5L, 8L)
Navigation & radios
0 of 4 ownedTwo-way radios (FRS)
No license needed, good for family check-ins.
My pick: Motorola Talkabout T470 Two-Way Radios, Rechargeable, 2 Pack
GMRS radios
More range. Needs an FCC license that covers your family.
My pick: Midland GXT1000VP4 GMRS Two-Way Radios with Headsets, 2 Pack
Waterproof map case
Keeps paper maps usable in rain.
My pick: SealLine Waterproof Map Case, Medium
First aid
0 of 4 ownedFamily first aid kit
A solid starting kit you can add to.
My pick: First Aid Only 298-piece kit
Tourniquet
Stops life-threatening bleeding. Take a Stop the Bleed class to learn to use it.
My pick: North American Rescue C-A-T Combat Application Tourniquet Gen 7
SAM splint
Folds flat, molds to any arm or leg.
My pick: SAM Splint, 36 inch, Orange & Blue
Pulse oximeter
Checks oxygen levels when someone is sick.
My pick: Zacurate Pro 500DL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
Sanitation
0 of 3 ownedBucket toilet seat
Snaps onto a 5-gallon bucket for a working toilet when water is off.
My pick: Reliance Luggable Loo Snap-on Toilet Seat with Lid for 5-Gallon Bucket
Heavy-duty trash bags
Toilet liners, trash and a hundred other uses.
My pick: Husky 42-Gallon Contractor Clean-Up Bags, 3 mil, 20 Count
Biodegradable wipes
Stay clean without using drinking water.
My pick: WaterWipes Plastic-Free Original Wipes, 540 Count (9 Packs)
Tools & repairs
0 of 6 ownedMulti-tool
Pliers, knife and screwdrivers in your pocket.
My pick: Leatherman Wave Plus 18-in-1 Multi-Tool, Stainless Steel
Fixed-blade knife
For camp chores and fire prep.
My pick: Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Knife, Stainless, 4.1-Inch
Folding saw
Cuts limbs and firewood fast.
My pick: Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Saw, 10-Inch Curved Blade
Gas and water shutoff tool
Turns off utilities in an emergency.
My pick: On Duty 4-in-1 Emergency Gas and Water Shut Off Tool
Duct tape and zip ties
Fixes almost anything for a while.
My pick: Gorilla Tough & Wide Heavy Duty Duct Tape, Black, 2.88 in x 25 yd
Work gloves
Protect your hands during cleanup.
My pick: Wells Lamont Heavy Duty Leather Palm Work Gloves with Safety Cuff
Food storage
0 of 3 ownedFood-grade buckets with gamma lids
Keep bulk food dry and pest-free.
My pick: Consolidated Plastics 5 Gallon Food Grade Buckets with Gamma Seal Lids (3 Pack)
Can rotation organizer
Makes first-in, first-out automatic.
My pick: Shelf Reliance Cansolidator Pantry Can Organizer, Holds 40 Cans
Manual can opener
The most forgotten item in every food stash.
My pick: OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Manual Can Opener
Long-term storage
0 of 4 ownedMylar bags with oxygen absorbers
Seal dry food for years.
My pick: Wallaby 1-gal Mylar bags + absorbers
Pressure canner
Required to safely can low-acid foods.
My pick: Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
Food dehydrator
Dry fruit, vegetables and herbs.
My pick: NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator
Impulse or iron sealer
Seals Mylar bags airtight.
My pick: METRONIC 12 Inch Impulse Heat Sealer with Repair Kit
Home apothecary
0 of 20 ownedDried black elderberries
For homemade elderberry syrup.
My pick: Starwest Botanicals organic elderberries, 1 lb
Raw unfiltered honey
For fermented garlic honey, syrups and teas.
My pick: Really Raw Honey, 42 oz
Raw apple cider vinegar with the mother
The base for fire cider and oxymels.
My pick: Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother, 32 fl oz
Dried thyme leaf
Steams, teas and oxymels for congestion.
My pick: Frontier Co-op Organic Thyme Leaf, 16 oz Bulk Bag
Dried mullein leaf
Tea for dry coughs.
My pick: Frontier Co-op Organic Mullein Leaf, Cut & Sifted, 1 lb
Marshmallow root
Cold infusions for throats and tummies.
My pick: Frontier Co-op Organic Marshmallow Root, Cut & Sifted
Dried chamomile flowers
Calming bedtime tea.
My pick: Frontier Co-op Organic Whole German Chamomile Flowers, 1 lb
Dried peppermint leaf
Tummy tea and tension relief.
My pick: Frontier Co-op Organic Peppermint Leaf, Cut & Sifted
Dried calendula flowers
For infused oil and healing salve.
My pick: Frontier Co-op Organic Calendula Flower Petals, 8 oz
Oregano oil
Strong antimicrobial oil. Always dilute.
My pick: North American Herb & Spice Oreganol P73 Oil of Oregano, 1 fl oz
Beeswax pellets
The base for salves and balms.
My pick: Stakich Yellow Beeswax Pellets, Cosmetic Grade, 1 lb
Amber dropper bottles
For tinctures and glycerites.
My pick: Vivaplex 2 oz amber droppers, 12-pack
Wide-mouth mason jars
For infusions, honeys and fire cider.
My pick: Ball Wide Mouth Quart Mason Jars with Lids & Bands (3-pack)
Plastic mason jar lids
Vinegar won't corrode them.
My pick: Ball Wide-Mouth Plastic Storage Caps, 8-count
pH test strips
Check fermented honey for safety.
My pick: Hydrion Spectral pH Strips 0-14, 100 count
Food-grade vegetable glycerin
For alcohol-free glycerites.
My pick: NOW Solutions Vegetable Glycerin, 100% Pure, 16 oz
Double boiler
Gentle heat for oils and salves.
My pick: Cook N Home 2-Quart Stainless Steel Double Boiler
Cheesecloth
Straining tinctures, syrups and oils.
My pick: Regency Wraps 100% Cotton Natural Ultra Fine Cheesecloth
Pure aloe vera gel
For sunburn and cooled burns.
My pick: Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel 12 oz
Garden & seeds
0 of 4 ownedHeirloom seed kit
Open-pollinated seeds you can save and replant.
My pick: Survival Garden Seeds Heirloom Seed Vault, 105 varieties, non-GMO
Herb seed kit
Chamomile, calendula, mint and more.
My pick: Sow Right Seeds Extra Large Medicinal Herb Seed Collection
Fabric grow bags
Garden on a porch or balcony.
My pick: VIVOSUN 5-Pack 5 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags with Handles
Rain barrel
Collect rain for the garden.
My pick: Good Ideas Rain Wizard 50 Gallon Rain Barrel with Brass Spigot
Home safety
0 of 4 ownedABC fire extinguisher
One in the kitchen and one in the garage.
My pick: Kidde Pro 210 ABC Fire Extinguisher, Rechargeable, 4 lb
Smoke and CO combo alarm
Both alarms in one.
My pick: First Alert SCO5CN Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Combo Alarm
Fire escape ladder
For upstairs bedrooms.
My pick: First Alert EL52-2 Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder
Fireproof document bag
Protects your papers.
My pick: ENGPOW Fireproof Document Bag, Water Resistant Zipper Pouch
Documents & go-bags
0 of 3 ownedWaterproof document pouch
Keeps IDs and papers dry in an evacuation.
My pick: ENGPOW Waterproof & Fireproof Document Bag, Two Pockets
Sturdy backpack
A comfortable go-bag you'll actually carry.
My pick: Osprey Kestrel 38L Hiking Backpack
Emergency whistle
Signals for help without wearing you out.
My pick: Fox 40 Classic CMG Pealess Whistle with Lanyard
Freeze-dried food
0 of 10 ownedMountain House bucket
Well-liked flavor, long shelf life. Great for trying freeze-dried first.
My pick: Mountain House Classic bucket, 24 servings
ReadyWise emergency food bucket
Budget-friendly bulk entrées. Check calories per day, not servings.
My pick: ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply Entree Bucket, 60 Servings
Augason Farms 30-day pail
A popular starter pail for one person.
My pick: Augason Farms One Person 30-Day Emergency Food Pail (200 Servings)
Valley Food Storage
Simple ingredients, no artificial fillers.
My pick: Valley Food Storage 7-Day Emergency Food Kit
Peak Refuel meals
High-protein, high-calorie pouches.
My pick: Peak Refuel Freeze-Dried Entree Variety Pack
Freeze-dried diced chicken
Real meat for your own recipes.
My pick: Mountain House Freeze-Dried Cooked Diced Chicken #10 Can
Freeze-dried vegetables #10 can
Add to rice, beans and soups.
My pick: Augason Farms Freeze-Dried Sweet Corn #10 Can
Freeze-dried fruit #10 can
Kid-friendly snacks, no cooking.
My pick: Augason Farms Freeze-Dried Sliced Strawberries #10 Can
Powdered milk #10 can
For cooking, baking and kids.
My pick: Augason Farms Country Fresh Instant Nonfat Dry Milk #10 Can
Harvest Right home freeze dryer
Preserve your own harvest and leftovers. A big investment.
My pick: Harvest Right Home Freeze Dryer, Medium
Long-haul storage
0 of 12 owned55-gallon water barrel
Bulk water storage, food-grade.
My pick: Augason Farms 55-Gallon BPA-Free Water Storage Barrel
Barrel siphon pump
Gets water out of drums.
My pick: TERA PUMP Emergency 55-Gallon Drum Water Siphon Pump
Food-grade 5-gallon buckets with Gamma lids
Easy-open, airtight lids for daily-use staples.
My pick: 5-Gallon Food-Grade White Bucket with Gamma Seal Lid
Oxygen absorbers 300cc
Pair with Mylar bags.
My pick: Wallaby 300cc Oxygen Absorbers, 100 Count
Hand-crank grain mill
Turns whole wheat and corn into flour without power.
My pick: Victoria Manual Cast Iron Grain Mill
Hard red wheat berries
Stores for decades once repacked in Mylar or buckets. Grind for bread.
My pick: Augason Farms Hard Red Wheat, 50 lb Bag
Heirloom seed vault
Seeds you can save and replant.
My pick: Survival Garden Seeds Homesteader 50-Pack Seed Vault
Big Berkey (Katie's own)
I have a Big Berkey and plan to use it for lake water if all else fails. Pre-filter muddy water through a cloth first.
My pick: Big Berkey 2.25 gal (the one I use)
Portable solar generator
Battery power station with solar panel.
My pick: Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 with 200W Solar Panel
Fuel stabilizer
Keeps stored gasoline usable longer.
My pick: STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer, 32 oz
Propane adapter hose
Run a camp stove from a 20-lb tank.
My pick: GASPRO 5 ft Propane Hose Adapter, 1 lb to 20 lb
Multivitamins (bulk)
Fills gaps in a long-term pantry.
My pick: Centrum Adult Multivitamin, 200 Count
Barter goods
0 of 8 ownedWaterproof matches
Fire in any weather.
My pick: UCO Stormproof Match Kit with Waterproof Case
Reading glasses multipack
Surprisingly valuable when stores are closed.
My pick: Foster Grant Reading Glasses, 10 Pairs Assorted
Wool socks
Warm feet trade well.
My pick: Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock Merino Wool, 6-Pack
Sewing kit
Repairs extend everything you own.
My pick: SINGER Beginner's Sewing Kit, 130 Pieces
Heirloom seed packets
Food for next season.
My pick: Burpee Heirloom Vegetable Seeds Variety Pack, 35 Varieties
Instant coffee singles
Comfort in small portions.
My pick: Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Pike Place, 50 Packets
Water purification tablets
Light and useful.
My pick: Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets, 50 ct