Your kit is no substitute for proper training, preparation, and experience.  We highly recommend you build your own kit, spend time deciding what to take, and practicing with the tools you choose.  The contents of your survival kit should be tailored to your travel destination, time of year, and experience.  For us, it’s always a balance between how exposed we’ll be and how much weight we’re willing to carry (the best kit is the one you have with you).  We’re constantly evolving our kits and reevaluating what we need and what we can leave behind.  It’s also important to remember to replace the items you use and check your kit routinely for damage and perishable items.

To get you started, here’s here’s what we consider including in our kit.

#1 Shelter – Highly dependent on where you are and what time of year it is.  At minimum, something to get you out of the elements, and some cordage.
Tip: steer clear of the mylar space blankets, once they get the tiniest tear in them, they easily rip all the way through and are ruined.

SOL Emergency Blanket
Dupont Kevlar Line 1mm (200lb) 15′

#2 Fire – Warm yourself and your spirit.
Tip: avoid the experimental and exciting, and go with what is proven.

BIC mini lighter
Matches (UCO Stormproof or Coghlans Waterproof) in watertight container
Firesteel Ferrocerrium Rod
Tinder Tabs

#3 Water – Highly dependent on where you are in the world, and how readily available and “safe” the water is.  Always bring enough water with you and only rely on purification if you’re confident in your water source.  Consider sequential filtering then purification when necessary.
Tip: don’t forget that electrolytes are a key ingredient to rehydration, we always keep a few emergency packages in our first aid kit.

Container – one you can boil in and one to purify and hold extra water
Katadyn Micropur purification tabs
Sawyer Mini Filter
Katadyn Hiker Pro Filter or Aquamira Frontier Straw Filter for small kit

#4 Tools – These supplement the top three, and should be backups for larger tools you are carrying.

Multitool – (stainless steel, lightweight, knife, tweezers, saw, pliers) I like the Swiss Army Hiker
Light – I like the photon freedom with it’s various settings including SOS
Duct Tape
Safety Pins – #2 and #00
Paper – Write in Rain
Pen – Space Pen Cartridge

#5 Case – This varies depending on how much you are bringing.  I like one that is water tight, light weight, and if possible, one you can boil water in.

Aluminum Tin with lid of various sizes
12oz Plastic Peanutbutter Jar

#6 Rescue – If you’ve filed a trip plan with a loved one or friend, you shouldn’t be out more than a couple of days before people are looking for you.  The more you can do to help them the better.

Star Flash Ultra Mirror 2×3
SOL Slim Rescue Howler Whistle
SOS Flashlight – use your Photon Freedom but practice with this mode!
Orange Visual Attraction – use your SOL emergency blanket