Survival Gear

Recent Survival Gear Reviews

Outdoor Element Firebiner

Well made carabiner with fire wheel that sparked pretty much every time. Also has a sharp cutting tool, bottle cap opener, etc. Enjoyed trying out the fire wheel to get a fire started. With the tinder from Outdoor Element or other homemade ones, we were able to get a fire started in a couple of seconds each time. We got a couple of these for a recent camping trip since I thought they’d be fun to try out with the family. Having never used anything other than a lighter or matches to start a fire,… Full review

UCO Sweetfire Strikable Fire Starter

I started using the UCO Sweetfire fire starter sticks this season. They have become my primary go-to for starting fires. I've used them in wet conditions and in winter without fail. I've used them in alpine conditions and in the damp Smokie Mountains in the springtime. One stick is all that you will need to get the job done. This has become an essential fire tool for me. Check out my video featuring the UCO Sweetfire:  Full review

SOL Emergency Bivvy

The SOL emergency bivvy is a potential death trap under freezing conditions on multi-day trips, as condensation will wet out a sleeping bag, which if there is no way to dry it will become useless. This review is a warning which is not given by the manufacturers, but needs to be considered by those planning to use it in these conditions. I used it at -13 C and it created so much condensation inside that it had to be abandoned. In a survival situation where no heat source is available to dry out the… Full review

Coleman Fire Starter Magnesium

The Coleman Fire Starter Magnesium is another option to get a fire started. It requires patience and persistence, but does work. It’s not the best option, but it’s never a bad idea to have alternatives to start a fire. This fire starter is my last resort. It’s not the greatest, but it works. The way that you operate this product is you take the serrated end and use that to shave pieces of magnesium off of the giant block you have. You need to get a lot off. It takes a long time because you… Full review

UCO Stormproof Matches

The UCO Stormproof Matches are great for all types of weather. No matter the conditions, you can count on getting a fire started with these matches. These matches are amazing. They are definitely stormproof. I’ve taken these matches with me in all seasons in all sorts of weather conditions. They haven’t failed me once. I live in Washington where it’s wet and cold seven months out of the year. I’ve started a fire with these in the rain and snow as well as in the humid summer air. These matches… Full review

ClickHeat Hand/Pocket Warmer

Bought at a convention—pretty darn happy with them! I was skeptical at first, but I went ahead and bought the shoulder pack, larger rectangle pack, and two hand packs. I had a friend who bought one as well since she had run a marathon and was sore. I loved the instant heat (too bad they don’t have an insta-cold for summer for the mechanics I work with). She loved hers and it gave me hope. As soon as I went home I put them in the freezer (whoops! It’s supposed to be fridge!) so I ended up boiling… Full review

SOL Thermal Bivvy

Turns a light summer bag into an impromptu "colder weather" bag. Very compact, lightweight, and easy to use. Durable, and it's NOT a mummy style for us larger guys/gals. On a recent summer outing with my son, I made an egregious rookie mistake when packing and did not account for a "cold snap" that was moving through the area. While low temps had been in the low/mid 60's F for awhile, on our trip they dipped down into the high 30's and low 40's for several nights. I had only brought my Coleman light… Full review

Lightning Nuggets Lightnin' Bug

A very simple fire starter that provides a good robust flame and holds up well in storage. I have had these Lightnin Bug fire starters setting in a box of miscellaneous gear for almost a year and hadn't brought them along on a trip yet and wondered if they were still any good, so I decided to take a few out of the package to see if they would still light up. The Lightnin Bug fire starters are about one inch in diameter with a flat side and are made up of resinous pine pitch wood blended with a small… Full review

ClickHeat Hand/Pocket Warmer

I bought ClickHeat at the World of Wheels Auto Show in Rosemont a week or so ago. I spent $80 and the first time I used the packs it leaked onto my new sheets and mattress. I emailed Customer Service and spoke with Jodi Dobrinsky (757-472-9123) and she was by far the worse customer service rep I have ever dealt with in all my life. She sends me an attachment showing that my money was nonrefundable and no where on the box nor the receipt does it state this was nonrefundable and I advised her of that. Full review