Basic gear for beginners

Fireside Gear
Mar 1, 2021
4 min read

Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Welcome back to the Fireside Gear blog.

This post covers survival bag basics for beginners, including essential items like water, food, and shelter, as well as fire, cooking, food procurement, and tools. It emphasizes redundancy, advising at least two methods for obtaining water, cooking, shelter, and fire. A list of recommended quality items is provided, with affiliate links for easy shopping. Lists for adults and children are included, excluding region-specific items and self-defense tools. Items marked with * are those I carry daily. A future blog will cover at-home survival kits. Each section breaks down the uses of listed items. For stylish camping gear, visit https://my-store-10150347.creator-spring.com.

ADULT

WATER:

sawyer squeeze*

https://amzn.to/3bwpP5y

potable aqua tabs*

https://amzn.to/2NV9Gyi

Stanley adventure cup*

https://amzn.to/3qQjath

survivor filter 1L water bag (2pack)

https://amzn.to/3dCZvte

The Sawyer line of water filters in my opinion is the best hands down. Survivor water bags will allow you to carry an additional 2L of water on the go, While the Stanley adventure cup would allow you to boil water if you did not want to use the Aqua tabs.

FOOD:

4patriots emergency food 72hrs*

https://amzn.to/2NA23xt

survival tabs 8 days supply*

https://amzn.to/3sgDwMA

Packing food is a big plus because you now already have something prepacked and all you have to do is cook it. The 4patriots food is dehydrated food, so it's light and all you have to do is add water and heat. Survival tabs are one of my favorite add ons to a meal or to eat by its self because of the nutrients in them. They can help you balance out an emergency meal or provide sustenance if you have nothing else to eat.

SHELTER:

Artturus heavy-duty survival blanket/tarp

https://amzn.to/2NPIKjE

SE emergency tube tent*

https://amzn.to/3skP3uv

mylar blanket (10pack)*

https://amzn.to/3urqj5B

The SE tube tent is great, not only does it keep heat well, but it also has a zipper and the kit comes with everything you need to set it up. Put the Artturus survival blanket down on the ground to keep the cold ground from sucking your body heat away. Mylar blankets are always good to have to build makeshift shelters or improve the design along with other uses.

FIRE:

Exotac Polystriker XL

https://amzn.to/2NQS7zW

UCO titan match kit

https://amzn.to/3uqxPxI

Procamptek:

fire strip*

https://fiddlebackoutpost.com/collections/fire/products/fire-strip-roll-3pk?aff=36

fast firestick*

https://fiddlebackoutpost.com/collections/fire/products/fast-fire-stick-rapid-fire-starting-tinder-2pk?aff=36

fat rope stick*

https://fiddlebackoutpost.com/collections/fire/products/fat-rope-stick-weatherproof-fire-starting-tinder-2-pack?aff=36

The basics of fire starting should always be a priority for someone looking to be prepared.

Having at least 2 ways to start a fire is a good start. Here we have the Polystriker XL, a Ferro rod with an included striker, which Throws a lot of hot burning sparks to start a fire. The UCO titan match kit is also a great thing to have. Save time with the Procamptek lineup of fire starters and you don't have to worry about having or making kindling every fire.

TOOLS:

Mora Bushcraft*

https://amzn.to/3unUZVo

ka-bar mule pocket knife*

https://amzn.to/2OVtfHl

work sharp EDC tool*

https://amzn.to/3bvLxXv

My go-to knife is a Mora knife every time. back-up folder is a Ka-Bar mule. Keep them sharp with the Work sharp EDC sharping tool. A solid survival knife is essential to any kit.

OTHER:

Sterno outdoors folding stove*

https://amzn.to/3qJ7oRz

UST folding stove*

https://amzn.to/3uzIDtB

Coleman camp soap sheets*

https://amzn.to/2NYAYDZ

Orion flare/smoke/whistle pack

https://amzn.to/3bCjcP0

Eyeskey multifunc military compass

https://amzn.to/3r1w1Jz

Survival card multitool*

https://amzn.to/31c0Z7f

M2 basics 300 p first aid kit

https://amzn.to/3aBDYgW

WILDAIR survival Paracord ( fishing line, fire starter, and sewing thread)*

https://amzn.to/319pvWn

The items listed here are good things to carry. Like the Wildair survival paracord, look at the name and think of all the possibilities you could use it for. Orion flare kit to help alert rescuers and the M2 first aid kit to patch yourself up. Eyeskey compass to find your way home and the survival card to help along the way. I've included 2 different types of folding stoves so you can pick which one you want to cook on your Stanley Adventure cup and heat up those 4patriots meals.