Whether you’re working on buffing up your survival gear stockpile on a budget, or you’re just looking for some inexpensive survival stocking stuffer gifts to help celebrate the Christmas season, knowing which cheap survival gear is available and actually worth the dollars you’ll spend on it is a huge boon. If you can save a pretty penny while not taking too much of a hit to quality, there’s a good argument to be made for going for the cheaper alternative, especially in the case where you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford the full-fledged, more expensive piece of gear quite yet.
The law of diminishing returns makes it so that some of these items, especially in the $15-20 and $20-25 price range, are actually some of the best you can get for your money. We all know how amazing a good ol’ Mora survival knife can be bang-for-buck, for example. While there are many other, more expensive alternatives, it’s hard to make the case that you’re better off spending your hard-earned cash on them when you haven’t got much cash to spare and the Mora will do absolutely great.
Bahco Laplander 9-Inch Blade Folding Hand Saw – Amazon
I’ve taken the time to pull together what I think are the best value survival products currently available at the $5, $10, $15, $20, and $25 price points. While there’s plenty offered at each price range, there are quite a number of products that simply aren’t worth a second look. Many have bad reviews from people who feel they just plain don’t work out the way you’d like them to, and others, pieces of kit that don’t have many reviews racked up quite yet, look like they’re likely to be shoddy at best when it comes to performance.
As a result, I’ve tried to weigh into consideration personal experience, especially with regards to brand, as well as the number of product reviews a specific survival gear item has and the overall rating those reviews resulted in. My general line of thought is pretty obvious – if a piece of gear gets a large number of reviews, and has a high rating (4 stars and above), it’s probably safe to say that it’s good value for the money; and if I know and trust the brand, it’s more likely to be better quality (considering past experience with items I’ve purchased from the same brand), than no-name brands and those that are virtually unrecognizable because they make one-off products.
In terms of cheap survival gear shopping by brand, Mora (as I’ve mentioned before) is quite a good one for survival knives, Ultimate Survival Technologies (usually abbreviated “UST”) is often quite good at very cheap items and gadgets to pack your survival kits with, S.O.L. (otherwise known as “Survive Outdoors Longer”) is also quite good at very cheap survival items and gadgets for your kits, and UCO Gear seems to be quite good at cheap survival matches, candles, and other similar items. Every once in a while you’ll catch a very cheap and affordable product from an otherwise mid-range or expensive brand – such as Leatherman, Gerber Gear, Coleman, Fenix, etc. These are great deals, as while these pieces of kit are obviously not as good quality as the brand’s more expensive gear, they are usually better bang-for-buck in the price range and really over-deliver when you compare them to the no-name or cheaper-brand gear that’s at the same price point.
I really wouldn’t advise buying a survival knife from a brand you don’t recognize as being good and popular in the industry – even if it has a zillion and one positive reviews on Amazon. You’re much better off sticking to cheaper alternatives from known brands, or as I’ve mentioned twice now, sticking to getting a Mora. The survival knives I’ve listed below in this article are all cheap and quite good, the Bahco 2444 Carpenter, the Mora Companion, and the Hultafors Heavy Duty GK (which we’ve reviewed here). So if you’re really gunning for a cheap and affordable survival knife, I highly recommend you get one of these instead of, say, this cheap-as-hell survival knife that’s managed to rack up quite a large number of positive reviews, likely from people who have barely even used the product. It’s not hard to make a knife look like it would work well and not break and dull in bad situations, it’s not easy to make a knife that cheaply that will last under hard use (which is exactly what you’re going to be needing that knife for if you are serious about wanting it for survival).
An item in particular I’d like to draw attention to so it doesn’t get drowned out in this long list – the Bahco Laplander Folding Hand Saw (pictured above). This thing is killer value, has replaceable blades, works absolutely gloriously.. When Thomas and I bought it to test out for a review, we expected it to work, but not as well as it really does. Check out our review of it here if you’re interested in learning what Thomas had to say about the Laplander.
One last disclaimer – prices of items do change from time to time, and so while these were all in the right price point categories when I originally created this article, I know that likely won’t be true for long. If there’s an item you really want for a specific price, and you happen to see it listed for that price, you may want to put it in your cart for your next checkout. I’ve seen items fluctuate quite a bit over the months, even as much as $1 or $2 on an originally $5 item, so I apologize in advance if that happens to some of the ones I’ve chosen. Check back and hopefully the retailers switch the price back down to what I originally saw.
From what I’ve seen, the best value products can be had at the under $15, under $20, and under $25 price points. If you manage to snag some great deals at anything $10 or less, you’re really lucky, since these items do often bounce back up over $15 or get sold out pretty quickly.
Anyway, disclaimers out of the way, now it’s time to get to the good stuff!
Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel Mini – Amazon
Opinel No8 Carbon Pocket Knife – Amazon
Best Cheap Survival Gear Under $5
- CRKT Eat’N Tool – Black Oxide, CLAM Pack 9100KC
- Adventure Medical Kits Sol Slim Rescue Howler Whistle, 2 Count
- UCO 9+ Hour Candles for Candle Lanterns (3.5 Inch)
- Coleman 2000003267 Insect Head Net, 10 x 24-Inch
- UST Ultimate Survival Technologies Survival Bandana, Orange
- P-38 Can Opener and P-51 Can Opener
- Rothco Survival Tent
- Zippo Waxed Tinder Sticks 8 Pack
- Adventure Medical Kits SOL Emergency Blanket (1-Person)
- UST Ultimate Survival Technology 5-in-1 Tool
- Survival Waterproof Cigarette Flint Lighter Silver – Mini Peanut Capsule Outdoor Oil Lighter – Fire Starter Key Chain Lighter
- Leegoal Commando Wire Saw Bulk, Ideal For Survival Kits
- 5pcs Magnesium Fire Starter Flint Stone Lighter Kit Black
- SE MT908-1 11-Function Survival Pocket Tool
- Pac-Kit 21-770 Disposable Thermometer (Box of 10)
- Lyons Blue Emergency Survival Whistle
- Krazy Glue KG48448MR Instant Crazy Glue Advanced Formula Gel 0.14-Ounce
Best Cheap Survival Gear Under $10
- SE EB122OR Emergency Sleeping Bag with Drawstring Carrying Bag
- Ultimate Survival Technologies WetFire Tinder Tube of 8 Cubes
- The American Red Cross Blackout Buddy H2O water-activated, emergency light, ARCBBH2010W-SNG
- iOSAT Potassium Iodide Tablets, 130 mg (14 Tablets)
- Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets (Pack of 10)
- Sabre 3-in-1 Pepper Spray
- SAS Survival Guide 2E (Collins Gem)
- UCO Stormproof Matches, Waterproof and Windproof with 15 Second Burn Time – 25 Matches
- Survival Fishing Kit – Compact Kit For Campers/Hikers (10 Pieces)
- CHENBO Portable Collapsible Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove Butane Propane Burner for Gas Canisters
- UST Wet Fire Tinder, Pack of 5
- SE FS374 Magnesium Fire Starter
- Nexcare Waterproof Clear Bandage Assorted Sizes, 50 Count Package
- SE CC4580 Military Lensatic Sighting Compass with Pouch
- 115 Hour Plus Emergency Candle Clear Mist
- Gerber Artifact Keychain Tool
- Sure-Pak MRE Full Meal Kit with Heater-Single Meal (Meal May Vary)
- Ultimate Survival Technologies StarFlash Signal Mirror
- The Friendly Swede Single Camping Bed Mosquito Net
- Lansky PS-MED01 BladeMedic
- Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets
- UST Ultimate Survival Technologies JetScream Whistle
- Lighting Ever Led Headlamp, 18 White Led And 2 Red Led, 4 Brightness Level Choice
- Esbit 1300 Degree Smokeless Solid Fuel Cubes for Backpacking
Best Cheap Survival Gear Under $15
- Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife with Sandvik Stainless Steel Blade, 4.1-Inch
- 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive
- Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 2.0 Army 12,000 Strike Fire Starter with Emergency Whistle
- Rothco Canvas Map Case
- Opinel No 8 Carbon Pocket Knife
- Gerber Splice Pocket Tool
- Bahco 2444 Carpenter Mora Multi Purpose Knife
- Anker PowerCore+ mini (Premium Lipstick-Sized 3350mAh Power Bank) 3rd Generation External Battery with High Quality Panasonic Battery Cell
- Esbit Ultralight Folding Pocket Stove with Six 14g Solid Fuel Tablets
- ER Emergency Ration 3600+ Calorie, 5-Year Emergency Food Bar for Survival Kits and Disaster Preparedness
- Hultafors 380020 Heavy Duty Knife GK Green Handle with Sheath
- Pro Force Camcon Shemagh
- Grabber All Weather Blanket
- Fenix E01 Compact LED Flashlight – 1 x AAA Battery
- MPOWERD Luci Inflatable Solar Lantern
- OliCamp Space Saver Cup
- Outop Picnic Camping Hiking Backpacking Pot Pan Cookware
- survivalTOUGH- Survival Pocket Chain Saw with Pouch in 24-Inch, 36-Inch, or 48-Inch
Best Cheap Survival Gear Under $20
- Gerber Dime Multi-Tool
- Texsport Reinforced Rip-Stop Polyethylene Tarp (Camouflage, 10 x 12-Feet)
- LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
- Anker Astro E1 5200mAh Ultra Compact Portable Charger and External Battery Power Bank with PowerIQ Technology
- Suunto A-10 Field Compass
- Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System
- AmazonBasics AA High-Capacity Rechargeable Batteries (8-Pack) Pre-charged
- OuterEQ 8pcs Lightweight Outdoor Camping Hiking Cookware Backpacking Cooking Picnic Bowl Pot Pan Set
- J.CROW’S® Lugol’s Iodine Solution(2 oz.) Twin Pack(2 bot.)
- 3M Vetbond® Tissue Adhesive, 3ml Bottles
- QuikClot Advanced Clotting Sponge, 1.75 oz (50g)
- Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Bottle with Stainless Loop Cap
- Nitecore D2 smart Charger 2015 version with LCD display For Li-ion
- SABRE RED Pepper Spray – Police Strength – Home & Away Protection Kit
Best Cheap Survival Gear Under $25
- iRonsnow Solar Hand Crank Self Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with LED Flashlight + 1000mAh Emergency Power Bank
- Anker 2nd Gen Astro E3 Ultra Compact 10000mAh Portable Charger External Battery Power Bank with PowerIQ Technology
- Rothco Hw Canvas Classic Messenger Bag
- Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier [22-01471]
- Fiskars Consumer Prod 78506935 14-Inch Hatchet
- Deluxe Butane Burner Stove with Free Case
- Plusinno® Telescopic Fishing Rod Retractable Fishing Pole Rods Saltwater Travel Spinning Fishing Rods Poles
- Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw, 9-Inch Blade, 7 TPI
- Rebel Tactical Military Issue Combat Application Tourniquet CAT
- Silva Guide 426 Compass
- DuoDERM Extra Thin CGF Dressing – 4 x 4″ – Box of 10
- 115 Hour Plus Emergency Candles, Clear Mist – SET OF 3 Long-Burning Survival Candles
- Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stoves with Piezo Ignition
- Charles River Apparel Pacific Poncho
- Solar Charger, Solar Power Bank 10000mAh with Phone Dock & Flashlight Function ; Shockproof Rain-proof Dual USB Solar Panel
- Leatherman Style CS Multi-tool
Hultafors Craftmans Heavy-Duty GK Knife – Amazon
Want More Survival Gear Deals & Discounts?
Still looking for high-quality survival gear at great budget prices? Always on the lookout for deals & discounts to take advantage of?
Find current sales on knives, camping, & outdoor products offered by outdoor retailers like Cabella’s, REI, and Patagonia, on our massive list of outdoor retailers’ sale, deal, & clearance pages! All the best outdoor gear discount pages to visit linked to on one page.
Bookmark that article and check back often if you’re interested in always knowing when there’s a great product discount on survival gear being offered.
Have You Bought Any Cheap Survival Gear?
Was it great or did it not arrive looking and performing like you would’ve liked?
Tell us about the cheap survival kit you’ve bought in the comments below and let us know what your greatest affordable buys have been thus far. You can obviously get some really great deals during sale season (usually Black Friday and Cyber Monday are amazing), so have you snatched any dirt cheap gear up then?
Ever buy something in a dollar store that worked perfectly as really great, cheap survival gear? Is there anything that I missed on Amazon that should be up here because of its high performance at low cost?
Let me know!
got my first kay-bar knife in1968 have been using it ever since you can:t go wrong with a ka-bar.
Damn straight.
I stuff a bunch of cotton balls soaked in Vaseline preferably or hand sanitizer in tiny little ziploc baggies to start fire’s even in the rain.
And they take up very little room.
Just a tip ?
I found this weird little “ax” quite handy…
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32338353450.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.61634b5b0pgzU0&algo_pvid=45890ede-5a09-4e2d-be83-29ccb705b962&algo_expid=45890ede-5a09-4e2d-be83-29ccb705b962-0&btsid=f4336e70-3294-4eda-9ced-9596883693f3&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2,searchweb201603_55
You can catch my evaluation over on my blog at: https://moosenutfalls.wordpress.com/2017/12/17/campton-ax/
An artist metal hand pencil sharpener is good for making tinder…..under $2.00. If you are okay with plastics a package of 10 at Dollar Tree weighs nothing and could be broken up between family members.
Great recommendation Beth! Thanks for sharing.
And for lighting those shavings I keep several torch lighters. The type you squeeze to light a welding torch with. https://www.amazon.com/Welding-Torch-Striker-Lighter-Soldering/dp/B000OVPAUU. Note that you can buy them cheaper in a hardware store. A couple of these and a spare five pack of flints cost usually under 10 bucks and will keep providing you, your children and your grandchildren with fire. Waterproof, sturdy, light, cheap and simple. The box directs all the sparks down into your tinder.
SURVIVAL TIP ; REDUNDANCY! …REDUNDANCY! …REDUNDANCY! …especially being exceptionally proficient and efficient with fire-making tools !!!
Redundancy isn’t the sexiest advice but its never going to fail you. Thanks for dropping by mate, much appreciated.
Cheap Stuff – Harbor Freight sells loud, tiny aluminum whistles for a whopping 88 cents and a magnesium fire starter bar for $2.88. Hard to beat! If you don’t mind the size, harbor freight also sells LED oval shaped flashlights (a little bigger than Palm of hand size, kind of like an oval hockey puck) for $3.50. It’s a great light for the price. I used it during a hurricane during a pitch black, total power outage.
I bought some P-51s, but found they didn’t do nearly as well as I expected. The best knife can-opener I’ve found is on my Official Boy Scout knife (now some 60+ years old)–the curvature of the blade works very well, and the handle gives the leverage I need..
For an all purpose fixed blade knife , I like the Cold Steel Canadian belt knife . I prefer the handle and blade shape over that of the Mora . I have had a very similar knife for many years and it has always given excellent service .
Thanks for sharing! The Cold Steel Canadian Belt Knife looks amazing, we really need to try it out! Thanks for the tip :)
Great info. This comment is about the crank radio mentioned in your under $25 list. That version of the iRonsnow crank radio has a proprietary(?) connector and adapter cable.
Check out the 2017 iRonsnow with microUSB port.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W9HLKX3/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=311YV3ZV2EH2L&coliid=I3RRW2WC6AH4UR&psc=1
Thanks
Thanks for pointing this out! Updated the article to list the one you mentioned instead.
This is an awesome list, thank you! As a suggestion, take a look at the Atactical A-1 flashlight powered by an USB rechargeable 18650 battery ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NBKWBU8?th=1 ) .. The build quality on this is amazing as is the performance, considering you can pick one up for 20$ US and the upgraded brighter version is only 10$ more.
Never heard of this brand before, thanks for the recommendation.
Cheap DIY firestarter sticks get a waxed fruit cardboard box cut into finger sized strips store in ziploc bag Bingo! These things will start a fire real quick.
You’re so right. I think I’ve seen those things in action in YouTube videos – excellent survival DIY!
Cree Ultra fire flashlights on amazon. Around $5 very bright, sturdy, belt clasp, telescopes in an out for wide and intense beams of light. Runs on one AA battery, which makes it simple and economical to replace. Awesome!
Oh yes, that’s right! Can’t believe I forgot to add these to the list. Great suggestion!!
Hi Elise,
Love the site and the article, just thought I’d let you know that the Rothco Canvas Map Case is linked wrong. Here’s the correct link.
http://www.amazon.com/Rothco-Canvas-Case-Shoulder-Olive/dp/B0001VNCJ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1459539797&sr=1-1&keywords=Rothco+Map+case
Thanks for putting this list together!
-Tom
What a save! Thank you for mentioning the mistake and am off to fix it now!
the Map case looks great. Except I use Molle vest and I try and use bags that have a Molle web connection system. Then I can add different bags depending on which outdoor activity I do.
I probably could covert it to Molle webbing.
Molle is a pretty great system, and definitely could convert it, I would think. Thanks for stopping by!
Good article, thanks, I will re-read it soon for inspiration…
While I have a good camping pot in my main BOB, I have started assembling a low price (and low weight) backup BOB, I have a suggestion for a cheap/light cooking pot:
a simple 8 x 8 inch ‘one time use’ aluminum cake mould, these weigh nothing, cost less than $ 3.00 for a set of 4, can be used as a semi-rigid fire reflector and are square so they waste less space. They will not survive intense cooking/frying but to boil water to make it safe or to prepare noodles or rice or heat water for instant soup, these are a great ‘bang for the buck’ solution and they stack up so you can have. 2 or more with little/no space penalty…
Oh that’s clever! I will definitely remember this – sounds perfect also for lightweight bug out bag options. Would work perfectly there as well as here – for the cheap/budget gear.
Thanks so much for the tip!
I picked up a Light My Fire Mora knife with the firesteel integrated in the handle for $25 at Canadian Tire. Great little knife!
I’ve been meaning to test that thing out – it looks like such a bargain. How you liking it, Peter?
Good post. Though I prefer any of the Mora carbon blades above stainless for survival type situations. Sharpening a carbon steel blade is much easier, but it is a matter of opinion and ability to sharpen a knife. I live for discount equipment. I don’t maintain a Bug Out bag, only a Get Home bag, but I love adding new gadgets to it.
Definitely perks with regards to sharpening carbon steel, but I’m not a fan of the rusting. To each his own, though! As long as you know what you’re getting into you – it’s all good ;).
I feel you on the living for discount equipment and loving to always add new gadgets – this stuff is so much fun, even if you do have most things covered. It’s like Christmas any day of the year ;).
Wow! Amazing article Elise! This must have taken a LOT of work to dig up all these deals! Very much appreciated! I’m going to have to look at some of this stuff! I hate to say it too, but I’m also curious about that $6 master cutlery knife you didn’t recommend at the beginning of the article! LOL. >.>
Thanks, Dan! Yeah it took ages. And, lol! Well at least I warned you! :)