Back in October, we featured an article that compiled a list of all the knives used on each and every episode of the television show Dual Survival. That article has since been the single most popular article published on this blog. Needless to say, it seems that viewers of survival television shows like learning exactly what’s being used on the survival TV shows they watch, which is why we decided to make a similar list of survival gear used for the viewers of Naked and Afraid. We’ll continue to do this for more survival television shows and movies in the future, so stay tuned if you like these compilations.
By way of introduction…
- Knives/machetes were by far the most frequently chosen survival gear on Naked & Afraid
- Fire starters were the second most frequently chosen survival gear items
- Tied in third were pots and goggles for survival gear chosen on Naked & Afraid
Naked and Afraid: Survival Gear Used in Season 1
| Episode Number | Episode Name | Date First Aired | Survival Gear Chosen by Man |
Survival Gear Chosen by Woman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1, Episode 1 | The Jungle Curse | June 23, 2013 | Shane Lewis Orange UST Strike Force Fire Starter |
Kim Shelton Gerber’s Gator Machete Junior with Nylon Sheath |
| Season 1, Episode 2 | Terror in Tanzania | June 30, 2013 | EJ Snyder Ka-Bar Black Tanto Knife |
Kellie Nightlinger Generic Cup/Pot (similar to GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Bottle Cup/Pot) |
| Season 1, Episode 3 | Island From Hell | July 7, 2013 | Jonathan Klay Coleman Camp Axe |
Alison Teal Ultimate Survival Technologies BlastMatch Fire Starter |
| Season 1, Episode 4 | Punishment in Panama | July 14, 2013 | Clint Jivoin Generic Swimming Goggles (example) |
Laura Zerra Kershaw Outcast Bush Knife (discontinued; good alternative: Kershaw Camp 10) |
| Season 1, Episode 5 | Breaking Borneo | July 21, 2013 | Puma Cabra Custom Knife (similar to Condor Pack Golok Knife) |
Julie Wright Generic Camping Pot (example) |
| Season 1, Episode 6 | Beware the Bayou | July 28, 2013 | Billy Berger Custom Knife (similar to Buck Ranger Skinner Hunting Knife) |
Ky Furneauxr Ultimate Survival Technologies BlastMatch All Weather Firestarter |
| Season 1, Episode 7 | Bares All | August 3, 2013 | N/A | N/A |
| Season 1, Episode 8 | Double Jeopardy | December 8, 2013 | Forrest Galante Generic Diving Goggles (example)Russell Sage Coleman Magnesium Fire Starter |
Cassie DePecol Gerber’s Gator Machete Junior with Nylon SheathManu Toigo Ontario 6145 18″ Military Machete Knife |
| Season 1, Episode 9 | Bares All | December 14, 2013 | N/A | N/A |
Naked and Afraid: Survival Gear Used in Season 2
| Episode Number |
Episode Name |
Date First Aired |
Survival Gear Chosen by Man |
Survival Gear Chosen by Woman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 2, Episode 1 |
Man Vs. Amazon |
March 16, 2014 |
Tyler Steinle Ka-Bar Kukri KnifeEJ Snyder Large green fire steel (alternative: Light My Fire 12,000 Strike Firesteel) |
Amanda “AK” Kaye Ultimate Survival Technologies BlastMatch All Weather FirestarterLaura Zerra Diving Sparrow Knife Works Macho/Mako Shark Custom Knife |
| Season 2, Episode 2 |
Damned in Africa |
March 23, 2014 |
Jeff Zausch Ultimate Survival Technologies Blastmatch Fire Starter |
Eva Rupert Colonial Knife Corp Defiant Bushcraft Knife (Similar to: Bark River STS-5 Green Canvas Micarta Knife) |
| Season 2, Episode 3 |
Paradise Lost |
March 30, 2014 |
Keith Busch Gerber Gator Machete |
Alana Barfield Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 12,000 Strike Fire Starter |
| Season 2, Episode 4 |
Mayan Misery |
April 6, 2014 |
Cass Magnesium Fire Starter |
Shannon Thomas Tops Knives T010 Tom Brown Tracker Knife |
| Season 2, Episode 5 |
The Pain Forest |
April 13, 2014 |
Fernando Calderon Condor Tool & Knife Bushcraft Parang Machete |
Samantha Pearson Ultimate Survival Technologies Blastmatch Fire Starter |
| Season 2, Episode 6 |
Meltdown in Bolivia |
April 20, 2014 |
Vincent Pinto Firemaking Kit (comprising of 2 sticks and a container for them) |
Sabrina Mergenthaler Estwing E24A Sportsman’s Hatchet |
| Season 2, Episode 7 |
Bares All: Starvation, Snakes and Strife |
April 27, 2014 |
N/A | N/A |
Naked and Afraid: Survival Gear Used in Season 3
| Episode Number |
Episode Name |
Date First Aired |
Survival Gear Chosen by Man |
Survival Gear Chosen by Woman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 3, Episode 1 |
New Season Exposed |
June 22, 2014 | N/A | N/A |
| Season 3, Episode 2 |
Primal Fear | June 29, 2014 | Luke McLaughlin Tomahawk (very similar to Cold Steel Frontier Hawk) |
Lindsey Leitelt GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Bottle Cup/Pot |
| Season 3, Episode 3 |
Blood in the Water |
July 6, 2014 | Justin Bullard Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 12,000 Strike Fire Starter |
Dani Julien Condor Tool and Knife 18-Inch Black El Salvador Machete |
| Season 3, Episode 4 |
Hearts of Darkness |
July 13, 2014 | Tom Touw Magnesium Fire Starter |
Carrie Booze Gerber Gator Machete Jr. |
| Season 3, Episode 5 |
Jungle Love | July 20, 2014 | Adam Young Condor Tool & Knife Bushcraft Parang Machete |
Jaclyn McCaffrey Ultimate Survival Technologies Strike Force Fire Starter |
| Season 3, Episode 6 |
Argentina Impossible |
July 27, 2014 | Tom Mcelroy Condor Tool and Knife 14-Inch Golok Machete |
Lisa Coray Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 12,000 Strike Fire Starter (Black) |
| Season 3, Episode 7 |
Playing With Fire |
August 3, 2014 | Chris Fischer Tops Knives Hawke’s Hellion Survival Knife |
Corinne Kohlen Stainless steel pot (similar to Open Country Aluminum Covered Kettle) |
| Season 3, Episode 8 |
Himalayan Hell |
August 17, 2014 |
Hakim Isler TENGU ONO (Forest Demon Axe) |
Phaedra Brothers Orange UST Strike Force Fire Starter |
| Season 3, Episode 9 |
Nicaragua Nightmare |
September 7, 2014 |
Joshua Bell Duck Brand Blue Duct Tape |
Amanda Leigh Pro Tool Industries 145 Woodman’s Pal Long Reach Fixed Blade Knife |
| Season 3, Episode 10 |
Botswana Breakdown |
September 14, 2014 |
Michael Jefferson Elk Ridge Machete ER-279L |
Ashley Burns Ultimate Survival Technologies Blastmatch Fire Starter |
| Season 3, Episode 11 |
Dunes of Despair |
September 21, 2014 |
Matt Strutzel Self-Made Kukri Knife |
Honora Bowen Glass Lens Hand Held Magnifier |
Naked and Afraid: Survival Gear Used in Season 4
| Episode Number |
Episode Name |
Date First Aired |
Survival Gear Chosen by Man |
Survival Gear Chosen by Woman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 4, Episode 1 |
Alligator Alley | April 19, 2015 |
Ryan Holt Ka-Bar Kukri Knife |
Amber Hargrove Orange UST Strike Force Fire Starter |
| Season 4, Episode 2 |
Rumble in the Jungle |
April 26, 2015 |
Steve Hansen Gerber’s Gator Machete Junior with Nylon Sheath |
Christina McQueen Ultimate Survival Technologies BlastMatch Fire Starter |
| Season 4, Episode 3 |
Mayan Sacrifice |
May 3, 2015 |
Luke Pytlik Pot similar to this one |
Alyssa Ballestero Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe |
| Season 4, Episode 4 |
Edge of Madness |
May 10, 2015 |
Zack Buck T.M. Hunt M-18 Custom Knife & Ultimate Survival Technologies BlastMatch All Weather Firestarter |
Aftten DeShazer Stainless steel pot similar to this one & Ultimate Survival Technologies BlastMatch All Weather Firestarter |
| Season 4, Episode 5 |
Fire on the Mountain |
May 17, 2015 |
Trenton Harper Begring Made Knives Green, Black & Blued Kukri, similar to: Ka-Bar Kukri |
Jennifer Cochran Aluminum pot similar to this one |
| Season 4, Episode 6 |
Lord of the Rats |
May 31, 2015 |
Darrin Reay Climbing Rope & primitive fire starter (glorified bow drill) |
Angela Mellinger Gerber Gator Machete & primitive fire starter (glorified bow drill) |
| Season 4, Episode 7 |
Colombian Conflict |
June 7, 2015 |
Charlie Frattini Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri Plus |
Danielle Beauchemin Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 2.0 with Emergency Whistle |
| Season 4, Episode 8 |
Garden of Evil |
June 21, 2015 |
Brandon Dix Machete with yellow handles (looks vintage – no idea on origins) & Magnesium Fire Starter |
Robin Barber Stainless steel pot similar to this one & Magnesium Fire Starter |
In June of 2013, Discovery Channel’s new survival TV show, Naked and Afraid made its first appearance on air. The show’s basic concept is nothing new to the survival TV show industry: take a person or two, throw them in the wilderness, then watch as they survive in the natural world with little to no gear on them.
Naked and Afraid differentiates itself from other shows in the survival industry by adding an interesting twist to the core survival show concept. Every episode of Naked and Afraid features two new survivalists, one man and one woman, who are to survive completely naked in an island wilderness alongside each other for 21 days. Each episode, the survivalists meet the stranger they are to be surviving alongside for the first time, taking with them only one bag and a single survival item of their choice to help them make it through the 21 days. With these added twists, Naked and Afraid has had attained the record for “the highest-rated survival telecast in the [Discovery Channel’s] history since June 2009”.
**Note: Unfortunately, due to busy schedules, we will no longer be updating this page with survival gear in seasons past season 4. Feel free, however, to use the comments section to continue to discuss the show and the gear used on it. Sorry about the inconvenience!
What kind of knife did Bulent have on Season 11 episode 8?
I’ve seen episodes where the survivalists made footwear out of animal hide and another where they used palm leaves. I’ve seen other episodes where they made clothes: bikinis, underwear, hats and other clothes out of the jungle provisions.
In Season 1, Breaking Borneo, Julie Wright’s camping pot is listed as “generic”. Who makes that pot and where can I find one? It doesn’t look very generic, it’s looks pretty heavy duty, with a nice shape. Not your usual billy can shape.
Wow! What kind of machete does the Marine have in season seven, episode 3-“Hangry”?
I enjoyed reading everyone’s comments! I found this site because I wanted to know why nobody brought a big container of insect repellant! I saw the same question on here but the only commenter agreed that it would be high on her list of things to bring! I saw one episode where someone had so many bug bites there was no unbitten skin left and s/he was really miserable! I suppose the contestants feel that other tools or utensils will have more value during the 21 days but if you get to bring more than one item, I sure would make one of mine a huge, non-aerosol, lightweight container of bug repellant with Deet in it!
Protein powder and a life straw…If you have food and water you have the energy to build weapons, shelters and fires using primitive methods.
Ha! I love the EJ Snyder & Abe Elias both chimed in. Sorry I’m m late to the party here, I just found this post, even though I’ve been on the MTJS mailing list for some time now. Thank you for publishing this list, Elise!
I’m sure they forbid any items that could act as clothing since it would almost certainly defeat the whole “naked” part of the show.
Elise, making fire with a magnifying glass requires good dry tinder, of course, but also absolutely no clouds between the sun & the glass — conditions I’d guess you don’t get too often.
Are they allowed to use their sacks there are given for purposes other than carrying things?
I’ve thought it would make an alright filter at best.
I was wondering the same thing?? Fish trap, cordage??
Legit I don’t know! It would come in handy for a slew of things, but it feels like they never use them. I wish they’d publicize more about the items on this show.
Is there a hidden rule against contestants making footwear. Many environments have a need but it never seems to happen. Would duct tape be allowed as a survival item?
I have no idea. I’ve kind of given up on them doing much on this show. Maybe the contestants they get just don’t understand how to make their life easier for those 21 days…
Ej Snyder and Partner made a couple pairs of wood sandals in Tanzania.
I’ve seen episodes where the survivalists made footwear out of animal hide and another where they used palm leaves. I’ve seen other episodes where they made clothes: bikinis, underwear, hats and other clothes out of the jungle provisions.
Does anyone know why the firestarter is automatic now? Someone had to spark that change… pun intended. ;)
Nice pun ;).
I really don’t know why. Feels like everyone wants to know and no one’s giving any info on it lol. I guess they arbitrarily decided to switch things up? Or a couple people asked and they made it happen? Those are my best guesses. Pure stipulation, though!
I guess they can bring 3 items now. In the latest episode, they had pot, machete and firestarter.
Are you talking about the Louisiana episode (Billy and Ky)? Ky found a pot. I think someone also found a pot in one of the African episodes.
No, I think he meant in Season 4, Episode 4 they also had a fire starter in addition to their own individual items. (Zack and Aftten)
Elise is right. I was watching episodes from previous seasons. I did notice in one episode from the latest season that the narrator stated, “in addition to a firestarter, [Dick] and [Jane]were each allowed to bring one survival tool”.
Just to clarify something on Season 2 episode 1 in the Amazon Laura Zera was not carrying a Kershaw product she was carrying a custom knife made by Diving Sparrow Knife Works called the Mako.
Sorry it took a while to get this fix up, but thanks for pointing it out and for getting the product page up for me to link to!
Why does no one take a huge bottle of non aerosol insect repellent?! Bugs are an issue no matter where a person goes on earth, that would be my item if I were to be on the show.
That would definitely be high on my list of priorities, too, tbh. Bug bites are no fun.
That would increase their comfort, but not their survivability. If they are even allowed to bring such an item. It’s not a primitive item, after all. But suppose you did, what would be the second item? A knife, a firestarter or a pot are all essential items. I’d hate to be without one of those, much only having bug spray and one item.
What about a water filter? Dehydration seems to be a serious problem on N&A and a lot of the participants have become ill possibly due to drinking contaminated water. I do think the final selection of survival gear depends heavily on location and climate so there will never be an ideal tool or tools.
Definitely a water filter would come in handy.
Big roll of heavy-duty tin foil…make a vessel for boiling water, shelter, shoes, cooking, lures, fire protection, ground cover…
Yeah, for sure. It’d come in handy for so much.
If only one item is allowed, my thought is only a three items (edged tool, fire-starter or pot) ranks up there. Wondering why haven’t any of the paired contestants chosen the same item, given a 1 in 3 shot of rolling doubles?
Definitely agree.
In terms of why none of the contestants chose the same items – I have to assume that the contestants are told what the other will bring, as that problem has never arisen, not even once.
I’m sure there are rules as to what to bring, too, because I’ve never seen a person carry the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife + Sheath, even though that would be technically one item and it would definitely be the best piece of gear they could carry on the show, as it has a whistle, fire starter, knife sharpener, hammer, and is obviously also a knife as well.
Naked & Afraid seems to have chosen to keep the rules about the items hush hush, so no way of telling what exactly the contestants are told about what to bring. Would be interesting to find out, though.
Funny, I was looking at the Bear Grylls knife last night and was thinking the same thing. Yeah, the particpants are probably told what their counterparts are bringing but I do recall someone asking what the other brought, though probably just making small talk. You’d have to admit it would make for an entertaining episode if they brought the same item, “What, you brought a knife too!?”.
It really would be funny – especially if they both ended up with pots/cups. Oh man… “No firesteel AND no knife?!” Brutal.
I agree on the Bear Grills knife with the sheath, fire rod, and sharpener as being technically a one item choice as it is designed that way…and after all…they have let them use other knives that came with a sheath so how could they deny this knife and sheath with it’s built in sharpener and ferrel rod ? One thing really surprises me…why hasn’t anyone brought a canvas tarp ? These people are naked and are totally exposed to the elements and freeze to near hypothermic levels at night…even in the jungle…not to mention being fully exposed to millions of blood hungry Mosquitos, spiders, biting ants, poisonous snakes, gators, and any other vermin that forages for food in the night…leaf shelters and fire obviously do not stop this onslaught and I believe a heavy canvas tarp would…also you could make a tepee out of. It and easily build a fire inside it…and if the tarp was big enough you could easily fold up the outside ends and catch rain water to drink…excess material could easily make moccasins and other clothing for sun protection…the list of uses is as big as your mind will let it be…
Well I definitely have to agree with all you’ve said there! But maybe they won’t let you bring “clothes” onto the show, and that kind of item would be seen as a “cheat” as it could so easily be used to make clothes out of? All that to say, not quite sure why the lack of canvas blankets/tarps either.
I’ve always found it funny how not one person chose to bring an emergency/mylar thermal blanket either. Those things are worth their weight in gold when you’re trying to stay warm, and pretty much everybody who goes on the show practically freezes to death. Either those who go on the show don’t watch enough previous episodes to get a good understanding of the fact that they’ll likely be freezing their asses off, or there’s something odd going on about the item restrictions. No way to find out, though, as they do seem to be keeping the info there hush hush for some reason.
I agree Elise… the whole reason I found this post was because I was wondering why no one ever brings some sort of blanket or tarp. Fire is difficult but preferable because you can cook/sterilize things but ultimately it seems a blanket or tarp would solve a HUGE chunk of the problems while trying to attain fire & water. Especially since staying warm with a fire is seldom guaranteed compared to a blanket and keeping the fire going (especially during rain) does not keep you dry or warm – just wide awake! Sorry, palm leaves don’t seem to be a good blanket. Did I mention mosquitoes?!?!?!?! A blanket would help a lot potentially.
Yeah exactly! Not sure what the deal is there. I feel like there have to be some kind of rules/regulations or else a blanket is just a dead obvious good call. But Discovery doesn’t seem to want to give away the “secrets” in relation to what items can and can’t be brought on the show, so we probably won’t ever understand what’s up with no blankets.
I know someone who is going to be on the show in 2015. If I get a chance to ask him if they have certain criteria for what you can choose to bring, I’ll let you guys know.
Thanks! Sounds good!
“Well, you actually get to take 4 items each. The producer then picks one for each if you. I’m thinking machete, my Gerber tactical knife, a firestarter and a pot.” This is what he said about the process of gear selection.
Thanks for this!
I’ve never watched Naked & Afraid. VH1 now has a program called Naked Dating. I miss Man Woman Wild. Do you think that Les Stroud may have “Jumped the Shark” by searching for bigfoot.
I actually still need to watch all of the Les Stroud shows! I’ve been waiting for a good time to start watching them cause I feel like as soon as I start, I won’t want to stop. I’m really behind on my survival TV.
I like the Machete with the saw blade back i grind and sharpen the tip of mine in the shape of an arrow head . for fire a Manifying glass also good for cooking ants ;-) !!
Making fire with a magnifying glass is a lot harder than it looks! I definitely can’t do that yet.
I think you’re fudging on Kellie Nightlinger’s pot. It seemed a good deal more durable than a “generic cup/pot.” To me it looked like very heavy duty stainless put with a “u”-shaped handle. It looked so durable it could double as a club.
Now a reporter who is a Spyderco knife fan should be able to do better than that.
Hi Roger. First, thanks for your comment, feedback from our readers is always appreciated. Not being a cup/pot expert, I was not able to identify the brand/model of the pot that Kellie Nightlinger used, and out of the many stainless cup/pots I looked through on Amazon, I linked to the one I thought resembled Kellie’s pot the closest. If you have any suggestions in regards to what the pot in question is, then by all means please let me know and I’d be happy to change the information above.
Hi gang,
Just saw this list and link. Had no idea it existed, nice job. Kellie s pot was nice, we both wis he’d it was bigger. It was a good and durable pot, but not good for a club. My knife is correct, but the pommel broke off and the handle broke, due to my brute force on it. Caused me to quest for the perfect survival blade. I’ve tested many since.
As far as my Fire Starter on the Amazon. It’s a Purefire Tactical Fire Starter, Survival Model. http://www.purefiretactical.com and is the highest mil grade magnesium 99.95 you can get, starts fire in the wettest conditions and it is hand crafted by my good friend Boby Linn. Chx it out.
Glad to help out here. Thx for being fans of the show and Survival Types.
EJ Sends
Also gang,
As far as items, yes you bring four and number in order top item to fourth and why. Then all items are looked at by Producers and a few others and the best chance to succeed based on that is determined, however, if you bring and odd or off beat item, careful as it may just show up.
My list for Survival is always the same:
1. Fixed Blade and it needs to handle many tasks. A blade is a must for building, crafting, hunting, and protection.
2. Fire Starter and I suggest magnesium as it always helps to have some help with getting fire going especially in wet conditions.
3. Cooking Pot and I like the Coleman Coffee Pot as it boils water quick with not alot of evap. You can cook in it, it can carry water, and it has inner items for other uses.
4. Is where I list the extra items, but usually 100 feet paracord is first here, then duct tape, tarps, or heavy space blanket.
All else comes last, goggles, magniftying glass, etc.
I agree with how the main items have been blades and fire starter but be smart on what u bring, don’t bring crap or gimmicks or you will pay. Next is cooking pots. And then the rest.
Just my two cents.
EJ Sends
E.J. my man. Big fan.
Thanks for stopping by with these comments! Really clarified the item process, makes so much sense now!
If you find a survival knife you really like, stop by and let us know. Curious to see what you end up fancying.
EJ Didn’t you make or build a knife recently with TOPS? How is it working out?
I’ve seen episodes where the survivalists made footwear out of animal hide and another where they used palm leaves. I’ve seen other episodes where they made clothes: bikinis, underwear, hats and other clothes out of the jungle provisions.