Survival & Prepping Guides

Big picture kinds of stuff, if you need a good place to start — here it is!

• Best Water Storage Containers for Emergencies

  BY Eric Hung, Updated September 11, 2023

  Looking to store water for an emergency? We hands-on review the most popular water containers, purification methods, and effective water filters out there.

• Best Survival & Camping Food Brands & Kits

  BY Sean Curtis AND Allison, Updated June 24, 2025

  Want the tastiest survival and camping food? We taste-test some of the most popular MREs, emergency bars, and prepping buckets. YUM.

• Essential SHTF Gear: When The World (Almost) Ends

  BY Brandon Harville, Updated July 22, 2025

  Everyone needs a SHTF stockpile. Be it a go-bag in the closet or a shipping container in the woods. We cover everything from handguns and rifles to food, water, knives, first aid kits, and more.

• Quarantine Essentials That Aren’t Toilet Paper

  BY Allison, Updated March 20, 2020

  Shelter in place? Here's some quarantine essentials to get you through surviving on your own or with loved ones with your sanity intact. No TP required.

• Disaster Prep: Creating a Family Emergency Plan

  BY Aden Tate, Published April 3, 2021

  The key to staying alive when disaster strikes is to have a plan. So, we're walking you through the steps of creating a family emergency plan of your own!

• Best Survival & Prepping Books to Get You Prepared

  BY Allison, Updated May 7, 2025

  We help you expand your prepping and survival knowledge with a list of our go-to survival books for both hard copy and e-book readers.

• Surviveware First-Aid Kits

  BY Allison, Published March 12, 2020

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Looking for a great pre-packed first aid kit? We hands-on review the Mini, Small, and Large Surviveware kits to see which purpose each one can do for you.

• Best Portable Water Filters for Survival & Hiking

  BY Aden Tate, Updated January 25, 2025

  Water is too important. These top rated filters will help you be able to drink from less than desirable sources during hikes or survival situations.

• Surviveware Responder 72-Hour Backpack

  BY David Lane, Published December 21, 2020

  We put the Surviveware Responder 72-Hour Backpack through the wringer. Does it hold up as a Go Bag or emergency survival pack? Come find out.

• Best Gas Masks, Face Masks, Respirators, & Filters

  BY Eric Hung, Updated June 9, 2025

  Not sure what protection you need? We hands-on test the most popular (and still available) gas masks, face masks, respirators, and filters.

• Best Tourniquets & Holders [Myths, Usage, and Top Picks]

  BY Jacki Billings, Updated July 13, 2023

  Looking to build a comprehensive med kit? You'll need some tourniquets. We go over myths, how to use them, tourniquet holders, and our best picks.

• Best Reusable Cloth Face Masks

  BY Paula Li, Published August 5, 2020

  We hands-on tested the most popular reusable cloth face masks for comfort, seal, water penetration, and more. Find out which ones passed our tests.

• Best First Aid Classes: Beginner & Intermediate

  BY Jacki Billings, Updated March 20, 2024

  First aid knowledge is a valuable asset. So, to get you prepped, we put together a list of the best first aid classes for every skill level.

• Range First Aid: How To Treat Common Injuries

  BY Megan Kriss, Published January 6, 2021

  Accidents happen, but a little prep goes a long way. Read up on our tips to treat common range injuries — from slide bite to gunshot wounds.

• Best Survival Camping Food Brands and Kits

  BY Sean Curtis AND Allison, Updated June 24, 2025

  Want the tastiest survival and camping food? We taste-test some of the most popular MREs, emergency bars, and prepping buckets. YUM.

• Best Portable Water Filters for Survival & Hiking

  BY Aden Tate, Updated January 25, 2025

  Water is too important. These top rated filters will help you be able to drink from less than desirable sources during hikes or survival situations.

• Surviveware Responder 72-Hour Backpack

  BY David Lane, Published December 21, 2020

  We put the Surviveware Responder 72-Hour Backpack through the wringer. Does it hold up as a Go Bag or emergency survival pack? Come find out.

• Best Body Armor [Tested]: Hard Plates & Soft Armor

  BY Allison, Updated June 11, 2025

  Want the best body armor for your purpose and budget? We've hands-on tested the most popular options out there and cut through the misinformation.

• Henry AR-7: Takedown Survival Rifle

  BY Eric Hung, Updated June 6, 2022

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  A takedown survival gun that weighs 3.5 lbs and fits in its own buttstock? We hands-on review the Henry AR-7 for assembly, accuracy, reliability, and more.

• Bug-Out/Bug-In: Best Gifts for Preppers

  BY Allison, Updated December 3, 2024

  Have a prepper in your life who's a bit hard to shop for? No worries, we have you covered with our go-to list of great gifts for preppers.

• Dog Bug Out Bags: Best Survival Backpacks & Item List

  BY Jacki Billings AND Alice Jones Webb, Updated September 18, 2023

  Don't leave your pup unprepared in a disaster. We go over why you need a dog bug out bag, the best backpacks, and a list of the essentials to include.

• Bug Out Bag List [Ultimate Guide]

  BY David Lane, Updated June 17, 2025

  Want to know everything about bug out bags? We go over scenarios, different types, and then a deep dive into the list of essentials.

• Build a Family Bug Out Bag

  BY Aden Tate, Updated October 18, 2022

  The zombie horde creeps towards you and you need to GTFO...but you have kids. What do you do? Grab your family bug out bag, of course!

• Best Gas Masks, Face Masks, Respirators, & Filters

  BY Eric Hung, Updated June 9, 2025

  Not sure what protection you need? We hands-on test the most popular (and still available) gas masks, face masks, respirators, and filters.

• Best Reusable Cloth Face Masks

  BY Paula Li, Published August 5, 2020

  We hands-on tested the most popular reusable cloth face masks for comfort, seal, water penetration, and more. Find out which ones passed our tests.

• Cold Weather Shooting Tips For You & Your Gun

  BY Randy Bauman, Published January 31, 2019

  Know how to keep yourself and your guns ready even in the dead of winter! Here's some of our top cold weather shooting tips.

• Stockpile Food & Water for Emergencies

  BY Megan Kriss, Updated June 21, 2022

  With all this uncertainty it's good to be prepared. Learn how to stockpile food & water for survival during common emergencies.

• Best Survival Shovels & Trench Tools [Guide]

  BY Megan Kriss, Updated October 9, 2023

  From digging out your car to building a shelter, survival shovels & trench tools are handy gadgets. Come see the best models to have on hand!

• Best Urban Rifle Builds When SHTF

  BY Scott Murdock, Updated September 14, 2025

  When zombies come to your city, what rifle build are you arming yourself with? Come see our complete urban rifle builds for suggestions!

• Survive a Tornado: Tips to Stay Alive

  BY Aden Tate, Updated September 25, 2023

  If a tornado hits, are you prepared? Come see what gear we recommend before bad weather hits and what to do when a twister is at your door.

• Urban Survival: Quick Tips to Stay Alive in the City

  BY Jonathan Kilburn, Published February 20, 2021

  Live in the city? Well, you’re faced with a unique set of survival challenges. From bad guys to resources, read up on our tips to stay alive.

• Must-Have Gear for Your Car Survival Kit

  BY Travis Pike, Updated March 18, 2025

  Whether you’re prepping for disaster or just want to handle a flat, come see our list of the top supplies to stock in your car survival kit.

• Best Water Storage Containers for Emergencies

  BY Eric Hung, Updated September 11, 2023

  Looking to store water for an emergency? We hands-on review the most popular water containers, purification methods, and effective water filters out there.

• Best Survival & Camping Food Brands & Kits

  BY Sean Curtis AND Allison, Updated June 24, 2025

  Want the tastiest survival and camping food? We taste-test some of the most popular MREs, emergency bars, and prepping buckets. YUM.

• Best Portable Water Filters for Survival & Hiking

  BY Aden Tate, Updated January 25, 2025

  Water is too important. These top rated filters will help you be able to drink from less than desirable sources during hikes or survival situations.

• Stockpile Food & Water for Emergencies

  BY Megan Kriss, Updated June 21, 2022

  With all this uncertainty it's good to be prepared. Learn how to stockpile food & water for survival during common emergencies.

• Best Rocket Stoves for Survival & Prepping

  BY Aden Tate, Updated December 27, 2022

  We gathered up some of the best rocket stoves we think you should pack on your next camping, hunting, or bugging out adventure.

• Make The Best Homemade Beef Jerky

  BY Alice Jones Webb, Published February 5, 2021

  Whether you're on a budget or stockpiling for another quarantine, making your own beef jerky is a surefire way to have tasty snacks on hand.

• Best Survival Prep Books

  BY Allison, Updated May 7, 2025

  We help you expand your prepping and survival knowledge with a list of our go-to survival books for both hard copy and e-book readers.

• How to Buy a Tank…Yes, Really!

  BY Megan Kriss, Updated February 2, 2024

  A tank isn't exactly something you can CC, but nothing says personal defense like 50 tons of armor and a literal cannon! Find out where, how, and how much to buy your first tank! Or at least have fun window shopping for one.

• Best Bunkers That Money Can Buy

  BY Megan Kriss, Updated February 1, 2024

  Have an urge to ride out the next worldwide apocalyptic event in style? We've found some of the best bunkers that money can buy...and some normal ones!

• Gold & Silver for Prepping: Why, Favorites, & Storage

  BY Allison, Published April 5, 2020

  Should you add gold and silver to your prepping plan? We go over the reasons why you should and shouldn't, our favorite coins, and how to store them!

• Best Survival & SHTF Movies (& Lessons Learned)

  BY Travis Pike, Published March 13, 2021

  While we love a good movie around here, we also appreciate flicks that teach us a little something about survival. These 8 films do just that.

• Best Prepping & Survival Websites: Stay Alive

  BY Megan Kriss, Updated March 12, 2025

  Whether you're brand-new or been around the block, you're sure to find at least one website survival site on our list that can help you out.