Best 72 Hour Kit? My Top Ten Emergency Survival Kits of 2024

Choosing the best premade emergency kit is not an easy task these days as there are so many more options than there were just a few years ago. This guide will help you quickly find the best one for your situation, and where to buy it at the lowest available price.

This is my personal review of the ten best emergency kits of 2024, and for beginners to prepping I’ll also explain exactly what a 72-hour emergency kit is, why you must have one, the various types, and the most critical factors to consider when making such an important purchase for you or your family. 

My Top Ten 72Hr Emergency Kits Reviewed

As a survival and preparedness expert, I have seen my fair share of people’s ‘go bags’ and such. These vary from ‘a few items thrown in the trunk’ to a suitcase looking like something from a James Bond movie! I routinely emphasize the need for portability in your preparedness plans, and when it comes to a 3-day emergency kit, portability is an even bigger deal. 

If you can’t literally just run to a cupboard and grab ‘n’ go, you’re really not prepared. You should expect to have around 10-30 seconds to get what you need if something catastrophic happens. The best 72 hour kit in the world is only useful if it’s instantly accessible to you. 

I’ve personally handled most of the kits reviewed below, the others have been handled by colleagues or friends of mine (who know their stuff) and I have included their findings where relevant. I will list the contents and then follow up with my personal thoughts on each one’s merits, qualities, and of course weaknesses. I will also give my view on the ‘bang for buck’ factor, since value for money is what it’s all about and we can’t all afford the absolute ‘best’ of everything.

(Please note these are not listed in rank order, but I will give you my personal preferences of course. I chose these ten to try and cover a good spread of the various options for all types of people, budgets, scenarios and environments.)

1. Best Budget 1 Person Kit: Ready America 70180

This is a small and very low-priced kit but for a little over 30 bucks I think it punches well above its weight.

It comes with a fabric case of sufficient quality to do its job and hold the items included in the pack, but obviously it’s not a super hard-wearing professional grade backpack.

You can’t expect the finest quality materials at this price level, but when survival is the name of the game all you need is function and this budget emergency kit has a lot going for it.

Price:

$30 to $40

Current best price – $30.41

Amazon

What you get:

• Lightstick (12 hr)
• Blanket
• Whistle
• Back-pack
• Communication Plan/Contacts
• 2400 Calorie Food Bar(5 years Shelf Life)
• First Aid Kit (18 piece) – 3 x Antiseptic Cleansing Wipes, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, 2 x Ibuprofen Tablets, Butterfly Bandage, 5 x Medium Bandages, 5 x Junior Bandages and a First Aid Guide
• 6 x 4.25 oz Water Pouches Each (5 year shelf life)
• Pocket Tissue Pack
• 2 x Nitrile Gloves
• Disposable Dust Mask
• Poncho

My Thoughts:

After carefully inspecting the contents I’m pleased with the quality and contents included.

The rucksack seems durable enough with nicely padded shoulder straps for comfort. It’s compact and doesn’t have a lot of spare room, but you could squeeze in a few small personal additions. 

The six pouches of purified water have a 5 year shelf life and taste fine to me (not that I have the palate of a wine connoisseur!) The medical supplies cover all the basics – various bandages, antibiotic cream, ibuprofen, aspirin, butterfly wound closure and a paper guide to medical basics.

The blanket, lightstick, and whistle are handy for signaling and other safety stuff. I would add a small roll of trash bags which for some reason aren’t included. I always want some of those, so many uses.

When it comes to food there’s only one (2400 calorie) food bar. That said, remember this product is about cheap and lightweight survival, so even though I’d like more than that, it would keep most people alive just fine, even hungry monsters like me! 🙂

Pros:

• Compact, portable size
• Sturdy, durable carry pack
• Ample water and food for 3 days
• Useful safety/signaling items included

Cons: 

• Could use more calories/protein per day for an adult
• Medical kit is quite basic
• No tools, utensils, or stove included
• Only one light source (lightstick)

My Rating

(4.5 out of 5)

My Verdict:

Overall, this kit provides all the essentials for surviving several days without access to utilities or supply stores. The contents seem thoughtfully chosen and more robust than you have a right to expect for the price!

For around $35 I think this is an excellent starter 72hr emergency kit that covers the core necessities. With a few personal additions and upgrades, it offers good short-term preparedness. The compact size makes it easy to store in a closet or car trunk for that fateful day when you may need it. 

I can definitely recommend this 3 day kit to anyone on a tight budget that prevents them spending more. It’s small and cheap but it does comply with the preparedness essentials recommended by the American Red Cross. Overall there’s good bang for your buck here.

2. Ultimate 1 Person Kit: SEVENTY2 Survival System

This has to be one of the most talked-about survival packs in existence. And not just because it was featured on Shark Tank in 2017 (but that obviously helps!)

This is the most complete one man 72 hour kit you’ll find. It comes with everything you can think of, and more that you probably wouldn’t!

It’s all skilfully packed into an incredibly comfortable and lightweight 32 liter pack, and it has been raved about by thousands of preppers for a long time now, many of them having tested it in real-world survival scenarios.

This really is the ultimate premade 1 person bug out bag, and yet it still comes in at just 11lbs of carry weight.

It’s a 1 person kit, but the same high quality and attention to detail can be bought with provisions for 2 people by opting for the SEVENTY2 PRO model instead. I’ll review the standard 1 person model here.

Price:

$300-$350

Best price: $299 direct from manufacturer – UnchartedSupply

What You Get:

• Mylar Survival Tent
• Hat
• Multi-tool
• Emergency Rations
• Air Filtration Mask
• Sunscreen
• Goggles
• Heat Pack
• Flashlight
• Gloves
• First Aid Kit
• Convertible Shovel/Pickaxe
• 3-in-1 Radio
• Magnesium Alloy Fire Starter
• Nalgene Water Bottle
• Splint
• Paracord
• Space Blanket
• Duct Tape
• Sawyer Mini Water Filter
• Stormproof Matches
• Anti-bacterial Wipes
• Chem Lights
• The SEVENTY2 Insert

My Thoughts:

This disaster readiness kit oozes quality of workmanship and extreme thoughtfulness in its design. It’s so well thought out with water bottle on the outside for easy access, but not much other loose material making it easy to traverse difficult terrain or wooded environments.

The food and drink pouches easily provide enough calories and hydration for 3 days, with the Sawyer Mini filtration system giving you confidence in your drinking water if you have to source your own. 

I like that the radio and flashlight offer a hand charging (winding) function, especially when it can act as a USB phone charger too.

The medical supplies cover minor injuries but not a lot more, although it’s about as comprehensive as any other 3 day survival kit I’ve seen. The survival tent will sleep two people (cosy, but warm!) I like the addition of goggles, I have sensitive eyes and on windy hikes I can struggle with eye pain and blurred vision because my eyes water so easily. (Seems to get worse as I get older!) This fairly unique addition should be a big selling point to anyone with similar problems.

The shovel is decent and a rare find in an emergency preparedness kit these days. Having all these essentials organized so intelligently in one grab-and-go bag provides significant peace of mind, and I didn’t find any areas where quality was lacking or I felt reliability might be an issue.

Pros:

• Waterproof and durable 
• Amazingly it will float and actually hold a person above water, while keeping contents dry!
• Just 18″ x 12″ x 6″ – It’s like Mary Poppin’s briefcase!
• Market-leading design and organization
• Folding shovel is by no means an afterthought – it’s plenty strong enough for real work
• Flat pack duck tape – great idea!
• One of the only packs with room to add more personalized contents
• Chest and shoulder straps make it easy to get a perfect fit

Cons:

• Multi Tool is somewhat basic but it’s a good addition and will do the job.
• Price may not be affordable for everyone.
• Medical kit is as good as most, but for this price I’d like a few more items (butterfly stitches, tweezers…)

My Rating

(4.5 out of 5)

My Verdict:

If you’ve got the budget for it, and you really want about the best one person emergency kit money can buy, look no further.

This product does exactly what it says on the tin. It provides a very complete set of equipment necessary to survive for at least 3 days after disaster strikes.

The bag is one of the comfiest I have worn, it’s incredibly well thought out and organized into clearly printed sections. It’s also a flotation device which is very cool. 

To make it even better, I’d throw in a quality sheath knife (Mora or CRKT would be my choice) and maybe a few more first aid items, but really that’s not a criticism as no pre-made emergency kit will ever be 100% perfect for every individual buyer. But this comes closer than the competition in my opinion, much closer. Superb package giving real peace of mind.

3. Best Value 2 Person Kit: Sustain Supply Essential2

This is what I’d call a ‘lightweight’ 2 person option. It doesn’t contain an exhaustive list of every emergency essential you can think of, but it’s not meant to.

This is meant to be the lightest and most portable bare-bones emergency preparedness system, and at a very reasonable price point.

With that objective in mind, it easily hits the mark as a budget-friendly two-person package.

Price:

$100 to $150

Current Best Price – Amazon – $110

What You Get:

• Back pack
• Basic First Aid Kit
• 550lb Paracord
• Good quality sheath knife (razor sharp!)
• 2 Food pouches – 4800 calories total
• 4 Snap Lights – 5 year shelf life
• Pack of hygiene wipes
• Emergency heat retaining blanket (orange)
• Emergency whistle
• 1 liter of drinking water (in smaller packets)
• Water purifier (Sawyer Mini – up to 100,000 gallons)

My Thoughts:

The bag is pretty nice quality, definitely nicer than some other budget options I’ve worn. It’s small, but this is a smallish option all around.

The pouched water tastes fresh and the packets look durable and not easy to puncture. The water comes in lots of smaller packets which is useful so you only open what you need when you need it, small sips being best for effective rehydration anyway.

The food rations are about the tastiest I have tried and there’s enough for 2 people to get by on. Wet wipes, why don’t more survival bags contain these? They’re an essential hygiene tool in my experience, and no I am no more dirty than you are 🙂 

The most notable inclusion is the water purifier. Most offerings in this price range only throw in some purifying tablets, but this system includes a very high quality purification filter which can last for up to an incredible 100,000 gallons! I doubt you’ll be needing that much in 3 days, well not unless you brought your prepper’s jacuzzi along.

Pros:

• Quality food rations
• Very nice belt knife, dangerously sharp, just how you want it!
• Lantern is a nice touch, and surprisingly well-made
• Excellent water filtration system included

Cons:

• Could use more calories for active adults
• Limited medical supplies

My Rating

(4 out of 5)

My Verdict:

Overall I think this is a very affordable but still high quality 2-person kit for surviving 72hrs.

It provides a pretty complete selection of gear for those looking to evacuate or hunker down while waiting out the first few days when things are at their worst.

Very ‘grabbable’, great price, serious bang for buck.

4. Best Deluxe 2 Person Kit: Sustain Comfort2

I was so impressed by the previous mention (Essential2) that I had to check out the Comfort2.

This is a much more comprehensive cousin of the Essential2 for those with a few more greenbacks to spend, and it’s every bit as impressive in terms of value for money.

Price:

$200 to $280

Current Best Price – Amazon – $215

What You Get:

• Drinking water in lots of separate pouches
• Sawyer Mini water purifying filtration system (arguably the best you can get)
• 12 portions Mountainhouse dehydrated food – hot tasty food!
• Silicone bowls and eating utensils
• Hygienic wipes
• Stove/Hurricane burner (folds flat) with 2 cooking pots
• 2 whistles
• 2 survival blankets
• Lantern
• LED flashlight
• 4 Snap Lights
• First-Aid Kit
• Excellent sheath knife
• Instafire fire starter (foolproof firelighting) and ferrocerium rod

My Thoughts:

Unpacking this kit, the first thing that hits you is the quality of the rucksack.

It really is a serious bit of equipment, not just a ‘holder’ for the items inside, but something I would happily take on extended hikes in mountainous terrain.

As for the contents, I’m honestly quite blown away. It seems hard to see how any company could include such high quality items, in a high quality bag, and still make a worthwhile profit.

From the top-shelf fire-lighting gear to the lantern, water filter, great food options… this is definitely what I’d call a luxury crisis pack. 

Pros:

• Massive value for money
• No scrimping, everything down to the whistle is high quality and built-to-last
• Extremely comfy bag with plenty of adjustments possible and sensible pouches
• Excellent knife

Cons:

• May be a bit heavy for some people 
• Likely to be stolen by a friend who pops round and compares his 72hour kit with yours 😀

My Rating

(4.5 out of 5)

My Verdict:

Considering the price, I think this package offers enormous bang for your buck.

It has everything you need and probably some stuff you may not need, but will definitely enjoy having. The food options are fantastic and you even have the means not just to cook it, but to eat it too. I’m surprised there isn’t a dishwasher included! (I did check every pocket just in case 😀 )

A great product for couples who can spend the extra and want a bit more resilience and comfort.

5. Best Value 4 Person Kit: Emergency Zone Family Go Bag

This family bug out bag gets my vote for ‘best value’ for a four-person kit.

But don’t let that make you think it’s not exhaustive or complete. It sure is. In fact some might argue it’s actually got more than you’d need to survive for three days! When you read the long list of contents below, you’ll see why. 

Price:

$220 to $240

Current Best Price – Amazon– $230

What You Get:

• 4x Reflective Survival Sleeping Bags
• 1x 118 pc FirstAid Kit
• 1x Rubber Flashlight (Batteries included)
• 4x Light Sticks
• 1x Sewing Kit
• 8x Shampoo
• 1x 5mm x 50′ Rope
• 2x Red Backpacks
• 1x Feminine Pad
• 1x Playing Cards
• 1x GI Can Opener
• 4x Ponchos
• 1x Folding 1L Water Container
• 1x Comb
• 4x 3600 kcal Food Rations
• 1x 5-in-1 Survival Whistle
• 1x Weatherproof Poly Bag
• 2x Tube Tents
• 1x Toilet Paper Roll
• 1x Multitool Knife
• 1x Shaving Cream
• 4x Toothbrushes
• 1x Pencil
• 24x 4.2 oz Water Pouch
• Tourniquet
• 1x Razor
• 4x Hand Warmers
• 1x Work Gloves
• 1x Instruction Page
• 5x Chlor-Floc Water Purification Pouches 
• 2x Toothpaste
• 1x Washcloth
• 1x Weather Band AM/FM Radio (with batteries)
• 1x Emergency Preparedness Guidebook
• 4x Light Sticks
• 1x Soap Bar
• 1x Roll heavy duty tape
• Ok I confess, I’ve run out of available bullets!

My Thoughts:

Unpacking the two included red bags it quickly becomes obvious how seriously this company takes the term ‘survival’. 

I found one of the most thorough selections of survival gear I’ve ever seen in such a small package. The pouched food rations provide a substantial 3600 calories each, and the pouched water gives you more than enough hydration for several days.

Useful tools like the AM/FM radio, flashlight, light sticks, and multifunction whistle aid with communication and safety when utilities are disrupted.

The medical pack is extensive with 118 pieces inside. The sleeping bags, tube tents (2), and rainproof covers can provide ample shelter which remains easily transportable.

Hygiene items like toothbrushes, shampoo, and soap have your sanitary needs catered for, not to mention morale. And on that note, there’s a nice touch with a pack of playing cards, No Limit Hold’em anyone?!

The “Emergency Preparedness Guidebook” is a very nice touch as well, when you might be bored or restless hunkering down somewhere in your tube tent, having something to read is always a good idea. And what better subject to be reading about? 

It never ceases to amaze me how few disaster kits contain some kind of information as well as supplies! I dread to think how many people feel prepared with their ‘gear’ standing at the ready, only to later realise how knowledge is the most important thing they forgot to throw in!

All in all this is about the biggest bargain you’ll find in the pre-made go-bag space. A quick look through the Amazon reviews tells the story better than I can. People absolutely love these kits and I’m not surprised. 

Pros:

• Truly comprehensive pack
• Unbeatable value for money
• Hand warmers are surprisingly good

Cons:

• Almost tempted to say there’s too much! Shaving cream? For 3 days?!
• Some of the items are lower quality than some might want, it is value-driven after all
• I think I’d prefer a less visible color than red 

My Rating

(5 out of 5)

My Verdict:

With such a massive list of survival equipment neatly organized into such durable and surprisingly high quality bags, I am confident in saying you really don’t need to spend any more money to get a fully functional and sufficiently durable 72hour survival kit ready for when disaster strikes. 

6. Best Deluxe 4 Person Kit: Sustain Comfort4

With Sustain Supply Co. having mantras like “Comfortably Prepared” and “Designed to help you thrive – not just survive”, I had high expectations for this deluxe bug out bag.

I was not disappointed. The word “Comfort” definitely belongs in the name of this product.

I was surprised by how careful they were in choosing what to include, even more so in the obvious leaning towards quality in each of those choices. There is a good list of inclusions, and I was very impressed by the luxurious quality feel to the bag itself.

Nothing feels ‘cheap’ here.

This is far from ‘budget’ gear, it’s top notch in every way. Yet it still doesn’t leave your wallet scorched, in fact it’s a bargain in my view.

Price:

$300 – $399

Current Best Price – Amazon– $300

What You Get:

• 1 60 liter 600D premium backpack
• 24 food servings (ReadyWise)
• 4 bowls and utensils
• 4 Aqua Literz 33.8oz Emergency Water Pouches
• 4 water filtration straws
• 8 Cyalume Snap Lights
• 1 LED lantern
• 1 LED flashlight
• 1 well-stocked First Aid Kit
• 4 blankets (reflective/orange)
• 2 packs of bath wipes
• 1 portable stove
• 2 cooking pots/drinking mugs
• 1 MoraKniv Companion knife
• 1 Ferrocerium rod
• 2 InstaFire firestarters/tinder
• 2 whistles

My Thoughts:

This kit comes from a reputable and established company who focus on quality over quantity. That will suit some more than others. I like quality, but I am quite fond of quantity too 😀 

One of the strongest benefits of this package is the excellent backpack it comes in. It’s probably the most comfortable one I’ve tried, it’s also adorned with a plethora of pockets and adjusters, even a whistle.

For some this makes it a bit more complicated to use but once you get used to making constant fine adjustments, it’s much better for making it fit ‘just right’ and avoiding blisters and discomfort. This could be a big consideration for those who expect to be travelling long distances on foot.

Having worn backpacks for more hours than I care to remember, there’s nothing worse than having one that doesn’t fit perfectly, so I would always prefer one with adjusters so you can slacken it off or tighten it up as necessary, especially when you’re wet or hot and sweaty.

They now opt for “Life Straws” rather than the filtration system these bags had when they were first launched (I think in around 2017-2018). Personally I’d prefer the older Sawyer Mini approach but to be honest most people I know disagree with me, and you may well do too. The ‘life straws’ are probably easier for most people and have definite advantages if you’re short on time to take a drink from standing water or other potentially dirty water sources.

Pros:

• Supremely comfortable backpack with excellent weight distribution
• Bowls and Utensils are great things to have
• Food is actually enjoyable!
• Very nice rubberized knife

Cons:

• They have reduced the contents from a few years back when you got a lot more
• Water supply is a bit short, I’d like to see 30% more to be safe
• Stove is a bit tricky to put together for first use, but not an issue after a few practice runs
• Zippers are strong but I found one was a bit stiff, fixed with a smear of grease.

My Rating

(4.5 out of 5)

My Verdict:

This is a very complete kit and I’d be happy to rely on it in a power outage or any other prepping or disaster scenario. The fire starting equipment is high quality and reliable, as is the stove once it’s set up. I think the bag would benefit from a bit more water and a few subsistence blocks. 

For the money it’s a tough call between this and the Emergency Zone 4 person go bag, I think I’d need a coin to make that decision!

7. Best Earthquake Kit: Redfora Complete Earthquake Bag

Having lived in California, I know how important it is to be prepared for earthquakes. But tectonic plates aside, just the social issues and past riots in LA made me feel pretty uneasy without some kind of plan (and the necessary gear) to ‘bug out’ if the need arose.

Friends I have down there now say crime is reaching boiling point, one of my relatives in LA has had his car broken into four times in the past few months alone, and he’s in a ‘nice area‘!)

The Redfora Complete Earthquake Bag is right up there with the very best, and it’s geared specifically towards earthquake disaster scenarios, though it would be useful in many other sudden climactic events too.

This kit comes in various forms, not just a choice of bags but a choice of how many it needs to support, from 1 to 6 people. Redfora also offers the option of 3 days or 7 days of supplies. I will review the 1 person 3 day option here.

Price:

$130 to $200

Current Best Price – Amazon – $135

What you get:

• Various bag choices (roller case, dry bag, backpack…)
• 12 pouches of purified water
• 10 water purifying tablets
• 1 x 3600 calorie emergency food bar
• Mylar Sleeping Bag
• Hand-Crank + Solar Powered NOAA Radio/Flashlight/Phone Charger
• Safety Goggles
• Emergency Poncho
• 50 ft. Nylon Rope
• Hand / Body Warmer
• Hygiene Kit
• Waste Bag
• First-Aid Kit (With tourniquet etc)
• 3 x N95 Masks
• 30+ hour Candle
• Tube Tent
• 5-in-1 Whistle
• Sewing Kit
• Note Pad
• 12 hour Bright Stick
• Multi-Function Tool
• Pocket Tissue Pack
• Pencil
• Work Gloves

My Thoughts:

After inspecting the contents, I’m more than satisfied that this kit is built well and designed for real-world use. (And yes, I have seen some that aren’t!) This package complies with the CDC guidelines for earthquake preparedness.

The heavy canvas bag seems extremely durable for a ready-made bugging out kit. It has a large main compartment, zippered pocket and Velcro outer pockets for organization of items and to prioritize accessibility.

Despite its robustness it comes in at under 11lbs fully-loaded, making it highly portable for men, women and most older children.

The meal bar is rich in vitamins and 3600 calories would sustain an adult for the required period, probably more. The solar and hand-windable radio/flashlight is a great item to have.

The first-aid items are well thought-out. The waste bags and tube tent provide good quality sanitation and shelter. The multi-tool knife is versatile and of sufficient quality for the intended purpose.

Pros:

• Sturdy and well-designed bag 
• Ample food and water 
• Useful tools for safety and sanitation
• Radio for staying informed if power is out, batteries not included, nor needed! (It’s solar and wind-up!)
• Carefully chosen items specific for earthquake-affected people
• Value – You’d be hard-pressed to build a kit like this yourself for under $200

Cons:

• None! I would have liked a more comfortable pack with more padding, but you can’t have it all! 

My Rating

(5 out of 5)

My Verdict:

For the low price, I think this earthquake bag delivers excellent value.

The supplies are thoughtfully chosen to address core needs in a seismic emergency. Having life-critical supplies ready in one transportable bag removes the guesswork if disaster strikes, and we all know that earthquakes are about the most ‘sudden’ disaster we can prepare for, so ‘grabbability’ is a key feature and this product fits the bill perfectly.

I would strongly recommend this kit to anyone looking for an all-in-one earthquake preparedness solution, and I’d be happy to rely on it for myself and my family.

8. Best Waterproof Kit: JUDY The Mover Max Dry Bag

This is an ideal go bag for hurricanes, floods and most other natural disasters. It comes with provisions for up to 4 people for seventy-two hours.

The emphasis is on water resistance and it excels in that department. But that’s not its only plus point, far from it. 

Price:

 $150 to $200

Current Best Price – Judy Co – $146.25

What You Get:

• Hand sanitizer
• Biohazard bag
• 14x water pouches
• 1x multitool
• 4x rescue blanket
• 2x pocket tissues
• 1x quick dry towel
• 4x glow sticks
• 4x dust masks
• 7x food bars
• 4x hand warmers
• 4x poncho
• 101 piece medical supplies
• 1x duct tape mini roll
• 2x emergency whistle
• 1x gloves
• 1x hand crank radio / charger / flashlight
• 1x wet wipes

My Thoughts:

Judy has always been an impressive company. Their products have that “Apple effect” when it comes to the packaging, marketing etc. I don’t really go in for all that fluff (sorry Apple, didn’t work for me), but I do understand why so many people are drawn to their gear, and this bag in particular. And don’t think I am suggesting the presentation and marketing is any kind of criticism. It’s not. This whole package oozes top quality and thoughtfulness.

The bag is extremely tough and claims to be puncture and rip-resistant. I confess I didn’t test that as the bag isn’t mine! That said, I would bet on their statement being true, at least as far as brush and general woodland type abrasions which are the usual cause of rips in backpacks. 

The straps are cushioned and adjustable so it’s a lot more comfortable than it looks at first glance. I like the grab handle, I wish every backpack had one of those! It has a waterproof pocket for documents on the front which is another very thoughtful feature.

It’s divided into 3 parts or ‘cartridges’ inside the bag. These are for:

• Food & Water
• Warmth & Safety
• First Aid & Tools

It’s obvious that they put a lot of thought into the organization of this 72hr bag. The hand-crank radio feels good quality and works well, it even has an alarm built in.

The KN95 masks are a useful addition for earthquakes and similar disasters where dust is an issue. The gloves it comes with are apparently “triple reinforced”, I’m not sure what that means but I can confirm they feel tough and fit for some heavy work. Oh, and the multitool is one of the best I’ve used, aside from the more expensive Leatherman/Gerber options which you can’t expect to see in a pre-made emergency kit at this price point.

Pros:

• 100% waterproof drybag that feels quite at home on my back
• Food bars are tastier than most
• Price is more reasonable now. At $200+ I think it would be too expensive against the competition above.

Cons:

• A bit heavy at around 15lbs
• I’m not sure if the bag will sustain the weight for extended periods, but then long term use isn’t the objective here.
• Some say the radio doesn’t work, but ours worked well and I was impressed with the audio.

My Rating

(4.5 out of 5)

My Verdict:

This is a popular and very well-organized survival pack. I think it may suit a certain type of person, maybe those who don’t do a lot of backpacking or ‘living in the woods’.

I think it probably suits city-dwellers with its bright orange colours (useful in a disaster in built up areas) and small form factor for throwing in the closet. 

For me, and remember this is just my personal opinion, I’d opt for the kits which come in a more traditional backpack.

Yes I would be sacrificing the 100% waterproof feature, but I just use vacuum or zip lock bags to take care of that, I’d rather have the comfort of a proper pack and the benefits of pouches on the outside for accessing stuff like water bottle, multi tool etc.

That said, for many who have not yet prepped themselves for emergencies, you could do a whole lot worse than this affordable waterproof and superbly planned bug out bag.

9: Best Fireproof Kit: Prepster Fireproof Backpack

I was tempted to call this the “Best Millionaires Kit” or “The Gucci Wearers” kit, for reasons you’ll soon see! (Brace yourself!)

Full disclosure – I have not actually tested this kit in the field and looking at the price I don’t intend to any time soon! But that’s not a criticism of the price or of people who’d buy it, I just have no use for the main feature of it that makes it so costly.

That said, for those who need a kit to genuinely withstand fire damage (and there are very real scenarios where that would be a very useful benefit for some), it could be worth a look despite the frightening price tag for a one person 72-hour survival pack.

And before you turn your nose up and scroll on by, you may just want to check out the contents list below, even if only for a fascinating read! Interested in solar panels and premium Kusmi Tea to smooth your way through a grid down scenario? Read on…

Price:

 $900 – $1000

Current Best Price – preppi.co – $895

What You Get:

• LED Headlamp
• Biolite 5+ Solar Panel with integrated 2200mAh battery
• BYOS Stainless Steel Hip Flask
• All in one Preppi Hand-crank Power Supply, NOAA Weather Radio, LED Flashlight and USB jack.
• Preppi Candles
• LED combination Signal Flare, Flashlight, Flasher, Glowstick and Whistle
• Tube Tent 
• Multi-tool, equipped with pliers, sharp blades, can openers and a wood saw.
• Coast Guard approved 3-day Datrex Food Supply. Coconut shortbread bars with up to a 5 year shelf life.
• Field Notes Expedition Waterproof Notebook and Pencil
• 50 Piece First-Aid Kit: Bandages, gauze, gloves, antiseptic towelettes, antibiotic ointment, gauze, wound closures, much more.
• Malin+Goetz essential kit. Six bottles of their most popular products: Face Cleanser, Vitamin E Face Moisturizer, Bergamot Body Cleanser, Vitamin b5 Body Moisturizer, Shampoo and Conditioner
• Playing Cards
• Paracord Rope 550
• Marvis toothpaste & toothbrush
• Work Gloves
• 3-day Datrex Water Supply packs with up to a 5 year shelf life. 
• Utility bags
• Premium Dark Chocolate
• Cloth Tape
• UCO Waterproof Survival Matches
• Preppi Poncho and Space Blanket, hand warmers, whistle
• Particulate Respirator Dust Mask
• Selection of premium Kusmi Teas

My Thoughts:

This product is obviously in a class of its own, at least as far as price is concerned.

But when you analyze what you get for your money, it’s actually more bang for your buck than it looks when you just focus on the cool thousand bucks it will set you back. 

First let’s deal with the elephant in the room (the one with expensive tastes!) – This backpack really is fireproof, built to withstand crazy high temperatures up to 700F. That’s an amazing accomplishment in itself, and I think we’d all be lying if we said we wouldn’t want a pack that could be thrown in the fire for an hour and come out usable!

But when you cost out the luxury inclusions you soon see that your money isn’t going on a fancy “apple box”, or even superficial over-indulgences (ok, I am ignoring the dark chocolate 😀 ), there is a lot of extremely useful emergency equipment packed into this little fire blanket.

Pros:

• 700F heat resistance
• A very comprehensive list of survival equipment
• Ultra high quality gear inside
• Water resistant (may be useful as water tends to follow fire!)

Cons:

• Erm, oh ok, I’ll say it – Price. Duh.
• Only provides necessities for one person
• Theft risk – not something I’d be happy to leave in the trunk of my car, especially in a city

My Rating

(4 out of 5)

My Verdict:

If you need fire resistance, it’s a must buy and in that case it may be good value for money to you. But for most people looking for a cost-effective way to practically prepare themselves and their loved-ones for a disaster event, I think the other options above provide better value for money, without the obvious bragging rights that come with this one! (And the fire-protection of course)

10: Best Stay-Home Kit: Judy ‘The Safe’ (4 Person)

This is slightly different from the other offerings listed above in that it doesn’t intend to be something it isn’t, it stays put!

Price:

$200 – $300

Current Best Price – Judy.co – $162.25 

What You Get:

• Hand sanitizer
• Biohazard bag
• 14x water pouches
• 1x multitool
• 4x rescue blanket
• 2x pocket tissues
• 1x quick dry towel
• 4x glow sticks
• 4x dust masks
• 7x food bars
• 4x hand warmers
• 4x poncho
• 1x 101 piece medical pack
• 1x duct tape mini roll
• 2x emergency whistle
• 1x gloves
• 1x hand crank radio / charger / flashlight
• 1x wet wipes

My Thoughts:

This kit is extremely well thought out, not surprising considering it was designed by experts in the preparedness field. It will sustain four people for 3 days. This alone shows how much you get for your money.

They really did think of everything, from reinforced gloves (especially useful, or likely essential in urban disasters) to heavy cloth tape, biohazard bags, waterproof matches, excellent long-lasting candle, it’s got everything but the kitchen sink.

The medical kit is a strong point too as it contains a lot more than most cheaper emergency packs. The organization may be the strongest selling point, I haven’t seen something so well planned out and each category of equipment is stored in logical cartridges that are clearly labeled.

Pros:

• Expertly planned
• Waterproof box
• Nicely labelled for speedy access to the right equipment when you need it
• Nice quality container that will keep moisture and dirt/dust out, as well as mice/rats and inquisitive pets

Cons:

• Lack of portability is the obvious downside here
• Slightly expensive considering there’s no back-pack included

My Rating

(4.5 out of 5)

My Verdict:

The lack of portability seems a big deal but nobody would consider buying Judy’s ‘The Safe’ if they were looking for a portable kit. 

So for those looking for something to store at home, capable of enabling four people to survive for three days, only to be accessed in an emergency where they intend to shelter in place, this kit is a great choice and about the best you’ll find as far as premade survival kits go. 

Of course the box would easily go in the car too, so it’s not impossible to take elsewhere, it’s just not suitable (or designed) for traveling with on foot. Overall it’s a lot of bang for buck for a non-portable home emergency kit, and will radically increase the chances of survival for a small family caught in many different emergency situations.

An Honorable Mention…

Blue Coolers Blue Seventy Two

I feel a bit bad not mentioning this kit in my top ten, and I haven’t actually had one to test or even look at which is the main reason it didn’t feature above. It probably should have appeared in this list so I will mention it here in case you want to check it out yourself.

Many people have mentioned this kit to me in the past few years. From what I have been told it offers excellent value for money and is a great option for people on a really tight budget. I can’t vouch for the quality of the pack itself or the components in the kit, but I am told it’s at least as good as you’d expect for the bargain basement price.

At just forty bucks it could be a steal. Perhaps the best $40 you can spend on prepping? I don’t honestly know! But maybe you can drop a comment if you have one and think I should get one to do a full review on?

You can check out the full details here. The user reviews sure look good.

What Is A 72hr Kit and Why Do You Need One?

A 72-hour Kit is a collection of tools, food, water and other gear designed to sustain life for three days. It’s also referred to as an Emergency Kit, Disaster Kit or 3 day Survival kit. There are pre-made types (such as those reviewed on this page), and custom made or DIY kits which I teach people to build for their specific risk-profile and survival environment.

Why Focus on 72 Hours?

The emphasis on seventy-two hours is based on the general assumption that basic disaster relief and assistance from local authorities should be available within three days of a catastrophic event.

Some might say ‘Good luck with that’! But the truth is, even if there is no ‘government’ help coming after 3 days, you will at least be able to survive the initial ‘panic window’ that usually follows any sudden disaster event where, sadly, those who are not going to survive usually won’t.

Your emergency kit is your ticket to making it through that peak phase of unrest and chaos immediately after a disaster.

Your 3 day survival gear should help you and your family navigate the immediate aftermath of various types of catastrophic events such as earthquakes, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, prolonged power outages, civil unrest and more.

The kits typically include basic survival necessities like water, food, medications, first aid supplies, personal hygiene items, communications and firelighting tools, essential documents, cash, and so on.

Why you should have one

The importance of a 3 day disaster kit is based on two factors:

1. The unpredictability of disasters
2. How suddenly they can occur

When disaster strikes unexpectedly, having a carefully prepared kit immediately available (i.e. in seconds) can often be the difference between life and death. On top of that, having these needs taken care of will allow you to focus on other crucial aspects of survival, such as finding safety or food, or helping others. 

Whether you have to hit the road or need to endure difficult conditions at home until aid arrives, a well-stocked 72-hour kit can offer a good level of safety, security, and peace of mind. In our volatile world, I think we should all see it as an essential item for every household.

More importantly, as I often bang on about, you can help others if you ensure your own survival first. And that’s why I repeatedly say that I see preparedness as a social responsibility, something all good citizens should do for their fellow man and the wider community, just as much as it is about our own personal survival.

The sad truth is most people around you will be weaker or less prepared than you. How many people have ever read an article like this?

By securing your own survival, you will be able to help others when you otherwise wouldn’t.

The various types of 72-hour kit

People often fail to realise the value in choosing the correct type of kit before buying.

I know more than a few people who went diving in and grabbed a great deal on a factory bug out kit, only later realising they could have got something more suitable to their environment, situation, personal needs etc, if they’d just taken a few minutes to think about where they live and what their most likely disaster scenario actually looks like.

Are you living in a place like New Orleans where flooding is your biggest risk of disaster? Or are you in Tornado Alley? Do you live in Nevada or Alaska? What if you’re home is perched on the edge of the San Andreas Fault?

You can probably imagine the reasons why thinking about this stuff before buying is a sensible approach and if nothing else, could save you a lot of dollars in the long run.

For this reason I published an article detailing the six main types of 72 hour emergency kit, so you can get an idea of how they vary and why you might choose some over others.

Choosing the right 3 day kit for your needs

No two people are the same, and in an ideal world, no two 72hr kits would be the same.

The first step in choosing the right kit is, as already mentioned, to identify the most likely disasters in your location, whether that is floods, earthquakes, wildfires, riots, grid-down, or something else.

Then, consider the number of people in the household, including adults, children, and pets. Different survival situations call for different supplies, so even when you buy a premade kit you should still try to customize your kit to make sure you have what you’d need if the world suddenly fell apart around you.

And remember, if your most likely emergency is one type of scenario, and you prep for it, that gear will no doubt be a lifesaver in many other situations you didn’t see coming, so any type of readiness kit is much better than not having one at all.

Choosing the best 72 hour backpack for you is one of the most personal decisions you have to make, even when buying a premade survival system. You’ll be carrying it while you’re probably doing more physical exercise than you’ve done in a while, so make sure you’re comfortable in it, and always wear it for at least a few hours before deciding what you call ‘comfortable’!

It’s also important that your kit is portable and easy to access ‘in a pinch’. I have seen many people’s disaster preparedness kits and have often been shocked to see how unwieldy or difficult to handle they are. People usually go ‘overboard’ to some extent, forgetting that this stuff has to be carried and managed/protected as well. Be frugal and always think ‘could I survive without that?’. Doing so will help avoid going to extremes and possibly making your gear more of a burden than a lifesaving tool.

The keyword to keep in mind is ‘speed’, this includes how quickly you can access your 72 hour gear inside. No point having the best equipment money can buy, and needing several minutes to get stuff out when you need it.

Lastly, remember to regularly check and update the contents of your bag. Ensure the food and medications haven’t expired and that the items and gear remain useful and functional.

Some years ago my wife bought an excellent vacuum sealer, but it wasn’t long before she had to buy another one because I ‘adopted’ it! (She used a different word!)

I use it to seal up all sorts of stuff from medicines to firelighting tools and tinder, as well as beans and grains and all sorts of other items around the home. Keeping things in a vacuum can greatly extend their life, while protecting from dirt, grease, dust and oxidation. It’s definitely one of the best buys ‘we’ ever made!

I hope this page has provided you with some ideas and pre-made kits to look into. I also hope it showed you what amazing stamina I have. 😀

Oh and one final word… If you have comments, criticisms or personal recommendations of the products above, please get in touch or comment below so others can learn from your experience. Thanks

That’s all folks!

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