As gear-centics (read: pretty much everyone who writes for, or reads, The Gear Institute), we all know that the potential list of essential items for wilderness surviving can become endless. But here we focus in three key elements of survival: shelter to protect you from the elements, a way to catch your food, and a tool that can handle everything else.
Kelty TN 2 Tent
Relatively lightweight, highly packable, lots of room, and pretty serious weather protection—pretty much everything you want in a backcountry shelter. And with a $250 MSRP, you should have enough cash left to buy additional provisions (like our pricey next pick).
Multitasker Series 3 Multitool
Our tester describes the Series 3 as a tool “built for a soldier…it’s strong and serves a purpose.” The bombproof multitool ranked a heady 97 out of 100, and comes with a full-sized knife blade, magnetic bit driver and bits, and CNC machined D2 needle-nose pliers, and tools that are purposely built for gun owners.
Orvis Superfile Glass Fly-Fishing Rod
This best-in-class fly rod boasts a shorter length, which means it works well in small streams and brushy banks, with a stiff butt section that helps work bigger fish. Better still, it casts accurately and should be perfect for any dry fly anglers. That said, its fiberglass body does mean it weighs a bit more than some of the others we tested.
—Nathan Borchelt
