Picture this. You’re happily relaxing at home one day when all of a sudden you see a pack of hungry zombies approaching from the street. You may laugh now, but when you’re the only one without a go-bag, about to be eaten alive with nothing to defend yourself from the not-so-playful horde, it won’t be so funny. While it’s true that none of this may actually happen, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Plus, this list of zombie survival gear can easily double as a kit for nearly any emergency — check it out!
15 Zombie Survival Gear Essentials
Backpack
A backpack is essential for storing all of your zombie survival gear, especially while on the move. It must be sturdy enough to take a beating but comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time. A military or hiking backpack will easily do the trick.
Steel Toe Boots
Don’t go anywhere without a quality pair of steel toe boots. Any hiking or combat boots could suffice but it’s ideal to get ones that are waterproof, puncture-resistant, and Electric Hazard rated. Be prepared to face the most treacherous of conditions.
First Aid Kit
Once the zombies have set up shop, you’ll likely find yourself fighting to stay alive in the strangest of ways. A first aid kit will be essential for any non-zombie wounds. Get a compact, lightweight kit packed with things like various bandages, gauze, splints, and antiseptic.
Ultra-Filtration Water Bottle
You can’t survive without water. But what to do when there’s no accessible fresh water, and you must survive on natural resources alone? This ultra-filtration water bottle is a literal lifesaver, capable of filtering out bacteria, parasites, cysts, and viruses from 750 ml in just under 60 seconds.
Emergency Rations and Survival Tabs
You might be on your own with no other means of sustenance for days, weeks, maybe months at a time — here’s where emergency rations, or any other food with an extended shelf life, comes in. Survival tabs are also an option and have a 25-year shelf life. The tabs provide essential vitamins and minerals that will help you do your best zombie fighting.
Crossbow
Although guns are valuable in their own right, being that zombies are drawn to sound, a crossbow is the better option during an attack. Look for one that has a draw weight of around 175 pounds and a lighted scope with dual illumination (red/green) for varying conditions, guaranteeing that perfect shot.
Zombie Apocalypse Kit
Grab an apocalypse kit that provides various knives, machetes, ax, and more. Usually packaged in a type of compact carrying case, these tools transport nicely with all of your other zombie survival gear. This kit is perfect for killing zombies but will be useful in a variety of situations.
Multi-Tool
In any emergency, a multi-tool is essential. If you find yourself in need of wire cutters, pliers (needle nose and regular), a saw, a hammer, or some other tool, no worries. Plus, the cleaning rod and brush adapters are particularly useful for the inevitable assault rifle you will acquire during your apocalyptic trek.
Respirator
Pretty or not, your nose will thank you. A respirator is a great item to have on hand, especially for those wonderful times when you find yourself slicing your way through a hungry horde of zombies. It will also help combat against airborne viruses which could otherwise be deadly.
Emergency Fire Starter
Make sure to have a quality fire starter in your zombie survival gear arsenal, particularly one that is weatherproof, cold resistant, and windproof. The configuration linked above includes a compass, which will prove to be very useful during your travails through the wilderness.
Shovel
A good shovel is essential when you’re in the midst of the apocalypse. You’ll likely spend a decent amount of time burying corpses, so it’s best to invest in a quality steel shovel that won’t bend or break. Not to mention that it has multiple uses, doubling as an effective weapon and a hammer.
Flashlight
No matter what, you’re going to need a flashlight. Your best bet is a tactical LED flashlight that has separate lighting modes (for example, high, low, and strobe) and a heavy duty, water-resistant design. Although not much in the way of fighting off zombies, its brightness will indeed stun them momentarily, giving you a head start in your race to safety.
Binoculars and Night Vision Goggles
Get a pair of quality binoculars so you can easily spot the zombies before they spot you. Make sure that the pair you choose is waterproof because you never know where you’ll find yourself on a stormy night — attempting to keep all of your body parts intact, perhaps? Night vision goggles ensure that you’ll have an eye on your target even in pitch darkness.
Crowbar
The need to bust through a door in order to escape an incoming horde is a good possibility, if not inevitable. So, rather than wasting ammunition or shattering any necessary bones, a quality crowbar is a must-have for your zombie survival gear, and can also serve as a weapon in a pinch.
Gorilla Tape
You could go the duct tape route but for extreme cases like a zombie outbreak, gorilla tape is the way to go. Gorilla tape is completely weatherproof, super strong and sticky, and easy to rip by hand – in other words, an absolute necessity for your zombie survival gear.
So, as you can see, this list consists of items that are readily available to the general public. If you’d like to go the less expensive route but still be prepared, it can be done; being crafty is key. Not only is your zombie go-bag easy to put together but it’s also a vital part of helping you to stay alive during the apocalypse. Let us know what kind of zombie survival gear you already have stashed away for when it’s time to hit the road and fill us in on any other precautions you have in place!