Cheap. Durable. Waterproof. Doubles as water storage when you need it. Store you survival gear in one.

$18 from Nalgene

Waterproof, windproof matches in a watertight case. Add a little dryer lint or char cloth inside and you’ve got a fire starting kit.

$9 at REI

4” fixed blade knife with one of the best ferrocerium fire-starting rods we’ve used.

$75 from Korakniv

We like Lifestraw for it’s proven reliability, but this super-small alternative is perfect for a compact survival kit.

$18 from HydroBlu

Makes most water safe to drink—kills bacteria, viruses and giardia, but not effective against cryptosporidia

$10 at REI

The Swiss Army “Tinker” knife has two blades, a leather punch and sewing awl, and a can opener.

$34 from Victorinox

A genuine Swiss Army knife will last a lifetime and get near daily use. We like the Fieldmaster model; it has all the tools a Scout will need (and no corkscrew).

$52 from Victorinox

A warm insulating layer isn’t just the difference between cold and comfort—in certain conditions it can be a matter of life and death! Patagonia’s Nano Puff jacket is one of the best on the market. It’s pricey, but if it’s in your budget and your Scout is at an age where their clothes are likely to fit them for a while, a quality insulator is a worthwhile investment. For a more budget-conscious option, Uniqlo has an Ultra Light Down Jacket for around $70. That sounds too good to be true but backpacker forums actually give it good reviews.

Tip: Torrey Pine Green and Seabird Grey look great with a Scout uniform.

$239 at Patagonia

Kids love hammocks. At summer camp, some of our Scouts set up hammocks inside their platform tents. Our Scoutmaster camps in a hammock shelter whenever possible. Ultralight hammocks can be expensive (and to camp in one you’ll want an under quilt), but the Covacure Double Hammock can be found online for around $25 and is a great choice for 1st and 2nd Class Scouts.

$25 on Amazon

One of the 10 Essentials. Nalgene brand water bottles are cheap and durable. They come in a range of colors, have tethered caps that won’t get lost, measurements on the side to make cooking easy, and a wide mouth for easy filling. They can even be personalized. If your Scout is a minimalist, their Ultralite line is one of the few times an ultralight version is cheaper than the standard version.

$18 from Nalgene

Scouts know that the lake and river water we depend on while camping is unsafe to drink untreated. Normally we boil or bulk filter these natural water sources, but in an emergency a portable water filter like Lifestraw could save your life. There are several varieties to choose from. The Peak series is small, lightweight, and affordable. Make one a part of your survival kit.

$22 from Lifestraw

The importance of hydration can’t be stressed enough. The rule of thumb while hiking is ½ liter of water per hour—meaning a 32 oz. water bottle will last your Scout about 5 miles. For anything longer, adding a hydration bladder is key. These expandable bladders are suspended inside your pack and have a flexible straw that attaches to your shoulder strap. Some brands have bladders sized specifically for their packs, but by and large they are universal. CamelBak and Hydrapak are reliable choices

$35–$55 at REI

Made from lightweight microsuede, the Nomadix Bandana towel isn't your average bandana. It's a sweat absorber, sun shielder and mess cleaner upper (for long days (or weeks) outside. Bandanas have a multitude of uses, including water pre-filter, dust mask, tourniquet, trail marker, bandage, sling, sweatband, wash cloth, pot holder, signal flag, makeshift hat, towel, fire building tinder, ankle wrap, cold compress, improvised bag, and more…

$25 at REI

Though not officially one of the Ten Essentials, a reliable watch is an indispensable tool on any outing. They work after your phone runs out of juice and can be used to help calculate distance, note the time of an injury, and just generally stay on schedule. In an emergency, an analog watch can be used as a compass. Timex’s Expedition watch is a solid option—with a secure NATO-style band and water resistance to 50 meters.

$45 from Timex

Compression sacks help organize gear and keep it compact—essential for longer treks. Most Scouts are familiar with using these for sleeping bags, but they can be used for clothes as well. Keep dirty clothes separate, an emergency base layer set dry and handy, or that insulator compact and stowed away until it’s needed.

$19–$25 at REI

The right base layer can help keep a Scout dry, warm (or cool), and better smelling. Wool is by far the best choice. Silk and synthetics work too. Base layers should be close-fitting, since their job is to wick moisture and provide insulation next to the skin. Smartwool and Patagonia are top-rated but pricey brands. REI’s Midweight line is a more affordable and high-performing option.

Around $50 at REI

Yes socks. They may not be exciting, but a backpacking adventure is—and nothing will ruin that faster than cold feet or blisters. Quality wool socks will help take your Scout far. Wool is naturally moisture wicking and anti-microbial. They can be worn for days without smelling or irritating, and they’re quick-drying so you can wash them on the trail. Smartwool is one of our tried and trusted brands. Darn Tough socks live up their name and have an unbelievable lifetime warranty.

$25 at REI

The best first aid kit is one a Scout assembles themself, but for readymade kits one of our favorites is the Adventure Medical Kit .7 ultralight. It’s compact, lightweight, and waterproof. We’d recommend adding in an Ace Bandage, some electrolyte packs, and some Steri-Strips to round it out. The smaller .5 version is a solid choice too. The vintage first aid kit pictured here isn’t practical for actual outdoor use, but they make cute desk accessories for the Scout in your life and can be found on ebay.

$35 at REI

While we encourage unplugging on outings, older Scouts have the maturity and responsibility to care for things like cameras, smart watches, and other gadgets that are useful on and off the grid.

GoalZero’s Nomad 10 Portable Solar panel is hard to beat for price and function. We use one to ensure critical devices like emergency GPS always have power.—and we like that its folding design helps protect the solar cells. A weather-resistant power bank can be used on it’s own, or paired with a solar panel for unlimited recharging. Avid backpackers may prefer a slimmer, lighter weight option from BioLite.

$60 from GoalZero

Safe for tents, lightweight, and sustainable, these slim, collapsible lanterns are convenient—but not essential—upgrade to your camping experience. And they let you save your more powerful battery-powered lights for when they’re really needed.

$20 from Goal Zero

Every Scout should have and know how to use a compass. The most useful design is one with a clear baseplate and ruler. These are the easiest to use with a map, they’re slim, and they’re durable. A small button compass or one that is basically an add-on to another tool is a good backup, but just not practical for typical use.

$40 from Brunton

The right pack can be the difference between an enjoyable trek and a laborious one. Troop 333’s High Adventure Trekkers like the lightweight Osprey Atmos AG 65 for its capacity, organization, and ultra-comfortable suspension. Younger or smaller Scouts will probably do better with the The experts at REI can help you select the right pack for your size and activity. It’s best to get fitted in person, but if you know a few critical measurements they can help you out.

$315 at REI

Scouts need a way to start fire on any wilderness outing or camping trip. Waterproof, windproof matches in a watertight case are a reliable way to do that. This inexpensive set is highly-rated and includes some tinder and extra strike pads (stored safely inside). Tip: fill a second, empty case with regular matches to save your pricier stormproof ones for an emergency.

$9 at REI