The Ultimate Last Minute Prepper Gift Guide

The Ultimate Last Minute Prepper Gift Guide

Still trying to find that perfect last minute gift for that prepper in your life (or yourself)?

Although prepping has become a niche part of American culture, we aren’t mainstream enough to find our favorite gear in the stores..just yet.  For now, we have to settle for surfing the web to find the best stuff to keep us alive after SHTF.  If you have a family member or friend who hails themselves as a prepper, anything on this list will make their eyes light up with joy when they find a gift from this list under the tree.  Over the past few years we’ve gotten our hands on lots of gear, we know what works and what doesn’t.  This list contains the stuff that will that  will keep you alive, make your life easier, or is just plain cool.  Some of it is inexpensive, some will set your wallet back a tremendous amount, but it all works.  When the packages arrive from the North Pole you will note the Tin Hat Ranch seal of approval, right next to the “Elvish Made” sticker.  For folks that have been around the Tin Hat Ranch for some time, lots of this is familiar, but we keep gathering steam with new folks finding us every day.  Enjoy!  

Bags The “Bug Out Bag” is synonymous with the prepper, the soul of our prepping existence.  In reality, we hope to never actually “bug out” as it would throw us into a world of unknowns, but the bag holds the tools we need to survive.  Here are a few bags that we would trust to carry us on a journey, should they be called upon, or just plain keep all of our stuff in one place in the closet, ready to go.

Drago Assault Backpack-  This smaller 37 liter pack is absolutely awesome for EDC.  Load it with the gear you need to get home and toss it in the trunk.  Inexpensive, sturdy, and lots of well thought out pockets and MOLLE webbing, this back makes you a tier 0 operator just strapping it to your back.  We’ve been using this as our EDC for a few months and it always accompanies me on gear reviews.  I love it so much I call mine “Ivan”.  Click here to check out the Drago.

Teton Sports Outfitter 4600-  You won’t find a less expensive large bag that follows the grayman philosopy than the Outfitter 4600.  If I were to actually “but out” it would be with a hiking style pack.  In fact, I did “bug out” last spring, just to prove the point.  If you haven’t seen it, check out our review of the Outfitter.  This puppy will carry everything including the kitchen sink, as long as it fits the cavernous 75 liters of space this bag offers.  This bag is very well engineered for the price. Click here to Check out the Outfitter 4600.        

GORUCK GR1-  Do you want a bag in which you can actually detonate a bomb inside?  While it is on your back?  Designed by members of the special forces this is probably THE most rugged backpack money can buy, and don’t get me wrong, it takes a LOT of money to buy one.  The upside is you can load it with bricks and have the special forces torture you in a GORUCK endurance challenge (see here).  They have a saying at GORUCK about buying a GR1, “Buy once, cry once”.  Click here to check out GORUCK        

Gregory Z65-  I’ve had this bag for years and cannot say enough about the brand or the bag.  They score almost perfect reviews wherever they are sold.  If your are an avid hiker and hiking backpack defaults as your “bug out bag”, the Gregory might be the right one for you.  It is rugged and one of the most comfortable tools available with which to carry a load, day in and out, over a long distance.  This bag isn’t the cheapest, but it will serve you with years of scenic vistas or holding all of your SHTF gear.  Click here to check out the Gregory Z65    

Shelter

For those of you familiar with the Tin Hat Ranch you will know why we list shelter next.  For those new to the Ranch, it is the rule of three’s.  Inclement weather can kill you inside of three hours if you are not properly prepared.  We love the shelter portion of any article because it is dual purpose.  While our mission is to prepare as many folks as possible, learning to use and enjoying your shelter gets you out into the great outdoors!  

Hennessy Hammock Deluxe Explorer- There is a growing segment of the hiking/camping crowd that is leaving the ground.  If you’ve ever spent the night on the forest floor you know how uncomfortable it can be.  Good news, spend a night in a Hennessy and you will never sleep on the ground again.  We could go on and on about the Hennessy, but we won’t, you can just watch what we have to say here.  For those that don’t watch, the Hennessy is basically a complete tent that hangs like a hammock.  Genius.  Click here to check out the Hennessy.  

Teton Sports Mountain Ultra 4-  When you have two or more folks you might have to spend some time on the ground or shell out some major cash to get a Hennessy for everyone in the family.  If you are like me, cash is in short supply, so tent it is!  People make major mistakes when buying tents.  Major mistakes that can often be deadly in a survival situation.  A proper tent should have a rain fly that completely covers the tent and good ventilation.  It should also be lightweight, pack small, have aluminum poles, a foot print, and be built to last.  The Mountain Ultra series is the least expensive product to check off all of the boxes.  For families of varying size the Ultra also comes in 1, 2, and 3 person configurations.  Click here to check out the Teton Sports Mountain Ultra 4

Teton Tracker +5 Degree Ultralight Sleeping Bag- No, we don’t work for nor are we endorsed by Teton Sports, I swear.  They just happen to have a great set of engineers that can design great gear and bring it to market at an affordable cost, and the Tracker is yet another example.  Once out of the weather in your shelter, the sleeping bag is there to provide a method to retain your body heat and hopefully allow you to sleep.  There are lots of bags out there that can do this, but there are two factors you need to consider, pack size and weight.  Generally speaking, the more expensive the bag, the smaller and lighter it will be for a given temperature rating.  The Tracker is 4lbs and packs small enough to fit into the Outfitter’s bag compartment.  In warmer climates, check out the Trailhead as well.  Life is not all roses at Teton, though, as far as we know the Tracker is not EN rated and we feel the +5 rating is a bit optimistic.  It will probably keep you alive at 5 degrees Farenheight, but it is truly a 20 degree bag.  Nevertheless, it will work for a vast majority of us.  Click here to check out the Teton Sports Tracker  

Kelty Cosmic Down 20-  A little more money gets you a slightly lighter sleeping bag that packs smaller.  The Cosmic Down is the least expensive down bag in existence.  This is a true 20 degree bag that weighs in at under 3lbs and packs to an amazing 8″ x 13″.  I spent much time searching for the ultimate budget down bag and many nights since.  For the money, the Kelty is a winner.  Click here to check out the Kelty Cosmic Down 20

Therm-A-Rest Trail Scout-  Even with a great bag you need to isolate yourself from the ground.  It takes a little of the pain out of the morning and insulates you from your body heat.  The same rules apply to the pad as does the sleeping bag, light and small pack size.  I’ve searched for an alternative to the Therm-A-Rest, but have yet to find one that performs as well, packs as small, and is lightweight.  The Trail Scout is a nice way to round out your sleep system.  Click here to check out the Therm-A-Rest Trail Scout      

Water

After shelter, lack of water can kill you next.  The Tin Hat Ranch has written extensively about purifying water, here is a great example.  Make sure the prepper in your life has an endless supply of clean water and understands the dynamics in purification.  There are many examples in the aforementioned article, but here are our favorites:

Renovo 3 Stage Water Purifier- If you are unsure if that water you may come accross is contaminated by chemicals, pesticides, or industrial run off, the Renovo is the right tool to keep in your bag.  It is small, light, and allows for many ways to use it, and provides over 500 man/days of water.  Click here to check out the Renovo

Lifestraw Family- Whereas the Renovo is great for “on the run”, when things settle down in SHTF you need a purification device that can handle a high volume of water.  Enter the Life Straw Family.  This water purifier can provide over 9,000 man/days of clean drinking water from a known source (again, read the article).  What puts the Family ahead of others in this price range and category is the ease of use.  It is designed to offer simple, no brainer operation.  Click here to check out the LifeStraw Family

Clawhammer Supply Still Kits- Yes, you read this correctly, a still. Distilled water can provide the cleanest water, and that is why it is in this category.  This multipurpose tool can also provide you with fuel to run tractors, tillers, and even cars.  In SHTF, everyone should have a still, when things get rough you can…nevermind.  Anyways, this is one really neat gift idea.  Click here to check out Clawhammer Supply Still Kits      

Food

Who wants bug out food for Christmas?  Yeah, we didn’t think so.  You can go with our old favorites if you wish, a 72 hour kit from Mountain House, or some of the new tasty Wise Foods, but let’s get on to the GADGETS!!!  

Communications

OK, like we said, on to the gadgets.  The aforementioned are staples, any prepper would have a grin from ear to ear to find anything above under the tree.  But if you want your significant prepper to spit his Christmas coffee all over the room, pay attention to the stuff below.  As far as communications go, the Tin Hat Ranch recommends that you become a licensed amateur radio operator, or HAM.  Why?  Because it will teach you how radio communications work.  In fact, we’ve done a lengthy series on HAM Radio (check it out here). Getting licensed is actually quite easy and will add a substantial chip to your prepper resume.

Baofeng UV-5R-  The staple of prepper radio communications.  Why?  Because it’s under $35 and does what you need it to do.  This radio will outperform ANY “walkie talkie”.  We’ve done a review of this model AND a video on how to program it.  If you purchase any radio, even if you throw it in a box for after SHTF, this is the one you want.  There are many other Handy Talkies out there that will do the job better, but none of them are this inexpensive.  Click here to check out the Baofeng  

Yaesu FT-8800R- Handy Talkies are great for local communications, but what happens if you need to keep in touch with family in SHTF when they head to town, work the fields, or are in the woods on a hunt?  You need more power (and a bigger antenna), and the Yaesu FT-8800R answers the call.  This is a great radio that has an awesome feature, cross band repeat.  This means you can have your own personal repeater in SHTF (or now for that matter).  Don’t know what I am refering to?  Check out the “check it out here” link above.  Click here to check out the Yaesu  

ICOM IC-7200 HF Transceiver-  Want to talk to the world?  While the first two choices will let you talk locally, say up to 100 miles on a really good day, with a really good antenna in a good location, you need an HF radio to talk to the world.  The Icom IC-7200 is the perfect starter radio for HF communications.  There are a handful of cheaper transceivers out there, but stay away from them.  This radio will give you some “growing room” and carries many advanced features not found in the less expensive radios.  HF communications is not cheap, but this is an amazing world that lets you get and share news with Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Asia.  Click here to check out the Icom IC-7200  

Power

Today’s world is connected via electronics, short of actually implanting devices into our bodies we are as intertwined as can be.  While we can survive without them (surprise?), my guess is that folks will try and bring as many of them as possible into SHTF.  To do so you will need power.  Any of these items would be welcomed under the prepper tree.

G-MAG Saltwater Charger- You thought we would lead with solar, didn’t you?  Solar is great, but the G-MAG will quickly charge standard batteries on demand, no sun needed.  This is a new concept in prepper power, but it works.  The operation is simple and the procedure to start the charging is under a minute.  A perfect gift for the prepper who has everything, he probably doesn’t have this.  Click here to check out the G-MAG      

Suntactics sCharger 14- OK, on to the solar! This is what I like to call the brute Cadillac of portable solar Chachargers.  High powered, rugged, and made in the US, this is the ultimate in prepper solar power.  It provides 14 genuine watts of power to your devices.  Others may make the claims, test after test (including our upcoming test) proves that the Suntactics delivers on their promise.  This one is their largest panel, but smaller versions are available.  Click here to check out the Suntactics sCharger-14      

Renogy 100 Watt Starter Kit-  Not all prepper power is portable (how’s that for alliteration?).  Fixed power means more power, and this kit from Renogy is the perfect place to get your feet wet in transforming your home into one that is off the grid.  The kit comes with a 100 watt panel, charge controller, mounting hardware, and wiring.  All you have to do is add a battery and you can light your home with efficient LED lighting.  This is a great gift for a prepper as it is expandable, will teach you about solar, and takes you another step closer to getting off the grid.  Click here to check out the Renogy Solar Kit.

Chairborne Ranger Patch-  Just checking to see if you are still paying attention.  ANY prepper with a sense of humor would love this patch.  Click here to get it.          

Our Favorite Cutting Tools

What list would leave out a couple of must have tools?  We’ve got drawers full of prepper specific tools, but these are the ones that are actually used whenever the need arises  

Schrade SCHF9-  This knife is a monster.  It’s not for intricate work.  But beat it, baton it, chop with it, and pry within reason and you will see what this knife is good at.  Don’t believe us?  Watch our review.  This is a great solid knife, one of the best from the Schrade line.  Click here to check out the Schrade SCHF9        

Kershaw Skyline-  Looking for the perfect pocket knife?  Until Chuck Norris invents his own line blades, we will have to settle for the Skyline from Kershaw.  If a knife with a great 14C28N Stainless blade and G10 handle with a very thin profile doesn’t excite, you don’t need a knife.  Seriusly, this knife is the perfect size, shape, and weight for every day carry.  Click here to check out the Kershaw Skyline.  

Leatherman Wingman- Not only is this a cutting tool, but it also servers 13 other functions, that’s why they call it a multi-tool, duh.  In the opinion of the Tin Hat Ranch, this is Leatherman’s zen balanced tool, the perfect blend of price and performance.  That’s why we keep buying new ones every time the TSA takes them away.  Click here to check out the Leatherman Wingman        

Lights

What Christmas would be complete without lights?  Forget twisted strands of burned out multi-color lights, we are talking torches here.  We’ve got three picks that would be awesome for any prepper on your list.  The great thing is we’ve found three lights that won’t break the bank, not even crack it.  You can spend a lot on a flashlight, but we’ve been beating on these three for some time and none of them will quit.  

Streamlight Microstream-  You’ve all heard the adage, make sure to bring a gun to a gun fight.   The same is true with flashlights, except the adage is much shorter; Always bring one.  That is where the Microstream shines..(crickets).  The light is barely larger than the AAA battery that powers it, yet it provides enough light to find your way in the dark and complete close in tasks.  Because it is so small you can always have it on your person.  If you want the perfect unobtrusive light for that special prepper in your life, pick up the Microstream.  Click here to check out the Microstream   

Outdoor Waterproof Rechargeable LED Headlamp-  Yeah, that’s right, it doesn’t even have a brand name.  It is sold on Amazon by the description.  I will buy cheap stuff from time to time to see if I can find a diamond in the rough.  This is one case where you get far more than you pay for.  I’ve had mine for a year and it keeps taking abuse, never wavering.  It has an aluminum housed LED that puts out a significant amount of light, a rugged polycarbonate frame, and a substantial headband.  At less than fifteen bucks, this light should be under every tree.  Click here to check out the LED Headlamp.  

CREE LED Rechargeable Flashlight-  Meet the headlamp’s cousin.  If you prefer a stick to a headlamp, then this is the alternative.  Even less expensive than the headlamp, it is basically the same thing.  I’ve had this one just as long and she still keeps shinning.  You press the button and it lights, everytime.  Check out the CREE LED Rechargeable Flashlight        

Must Mention

Purefire Tactical Firestarter- Need to start a fire?  Look no further.  We’ve never failed to start a fire when a Purefire Tactical Firestarter is involved, even in the wet winter woods.  When compared to other firestarters in this price range, the purefire offers much much more.  They have the industry’s purest magnesium, and a very large chunk of it, as well as different configurations to meet your needs.  Click here to check out Purefire Tactical Firestarters.        

There you have it folks, the most comprehensive, exhaustive prepping gift guide on the web.  If it isn’t you can have your money back.  Seriously (again), anything on this list will bring a smile to a prepper’s face, shop with confidence, and of course, have a Merry Christmas!