Freeze-Dried Food
If the hunting and fishing doesn’t go so well or if that’s not your thing, freeze-dried food is great to have around. One of our favorites is Mountain House. The company offers a wide variety of food including over 20 entrees. The list includes everything from beef stew to seafood chowder. You just open the entrée’s pouch, pour in boiling water, and zip it shut. When the contents are hot you can simply eat them directly from the pouch. Best of all, most have at least a seven-year shelf life.
Contact: 800/547-0244, www.mtnhse.com
Multi-tool
Like a toolbox in your pocket, a multi-tool is an item that you definitely need after an apocalypse. The Leatherman Surge is 21 tools in one, including needle-nose and regular pliers, wire cutters, electrical crimper, 420HC serrated and regular knives, scissors, wood/metal file, large and small bit driver, can opener, and even a bottle opener for the end of the day.
Contact: 800/847-8665, www.leatherman.com
Camp Stove
Good luck finding petroleum fuel for your camp stove after the apocalypse. This is where the unique BioLite CampStove comes in. Why? Well, this small, light stove doesn’t use liquid fuel; it’s powered by renewable biomass like twigs and pinecones. Quite simply, it converts heat to electricity that powers a fan to make the fire ultra-efficient. As a bonus, extra electricity can be used to charge small electronics like iPods and two-way radios via the built-in USB port.
Contact: www.biolitestove.com
Solar Charger (For Your Rig)
You may be able to use and charge your electronics using your 4x4’s electrical system, but eventually you’ll need to start the engine to charge the battery. This creates noise and uses precious fuel, both of which may be a bad idea in a post-apocalyptic environment. This is where the foldable PowerFilm solar charger comes into play. One of the options of the PowerFilm is to connect it directly to your rig’s battery and charge said battery using solar power. We installed a 60-watt panel (PowerFilm offers a wide range of panels from 5-watt on the low side to 120-watt on the high side) and charge controller (required for 60-watt and higher panels) on our Jeep JK and we love it.
Contact: 888/354-7773, www.powerfilmsolar.com
Canoe/Kayak
Even with a snorkel our 4x4s are limited in the depth of water we can traverse. So if you need to cross a river or lake or if you need to get out on ’em to fish, you’ll need some sort of watercraft. One option is the inflatable SeaEagle 370, which weighs only 32 pounds but has a weight capacity of 650 pounds. It has a polykrylar hull, I-beam construction floor, and removable inflatable seats. You can just stow it in your rig and inflate it when you need it. Best part is, zombies hate watersports so you’ll be safe on the water.
Contact: 800/748-8066, www.seaeagle.com
Tire Repair Kit
A flat tire on your rig can really ruin your day, especially if there is a roving band of lunatic zombies eyeballing you. A quick and easy way to get back on your way is a Safety Seal repair kit. We don’t go anywhere without ours. This is the Auto and Light Truck Deluxe Tire Repair Kit and it has everything you need including 60 4-inch repairs, metal T-handle insertion tool and spiral probe, lube, and lots more, all in an impact resistant carrying case.
Contact: 800/888-9021, www.safetyseal.com
Paracord
You never know when you’ll need a length of super strong military-spec paracord. From lashing together a shelter to quick repairs, paracord is a great thing to have around. Paracord bracelets are a novel, handy way to always have some of this cord at the ready. Survival Straps offers these bracelets (as well as paracord woven into everything from key chains to rifle slings) in a slew of styles. To use, you simply pull the ends of the cords that are woven into place and unravel the product one weave at a time.
Contact: 800/971- 3360, www.survivalstraps.com
Oh, and …
In addition to what we listed here you should prep for the apocalypse by having a tarp to collect rainwater and/or serve as a shelter; compass and topo maps of your area; foldable shovel; binoculars; candles; sleeping bag; fire starter tools like waterproof matches or a windproof lighter; a 12-volt air compressor (or even a manual pump) for tires and other inflatables; and a quality pair of hiking boots.