What's inside AMAZON's Best Selling "Survival Kit?"

This week we’re opening up Amazon’s best Selling Survival Kit to see what folks are actually getting when they buy this thing. If I recall it cost around $42 US. I go through everything inside this cheap survival kit and give my opinion on whether or not the survival gear is useful and how it might be used in an emergency. Overall,it was mostly cheap junk whic is to be expected. Nevertheless, in a future video I’ll take it out for an overnight survival challenge and put it to use.
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[@keithfreeman7725]

Looking forward to you making a survival kit Clay.

[@WolffOutdoors]

That would be epic

[@justmee9441]

​@WolffOutdoors and pricey I'm sure. Quality components come with a good price. I will take 2😂

[@manuelwebe]

Honest and funny review. Amazing how people spent lots of money in all kind of "survival kits", when they can make one for very little money with things they already have at home. The wire saw in actually useful for cutting small wood and branches. The problem is the material they used for this is very cheap and non-durable. They break off very soon after some use. The best wire saw is the one used by us (veterinarians) for dehorning livestock (also called Liz saw). It is stronger and much more durable, and it is sold with separated stainless steel handles and in rolls of several feet long, that you can cut to your needs. That thing last much longer and in a real survival situation that can really make a difference. Thanks for sharing, Clay!

[@compacteconomycar5300]

I use a saw similar to one of those but it has an actual chainsaw style blade on it that cuts both ways and you can sharpen it. I can get through a 6"tree in less than a minute with it. I think it was like $15 at bass pro and I've had it for years.

[@3passa]

@@compacteconomycar5300 those are much heavier than the wire thing, but they are the real deal!

[@kd5nrh]

I've noticed that my first aid kits tend towards three lists: If I need it, I better have it: clotting agent, gauze, some sort of disinfectant - this is the bare minimum pocket kit, and assumes a normal hiking loadout where I'll have something to improvise a tourniquet, splint, etc. as needed. Really good to have: 3-4 smaller bandages, Neosporin and hydrocortisone - in the pack. Sometimes also a tiny disposable light, just in case something has happened to the ones that are always on me or in my pack. Useful, but could get by without it: NSAIDs, more hydrocortisone, betadine, clotting spray for scrapes and such. This is usually the car kit, but might stay in the tent if it's a short hike from the car.

[@JuliaJulia007]

I agree with the others. A Clay Hayes survival kit in your merch maybe?

[@jamescooper2618]

Yes!

[@daleyfun2247]

I'd rather just have a video on how to put one together. A good kit is going to cost 500 plus dollars and you might already have several items that would come in it.

[@moodyjames7871]

That's what I was thinking. $500. The Clay Hayes kit would not be cheap.

[@curtiscrystalnelson7034]

​@@daleyfun2247Corporals Corner has videos on how to put a good one together. Clay should do a video on one as well

[@daleyfun2247]

@@curtiscrystalnelson7034 I've got one built into a backpack that's pretty well tailored to the Pacific Northwest. Another issue with just buying a kit is it won't be set up for your specific region. Best to just practice and see what works best for your area.

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

That shovel could helpful for digging a Dakota fire hole. I agree that most first aid kits are just fillers and need to be reworked ASAP. Most of the cable saws that I have used were poor at best. More fish hooks for sure! Cute multi tool, but cute doesn't usually get done. I would absolutely rework that kit before I would use it.

[@user-McGiver]

the wire saws are useless unless you string them to a branch and make a bow-saw... it's great for dead/dry wood... never for alive/fresh wood...

[@smoothtwh]

I'll be looking for your emergency kit video. Thank you!❤

[@thatotherguy338]

I usually get one or two of these for Christmas. I just dump everything out except the tactical water bottle holder, that thing actually comes in handy, and refill the pouch with better quality items or make a dedicated first aid bag for my hunting pack quick clot, tourniquet, etc.

[@Dynamice1337]

Same. Good acting practice when you get one.

[@ifyoudontfailyouarenoteven6210]

Same here. Actually, the pouches themselves are usually pretty good quality. As the old saying goes - you never have enough pouches.

[@40KoopasWereHere]

They must be trying to tell you to 'get lost', lol - jk, actually it sounds like my mom is sending you Christmas presents then. She's a huge advocate for things like the car 'Safety Bucket'.

[@DareToBeDeviant]

For years a part of me has always wanted to buy a backup first aid kit but then I'm reminded before browsing around that most med kits on the market are composed of at least 75% Band Aids. Vinyl Gloves, Plastic tweezers, some sort of non-Aspirin pain reliever, gauze, and an assortment of wet wipes. Best to assemble one accustom to our individual lifestyles. The one I built in my BSA years (c. 2003) was way better than half sold in-stores or online. Odds are good that whatever's in your cabinets right now are a better assortment of resources than what's in the pre-assembled kits.

[@sparky2057]

Build your own. It will always be higher quality and fit your needs better. My current EDC survival kit is a multi solar charger, because a phone is a useful tool, a dust mask because I'm allergic to the indoors and the outdoors, an upgraded mylar blanket, a sawyer mini with water bladder, and a tube of glucose tabs because I'm diabetic. Fits in an ankle medical kit, which balances out the trauma kit on the other leg.

[@daleyfun2247]

I would rather have a single tool, my free P4 than that entire kit. Been practicing survival with only it for about a year now and have learned the importance of having a tool I can trust.

[@ozz530]

There should be a safety pin, fishing hook video. That would be great! Thanks

[@SG-ig2th]

Thank god for that bottle opener, I’m constantly finding unopened cases of fancy beer when I’m in the woods

[@clayhayeshunter]

😜

[@clivedunning4317]

Don't laugh , SG -ig2th . Pre-covid a friend and I ventured out to a really remote Scottish bothy, miles and miles from anywhere. On arrival , the small table in the tiny emergency cabin was completely covered in rows and rows of beer bottles. We thought, some lazy B@$tards have left a pile of their empties. On closer examination, all the bottles , about four dozen , were full ! We stayed an extra night in the bothy carrying out a necessary public duty of consuming all the beer before it exceeded its best before date. Thank goodness we had a bottle opener !

[@white_isnt_a_race2338]

@@clivedunning4317 yeah, and I traveled across the sea on a small kayak all over to a secret island with dinosaur still existed, and there was a secret cabin where other people secretly existed with dinosaurs and they made a specialty batch of beer and it was amazing, and I shared it with the pterodactyl near me….

[@6610andrewc]

What’s in your survival kit?

[@user-McGiver]

ready-made kits like that are good... everybody should keep one in their vehicle/home... I would never call them ''survival kits'' and only an expert may find ''some use'' for them, but an expert will definitely have something better already... but still the idea that everybody has a little kit like that is better than nothing... I could help somebody to use this kit, without wasting anything of my own... so people go ahead... buy those things to get started, and hope to find some help...

[@RyukiTheDragonSlayerOfficialYT]

The Q-tips could be fire kindling

[@OtherThanIntendedPurpose]

the "quick clip" is a grimloc. they are very handy if your bag has molle webbing, to hang clothing items that need to dry, or lite weight items you want quick access to, such as gloves, or protective clothing. since they are practically weightless, and do not take any room inside the pack, I tend to have a couple on each of my bags, as a just in case item. not life changing, but sometimes they come in handy. those "survival cards" are 100% worthless in any real world application. if I am outside of my house, I have ( usually 2) a multi-tool, and a pocket and/or a fixed blade knife. that combination would do everything the card claims to do, and a whole lot more. I have reviewed a couple of these pre made kits, and so much in them is just filler, to raise the item count. another good use for a grimloc is to hang a paracord doughnut on the outside of your pack. this gives you a very easy access tangle free way to carry cordage. just a tip, for the bracelet ferro rod, you can pull the striker out, so you have an easier time getting it to spark. they are not my favorite, but as a back up to my back up they do work. you and I seem to have similar opinions on these pre-made kits. I have 50 years experience in the woods, and know that the gear you rely on in an emergency is not the place to skimp or to just trust someone in a factory to make the best choices for you.

[@acbigal]

I'm so glad I never wasted my money on those kits and just put one together myself. Was cool watching you review it.

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Clean ears and whistles are very important 😂

[@clayhayeshunter]

😜

[@castro3336]

Great video and content. Looking forward to seeing you put the kit to the test. Keep up the great work

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 👍

[@enochahn4817]

Favorite! 4:05 "Multi-purpose-survival-pocket tool. It's got a can opener on it........ if you happen to find some canned foods in the woods"

[@Bond.JamesBond00]

Hey Clay, I know you might not like to hear this but so many videos rn are getting a lot of views for showing not very reliable products. Which is what I think you are doing "don't waste your time with cheap clickbait gear". I watched a video on how some companies are dying that are known for reliable quality for over 100 years. That's what a product is! Not something we use once and then toss in the trash or worse elsewhere after one poor experience. I like the phrase of American quality "Buy once cry once." Edit: That conclusion killed it! 100% agree!

[@bradlafferty]

Looking forward to your quality version of a kit. Also, could you suggest some ways to make a kit that even a totally unfamiliar-with-survival techniques could use to good effect? I’m thinking of my older relatives and young high school kids out on their driving permit in cold weather. Thanks. Enjoy your vids and your clear style of presenting.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ll think about they. Probably two different videos. A car kit would be very different when a small one you could easily carry with you.

[@combatcatfish5408]

See if you can make a good kit that fits in the same bag. It would be interesting to see how you would change the same size kit to make it more useful.

[@laboi6271]

Great honest review, looking forward to seeing it in action as well as your own kit

[@fareselias6187]

Clay brother... I will be waiting like crazy for your video on your survival kit . Anyway again thanks for the eye opener and great video

[@clayhayeshunter]

Coming soon!

[@Clark42EoC]

@@clayhayeshunter hope so!

[@christiangreen612]

the kind of people who would buy this, would have no chance of actually putting any of it to use! 🤣

[@abrickfullafist]

I got a very similar medkit as a gift about five years ago and it came with that same glass breaker pen. It's become a part of my daily carry. Its oversized, Knurled, and awkward and I absolutely love it.

[@3passa]

That must have been hard to go through, considering your breath of relief when you were done 😀 That stuff may look cool on a photo, but that´s all. Weird that people buy that stuff, when it is so much fun to put together your own kit with quality items. Looking forward to yours then! Don´t know if I look forward to poor you using this amazon kit in the woods though!

[@DavidJones-ly9bh]

Thank you for making us think ..about these things ......ahead of time!

[@clayhayeshunter]

You bet!

[@6030jdr]

Love these type vids! Brings the norms into your wold

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad to hear it!

[@StevieChilds]

I have that same ax multi-tool, paid like $7. I have small hands so I can use the little ax pretty well for small tasks. I love the little double-toothed saw, it works surprisingly well, I use it more than anything else on it lol.

[@Udoo1988]

It would be really great to see what you would pack in your med kit. Great video and greetings from Germany

[@clayhayeshunter]

Noted!

[@3AlarmBushcraft]

Dont worry about Clays money. He’s good he won Alone challenge. And you can bet he already has his own personalized kit.

[@dingdang3845]

I just started watching after a few videos I noticed this one. Unless you have already, it would be cool to see a video on exactly what you would have in a survival kit for yourself and maybe where to look other than amazon

[@tomstitt7513]

Can't wait to see your kit!.

[@Mark-et8vh]

I’m so happy to have run across your channel. I’ve seen these ‘kits’, even had several students bring similar (Walmart aka: Ozark Trail) has an identical kit. I taught a combination wilderness fitness/survival class, before I got smacked (hard) by Lyme 15 years ago. I’m still dealing with it now. Anyway, on top of it, I’m recovering from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, spinal cancer. No woe is me - I’m in rough shape, but grateful to be in remission. While I was laid up in Mass General Cancer Center, I had nothing with me (was rushed there by my sister a year and a half ago). All my kit, my EDC bag (aka man purse) was back at my cabin. I tried ordering just folding knife from Amazon and they wouldn’t ship. What they would ship, however was a mini survival kit that had a folding knife in it. The kit was cheap, came in a small padded plastic pelican style case. The folding knife was actually decent, the brass compass as well, the flashlight same as yours is actually pretty great and that spoon knife whistle combination comes in handy. It also came with one of those Paracord bracelets, and that thing was handy as well, the rest of it was redundant junk. I haven’t seen the video where you put this to the test and I’m looking forward to it. Sorry for the ramble. I was just very happy to run across someone I could relate to.

[@GageEsterly-us7xm]

I was given one of these bags as a gift, would love to see how you improve it, what you'd add and why.

[@thorstenb.163]

in the last season of Europe's favorite survival show "7 vs wild" the contestants got a Nalgene plastic bottle (32oz wide mouth), a sleeping bag and bear spray. They had to fill their complete survival equipment in the bottle. It would be interesting to see what Clay would have put in.

[@ifyoudontfailyouarenoteven6210]

I had something like that for urban survival quite a few years ago. Now, I have a separate water bottle filled with (surprise) water, and the survival kit in the pouch.

[@seabhac7147]

@Dirk_Mcgurk my thoughts exactly. A kit wouldn’t do you any good if, A- you don’t know what’s in it, B- you don’t have some knowledge how to use the kit in an emergency “ knowledge weighs nothing”. That gives a false sense of security. And that situation could go south rather quickly.

[@rickryan5527]

I bought the $20 pack took half of it out and put things in it that I thought was needed for an emergency and keep it strapped to the back of my head rest in my truck. Keep up the good work man! I enjoy your videos.

[@Helleuphoria]

If you had a bag of a similar size, what would your kit be? Id be interested in a follow up video relating to this

[@mrdelaney4440]

I have an old small axe head an 4lb lump hammer for most splitting duties around camp, saves wear and tear on my standard axes. At a pinch i can make a new handle for the old axe head too.

[@beares6281]

Q-tip are very useful for fire! Especially if you don't have dry material available.

[@stevencunningham4680]

Season 8 of Alone was great , I was rooting for you all the way. I've seen a similar survival kit and I believe as you do , you're better off building your own kit from scratch. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

[@dfernando1397]

Thanks for putting out good content clay. 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@clayhayeshunter]

Any time

[@marais888]

Better than nothing, but not much better, Can't wait to see your survival kit

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

A decent blade. The essential survival tool. None of the cheap kits, and quite a few of the more costly ones don't have one.

[@completeTeresa]

I love the credit card sized multi tool. I use it to strike sparks from the ferro rod. It's pretty much useless for anything else.

[@tahoemike5828]

The whistle works, you blow it and the dog shows up. Q-tips are cotton flash tinder puffs on a stick. Just fluff it out, and even a low temp spark will flash. I also always include a tube of anti-biotic ointment, not cream, as it is 98% petroleum jelly. They go together well. The ointment is worth its weight, infection is as deadly as the weather in survival.

[@jamesmiddleton6464]

THE best use of these kits is to foster a thought exercise. What are these kits hinting at? I.e. what needs do I need to cover? Then start making your own kit bases on realistic answers. For example. I don't need 50 qtips to get the piece count up but three or four in the first aid kit could help clean a wound or get something out of my ear. A few tylenol only go so far but a Good anti-inflammatory and a couple of days worth of personal prescription meds might make all the difference. A hatchet might be useful, a saw might help make a shelter etc. The quality of most pre-made kits is just plain dangerous but they can get your mind in the right groove.

[@numberoneappgames]

It's not bad. I'm gonna watch the video with you using it. Thanks for the review.

[@mikehoward1114]

really looking forward to the survival kit tips video. all the uncertainty in the world today has prompted a lot of my friends and family to put together bugout bags, so getting some tips from someone who really knows their stuff is gunna be crucial.

[@jamescooper2618]

The problem is, people will buy this, not bother learning any skills and put themselves is precarious situations thinking they got it covered. They're going to have a very difficult and dangerous time trying to get through til rescue with this total piece of crap. I feel bad that they were suckers for this.

[@nevisstkitts8264]

15:43 it's disappointing to find that the main knife in a kit that size is a folder. IMO a kit that size could (and should) accomodate at least one fixed-blade, full-tang slim profile knife of a decent steel. The product is not a survival kit, but a survival build kit because it's not good to go. Needs batteries, more hooks, decent file, head lamp, sharpening all blades, decent saw, swap out some items with higher quality items.

[@Cyberdactyl]

I'm always surprised none of these "kits" include in the medical pouch is a Celox-type blood clotting agent.

[@Fog1k305]

I got one for Christmas. Cable saw broke, knife getting loose. The best thing in there is the fire rod. Hammer/axe multi tool is loose now and everything just flips out when you pick it up.

[@taitsmith8521]

The best survival kit is between your ears. You can always add more to your kit without adding weight.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Couldn’t have said that better!

[@Kerphelio01]

Well don't you hate it, every time you get into a surprise fire fight with a bunch of angry deer - what to do with my water bottle. This kit finally solves that. Makes it worth the price of admission right there...

[@crazycoyote1738]

Funny, I was looking at all the more expensive survival kits on Amazon, they’re all having almost the same stuff you showed.. I guess the Chinese have a strong interest in all American woodsmen perishing in the woods.. thanks for doing this video clay, there are many weekend worries that don’t know much and are counting on this kits to save their life one day.

[@paulharding1621]

Definitely looking forward to part two.

[@00Klingon]

I'm looking forward to seeing how you handle this kit in a survival style scenario. It might be interesting to see you attempt to use the gear as intended, then see how you could make the best of the gear with what you know. Ultimately, knowledge can make up for a lot of marginal gear, but I share your worries that most people who buy this kit won't have any experience in using any of this which just exacerbates an already bad situation should someone find themselves in need of relying on a kit like this.

[@sandysmith9869]

I make my own first aid kit. I purchased a Ronco Pocket Fisherman outfit to carry in my pack for fishing.

[@emarsk77]

The TACTICAL water bottle holder tells you everything you need to know about how much thought has been put into that kit.

[@SwampDonkey0504]

Definitely do a video building a kit.

[@pl4tonium110]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!! Clay Hayes (cant find the copyright button) minimalistic survival kit. 10/10 would buy :)

[@BlueGorillaInTheMist]

Hey Clay, please do a part two of "10 survival and bushcraft hacks"! (and then a part 3!)

[@jentrue]

Great content, Clay 👍

[@journeyman7189]

Most of those pre bought kits suck. I don't put much stock in a kit that doesn't have some sort of metal container that you can boil in. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Nate

[@leighrate]

The thing that worries me the most about that kit is that there is nothing to pasteurize water in. I really dont want to have to try hot rock boiling in the mylar blanket.

[@jameswhitaker1324]

Ooh! Alcohol pads! Those might work as fire extenders. Some bandaids burn pretty well, too.

[@kennithnieman9130]

I would have gladly traded Q tips for some wire or 20 more hooks or split shot or some thing. There were plenty of items that could have gone bye bye for more useful stuff great video !

[@MrGaza74]

I would consider buying a Clay Hayes Survival Kit!!

[@TrueBeliever6491]

Good info. Yes, please show us what a good survival kit looks like. subbed

[@richardsmith7539]

Looking forward to the review in practice of the mass-produced, ill-reasoned kit. Expect to hear you cussing on video. Many of my friends here in Alaska have asked me to make them survival kits for their cars, boats, etc. As you no doubt do, I build kits catering to their probable needs. There is one piece of equipment ubiquitous to all of them, however. The Cold Steel Bushman Bowie, which comes with a Kydex sheath, and a surprisingly decent ferro rod. Right now that ensemble is on sale on Midway for only $13.69, I believe. A really serviceable knife for the price, and accommodates batoning, being made into a spearhead, and much more. Tough piece of kit that won't break your bank.

[@darrenwolf3085]

Hi Clay, another great video, looking forward to your review and usage of that kit and one you put together yourself.

[@rfjohns1]

The first aid kit definitely is useful for small wounds, like cutting yourself with a knife etc. better the bleeding everywhere.

[@jonathanware1590]

completely off topic, have you ever considered building a yumi (Japanese bow) using bamboo?

[@FuckYT694]

Thank you for the vid clay. I always see these things and I always feel sorry for the port guy that gets this and is betting their life on it. Moral to the video: If you’re trying to keep yourself alive, DON’T SKIMP ON QUALITY. It might be more expensive but it will be more effective.

[@tiagosaraiva102]

Hey Clay, most of this kits are trash, it would be better if you show us a kit that you would put together and that would actually work when its most need it like you said. Great video!

[@spyder8602]

Clay: "I'm putting all this stuff back in the plastic.... because.... I'm gonna return this junk" 😂😂😂

[@40KoopasWereHere]

Q-tips could be used as kindling.

[@reynaldoleon4300]

Thanks for the video!!

[@ryandelaney242]

I think it important to know what not to bring aswell. Dead weight on a hiking trip is no fun

[@AYellowPepper]

So, this is 100% the invitation to make your own 50$ survival kit!

[@guadalupeskitchen3734]

That kit would be a good one for a kid to pretend they're lost, and practice some skills with. Sort of a Cub Scout "Alone" kit.

[@WoodyAndy]

Looking forward to seeing the results of your testing 👍

[@stormraven4183]

I can't wait to see your survival kit build!! As for those Q-tips...😆

[@joasama9763]

Amazing

[@johnconnelly3674]

Batteries might be in the lantern and flashlight, open and remove a plastic tab

[@pakleader4]

I bought one of the small ones just see what people are looking for in minimalist gear since everyone is so set on surviving like military!!!!😂😂🤣😜🤪🤨🧐. Most people or hikers or day hikers and carry enough gear. But everybody wants to play navy seal, or recon marines. We don’t do those things period. But building a kit for my daughter because she travels long distances to various sites. So I took the mechanics of the ap-duh-rap-tie of there did-vice and built a good kit for her to use because she lives out of state she’ll only have videos to learn from besides what I put on her Facebook wall. Knowing her mode of transportation is by highway. She has the right tools to make to a truck stop or rest area if having to foot it. But thanks for showing it 😅😂 SEMPER FI

[@2bonosc]

Would definitely hear what you have to say about a true kit. I was thinking that throughout the video - it would be great if he was the one to develop something “he”, would use. Look forward to that vid for sure

[@cliffaldrich9736]

Thanks for sharing. I Were all the items foreign made?

[@clayhayeshunter]

100%

[@davidmartin7039]

Make survival gear clay. Offer animal hunts. Sell bows. Keep hustling. Congrats on that survival channel win.

[@2phirekronic444]

Love the videos man and you rock bro ! wish you all the luck in the world if you truly plan to use that kit bro ! Hope the holidays were great ! Stay Golden !

[@MsOooooo28]

Clay you should make your own. I'm sure one of the companies would totally be into doing that

[@jonash5320]

surviving this kit in the woods is a bigger accomplishment than winning alone

[@lorinichols9996]

I often have this complaint with anything that uses cheap products or materials. How much more would it have cost them to upgrade some of those items? Five to ten dollars? I have purchased plenty of things where I have thought I would’ve happily paid a little more to have a better product. This would be especially important for survival gear!

[@charlesowens4864]

Would love a survival kit video!

[@user-ny6dv3uw5j]

Ditch everything else in the kit and keep the whistle to get the attention of someone who is actually prepared

[@the_rover1]

So, basically speaking this is a survival kit for the back yard in a summer night with no rain clouds or storm in sight. You may use the knife to cut a slice of bread for dinner and open a bag of sweets with it. 10/10 I don't know what ya'll complain about lmao🗿

[@matthewsummers3976]

Can’t wait for your kit video