The Ultimate Urban Survival Kit & Gear
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Updated November 2026
If you live in an urban or suburban area you would face different types of situations during a disaster than those who live in the countryside.
Yet nearly every emergency kit you'll read about online looks like it's designed to help you live in the woods. If you are looking for something like that, then check out our Woodsman Outdoor Survival Kit.
Even the Bug Out Bags that are supposed to be designed for "city dwellers" completely miss the point.
You can't carry around huge knives in most cities. You'll go to jail.
You gonna bug out to Central Park and live there in a tent there? Good luck with that.
Is a Lifestraw gonna purify a puddle of water on Broadway? Nope.
We've developed a kit specifically designed to help those who live in cities, large towns, or dense suburbs. We call it the Gray Man Bag.
It's the only kit you'll find online that will actually have the tools in it you will need, and isn't filled with the stuff you don't if you live in the city or a heavy suburban area.
** BEFORE YOU BEGIN **
The first and most important step: make sure you have prepared a WUSH Bag, and that it is small enough to integrate into this larger long-term kit.
If you haven't done this yet, go read this article then come back here.
BTW If you buy anything from the links we provide on this page we might get a small percentage of the sale. For more info click here.
The Best City Bug Out Bag
This kit was built from the ground up to focus on the needs of people who live in cities, and help them deal with the harsh realities they would face during a large scale disaster event which would force them to have to evacuate.
We will walk you through each item of the kit here, why it's been included, and how to use it.
There will be some things you will need to add to this to round it out, we'll discuss those at the end.
Let's start with the pack itself:
Vertx Gamut 22L
First thing you want to make sure of is that your emergency kit doesn't draw a lot of attention to you. There will be tons of eyes out there, some of them desperate. Keeping your gear low key is a very smart idea and could save your life.
For years our pick for this build was the 5.11 COVRT18. We had ours a long time and really put it through its paces (see our full 5.11 COVRT18 Review), but 5.11 has discontinued it. Used ones still turn up on eBay.
If we were buying today, we'd get the Vertx Gamut 22L + Add to bag~$230 · 3.1 lb. Vertx built its name on packs that don't look like gear, and the Gamut is its flagship. It reads as an ordinary commuter backpack, but it has the features we consider necessary for an emergency kit:
- 22 liters: room for this kit without turning you into a turtle.
- A quick-access concealed carry compartment, which may or may not be an option for you depending where you live.
- Laptop and tablet sleeves, so it passes for a work bag.
- Hydration hose pass-throughs, stretch bottle pockets, and loop panels inside to keep small stuff organized.
- Muted colors like Slate and Cedar Brown, not just tactical black.
Our other favorite is the Maxpedition Prepared Citizen Deluxe + Add to bag~$121 · 2.7 lb. It's bigger at 32 liters and costs less. It looks like a regular book bag, it has a rear concealed carry compartment and a 15-inch laptop sleeve, and it's made of tough 1000-denier nylon.
Environmental Protection
Your first and most important consideration during a city evacuation is protecting yourself and your family from either the event itself or the others around you experiencing it.
Water, food, all that stuff is important but will be of secondary concern if the event is sudden and unexpected, ie. Godzilla deciding to Wrestlemania on your time share.
First and foremost you need to escape alive.
Collapsing buildings throw massive amounts of toxic dust into the surrounding area making breathing next to impossible.
Protect Ya Neck*
Falling debris, smoke, dust, fire, darkness: all of these are your enemies. Some basic protective gear should be included in every emergency kit.
3M P100 Particulate Respirator
There is likely to be all kinds of crap in the air if there is a fire or collapsed buildings or what have you. These masks will filter out a lot of bad stuff. They won't protect you from smoke or chemical attack so keep your expectations correct, but they are a must have item.
To read more about Respirators and Gas Masks, read this article.
Pyramex Ridgeline Cap Style Hard Hat
Typical Price: $30
You're in a city, right? All kinds of things are above you at all times and stuff is just waiting to fall on your unexpecting head. You need noggin protection the same way construction people do. This one is low-key and doesn't scream "helmet." You could also go with a bike, skateboard, or even motorcycle helmet. Anything to protect your head.
3M GoggleGear 500 Anti-Fog Safety Goggles
Typical Price: $20
Your eyes are prone to getting bits of debris in them, which could cause serious damage. Protect them at all costs, you'll need them at some point, right? Goggles seal out dust in a way safety glasses can't, and these have an anti-fog coating so they stay clear when you're breathing hard behind a respirator.
Pyramex Gloves
Typical Price: $20
When things are dicey you'll need to protect your hands. You might need to do some demo work with your FUBAR (below) or grab hold of sharp things. Don't be one of the helpless wounded. Get a pair of heavy-duty gloves, not those cheapo ones for gardening (although they are better than nothing if that's all you have access to.)
Shemagh
Typical Price: $13
After you put on your mask and goggles, wrap your head, neck and face with a shemagh. This will add an extra layer of protection. Put the helmet on top. If that makes the helmet loose then just wrap it around your neck and face.
Snugpak Patrol Poncho
Typical Price: $90
Getting wet during an emergency is not just uncomfortable but could turn dangerous if you are exposed to cold as well. Umbrellas are great but they tie up your hands. Keep yourself and your pack dry with a good and durable poncho, not a flimsy one.
Extra Stuff / Addons
iEvac Certified Smoke Hood/Fire Mask
Typical Price: $250
Evacuating a building fire could be very difficult, especially if you are on a high floor. This hood also protects against toxic gases such as carbon monoxide (the number one cause of death and injury in a fire), smoke, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, sulfur dioxide, tear gas and more.
If you spend time in high rises, fire evacuation should be something you think about. Make a plan and have a backup.
You could always add a Pandemic Protection kit if such things worry you. Not a bad idea if you live in a crowded area.
Add a full blown CBRN Gas Mask to the list if you want to, but they can be expensive. The Avon C50 masks use the 40mm NATO filters, which are easier to come by and are compatible with other masks. They show up on eBay well under retail from time to time. Make a saved search for them and keep an eye out.
You can pick up new or lightly used Avon M50 masks from eBay with all the accessories for well under retail. They use proprietary filters but are high end masks you can trust your life on. Not a bad option if you want the best but need to save a couple of bucks.
To read more about Respirators and Gas Masks, read this article.
See and Be Seen
A power outage in the city can be terrifying. Especially if it is large scale with an unprepared populace using their cellphones as flashlights.
It probably won't be a bad idea to be highly visible during certain types of events. Especially when you need assistance.
BioLite AlpenGlow 500 Rechargeable Lantern
Typical Price: $80
The Streamlight Siege X we used to recommend here is gone. For a city blackout we'd now carry the AlpenGlow 500. It puts out up to 500 lumens of warm or cool white light, runs about 200 hours on its lowest setting, and has a candle-flicker mode that's a lot easier on everyone in a dark shelter. The best part: it doubles as a power bank, with a USB port that will top up your phone.
Hi-Viz Safety Vest
Typical Price: $7
If you can't see so great then it stands to reason other folks can't see either. Stand out to those who might offer help with a super-bright reflective vest. Also good for keeping tabs on family members, try to get all of the same type. Yes, you will look like a Disney tour group but who cares, be safe.
Lightsticks
Typical Price: $17
Not just for raves, lightsticks can give you enough light to see by, and also to be seen. A good, cheap, always available backup option. Snap one to mark a stairwell, or a door you've already checked.
Gettin' the Hell Outta There
This might not be for everybody, but it is certainly something to think about: the Stanley FatMax FUBAR can do a lot of things for you.
Stanley FatMax FUBAR Utility Bar
Typical Price: $26
It slices, it dices, it can:
- Bust through walls, doors, windows
- Turn off gas lines so nothing blows up
- Open fire hydrants (not for fun kids)
- Pry open stuff you want open
- Hammer things that need hammering
- It doesn't "look" like a weapon but you could...
- Clobber someone (zombies?) to smithereens
It is heavy, but not impossibly so. Just heavy enough to do the job.
You could easily carry it all day if you had to. Don't worry, the adrenaline will help. There is a carabiner hole in the handle so you can attach a strap to it if you really wanted to.
The other thing we like is that it could pass as a tool, which it is really, but could suddenly be menacing if need be. We are not condoning anything other than self defense, which could very well be necessary in a world gone bad scenario. Put the odds in your favor.
SABRE Red Compact Pepper Spray
Typical Price: $8
In many cities carrying self-defense weapons is a big-time no-no. Your best course of action is to avoid confrontation at all costs. However there are some options available to you. Pepper spray puts distance between you and a problem without anybody getting cut, and it's legal in all 50 states. Some states and cities limit the size or strength, or where you can buy it, so check your local rules first.
(We used to recommend a plastic kerambit here. That listing is gone, and pepper spray is the better tool for most people anyway.)
Survival Gear
Although you won't be bugging out to the wilderness somewhere, some classic survival items are still a good idea to have with you.
ESEE Mini Survival Kit in Tin
Typical Price: $60
Carry an entire survival kit in a tiny package. The ESEE pocket kit we used to list is hard to find now, so we'd go with its little brother: a tin that fits in a cargo pocket and holds a ferro rod and striker, tinder tabs, a signal mirror, a button compass, a fishing kit, snare wire, cordage, a folding razor blade and a small light.
$60Amazon + Add to bag~$60 · 4.8 oz
My Medic MyFak First Aid Kit
Typical Price: $115
One of our favorite first aid kits of all time. Really well put together and a very well made product. Save time and money, get the right kit the first time. Two versions available, Basic and Premium. Go for the Premium, it's worth the upgrade.
Read our full MyMedic MyFAK review here.
$115My Medic$115Amazon $115Add To Bag
UCO Stormproof Match Kit with Waterproof Case
Typical Price: $9
Being able to start a fire is elemental. You might need to do so for one reason or another. Having matches that will work while wet or in the wind is great to have.
Paracord Planet 550 Paracord
Typical Price: $12
Cordage is always useful and a must have item, whether it's hanging tarps or making a clothesline. Plain 550 paracord does the job: it's strong, light, and the inner strands pull out when you need thread or fishing line. The FireCord with a fire-starting strand we used to recommend is gone, and you likely won't need to be making fires in a city anyway.
Carrying Water
Sawyer Mini Water Filter
Typical Price: $29
Although water tends to be plentiful in urban environments from the ubiquitous plumbing systems, and commercially available sources, it doesn't hurt to carry a filter as a backup should you find yourself having to resort to less than ideal sources. For the ultimate in purification, get a Berkey System, but for something light and portable the Sawyer Mini is hard to beat. It weighs next to nothing and screws onto a standard water bottle or the pouch it comes with. It filters out bacteria and protozoa, but not viruses or chemicals, so if you're filling up from a questionable source in the city, treat that water with purification tablets too.
Platypus Big Zip Water Reservoir
Typical Price: $50
Before you run out of the house, or when you have access to clean water, keep this bladder filled. It gives you a day or two's worth of water that you can drink on the run. When not in use it weighs almost nothing and packs small.
Mealtime
Your normal food routine could face some serious disruptions during a widespread emergency event. You'll need backup food with you to keep your energy level up. You should carry ready to eat foods rather than those that require preparation, that way you can eat on the move if need be. Also access to fire/heat to boil water to reconstitute freeze-dried foods could be difficult or time-consuming.
We'll make a few suggestions below, but think about what works best for you and your dietary needs and tastes. Head to the supermarket and see what you can find. There are ready to eat tuna packets that are a good option, look for other items like that.
Meals Ready To Eat (MRE's)
Typical Price: $24
The military solution to eating on the run are called MRE's. They have their pros and cons but at the end of the day they are better than being hungry. Many different options to choose from. Not a bad option when you have the time to sit and eat.
Clif Energy Bars
Typical Price: $17
Really tasty, stores for a long time, easy to eat while moving. These are our favorites. Lots of calories and protein.
Instant Coffee Packets
Typical Price: $18
Don't dismiss having instant hot beverages with you. If you are a coffee drinker you will be thankful to have your spirits lifted with a warm cup of joe. Just don't forget to carry some sugar packets and non-dairy creamer if that's how you take it.
Vargo Titanium Spoon/Fork/Knife Set
Typical Price: $30
It doesn't hurt to have these as backups. Tools to feed yourself are important. Titanium is super lightweight and durable.
TOAKS Titanium 550ml Pot / Cup
Typical Price: $30
If you do have the chance to heat up some water, or someone offers you some food or a drink, having your own cup / pot might make your day or better, keep you fed.
Get Some Sleep
With luck you'll have a well stocked shelter to rest in after your ordeals, but if you don't you really don't want to sleep on the floor somewhere with nothing at all to make you more comfortable. These items might make a brutal situation a little more bearable.
Emergency Mylar Blankets (4-Pack)
Typical Price: $13
They pack extremely small and light, and an emergency blanket will be a thankful addition to your kit if you are stuck outside in the cold. With a four-pack there's one for everybody.
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
Typical Price: $38
Pillows help you sleep, right? Then bring a small one with you! This one blows up in a few breaths and packs down small.
Conair Eye Mask & Earplug Set
Typical Price: $10
Say you are stuck in a shelter, surrounded by strangers who are all on different sleep schedules. Maybe some of them snore. Maybe you have to sleep during the day. Give yourself a chance to actually relax with earplugs and a mask.
Staying Human
Sea to Summit Pocket Body Wash (3-Pack)
Typical Price: $21
Don't smell like that homeless guy that just walked past you in the bathroom at the Port Authority. Keep yourself cleaned up and your morale will be much better (so will the morale of those around you as well!)
Rainleaf Microfiber Quick-Dry Towel
Typical Price: $17
With luck hot showers are available to you. Even if they aren't, toiletries might be tough to come by. Do you want to have to share a towel with a stranger? Um, no thanks. Then bring your own.
Rounding It Out
We said we'd come back to what you'll need to add. This kit is about getting out of a city in one piece; it doesn't replace the basics every bag needs. Make sure you also have:
- Your WUSH Bag, tucked inside this one.
- Water and food for at least 72 hours (see our Bug Out Bag guide).
- Any medications you take, and copies of your ID and important documents.
- Some cash in small bills. Card readers and ATMs go down with the power.
- A way to charge your phone, and a paper map of your city with more than one way out.
Build it in the Bug Out Bag Builder: answer five quick questions with "Big city" picked, and the city gear from this article goes straight into your bag. Or pick a bag and add things yourself.
*Shout-out to the Wu.
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