Looking to make a Bug Out Bag or an Emergency Kit for your loved ones this Christmas?

We've put together a basic kit for a $100 that will totally fit the bill and make you look like a superhero! It's a great start for adding on to with some extra clothes and snack bars.

Update, November 2026: Prices have gone up since we put this kit together in 2016. The same list now runs about $150 on Amazon (live prices are shown with each item below). To stay close to $100, skip the water bottle, the cutlery and the paracord if you already have something at home that does the job.

If you don't already have a backpack lying around that you can use, then AmazonBasics makes their Classic Backpack which is inexpensive at $26 (7 colors to choose from).

If you want an upgrade go for the High Sierra Loop Backpack for around $44 (price varies by color, 33 colors to choose from.)

If you buy anything with the links we provide on this page we get a small percentage of the sale. For more info click here.

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AmazonBasics Classic Backpack

Your very basic no-frills backpack. Lots of room for gear: 13" x 6" x 16" (LxWxH); Capacity: 21 Liters so you can jam pack it full of Emergency supplies. Lots of storage pockets and organization options.

+ Add to bag~$26 · 13.1 oz

 Now that you have the backpack, lets fill it with the essentials. Shelter, Water, and Food are the most important needs for a 72-Hour period.

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Klean Kanteen Classic 40 oz Stainless Steel Bottle

Plastic bottles are ok but eventually they get weak. Stainless steel is better for a bunch of reasons, and you can boil water in one. If you fill it with tap water and seal it up the water can stay good for a few months. Just be careful of freezing.

+ Add to bag~$22 · 7.1 oz

EverBrite LED Headlamp (2-Pack)

Headlamps are a must have item because they allow your hands to stay free while giving you directional light at night. These have a red-light mode that saves your night vision, and the 2-pack gives you a spare.

+ Add to bag~$11 · 8.8 oz

Emergency Mylar Blankets (4-Pack)

Ideally you'd want to sleep in a sleeping bag rather than one of these mylar blankets, but they can be bulky and expensive. In an emergency having one of these emergency blankets could save a life by keeping you warm, much better than nothing.

+ Add to bag~$13 · 3.5 oz

True Utility 20 Tools in 1 FIXR Pocket Tool

A good multi-tool can cost $80 or more but if your budget doesn't allow for that, then there are a few micro-tools that can fill in. This one from True Utility is super handy and very functional. Check out our detailed review. 

+ Add to bag~$8 · 1.6 oz

Stainless Steel Wire Saw (2-Pack)

If you need to make a fire then having a saw or axe available is ideal, but good luck keeping one in your backpack. Wire saws are small and light, and can serve well in a pinch.

+ Add to bag~$5 · 0.3 oz

SE 2-in-1 Magnesium Fire Starter (2-Pack)

Once you get some wood cut you'll need to get it lit. Lighters can run out of fuel and matches can get wet but a Magnesium spark is always hot. Use some lint, wood shavings, or cotton balls covered in Vaseline to take the spark and start the fire.

+ Add to bag~$12 · 3 oz

Potable Aqua Water Tablets

If you are collecting water from natural sources, it may not be free of parasites like the olden days. Make sure you don't get sick by first filtering the sediment of any water you find through a sock or handkerchief, then use these tablets to disinfect.

+ Add to bag~$25 · 1.4 oz

BAND-AID Travel Ready First Aid Kit (80 Pieces)

Small cuts can turn into infections which can in-turn lead to serious problems. Keep yourself protected and comfortable with a basic first aid kit.

+ Add to bag~$11 · 6.9 oz

7-in-1 Survival Whistle

Having some way to communicate long distances during an emergency, or find help when you are lost is super important. This whistle has a compass, light, thermometer, and a signaling mirror.

+ Add to bag~$6 · 1.5 oz

Paracord Planet 550 Paracord

No self-respecting Emergency kit would be complete without paracord. Useful for so many things, it's become a ubiquitous feature among the Prepper community.

+ Add to bag~$12 · 0.6 oz

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Ring Cutlery (3 Pieces)

Have something sturdier than plastic forks & spoons in your Bug Out Bag, you'll thank me later. Can't cook with those...can with these.

+ Add to bag~$20 · 2.7 oz

Guidesman 4 Pack Z-Tool Set

It's good to have backups for certain key items, especially tools. The Guidesman set attaches to zipper pulls and gives you a light in addition to a range of other tools. See our complete review here.

No longer made. The FIXR above covers the same small jobs.

Coghlan's Map Compass

Keep yourself from getting lost by having a paper map of the city and state you live in with your gear. A good map compass will help you plot your way should the satellite GPS system ever go down. See how to use a compass here.

+ Add to bag~$8 · 1.6 oz

This is just a start! You will still need to add your own personal items to make this a complete kit.

Read our tutorial here to see what other items you'll want to collect around the house. 

If you are looking for even more gift ideas, check out our Preppers Christmas Gift Guide!