Saddlebag Supplies may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. This doesn't change your price. Brands are examples we found and priced on Oct 25, 2026, not endorsements, and prices change. REI and Sportsman's Warehouse picks link to the product page here; Amazon and Walmart picks are linked on the 72-Hour Kit Shelf.
Adjustable wrench, 10 in
Shuts off gas or water valves. Know where yours are.
72-hour kit: Fully Loaded
How to use it: Shutting Off Gas, Water, and Power
ShoestringHyper Tough 10 in adjustable wrench~$7.97 · Walmart
Trail-TestedCrescent 10 in adjustable wrench AC210VS~$19.70 · Amazon
Top ShelfChannellock 810PW 10 in adjustable wrench~$36.95 · Amazon
Basic multi-tool (pliers, screwdriver, small blade)
One tool that handles lots of small fixes.
72-hour kit: Trail-Ready
ShoestringOzark Trail Trailside 12-in-1 pliers multitool~$7.97 · Walmart
Trail-TestedGerber Dime 12-in-1 mini multitool~$28.59 · Amazon
Top ShelfLeatherman Wave+ 18-in-1~$129.95 · Amazon25-yr warranty.
Duct tape, full roll
Repairs almost anything.
72-hour kit: Fully Loaded
How to use it: Building a Box-Fan Air Cleaner (MERV 13)
ShoestringDuck Tape duct tape, 1.88 in x 45 yd~$5.97 · Walmart
Trail-TestedScotch Duct Tape, 1.88 in x 20 yd~$4.48 · Amazon
Top ShelfGorilla Tough duct tape, 30 yd~$9.87 · Walmart
Duct tape, small roll
Fixes gear, tarps, and torn shoes.
72-hour kit: Starter · Trail-Ready
ShoestringDuck Tape duct tape, 1.88 in x 45 yd~$5.97 · WalmartFull roll; dollar-store mini rolls are cheaper in store.
Trail-TestedScotch Duct Tape, 1.88 in x 20 yd~$4.48 · Amazon
Top ShelfGorilla Tape black, 10 yd roll~$5.98 · Walmart
Folding pocket knife
Cuts cord, tape, and packaging. Carry it closed or sheathed and away from kids. Check local knife laws; not legal advice.
72-hour kit: Starter
How to use it: Fire Starting with a Ferro Rod and Stormproof Matches · Knife and Hatchet Safety and Sharpening
ShoestringGerber EAB pocket utility knife~$13.36 · Amazon
Trail-TestedBuck 110 Folding Hunter, nylon handle, with sheath~$41.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfBenchmade Bugout 535~$200.00 · Amazon
Multi-tool (pliers, screwdriver, small blade)
Handles everyday repairs.
72-hour kit: Fully Loaded
ShoestringOzark Trail Trailside 12-in-1 pliers multitool~$7.97 · Walmart
Trail-TestedGerber Dime 12-in-1 mini multitool~$28.59 · Amazon
Top ShelfLeatherman Wave+ 18-in-1~$129.95 · Amazon25-yr warranty.
Paracord, 50 ft
Tie down a tarp, hang a line, or lash gear.
72-hour kit: Trail-Ready · Fully Loaded
How to use it: Setting Up a Tent and a Warm Sleep System
ShoestringOzark Trail 550 lb paracord, 50 ft~$5.24 · Walmart
Trail-TestedParacord Planet 550 lb paracord, 50 ft hank~$10.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfAtwood Rope MFG 550 paracord, 100 ft (USA made)~$12.47 · Amazon
Fixed-blade knife with sheath
Heavier cutting and splitting kindling. Keep it sheathed and away from kids. Check local knife laws; not legal advice.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
How to use it: Knife and Hatchet Safety and Sharpening
ShoestringMorakniv Companion fixed blade with sheath~$18.80 · Amazon
Trail-TestedMorakniv Kansbol fixed blade with sheath~$31.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfESEE 4 fixed blade with sheath~$126.75 · Amazon
Folding saw
Cuts branches and debris more safely than a hatchet. Fold it away when done.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
How to use it: Knife and Hatchet Safety and Sharpening
ShoestringCorona RazorTOOTH 10 in folding saw~$29.98 · Amazon
Trail-TestedSilky PocketBoy 170 folding saw~$57.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfAgawa Boreal21 folding bow saw~$85.00 · Amazon
Full-size multi-tool
Pliers, drivers, and a saw in one tool.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
How to use it: Knife and Hatchet Safety and Sharpening · Shutting Off Gas, Water, and Power
ShoestringOzark Trail 17-in-1 multitool~$11.94 · Walmart
Trail-TestedGerber Suspension NXT 15-in-1 multitool~$36.00 · Amazon
Top ShelfLeatherman Wave+ 18-in-1~$129.95 · Amazon
Gear repair tape
Patches tents, jackets, and sleeping bags.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
ShoestringCahomo nylon repair tape, 3 x 79 in~$8.99 · Amazon
Trail-TestedGEAR AID Tenacious Tape, 3 x 20 in~$5.95 · Amazon
Top ShelfGEAR AID Tenacious Tape repair patches~$9.95 · Amazon
Hatchet with sheath
Splits kindling and clears small limbs. Keep it sheathed and away from kids.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
How to use it: Knife and Hatchet Safety and Sharpening
ShoestringFiskars X7 hatchet, 14 in, with sheath~$37.98 · Amazon
Trail-TestedEstwing Sportsman's Axe, 14 in, with sheath~$36.19 · Amazon
Top ShelfGransfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet~$185.03 · Amazon
Knife sharpener, pocket
Keeps the knives, hatchet, and saw working.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
How to use it: Knife and Hatchet Safety and Sharpening
ShoestringSmith's CCKS 2-step pocket knife sharpener~$6.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfWork Sharp Guided Field Sharpener~$39.95 · Amazon
Locking carabiners
Clips gear to packs and lines. Not for climbing.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
ShoestringCoghlan's carabiner multi-pack~$4.99 · Sportsman's WarehouseAccessory clips, not for climbing. Sold at Sportsman's Warehouse.Shop Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ Trail-TestedVonpri 3 in locking D-ring carabiners~$8.99 · AmazonAccessory clips, not for climbing.
Top ShelfGeneric Auto-locking heavy-duty carabiners, 28 kN~$28.79 · AmazonNot for climbing unless the maker says so.
Scissors
Ready.gov and Red Cross list them; cuts sheeting, tape, and cloth.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
ShoestringAmazon Basics stainless scissors, 3-pack~$7.55 (3 per pack) · Amazon
Trail-TestedMr. Pen 8 in tailor scissors~$8.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfFiskars 8 in forged stainless scissors~$19.43 · Amazon
Sewing kit
Fixes torn clothes and straps.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
ShoestringWalmart Small sewing kit for repairs and travel~$1.12 · Walmart
Trail-TestedCoghlan's travel sewing kit~$2.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfSpeedy Stitcher sewing awl~$20.11 · Amazon
Two-part epoxy putty
Seals leaks and rebuilds broken parts.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
ShoestringJ-B Weld SteelStik epoxy putty, 2 oz~$5.70 · Walmart
Trail-TestedFlex Seal Epoxy Ultimate Putty, 2 oz~$9.87 · Walmart
Top ShelfSugru moldable glue~$14.82 · Amazon
Utility wire, small spool
Stronger than tape for lashing and hanging.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
ShoestringOok galvanized hanging wire, 16 ga, 25 ft~$4.24 · Walmart
Trail-TestedHillman galvanized utility wire, 18 ga x 100 ft~$7.50 · Amazon
Top ShelfHyper Tough 18 ga stainless lock wire with dispenser~$9.84 · Walmart
Zip ties, assorted
Fast fixes for almost anything.
Role add-on: Fixer (Tools & Repair)
ShoestringHyper Tough cable ties, 8 in, 50 pcs~$3.48 · Walmart
Trail-TestedGardner Bender nVent Gardner Bender 8 in cable ties~$6.45 · Amazon
Top ShelfNite Ize Original Gear Tie, 2-pack (reusable, USA made)~$3.68 · Amazon
