Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
If you ever go hiking or camping, you know that digging through your backpack every time you need something gets old fast. It seems like the thing you need is always at the bottom. Wouldn’t it be nice to always have your most-used gear at your fingertips?
That’s the beauty of a survival belt. You’re already wearing a belt anyway, so you might as well turn it into a lightweight survival kit that keeps your essentials close and accessible. This belt doesn't replace a full survival kit or bug out bag, but it’s a great complement, and you'll put less strain on your back and shoulders.
I came across this idea from a video on the BudgetBugout Youtube channel, where he shows off the survival belt he’s been wearing on hikes for the past few months. It’s simple, clever, and packed with practical gear. Check out the video below to see how to make your own. I also typed up the list of gear for your convenience.
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The Belt Itself
Start with a good-quality belt. Not too thick, but not too thin. And make sure it's leather which is sturdy and can handle the extra weight of your survival gear without sagging.
Drop Pouch / Dump Pouch
This is basically a small utility pouch that hangs from your belt. You can use it for:
- Trash (like snack wrappers)
- Tinder collection while hiking
- Miscellaneous items you want to access quickly
Multitool + Sheath Setup
Essential for any survival kit:
- Leatherman Signal multitool – Comes with pliers, knife, saw, Ferro rod, whistle, sharpener, and more.
- Nylon sheath – Attaches directly to your belt.
- NanoStriker Ferro rod – Mounted on the sheath for quick access.
- Mini flashlight – Small enough to attach to the sheath.
- Bic lighter – Stored behind the multitool in the Leatherman pouch.
Folding Saw + Sheath
- Silky PocketBoy saw – Lightweight but strong enough to handle branches for firewood or crafting walking sticks.
- Leather sheath – Durable, and fits either a Silky or Laplander saw.
Paracord Dangler (FireCord)
This piece of paracord is made with FireCord which has a tinder core that you can actually light in emergencies. Dual purpose:
- Use it as a standard clip or lanyard.
- Strip it for fire-starting material if needed.
Gloves + Carabiner
Keep work gloves on hand to protect your skin while building shelters, sawing, or doing any rough work. Add a Night Ize carabiner clip which is useful for attaching gear or securing items.
Condor T&T Pouch (Mini Survival Kit)
This pouch holds a ton of critical small gear:
- Insect repellent & sunblock
- Signal mirror
- Fishing kit
- Potable Aqua water purification tablets
- 1-liter collapsible water bag
- Doc Spartan ointment (if you saw it on Shark Tank, you know it's good)
Stationery, Fire Tools, Snacks (Back Pocket Pouch)
This is the “everything else” pocket .
- Pilot pen with black/red ink + pencil
- Several Ferro rods with strikers
- EXO Tac lighter
- Rips tool (duct tape, needle, thread)
- UCO waterproof matches
- Firestarter tinder + candles
- Purell hand sanitizer (for hygiene and fire-starting)
- Orange duct tape (for marking trails or repairs)
- Altoids survival kit (optional)
- Fresnel lens (start fire with sunlight)
- More snacks – because being hungry sucks
Navigation + Signaling Pouch
- Compass + whistle combo (from TOPS Knives)
- Survival handkerchief – Bright orange for signaling, plus a hundred other uses: filtering, bandage, sling, head cover, etc.
Flashlight Setup
- Surefire flashlight – Low/high dual-output. Defaults to low mode, which is great for preserving night vision.
- Nitecore sheath – Can double as a tourniquet holder or general-purpose pouch.
- Sharpie – Leave messages or make marks.
Knives
Two fixed-blade knives, both from ESEE:
- ESEE 4 – Rugged, full-size survival knife. Comes with a grippy G10 handle and is super dependable.
- ESEE Izula II – Smaller, more compact knife, but just as tough. Great for fine tasks or as a backup blade.
Both are carried horizontally for comfort and fast access.
Final Thoughts
You don't have to get the exact items he does. Just make sure you have high-quality gear that will last a long time. It's more expensive, but it will save you money and possibly your life in the long run. You can find links to all his gear in the video description on Youtube.
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