In today’s world of extreme politics, numerous wars, pandemics and sometimes local violent acts, survival kits and navigation tools have become a practical necessity for everyone, not just extreme adventurers or doomsday preppers. Whether you’re camping, hiking, traveling, or preparing for natural disasters, these tools provide safety and peace of mind to your customers. By offering top-quality survival kits, navigation tools, and related supplies, you can create a loyal customer base that keeps coming back for more. Let’s dive into how you can do just that by focusing on pre-made inclusive survival kits, supplies for custom kits, handheld GPS units, GPS-enabled watches, and topographical maps and compasses.
Pre-Made Survival Kits
People love convenience in all things. Pre-made survival kits are the “easy button” for survival. They come with everything one might need in an emergency, from first-aid supplies and food to fire-starting tools and shelter materials. By offering these all-in-one solutions, you’re saving your customers the hassle of figuring out what they need on their own.
Make sure that when you choose what to stock on your shelves you choose vetted, quality products, because when your customers buy a pre-made kit, they’re trusting that it’s been put together by experts who know what’s essential for survival in many scenarios.
Want to stand out from the competition? Offer some specialized kits. Create/stock ones for specific activities like hiking, hunting, or prepping/natural disasters.
Individual Supplies: Let Them Build It, They Will Come!
While pre-made kits are super convenient, some folks prefer to put together their own kit by choosing activity-specific supplies. By offering a wide range of individual supplies, you allow them to create a kit that’s just right for them. This can include anything from specific types of first-aid items like tourniquets to multi-purpose items like paracord, fishing line, or even a multitool.
One of the fastest-growing areas in the outdoor retail space is supplements and specialized foods. Those fit into this category as well. Selling individual supplies is also a great opportunity to engage with your customers on which supplies they might need, they probably need, and the ones that are absolutely essential. Offer advice and recommendations to help them choose the best items for their unique needs. This personalized service not only enhances their shopping experience but also fosters trust and loyalty — two things that are essential for repeat purchases and customer retention. A comprehensive backcountry survival kit for two people should include essential items to ensure three things: safety, sustenance and shelter. First and foremost, the kit should contain a well-stocked first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, tweezers, and any necessary prescription medications. For sustenance, include high-calorie, non-perishable food items such as energy bars, dehydrated, high-calorie foods, and water purification tablets or a portable water filter. Shelter supplies should include a lightweight, durable tent or emergency bivvy sacks, emergency/thermal blankets, and/or a compact, multi-use tarp. Fire-starting tools, such as waterproof matches, a lighter, and fire starters, are crucial for warmth, water purification and cooking.
For navigation and signaling, the kit should include a detailed topographical map of the area, a reliable compass, and a GPS unit with extra batteries. A multi-tool with knife, pliers, and screwdriver functions will be invaluable for various tasks, while sturdy, weather-resistant flashlights or headlamps with extra batteries ensure visibility in low-light conditions. Include personal hygiene items like biodegradable soap, a compact shovel for sanitation purposes, and insect repellent to maintain comfort. Finally, rope or paracord, duct tape, and a sewing kit provide the means for repairs and improvisations. This well-rounded kit ensures that two people can handle a range of challenges they might face in their backcountry adventures.
Having these supplies in stock will ensure that your customers will have a safe return to you and their families.
Navigation Tools
Handheld GPS units are a must-have for anyone exploring unfamiliar or remote areas, regardless of activity. They offer accurate and reliable navigation and can be a godsend when in unfamiliar terrain or even “familiar” terrain after dark. Tech-savvy customers love the latest and often more complex devices. A non-technical hunter going on their first pack-in trip may need something simpler. Offer a variety of GPS units, from basic models to high-tech versions with features like weather updates, mapping, track-back capability, and, as some of the newest, most advanced devices offer, the ability to communicate with your party and even someone back at home 1,000 miles or more away. Keeping up with the latest technology can also keep your customers interested and coming back to see what’s new after they see the newest devices advertised in any of the multitude of places we are marketed to today.
Excellent after-sales service is also a key to developing a one time purchase into a long term relationship. Provide tutorials, software updates, and troubleshooting help to ensure your customers get the most out of their GPS units. Bring in speakers for special training sessions and offer it to the general public. Remember: Every time a customer comes in is an opportunity to give them excellent service, even if they have a problem or complaint.
Recommended GPS Units
Garmin InReach
The Garmin InReach series, particularly the InReach Mini 2, is a top choice for adventurers who need reliable, two-way satellite communication in remote areas. This compact device weighs just 3.5 ounces and fits easily into your pocket or backpack. One of its standout features is the ability to send and receive text messages anywhere in the world via the Iridium satellite network, even when out of cell phone range. The InReach Mini 2 also includes interactive SOS capabilities, which connect users to a 24/7 global emergency response coordination center, providing an extra layer of safety for solo travelers or those in extreme environments. In addition to its communication capabilities, the Garmin InReach Mini 2 offers navigation features such as basic GPS tracking and the ability to share your location with loved ones. The device pairs seamlessly with smartphones via the Garmin Earthmate app, allowing users to access maps, aerial imagery, and U.S. NOAA charts. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 14 days in 10-minute tracking mode, and up to 30 days in 30-minute tracking mode. The Garmin InReach Mini 2 retails at an average price of $399.99.
For an “all-in-one” unit, one of Garmin’s InReach GPS Map units ($499.99-$599.99) are an excellent choice. Either are a worthwhile investment for peace of mind and reliable communication during any adventure, but all Garmin communication systems also require a subscription to Garmin’s InReach subscription system, which offers both a “freedom” and a month-to-month plan. The only downside is that, due to reconnection fees, etc., going month-to-month doesn’t save you much money if you use it more than a few months — but after all, what is your customer’s safety and peace of mind worth?
SPOT PLB
The SPOT Gen4 Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is a robust, user-friendly device designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable means of emergency communication, but may already have another means of navigation like a handheld GPS. One of its primary features is the ability to send SOS messages to GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center, ensuring that help is on the way even in the most remote locations. It also allows users to check in with predefined messages and share their GPS coordinates with family and friends, providing real-time updates on their location and safety. In addition to emergency communication, the SPOT Gen4 offers customizable tracking features that can be set to transmit the user’s GPS coordinates at various intervals, from every 2.5 minutes to every 60 minutes. This helps keep a detailed record of the journey and ensures that the user’s progress can be monitored. The device is rugged and water-resistant, making it suitable for harsh outdoor conditions. The SPOT Gen4 PLB is powered by four AAA lithium batteries, providing long battery life to last throughout extended trips. The average retail price of the SPOT Gen4 is approximately $149.99, making it an affordable and reliable tool for safety and communication in the backcountry.
Garmin Rino The Garmin Rino 755t is a versatile handheld navigation device that combines GPS navigation with two-way radio communication, making it ideal for situations with multiple people coordinating activities in remote areas. The Rino 755t features a 5-watt, two-way radio that can communicate with any FRS/GMRS radios, providing both voice communication and text messaging capabilities. This is especially useful for coordinating with group members during hunting, hiking, or other outdoor activities where communication over long range can come in handy. Additionally, the device supports position reporting, which allows users to send their exact location to other Rino users. The Rino 755t is equipped with several other advanced navigation features, including a high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver for better performance in challenging environments like heavy tree cover and cloud cover. It comes preloaded with TOPO U.S. 100K maps and a 1-year BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription, offering detailed views of whatever terrain you are in. Also included is a built-in 8-megapixel camera, a barometric altimeter, and a 3-axis electronic compass. The 3-inch touchscreen display is sunlight-readable and can be operated with gloves on, enhancing its usability. The Garmin Rino 755t typically retails for around $649.99, more than a simple handheld GPS, but its extensive features and reliable performance more than justify the price.
The Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS is a compact, user-friendly navigation device designed for those who need simple and reliable guidance without the complexity of more advanced GPS units. The BackTrack Mini allows users to mark up to five locations, making it easy to find their way back to specific points such as a campsite, car or trailhead. The device provides both distance and direction back to the marked locations, ensuring users can navigate confidently even in unfamiliar areas. The BackTrack Mini is quite easy to carry in a small pack, weighing just 1.6 ounces and featuring a durable, water-resistant design. The straightforward interface is very easy to use, making it accessible and easy for individuals of any experience level. It is powered by a rechargeable battery that offers up to 16 hours of use on a single charge, suitable for day trips and short excursions, but maybe a little less that you need for significant backcountry adventure unless you’re confident in a spare battery pack and/or solar panel. Additionally, it includes a digital compass and time display. The Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS retails for $79.99, offering a budget-friendly option for reliable navigation support during outdoor activities.
New Kids On The Block: GPS-Enabled Watches
The best of both worlds, GPS-enabled watches are popular because they’re convenient and are always with you. They not only help with navigation but also track fitness, can provide weather updates, and even send emergency alerts. This multi-functionality also makes them appealing to a wide range of customers, from the jogger to the wilderness athlete to the serious hunter. Advances like solar recharging and ultra-long battery life have come a long way in the convenience factor as well. These watches aren’t just functional — they’re fashionable, too. Be sure to offer a variety of styles and designs to suit different preferences. When customers can find a watch that matches their personal style and meets their practical needs, they’ll be more likely to buy.
High-quality GPS-enabled watches aren’t cheap, though. By partnering with reputable brands maintaining high standards for your in-house products, you can also tap into existing brand loyalty. Apple people tend to remain Apple people. Android people tend to stay Android, but there are also always reasons to “cross the fence.” Customers who trust these brands are more likely to trust you and your business for carrying them.
As watches tend to be very personal, you’ll want to have an assortment from several manufacturers for them to choose from.
Old-School Reliability
Even with all the tech available in the marketplace, traditional maps and compasses are still essential for anyone traveling in the backcountry. They don’t require batteries or a satellite signal, and the only way for a compass to stop working is to physically damage it such that it would likely no longer be recognizable as a compass. Offering high-quality maps and compasses shows your customers that you and they are prepared for any situation. Educational
topographical maps and compasses aren’t just for use — they’re for learning too. Offer workshops or tutorials on how to use them and, if you open them to the public, you’ll likely find some new customers in the mix.
