EST. 2011│444 REVIEWS│INDEPENDENT · READER-FUNDED
JUN 6, 2026● NEW REVIEW DROPPED
FIELD REVIEW · Nº 444Long-term test · Updated Mar 22, 2026
SURVIVAL SKILLS
How to Make Natural Insect Repellent in the Wild
Mosquitoes and biting flies can make outdoor survival miserable and even dangerous. Here is how to make effective insect repellent from wild plants and campfire materials.
▶ NOW TESTING444 reviews on file│4 seasons of field testing│Reader-funded · No sponsored reviews
Rack 02
The Gear Wall
Every review, organized the way you'd rack it. Pick a category, get ranked reviews with real numbers.
149
Blog
149 reviews · Ranked + tested.
Enter Rack →
059
Weapons
59 reviews · Ranked + tested.
Enter Rack →
055
Survival Knives
55 reviews · Ranked + tested.
Enter Rack →
041
Guns
41 reviews · Ranked + tested.
Enter Rack →
032
Survival Buying Guides
32 reviews · Ranked + tested.
Enter Rack →
025
Flashlight
25 reviews · Ranked + tested.
Enter Rack →
016
Food
16 reviews · Ranked + tested.
Enter Rack →
015
Survival Skills
15 reviews · Ranked + tested.
Enter Rack →
Dispatches
Fresh from the Field
#444
BushcraftHow to Make a Bow Drill for Primitive Fire Starting
Step-by-step guide to building and using a bow drill fire starting kit from natural materials.
SCORE8.5
JUN 6
#443
Survival SkillsBest Survival Blanket Uses Beyond Staying Warm
That shiny mylar blanket in your kit is one of the most versatile tools you can carry. Most people know it keeps you war
SCORE7.1
JUN 5
#442
GearBuilding a Complete 72-Hour Emergency Bag
A 72-hour bag gets you through the critical first three days after an emergency. Here is exactly what to pack.
SCORE9.1
JUN 5
#441
Fire StartingHow to Build a Smokeless Fire for Stealth Camping
A smokeless fire provides warmth and cooking heat without the visible smoke column that gives away your campsite. Here i
SCORE7.5
JUN 4
#440
GearBest Fixed Blade Survival Knives in 2026
Your knife is the most critical tool in a survival kit. These fixed blades handle everything from batoning firewood to p
SCORE7.2
JUN 4
Ranked · Vetted · Updated quarterly
Buyer's Guides
Updated 2026
BUYER'S GUIDE · 149 PICKS
Best Blog 2026
01
Editor's Choice
EDITOR'S CHOICE
9.1
02
Runner-Up
CLOSE SECOND
8.3
03
Best Value
<$100
7.9
+ 146 more picksRead guide →
Updated 2026
BUYER'S GUIDE · 59 PICKS
Best Weapons 2026
01
Editor's Choice
EDITOR'S CHOICE
9.1
02
Runner-Up
CLOSE SECOND
8.3
03
Best Value
<$100
7.9
+ 56 more picksRead guide →
Updated 2026
BUYER'S GUIDE · 55 PICKS
Best Survival Knives 2026
01
Editor's Choice
EDITOR'S CHOICE
9.1
02
Runner-Up
CLOSE SECOND
8.3
03
Best Value
<$100
7.9
+ 52 more picksRead guide →