EST. 2011│493 REVIEWS│INDEPENDENT · READER-FUNDED
JUN 3, 2026● NEW REVIEW DROPPED
FIELD REVIEW · Nº 493Long-term test · Updated Mar 22, 2026
SKILLS
Essential Survival Knots You Should Master
Five or six solid knots cover nearly every survival scenario. Here are the ones worth learning until you can tie them in the dark.
▶ NOW TESTING493 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 →
013
Survival Skills
13 reviews · Ranked + tested.
Enter Rack →
Dispatches
Fresh from the Field
#493
SkillsBest Fire Starting Techniques in Wet Weather
Starting a fire when everything is soaked separates experienced survivalists from beginners. Here are the techniques tha
SCORE7.1
JUN 2
#492
SkillsNight Navigation Skills Without Electronics
GPS batteries die. Phones break. Knowing how to navigate at night using stars, terrain, and natural signs keeps you movi
SCORE9.4
MAY 25
#491
SkillsHow to Purify Water Using Natural Methods
When filters and purification tablets run out, nature provides methods that have worked for thousands of years. Here is
SCORE8.7
MAY 13
#490
SkillsHow to Tie Essential Survival Knots
Five essential survival knots with step-by-step instructions: bowline, clove hitch, taut-line hitch, sheet bend, and pru
SCORE8.3
MAR 27
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 →