The Best Survival Gear Stores

Wednesday, December 11th

2024 Survival Gear Store Reviews

Survival Frog

Survival Frog is a Denver-based company that started in 2009 and is now a big name in survival gear and food storage online. They sell a ton of different products, from emergency food kits to innovative tools like a home freeze dryer. What's awesome about them is their 6 Month "Any Reason” Refund Guarantee, where you can return anything you're not happy with for a full refund, and they even cover return shipping costs if you send it back within the first 14 days. They also have a Buyer's Club that offers great deals like free shipping and a 10% discount on everything, making it a smart choice for anyone looking to stock up on survival gear over time. With such a focus on making sure their customers are happy, and an "A+” from the BBB, it's no wonder Survival Frog is our top pick for survival gear and food storage.

ReadyWise

Founded in 2008 and based in Salt Lake City, ReadyWise has established itself as a leading provider of freeze-dry and dehydrated food products along with essential emergency gear. ReadyWise's products range from ready-to-eat meals to snacks, soups, and sweet treats, all designed to be dependable, simple, and affordable. They boast a proud affiliation with the American Red Cross, enhancing their credibility in the emergency preparedness sector. Their selection includes emergency food supplies with options for 4-week to nearly four years' worth of food, featuring a 25-year shelf life for long-term reliability. Also available are starter kits for beginners, an Heirloom Seed Vault for DIY food production, and survival backpacks filled with essential gear. You'll get free shipping on orders over $99, along with a 30-day return policy and a unique 25-year taste guarantee. With high customer satisfaction ratings and a solid reputation, ReadyWise is highly recommended for anyone looking to invest in emergency preparedness supplies.

Ready Hour

We've taken a close look at Ready Hour, a Salt Lake City-based company specializing in emergency preparedness supplies. Their user-friendly website and clear product categories make shopping for emergency food kits, ranging from 72-hour to 1-year supplies, straightforward. Although their prices are slightly higher than some competitors, the variety and long shelf life (25 years) of their food products, alongside a selection of practical and unique emergency gear, make them a compelling choice. We appreciate the free shipping to the 48 contiguous states and the round-the-clock customer support. While most customer reviews are positive, praising the quality and taste of the food, there may be concerns about quality control - it's hard to say how often this issue crops up, since reviews are sort of scarce. Despite this, Ready Hour's comprehensive offerings and commitment to customer satisfaction have convinced us of their reliability as a source for emergency preparedness, making them a recommended option with room for minor improvements.

American Family Safety

American Family Safety, a family-owned company with three generations of dedication, offers a wide range of Preparedness and Survival Kits tailored for various emergencies, from natural disasters to terrorism threats. Their standout feature is the online Emergency Preparedness Questionnaire, which helps you find exactly what you need based on your unique situation. They even have special kits for pets, ensuring your furry family members are not forgotten. Besides survival kits, their Survival Gear section is stocked with essentials like Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs), water filtration supplies, first aid kits, and communication tools, covering all bases for emergency preparedness. Additionally, they provide valuable information and resources for emergency planning. Unfortunately, their shipping costs are notably high, and the absence of customer reviews leaves some questions about user satisfaction. Despite these drawbacks, American Family Safety's commitment to safety, combined with discounts for military members and first responders, demonstrates their effort to support and protect families in any crisis.

Titan Survival

TITAN Survival emerges as a family-owned business with roots in military experience, offering a specialized selection of survival gear and particularly known for its high-quality paracord. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, they provide an array of gear categorized into cordage, combustion, cover, clothing, and containers, all underscored by a lifetime guarantee and a responsiveness to customer feedback. However, while their offerings shine in accessories and specific survival gadgets, they fall short as a comprehensive source for all emergency preparedness needs. The lack of essential survival items, such as food supplies and water purification systems, means that while TITAN Survival is great for augmenting your gear with high-quality accessories, it may not be the best starting point for those looking to fully equip themselves for outdoor adventures or emergency situations. Despite this, the free shipping within the US, the $5 discount for new email subscribers, and their open ear to customer suggestions make them a likable and trustworthy brand, though not the top choice for complete survival preparedness.

1 800 Prepare

Founded by emergency responders, 1 800 Prepare aims to fill the gap in disaster preparedness and to provide personal, family, and company readiness for natural and man-made disasters. Despite their visibility in major media outlets, consumer review platforms haven't caught on. 1 800 Prepare offers a good selection of emergency kits for various scenarios, including backpack kits with survival poker cards, bucket kits for shelter-in-place scenarios, and auto kits for roadside emergencies. They also provide comprehensive preparedness information in their Information and Advice Center. However, their food options are limited to energy bars, and shipping costs and return policies could be improved. It's puzzling that there are no customer reviews available, making it difficult to assess product quality and customer service. Overall, if you can't find what you're looking for elsewhere, 1 800 Prepare could be a backup option for emergency preparedness-related survival gear.

Emergency Essentials

Emergency Essentials, also known as Be Prepared, promises a wide range of emergency and survival supplies, aiming to be your go-to for everything from long-term food storage to solar-powered gadgets. With over 30 years in the biz, they seem to know their stuff, offering certified gluten-free options and competitive prices, especially for bulk purchases through their Group Program. This program is a standout, allowing you and your crew to snag deals and skip shipping costs, fostering community preparedness. However, navigating their site for specific items can be a bit of a hassle due to less-than-ideal organization. And while they have resources to guide you in emergency prep, their individual shipping costs could dampen the excitement of finding a good deal. Their return policy is pretty standard, but if you're hoping for responsive customer service, you might be disappointed. Recent reviews highlight concerns over product quality and fulfillment issues, suggesting that while Emergency Essentials offers solid deals and educational content, it's wise to approach with caution and consider other providers with better customer satisfaction records for your survival gear needs.

Echo Sigma

Echo Sigma Emergency Systems crafts accessible, high-quality survival gear for the everyday person, emphasizing ease of use without skimping on functionality. Founded in 2010, their product line includes a diverse range of emergency kits, from the quirky Zombie Survival Kit to practical options like the Get Home Bag and even a Dog Pack Emergency Kit for your furry friends. While their website and product presentations are generally user-friendly, some product descriptions lack detail, making it hard to justify the price based solely on the visible contents. Echo Sigma's gear, though extensive in categories such as tools, lighting, and emergency electronics, seems best suited for individual use or short-term scenarios rather than comprehensive family or long-term emergency preparedness. Despite the appeal of their rewards program and the free shipping for orders over $300, the absence of customer reviews and a focus on design over substance in some products place Echo Sigma lower in our list of recommended survival gear providers. A listing with the BBB or Trustpilot and expanded product lines for long-term preparedness could enhance their standing in our next review.

Going Gear

We're not impressed with Going Gear. Their wide inventory of survival gear, Everyday Carry Club, and selection of knives and flashlights from top brands may seem enticing, but there are some significant drawbacks. The EDC Club, while offering handpicked items, might not be the best in terms of practicality and usefulness of the contents for individual needs. The camping gear selection is limited compared to the extensive options available for knives and flashlights. Their search function often brings up unrelated results, and there is a lack of guidance for beginners in terms of emergency preparedness. While they offer free shipping on orders over $99, their return policy is complex and has potential frustrations for customers. Troubling customer reviews and a low rating from the Better Business Bureau further diminish the store's reputation. Overall, we recommend exploring other stores for your survival gear needs.

The Ready Store

The Ready Store, established in 2002, initially stood out as a reliable source for emergency kits and food storage solutions, even expanding its offerings to include military MRE meals and forming partnerships with well-regarded brands. Despite its growth and the introduction of advanced features on its website, recent years have seen a decline in customer satisfaction. Issues such as higher pricing for 3-month supply kits compared to competitors, sparse product selections in certain categories, and the discontinuation of beneficial programs like ReadyQ and ReadyCLUB have impacted its rating negatively. A tiered shipping cost system and a 180-day return policy for defective items are in place, but these policies cannot overshadow the frustration expressed in customer reviews about poor service and order fulfillment problems. Shopper ratings have plummeted to an average of 1.3 stars, with customers highlighting issues like receiving incorrect products and experiencing significant delays. This decline in service and reliability, coupled with the removal of features that once added value, suggests that The Ready Store may no longer be the best option for those seeking emergency preparedness supplies.