In this article we create a jungle survival gear list for your bug out bag and we will cover what to bring into the jungle if you have the luxury of planning your time there.
Telson Survival is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Telson Survival is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links we make a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps us pay for the running of this website. Thank you for your support!
The list of survival gear you could take with you into any survival situation is staggering, especially if we let our imaginations run wild. But a backpack full of gear you’ll never use is just going to weigh you down.
In this article we create a jungle survival gear list for your bug out bag and we will cover what to bring into the jungle if you have the luxury of planning your time there. Without bringing everything plus the kitchen sink!
In a hurry? If you just want to get to our conclusions, here are our top picks and recommendations!
No products found.
If you want to learn more about jungle survival, have a look at our comprehensive guide on jungle survival skills.
If you spend any time in the jungle, your machete will quickly become one of your favorite jungle survival tools. It’s a very important piece of equipment.
Fortunately, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to get a good bushwhacking blade.
Here are two excellent choices:
Truper 15888 24-inch machete
A more basic jungle machete, it is relatively lightweight, tough, and priced reasonably.
While it doesn’t feature the “D” handle of the Ontario Knife machete, which is protective of the hand when slashing through brush, it is easier to wear on a belt.
No products found.
Ontario Knife “D” handle machetes
Pretty much any Ontario Knife “D” handle machete will serve you well for years. This might just be the best jungle machete for the money.
Choose the longer, 22-inch version if you can.
No products found.
Small Jungle Knife
You don’t need any crazy equipment when it comes to smaller knives you can include in your jungle survival kit.
If it is a folding knife, you want the blade to be about 3-4 inches long and have a nice strong lock.
If it is a fixed jungle blade, make sure the tang is full-length if possible and goes all the way through the handle. There are some traditional “rat tail” tang knives which are great too, but many of the mass-produced versions are junk.
Listed here are two viable options:
Byrd Meadowlark 2 Lightweight Folding Knife
With a blade just a little under 3 inches long, this is a great clone of a popular Spyderco knife and at less than half the price.
It will do whatever you need it to do. Between the price and its durability, this is a great option.
No products found.
Stay Prepared For Any Emergency!
If you like this article, consider subscribing to our free newsletter. We only send a few emails each month, with quality content related to Prepping and Survival, and absolutely no spam.
Thank you!
You have successfully joined our subscriber list.
Gerber Gator Fixed Blade Drop Point
Another really good value for the money, this fixed-blade survival knife is simple and easy to use.
With a 4-inch blade, you have a survival knife that can still do any skinning or hunting work, but isn’t so large that it gets in the way on your belt.
No products found.
For a comprehensive look at survival knives, check out our guide on the best survival knives for preppers.
Water purification gear
In the jungle, you might find yourself without any better options than drinking the dirty water you come across.
Water you find in puddles, streams or rivers, or any stagnant source carries a high risk for things like viruses and bacteria.
Fortunately, virtually any water is drinkable with either of the following items:
Potable Aqua +PA Plus Tablets
Iodine tablets are a great option for making water safe, especially since they are so easy to carry.
The tiny bottles pack easily into your rucksack and effectively kill all the bacteria and viruses that cause waterborne illness.
Potable Aqua is a trusted brand and the +PA Plus tablets that come in the kit listed here, while not necessary, help remove the iodine taste that many people hate.
No products found.
LifeStraw
This easy-to-use “straw” allows you to make pretty much any source of water you find instantly drinkable.
Water that you slurp through the straw is filtered through a special membrane that removes all the viruses and bacteria you need to worry about.
No products found.
Paracord
From replacing a shoelace to holding a survival shelter together, surviving in the jungle is way more doable with some good cordage or small rope.
Paracord that is military grade is amazing. Typically, this slender cordage can hold around 550 pounds.
That’s going to be way more strength than you’d need for most survival applications. Many good options, like these, are available:
Tough-Grid 750 lb. Paracord
This paracord is beyond standard grade and is actually more affordable than some lower-strength brands!
Rated for 750 lbs., you could hang a motor from a tree with this stuff!
No products found.
Extremus True Mil Spec 5040 Paracord
This standard 550 lb. paracord is of high quality and priced very reasonably.
You’ll appreciate the time saved by bringing some fire-starting devices.
For sure you should practice traditional methods of getting a fire going, but you don’t want to be forced into spending time in the wild doing that stuff—especially if you have other tasks to accomplish.
Survival Lighters
Lighters are not all created equal. The best kind of lighter you can use is a “piezo” lighter.
It requires no battery and will work even if it is wet. Unlike regular lighters that make a spark shower to light the butane fuel, like a traditional flint Bic lighter, piezo lighters make a spark by generating an arc of electricity. It’s the same system that lights a standard propane grill.
The best part is that they are almost as cheap as a regular old-fashioned lighter. You might even own one and not know it!
They are so common in stores that they are hard to find on the internet. Chances are you will easily find some great options at your local shops.
No products found.
Firesteels
Fire steels are small metal rectangular bars or cylinder-shaped rods.
They are pretty amazing because, when scraped with another piece of metal, they create a high-temperature spark or flash that can ignite tinder.
One fire steel will last you for quite a while and there are no concerns over moisture or any real maintenance to worry about. They even work in the rain.
The only downside is they require a little bit of practice to use. You’ll want to get a few practice fires started with these before you are trying to use them to survive.
It’s not as hard as a traditional method, but it’s nowhere near as easy as using a lighter. These options for fire steels won’t let you down:
Bayite 1/2 Inch X 6 Inch Large Ferro Rods
It’s hard to really get a “bad” fire steel. But there are some that are easier to use than others, mainly because the length of the steel rod is longer.
Having a greater distance to scrape across usually results in a smoother process.
The Bayite fire steel is longer than many other options and is probably your best choice.
No products found.
Swiss Safe 5-in-1 Fire Starter
These fire steels come in a pack of 2 and have some added bells and whistles…or at least whistles.
While the scraping distance is not as long as the last option, they do fit more nicely in your pack and have the added benefit of including a built-in compass, 150-decibel whistle, steel scraper, and a short length of 450 lb. paracord.
No products found.
Jungle water containers
It may not be the most exciting aspect of your wilderness survival gear and equipment, but a water-carrying container really needs to perform.
The old fashioned USGI, kidney-shaped canteens with the cooking cup and “stove” base are pretty much everything you need in one little package.
With this one kit, you can collect water, boil things to make them drinkable/edible, and cook small portions of food.
Here are a couple of good sets you can choose from:
Lixada Military Canteen Kit
This kit is made of aluminum and is pretty sturdy.
The aluminum can be a little bit soft and might deform if you ever take a hard tumble, but it won’t rust and it is lightweight.
No products found.
G.I. Style 1 qt. Stainless Steel Canteen Kit
This version of the kit is all stainless steel, except for the cooking stove, which is aluminum.
The stainless steel will make this a tougher, but slightly heavier water carrying option.
No products found.
Surplus USGI Plastic Canteen and Pouch
The USGI plastic canteen is nearly indestructible and there’s no corrosion to worry about.
You might think about picking a few up (they are very affordable) to supplement or swap out with the canteens in the kits listed above.
It never hurts to have a few of these to add to your wilderness kits.
No products found.
The video below shows how to use the USGI canteen set in the wilderness.
Jungle clothing
The clothes you wear into the wilderness can have a huge impact on your comfort and wellbeing. Generally, in the jungle you want to wear lightweight materials that breathe and that also dry out relatively quickly.
Cotton and cotton blends will serve you well, as these materials wick away moisture and let air flow more freely than many synthetic fabrics.
In recent years, there have been some “wonder” fabrics produced that are tough like traditional synthetics but also breathe and deal with moisture similarly to cotton.
These options shouldn’t be ruled out. However, if you are outfitting for your journey right near the jungle you are entering, you may not have access to such space-aged materials.
You’ll also want to opt for long sleeves vs. short sleeves because depending on where you are, you may need protection from mosquitos, gnats, and undergrowth.
Besides, you can always roll your sleeves up if you get too hot. Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them!
Some solid clothing options for a head-to-to outfit are listed below.
Hats
Any hat is better than no hat. It just needs to give you some sun protection and dry out relatively quickly.
Boonie hats are probably the all-around winner. They pack down flat and are usually made with a cotton blend for quick drying.
Take a look at a couple of good options below:
Tru-Spec Boonie
This is a basic, 100% cotton, old-school boonie cap that will serve you well.
No products found.
Faleto Outdoor Boonie Hat
This cotton-polyester blend hat is made very tough and will last you a long time.
Additionally, it has the added feature of snaps on either side of the brim.
That’s useful if you need the visor out of the way for things like shooting, making a phone call, or using a radio.
No products found.
Long-sleeved shirts and pants
Military fatigues are really great for the jungle. Any US-issued military combat uniforms usually do a good job.
They include plenty of pockets, are made tough, and tend to dry out relatively fast.
The only downside is that because the fabric in on the slightly “lighter” side (which is good for comfort), the crotch on military pants are prone to wearing out.
That’s why you’ll see pics of NAVY Seals from the Vietnam war wearing jeans instead of the pants they were originally issued. Jeans are just tougher.
You can go the jeans/denim route too, just figure on having to air that stuff out more often. Denim doesn’t dry out as easily as other fabrics.
All of the following options are pretty similar and will work well in the jungle:
LANBAOSI Men's Tactical Jacket and Pants
This is an affordable, tough, “no brainer” clothing option to get you started.
No products found.
Tru-Spec Men’s 24-7 Series Ascent Pant
These are well made and will keep you comfortable on your jungle journeys.
No products found.
Tru-Spec Men’s 24-7 Series Responder Shirt
These tough shirts complement the pants listed above.
The manufacturer claims that the fabric in the shirts help keep you cooler than traditional materials.
No products found.
Gloves
Depending on where you are going, gloves might really come in handy, no pun intended.
You’d be surprised at how quickly some “smooth hiking” can become a brutal chore as you make your way through dense, thorny brush.
Leather gloves work great and don’t need to be anything fancy. What you use for yard work will function fine in the jungle.
No products found.
Jungle Boots
Your feet and their health are critical in the jungle. The ideal boot or shoe will allow your feet to breathe, while protecting them from the elements.
While it seems like a great idea to go the “waterproof” route, this only works well if you are certain that your feet will never be submerged in mud or water.
That’s hard to promise in a climate that is muddy, swampy, or likely to be hit with significant rainfall. The US military’s solution is difficult to beat.
You’ll see USGI jungle boots listed below in our options because they are tough, have drainage holes built right into them, and are made mostly out of synthetic materials that don’t easily rot from moisture.
USGI-style jungle boots are great, but they often don’t have well-made, removable insoles (this depends on the brands available to you as well).
Taking the time to find some high-quality insole inserts for your boots is usually worth it.
You’ll have a more comfortable time in the jungle because your insoles will provide added support and you can take them out to let them air out when necessary.
A light pair of flip flops doesn’t hurt to bring with you either, so you have a non-barefoot way to get around your campsite while your boots/insoles dry out and your feet get some much-needed air.
Either of these options can work in the jungle:
Fox Outdoor Products Vietnam Jungle Boots
These are the classic Vietnam war jungle boots that you’ve seen in all the movies.
You need to get used to wearing boots like these for a little bit.
These are no frills, so do consider replacing the insole with something that might work better for you.
No products found.
5.11 Men's Speed 3.0 Jungle Tactical Boot
These boots take the military jungle boot as a base and then beef them up a little bit.
They will remind you of the originals but are tougher, longer lasting, and a little bit more rigid.
You may be able to get away with the stock insoles, but see how they fit you.
No products found.
IMPORTANT: Don’t “try boots out” in the jungle.
Blisters, sores, etc. are really common when doing jungle hikes—especially if your feet are not used to your boots.
You’ll want to make sure that you are used to whatever footwear you bring into your expedition. Also, consider Vaseline and rubbing alcohol as “shoe/feet accessories”.
You’ll want to clean off your feet with alcohol when you take your boots off at camp.
Before you start hiking each day, give your feet a coating of Vaseline, putting extra amounts on any areas that are feeling sore or starting to blister.
And whenever possible, try to give your feet some air.
Socks, underwear, and T-shirts
Nothing fancy to worry about in the socks and undergarments department. Walmart works just fine. Again, cotton/cotton blends work best.
Here’s a good place to start:
Long-sleeve T-shirts x 3
Short-sleeve T-shirts x 3
Underpants x 5 pairs
Socks x 5 pairs (select socks that are well made and not super thin, but not too thick either)
Jungle Survival Backpack
You should choose a jungle pack that you find comfortable and that you can adjust to fit your body.
Here are some good rules of thumb for choosing and wearing your survival backpack:
Find a pack that has at least some rigidity/shape of its own. A rucksack that is a big, shapeless blob is bad for your back and will throw you off balance
Make sure your bag has the ability to compress or shrink down. Most quality packs have compression straps to cinch everything closer to the pack
Don’t get a bag that doesn’t have a waist strap and a chest strap. Your goal when hiking is to divert the weight of your pack to your hips instead of your back—that’s where the waist strap helps. You also want to avoid “fighting” to keep your shoulder straps in place, that’s where the chest strap comes in
Buy a bag that has drainage holes built into the bottom of its compartments or have them added after you find a bag you like (shoe repair shops can usually do that for you).
Both of the backpacks listed below can be adjusted to properly fit you and offer plenty of storage space:
TETON Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
This pack is a really good all-in-one package.
It provides several ways to make the fit more custom, which is really important if you are in the jungle for more than just a day trip.
It also includes a built-in rain cover, which is very necessary.
No products found.
Mardingtop Internal Frame Backpack with Rain Cover
While this is a slightly bigger bag, the side compartments are detachable; this allows you to make the whole pack a little narrower if you choose.
The entire bag is covered with MOLLE loops so you can easily hang/attach extra gear and it comes with a sturdy rain cover.
No products found.
Jungle first aid kit
A basic first aid kit works here, but there are a few extras you might consider bringing because the jungle is unique.
Items to help you deal with cuts and minor injuries are a must and the options listed below will fill those needs.
However, if you can get a physician on board to help you plan for some more “heavy duty” situations, you’ll be much better prepared. He or she may be able to prescribe you “just in case” medications for serious scenarios where you cannot get to a doctor.
Things like antibiotics, anti-fungal creams, steroids, powerful antihistamines, and other potentially life-saving medications will require a prescription.
Here are some jungle survival kits you can use as a foundation and then supplement based on your medical needs and the jungle you are entering:
DeFtGet First Aid Kit
This is a good, basic first aid kit that won’t eat up too much space in your bag.
No products found.
Rapid Care First Aid 25 MAN First Aid Kit
This kit is the type that is kept at worksites to deal with multiple injured people.
It might contain a little more than what you need, but you can always assess and cut down on the kit’s contents before you begin your trip.
No products found.
Compass
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to know where you are going or at least keep track of which direction you are headed.
That’s why it is worth it to have a quality compass in your jungle survival kit. A mil-spec, folding, lensatic compass can serve you well for decades.
That’s not so say you can’t do well with more of a “map” style of compass. It’s all about preference.
You’ll see good options for either style of compass listed below:
Cammenga Official US Military Phosphorescent Lensatic Compass
This is the same compass used by the US military.
These are tough and the dials glow so you can take readings at night. They are a little pricey, but well worth it.
No products found.
SUUNTO MC2G Navigator Compass
Another solid option. These compasses might actually be a little easier to use than the military models, but are just not quite as tough.
But make no mistake, they are plenty accurate and will serve you well for years if you take care of them.
Again, these aren’t super cheap, but don’t mess around with crappy compasses if you really want to make it in the jungle!
No products found.
Jungle hammock
A jungle hammock is a great instant shelter that gets you up off the ground and doesn’t even take up that much space in your pack.
Make sure to opt for the enclosed type of hammock that includes a mosquito net.
Both of the following hammocks will work well:
HIKANT Camping Hammock
This hammock system is very complete and comes at a great price.
There are cheaper systems for sure, but they are not as well designed as this one.
No products found.
Easthills Outdoors Jungle Double Camping Hammock
Another complete hammock package that will keep you high and dry.
This system is a little more robust than others and made slightly stronger than the previous option.
No products found.
Jungle survival gear conclusions
This list, while intended for a planned trip, still doesn’t include everything you could take with you.
It also doesn’t mention every single common-sense item you would need.
Things you’d take on a “regular” camping trip, such as a flashlight/headlamp, toothbrush, toothpaste, insect repellent, etc. were not discussed, but are obviously still necessary.
Make sure your jungle survival gear is field worthy before you set out on your journey.
If your machete needs some hockey tape on the handle for added grip, make sure you find out in the comfort of your garden first.
If your hammock isn’t sturdy enough for your weight, don’t find out by falling through the bottom of it at 2 am in the rainforest!
Practicing with your gear will boost your confidence and allow you to thrive more efficiently in the wild.
A flare gun is a pistol-like device that fires flares for signaling or illumination in emergencies. This article will help you decide what the “right” flare gun is for preppers!
Urban, suburban, rural, and wilderness preppers should all study and master survival foraging. This basic foraging guide will get you thinking about finding survival foods in the wild.
No stone will be left unturned as we explore everything preppers need to know about smoke grenades. What are the best to buy and should you keep them in your Bug Out Bag?
