SOL Survival Kit
By Mark Sticht
The Purchase
You can pick up a Survive Outdoors Longer (SOL) Survival Kit
for about $35 from Amazon. At the time, that included free shipping.
First Impressions
Lightweight - the kit is only 6.25 ounces; a bit heavier than an iPhone. For something that could save your life that doesn't seem too bad. I really wanted to see how sharp the knife was. Is it one of those that is great out of the box or one that needs some TLC in order to make a clean cut in paper? I was happy to see it was the former, it is sharp and ready to go.
The Real World
Dec. 30, 2012
I always title this section "Real World". I hope with this product I don't ever need it in the real world, so I'll go with what experience I do have. I had a kit twice as big on my wilderness survival night in Boy Scouts. It was the worst night I've ever had camping - not because we went out with almost nothing, but there was a huge all-night thunderstorm shaking the ground and pounding us with rain. How would the SOL kit have helped me then? I would have been able to get fire going, and had a decent knife and a little nylon cord - but that is about it for that night. I sure wasn't up for any fishing.
The included instructions are more of a reminder, but if you've ever done any reading on survival it is enough to jog your memory and point you in the right direction when you may otherwise forget what you once knew.
Overall, it is a great little starter kit, but if you are serious enough to build your own, you may want to go that route.
Pros:
- Decent size, compact, but has more room to add your own items
- Sharp knife
- Firestarter really throws the sparks
- Compass - not much of one, but better than nothing.
- Built in signal mirror
- Small LED flashlight
- Instructions, or at least a reminder
Cons:
- Lacks anything good for shelter. A poncho, heat sheet, mylar bag, etc.
Things you should consider adding:
- Something for shelter/warmth, some energy, maybe a small tube of gel or even hard candy
- A small pencil and some scraps of paper
- A few water purification tablets
Contents
- ABS plastic waterproof case
- Knife
- Compass
- LED Flashlight
- Fire striker
- TinderQuick waterproof firestarter
- Whistle
- Signal mirror
- Fishing hooks and line
- Stainless steel wire
- Aluminum foil
- 150 lb. test braided nylon cord
- Survival tips
Specs
- 6.25 oz. (177 grams)
- 3-7/8" x 2-3/4" x 1-1/2"
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