Weapon: Writing Utensil
What It Is: Inka, an all-terrain pen that will attach to your clothing or gear
Survival: It has a pressurized ink cartridge that writes at any angle, temperature, and altitude, as well as under water
The Bonus: It's made of stainless steel
What It Costs: MSRP is $30
How to Get It: Inka Corp., 303.443.5121, www.inkacorp.com
Weapon: Handheld 24/7 SmartBright
What It Is: Flashlight + strobe + SOS signal + emergency/locator beacons
Survival: You're a walking disco that will be a breeze to find if you get lost
The Bonus: Accessories include adjustable lanyard, headgear, and magnetic mount
What It Costs: Around $60
How to Get It: Emissive Energy Corp., 401.294.2030, www.inovalight.com
Weapon: Digital Compass/ Altimeter
What It Is: TerraTech
Survival: If you're lost, this will be your new best friend, thanks to palm-size basic electronic navigation. If you're simply curious about your surroundings, it will display nearly anything you could want to know
The Bonus: Watch, chronograph, alarm, LED, thermometer, and countdown timer
What It Costs: MSRP is $65
How to Get It: HighGear, 888.295.4949 or www.highgear.com
Weapon: Max Tool System
What It Is: An ax, hoe, shovel, pick, rake, and more
Survival: You can do anything, from clearing camp to digging a tire out of sand
The Bonus: It's extremely compact-the carrying case has pockets for each attachment
What It Costs: $189.95 for one set; price drops for two or more
How to Get It: Forrest Tool Company, 707.937.2141, www.maxax.com
Weapon: Tool & Light Kit
What It Is: Emergency stash to keep in your truck; includes pliers, an electrical tester, a cutter, a multi-screwdriver, and a spare-key holder.
Survival: It's a downsized toolbox that still covers all the bases
The Bonus: The flashlight will automatically turn on when removed from the case
What It Costs: $35
How to Get It: Jeep, www.gear.jeep.com
Weapon: Binocular
What It Is: ProStaff Waterproof Compact All-Terrain Binocular (ATB)
Survival: This compact optical line has focus distances of under 10 feet, while field of view ranges from 330 feet in the 8-power to 220 feet in the 12-power model
The Bonus: The ATB is fogproof too
What It Costs: Starts at $119.95 for the 8x25
How to Get It: Nikon Sport Optics, 800.248.6846, www.nikonsportoptics.com
Gerber's Camp Axe
Weapon: Knife/ Machete/Axe
What It Is: Fixed or folding blades, regular or serrated edges, rubber or steel handles, whatever combination you want and need, you can find
Survival: Every backpacker, hunter, and camper should have a blade, whether it's for skinning, chopping, or cutting, or for clearing a trail
The Bonus: They range from regular ol' pocket kind to hybrids
What It Costs: You can find a knife for any price; however, it's $39.95 for the Vagabond, about $108 for the Trident, $21.99 for the 97KMS, and approximately $40 for the Camp Axe
How to Get It: Spyderco, 800.525.7770 or 303.279.8383, www.spyderco.com; SOG, 425.771.6230, www.sogknives.com; Gerber Legendary Blades, 800.950.6161 or 503.639.6161, www.gerbergear.com; Cold Steel, 800.255.4716, www.coldsteel.com
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Spyderco's Vagabond
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Cold Steel's 97KMS
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SOG's Trident
Weapon: QuickAir2
What It Is: Portable air compressor
Survival: Fill your tires, raft, and mattress
The Bonus: It has a 25-foot nylon coil hose
What It Costs: Starts at $305 for the compressor only
How to Get It: Sun Performance Products, 714.708.7730, www.sunperformance.com
Weapon: MSR MIOX
What It Is: A water purifier
Survival: A compact water-treatment system that can treat up to a gallon of water with a single dose. Uses electrolysis and mixed-oxidant technology to kill water cooties
The Bonus: No pumping or iodine is required
What It Costs: $129.95
How to Get It: Mountain Safety Research, 800.531.9531, www.msrcorp.com
Weapon: Hi-Lift Jack
What It Is: A multipurpose jack/must-have recovery equipment
Survival: Use it for changing a tire, as a winch for extracting your truck from a stuck, or anything else that requires pushing or pulling
The Bonus: Sizes include 48 and 60 inches, and it weighs around 30 pounds
What It Costs: Starts at about $65
How to Get It: Hi-Lift Jack Company, 800.233.2051 or 812.384.4441, www.hi-lift.com
Other Weapons Of Survival
* Winch
* Tow strap
* Tree saver
* Extra fuel
* Spare parts and fluids
* A container for catching fluid/oil leaks
* Toilet paper
* Trash bags
* Tire-pressure gauge
* Jumper cables
* Tow hook
* Sunblock and insect repellent
* Maps (including BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Geological Survey)