28 Underrated Prepping Items That Could Save Your Life

Looking around the world today, I’m glad I’m a prepper. There’s a war going on in Europe. There’s another war going on in the Middle East. China and North Korea both look like they’re tempted to start wars in Asia. The US went through what was probably the ugliest election campaign in its history, and a lot of people are unhappy. It’s a reassuring thought that with so many potential flashpoints ready to explode I have plenty food, water, fuel and basic medical supplies stockpiled.

That isn’t all I have stockpiled, though. Yes, I focus on the essentials needed to keep me alive if society collapses and takes all its tangled, fragile distribution chains with it. I won’t die of starvation or thirst. I can treat common health problems and a fairly wide range of injuries. I’ll be able to cook for a long, long time. I can even keep some lights on for months.

The thing is, a lot of preppers focus so much on those essentials that they don’t get round to stockpiling some other things that would be extremely useful when SHTF. It’s understandable; when you look at the list of survival needs, it isn’t obvious how duct tape is going to help you with any of them. The thing is, it will – and this is just the first item to consider.

Let’s just think about the unwanted scenario in which everything collapses around you. You are prepared and you bought the No-Grid Survival Projects book. You realize you need a larger water harvesting system and you open the book. You go through the list and the instructions and realize you lack several tools that could make your job a lot easier. This scenario will be so common when SHTF.

There are a lot of things that don’t immediately meet any survival need, but will actually boost your chances significantly, and make life a lot easier in the process. Here are some of the underrated but vital items every prepper should be building a stockpile of:

Duct tape

I already mentioned this briefly, and it deserves its place at the top of the list. Duct tape is basically a miracle substance. Take a roll of it a thousand years back in time and show the people back then what it can do; they’d think it was magic. From quick but strong repairs to a crude but strong construction material, it can do almost anything. The Mythbusters once did a survival challenge, marooned on an island with nothing but a pallet of duct tape. In another challenge, they built a bridge out of it.

Safety Pins

Paracord

Nothing is as versatile as duct tape, but 550 paracord comes close. It’s lightweight and incredibly strong. You can even pull out the nylon strands from its core and use them as fishing line, sewing thread or sutures.

Contraceptives

Contraceptives, like condoms, are often overlooked when prepping for emergencies, but they are an underrated item to include in your survival kit. Beyond their primary function, they can be incredibly useful, like to create makeshift water storage bags, securing small items, or even as emergency tourniquets in extreme situations. They are lightweight, compact, and have a long shelf life, making them a practical addition to your supplies.

Bungee cords

These are great for securing items during transport, rigging up temporary shelters, or even just keeping things organized in your survival kit. They come in a variety of sizes, so stock up on a range of different lengths and thicknesses.

Zip ties

Another versatile fastener, these have all sorts of uses. Big ones can fasten poles together for a shelter; small ones can be used for quick repairs to clothes, boots and equipment. Need an improvised handle to carry something? Make it out of zip ties.

Inverter

A compact and powerful inverter like this one lets you convert the car battery’s DC power into AC power. You can thus use it to charge electronic devices and even run smaller appliances. Its versatility and portability make it an essential item in emergency situations, especially when the grid is down. Whether you’re camping, bugging out, or experiencing a power outage, this inverter ensures that you can keep your devices charged and operational, which is vital for communication, navigation, or light.

Candles

Most preppers already have some candles stashed – but they’re cheap and compact, so why not get some more? They can provide light, heat, and even a way to start fires in an emergency. Plus, they have a long shelf life, so you can stock up without worrying about them expiring.

Batteries

Again, preppers rarely forget batteries – but do you have enough? We tend to underestimate how many we’re going to need. Consider using cheaper ones to bulk up your supply. High-end alkaline batteries are best for things like GPS handsets, but Amazon sell bulk packs of affordable and reasonably good ones. Avoid dollar store batteries – they have a short life and they’re prone to leaking, which can damage the rest of your stockpile.

Tarps

Another item with many uses, tarps are light, compact and cheap. You can use them to protect supplies from the weather, set up an improvised shelter or quickly seal a damaged roof. The tough fabric can be used to make bags or even protective clothing. If you find yourself exposed to nuclear fallout, cover yourself in a tarp as you escape the contaminated zone, then ditch it – and the fallout – when you reach safety.

Fishing gear

A lot of people look at how long you can spend casting a lure before you catch a fish, and reject it as a survival food source. They’re right – but there are other ways to fish. Stock up on basic gear, like heavy line, leader material, sinkers and hooks. Then make up a longline with a few dozen hooks on it, bait the hooks and set it out in a river or lake overnight. More hooks and less effort turns fishing into a viable way to harvest protein.

Gasoline Siphon Hose Pump

A portable fuel transfer pump allows you to quickly and safely move gasoline or other liquids from one container to another, which is vital in a survival situation. Whether you’re storing fuel for your generator, lawnmower, or other essential equipment, such a pump helps ensure that your fuel is easily accessible and ready when you need it most. Look for one like this because of Its durable construction and lightweight design, which make it perfect for both home use and when you’re on the move. In times of crisis, having a reliable fuel transfer system can make the difference between keeping critical equipment running and being left without power. This pump is an underrated tool that no prepper should overlook—ensuring that you have a backup power source when the grid fails.

Carbon Monoxide Detector

Whether you’re using a generator, camping with a propane stove, or simply trying to ensure your home is safe, a portable detector gives you peace of mind. Something like this is small enough to be kept in your emergency kit, yet powerful enough to alert you before things escalate. This underrated item ensures that you’re not only prepared with supplies but also protected from hidden dangers, making it an invaluable addition to any survival plan.

Aluminum foil

Again, this is as versatile as it is cheap and lightweight. Aluminum foil can be turned into an improvised pot for boiling water. Wrap food in it for cooking without utensils. It can even be used as a crude signaling mirror to attract rescuers.

Also, did you know that you can build an outdoor oven with cardboard and some aluminum foil? If not, this is just one of the projects presented in the Navy Seal’s Bug-In Guide so check it out.

The point is, aluminum foil has more uses than you might imagine.

Electrolyte Powder Packets

Such easy-to-carry packets provide essential electrolytes, even without the added sugar, making them perfect for staying hydrated and maintaining energy levels during strenuous physical activities or in hot weather. Whether you’re hiking, working outdoors, or preparing for an emergency, keeping your electrolyte balance in check is crucial for preventing dehydration and maintaining stamina. These packets not only support physical performance but also help to avoid the fatigue, cramps, and confusion that dehydration can cause in a survival situation. With this simple addition to your emergency supplies, you’ll be ready to face the toughest challenges.

Lock Pick Sets

Lock pick sets are one of the most underrated yet powerful additions to any prepper’s toolkit. In a true grid-down scenario, access is everything—whether you’re retrieving essential gear, salvaging supplies, or securing shelter. Lishi tools are known for their precision and efficiency, making them ideal for quickly opening a variety of locks with minimal effort and noise. While they require some practice, the payoff in flexibility and preparedness is immense. In the right hands, a Lishi set isn’t just a lock pick, it’s a lifeline when seconds count and resources are scarce.

Glowsticks

Emergency glowsticks might seem like child’s play but in a crisis, they’re silent lifesavers. These compact, no-battery-needed lights provide up to 12 hours of illumination, making them perfect for blackouts, bug-out bags, and signaling in low-visibility conditions. Unlike flashlights, they don’t risk draining precious power or giving away your location with sudden brightness. Durable, weatherproof, and easy to stash anywhere, glowsticks are a low-cost, high-reliability tool that every prepper should keep on hand. When the lights go out, you’ll be glad you have them.

Disposable gloves

A box of nitrile gloves is cheap, but they have all sorts of used. Don a pair when doing first aid, to cut the risk of infection. They’re thin, but they can keep hazardous chemicals and even nuclear fallout off your skin and out of open wounds. You can even use them to carry a surprising amount of water, if you need to.

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly might not scream “survival gear,” but it’s one of the most versatile and underrated items you can have in your prepping stash. A little jar of petroleum jelly can be used to treat cuts, prevent chafing, soothe burns, protect skin in harsh weather, and even start fires when combined with cotton balls. It’s shelf-stable for years and doesn’t take up much space—yet its utility is almost endless. Whether you’re bugging in or bugging out, Vaseline is a quiet essential you’ll be glad you packed.

Speaking about starting a fire, you might want to learn about the most important 3 types. These are:

All of these are presented in the Wilderness Long-Term Survival Guide, which is available at a special discount price for Ask A Prepper readers HERE.

Related: DIY Waterproof Fire Starter

Pantyhose

Pantyhose might seem like an unexpected addition to your prepping supplies, but it’s actually an underrated item that can offer significant benefits in emergency situations. These pantyhose provide lightweight support and can be used for a variety of practical purposes in a survival scenario. For instance, in The Lost Superfoods, you can learn about 20 foods that you can keep longer in pantyhose, a very useful hack most people know nothing about.

Pantyhose are great for added warmth in cold weather, can be used as makeshift tourniquets or even straining liquids in a pinch. Their tight, durable construction makes them a useful option when you need something versatile and reliable. When space is limited in your bug-out bag or emergency kit, lightweight items like these that have multiple uses can make all the difference, and they won’t take up much room.

Waterproof Flash Drive

Designed to withstand water, shock, and extreme conditions, this durable flash drive keeps critical documents, prepper books, maps, and personal data safe no matter what hits the fan. Whether you’re facing natural disasters or grid-down scenarios, having your digital backups protected in a virtually indestructible shell gives you a serious edge. In a world where data can be just as valuable as food or fire, this USB drive is a low-profile powerhouse every prepper should own.

Rags

Instead of throwing out old towels, T-shirts and anything else made of natural fabrics, stick them in a bag and add it to your stockpile. Rags have a million uses; cleaning, improvised bandages, tinder for fire-starting, or even caulking holes in the walls of a log cabin to keep the heat in and the wind out.

Wind-Up Alarm Clock

This is a surprisingly underrated prepping item for anyone looking to stay organized and on time during emergencies. This wind-up clock doesn’t rely on electricity or batteries, ensuring that you can always keep track of time, no matter the circumstances. In situations where power is unavailable or unreliable, this simple, no-fuss clock is invaluable. Its loud alarm ensures you won’t miss important tasks or events, even in a crisis. Compact, dependable, and highly practical, it’s an essential addition to any off-grid living setup or emergency kit, ensuring you maintain a sense of normalcy and routine when things get tough.

Glasses

Few people think about having a spare pair of glasses on hand when SHTF but you will not make that mistake, right? In a long-term crisis, access to eye care and replacements will be scarce, and your ability to see clearly could mean the difference between safety and death. Whether you’re reading a map, repairing gear, or spotting threats from a distance, good vision is crucial. Keeping extra pairs of reading or vision correction glasses in your go-bag is a smart, low-cost move that future-you will be thankful for.

Sewing supplies

When you’re working hard to survive, your clothes will take a beating. Damaged clothes give less protection from the weather, so it’s vital to repair any rips as soon as possible. The thing is, this is going to happen a lot – so one spool of cotton and a pack of needles isn’t going to be enough. Get a few big spools and plenty needles. Then add some extra fabric for patching, and some buttons and spare zippers.

Kitty Litter

Cat litter might not be the first thing that comes to mind when building a survival stockpile, but it is an incredibly underrated prepping item. Beyond its intended use, this super-absorbent litter can be a lifesaver in grid-down situations where sanitation becomes a serious challenge. It is perfect for DIY emergency toilets, helping to control odor and absorb waste when plumbing systems fail. Its long shelf life, low dust, and high absorbency make it ideal not just for pet owners, but for anyone serious about off-grid hygiene. Preppers looking to stay clean and healthy during a crisis should definitely consider adding this to their supplies.

Pencil Sharpener

The humble pencil sharpener is an often-overlooked gem in any prepper’s gear. In a survival scenario, when power is out and digital tools fail, having reliable, low-tech ways to mark maps, write notes, or track supplies becomes essential. This compact, lightweight sharpener ensures your pencils are always ready, whether you’re planning routes, keeping a journal, or maintaining communication logs. Plus, it requires no electricity, making it perfect for off-grid living. The shavings you get can be used to start a fire and you can also sharpen small branches for other survival uses.

Vitamin D Lamp

With its ability to mimic natural sunlight, a vitamin D lamp like this one provides essential light and warmth, which can be crucial during extended power outages or off-grid situations. In a prepping context, it’s not just a source of light but can also help boost mood and regulate sleep cycles, particularly in the dark winter months or during emergencies when sunlight is scarce. Its compact and portable design makes it easy to store, and it offers a reliable energy source that can be powered off solar panels or backup power sources. For anyone looking to stay mentally and physically well during times of uncertainty, this sun lamp is a simple yet powerful addition to any prepper’s toolkit.

Final Thoughts

Building up a reserve of the basics will give you a huge head start on survival, but you can make your chances a lot better by also stockpiling the things on this list, too. Do you have any other underrated prepping items we should all be adding to our stores? Let us know in the comments.

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