Few things solve as many unexpected problems as a handful of cable ties. They lash gear to a pack, hold a broken car part together long enough to get home, secure a tarp, bundle cables, splint a pole, or replace a snapped strap. They're strong, weather-resistant, and take up virtually no space — the definition of a high-value, low-cost preparedness item.
Like duct tape and paracord, cable ties are a general-purpose fixer: you rarely plan exactly how you'll use them, but you'll reach for them constantly. A mixed pack in a kit, car and drawer means you're ready for the improvised repair you can't predict.
Use them for on-the-spot repairs and securing jobs — reattaching a car trim or exhaust heat shield temporarily, lashing kit to a rucksack, rigging a shelter, bundling cords, or even as an improvised restraint or splint fastening. Keep a range of sizes so you have the length and strength each job needs.
Small ties for bundling and long, wide ties for heavy jobs means one pack covers everything from cables to car repairs.
Outdoor-grade ties resist sunlight and cold without going brittle, so a repair holds up outside rather than snapping in a week.
Heavy-duty ties with a stated load rating hold real weight — essential when you're trusting them with gear or a temporary vehicle fix.
Small ties snap under load. Include some long, heavy-duty ones so you can handle straps, shelter and vehicle repairs, not just cable bundling.
Most ties can't be reused once tightened. Carry plenty rather than trying to preserve one, and pack a spare handful in every kit.
Strong, weather-resistant cable ties for securing, bundling and repairing almost anything — a featherweight, do-everything fastener for kits, cars and toolboxes.
A 50-metre roll of 3M's general-purpose cloth duct tape for the repairs and improvised fixes that come up in any emergency. It tears by hand and sticks to most surfaces, so it earns its place taping tarps, sealing gaps or patching kit in the field. A trusted-brand roll is worth keeping in the grab bag and the car.
A 30-metre length of 7-strand 550 paracord for shelter building, gear repairs and countless improvised jobs. One of the highest-utility items you can pack for its weight.
A concentrated de-icer from a trusted UK car-care brand that clears a frozen windscreen in seconds. Keep one by the door for the commute and a spare in the boot so an overnight freeze never turns into a dangerous, half-scraped drive.
A compact folding saw that cuts green wood, dry timber, plastic and bone with ease. A bushcraft favourite for processing firewood and clearing obstacles.
A 30-litre water-resistant rucksack that makes a solid grab bag — big enough for a couple of days of essentials without being so large you overpack it. Berghaus is a long-standing UK outdoor brand, so the straps and stitching are built to carry a real load rather than fall apart at the first emergency. Keep it packed by the door with your kit inside so you can leave in seconds.
A six-pack of lightweight PU-coated grip gloves for the fiddly, hands-on jobs after a storm or during a clean-up. They keep enough dexterity for handling debris, moving kit or clearing broken glass without wrecking a bulky pair each time. Not cut-proof gauntlets — think everyday protection you won't mind getting dirty.
Heavy-duty duct tape is the ultimate field repair solution — capable of patching tents, waterproofs, shelters, and gear in seconds. A survival kit staple that weighs almost nothing when wrapped around a pencil or card.
550 paracord is an incredibly versatile survival essential — useful for shelter building, gear repair, first aid improvisation, and dozens of other field applications. Lightweight and compact for its strength.
A quality multi-tool combines pliers, knife blades, screwdrivers, and other implements into a single compact unit. The Swiss Army knife's more robust cousin and an indispensable survival companion.
