Alone Survival Gear List: The Alone 10 Items Ultimate Guide

At Self Reliance Outfitters, we understand that the right equipment is crucial, whether you're inspired by the show or gearing up for your own wilderness adventure. This comprehensive guide will explore the gear choices of all ten Alone winners, analyze the common items selected by contestants, and discuss the required and prohibited items as per the show's rules. With this guide, we’ll answer “what are the 10 items allowed on Alone?” with information on the 10 items rule and the prohibited and allowed items. You will also be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to survive and thrive in the wild, just like the show’s contestants.

What is Alone?

The TV show Alone has captivated audiences with its raw and intense portrayal of survival in some of the world’s most unforgiving environments. Unlike other reality shows, Alone strips survival down to its most primal elements, leaving contestants truly isolated with only a limited selection of gear and their wits to rely on. Each participant must endure the harsh elements, scavenge for food, and fend off wildlife with only 10 items of their choice. They do this all while facing the psychological challenge of being completely alone for days, weeks, or even months. 

Let’s delve into what makes Alone unique, exploring how the show works, the strategies contestants use to survive, and the psychological toll that true isolation can take. Whether you’re a fan of the show or new to the concept, this guide will give you an in-depth look at what it takes to survive on Alone.

Required Alone Survival Gear List

Throughout every season, participants receive a set of standard gear, which is provided in specific quantities and specifications. This standard gear does not count toward the unique 10 items that participants are allowed to bring.

The standard equipment typically includes clothing and safety gear. Here’s a detailed list of these items and their specifications:

• 1 pair of gaiters
• 1 pair of waterproof Arctic winter boots
• 1 fleece or wool shirt
• 2 pairs of thermal underwear
• 1 waterproof, un-insulated shell/jacket or un-insulated, windproof anorak
• 2 hats (brimmed, wool, fur, arctic, or baseball)
• 1 pair of eyeglasses
• 2 pairs of underwear or briefs
• 1 pair of high-leg hunting boots
• 1 insulated parka-style jacket or anorak-style jacket (no system-style or multi-layer jackets)
• 6 pairs of wool socks
• 1 leather belt
• 2 wool, fleece, or cotton sweaters
• 1 T-shirt
• 4 pairs of gloves
• 2 pairs of bushcraft pants or bibs (can unzip into shorts)
• 1 shemagh or scarf
• 2 buffs or neck gaiters
• 1 personal photograph
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 pair of fully insulated or waterproof winter pants/bibs
• 1 hiking or bushcraft backpack

Note that anything with a full zipper is considered a jacket. Shirts can have a half to three-quarters zipper or a full set of buttons. A sweater is classified as a pullover.

Safety gear may also be provided, depending on the season and location. For example, in season eight, contestants received bear spray and similar deterrents.

What Are the 10 Items Allowed on Alone

The challenge of Alone is intensified by the strict limitations on what contestants can bring. Each participant must carefully select 10 items from a pre-approved list, balancing necessity with versatility. Here’s a breakdown of the gear typically allowed on the show:

Shelter/Hygiene

• Ground cover cloth or tarp (12×12 max)
• 8-mm climbing rope (10 meters max)
• 550 Paracord (80 meters max) – an essential part of bushcraft gear.
• 1 sleeping bag
• 3-mm cotton cord (40 meters max; must be non-waxed)
• 1 sleeping pad
• 1 bivy bag
• 1 bar of soap
• 1 hammock
• 1 tube of toothpaste (8 oz)
• 1 shaving razor
• 1 face flannel
• Dental floss (40 mm)
• 1 small bar of shower soap
• 1 towel
• 1 comb

Cooking & Food

• 1 roll of single-filament fish line with an up to 20 lbs weight test (300 yards) and 35 barbless hooks
• 1 primitive recurve bow (or longbow) and 9 arrows
• 1 small gill net
• 1 net foraging bag
• 2 lbs of trapping wire
• 1 slingshot, 30 ball bearings, and 1 replacement band
• Various Emergency Rations (type and amount vary each season)
• 3 lbs of one solid salt block
• 1 large pot
• 1 steel frying pan (no more than 2 quarts)
• 1 flint or Ferro rod(or equivalent)
• 1 enamel bowl for eating
• 1 spoon

Tools/ Weapons/ Other

• 1 pocket knife (four-inch blade max)
• 1 hunting knife (six-inch blade max)
• 1 survival multi-tool (or similar)
• 1 sharpening stone
• 1 roll of duct tape
• 1 small shovel
• 1 small sewing kit
• 1 carabiner
• 1 LED flashlight or headlamp (no batteries)
• 50 feet of hose (no more than 1 inch in diameter)
• Machete
• Axe (see our best bushcraft axe guide)
• Adze
• Saw
• 2-Hand draw knife
• Scotch-eyed auger
• Pair of ice spikes

Popular Gear Items 

Over the seasons, certain gear items have consistently appeared on nearly every gear list due to their universal importance in survival situations. These items have consistently proven their value on Alone, becoming essential tools for contestants facing harsh conditions:

• Bows and Arrows: Crucial for procuring food, bows and arrows enable stealthy and effective hunting and often make the difference between going hungry and maintaining strength.
• Fishing Kits: In areas with abundant water, a fishing kit is indispensable. It provides a reliable source of protein when larger game is scarce, making it a popular choice among contestants.
• Sleeping Bags: A high-quality sleeping bag can be a lifesaver, offering warmth and comfort during cold nights. Contestants typically choose bags that are both lightweight and highly insulating.
• Knives: Essential for tasks ranging from food preparation to tool crafting and shelter building, a knife is a survivalist’s best friend.
• Fire Starters:Ferro rods are especially valued for their durability and reliability. They provide a dependable method for starting fires in any weather condition.
• Water Purification: Ensuring access to clean drinking water is crucial. Many contestants rely on water purification tablets or compact filtration systems to safely drink from natural sources.

Winners Alone 10 Items Gear Lists 

The gear choices of past Alone winners offer valuable insights into what it takes to outlast the competition. By examining the gear lists of these survival experts, we can identify key items that contributed to their success:

Alan Kay – Season 1

Here are the ten items Alan selected to bring on his survival journey to Vancouver Island:

1. Saw
2. Axe
3. Sleeping bag
4. Large 2-quart pot
5. Ferro rod
6. Water bottle/canteen
7. 300 yards single filament line with 25 assorted hooks
8. Small gauge gill net
9. 3.5lb wire
10. Knife

David McIntyre – Season 2

Here are the ten items David selected to bring on his survival journey to Vancouver Island:

1. Stainless steel knife
2. Ferro rod
3. 2-quart pot
4. 270 yards of 50 lb test fishing line, 30 yards of 100 lb test line, 25 circle hooks
5. Straight-blade folding saw
6. 2 lb axe
7. 0° rated sleeping bag
8. Bivy bag with US Army-issue Gore-Tex cover
9. Gill net
10. Emergency rations

Zachary Fowler – Season 3

Here are the ten items Zachary selected to bring on his survival journey to Patagonia:

1. Shovel: Spetznas (Russian Special Forces) model w/ sharpened edge
2. Sleeping Bag: -20°
3. Axe: felling axe
4. Pot: 2 quarts w/ handle
5. Ferro Rod
6. Slingshot: custom-made, 2 elastic bands, 30 pieces of ammo
7. Fishing Line & Hooks: 25 hooks; 20 lb test & 50 lb test
8. Paracord
9. Saw: crosscut saw
10. Multitool: pliers, guthook, screwdriver, blade, spoon gauge, file, scissors, sewing awl

Jim and Ted Baird – Season 4

Here are the ten items Ted and Jim selected to bring on their survival journey to Vancouver Island:

1. Saw – crosscut teeth
2. Bow and arrows – recurve bow, 50+ lb. draw
3. Gillnet
4. Tarp – 12′ x 12′
5. Trapping wire
6. Fishing line and hooks
7. Pot – titanium
8. Multitool
9. Rations
10. Axe – painted orange

Sam Larson – Season 5

Here are the ten items Sam selected to bring on his survival journey to Mongolia:

1. Saw
2. Axe
3. Pot
4. Ferro rod
5. Multitool
6. Food Ration
7. Food ration
8. Sleeping bag
9. Paracord
10. Trapping wire

Jordan Jonas – Season 6

Here are the ten items Jordan selected to bring on his survival journey to the Arctic:

1. Paracord
2. Saw
3. Axe
4. Sleeping bag
5. Frying pan
6. Ferro rod
7. Fishing line and hooks
8. Bow and arrows
9. Trapping wire
10. Multitool

Roland Welker – Season 7

Here are the ten items Roland selected to bring on his survival journey to the Arctic:

1. Ferro rod
2. Gill net
3. Pot
4. Trapping wire
5. Axe
6. Saw
7. Multitool
8. Belt knife
9. Bow and arrows
10. Sleeping bag

Clay Hayes – Season 8

Here are the ten items Clay selected to bring on his survival journey to Grizzly Mountain:

1. Sleeping bag
2. Pot
3. Axe
4. Saw
5. Multitool
6. Bow and arrows
7. Paracord
8. Fishing line and hooks
9. Snare wire
10. Ferro rods

Juan Pablo Quiñonez – Season 9

Here are the ten items Juan Pablo selected to bring on his survival journey to the remote wilderness valley in Labrador, Canada:

1. Ferro rod
2. Paracord
3. 2-quart pot
4. Axe
5. Fishing line and hooks
6. Saw
7. Bow and arrows
8. Sleeping bag
9. Trapping wire
10. Multitool

Alan Tenta – Season 10

Here are the ten items Alan selected to bring on his survival journey to the bone-chilling temperatures of Northern Saskatchewan, Canada:

1. Ax
2. Saw
3. Ferro Rod
4. Fishing Line and Hooks
5. Bow and Arrows
6. Sleeping Bag
7. Cooking Pot
8. Paracord
9. Snare Wire
10. Multitool

Prohibited Items

To keep the challenge as authentic as possible, certain items are strictly prohibited on Alone. These restrictions force contestants to rely on traditional survival skills rather than modern conveniences:

• Firearms: Guns are not allowed, requiring contestants to use more primitive methods for hunting and self-defense, such as bows and traps.
• Advanced Technology: GPS devices, cell phones, and other modern technology are banned, ensuring that contestants must navigate and survive using their knowledge and basic tools.
• Food Supplies: Pre-packaged meals, snacks, and any other food supplies are prohibited. Contestants must hunt, fish, or forage for all their food, adding to the challenge of self-sufficiency.

Typical Gear For Survivalists 

Survival gear is essential for anyone venturing into the wilderness, embarking on outdoor adventures, or preparing for emergencies. The right gear can mean the difference between life and death, providing the tools you need to navigate, stay warm, find food, and signal for help. In this blog, we’ll explore the standard survival gear every adventurer or Alone contestant should carry and how each item can be effectively used.

Survival Knife

A survival knife is one of the most versatile tools in your kit. It can be used for cutting rope, preparing food, building shelters, and even starting fires. A knife with a fixed blade is generally more durable and reliable than a folding knife. In a survival situation, you can use your knife to:

• Cut branches and saplings to build a shelter.
• Prepare kindling to start a fire.
• Carve traps or tools out of wood.
• Defend yourself against potential threats.

Firestarter

Fire is crucial for warmth, cooking, purifying water, light and comfort. A firestarter, such as a magnesium fire starter or waterproof matches, ensures you can create a fire even in challenging conditions. Here’s how you can use your firestarter:

• Gather dry tinder such as leaves, bark, or small twigs.
• Strike the firestarter to produce sparks and ignite the tinder.
• Feed the fire with progressively larger pieces of wood to sustain it.

Emergency Shelter

An emergency shelter, such as a space blanket, bivy sack, or tarp, protects you from the elements. In extreme weather, a shelter can prevent hypothermia or heat exhaustion. Use your shelter to:

• Create a barrier between yourself and the ground to retain body heat.
• Shield yourself from wind and rain to stay dry.
• Reflect body heat back towards you if using a space blanket.

Water Purification System

Water is vital for survival, but untreated water can carry harmful pathogens. A water purification system, like a portable filter or water purification tablets, ensures that you have access to safe drinking water. Here’s how to use them:

• Filter water from natural sources like rivers or lakes using a portable filter.
• Treat water by adding purification tablets and waiting the recommended time before drinking.
• Boil water if you have a metal container and fire as a backup method of purification.

First Aid Kit

Injuries can happen, and having a first aid kit can prevent minor wounds from becoming major problems. A well-stocked kit should include bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and tools like tweezers. Use your first aid kit to:

• Clean and dress wounds to prevent infection.
• Treat blisters before they become debilitating.
• Administer basic care for sprains, burns, or insect bites.

Multi-tool

A multi-tool is a compact and portable device that combines several tools into one. Common features include pliers, screwdrivers, scissors, and can openers. A multi-tool can be used to:

• Repair gear like tents, backpacks, or clothing.
• Open cans and other food containers.
• Cut wires or fishing line as needed.

Navigation Tools

Navigation tools, including a map, compass, and GPS device, are essential for finding your way in the wilderness. Even if you have a GPS, it’s crucial to know how to use a map and compass as a backup. Here’s how to use these tools:

• First, orient your map using the compass to align with your surroundings.
• Then, plot a course to your destination using landmarks and compass bearings.
• Track your progress and make adjustments as needed to stay on course.

Note that one of the more challenging parts of Alone is the survivors are not allowed to pack a GPS device and must rely solely on other navigation techniques while on the show.

Signaling Devices

In a survival situation, signaling for help can save your life. A whistle, signal mirror, or flare gun can attract attention. Use signaling devices to:

• Create loud noises with a whistle to alert people nearby.
• Reflect sunlight with a signal mirror to catch the attention of distant searchers.
• Fire a flare into the air as a distress signal.

While the contestants on Alone do not need to worry about calling for help with signaling devices, this can be an essential item for other survivalists. 

Paracord

Paracord is a lightweight, strong nylon rope that can be used in a variety of survival scenarios. With its durability and versatility, paracord can be used to:

• Secure shelters by tying down tarps or branches.
• Create a makeshift sling or tourniquet in case of injury.
• Fashion traps or fishing lines to procure food.

Emergency Food

Non-perishable emergency food, such as energy bars or freeze-dried meals, ensures you have sustenance when food is scarce. These items are compact, lightweight, and packed with calories. Use your emergency food to:

• Maintain your energy levels during prolonged periods without fresh food.
• Ration your supplies carefully to extend their longevity.
• Supplement with foraged food when possible, using your knife and other tools.

Whether you're an avid outdoors person or someone preparing for emergencies, having the right survival gear is essential. Each piece of equipment has specific uses that can help you navigate challenges, stay safe, and increase your chances of survival.

Our Guide To Your Ultimate Survival Packing List

In any survival situation, having the right tools and supplies can mean the difference between merely surviving and thriving in even the harshest conditions. Drawing inspiration from the standard gear lists seen on Alone, we've curated a selection of must-have items for any outdoor adventure. These essentials have been tested and proven in the wild, offering you the best chance of success, whether you're on a weekend trip or an extended journey into the wilderness.

Essential Gear for Survival

• Multi-Purpose Cutting Tools: A sharp, reliable blade is crucial for various tasks, from carving traps and preparing food to building shelter. Whether it’s a sturdy axe or our Pathfinder Trade Knife, these tools provide the versatility and strength needed to handle a wide range of survival tasks with confidence.
• Fire-Starting Equipment: In survival, fire is life—it provides warmth, cooks food, and can signal for help. Equip yourself with dependable fire-starting tools, such as ferro rods, matches, or lighters. These are vital for ensuring you can start a fire under any conditions, just as Alone contestants do.
• Shelter: Protecting yourself from the elements is paramount. A durable tarp or tent offers crucial protection from wind, rain, and cold. Our compact, weather-resistant tarps are easy to carry and robust enough to create a reliable shelter, much like the rudimentary shelters seen on Alone.
• Cooking Pot: A stainless steel Bush Pot is more than just a cooking vessel—it's an essential survival tool for boiling water, preparing meals, and even gathering and storing resources. Our cooking gear is designed for durability and efficiency, making it perfect for both emergency situations and everyday use in the wild.
• Fishing Gear: Reliable food sources are key to long-term survival. A well-equipped fishing kit, including lines, hooks, and nets, provides a steady source of protein, especially when larger game is scarce.
• Water Purification: Access to clean drinking water is non-negotiable. While boiling water is a primary method, carrying water filters or purification tablets ensures you have safe hydration in any environment.

Recommended Alone 10 Items Survival Gear

• Pathfinder Knife: This versatile tool is essential for all your cutting needs, from food preparation to shelter building.
• Ferro Rod: A reliable fire starter that works in any weather condition, ensuring you're never without a flame.
• Bush Pot: Lightweight and multifunctional, ideal for cooking, boiling water, and more.
• Compact Tarp: Easy to pack and set up, providing essential shelter from the elements.

Alone Survival Gear Inspiration

These tools, proven by Alone contestants, should be in every survivalist's pack:

• Axes: A sturdy axe like the Wedge by Marbles & Pathfinder is invaluable for chopping wood, building shelters, and hunting.
• Knives: Durable and sharp, knives such as the Marble's Dave Canterbury Scout King Folding Knife are indispensable for preparing food and crafting tools.
• Fire-Starting Equipment: Ferro rods like the Aurora Fire Starter ensure you can start a fire in any weather.
• Shelter: Items like the Bivvy Survival Sleeping Bag offer warmth and protection in freezing temperatures.
• Cooking Pot: The Zebra Billy Can is a durable, multifunctional choice for boiling water and cooking.
• Fishing Gear: A reliable fishing kit ensures a consistent food source in survival situations.
• Water Purification: Compact filters or purification tablets are essential for safe drinking water.
• Saw: A saw is multipurpose and perfect for use in getting wood, hunting, and building shelter. 

Whether you're heading into the backcountry or preparing for a survival situation, these gear items are indispensable. They give you the best chance to endure — and thrive — in the wilderness.

Conclusion 

At Self Reliance Outfitters, we offer a comprehensive range of high-quality gear designed to meet the demands of any wilderness adventure. Whether you’re inspired by Alone or preparing for your own survival challenge, our selection includes top-notch cutting tools, fire-starting equipment, shelters, cooking gear, fishing kits, and water purification methods.

Surviving alone in the wild isn’t just a test of endurance; it’s a test of your gear. The contestants on Alone have shown us that with the right tools, the impossible can become possible. The choices made by past winners highlight the essentials — cutting tools, fire-starting equipment, shelter, cooking pots, fishing gear, and water purification methods — that are crucial for survival. 

Self Reliance Outfitters’ survival training and bushcraft courses are designed to transform outdoor enthusiasts into skilled survival experts. These courses offer hands-on experience in essential wilderness skills, teaching participants how to thrive in nature with limited resources. From mastering fire-making techniques and shelter construction to foraging for food and purifying water, Self Reliance Outfitters provides comprehensive training that covers all aspects of survival in the wild. 

With guidance from seasoned instructors, students not only learn to navigate challenging environments but also gain confidence in their ability to handle any situation the wilderness might present. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced adventurer, our courses equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to survive and thrive in the great outdoors.

At Self Reliance Outfitters, we’re committed to providing you with the highest quality gear to ensure you’re prepared for whatever nature throws your way. Whether you’re inspired by the show or planning your own wilderness adventure, our gear will help you not just survive — but thrive.