---
title: "Survival Gear: 5 Useful Surprises from The Aisles Of Walmart"
description: "Say what you will about Walmart shutting down Main Street America with their bargain-priced wares, it's hard for me to pass up good survival gear at those prices. On my last grudging trip there, I picked up five items that have a lot of utility in emergency preparedness and survival situations."
date: "2013-09-03"
modified: "2021-04-20"
authors:
  - name: "Tim MacWelch"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/tim-macwelch/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/survivalist/2013/09/survival-gear-5-useful-surprises-aisles-walmart/"
categories:
  - "Gear"
  - "Survival Gear"
---

# Survival Gear: 5 Useful Surprises from The Aisles Of Walmart

![](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/WO2SA7JF4BIJRDLGOH4OULSMR4.JPG>)

Say what you will about Walmart shutting down Main Street America with their bargain-priced wares, it's hard for me to pass up good survival gear at those prices. On my last grudging trip there, I picked up five items that have a lot of utility in emergency preparedness and survival situations.

**Dry Box**
I was looking for back-to-school lunchboxes for the kids, but instead found this affordable dry box ($6.88), which could make a very cozy home for a good-sized survival kit. It's a nice enough box. I went for a bright color, for the enhanced visibility. I did have to check the gaskets carefully, though. The first box I picked up had a malformed gasket, which would be an unpleasant thing to first discover during an emergency.

**Candle**
Yes, I do have an anniversary coming up, but this candle ($1.97) isn't meant to create romantic lighting. It's meant to go in the dry box and provide emergency lighting, wax for wet-weather fire starting, and all the other stuff that you do with wax and candles.

**Fire Starter**
This mini fire log ($.88) could be used in its entirety to start one fire in horrible conditions, or cut into pieces to start many fires under other conditions. I don't have any other clever uses for this brick of sawdust and naphtha, it just starts firesa€"really well.

**Picture Wire**
I really like this charcoal gray/black 20-gauge wire ($1.97). Its matte finish allows it to virtually disappear from sight. It could serve double-duty as small-game snares and as an invisible trip line for bigger critters.

**Auto Duct Tape**
UV-resistant and ultra-strong, automotive duct tape ($5.97) isn't just for keeping your broken bumper attached to your car a little longer. It can excel at any of the jobs that duct tape is famous for, which is pretty much everything.

Ever pick up a survival-minded bargain at Wally World? Tell us all about it in the comments.