Zombie Survival

Zombies are often considered a worst-case scenario, and we even planned for undead outbreaks in the military. While prepping for zombies isn’t exactly practical, it can be motivating and a means to an end with general preparedness. Plus, people can prepare however they want for whatever they want.

I’ve found zombies intriguing for a long time. The popularity of zombies has exploded over the past 15 years, with video games, movies, and long-running TV shows filling out the niche. Even before that, I helped develop military plans for zombie outbreaks, remembering that there is a difference between ‘impossible’ and ‘improbable’.

In this guide I break down what the ideal zombie survival kit is, how the essential items can help you survive, and share my zombie survival kit checklist that you can download, print, or save in multiple formats.

Zombie Survival Kit

A zombie apocalypse could be handled with general preparedness gear, but some specific supplies would help your chances of survival significantly.
Weapons & Tools

Weapons that use consumable supplies don’t make the essential list, because you have to assume zombies will just keep coming. World War Z (the Max Brooks book- not the completely different movie) talks about how the military found the most efficient method to dispose of zombies being a cluster of troops with sharpened long-handled shovels, in the desert, with loud music.

    Shovel: Cold Steel Spetsnaz – Whatever you have in your garage works too, you just need to be able to sharpen the edges and easily fill sandbags. (This shovel is the upgrade pick from our survival shovel review.)
    Machete: Gerber Gear Gator – Reach is important, but a machete can help dispatch zombies in closer quarters than a shovel.

Suggested gear and situational gear include:

    Pistol: Despite needing ammo, a pistol can be effective with the inevitable human conflicts as well.
    Rifle: A rifle is always a great survival option, spanning between self-protection and hunting.
    Shotgun: The preferred tool for home defense can still find a home in a zombie kit, despite the noise level.
    Ammo: If you have any of the above solutions, you should have plenty of ammo for them (and then double it).
    Kukri Knife: Ka-Bar Kukri – Curved slashing blades with reach are much better than shorter, straighter blades because you do not want your blade getting stuck. Parangs can also be a solid choice.

    Bow and Arrows: Reload time and consumable ammo make this a situational gear choice – it’s a lot harder to be Daryl Dixon in real life.
    Spear: Spears aren’t common and can get stuck, but they are relatively easy to make and give you plenty of reach.
    Chainsaw: Extremely impractical, but what would a zombie weapon list be without it?
    Flamethrower: Again, very impractical, and it often won’t get rid of zombies that need a good conk on the head to be dispatched, rather than just getting a bit toasty. Still, you can grab our favorite flamethrower, updated from a previous April 1 post.

Zombie Clothing

Whether the zombie virus spreads through the air or the bites, covering up is a good idea. Long-sleeved clothing, durable boots, hardy gloves with padding, and even a gas mask can help you stay protected.

    Long-Sleeved Shirt: Covering your forearms is ideal. Hollywood movies kill off plenty of characters with the corn-on-the-cob zombie arm bite.
    Long-Sleeved Pants: Jeans and rip-stop are best for fending off bites.
    Boots: 5.11 A/T 8″ Waterproof Boots – Although they don’t say it, I’m fairly certain my favorite survival boots are bite-proof.
    Gloves: Mechanix Wear Material4X Impact – The top pick from our best survival gloves review fits the bill perfectly.
    Coveralls: A hazmat suit might not be overkill in an Umbrella corporation-type zombie outbreak.
    Gas Mask: – Mira CM-6M – I don’t often recommend gas masks in kits, but this worst-case kit certainly needs them.

Other gear to consider that is less essential but might work for your kit includes:

    Helmet: Protecting your noggin from teeth can be helpful. Plus, a little safety gear never hurts if your friends are at your side, waving around blunt weapons.
    Shark Suit: Ultimate bite protection certainly has a home when the zombie apocalypse gets here.
    Goggles: If you don’t want to splurge on a gas mask, at least cover your eyes so you don’t end up in a 21 Days Later situation (one of my favorite zombie movies)

Defensive Supplies

Shoring up your home, apartment, or wherever you get holed up should be a priority as soon as you learn of the outbreak.

    Wood Planks: Just like the old school Romero movies- board up doors and windows, you don’t want zombies coming through. If you have enough planks, completely cover them so those grabby hands can’t wiggle through the openings.

Situational supplies, depending on your setup:

    Sandbags: Durasack Sandbags – Sandbags require planning and time, but are cost-effective and efficient at barricading off undead (and people).
    Building Materials: Besides wooden boards, any sort of building materials can come in handy when boarding off entry points and reinforcing windows.
    Welder: If you really don’t want anyone getting into an area, a welder and some steel can come in handy. It takes some skill and experience to use, which is why it is a situational tool.