Given enough time, most of us would like to stock our own survival-kit/bug-out-bag with our favorite, hand-picked equipment. But sometimes there is not enough time or enough hand-picked equipment to go around. We want to add a bag to an additional vehicle. We are just getting started and don’t yet know what equipment to pick. Or we want to help a family member on short notice.
The Uncharted Supply Company Seventy2 Pro Survival System is designed to provide two people with the basic equipment and supplies to survive the first 72 hours after an accident, disaster, or disruption.
I am happy to report that Uncharted Supply Company doesn’t stock their system with the flimsy plastic trinkets that some vendors try to pass off as survival equipment. Their equipment is solidly built, well-selected, well-labeled, and well-organized.
The Seventy2 Pro Survival System cost $599 at the time of this writing at the Uncharted Supply Company website. It weighs 17.8 pounds fully loaded. If you need a decent bug-out-bag on short notice, then you might want to take a look at this one.
Components
The Seventy2 Pro Survival System consists of a large number or components. Each of these components is something that I might spend a month testing, and then describe with a minimum of 1,500 words. My comments will of necessity be somewhat abbreviated in this review, but I will try to give you a good overview of each item as well as an estimated value for each:
Dry bag backpack. Measuring roughly 20 x 18 x 8 inches when sealed, the dry bag backpack has an internal volume of roughly 36 liters. It is made of rugged 600D double coated tarpaulin. It is equipped with three external zipped pockets, one mesh pocket for a water bottle, a number of external loops, straps, and rings for attaching equipment, a padded back, sturdy padded shoulder straps, and a waist belt. It is made in China. Based on an online comparison of similar items, I estimate its value to be roughly $100.
Compartmented insert. Measuring roughly 18 x 12.5 x 7.5 inches, the insert is imprinted with handy tips related to warmth, fire, shelter, first aid, water, food, bug protection, wind, sun, and air protection. The insert also has shoulder straps, so that it can be removed from the dry bag and used as a second backpack. This would allow the load to be divided between two people or for additional items to be carried in the dry bag.
The insert has compartments or attachments for multi-tool, lighters, matches, flashlight, power, first aid, air and vision, water bottle, food, water, tools, and warmth. It is made in China. I could not find any similar items online for comparison, but I estimate its value to be roughly $100.
Multi-tool. It measures roughly 4 x 1.75 x 0.75 inches folded, and weighs approximately 9 ounces. The weight of the multi-tool is typical of many of the components of the system. Uncharted Supply Company tends to prioritize rugged durability over ease of carry. The tool includes pliers, wire cutter, knife, scissors, can opener, bottle opener, large flat head screwdriver, small flat head screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, awl, and serrated “saw.”
The tools in general are excellent, with some minor reservations. The knife was barely shaving sharp out of the box. It could have used some additional attention at the factory. The serrated “saw” would probably function better as a serrated knife, but was not especially sharp. The belt loop on the pouch that came with the multi-tool was somewhat flimsy, which could easily lead to the loss of the tool in the field. I would recommend an integrated pocket clip rather than a pouch. The multi-tool is made in China. I estimate its value to be roughly $25.
Storm-proof matches in waterproof case. There is a strike strip on the outside of the case, and extra strike strips included in the case. The case also contains 25 storm-proof matches and a small cotton ball that could be used as tinder. I estimate the value of the matches and case to be roughly $9.
Flashlight. The flashlight is 5.5 inches long and 1.25 inches in diameter at the lens. It includes a pocket clip, and is activated by a button on the battery cap. It is powered by three Panasonic AAA batteries, which are included. On O-ring on the battery cap should help with water resistance. The settings on the flashlight are bright, medium, dim, fast strobe, and slow strobe. The lens zooms from spot to flood. The flashlight is made in China. I estimate its value to be roughly $14.
Hand crank radio. The power compartment held a hand crank radio. The radio features a replaceable 2200 mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery. It also features DC input, USB power out, mini-USB power input, a solar panel, AM/FM/SW/NOAA bands, and an alarm clock. It is water resistant, and made in China. I estimate the value of the radio to be approximately $30.
First Aid Pouch. This pouch contained a three ounce tube of sun screen, a small package of antibacterial wipes, two Mylar blankets, and a first aid kit in a MOLLE pouch. The first aid kit consisted of fifteen 0.75 x 3 inch adhesive bandages, one pair of bandage shears, three cotton gauze swabs, one CPR card, one first aid booklet, one container of hypoallergenic adhesive tape, two nitrile gloves, one note pad and pencil, one heavy-duty smart bandage, one emergency blanket, one resuscitation face mask, one 30 ml bottle of sterile saline, five safety pins, four skin cleaning wipes, five splinter probes, one triangular bandage, three wound closures, and five 2 x 4 inch adhesive dressings. The components were of respectable quality. I would suggest the addition of a tourniquet. I estimate the value of the contents of the First Aid Pouch to be approximately $50.
Air and Vision Pouch. This pouch contained two air masks with replaceable filters, two chem lights, and two pair of goggles. I must admit that I was somewhat mystified by the inclusion of the goggles at first. Perhaps they are intended to protect from smoke or chemical agents in the event of unrest in an urban area. Perhaps they are intended for eye protection while using tools. Since I think primarily in terms of rural settings and depend on my glasses for eye protection, I would not be attuned to those concerns. I estimate the value of the contents of the Air and Vision Pouch to be approximately $80.
Water bottle. It has a capacity of 48 ounces and is made of stainless steel. I estimate the value of the water bottle to be approximately $20.
Food Pouch. This pouch contained two Datrex DX2400F Emergency Rations. They are made in the USA, and the ones in my sample kit expire in 2029. I estimate the value of the Food Pouch to be approximately $19.
Water Pouch. This pouch contained a Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System. I estimate the value of the system to be approximately $45.
Tool Pouch. This pouch contained a 5 yard x 1.88 inch duct tape flat pack, 100 feet of 550 paracord, a small folding shovel, and a fixed blade knife with a 4.5 inch combo blade. There was a pouch on the sheath of the knife with a sharpening stone and a small ferro rod. The knife is extremely rugged with a blade that is 0.25 inches thick at the base and a full tang. Like a number of the other components, it was sturdy but not light. It would definitely be strong enough for batoning firewood. It came barely shaving sharp, and could have used additional attention to its edge at the factory. I estimate the value of the contents of this pouch to be approximately $78.
Warmth Pouch. This pouch contained two acrylic beanies, two pair of nitrile coated insulated gloves, two hand warmers, and a Mylar tube tent. I estimate the value of the contents of this pouch to be approximately $75.
Cost Analysis
Based upon my estimated value for each component, I would estimate the total value of the kit to come to approximately $645. So the $599 price tag to buy the kit from Uncharted Supply Company seems reasonable.
Conclusions
The Uncharted Supply Company Seventy2 Pro Survival System seems to be a good, solid survival-kit/bug-out-bag.
If you purchase this kit, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the components by using them: sharpen the knife on the multi-tool, and carry it for a week or two; dig a hole with the shovel; buy a newer Datrex ration, and eat one of the ones that came with the kit on a camping trip; listen to your favorite program on the radio; start a campfire with the ferro rod; wear one of the beanies and one of the pairs of gloves while shoveling snow; use the water bottle on a road trip; etc.
I also recommend a few small modifications. I like to have three ways of starting fires rather than just two, so add a butane lighter or a permanent metal match to the kit. Add a tourniquet to the first aid kit. Replace the flashlight with a headlamp if you have an extra. If you have any favorite pieces of gear, replace the items in the kit with your favorites if and when you have the opportunity.
But if you don’t already have a survival kit/bug out bag or if you need an extra, this one would be a good place to start.
Disclaimer
Uncharted Supply Company provided me with a sample of their Seventy2 Pro Survival System for testing and evaluation. I tried not to allow their kindness to interfere with the objectivity of my review, and I believe that I have succeeded. I did not receive any other financial or other inducement to mention any vendor, product, or service in this article.
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