9 Tactical Gear Essentials: The Ultimate List

Often when people think about “Tactical Gear” most often their immediate thought is a guy with a gun kicking down doors and shooting up bad guys. But that is not what tactical gear is all about! Tactical equipment is designed to help you – as the motto on the website says – to LIVE, FIGHT, and MOVE.

LIVE involves equipment that will allow you and those around you to survive in whatever scenario you find yourself in, wherever you find yourself at.

FIGHT includes equipment that will assist you when you find yourself in a situation that involves the need to fight, either for self-defense, or to protect those who are vulnerable and unable to fight for themselves.

MOVE would include gear that will make getting from point A to point B easier and more efficient. As the saying goes “work smarter, not harder”.

I’ve taken the motto LIVE FIGHT MOVE from my days as a Combat Engineer, where our mission was to allow friendly troops to live, fight, and move, while denying the enemy the same. This meant we would build Forward Operating Bases, assemble bridges over bodies of water, clear obstacles, acted as infantrymen, and much more. While at the same time we would blow up bridges, create obstacles to slow down enemy movement, etc.

Even if you’re not in the military, there are many reasons to own tactical gear! Tactical gear allows for individuals to function in those difficult situations. Although you think you’re secure right now, you don’t know what the immediate future will hold.

Anything can happen, and it’s always wise to be ready. If history has told us anything, it’s that we should always be ready to adapt to any situation.

This is a list of tactical gear that, in my opinion, I’ve found to be helpful during my years serving in the military. I hope this list of essential tactical gear must-haves is helpful!

If you decide to purchase anything through the links I provide, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! Check my full disclosure here.

What is the most important tactical gear to own?

The most important tactical gear to have is gear that will allow you to function more effectively in everyday life as well as in those unique scenarios where having a tactical edge is required. I have listed what I believe to be the most important tactical gear to have available to you.

Clothing

Clothing covers a bunch of different things, but I’m going to focus on the main three pieces which are your shirt, pants, and socks! You may be thinking, “Of course you need shirts, pants, or socks. But how is that tactical?” Because certain brands make clothing tailor made for the tactical community.

The biggest name out there when it comes to tactical apparel is probably 5.11 Tactical.

Shirts

5.11 Tactical makes some great tactical shirts. Short sleeve, long sleeve, women’s styles, and more.

5.11 tactical shirts are designed to feel lightweight, have moisture wicking performance, breathable, and to be easy and comfortable to move around in.

V.XI™ XTU RAPID LONG SLEEVE SHIRT

Pants

You’re going to want a good rugged pair of tactical pants which are meant for the outdoors.

5.11 Tactical pants specifically have a stretch material, ripstop fabric, YKK zippers of course, and cargo pockets with lots of room to carry items.

V.XI™ XTU PANT

Socks

This may be one of those items people never think of, but they can make all the difference.

5.11 Tactical socks are made so that your feet will be able to breathe, stay dry, cool and comfortable.

DUTY READY PLUS OTC SOCKS (3-PACK)

Another superb tactical sock on the market are the Darn Tough Tactical Socks.

Darn Tough uses Marino Wool which is extremely durable. I personally find that they don’t even stink after a day of use.

Another thing is that Darn Tough will replace your socks if you ever get a hole in them!

Boots

Your footwear may be one of the most important choices you make when choosing your selection of tactical gear!

In my experience in the military, your boots can be the difference between a good time of a bad time. The difference between high morale and poor morale.

My first pair of non-standard issued boots in the military were a pair of Original S.W.A.T. boots, and after a 13 kilometre ruck march, when normally I would have brutal blisters on my feet, they were unharmed!

The others that marched with the standard issued military boots weren’t so fortunate. Not only that, but during long marches of hikes, the comfort during those walks makes all the difference.

I have a few articles on boots already, so be sure to check them out! But I’ll list a couple boots that I highly recommend.

The GORUCK MACV-1 and either the Lowa Z-8S or Lowa R-8S are boots that will keep your feet comfortable, protected, and are durable to last for years!

Backpack

One of the most important things to have is a durable backpack!

Having a backpack that can carry all your gear and a bunch of extra stuff is crucial. Any packs of food that you have, even a first aid kit, or a pop up tent can all be taken with you inside a tough backpack.

You might be thinking that any old backpack will do just fine, but I highly suggest having a backpack that will last a lifetime, and will also get the job done in terms of keeping your gear protected, without concern of your stuff getting ruined.

If circumstances arise where you have to be on foot for days on end, you don’t want to have a backpack – with all your stuff in it – that ends up falling apart. You want a backpack that is built tough!

Here’s a couple of popular and rugged tactical backpacks.

GORUCK GR1 (21L / 26L)

5.11 Tactical RUSH 2.0 (24L / 37L / 55L)

Flashlight

Having a good solid flashlight is very important to have for a few reasons, regardless if you’re in your home or in the outdoors. I think we can all agree that when the power goes out, and assuming we don’t have a generator, one of the first things we go for is a flashlight.

I know for myself, I don’t want to depend on a cheap flashlight not knowing when the power is going to come back on.

The current flashlight I use is the Wuben T1 Tactical Flashlight.

Believe it or not, but a flashlight can be a deterrent for anyone looking to break into a home at night in the dark. That’s why it’s so important to invest in a high quality, durable, long lasting powerful flashlight.

Having a flashlight in the outdoors is also important. It’s nice to be able to see where you’re going and what you’re doing.

You might think that your eyes would adjust and be able to see fine at night, but if you’re under tree cover or it’s an overcast night, it’ll be difficult to see anything clearly.

Most powerful flashlights today are rechargeable, but stock up on some extra batteries as well, and keep them safe inside a sealed bag or container.

Knife

Some people may see this item as a weapon, but it’s primary purpose is to first be used as a tool. A knife can be used in survival scenarios for making a lean-to, splinting wood for a fire, or to cut open a fish you just caught.

Right now my main fixed-blade knife is the CRKT Clever Girl.

A knife can also be utilized in rescue operations, to cut a seatbelt to get someone out of a smashed up car, or to use the butt-end to break open a glass window which someone inside a locked house or vehicle needs help and is unable to unlock the door.

The Cold Steel SRK (Survival Rescue Knife) is a great knife to have on hand, and is the standard-issue knife for the US Navy SEALS for their Basic Underwater Demolition training.

The Gerber Gear ultimate knife below has a fire starter attached to it and has a blade sharpener with a knife sheath. Hence why it’s called the “Ultimate Knife”.

Either of these two would be a great knife to have.

Gloves

There are many times when working with your hands would be so much more enduring if you had a good pair of gloves!

Not only that, but they protect your hands as well. If you don’t need to wear them, they don’t take up much room at all.

But having them available is always great, especially during colder seasons or wet environments where a pair of gloves will allow you to keep your grip and dexterity.

Mechanix Gloves

5.11 Tactical Gloves

First Aid Kit

I know I’ve said a few times about this being the most important piece of gear, but if you can only afford to get a few items at a time, a good first aid kit should be near the top of that list. Even if you can’t buy a complete set!

Start small and over time begin to add bits and pieces. You can either buy a complete kit or build your own.

The Nanuk 910 First Aid Case will keep all your supplies safe as it is waterproof (IP67), dustproof, and shockproof. Remember that you’ll need to purchase the supplies that goes inside this case.

A good option is MediTac Kits. They have a ton of medical kit supplies tailored for the tactical and law enforcement community.

Watch

Tactical watches nowadays have so many different features to them. Not only that, but they’re usually solar powered, so even if your out in the wilderness, as long as you get some sunlight on your watch, you should be good-to-go.

If you’re ever in a situation where powers down, batteries die in some clocks, or other watches lose their charge, a good tactical watch will be incredibly beneficial to have. Knowing the date will help keep your sanity if you’re stranded. And if you’re low on food and have to ration your meals so they last longer, having a functional tactical watch will be needed. These watches are typically dirt resistant, shock, and water resistant.

Two big names of tactical watches are Garmin and G-Shock, which both make great solar charging capable tactical watches.

Plate Carrier / Body Armour

Plate Carriers are becoming more and more popular it seems as time goes on.

A plate carrier is designed to fit comfortably over your shoulders, and hold body armour on your chest and back. These plates come in different gauges depending on the level of protection you want, at a trade off for how much weight you want to carry.

I personally own and use the Condor Cyclone Plate Carrier.

(You can read my full review of the Cyclone Plate Carrier here)

Make sure you outfit your plate carrier with some body armour.

MIRA Safety has Level 4 Multi-Hit body armour, capable of stopping multiple rounds of calibers such as 5.56, .308, 7.62×39, and 30-06.

MIRA Tactical Level 4 Body Armor Plate

Plate carriers today are also made with Velcro and MOLLE webbing so that you can attach other accessories to yourself.

Some accessories include general purpose pouches, first aid pouches, and magazine panels.

While you may think this may never be a necessity, the world is unpredictable. And if you want to be ready for anything, then a plate carrier will required.

Conclusion

This list is what I believe to be the most important tactical gear to have!

Remember that you don’t have to go out and have everything at once, but begin small, and over time continue to add piece by piece to your tactical kit.

Don’t feel like you have to buy the top of the line gear either! There are many companies out there that make some great tactical gear at different prices.

I hope this list of tactical gear essentials has helped you in some way.