Alone is one of the top survival TV shows. Participants are dropped off in a remote wilderness location with only a few items of gear. Whoever survives the longest wins.
I’ve been a fan of Alone since the beginning, and I’ve also been practicing bushcraft skills for over a dozen years. I’m in a unique position to analyze the gear chosen on Alone and compare their gear options to the real world. For this article, I compiled the alone gear list for all seasons and also discussed the gear commonly used on the show with ex-military and other bushcrafters.
Alone isn’t real life. It’s a game show, and we shouldn’t pretend otherwise. However, seeing gear actually used in a survival situation for weeks really helps us figure out what works and what doesn’t.
As the name suggests, those on Alone are really alone. They film themselves and must deal with complete isolation (except for weekly medical checks). Therefore, the game is just as much about the mental aspect of survival as the physical aspects (and that’s exactly what we’re about at Survival Stoic).
Because participants are only allowed very select gear, what they choose to bring matters a lot. Plus, because the game is mental and physical, what participants choose isn’t always the most practical. Sometimes, choosing items for comfort is just as important as choosing items for practical purposes.
Below, I’ll go over the standard gear list that all participants get. I’ll also go over the individual gear list, what percentage of participants bring what items, and how winners differ from the average participant.
Hopefully, this article will provide you with some inspiration for your own bug-out bag gear or bushcraft and survival gear.
Table of Contents
- What's New for Alone Season 12?
- The Standard Gear List for Season 12
- Individual Gear List for Season 12
- The Standard Gear List for Alone Seasons 1-11
- Individual Alone Gear List for Seasons 1-11
- Alone Australia Gear List
- What Alone Gear Items Are the Best?
- What Alone Gear Items Do the Winners Pick?
- Prohibited Alone Gear List
- Alone Gear List Season 11
- Alone Gear List Season 10
- Alone Gear List Season 9
- Alone Gear List Season 8
- Alone Gear List Season 7
- Alone Gear List Season 6
- Alone Gear List Season 5
- Alone Gear List Season 4
- Alone Gear List Season 3
- Alone Gear List Season 2
- Alone Gear List Season 1
- Alone Australia Gear List Season 1
- Alone Frozen Gear List
- Final Thoughts
What’s New for Alone Season 12?
Alone Season 12 is a huge shake up to the Alone gear list. For the first time, contestants face the arid and rugged terrain of the Grand Karoo in South Africa. This shift from the colder climates of previous seasons presents unique challenges and impacts what gear the participants are allowed to take.
For instance, they will have to contend with extreme heat, scarce water sources, and plenty of venomous snakes!
Some of the most noteable changes are:
- Snake Gaiters Added: To address the risk of snake bites, bite-proof snake gaiters have been included in the standard gear provided to all contestants.
- Sleeping Bag Removed: Unlike earlier seasons where a sleeping bag was available, Season 12 removes them from the list of available items. There is a bivy bag available, though.
The Standard Gear List for Season 12
We see a lot of different changes in the standard gear list for Season 12, largely due to the change in climate. After all, participants no longer need Arctic winter boots!
Here is a list of the standard items each participant is allowed to bring in Season 12 of Alone:
- 1 pair of high-leg hunting boots (knee-high maximum)
- 1 pair of ankle-high boots/shoes (e.g., moccasins, sandals, Blundstone-style, trail shoes)
- 1 short-sleeved t-shirt
- 2 fleece, wool, or polyester/cotton shirts (one may be a hooded fleece or a collared expedition-style shirt; one may be a hooded baja or buckskin shirt—non-insulated, mid-layer fit)
- 2 wool, fleece, or cotton sweaters (or 1 sweater and 1 zip-up vest); sweaters must be pullovers without zippers, and no hoods on sweaters or vests
- 6 pairs of individual woolen socks (single-layer only; multi-layer socks are not allowed)
- 2 hats (options include brimmed, wool, fur, arctic, or baseball styles)
- 1 buff (balaclavas are not permitted)
- 1 bandana (maximum size: 27″ x 27″)
- 1 shemagh or scarf (maximum size: 48″ x 48″)
- 1 pair of insulated or waterproof “fishing style” gloves
- 2 pairs of leather work-style gloves (with or without insulation)
- 2 pairs of thermal underwear (long top and bottom)
- 2 pairs of underwear/briefs (for women, includes sports bras; no underwire or foam)
- 1 jacket (with or without lightweight insulation)
- 2 pairs of pants ending at the waist (no bibs)
- 1 pair of insulated pants or bibs (can be waterproof)
- 1 waterproof, un-insulated shell/jacket
- 1 pair of snake gaiters (must be bite-proof)
- 1 leather or synthetic belt (length should accommodate all clothing layers; no paracord belts)
- 1 toothbrush (for oral hygiene only)
- 1 pair of eyeglasses (prescription required; transition lenses prohibited; contact lenses allowed only with a doctor’s note)
- 1 personal photograph (maximum size: 4″ x 6″; one-sided; no writing or collages)
Individual Gear List for Season 12
Participants are also allowed to choose 10 “special” items off of the lists below. The most notable changes between this season and the last 11 is the lack of a sleeping bag (which is usually very popular).
Instead, many participants this year chose a bushcraft blanket and bivy bag. Surprisingly, only 5 chose to take a tarp (another very popular item for the last few years).
Here’s a complete list of items participants can choose from:
Shelter & Hygiene
- 1 12′ x 12′ ground cloth/tarp (grommets approved)
- 1 8mm climbing rope (10 meters)
- 1 550 paracord (80 meters, non-reflective; only 550 military-style paracord allowed; no core strands usable for trapping wire, tinder, etc.)
- 1 bank line (1,580 linear feet / 106 lbs. breaking strength)
- 1 wool blanket (single layer, no frills; maximum size 90″ x 90″; earth tones only)
- 1 bivy bag (Gore-Tex or canvas sleeping bag cover)
- 1 sleeping pad (maximum thickness: 2″, width: 30″, length: 77″)
- 1 hammock (single-layer sheet; no wood or cross members; does not include overhead tarp)
- 1 bar of soap (standard size)
- 1 8 oz. tube of toothpaste
- 1 face flannel
- 1 40-meter roll of dental floss
- 1 small bottle of biodegradable shower soap
- 1 shaving razor (and 1 blade)
- 1 towel (30” x 60”)
- 1 comb
Tools
- 1 pocket knife: Swiss Army-style or folding knife
- 1 hunting knife: Blade edge length no larger than 10 inches; straight spine with no additional built-in blades; no friction fire bearing blocks or hidden compartments
- 1 multitool: Leatherman or similar. (We’ve reviewed several survival multitools.)
- 1 sharpening stone
- 1 roll of tape (very versatile; recommended on our bug out bag list)
- 1 small shovel: Maximum total length of 20 inches
- 1 machete: Blade length between 10 to 12 inches
- 1 small sewing kit: Contains up to 6 needles (no longer than 3 inches), one pair of scissors (no longer than 3 inches), one small sewing awl (no longer than 5 inches), a variety of thread (no more than two bobbins), and one small piece of bee’s wax (1-inch cube or smaller); all contained in a small leather or canvas bag
- 1 carabiner
- 1 LED flashlight
- 1 scotch-eyed auger
- 1 adze
- 1 two-handled drawknife
- 1 hatchet
- 1 saw (something like one of these bushcraft saws)
- 1 axe (probably one of these bushcraft axes)
Hunting & Food
- 300 yards of single-filament fishing line (maximum 30 lbs weight test; no yo-yo style spools)
- 25 assorted barbed hooks (no larger than size 7/0; no lures)
- 1 primitive bow (recurve or longbow with at least 28-inch draw length)
- 2 lbs of biltong (dried cured meat for protein)
- 2 lbs of dried pulses/legumes/lentils mix (for starch and carbs)
- 2 lbs of hard tack military biscuits (carbs/sugars)
- 2 lbs of chocolate (simple/complex sugars)
- 2 lbs of pemmican (traditional trail food made from fat, meat, and berries)
- 2 lbs of gorp (raisins, chocolate, peanuts)
- 1 lb of flour (starch/carbs)
- 1/3 lb each of rice, sugar, and salt (all separated)
- 1 lb of fat (tallow, lard, or ghee)
- 3 lbs of one solid block of salt (rock or Himalayan sea salt only)
- 1 large pot (no more than 2 quarts; includes lid)
- 1 steel frying pan (no more than 2 quarts)
- 1 flint or ferro rod set (something we include in our fire kit suggestions)
- 1 enamel bowl (for eating)
- 1 spoon
- 1 canteen/water bottle (maximum 32 to 39 oz.)
The Standard Gear List for Alone Seasons 1-11
During every season, individuals are given items from a standard gear list. These are given to every participant in very specific numbers and specifications. They don’t count towards the unique 10 items participants can bring.
The standard equipment includes things like clothing and safety gear.
Here’s a list of the standard items and their specifications:
- 1 pair of gaiters
- 1 pair of waterproof Arctic winter boots
- 1 fleece/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/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 pair of bushcraft pants/bibs (can unzip into shorts)
- 1 shemagh OR scarf
- 2 buffs or neck gaiter
- 1 personal photograph
- 1 toothbrush
- 1 pair of fully insulated or waterproof winter pants/bibs
- 1 hiking or bushcraft backpack
Anything with a full zipper is counted as a jacket. Shirts are allowed to have half to three-quarters of a zipper, though. They may also have a full set of buttons. A sweater is a pullover.
Safety gear is also provided, depending on the season and location. For instance, contestants were provided with bear spray and similar bear deterrents in season eight.
Advantages and Disadvantages
While the standard gear is, well, standard, different pieces of clothing have different advantages and disadvantages. To make the most of their standard gear, contestants must use their gear correctly. You don’t want to be wearing gaiters when you should be in your winter boots, for instance.
The exact gear will vary from contestant to contestant, as well. Some items are provided, like the camera and safety gear. However, contestants must bring their own clothing, so they get a lot of choices.
Clothing items are vital for regulating body temperature and protecting contestants from the weather. Fleece and wool items are better for cold weather but can be harder to clean and dry. Buckskin items are durable and fire-resistant but can also be bulky and heavy.
Personally, I prefer to layer with different materials, especially when I know the weather will change as the days go on. What works one day may not work the next. With so many clothing options allowed, there are many opportunities for layering.
I also prefer some type of bushcraft hat when I am outside, regardless of the weather.
Toothbrushes and a pair of eyeglasses are allowed, too. Many contestants have used their toothbrushes for items beyond hygiene, too. For instance, the bottom part can be removed and used as a fishing lure. This is a great example of a survival item having multiple uses.
While there are some choices in these categories, a contestant’s survival may be significantly affected by their individual gear choices.
Individual Alone Gear List for Seasons 1-11
Contestants are allowed to choose ten items beyond the standard gear. They can’t choose anything they want, though. Instead, they can choose from a list of items that span several categories.
This has proven to be critical in who stays the longest, and should also be a consideration when you build your own Survival Gear List.
Here is a list of everything that contestants are typically allowed to choose from, although it can change slightly every season:
Shelter/Hygiene
- Ground cover cloth or tarp (12×12 max) – See our guide to the best bushcraft tarps for some options.
- 8-mm climbing rope (10 meters max)
- 550 Paracord (80 meters max) – an essential part of my 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 (See our Haven Tent Hammock Review)
- 1 tube of toothpaste (8 oz)
- 1 shaving razor
- 1 face flannel
- Dental floss (40 mm) (removed in later seasons)
- 1 small bio shower soap (removed in later seasons)
- 1 towel
- 1 comb
Cooking & Food
- 1 roll of single-filament fish line up to 20 lbs weight test (300 yards) and 35 barbless hooks
- 1 primitive recurve bow (or longbow) and 9 arrows
- 1 small-gauge gill net
- 1 net foraging bag
- 2 lbs of trapping wire (snare wire) 20 or 21-gauge
- 1 slingshot, 30 ball bearings, and 1 replacement band
- Various Emergency Rations (type and amount vary each season, maximum of 2)
- 2 lbs beef jerky
- 2 lbs dried legumes/lentils/pulses mix
- 2 lbs hard tack biscuits
- 2 lbs chocolate
- 2 lbs pemmican
- 2 lbs GORP
- 1 lb Flour
- 1/3 lb Rice & 1/3 lb Sugar & 1/3 lb Salt
- 1 lb Fat (no salt added tallow, lard, or ghee)
- 3 lbs solid rock salt or Himalayan Sea Salt
- 1 large pot and lid (no larger than 2 quarts)
- 1 steel frying pan (no more than 2 quarts)
- 1 flint or Ferro rod(or equivalent)
- 1 enamel bowl for eating
- 1 spoon
- 1 canteen/water bottle
Tools/ Weapons/ Other
- 1 pocket knife (four-inch blade max), Swiss Army Knife or Folding knife.
- 1 hunting knife (six-inch blade max – see our best bushcraft knife guide)
- 1 survival multi-tool (or similar)
- 1 sharpening stone
- 1 roll of duct tape or electrical tape
- 1 small shovel
- 1 small sewing kit
- 1 carabiner
- 1 LED flashlight or headlamp
- 50 feet of hose (no more than 1 inch in diameter, removed in later seasons)
- Machete
- Axe (see our best bushcraft axe guide)
- Saw (see our best bushcraft saw guide)
- Hatchet
- Adze
- 2-Hand draw knife
- Scotch-eyed auger
- Pair of ice spikes
Alone Australia Gear List
While very similar to the US version of the show, the Australia Alone series approved items list varies slightly. I have noticed that most contestants on the Australia show choose very similar items.
- Ground cloth/ground tarp
- Climbing rope
- Paracord
- Bank-line
- Flint / ferro rod set
- Sleeping bag
- Bivy bag
- Sleeping pad
- Hammock
- Pot
- Steel frying pan
- Medium camp bowl
- Spoon
- 1L water bottle
- Pocket knife
- Outdoor knife
- Leatherman multi tool or similar
- Sharpening stone
- Roll cloth tape
- Small shovel
- Small sewing kit
- Carabiner
- LED flashlight
- Scotch eyed auger
- Adze
- Two-handled draw knife
- Hatchet
- Saw
- Axe
- Single filament fishing line and hooks
- Net foraging bag
- Brass wire
- Solid block of salt
- Emergency food ration
- Eco-friendly biodegradable bar of soap
- Eco-friendly biodegradable tube of toothpaste
- Face flannel/washer
- Dental floss
- Biodegradable shower soap
- Small towel
- Comb
What Alone Gear Items Are the Best?
That list is very long. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Luckily, Alone has gone through nearly a dozen seasons, and we’ve seen how each item really works. Looking at what the winners took vs. the other contestants can help you determine what to take on your own bushcraft camping trips (or pack in your survival gear).
Most Popular Items
There are some items that practically everyone takes. These include:
- Axe: This item is chosen by almost every participant, as it is essential for chopping wood, building shelters, hunting animals, and defending themselves from predators. I commonly use axes as hammers, too, making them even more versatile.
- Sleeping Bag: While there are usually several sleeping items to choose from like wool blankets, practically everyone selects a sleeping bag. I’ve found sleeping bags to be one of the easiest ways to stay comfortable at night. Plus, you can use them as a blanket and ground cloth, too.
- Pot: You have to have some way to move water around, and many contestants choose a pot for this purpose. Personally, I don’t see how you could survive long without one.
- Fishing Kit: This item is another frequent choice, as it is useful for catching fish, one of the main food sources on Alone. It can also be used for making snares, sewing items, or tying things. It’s popular because it includes multiple items.
- Ferro Rod: Ferro rods are one of the easiest ways to start a fire reliably. Therefore, they’re a common choice.
- Multi-tool: Participants tend to utilize multi-tools over knives. Most people do not take both. Multi-tools are extremely versatile, and have many tools for multiple uses. I have found they are essential for setting snares.
These items are considered the “core” gear list. Most participants choose these items as they’re effective in many different situations. However, some participants bypass these items in favor of other options.
If participants choose all the “core” gear, they have four slots left. Personally, I would absolutely bring most of these core items.
Other Helpful Items
There are some items on the individual gear list that practically no one picks. However, others are picked at least half the time. While these items aren’t the most popular, they’re still worth a mention:
- Bow and arrow: Many Alone contestants choose a bow and arrow, especially if they are confident using a ranged weapon. Many participants have killed game over the years, providing them with a much-needed food source.
- Gill net: If participants want to focus mostly on fishing, they may bring a gill net. However, unless participants know how to use a gill net, it may not be all that helpful. Some take paracord and make a gill net once at camp from the internal strands.
- Chocolate: Out of the food options, chocolate is pretty popular. It’s a delicious food that’s also calorie-dense. It’s also high in fat, which is hard to find in the woods. (That said, upon further research, I’ve learned that two pounds of chocolate only contains 2100 calories, which isn’t all that helpful.)
What Alone Gear Items Do the Winners Pick?
The winners of Alone stand out over the average Alone contestant in a few different ways. Here are the items you’ll commonly find on a winner’s gear list:
- Sleeping bag: This item was chosen by every winner of Alone, as it is vital for keeping warm and comfortable at night. I see no reason not to use a sleeping bag.
- Ferro rod: A ferro rod was chosen by every winner. Ferro rods are easy to use and work quickly even in wet weather if you have dry fire tinder. It is an essential part of a survival fire starting kit.
- Saw: Every winner chose a saw of some sort. A saw is safer to use than an ax and takes less effort. There were a range of choices from folding saws, bow saws, and crosscut saws. Since the contestants did not have far to travel and were making long term survival shelters, most chose a large saw over a small folding one. We reviewed a range of them in our review of the best bushcraft saw.
- Axe: Every winner also chose an axe or hatchet of some sort. An axe has proven to be one of the most important tools to have in the woods. I noticed that some chose large felling axes and others chose hatchets. This mainly depends on your length of stay and how much firewood you need to process. In our best bushcraft axe guide you can find out what to look for before picking the best axe for you.
- Pot: Practically all the winners brought a pot. It is essential for purifying drinking water and cooking food. I noticed that many chose the 2 quart MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot. You can find my picks in our Best Bushcraft Gear guide.
- Fishing kit: This kit is very popular with the average participant, and it seems to be popular with winners, too. Only two winners didn’t take a fishing kit, though they typically selected other hunting tools instead.
- Wire: All but two of the winners chose wire, which can be used for all kinds of things. However, many did not actually use the snare wire to make snares.
- Knives: Most winners also chose to bring a knife, which brings their total cutting tools to three. While this may seem a bit much, it obviously works. Most chose either a multitool or a fixed blade belt knife, or even both sometimes. Considering most brought wire, a survival multitool is a logical companion since they have pliers and most Swiss Army knives do not.
If I was going to put together a winning gear list, those are the items I would include. That leaves you with two more slots to choose more personal items.
Interestingly, while bows and arrows are very popular with the average participant, only half the winners have brought one. I noticed that most tend to rely on fishing as their main source of food.
Most winners do not choose rations, either. Instead, they select items that help them get food.
Prohibited Alone Gear List
Some specific items are not allowed on Alone. Participants must choose from the list provided, not bring whatever they want. You’ll likely notice a few items that aren’t allowed on Alone but may be common in real-world survival situations.
For instance, firearms are not allowed. While we don’t know exactly why this is, it’s probably a mix of safety and difficulty. Hunting rifles or shotguns may make it a bit too easy to find food. I am taking a firearm in a real survival situation, though.
Alcohol and drugs are also prohibited, even if participants wanted to use them for practical purposes (like cleaning wounds). This also includes caffeine pills, which are common in bug-out bags. Safety reasons are likely to blame for this omission.
Participants aren’t allowed to bring a GPS device or GPS survival watch, either. They aren’t even allowed a survival compass or map. While this may seem strange, they must stay within a small area, so navigation isn’t super necessary (though I have seen plenty of people get lost). Of course, I highly recommend having a compass and map if you’re actually surviving in the words.
Radios aren’t allowed due to the role of isolation in the show. Participants also aren’t allowed Bushcraft field guides or reference books, whether fiction or non-fiction. I carry a bushcraft field guide in my bag and have found it very helpful throughout the years. While reading a book may not be entertaining on TV, it is very useful in the real world.
Alone Gear List Season 11
Also, here is another video of William going into more depth about his 10 items after the season was over.
Alone Gear List Season 10
Here is season 10 winner Alan Tenta’s gear list and a video of all the contestants showing their selected 10 items (Alan is at 9:30). Alan survived 66 days in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Alan feels that his Multitool is his favorite item since it is so versatile, while his Bow and Arrow is the most important.
- Camp Axe similar to our top bushcraft axe picks
- Saw – Silky Katana Boy that was featured in our best bushcraft saw guide
- Paracord
- Ferro Rod
- Snare Wire
- Fishing Kit
- Stainless Steel Pot
- Leatherman Multitool
- Sleeping bag – Minus 40 rated and waterproof
- Longbow and Arrows (6 Broadheads and 3 Small Game Tips)
Alone Gear List Season 9
Alone Gear List Season 8
Alone Gear List Season 7
Alone Gear List Season 6
Alone Gear List Season 5
Alone Gear List Season 4
Alone Gear List Season 3
Alone Gear List Season 2
Alone Gear List Season 1
Alone Australia Gear List Season 1
Alone Frozen Gear List
Final Thoughts
Alone has some very strict gear requirements. All participants are required to bring a set of core gear and have the option to select ten items from a list of potential items. It’s these ten items that make the biggest difference.
Looking at the items chosen by winners vs. other contestants can help you put together your own gear list. Luckily for you, we have guides to many of the items chosen by participants.
For instance, most winners bring an axe, knife, and saw, and we have an entire bushcraft tool and gear guide to help you choose the best options. You’ll also find guides on all the other bushcraft gear you may need like tarps and shelter ideas in our Bushcraft guides.
