Junk kits like this are all the rage around here just after earthquakes. Obviously you can do far better assembling your own gear and customizing your gear to your own circumstances and your preferences.

What is never included as a component in these kits is the knowledge to use all the goodies properly and effectively.

Here's my Urban Survival Kit:

I wanted to make a suitable kit for less than $300 that I could keep under a desk at work [or whatever] with some basic tools and supplies to supplement my EDC. The total weight is 13.2lbs, which I find to be perfectly reasonable to carry all day if need be.



Started with a simple Jansport backpack. Cost around $30.



Little compartment on top contains:
-AMK SOL kit. I took out the matches and added a Victorinox Farmer and Swedish Firesteel. I also added some sewing needles and thread to the fishing kit, as well as Micropur Tablets for water purification.
-AMK Emergency Bivvy
-Titanium Cup (went with titanium just because I had a spare)
Total cost of this compartment: $95



Little Bottom pouch contains:
-Work Gloves
-Orange safety vest
-2 Bandannas
-Bic Lighter
-2 Sharpie Markers
-2 Bic Pens
-2 Emergency Ponchos
-A leatherman Blast
-6" adjustable wrench
Total cost of this compartment: $70



Middle medium compartment contains:
-First Aid Kit (I also tossed in a set of foam earplugs)
-Combo LED Flashlight/Radio (dynamo)
-Roll toilet paper
-Deck cards
-2 N95 Dust Masks
-Roll Duct tape
-Plastic Drop cloth
-Stanley Wonderbar II Pry bar
-Stanley 8-Inch Groove Joint Pliers
-2 Unscented candles wrapped in tinfoil
-Garbage bags in a ziplock bag (two 55 gallon, three 30 gallon)
Total cost of this compartment: $90



Large Compartment contains:

-two 1 Liter bottles of water
-Box of snack bars
-Package of assorted bubblicious gum
Total cost of this compartment: $10

If you notice, I left the last (and largest compartment) mostly empty except for the food and water (the latter of which can go into the two outside mesh pockets if need be). This gives me an essentially empty pocket in case I have anything I might need or want to carry.


If I was making this kit for someone else, I would add:
-a pair of safety glasses (I already wear glasses with polycarbonate lenses)
-another flashlight (probably an LED headlamp with spare batteries)
-some 550 cord (which I'll probably add to mine, but I just haven't got around to it yet).
-cash (small bills) and change (roll of quarters would likely be most useful)