Deconstructing the SEVENTY2 Kit

I do not own this kit, in fact I've never seen it in person. I am not affiliated with the company that makes it or any competitor to them. I have no affiliation with any product mentioned here.

According to the website, this kit contains:

• Backpack with water bottle pouch, 26L, 600D tarpaulin
• 48oz Nalgene
• Admittedly nifty looking organizer and pouches
• Survival tent, mylar, 2 adults
• antibacterial wipes, 15
• Sawyer mini kit
• Datrex rations, 12x 200cal bars
• Convertible shovel/pickaxe
• UCO Stormproof matches, 15 matches, 2 strikers, 1 match safe
• Cheap-looking "zoomie" flashlight
• Cheap-looking pliers-based multitool
• 100ft paracord
• Basic first aid kit
• 2x chemlights
• Mylar emergency blanket
• Small tube of nice sunscreen
• Flashlight/phone charger/radio, looks like an Eton
• active carbon air filtration mask
• 2x handwarmers
• Goggles
• Cheap-looking knife
• Mischmetal firestarting rod
• Acrylic beanie
• Cold weather gloves

The backpack included with this kit didn't look bad. A little too much branding for my taste, and I'd prefer two water-bottle pouches. It would be easy to spend <$40 or >$150 here. I'll pick the Dakine Network as being a reasonable equivalent at approximately $55 with shipping (https://www.dakine.com/products/network-26l-backpack?variant=31575197024336).

48oz Nalgene, $12 on Amazon.

For pouches, grab some freezer ziplocs in various sizes, perhaps $5.

Survival tent (https://smile.amazon.com/Go-Time-Gear-Emergency-Survival/dp/B07NVWY95Y/) $20.

Antibacterial wipes, a lot of options here, I picked https://smile.amazon.com/Lucky-Super-Soft-Antibacterial-Wipes/dp/B0097W81U8/ for $4 (note that this are nice wipes and more of them than included in the kit).

Sawyer mini kit, exactly what I have in my kits, $20.

Datrex rations, $12. But I strongly prefer Millennium bars; a pack of 6 with about the same calories of the Datrex rations is $15. If room permits I would also carry three Mountain House packs and a stove, which I worked out from my Amazon order history at $53.

I've owned a convertible shovel/pickaxe that looked just like this one and it failed on first use under non-stressful conditions. Cold Steel makes a very rugged small shovel for $34. Add some time sharpening one edge and $9 for the sheath.

Stormproof matches with match safe, $14. Add a mini-Bic and a zip-tie (or a chunk of failed bicycle inner-tube, if you prefer) to protect the button, $2. Add a Spark-Lite and Tinder Quik kit, $11. Add an Esbit stove with 6 Esbit tablets, $13. Starting a fire with a mini-Bic and an Esbit tablet is cheating, sure, but I like cheating if it gets me warm when I'm cold.

The flashlight included in this kit is objectionable to me. There are several flashlights that cost less than $10 that are far better. I can recommend a Klarus XT1C v2 (https://www.batteryjunction.com/klarus-xt1c-v2.html) without reservation, adding a pack of 12 CR123A batteries and an inexpensive case for four extra cells brings it to $64. A headlamp is also a great idea. If you want battery diversity (perhaps you can find one size of battery but not another) the Nitecore HA23 is surprisingly good at its price point for $25. If you want one kind of battery so that you only need carry one kind of spare, the Nitecore HC30 is great at $55. But the one I like -- a lot -- is the Fenix HL50. Discontinued but still available for $50, it can run on either 1x CR123A or 1x AA. I wish Fenix hadn't discontinued it, it's that good.

The multitool here looks pretty bad. I'd get a Leatherman Rebar, ST300, or Wave, for $100 (or possibly less).

100' of paracord is too much. 50' is plenty and takes up less room. $5.

The First Aid Only kit is a good kit at the price point for $17. I personally add a Rescue Essentials Advanced Footcare Module for $22 along with some extra BZK wipes ($1).

Chemlights suck. I wouldn't include them.

I do not like cheap mylar blankets. The Heatsheets 2-person is far superior for $10.

My kits no longer have sunscreen wipes (discontinued) or cream (messy!). This sunscreen stick (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CICLTAI/) is small, and works well for me for $10. You could spend less on a larger stick.

Eton makes an excellent small flashlight/cellphone charger/radio gizmo. Be wary of cheap brands, some use a coin cell rather than a capacitor to store energy, and thus fail quickly. The Eton I like is $34.

I do not see the value in carrying an activated carbon filter mask, but you can get a pack of three for $13.

Handwarmers are sure nice to have but if the packaging is breached they become useless. $1.

I prefer an inexpensive but rugged pair of ballistic-rated sunglasses to a pair of goggles. $20 is generous.

Don't get me started on this knife. A stainless steel Mora for $15 would be so much better.

Firestarting rods are great, but I prefer the Spark-Lite above.

If you don't have an acrylic beanie to spare, I really love the Countycomm WX Warrior beanie, super warm and low-bulk for $6 before shipping.

Maybe my hands are a weird size but I won't buy gloves if I can't try them on. I'd probably spend $35 on Mechanix ColdWork gloves.


Assuming you bought everything on my list and had none of these things laying around, and shopped fast instead of looking for deals, you're up to $670. This is far more than the $389 you'd spend on the kit. But when you start with the kit and add a good multitool ($100), usable shovel ($43), Heatsheets ($10), Knife ($15), flashlight and headlamp ($114) my build is $1 cheaper.

Good heavens, I forgot duct tape! Innumerable uses, including first aid, firestarting, gear repair, I'm embarrassed I didn't think of it. $11 for three flat packs.

Yeah, that flashlight is infamous. Not seen them anodised red before though. Cree XM-L T6 led. Just looked them up on Alibaba, and $1.69 for low quantities.

Have Blizzard Survival blankets instead of mylar, as double or triple layered, also made here in Wales.

Rubber O-ring on Bic lighters. Idea stolen from BruceZ.

Oooooh, I like that!

Other things I think a kit like this should have included:

• Duct tape (as mentioned above)
• Navigation: At least a compass, and probably a map of the most likely AO
• A way to charge your cellphone -- the crank radio is better than nothing, but a small powerbank is much easier to use
• A rain shell
• Playing cards
• Clean dry wool socks (added by the user)
• A small candle
• Ritter PSP or PSP+ (of course)
• Hygiene module beyond a few wipes, such as Colgate Wisp disposable toothbrushes, dental floss, soap, washcloth, bathing wipes
• Bug wipes
• A ballcap or some sun protection hat
• Trauma kit (even if you aren't trained, someone around you might be)
• A bandana
• small notebook and pen
• spare cash (added by the user)
• spare glasses, if you wear them (added by the user)

As someone who bought one, I'll chime in. I had already written a review a while back.


I'm a MAG-LITE fan. Nevertheless, I see nothing wrong with the flashlight Uncharted Supply included.


It's not the worst multi-tool I've picked up. Unfortunately, that is the only positive thing I can say about the multi-tool that Uncharted included.


The handle is uncomfortable, but I'm able to maintain a solid grip, and it's a full tang.


The gloves are okay, I guess. I wish they would have stayed with the suede leather work gloves they originally had. Uncharted ditched those gloves because they were not waterproof. How many people go diving wearing work gloves?

Disclaimer: I like their product, but I'm not their spokesperson

Jeanette Isabelle

It has duct tape in the Tools Pocket.


The kit is what it is. It can't include everything.


I also recommended adding that to the kit when I review it.

Jeanette Isabelle

The posts by J-I and CM highlight one of the essential characteristics of any really useful "survival kt" - to really work, they must be individualized to the person's skills, habits, and circumstances. No generic, off the shelf kit can do this. Still, the exorbitantly expensive and marginal kit here discussed, is better than nothing.

But it can easily be improved - I speak from experience as a backpacker and SAR volunteer, where for decades I kept my gear packed and ready to go at a moment's notice. Now sometimes we had plenty of time to prepare - "assemble tomorrow morning at" - nad sometimes it was instantaneous - "meet at ....NOW" In the latter case, you needed reliable gear, suitable for a variety of conditions, that you were familiar with and whose quirks were known. This assemblage had to adjusted seasonally, given the variety of climates available in southerner Arizona - from winter's su zero conditions (in the mountains) to summer hat when, as one of my colleagues famously declared, "your pack turns into a giant water bottle."

Actually the typical BOB pack is just a typical backpacker's assemblage, perhaps with the addition of a hopefully adequate cash stash, which will allow you the option of total self sufficiency for a number of days. You need shelter, food, probably fire or heat of some sort, first aid capability, etc. This will vary depending upon your situation, bug out scenario, and circumstances. It really helps if you have reasonable hiking experience, because you may well have to depend on you own two feet, when all else fails.

Above all, you must utilize the items selected, so that you are familiar with them. Putting them in a closet, untouched until disaster strikes, is setting the stage for trouble.

I missed the duct tape, thank you, Jeanette_Isabelle for the correction.

Two questions about the kit, Jeanette_Isabelle, if you could answer them.

What type of battery is used by the flashlight?

Is there a marking on the knife indicating what kind of steel it's made from?

This kit has come up before, and remember trying to identify a few of the components.
http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=292475#Post292475

The flashlight uses a single AA battery.

I can't find any information on the knife other than the Uncharted Supply Co. logo.

Jeanette Isabelle

When the kit was first being marketed I saw all of the videos the company filmed. My first thoughts were that they actually put some time, thought and effort into the kit and that I was not the target customer. It is clearly designed for folks that might be intimidated to build one from scratch looking for a turnkey solution. I'm a bit older and thus have a good amount of experience and a big pile of gear to assemble kits from. As hikermor says I prefer to build my own kits based on my skills, my needs and to suit my environment (SW Montana). So clearly what I need would be different than what Jeanette Isabelle needs (although there's some overlap in stuff like food, fire, etc).

That said the bag itself is pretty cool. It does appear that they designed the bag from the ground up and have it built for them unlike so many places that start with a generic $10 bag from China. I'm sure it's more expensive to design your own and have it built than to just buy a container of cheap ones.

I have profound reservations about the backpack, which is a the most significant part of the outfit, considering you will be wearing it most of the time. For one thing, it is just too small - 26 liters is barely adequate - 50 liters would more adequate.

No waist belt?? What were they thinking? Also the odd placement of the water bottle pocket - unbalanced and high, exactly where you don't want a heavy item like this to be. Place it low and centered.

you can go into any well equipped outdoor store and pick any number of packs which will be more suitable. The best stores will work with you on adjustments that will give a comfortable fit which you will appreciate after a day carrying the bag.

Yes, a better bag will cost more, but you will have a long future of useful service which quality gear provides. ultimately, good stuff turns out to be an outstanding bargain.

In critical spots, I have relied on quality gear to perform and have been thankful many times over that I spent the money. Finances mean less and less, the further you get into wild situations....

Of course, perhaps none of this is relevant to your situation. For whatever reason, you will not be walking long distances...In that case, almost any bag or container will do - just keep the individual weight reasonable

Yeah, for me personally I would go with an outdoors pack. Going beltless is, IMO, only an option if you keep the size small and the weight light. Even a small waist belt helps manage the load.

The custom bag probably accounts for the most significant portion of their costs, and I know they need to make a profit on this, so I don't want to knock it too hard given it's intended audience, and we've discussed this aspect in the past.

So, taking it for what it is without holding what it isn't against it, I think my biggest issue with this kit is that the form factor is a whole backpack... yet the shelter is essentially a disposable tube tent and space blanket. Things that would practically fit into a pocket.

Adding to that, the "a place for everything and everything in it's place" approach is really satisfying for those who enjoy organization, but the drawback is the space seems largely accounted for, and I don't know how much room the end user would have to continue using the bag with significant customization over time, such as adding their own shelter that might include a tarp, tent or hammock, bug net, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, spare clothes and socks, etc.

I suspect what would happen is the end user buys this because it's pretty cool, it sparks their interest, they start replacing components over time with better ones and eventually outgrow the bag entirely. That's precisely what happened with me and "personal survival kits"; I bought a pro force SAS tin, it sparked my interest in the subject, I started replacing components and eventually nothing of the original was left except the tin!

To be fair, they don't know the environment it will be used in, but I can't help but want more for the sort of end user who would buy it. Since they're not opposed to shopping for Chinese products (as evidenced by the knife and Sipik SK68 type flashlight), I would have liked to have seen the following options so the user could dial in their preference:

Minimalist Option
-15D 3F Sil Poncho that doubles as a tarp ($20 on Aliexpress)
-Lixada Sleeping Bag (Escape Bivy clone) ($18 on Aliexpress)

Hammock Option
-Hammock with Bug Net and Tarp ($28 on Aliexpress)

Tent Option (Premium with upcharge)
-3F UL Lanshan 1 PRO Tent (~$129 on Aliexpress)

Because each of these options have a reusable shelter, I think it would help kickstart their adventures and represent items they may hold onto and incorporate into future kits rather than end up being something that stays in the car like a roadside assistance kit.

I believe a headlamp would have been better than the flashlight for most users. You're more likely to break this thing out and grab the light so you can change your tire. The included flashlight is meh (I've had several over the years and none last long) and the focusing is a bit of a gimmick. Replacing the battery with a duracell is okay, but a lithium primary would have been better because it would nearly eliminate the potential of the battery leaking inside the light during long term storage, and would work better in cold environments ie, if they were storing the bag in their car in the winter.

As far as the knife goes, I don't know if they run into issues selling these in particular states due to their knife laws. If it wasn't an issue, a Mora (especially the light my fire model) would have been top notch for new users, still inexpensive, and serve them well even down the road.

I second the idea of a Ritter like PSK that you can slide into a pocket, and finally a cheap metal cup for the nalgene.

Yes, it looks like the bag is the biggest outlay of funds for the kit. Most of the contents seems to lean towards the cheap-and-cheerful end of the spectrum. Probably usable and useful but not best-in-class. Still if it's what you had you could probably make do. The target audience for this kit probably doesn't have anything better to compare it to.




Yeah, going back to the idea of the target market I can see why they do it this way but you're spot-on; it doesn't seem like it will be easy to add much to the kit. And there seems to be a lot of organization that comes at the expense of useful space. You could probably dump the entire contents of the kit into a 20 L hiking backpack and have a good amount of room to spare.




That's probably true. A lot of folks will buy this and use it as a springboard into learning about preparedness. On the other hand a certain segment of folks will likely buy this, figure it makes them prepared, then toss it into storage and never use it. Certainly in my own case I bought a few smaller kits over the years which I later expanded, or parted out to make other kits. In that regard I think Doug's original PSP is fantastic foundation to build upon! I have at least five of them, some stashed as backups and others serving as a base for larger kits.

In fairness the knife is not completely terrible. A few months ago this image was posted on another forum.



Looks modern gear on the left, laser beacons, PLBs, LED beacons etc but that knife will be instantly recognisable for anyone that was a kid when Rambo: First Blood came out.

Was amazed they were still being made, but seems Walmart over there still sell them.

Here's what survival gear Alaska pilots are required to carry

That's a pretty comprehensive list of stuff! I can see the need for it in AK. Anyone would be wise to carry much of that stuff on any wilderness trip.

Thanks!