British adventurer Bear Grylls has slept inside a camel carcass, guzzled yak blood and made a wetsuit out of sealskin on the Discovery Channel’s hit survival series “Man vs. Wild.” But those are just his reality show exploits. The former Special Air Service soldier has also accomplished astonishing feats off-screen: He became one of the youngest climbers to summit Mount Everest in 1998; five years later, he guided a team crossing the North Atlantic in an open inflatable boat; and in 2007, he set a paramotoring record in the Himalayas. Today, the best-selling author and father of three has launched a new production house, The Natural Studios, and is working on shows including “Running Wild” on National Geographic and “Treasure Island” on the UK’s Channel 4. Here, the 46-year-old shares with Alexa his self-rescue gear.
“These Revo Sunglasses are dependable and virtually indestructible — I am always squashing them! I also love that the frame allows for maximum coverage and the polarized lenses are super high quality.”
“Who doesn’t love healthy nut butter? I always find room for some of these pouches when preparing for any trip.”
“If you need a lightweight jacket that still keeps you warm, you can wear this on its own or wear both jackets together for that sweet-spot combination of warmth and bad-weather protection.”
“Touchtennis is one of the most exciting new sports out there. It’s a combination of the physicality and speed of squash combined with the ability to play the sort of tennis you can only dream about on a normal court, and that’s what makes it so fun.”
“These shoes are incredible — lightweight, tough, stylish and grippy. I use them most days for localized adventures like hiking and running, and even when out paragliding.”
“I’m super proud of the range we’ve created with Luminox, and this one is a favorite of mine. Made from recycled ocean plastics and engraved with those three key words, ‘Never Give Up.’ This watch has been a companion on many an adventure.”
“My first-ever book on how faith can empower and help you through turbulent times.”
“One of the key things you need in a survival situation is fire. From fire you can boil water to make it safe to drink, cook food, deter animals and keep warm. Anticipate that lighters will break and matches will get wet.”
“This survival shelter is lightweight and compact. When you’re in the wild, the less kit you have to carry the better. It’s for an emergency, but as I have learnt, be prepared. Yet travel light.”
“This flick knife has helped me through many a tricky situation. A good knife is a key piece of equipment on an adventure. With it, you can then make shelter, fire, tools, traps and hunt for food.”
“You’ve gotta make sure your feet are protected, warm and dry when you’re traveling across difficult terrain. Feet-first is a key mantra for survival. These are also super light and comfortable, which I like.”