Preparedness. If you want to survive, you have to prepare. Survival isn’t about scavenging, looting and / or pillaging. It’s about preparing for the inevitable and having a plan. Fortunately, you have me to guide you.
Update 2009-05-14:
You can buy some of this stuff in the Zombie Apocalypse Store!
Personal Defense
You will need some sort of personal protection, and bullet resistant vests aren’t going to cut it. Yes, they are necessary, but only to a point. More appropriate would be hard impact bite and puncture resistant armor. The vest will be essential during the early stages, as a precaution against looters and hoodlums with guns, and general hysteria. You’ll want the hard shell armor for ongoing protection against damage and the undead.
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There are several options available to the general consumer now, the pre-war time. Hockey and sports gear just won’t cut it. Sorry, Casey Jones. Some offer large amounts of padding, and others offer protective hard shells. Damascus Gear FlexForce is a fine set of protective gear. Billed as riot gear or crowd control gear, it will offer considerable protection against small melee battles with zombies.
The system protection from blunt force trauma without sacrificing fit or comfort. The suit is lightweight and allows for rapid mobility and flexibility, covering legs, front and rear torso, shoulders and arms. It can be found at various online realtors for under $500 USD. Alternatively, you can buy only the pieces you need. Hatch Centurion armor, while offering less protective gear, is another fine choice. Don’t skimp here. While a zombie may be able to bite you un unprotected areas, and you’ll still be easily ripped apart by a dozen zombies, not only will you be able to better defend yourself, you’ll look really cool.
Life Support
Things will stink. Literally. Rotting flesh, the dead and undead, garbage, sewers, health hazards, overturned trucks or trains. The apocalypse will be a messy, smelly, dangerous place to survive in. There are several options to make life last a little longer.
You will need a system for personal air filtration. Don’t buy a gas mask at your local Army Navy surplus store. They’re crap, they’re old and the filters won’t stop a fart. You’ll need something new and most likely, not as extreme.
If you were facing a human menace, a full head gas mask may be appropriate, but you won’t be. There will be no tear gas, CS gas VX gas or anything nasty like that. You may want a gas mask for the initial happening to prepare against the use of tear gas or crowd control agents, but after that, a respirator will suffice. It will be less weight, offer great mobility and ease of use.
The North 7700 half mask respirator will get the job done for you. At less than $30 (excluding filters), it’s a wise investment. You’ll need the best filters for the job though, HEPA P-100 filters help defend against nuclear biological and chemical agents, as well as asbestos and bacterial. You may find yourself in some nasty old buildings with three foot cement walls and asbestos floors. You’ll want this.
Daily Operations
Footwear
You’ll need tough gear to survive the aftermath. Do you think footwear manufacturers will still be making boots after the 2012 zombie holocaust? Then congratualtions, you’ll be left behind. You’ll want a fine pair of boots for the miles of walking you’ll doubtless grow accustomed to, and tennis shoes or sandals won’t cut it. They’ll hardly protect you from a puddle or dog poop, much less climbing over mountains of corpses.
You may find combat boots at your local milsur store, but for durability and longevity, you should go for something a little more refined. I recommend 5.11 Tactical’s boots. Tough, durable and comfortable, they offer hours of support and mobility and have several models available.
That’s right, you can run marathons in them. Besides comfort, they also offer chain-link fence climbing grips, rappeling grips, and options of side zippers and safety toes. 5.11 boots also come in kid and women friendly sizes.
I swear by 5.11 Tactical boots. I’ve been wearing my pair almost daily since I bought them two years ago. They remain durable, comfortable and can still take a shine for those formal events.
Gloves
Don’t forget your hands. You’re going to get dirty. And cut. And you’ll need to punch, rip and stab things. I wish i could offer an end-all be-all glove, but I can’t. So you’ll need several, and there are a few shining options you’ll need to carry on your person at all times.
For serious protection, I recommend the Ironclad Extreme Duty II. This mother rips through steel (if you’ve got the muscles) and offers a face-pounding diamond rubber palm and grip, rubberized knuckles and a gauntlet to prevent debris or infected brain matter from ruining your watch. The features on this glove may seem extreme, but you’ll be glad you have a pair when you’r reduced to smashing heads with big rocks and then throwing corpses onto a fire all day.
You’ll also need a pair for daily use and protection, or depending on if you’re trying to survive in a cold or hot climate. Under Armour makes all-purpose tactical gloves that offer insulation, grip and comfort. You don’t want to slip negotiating rickety ladders or having a lobotomizing weapon fly out of your hands to leave you defenseless.
Survival Gear
You will also need a full complement of gear for day to day survival, but this will vary widely depending on your situation and locale. I recommend a list of the following posessed by at least one member of your small and tight knit survival party.
- Crowbars / Sledge Hammers – useful for not only entry, but also smashing Zack’s head.
- Machetes / Blades – as Max Brooks points out, blades don’t need reloading. Preferably you’ll find one with a long, stay sharp blade.
- Torches – those crank and shake flashlights just don’t cut it n the long run. You’ll still need the power of super bright, long lasting LED torches or Maglites.
- Fire – you will need a sure source of fire, preferably attached in front of some kind of propellant. You’re gonna want to torch stuff at some point.
The apocalypse will be a scary time, and it won’t be for the timid. Whether its in 2012, 2009, or tomorrow, you’ll want to make sure you survive with your brain intact. The best way to do that is by preparing for the worst. Remember, use your head – destroy theirs.
Resources
- Damascus Gear FlexForce Armor
- North 7700 half mask respirator
- 5.11 Tactical ATAC Waterproof boots
- Ironclad Extreme Duty II Gloves
- Under Armour Tactical cold condition gloves
The post Zombie Apocalypse Defense Gear first appeared at The Undead Report.
40 million infected
[…] related news, over at the Undead Report, there’s an interesting article on Zombie Apocalypse Defense Gear, in which the author runs through recommendations of what you should have on hand. Jim, you are not […]
2 weeks of food in adict blow up mattress tv radio comp lots and lots of ammo and be able to get in the garge to get to car to go to alaska so the zombies will freeze>
perhaps the administrator of this site, or just this forum would be so kind as to give me an address that i can send any ideas and url’s for defense gear to…i have alot of useful ideas.
in the meantime we can use the gear as an awesome halloween costume.
Has anyone priced all of this stuff out for the full set? I’d like to know.
Damascus Flex-Force Armor: $500 (saving my allowance)
ATAC Boots: $130 (acquired)
Extreme Duty Gloves: $30 (acquired)
North Respirator, with HEPA and P100 fitlers: $60 (acquired)
Total: $720
Ok guys so what you need to survive this zombie apocalypse is:
Damascus Flex-Force Armor:
ATAC Boots:
Extreme Duty Gloves:
North Respirator, with HEPA and$ P100 fitlers
Hellstorm 8118 Special Operations Goggle
Mil Spec+ Military Issue Medical Kit – x2
23″ Machete and Sheath
SWAT Boot Knife (8 5/8″) – x2 (one for each boot)
Grappling Hook Kit w/33′ of Nylon Rope
4lb Felling Axe
45cc Chainsaw,18″ Guide Bar
Wrecking crowBar 18″
4-5 months worth of canned food and bottled water
5 flash lights with 100 batteries
blow up bed
wireless radio
and some sort of weapon like an assult rifle
until i can save $2500 for an m16 with 700 rounds i have made a powerfull 2shot crossbow – this is a good choice as you can make your own ammo.
if you live in a house You should barricade yourself in the attic and make sure the entrence to the attic is barricaded but make sure u can use your crow bar to get the wood off when you need to get out for more supplies make sure everything you need is in a secure place or if you live in an appartment you should barricade the doors and windows securly. hold out where you live with the supplies and the instructions above until your food/water runs out by the 4-5 months some zombies should of moved away in search of more food and or be slow and drowsey from lack of it, i have not totaled all of the items above yest but your looking at a price range of $1-500 – $2500 not including the gun. i know it seems like alot but you can collect this over a four year period. good luck and if you need any more survival tips add me on – robbiewiggs1@hotmail.co.uk
well honestly to say, im impressed with the armor and defensive princibles youve got set up here sam, not to mention fairly easy to obtain too. as for me i got full battle rattle, i got the ACU’s, the kevlar helmet, gloves, IBA kevlar vest, along with combat boots and eye protection, cant forget those, which i obtain thru military training, fresh from basic training and some law enforcement training, along with swat, and Rapid Response Unit training i got the gear, and some pretty usefull skills,
honestly to say i wish everything the military has could be obtained to civilians just for this purpose, but honestly its doubtful,
id like to help teaching others self defence, using melee weapons and fire arms, and some basic survival skills like shelter building, fire making, fortification of shelters, hunting for food, or scavenging, edible plants, along with booby trap makeing like snares, pitfalls, and dead falls, i also have knowledge in basic pyrotechnitions, bomb ordinace training, and high explosive ordinance handeling like grenades :D
if anyone wants to ask a Q hit up my email, at sparta24945@aol.com id like to help tackle some of em, i dont like advertising on other peoples sights, but with permission i would think you wouldnt mind sam? id be happy to share some info for anyone who would like to know
Thanks PVTUnknown. I’m glad you have such adequate training. I am a civilian and it is highly unlikely I’d ever go into any government-sponsored training, so I could use a good point man like yourself. I have a few mates who can do the job, but someone with SWAT / Military is always a bonus.
This list is by no means thorough, it’s just a good composite of some day-to-day defensive gear that’s affordable and easily obtained. Some of it is also multi-purpose – I’ve used my mask for working on projects, and wear the boots almost every day (after a few years though, the soles are a *bit* worn down).
Some other items have been mentioned above: machetes, big knives, wireless radios. All good, legal things to carry that serve multiple purposes. Stay tuned for a write up on bug-out-bags and the items within.
here are some magazines that have some pretty good stuff in it, and ill also list a book about 953 pages of nothing but survival information.
Quartermaster- this is a public safety magazine, it holds alot of what police are using,
listings:
A) Apperal-uniforms, boots, street clothes, socks, gloves, head gear
B) tools- Flash lights, body armor, combat knifes and diffrent blades, safety gear and many more
C) optics- Eye protection, night vision, binoulars,
D) Misc. watches, coins, holsters, duty belts badges (wouldnt recomend badges,) handcuffs
shotgun magazine- all weapons handguns to muzzle loaders,
Listings:
A) hand guns of all sorts, semi-automatic, revolver, and old fashion collectibles
B) rifles, bolt action or Semi-autos, with upgrades and customizable,
C) Assult rifles, semi-auto, M4-AK 47, and anything in between
D) muzzle loaders, everything up to 50 cal. muzzle loaders
(Book)
The Ultimate Guid to US Army Survival
A) surviving in desert, taundra, jungle, and urban
B) medical first aide, treating poisoning, and animal/snake bites,
C) shelter buiding, fire starting, hunting
D) surviving in Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Attack zones (NBC training)
if anyone has questions or is having difficulties to obteining anything, or if anyone just have questions to ask about anything ill be happy to help, along with sam, he runs a fine site here, plunty of info, plunty of help for those who need it, and we get lovely news on zombie walks, alot more exciting then living in a small town i tell ya…
iv got an idea for armour DUN DUN DUR a shark suit available from any good diving store built for smaller sharks it can deafo take a hit from a hord of zombies p.s dont forget silencers so as not to atract every zbie in a mile radius
Sorry Kyle, but that’s a terrible idea. It’s bulky, heavy and constricting. You’d be far better off with armor like this, or motocross armor. Think armor plating, not entire body chain mail. You want your armor to be lightweight, strong, and easy to remove in case of danger or you need to escape quickly.
As for a primary firearm, consider getting a sub machine gun .Its compact size makes it perfect for close quarters combat and its smaller caliber ammunition allows you to carry more bullets. That’s a plus seeing that the local gun store might over run with zombies, besides there is no need for a howitzer when your shooting a bunch of meat shields. Oh and by the way when picking a s.m.g, pick one that fires rounds other than a 9mm. A good choice would be a P90 which fires a 5.7mm round or a MP7 which fires a similar round.
P.S flamethrowers = bad. The only thing worse than zombies is flaming zombies.
Justin, sadly picking something like an MP5 or something that fires the 9mm parabellum would be ideal, not because its an overly effective round, but like you said you don’t need a howitzer when shooting a bunch of meat shields. The 9mm would be better then the 5.6mm or the 4.6 (MP7) because outside of the lowly .22cal the 9mm is the most common handgun round in the world, and you have to look into the long run, what if the horde lasts for more then 6 months? You run out of your “exotic” ammo, blow the case walls because you’ve reloaded it one too many times, and now you have a fancy polymer door stop. Other then that, very good ideas for defensive armor and the likes, I just recently acquired the Damascus Flex Force Armor, and its surprisingly comfortable. As for the gloves, I have a pair of Icon Motor sports Ti-Max gloves, and a pair of BlackHawk! Tactical combat boots. I have a half face respirator that I got for a job I used to have, so there’s no need for a new one.
If any one would like to contact me to discuss battle plans or escape plans feel free to contact me at fenix661@yahoo.com I would be more then happy to share my wisdom with you guys.
Hey All! You can buy some of this stuff in my zombie gear store: https://www.undeadreport.com/zombie-apocalypse-survival-gear/
WE NEED SHANK PROOF ARMOR FOR BITES! i mean- knife =puncture, bite=puncture! both shoving things into the skin. i think so anyways. someone correct me if i’m wrong.
Best equipment list i’ve seen yet!
But you’re all on about guns! Here in the UK you can’t really get hold of a gun (unless it’s airsoft). You can only really get hold of melee weapons.
Thanks Callum. Unfortunately, those in the UK may succumb to a zombie infestation rather quickly because of this. I suggest stocking up on lots of knives then. A projectile weapon of some sort will be really handy. A few readers pointed out you can get .50 cal compressed air guns or something of that nature.
Imagine having an elephant gun for zed hunting..ultimate overkill!
For me, i just plan to go to dick’s sporting goods and take all their guns and ammo and stuff
umm..prophet-no offense, but many other people will probably have your idead, and some will be desperate and terrifired enough to shoot someone whose gun they want..= utter chaos. not a good idea. buy your own guns if you can, don’t raid.
What if it is not just a zombie apocalypse? I am fully prepared in case of that miserable eventuality. But what if it is a full on Earth-cracking apocalypse of Bizarre & magnificent proportions. What if Zombies are only one part of the change? What if Zombies are going to be the least of your worries, they may be present yes, but you will not worry about them due to the fact that that as they approach you can float away from them, making rude gestures, taunting and relieving yourself on them. What if a mostly unprepared population wakes up to a super Harryhausened Dungeons and Dragons world in “2012”. Where the ‘Poles” reversed alright but not in the scientific manner they suggested.
What if everyone prepares for zombies then then come 2012 the first creep you encounter looks like something that normally decorates a japanese temples’ staircase.
All I am saying is -like in investing it might be “smart” to diversify. Zombies are a @#$%*&% cinch compared to some mutant metamorphs that could show up.
I’d go with good ‘ol Mickey Mouse boots. For those who laugh, just search them on Google.
And i agree with Sky Crab. ALL HAIL AUTOMATICS!!! B.A.R., here I come!
My dad has a pair of biker gloves he gave me called “bam gloves” they are very thick leather and have lead weights on the knuckles and thicker than average finger leather. do you think these would work? i dont plan to punch them i just dont want acidental finger bites.
Nvm its hard to work small firearm mechanisms in them
I love the website, its pretty sweet and you’ve really put some serious thought and consideration into it, however, I have one gripe. Why are you talking about zombies and monsters when the possibility of that ever occurring is like zero. You should be discussing the next world war, and eventual nuclear fallout. The possibility of this is almost 100% more than a zombie apocalypse.
@ Larry – This site, as I have seen it, doesn’t exactly deal with “Monsters” in the stereotypical-cloverfield or starwars-sense, but deals more with the possiblility of a virus or infection that perhaps makes someone fit into the “zombie” category. the possiblity of an “undead” zombie attack is close to nil, but an infected one is more realistic. I could be completely wrong about what I just said, but that’s my view on this site.
i feel this site deals with zombies in all shapes and forms, wheter it be true undead,infected, mechanical, radiation, drug induced, or any other thing that would make an otherwise sane normal human, act out indescrimanently and against their will, towards other said human beings.
nice article:)
Nostradamus said that the dead shall rise so in 2012 be ready for hell and heaven to shoot-it-out!!! And I suggest you save $2k because troy’s trojan armor is the way to go especially when you have a tank and everybody banded with you… BUT join me on december 21st to go to the next space shuttle launch to hijack the shuttle to orbit earth for a week and then go back and kill every non-human by crushing skulls, popping heads, and SLAUGHTERING THEM WITH OUR CLAWS OF FURY!!!!!!!!!!!
I MEAN THINK ABOUT IT!!! If Nostradamus was RELATIVELY CORRECT in every account then what if heaven and hell do open up and we have to kill f-ed up looking demons and angels that try to stab us with their “almighty swords” that means some one has to kill both GOD AND SATAN to make sure they stop judging us just because we “SINNED” and start pitch forked in fire or sleep on clouds and get nagged to death by your dead grandmother! AND I SAY IT SHALL BE ME WHO TEARS BOTH THEIR HEARTS OUT AND CRUSH IT IN MY FIST OF GLORY!!! AHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHA!
TOPGUN, ask your doctor about the benefits of anti-psychotics.
Hey, cool post. I like the information about footwear, I think all too many times people forget about the importance of keeping your feet in good condition. One point of note however, the HEPA P-100 from what I’ve read is only really a particulate filter and won’t actually stand up to the full requirements of your typical NBC filter. On ZombieGearReview.com we reviewed the Israeli Military M15 Gas Mask and a surplus German riot suit. The German riot suit was used, but only ran about half the price of the Centurion riot gear. Check it out –> http://www.zombiegearreview.com/german-riot-gear/
@thanatos The anti-psychotics won’t help. He’ll need a straight jacket.
it really sucks that the world camn go from bad to total Shi*storm
listen does anybody know a cheap airsoft site unless you know that they cannot pierce a zombies skull
[…] necrotic tissue, zombie remains, or whole corpses of mammals. Initial inspection should begin by dressing in protective clothing like that specified for use against zombie attacks. Additionally, human home rebuilders should wear […]
our plan is to immediatley pack all weaponry wich we have a shit ton of set in groups of two to find supplies possibley fight for supplies set the group in two camps about a quarter mile apart in the middle of the woods make a barrier of some sort around each with a double sided dead bolt and barrier lock with 4+ guards taking shifts and two large bus sized vehicles and two smaller suv type vehicles on hand so we can move out at any point plus have regular trips for supplies at most at our camps will have 10 people and we will not accept outsiders or injured XD and thts just a basic plan i got bored one day and built a more than 10 page detailed plan with a b c and d plans for each step XD yea i had no life that day just our ten people probley less actually have more than 200 gun and probley more than 1000 knives/machetes/hatchets and bows XD i myself have more than 10,000 rounds for my 32 rifles and two pistols ranging from .22,-30-6,-12+20G,-AR’s-7mm’s and much more XD
[…] Ideal body armor can be found here –>https://www.undeadreport.com/2008/02/zombie-apocalypse-defense-gear […]
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