BattlBox is a subscription service delivering survival and tactical gear every month. Each month has a theme based on a different experience with a focus on preparedness and survival.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
This review is for the Pro Plus box ($149.99 a month).
About BattlBox
The Subscription Box: BattlBox
The Cost: $24.99 plus shipping for Basic, $49.99 plus shipping for Advanced, $99.99 plus shipping for Pro, and $149.99 plus shipping for Pro Plus.
The Products: A variety of tactical, survival and EDC gear
Ships to: U.S.
BattlBox December 2017 Review
Each month’s box is themed as a Mission and includes a detailed list of products and their values in all the different level options. This month’s theme is Bug Out Bag / Best of BattlBox, and features several items to help you prepare for a 72-hour excursion and provide fire, water, food and more during your evacuation.
We also get a sticker for The Original Knife of the Month Club this month.
Here are the items included in the Basic level ($24.99 cost / $57.96 value):
Self-Reliance Outfitters Mini Inferno - Retail Value $7.99
First up this month, we’ve got this tin of mini firestarter discs. These aren’t crackers, they’re packed fibers with petroleum distillates. Just tear them into pieces to expose the loose fibers, hit it with a spark, and they will burn for 5-7 minutes. If you’ve got your tinder ready to go, this should be more than enough time to get a fire going. The tin comes with 6 discs, so if you’re keeping this in your 72 hour bag, you will have more than enough discs to get 2 separate fires started each day.
Backpacker's Pantry Louisiana Red Beans and Rice - Retail Value $6
Up next we’ve got an instant meal from Backpacker’s Pantry. If I’m packing instant meals, they’re likely going to be Backpacker’s Pantry, and I’ve had this meal several times in the past. The beans and rice rehydrate in just a few minutes and they don’t get all mushy. The flavor is really good too. If you’re eating this whole bag as a meal, it’s got about half your day’s worth of sodium, so don’t go nuts. The bag lists the contents as 2 servings worth, so it’s definitely worth sharing with a friend. In the bug-out context, you can reseal the bag and keep the second serving for dinner.
Battlbox Flashlight - Value $9.99
Yessss. I love flashlights. This little 100 lumen flashlight runs on a single AA battery, and it’s really lightweight. It’s got a removable pocket clip too. This can double as a personal safety item as well - the bezel has some raised tips that are actually a little sharp on the corners. While 100 lumens isn’t insanely bright, it’s still great as a general use/EDC flashlight.
Survival Frog Tact Bivvy - Retail Value $24.99, Listed Value $19.99 (found here for $10.97)
Up next we’ve got this lightweight packable emergency bivvy from Survival Frog. This is essentially a sleeping bag shaped emergency blanket. The thin reflective foil will help you retain up to 90% of your body heat, a crucial factor if you find yourself sleeping on the cold ground. It’s waterproof and windproof, and can be used inside a sleeping bag to improve it’s warmth rating. You’ll just need to be conscious of condensation accumulating inside. In a 72 hour bug out situation, space may be limited so this tiny package may be your best bet for a warm night’s sleep.
f2o Waterdrop 5-Pack - Retail Value $8.99
This product is new to me and I’m kind of amazed by it. The f2o Waterdrop is a pouch with filter membrane and some powder that turns ½ liter of non-potable water into purified water loaded with electrolytes, calories and flavoring similar to a sports drink. You drop the pouch into water, let it sit for 7-10 hours, and it does all the work by itself. Pop the bag with the included straw, just like a juice box, and you’re good to go.
In addition to the items included in the Basic box, here are the items included at the Advanced level: ($49.99 cost / $101.86 value)
Battlbox Camp Bottle Set with Bail - Retail Value $29.95
Up first at the Advanced level we have this bottle and cup set with bail and mesh bag. The single-wall metal bottle holds exactly one liter of water. The cup/pot holds about half that, and can be used to boil water for your dehydrated meal. The bail can be attached to the sides of the top of the pot to pull it out of the fire and give you leverage while dumping it. If you’re in a hurry after a meal you can toss all the components in the mesh bag and hang it from your pack to dry as you keep moving.
Exotac Polystriker - Retail Value $13.95
Up next we have this excellent spark striker from Exotac! While we did receive a striker last month, they seem like one of those items that you can never have too many of. Your friends can always use one, and it’s a must-have for every camping or bugout bag you build out. Plus, this one creates some serious sparkage with hardly any effort. I was able to get the firestarter discs lit with just one good scrape from this little guy.
In addition to the items included in the Basic and Advanced boxes, here are the items included at the Pro level: ($99.99 cost / $186.84 value)
72 Hour 42L Bug Out Bag - Retail Value $69.99
What good is a bug out box without a solid bug out bag? This 45 liter pack will hold everything you need to survive for 3 days, easily. It fits everything in this box with plenty of extra room to spare. The main compartment of the bag has a laptop sleeve that could also be good for securing important papers. The front of the bag has an integrated MOLLE pouch that also runs the length of the bag with some separators inside. There are some included straps for securing a sleeping pad or packroll. The bag is a transformer too: you can wear it as a backpack, or zipper away the shoulder and hip belts and use it as a shoulder bag. My one gripe is the shoulder straps seem a little short, and the cinch straps don’t have a stopper to keep them from slipping out of the buckle when you’re adjusting the length. They’ll hold fast when in use though, so it’s not really a huge issue. This is a great backpack and excellent for use as a bug out bag.
Windaze Fishing Net Fish Trap - Retail Value $14.99
Up next is this collapsible fishing trap from Windaze. It’s a large amount of netting built around a standard umbrella frame that easily expands and locks into place to create a large trap. It’s perfect for catching smaller fish, turtles and crab and some have reported catching catfish with the smaller fish being used as bait. There is a zipper on one side to easily access your catch, but unfortunately mine doesn’t actually open, it just unzips to a layer of netting. If I do end up using this to catch anything, I’ll try to cut the netting at the zipper point so I can use it.
In addition to the items included in the Basic, Advanced and Pro boxes, here are the items included at the ProPlus level: ($149.99 cost / $486.84 value)
Fieldcraft by Brothers of Bushcraft in Exclusive Battlbox Color - Retail Value $200
Finally this month we have this beautiful bushcraft knife from Tops! We’ve seen this brand from BattlBox before, and they’ve never disappointed. Added bonus: The handles on the Fieldcraft are an exclusive to Battlbox this month. The knife comes with a sheath that also has a hard scabbard to ensure the blade holds fast. The sheath has plenty of places to attach paracord, and there’s a heavy duty locking button to quickly lash this to a belt or bag. The blade itself his heavy duty and has a rough finish on the non-sharpened area that gives it an almost gritty feel. There’s a built in ferro rod striker on the pommel too. This is definitely one of the nicest bushcrafting blades I’ve gotten in Battlbox so far.
Verdict: BattlBox knocked the theme out of the park this month. You’ve got all the components you need for a minimalist bug out bag (food, fire, water, shelter) and your bag will still have tons of space for all the other gear you’ve no doubt collected from past Battlboxes. The December BOB box tops out at $386.84 (listed as $330.33) in value, as usual well over the $149.99 investment.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? You won’t get this box as a subscriber if you sign up today, but you can buy past boxes in the BattlBox store.
Coupon – Use coupon code MYSUBTEN to save 10% off your first box!
Value Breakdown: At $149.99 for the ProPlus box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- Firestarter: $3.10
- Meal: $2.33
- Flashlight: $3.87
- Bivvy: $9.69
- Purifier: $3.49
- Bottleset: $11.61
- Striker: $5.41
- Bag: $27.14
- Trap: $5.81
- Knife: $77.55
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