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Garmin gps watch, even a cheap used one, with offline topo maps would be the first item to add to a kit imo. Easy navigation back to starting point.
You can do it with some smartphone apps with offline gps and offline maps, but battery runs out faster on a phone (less than a day) vs a good Garmin watch (days).
Add any Iridium-compatible satellite communicator for times when you're deep into the woods and potentially need emergemcy extract. Or think you're gonna get yourself into a bolder trapping your hand situation like that one guy, fall off slopes, etc even though near civilisation. But nothing will save you underground, like caving. Signals won't get out.
....
Aside from that, thermal protection + water - even a small packable emergency aluminum blanket + lots of water (backpack water bladders, or bottles) + headlamp with strobe mode + leatherman tool at minimum.
Then add first aid kit, food, fire sources as needed.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Tjparri2
Assuming you have to have some sort of service plan for this?
I'm getting more into hiking and recently found myself running out of daylight, off trail, no cell service, completely unprepared as it was only a day hike. Thankfully, I recognized a down tree i went over Going out and realized I was only about a mile from my start point.
I would've survived a night, but opened my eyes to be more prepared so slowly building my pack as I venture out further.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank babygdav
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from Tjparri2
:
Assuming you have to have some sort of service plan for this?
I'm getting more into hiking and recently found myself running out of daylight, off trail, no cell service, completely unprepared as it was only a day hike. Thankfully, I recognized a down tree i went over Going out and realized I was only about a mile from my start point.
I would've survived a night, but opened my eyes to be more prepared so slowly building my pack as I venture out further.
Garmin gps watch, even a cheap used one, with offline topo maps would be the first item to add to a kit imo. Easy navigation back to starting point.
You can do it with some smartphone apps with offline gps and offline maps, but battery runs out faster on a phone (less than a day) vs a good Garmin watch (days).
Add any Iridium-compatible satellite communicator for times when you're deep into the woods and potentially need emergemcy extract. Or think you're gonna get yourself into a bolder trapping your hand situation like that one guy, fall off slopes, etc even though near civilisation. But nothing will save you underground, like caving. Signals won't get out.
....
Aside from that, thermal protection + water - even a small packable emergency aluminum blanket + lots of water (backpack water bladders, or bottles) + headlamp with strobe mode + leatherman tool at minimum.
Then add first aid kit, food, fire sources as needed.
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Aug 13, 2026 5:53 AM
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Are these relevant now that iPhones have satellite messaging?
The usecases are fewer, but it's still relevant.
Battery life on the Garmins are days or weeks. They use the Iridium satellite network that has global coverage. The Garmin devices can also send satellite tracking points at fixed intervals.
I have a Garmin Messenger and prefer it because I'm often traveling solo. I have family members that I can share the location tracking and check-in messages with, and if they ever don't get a check-in message when expected, they can use the Garmin website to see my tracking/location and potentially call for help even if I'm not able to.
That said, I'm not sure the Messenger Plus in this deal is worth the price over the regular Messenger even on sale.
Are these relevant now that iPhones have satellite messaging?
Yes. If using in the backcountry, the Garmin is significantly better at getting signal out due to the better antenna and power, and doesn't require you to sit there and play games pointing your phone at the sky; it can send and receive signal while you're still on the move easily. You typically also want redundancy for something lifesaving like satellite communication, so having both is great. I have an iPhone 14 and a Garmin Messenger and use both while I'm out. That said, I don't know if the Messenger Plus is worth it over the Messenger, particularly when the benefits of the Plus generally also requires a significantly more expensive subscription plan.
Are these relevant now that iPhones have satellite messaging?
The Garmin is purpose built for this and it shows. They are ruggedly built, have up to weeks of battery life, and in my experience work very reliably. Two good friends just went on an extended back country excursion and set up tracking so I could watch their progress. One had an iPhone and the other had an Inreach mini 3. Garmin updates were solid as a rock. Location every ten minutes. Text, audio and photos came through consistently and relatively quickly. The iPhone, not so much. That may be because he didn't set it up similarly, or kept it packed differently. So I can't say the iPhone is incapable of doing the job. But the Garmin seems to be a single-purpose piece of equipment that does its job reliably and well.
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You can do it with some smartphone apps with offline gps and offline maps, but battery runs out faster on a phone (less than a day) vs a good Garmin watch (days).
Add any Iridium-compatible satellite communicator for times when you're deep into the woods and potentially need emergemcy extract. Or think you're gonna get yourself into a bolder trapping your hand situation like that one guy, fall off slopes, etc even though near civilisation. But nothing will save you underground, like caving. Signals won't get out.
....
Aside from that, thermal protection + water - even a small packable emergency aluminum blanket + lots of water (backpack water bladders, or bottles) + headlamp with strobe mode + leatherman tool at minimum.
Then add first aid kit, food, fire sources as needed.
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Tjparri2
I'm getting more into hiking and recently found myself running out of daylight, off trail, no cell service, completely unprepared as it was only a day hike. Thankfully, I recognized a down tree i went over Going out and realized I was only about a mile from my start point.
I would've survived a night, but opened my eyes to be more prepared so slowly building my pack as I venture out further.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank babygdav
I'm getting more into hiking and recently found myself running out of daylight, off trail, no cell service, completely unprepared as it was only a day hike. Thankfully, I recognized a down tree i went over Going out and realized I was only about a mile from my start point.
I would've survived a night, but opened my eyes to be more prepared so slowly building my pack as I venture out further.
You can do it with some smartphone apps with offline gps and offline maps, but battery runs out faster on a phone (less than a day) vs a good Garmin watch (days).
Add any Iridium-compatible satellite communicator for times when you're deep into the woods and potentially need emergemcy extract. Or think you're gonna get yourself into a bolder trapping your hand situation like that one guy, fall off slopes, etc even though near civilisation. But nothing will save you underground, like caving. Signals won't get out.
....
Aside from that, thermal protection + water - even a small packable emergency aluminum blanket + lots of water (backpack water bladders, or bottles) + headlamp with strobe mode + leatherman tool at minimum.
Then add first aid kit, food, fire sources as needed.
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Battery life on the Garmins are days or weeks. They use the Iridium satellite network that has global coverage. The Garmin devices can also send satellite tracking points at fixed intervals.
I have a Garmin Messenger and prefer it because I'm often traveling solo. I have family members that I can share the location tracking and check-in messages with, and if they ever don't get a check-in message when expected, they can use the Garmin website to see my tracking/location and potentially call for help even if I'm not able to.
That said, I'm not sure the Messenger Plus in this deal is worth the price over the regular Messenger even on sale.
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But I still have a Garmin communicator, the antenna is better, the battery lasts forever, and it's more rugged.
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