Preppers vs. Survivalists

We may earn commissions for purchases made through links on our site. Learn more on our about us page.

Are you a Doomsday Prepper or a Doomsday Survivalist? Did you know there was a difference between them? They share a lot of similarities but have a lot of differences too.

Which group is it better to be a part of? In this article, we will put Preppers and Survivalists head-to-head to see which group would thrive better in a doomsday scenario.

What is the Difference?

The most significant difference between Preppers and Survivalists is that Preppers tend to stockpile supplies within a bunker. A Prepper prefers to stay in a location where they can stay safe from the wilderness.

On the other hand, survivalists train themselves to survive in the wilderness. Instead of learning how to preserve dried goods, they spend time learning what berries they can and can’t eat. Their goal is to be constantly moving instead of being locked away.

 

Which One is Better?

I would not say either one is necessarily better than the other. Sure, Survivalists may better understand setting traps and fishing, but if the world has gone sour, then it’s not hard to believe that there will be a mass hunting of those animals.

Preppers would have a home fully stocked with goods and have the tools needed to barter and trade. It’s also more sustainable for those with families, but if a fire breaks out in a bunker, they have no skills to fend for themselves in the wild.

 

Can You Be Both?

It’s recommended that you have skills from both groups. It’s essential to stock up on supplies in case of something world-ending like nuclear war. If the earth is dangerous to walk on, then your survival skills aren’t going to help much.

On the other hand, if you’ve spent all your time stocking up on supplies and your stock starts to run low, it’s crucial to have the skills to catch animals and harvest wild fruit to survive. So while you might lean heavily toward one group or another, you should have skills in both.

 

Pros & Cons: Preppers vs. Survivalists

There are lots of pros and cons to both groups. Below, I have organized a few pros and cons between Preppers and Survivalists.

 

Preppers

Pros:

• Lots of supplies.
• Ability to raise livestock.
• Gardening knowledge.
• They have a safe place to stay.
• Access to extensive medical supplies

 

Cons:

• The danger of losing supplies to a fire.
• Less access to meat.
• They have less knowledge of hunting and setting traps.
• It costs more money overall.

 

Survivalists

Pros:

• Ability to forage.
• Ability to hunt and set traps.
• Knowledge about how to start fires.
• Lifestraw gives access to water.
• It costs less money overall.

 

Cons:

• Limited supplies.
• Have to find a place to sleep safely.
• Possibility of not finding food.
• More likely to be killed.

 

Price Range: Preppers vs. Survivalists

When it comes to how much it’s going to cost, it’s unsurprising that Preppers lead by a longshot. Not only do you have to pay to set up your bunker, but you also have to pay for all the supplies needed to hold your stock. Not to mention buying the actual water and food.

It would be impossible to give a completely accurate price range for Preppers, but I will do my best to estimate.

For a year’s rice supply (roughly 400lbs), it would cost you around $584 for just the rice alone. But, of course, that means you’d still have to buy the necessary items to store it.

While Survivalists will have to pay for some things, most of their budget might go into survival classes. Some might spend over two hundred dollars on a survival kit and some lessons, and one Lifestraw only costs $15 on Amazon.

 

Final Verdict: Preppers vs. Survivalists

Preppers and Survivalists both have a lot of things going for them and a lot of things they need to be wary about. But, when it comes to a doomsday situation, will we ever be as ready as we need to survive? Either way, both groups have better chances than the majority of people.

The final verdict? Both groups are good! Take the values of both teams and combine them so you can be prepared for any situation. Stock up on supplies and take care of yourself in the wild.

Leave a comment