The company’s founder, Todd Weimer, was holding a Maglite when he had the idea for a customizable canister capped with a flashlight. By powering the LED bulb with button batteries instead of D batteries, he could use the extra space for storage. He was inspired by childhood memories of him and his buddy packing light enough the kids could carry their load without being underprepared. This “Geared for Life” mentality serves as the Canadian company’s motto.

VSSL emergency kits have been featured in esteemed publications such as National Geographic, Time, Outside and Field & Stream. Premade packages are available or you can organize your own combination of essentials in the weatherproof tube, which is also available in an ultra-compact mini size. Made from military-grade aluminum, VSSLs of any size are virtually indestructible—the product can actually outlast the owner.

But it’s not just durability and functionality that the VSSL team cares about. Responsibility to the community is also important. Its assembly workforce is largely comprised of young adults with special needs, giving them meaningful work that is often hard to come by. And the company maintains a product defect rate of less than 1%.

Change the way you prepare for your outdoor adventures and save space in your pack. Shop our selection of VSSL Outdoor Utility Tools today.