Homesteading is gear/tool intensive. Below are some items we feel are indispensable to our homesteading operation. These are in no particular order, except the first.

1. Tractor

It was a couple years into homesteading before we were able to get a tractor. Now, we can’t imagine homesteading without one. A tractor saves our bacon on a routine basis. They are amazingly labor-saving. We use a tractor for everything from moving material, digging holes, plowing snow, driveway maintenance, moving heavy items, etc, etc. There are few jobs that a tractor cannot make better. If you don’t own one, get one sooner than later.

2. Chains

This often overlooked tool is essential at our homestead. Combined with a tractor or ATV, the right chains can accomplish many tasks. Useful for securing and lifting loads with a tractor, dragging tree and logs, ripping brush and trees out of the ground… the list goes on and on. Chains are expensive but worth their weight in silver!

3. Muck boots (a.k.a. “homesteading flip-flops”)

One doesn’t necessarily need Muck Boot brand boots, but these sorts of boots are indispensable to our homestead. They are great to slip on for chores and piddling about the property. They hold up well – about two years of daily use for us. We like the Muck Boot Chore ST (steel toe) for our purposes. Steel toe is worth it, especially if you’re going to deal with firewood or hauling around heavy materials.

4. Impact Driver

This basic tool gets used almost daily on our homestead. Weekly at a minimum. Drivers are ultra useful for building and fixing. We’ve come to enjoy the DeWalt 20v Max Drivers commonly available at big box stores or Amazon.

5. Headlamp or belt lamp

When we know we have work to do in the dark, which is often, especially in winter – a headlamp is essential. Because we use them a lot, we’ve found it best to just get something of average quality. Petzl and Pelican and Princeton Tec all make a good headlamp. Recently we kickstarted the ONE80 Trek and headlamp project. The belt lamps are entirely awesome for homesteading and are amazingly bright. The batteries don’t last very long (1.5-2h) but are quickly rechargeable. We just keep a spare with us.

6. Small flashlight

There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t reach for my pocket flashlight. Dusk and dawn animal chores, finding small parts that get dropped, peering in dark places… it is used all the time! We’ve really come to love the Streamlight Stylus ProStreamlight Stylus Pro. It’s an affordable pen light that comfortably fits in a pants pocket, runs on two AAA batteries, and seems to run forever without battery replacement. We particularly like its durability and how it feels in our hands, even with gloves on.

7. 5-Gallon buckets with Gamma Seal lids

The five-gallon bucket is perhaps one of the best inventions ever. Gamma Seal Lids make a great thing even better! These lids make five-gallon buckets air and water tight. They’re very useful for keeping critters out of feed, chickens out the bucket waterers, hauling water without spilling, and on and on. The lids are slightly expensive but well worth the investment.

8. 30 and 55-gallon drums

We store a LOT of feed. We also store lots of garden amendments, forage crop seed, etc. Used 30 and 55-gallon (usually plastic for us) drums with clamping lids have been a great and affordable solution for such. A new trash can from a big box store can be $25-$40. These barrels (used and rinsed) are often sold below $10 in our area and accomplish the same thing, but with even better durability.

Used drums without lids also make a great way to store long materials such a scrap metal, PVC, pipe, or other longer upright odds and ends.

9. Chainsaw

Unless your land is entirely free of trees (which doesn’t sound like the nicest of homesteading environments), you are going to want a chainsaw and appropriate chainsaw-related safety gear. Clearing land, cleaning up deadfalls, processing firewood… all things a chainsaw handles with ease. If you haven’t bought one yet, consider buying a top-quality chainsaw, an extra bar, chain files, and several extra chains.

10. First aid kits

This one is intentionally last. Homesteading involves lots of blood, sweat, and tears. Minor injuries, sprains, scrapes and bruises are common. Several good first aid kits, strategically positioned in the best places can provide quick relief when injured.

Tractors, ATV or UTV vehicles are often used for mildly dangerous work and at a distance from your home and can themselves be sources of injury. Consider it essential to have a first-aid kit on board such vehicles. They could save your life. Stock your homestead vehicle first aid kits with a few extra items such as Quick Clot, an Israeli Battle Dressing, and perhaps a military tourniquet.

Of course, without the proper understanding of how to use these items, they won’t do much good! Therefore, gain the proper training to respond to field emergencies that you may encounter.

Have essentials of your own to recommend? Share with us in the comments. Like this post? Please click the Like button.