As the old saying goes, "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail," which is especially true when it comes to experiencing the great outdoors. Whether you wind up lost on a hike or forget your matches at home, the 5-in-1 Survival Flint Fire Starter Bracelet can bail you out with a host of easy-access survival gear. Plus, bracelet two-packs are on sale today for $21.25 ($US15.99).

Whether you're new to the trial or a seasoned hiker, you should always have these in your backpack.

Before you decide to channel your inner Indiana Jones and run off to explore nearby caves, deserts or mountain trails, you may want to take a step back and think if you are completely prepared for that kind of adventure. Learning how to tie a few popular knots won’t take an extreme amount of time and you will be surprised how often you can actually use them when you know what you’re doing. Here are five knots that every camper, hiker, mountain climber and survivalist should know.

Australia has a reputation for having lots of deadly animals - but we're actually pretty safe from apex predators. As long as you keep out of the water and don't attempt to box a kangaroo, you're relatively safe from harm. Not so in America, where mountain lions have been known to kill and eat humans. If you're every hiking in the US and bump into one of these surly cats, here's what to do.

Not all adventures are done in daylight. Whether you're camping in Yosemite or stargazing in Half Dome, you're going to need a flashlight to navigate. Fortunately, you can score a two-pack of UltraBright 500-Lumen Tactical Military Flashlights for 70 percent off.

If you're looking for some true outdoor adventure on your holiday in the US, these long, scenic trails cover anywhere from 150 to nearly 11,000km.

iOS/Android: Hiking is a great way to exercise and explore the outdoors at the same time. ViewRanger is a free app that shows you nearby trails and tells you everything you need to know about them.

It's never too early to start thinking about your travels, particularly if you want to enjoy the beauty of the world on a nice, tidy budget. One of the best ways to do that is to camp and, at the same time, take advantage of your national park system.

If you're lost in the wild and in dire need of food, you can make a fish hook out of something you're almost guaranteed to have on you - a zipper. We explain how to pull it off. The accompanying video also explains 19 other survival tips that are sure to come in handy during your next camping trip.

If you ever find yourself lost in the wilds of a warmer climate, the strong leaves from a palmetto plant can help you build a shelter.

A long day of trudging through the mountains can do a number on your feet. If you want to fend off foot blisters, a pair of wool dress socks can help.

You might not think it by looking at them, but Bambi and his hoofed friends pack a serious wallop. Depending on the situation and time of year, deer and moose can be deadlier than a sharp-toothed predator. Here's what you need to know to keep those crushing hooves and sharp antlers away on your next US holiday.

Hiking seems easy -- after all it's just walking for a while -- but it can be a big challenge. From varying and sometimes difficult terrain to the fact that you use different muscles for longer periods of time than normal, a good hike takes working up to. Here are three exercises you can do to make sure you're in hiking shape.

Australia has a reputation for snakes, but don't think that you'll be safe on your great American holiday. Out of the over 100 types of snake in the US, the deadly rattlesnake is one of the only ones that gives you a warning before it sinks its venom-injecting fangs into you. Still, plenty of people manage to get bitten by them every year. Here's what you should do if hear that rattling sound, and how to survive if you get bit.

Mountain lions -- also known as cougars, pumas, catamounts or Florida panthers -- have razor sharp claws, can weigh over 90kg, and can run at speeds of up to 80km/h. These aren't your normal neighbourhood kitty cats. Here's what you should do if you visit the US and encounter one in the wild.

Bear encounters are less like singing "The Bare Necessities" and more like, "oh crap, I hope there aren't any bear cubs around." Here's what you should do if you're on a camping holiday in the woods of America and run into a bear in the wild who isn't as friendly as Baloo.

Picture the scene: You're on holidays in a heavily wooded area of Eurasia or North America. As the sun starts to go down, you begin to make your way back toward camp. Suddenly, a set of sharp teeth belonging to a snarling wolf appears in front of you -- and it's not alone. Here's what you do.

If you're lost out in the wild, finding a source of drinkable water is one of your number one priorities. These four pesky little bugs might actually save your life.

Sometimes nature makes a local call while you're exploring it. This illustrated guide explains the proper way to take care of business in the wilderness, and how to keep it from being a problem for others.