It is always helpful in knowing what you should take with you on an urban exploration trip. We've listed a few things below that you may consider taking with you if you decide to go on an adventure, in no particular order. There are links for each item listed you can purchase the item online. Some will be cheaper if you purchase them from a local store. The items items we've linked to are of good quality at a reasonable price. To view the equipment we use, click here. Visit the OES Gear Shop where you may purchase highly recommended items for urban exploration and paranormal investigation.

You'll need a bag or backpack to carry all your gear in. The pack should be large enough to hold a flashlight, extra batteries, camera, extra clothing, first-aid kit and what ever else you decide to take. You should choose a quality backpack that will be very durable to ensure you don't loose your gear while exploring. Click Here for a wide variety of backpacks available on Amazon.com.

FLASHLIGHT

A flashlight is a must-have tool for all urban explorers. You will need to see in those dark places some how! We prefer using MagLite flashlights. They are extremely durable, sealed to prevent explosions or fires, and could last you for years proper care. Always have a back-up light in case your primary light gets broken or runs out of batteries. We usually carry the MiniMag for such occasions. You may want to consider a headlamp to keep your hands free. Click Here for MagLites, click here for MiniMags, or click here for a headlamp.

SPOTLIGHT

This is more of an optional item. We usually carry a spotlight of at least 500,000 candle power with us on all explorations. You can usually light up a whole room or drain with one of these, but you must be careful on how much light you use. Click Here for a cordless, rechargeable, one million candle power spotlight.

RESPIRATOR

You may be wondering, why do I need a respirator?! Well many abandoned buildings are full of this nasty thing called asbestos. Asbestos is a VERY lethal substance that was commonly used as insulation. When asbestos particles are breathed in, it stays in your lungs and will eventually kill you. Check out our Safety Section for details. You will need a respirator with the correct filters that are rated for asbestos to guarantee protection. Click Here for a respirator with the correct filters included.

GLOVES

Gloves will protect your hands and keep them dry in wet conditions. We suggest that you purchase a pair of gloves that are comfortable, water resistant, and durable. Click Here for a pair of gloves that meet all three requirements.

WATER BOTTLE

You will need to keep hydrated during your explorations, especially during the warmer months. Be certain to pick up a bottle of water or two before you leave. Refrain from drinking sodas or other carbonated beverages as they do not provide hydration at all. You may also choose to combine your need for water with your need of a backpack by purchasing a CamelBak system. Click Here for a choice CamelBak backpack.

POCKET KNIFE

A pocket knife is a very useful tool to have around. Although it is more of an optional item, a member of each of our explorations usually carries one. The knife you choose should be sharp and durable. Click Here for our preferred pocket knife.

FIRST-AID KIT

Although a first-aid kit is an optional item, we highly recommend that you take one along. There are a wide variety of injuries that could occur while exploring. We suggest you take along an all-purpose first-aid kit that has plenty of supplies. Click Here for such a kit.

CAMERA

You will probably want to take a camera along to document the abandoned building, cemetery or drain you're exploring. Taking pictures and showing everyone what you found during your adventure is half the fun! There are three basic types of cameras you can purchase. Click Here for a digital camera, click here for a 35mm camera, or click here for a one-time use disposable camera.

RADIOS

If you plan to break into groups to cover a large area, radios are a great way in keeping in contact. FRS/GMR radios are the best you can get without a license from the FCC. Under the right conditions, these radios can reach miles away. They will work fine in most places you will explore. Click Here for a set of two FRS radios that are rechargeable, have a 20 mile radius and includes NOAA alerts.

MASKING TAPE

Take a roll of masking tape with you on your adventures. Some locations are very large and you can get lost in seconds, especially in tunnels or drain systems. Using masking tape is a non-permanent way of marking where you have been to ensure you can an always find your way out. Click Here for masking tape.

EXTRA BATTERIES

Carry at least one set of extra batteries for each piece of equipment that requires them, especially for your flashlight. We prefer to use rechargeable batteries as they pay for themselves after a couple of uses. Make sure to check what size batteries your equipment needs before heading out. Click Here for a selection of rechargeable batteries, or click here for a selection of normal alkaline batteries.

The items below are optional items. They are cool to have, but nowhere near necessary for just urban exploring.

NIGHT VISION / THERMAL CAMERAS

Night vision systems are a really cool option. As long as you have one of these with plenty of batteries, who needs a flashlight?! You can see through the dark without any light at all. Night vision scopes come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and strength, ranging from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars for the more advanced systems. Thermal cameras are another option for seeing the unseen. These units are very expensive and require no light to be used as they produce an image based on temperatures. Click Here for night vision scopes, or click here for a thermal camera.

GPS UNIT

A Global Positioning System (GPS) is an extremely useful tool for urban explorers. Using numerous satellites in orbit around the planet, the GPS unit can determine your exact location anywhere on Earth. No more getting lost while looking for a place to explore. Click Here for a portable vehicle GPS unit, click here for a GPS unit you can use with a laptop computer (our preferred method), or click here for a handheld GPS unit.

CAMCORDER

What a better way to remember your adventure than to have a video! And as a plus, it will double as a way to capture paranormal evidence if you're into ghost hunting. Make sure to buy a brand that included the night vision feature so you won't need ample lighting in dark places. Click Here for a Sony MiniDV camcorder, or click here for a Sony 30GB hard drive camcorder. If you have a MiniDV recorder, click here for tapes.

MICROCASSETTE / DIGITAL VOICE RECORDER

If you're the type who likes to ghost hunt while you're exploring, the next few items are for you. Using a microcassette recorder with external mic or a digital voice recorder, you may be able to catch ghostly voices on tape, also known as Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP). Check out our EVP Page for more details and recording tips. Click Here for a digital voice recorder, click here for a microcassette recorder, or click here for an external microphone. If you have a microcassette recorder, click here for tapes.

EMF DETECTOR

The other piece of equipment that you may want to take for ghost hunting is an Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Detector. These instruments detect slight changes in the EMF field that may be associated with the presence of ghosts. There are several models of EMF detectors you may purchase, but make sure you're buying the meter for your needs. Most EMF meters detect AC fields, which are manmade. These EMF meters will pick up interference from things like electrical wiring, microwaves, and televisions. Only a few EMF meters can detect naturally-occurring DC fields. This is what you want to purchase if you'd like to detect the presence of paranormal activity. Click Here for the TriField Natural EM Meter that detects DC fields. Click Here for a basic EMF meter, or click here for a digital EMF meter...but be warned, each of these models detect AC fields. Use common sense and be aware of your surroundings at all times with whatever meter you decide to purchase.

THERMOCOUPLE THERMOMETER

A thermocouple thermometer can be used to detect changes in the ambient air temperature instantaneously. This is extremely useful if you are measuring cold/hot spots during a paranormal investigation. IR thermometers are useless in ghost hunting as they only detect surface temperatures. Click Here for a very well priced thermocouple thermometer.