Best Navy SEAL Equipment and Gear
As a former Navy SEAL, I get asked all the time what kinds of equipment, tools and gear I carried in the field and what was my favorite.
Check out this list of some of the basic and exotic equipment that Navy SEALs choose to carry into the field to get their missions done.
On any mission you will see about every other guy wearing different gear so often no two are alike.
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#10 HEAD GEAR
You will see a wide assortment of head gear worn by Navy SEALs.
From a boonie hat
to tactical baseball caps a Shemagh or black balaclavas —it’s all mission dependent.
If you’re out in the ocean you may wear a dive hoodie to keep the cold water off your head.
However, if you’re in the jungle you may simply wrap a green T-shirt around your head and dunk it in water to keep cool.
My personal favorite was a green boonie hat to keep the sun off my head.
I would use a bug net under the hat to keep the mosquitoes off me while laying up at a site or talking on the radio.
Head gear is all mission dependent—but kind of fun to see what guys can come up with.
#9 TACTICAL VEST
Again this is mission dependent as a water op will be different from a desert op.
For close quarters combat you will see SEALs wear a vest similar to the Law Enforcement SWAT Vest
.
For jungle ops more like a harness that is more open and less hot when wearing it for extended periods.
Some of the CrossFit gyms that have LEO and soldiers have use plate carriers to help weigh them down for workouts.
QUESTION: Why do Team Guys carry carabiners on their tactical vests?
ANSWER: You can always use a carabiner for assorted things from carrying gear to getting hauled out by a chopper. Carabiners are light, don’t take up much space and easy to use in the dark when you’re wet and cold.
If the carabiner is shiny, just dust it with some flat black spray paint to avoid catching unwanted light on it. You can use it to attach gear, build a climbing harness or clip to your web belt if you are in need of extraction. You can always find a good use for a biner even if it is to open up a beer after all of your gear is cleaned.
#8 WATCH
All Team Guys will wear a watch but if you checked all the guys in the platoon—most of them would be wearing different ones.
Most guys wear a digital watch as they are cheap and not worried about them if they get lost or broken.
You will probably see more SEALs wearing my favorite Casio “G-Shock” digital watch
than any other.
Close 2nd is the Timex Ironman Triathlon. Great Value. Not a big deal if it is lost during a mission.
A digital watch can be a liability as they can make a beeping sound with an alarm, so you have to turn off all alarms before a mission.
SEALs will put duct tape over the face of the watch or have a band that has a cover for the watch to make sure there is no glow.
I personally used a Casio g-shock watch back in the day and it was a cheap go to for other Frogmen.
#7 EYE GEAR SUNGLASSES
#7 EYE GEAR SUNGLASSES
Pretty much every SEAL out there is gonna wear bad @ss sunglasses at some point in the day unless it is raining sideways. Hanging out on the boats for a day of diving or at the range for weapons firing – you gotta have good sunglasses.
From there you will see guys wearing goggles during desert missions to keep the sand and grit out of their eyes. Most other times they don’t wear standard eyewear during missions.
#6 HYDRATION BLADDER
Back in the old days SEALs were pretty low tech and just carried GI issued green plastic canteens.
The reality is that they work. But nowadays all of the high-speed guys use hi-tech tactical water bladder reservoir systems
.
These carry more water in a more efficient manner – but occasionally they leak and don’t perform.
Either way they are an improvement and help get the job done.
#5 ESCAPE AND EVASION KIT
SERE stands for “Survival, Evasions, Resistance, Escape” and it’s crucial you’re ready. The SERE II E+E kit is a must-have gear for any Special Forces operator in the field.
The E + E kit should have at least signaling mirror, small water filter, extra map, fire starting gear and money in local currency as well as gold and silver coins.
If all else fails this will be your go-to bag when the $#@% hits the fan and you have to run for your life.
#4 KABAR FIGHTING KNIFE
No good Special Forces guy travels far without a good knife.
Your standard MK 3 Navy Knife
is great for any operation but guys carry a wide arrange of knives.
You can use the MK 3 as a tool to saw through rope and tap on the hull of a submarine if you get stuck outside the door.
QUESTION: What kind of knife was used in Zero Dark Thirty?
ANSWER:It is a TOPS blade.
QUESTION: Do you have a list of all list of all military issued knives that the team guys have used?
ANSWER: Ha; I am not sure on that one. I would have to go back and do some research for that as that could be hundreds of different kinds of gear.
#3 WEAPON AND OPTICS
All of the guys will usually carry an M4 tricked out with an ACOG, Aimpoint or EOtech and light. The chatter is that Bin-Laden was dusted with an EOTech (for all you EOTech haters
out there).
Recently Team Guys have been carrying the SCAR weapon system also.
Old school guys would just use iron sights and not worry too much about it.
QUESTION: What do you think of the Aimpoint vs ACOG or EOTech?
ANSWER: It is personal preference as some guys use the ACOG and some love the Aimpoint.
#2 TACTICAL BACKPACK
You must have a good backpack or all of your gear will be tough to haul and end up weighting you down.
Back in the old days we used A.L.I.C.E. packs and eventually moved up to the Berghaus packs.
Team guys today use a variety of packs and the Kelty Map tactical backpack
fits the bill to get the job done.
#1 LIGHTWEIGHT BOOTS
Without good boots, you’re worthless in the field. If your boots dont fit properly and your feet become blistered and slowing you down – you will become a liability to the team. Having the proper foot wear is critical to mission success.
If your feet are messed up then you can’t move out and complete the mission. You will also want to make sure that you are matching the type of boot to mission. If you are boarding a ship you will want to make sure you have a tread that will not slip on a oily metal ship decking. If you are carrying a load and traveling through desert and cactus you will need a high boot to protect your feet and give you ankle stability.
It is no secret that the Navy SEALs have used the Bates 8 Inches Durashocks Boot
as a workhorse boot for the past decade plus. They are standard issue at BUDS after many years of testing and abuse.
QUESTION: What were the running shoes that the guys in DEVGRU wore on the Bin-Laden raid?
ANSWER: I think you mean the Vasque Juxt Multisport Shoe. They wore these light weight shoes instead of heavier boots.
Runner Up #1 TACTICAL GLOVES
You will see guys wearing a wide range of gloves depending on the mission.
These will of course keep your hands from getting torn up and blistered but also keep them a little warm or less exposed.One great glove is the Hard Backed Glove that provides a bit of padding to the back of the hand. Here’s our review of the Rothco and Mechanix gloves.
Popular gloves for the guys are the Mechanix gloves
and Outdoor research gloves. Check out the photo of the Team guy at the top – he doesn’t even have the words “Mechanix” blacked out. Many operators will spray black paint over the words to help them blend in.
Runner Up #2 SWIM FINS
As an Operator your going to want the most bad ass fins made that have a really wide blade to propel you underwater.
SEALs get issued a wide variety of swim fins but if they have to pick one out of the supply rack they will go for the Aqua Lung Rocket fins
just about every time. You can’t go wrong with these fins.
Team guys will carry extra paracord in case the strap breaks.
Runner Up #3 FLASHLIGHT
We used the issued lights for some missions but always something with a red lens so you could read maps at night without messing up your night vision like white light can. It also can’t be seen from far away. White light would make you too much of a target.
QUESTION: Where could I get a red lense flashlight like Navy SEALs use?
ANSWER: You can get a similar one that Frogmen use here.
MORE NAVY SEAL GEAR AND TRAINING QUESTIONS
QUESTION: What are the best books to read before going through BUD/S training?
ANSWER: We are a bit biased and suggest: Freak Frogman Workouts by SEAL Grinder PT Founder Brad McLeod Former Navy SEAL.
We also suggest 
Breaking BUD/S: How Regular Guys Can Become Navy SEALs.
QUESTION: What is the rebreather that you see some operators using?
ANSWER: The photo shows a MK25 rebreather unit. The team guys also use a Draeger rebreather that is made in Germany has been used for decades in underwater combat swimmer missions.
QUESTION: How much does it cost to outfit a team guy operator?
ANSWER: It cost about $500k to initially train a candidate to prepare them for a team. Each mission is different but a gear kit can be thousands of dollars from head to toe not counting weapon.
Weapons can also cost thousand more with an M4, top shelf pistol and knife.
QUESTION: Where can I find out more info on the SEALs and becoming one?
ANSWER: You can get info about joining the SEALs here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brad McLeod knows first hand about mental toughness. After passing Hell Week and Dive Pool Comp at BUD/S, he failed a math test and was kicked out of training. A year later, he returned, graduated, and served as an operator on the Navy SEAL Teams.
Today, he is one of the most sought after mental conditioning coaches in the world. SEALgrinderPT audios and ebooks have been downloaded in 20 different countries around the globe. Check out SEALgrinderPT Coaching to help you step up and take hold of your dreams and realize your goals.
RELATED ARTICLES
RELATED ARTICLESTop 10 Navy SEAL (Special Forces) Boots
February 3, 2015 @ 10:23 am
Coach Brad,
What is a normal weight that the teams carry in their ruck on a mission. Guessing most of the time it is mission specific but was curious if their was a norm?
Hooyah
p
February 3, 2015 @ 11:34 am
It depends on the mission but typically 30 to 75 lbs… some missions more.
April 17, 2015 @ 11:12 am
wassup bruh
June 8, 2016 @ 4:00 pm
Hello Brad,
Are most of the back packs the same? Would there be a surplus store that would sell a replica or actual combat pack?
June 15, 2016 @ 9:21 pm
what is the purpose that you have for the pack you want? GORUCK? Work? Military? just fun?
June 20, 2015 @ 8:28 pm
brad, what kinds of food would you guys bring on any given mission, or did you have preferences for anything to hold you over?
June 20, 2015 @ 8:51 pm
We would carry MREs (meals ready to eat) – yummy
August 28, 2015 @ 12:52 pm
How many MREs would an SFO carry when heading into a mission? Would they have them on any mission?
August 30, 2015 @ 8:39 pm
many of our missions were short so maybe 1 MRE.
August 3, 2015 @ 4:24 pm
Hey coach, what do most team guys pack to go on an underwater op?
August 3, 2015 @ 4:30 pm
Another question is can u bring an Alice pack on a water op if so what would u pack in it?
August 5, 2015 @ 3:59 pm
You may put an extra meal, swim fins and flotation vest and a mine if that is the mission.
August 6, 2015 @ 11:12 pm
Thanks a lot and thank you for your service.
August 6, 2015 @ 11:18 pm
What would be a full loadout on a team guy if he was in a forest terrain like the woods. What would be every thing he brings on that op.
August 7, 2015 @ 8:55 am
For a jungle/forest op would be a lot of the same items listed above.
April 21, 2016 @ 5:23 pm
Dear Brad,
Do you know if females are allowed to be Navy SEAL’s I hope to become the first female US Navy SEAL. Do you know if that is possible?
April 22, 2016 @ 10:57 am
Yes; females are to be allowed in BUDS this fall
July 14, 2017 @ 7:28 pm
By any chance does force Recon ever assist Navy Seals
August 9, 2017 @ 3:50 pm
When I was on a ship we had SEAL teams and Marine Force Recon working together on amphibious assaults.
June 19, 2019 @ 4:08 pm
Thank you brad for answering the questions about going out on a mission
August 7, 2015 @ 12:43 pm
What kind of backpack would yall bring on an underwater op.
August 7, 2015 @ 12:56 pm
An Alice pack
August 7, 2015 @ 3:35 pm
Thank you.
August 7, 2015 @ 3:44 pm
Do team guys where lbe’s if so what all will they pack in them.
August 7, 2015 @ 3:59 pm
Do team guys wear lbe’s
August 10, 2015 @ 1:35 pm
what are lbe’s?
October 12, 2015 @ 6:03 pm
I think he meant Improved Load-Bearing Equipment (ILBE); they’re those giant MARPAT rucksacks that started getting issued to Marines after the ALICE stopped getting circulated.
September 8, 2015 @ 1:42 pm
Brad, which camo pattern do seals use for desert and forest areas?
September 9, 2015 @ 12:53 pm
we would use the green camo BDU’s for forest and jungle work.
September 8, 2015 @ 1:51 pm
Brad, which camo patterns do navy seals use?
September 15, 2015 @ 1:22 pm
They use a woodland pattern in the forest and jungles and a desert pattern in the drier areas.
September 23, 2015 @ 7:19 am
Do the authority of navy recruit from other country?
And if yes, how do i go about it please because i will love to join
September 25, 2015 @ 8:48 pm
Talk to a Navy SEAL recruiter.
September 28, 2015 @ 3:01 am
As a child, I never fully understood what my father did. I used to run around outside with those mechanix gloves on, and I didn’t ever think about what he used them for. I figured they were for fixing stuff. Well now…I wasn’t far off.
October 29, 2015 @ 11:19 am
Question about backpacks. Do you ever use single strap “sling” type packs, or only the traditional 2 strap style?
October 29, 2015 @ 10:54 pm
we like 2 strap back packs as it is easier to control when moving
October 30, 2015 @ 12:43 pm
Copy. Thank you
October 29, 2015 @ 1:15 pm
Hi Brad,
I have a question that for SEALS usually what stuffs would be put into the assault pack(let say 3 day mission) and what’s the total weight including the backpack?
I would like to simulate a rucking of that soon.
Thanks.
November 1, 2015 @ 1:17 pm
many missions are different. I carried a radio and batteries in my pack so that would take up some room. You would carry an MRE, water, magazines and extra rounds. A small Escape and Evasion kit. If you were going 3 days in the jungle you may carry a small shelter/tarp for 2 men. So that would be 40 to 50lbs or more.
November 2, 2015 @ 9:25 am
Many thanks Brad, could you please also advise what’s the best sientific way to put these stuffs into the backpack? I mean what shall be at the bottom and what should be at the top, in SEALS way. I will prepare the rucking this weekend.
November 2, 2015 @ 1:17 pm
the heaviest would go highest in the pack in between my shoulder blades. So if you were simulating this — you could put a sand bag or weight plate in the upper part of the bag. You could use old clothes or a yoga block in the bottom of the pack to fill up that area.
October 29, 2015 @ 2:55 pm
i want to be a navy seal when i turn 17 i’m 12 so couple more years. Can’t wait i love seals
November 10, 2015 @ 8:48 pm
You’ll have to be in the navy for a little bit before you can try and go to BUD/S.
November 3, 2015 @ 9:29 am
Hello, Thank you for your service for this country all of you guys are my heroes! I am wondering what folding knife do you recommend please, do you have a suggestion for any assisted opening knives?
Thank you for your time!
November 3, 2015 @ 11:32 am
I have a 5.11 tactical folding knife that i like
November 16, 2015 @ 12:56 pm
I like and carry SOG Flash however there are many good knives out there to carry
November 17, 2015 @ 9:37 pm
I would like to join the seals when older, but a few questions, do you have to specifically serve in the navy for a while or any branch? And for the knife i found an Ontario mk3 navy knife, is that the same that the seals use?
November 23, 2015 @ 11:07 pm
yes; you have to join the Navy to go to BUDS. The Mark 3 is the knife I carried in the Teams.
November 25, 2015 @ 1:41 pm
Thank you
August 25, 2016 @ 1:16 pm
After enlisting in Navy active duty and completing MEPS, you will go to boot-camp. After that you will need a rating to be a seal, so you will go to A school. Then BUDS, at least that’s the way it was when I was in the Navy in the early 90s.
September 13, 2016 @ 10:46 pm
Now after meps you have to secure a seal contract, by being assigned a dive motivator by your dep station, to get the contract you have to be able to complete a physical screening test, once completed you will get your ship date to bootcamp which will be a specialized “800” division a combination of seal, swcc, eod, diver, and sar guys. Once completed you then have to attend prebuds and pass an exit exam to move on to buds and ship out to San Diego.
December 1, 2015 @ 1:52 pm
My cousin says that it’s mostly after market civilian gear that used in the teams. When I went camping on the Appalachian trail with him, he made fun of my gear. He said the weight was paramount in the decision process , even over quality. He served on team 5 with numerous deployments including Afghanistan. Do you agree with this assessment?
December 15, 2015 @ 2:19 pm
Many times you get issued gear and that is what you use. Sometimes you buy civilian gear and adapt it.
December 2, 2015 @ 10:06 pm
When your active do seals get to pick there own rifles , optics.
December 14, 2015 @ 9:43 pm
yes; within reason / based on what is the armory and what the mission is.
December 3, 2015 @ 9:39 pm
What size rounds to you use in your basic armalite platform rifles? 5.56 NATO or .308?
December 15, 2015 @ 2:17 pm
5.56
December 11, 2015 @ 3:08 pm
Hi Coach,
I’ve read a few of the books written by former SEALs, and though they mention their hand-to-hand combat training, they never really talk about the various types of combat they studied. I learned Isshinryu karate as a kid and am learning Wing Chun, but what other martial arts to the SEALs have to learn?
December 14, 2015 @ 9:40 pm
there is not as much hand to hand taught as you would think — more emphasis is put on shooting.
December 20, 2015 @ 12:58 pm
I heard you guys also use the Scar-H and Scar-L. Is this true? One more question. What rifle do you prefer to use?
December 22, 2015 @ 11:09 pm
Modern day SEALs use SCAR. I prefer the AR-15 platform.
September 26, 2016 @ 7:18 pm
I think the stoner rifle is going to be around for a very long time due to its modification versatility. If you need a midrange weapon 500-1000 meters pop a 16inch or 20inch upper on and your good to go. Cqb is covered to just by changing out uppers. Then you have all the neat little gadgets u can add on for different mission requirements using picatinny rails. Might not be as reliable as a ak but the am was and still isn’t as versatile has the m4.
December 23, 2015 @ 6:21 pm
Hi I was wondering what radios you guys used to talk to each other. Also what brand ear pieces you used?
December 30, 2015 @ 12:40 pm
we used the PRC-77
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/PRC-77_Portable_Transceiver
January 20, 2016 @ 2:27 am
Each seal carries one of these radios?
January 20, 2016 @ 2:21 pm
The radioman carries primary communications.
January 9, 2016 @ 12:51 pm
I’ve wanted to be a seal all my life. I qualified the screening test and I’m 13 so any tips during BUD/S
January 12, 2016 @ 11:42 pm
Check out these tips: https://sealgrinderpt.com/navy-seal-workout/how-do-i-prepare-for-buds-training.html/
May 31, 2016 @ 12:13 pm
Hi my name is Brandon I have wanted to be a seal all my life to is there any specific requirements and n order to join if I need corrective lenses I’m also 15
May 31, 2016 @ 2:57 pm
Brandon, contact a SEAL recruiter to get all of the latest info on what you need.
February 22, 2016 @ 10:33 am
In Some Of The Games The SEALs Used A Modern Version of a tomahawk, do SEALs Really use tomahawks?
February 22, 2016 @ 11:52 pm
I think that is mostly on the video games
March 8, 2016 @ 9:48 pm
Dear Brad
I’m a boys scout almost eagle and I have a backpacking Campout that is a week long . What would you pack if your on a week long mission beside ammo and gun, clothing how Manny set extra. Also do eagle scout have a easier time in buds?
Thanks and thank you for your serves
April 21, 2016 @ 9:30 pm
What kind of stuff do u do in basic training
April 22, 2016 @ 10:55 am
Check out these tips:
https://sealgrinderpt.com/navy-seal-workout/how-do-i-prepare-for-buds-training.html/
April 24, 2016 @ 8:57 am
Handguns, Sub Machineguns, Rifles? Did you like the HK Mark 23, HK Mark 24, SIG Mark 25, what’s current now? MP7A1…used often? Is the 416 still widely used or are SCAR Heavies being used among others?
August 25, 2016 @ 5:31 pm
Yeah
August 5, 2016 @ 8:12 am
Hey guys, just wondering your opinion on an optic. I’m looking at a Burris AR332 for my AR, what’s your thoughts?
October 31, 2016 @ 2:21 pm
I really like the Burris red dot and have one on my long rifle. I shot last week with another rifle at the range (with a red dot) and works like a charm. Check out the Burris AR332
December 11, 2016 @ 5:12 pm
What kind d of tent do you use?
December 13, 2016 @ 12:58 pm
Corey; in the SEAL teams I used a jungle hammock with tarp overhead. You don’t want to sleep on the ground in a tent in the jungle.
February 15, 2017 @ 1:32 pm
For a knife do you like the SOG Seal pup
February 15, 2017 @ 10:15 pm
Luke; i think that SOG has some good knives for the price.
March 13, 2017 @ 5:14 pm
Hey Brad, I was wondering what kind of handguns/secondary weapons you used when you were in the seal?
March 14, 2017 @ 8:40 pm
i used the beretta 92 pistol.
November 6, 2017 @ 4:10 am
I forgot to mention, when asking how much ammo you would carry for each weapon, let’s say it’s a mission with the possibility or objective includes a high intensity firefight with a lot of shooting.
December 14, 2017 @ 2:22 am
Hey Brad, I’ve watched a guy named John Lovell on Youtube. He’s a former Army Ranger and he has a few videos out called ‘War Stories with John’ or something like that. They’re just a couple of his funniest/craziest moments while he was on a mission. So, I was wondering what your (if you have any) funniest/craziest/scariest moment was on a mission.
Thank you.
January 21, 2018 @ 1:41 pm
Hey Brad is it hard to be a navy seal because i want to be one when i grow up and im doing a presentation for career
February 1, 2018 @ 2:14 pm
Check out this article Daven:
https://sealgrinderpt.com/navy-seal-workout/how-hard-is-it-to-become-a-navy-seal.html/
May 28, 2019 @ 11:59 am
Hey Brad, can you please tell me what kind of pants Seals are usually wear? Do they use UF Pro or other brands?
Thanks a lot!
Patrick