Top 10 Survival Youtubers to Watch in 2025

Jessica Li
Chief of Staff

In this article, we'll dive into the Top 10 Survival YouTubers, showcasing the best in the field. We'll highlight creators like Primitive Technology, Survival Lilly, TA Outdoors, Joe Robinet, and Fowler's Makery and Mischief, exploring what makes their content stand out.

1. Primitive Technology

Who is Primitive Technology?

Primitive Technology, run by John Plant, is a YouTube channel that showcases the creation of tools and buildings using only natural materials. John Plant joined YouTube in May 2015 and has since gained a massive following for his silent, instructional videos. For more information, visit Primitive Technology.

Primitive Technology is based in Far North Queensland, Australia.

Audience

The audience for Primitive Technology tends to be individuals who are fascinated by survival skills and ancient techniques. For example, viewers often include outdoor enthusiasts and DIY hobbyists who appreciate the meticulous process of creating tools and shelters from natural materials.

Key Metrics

Based on the insights from vidIQ, here are some key statistics for the YouTube channel:

  • Subscribers: 1.2 million
  • Average Video Length: 15 minutes
  • Video Views: 150 million

Content Focus

  • Demonstrates the creation of tools and structures using only natural materials, emphasizing traditional craftsmanship and primitive methods.
  • Features silent, instructional videos that meticulously showcase each step of the process, allowing viewers to follow along and learn.
  • Explores ancient techniques for building shelters, making fire, and crafting various survival tools, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts and DIY hobbyists.

2. Survival Lilly

Who is Survival Lilly?

Survival Lilly, whose real name is Lilly, is a self-taught survivalist who joined YouTube on January 14, 2011. She has gained a substantial following by sharing her expertise in survival skills, bushcraft, and primitive living. For more information, visit Survival Lilly.

Survival Lilly is based in Austria, where she creates content focused on survival skills, bushcraft, and primitive living.

Audience

The audience for Survival Lilly tends to be outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists who are passionate about bushcraft and primitive living skills. For example, viewers often include individuals who enjoy camping and wilderness adventures, as well as those interested in DIY projects and self-reliance techniques.

Key Metrics

Based on the insights from vidIQ, here are some key statistics for the YouTube channel:

  • Engagement Rate: 10.94%
  • Subscribers: 1.14 million
  • Average Video Length: 12.75 minutes
  • Video Views: 188.87 million

Content Focus

  • Survival Lilly creates detailed tutorials on bushcraft skills, such as building shelters and making tools from natural materials.
  • Her content often includes survival training techniques, focusing on strategies for thriving in various environments, from tropical islands to dense forests.
  • She also explores primitive living skills, demonstrating traditional methods like fire-making by friction and identifying wild edibles.

3. TA Outdoors

Who is TA Outdoors?

TA Outdoors, run by Mike Pullen, is a YouTube channel dedicated to bushcraft, survival, and various outdoor activities. Mike joined YouTube on September 24, 2014, and has since amassed a significant following by sharing his passion for the outdoors through detailed projects and adventures. For more information, visit TA Outdoors.

TA Outdoors is based in the United Kingdom, where the creator produces content focused on bushcraft, survival, and various outdoor activities.

Audience

The audience for TA Outdoors tends to be adults who are passionate about outdoor activities, survival skills, and DIY projects. For example, viewers often include individuals who enjoy wild camping and historical building projects, as well as those interested in fishing and hunting expeditions.

Key Metrics

Based on the insights from vidIQ, here are some key statistics for the YouTube channel:

  • Engagement Rate: 4.97%
  • Subscribers: 2.42 million
  • Average Video Length: 39.63 minutes
  • Video Views: 360.51 million

Content Focus

  • TA Outdoors creates detailed tutorials on bushcraft and survival skills, such as building shelters and making tools from natural materials.
  • The channel features unique historical building projects, including Viking houses and Saxon houses, constructed using traditional hand tools and techniques.
  • Content also includes various outdoor activities like wild camping, fishing, and hunting, often presented through solo bushcraft trips and wilderness camping adventures.

4. Joe Robinet

Who is Joe Robinet?

Joe Robinet, whose real name is Joe Robinet, is a YouTube star known for his camping, canoe tripping, and backpacking content. He joined YouTube in September 2007 and has since gained a substantial following for his bushcraft-style camping trips and wilderness adventures. For more information, visit Joe Robinet.

Joe Robinet is based in Canada, where he creates content focused on camping, canoe tripping, and backpacking.

Audience

The audience for Joe Robinet tends to be outdoor enthusiasts who are passionate about camping, canoe tripping, and backpacking. For example, viewers often include individuals who enjoy solo wilderness adventures and those interested in learning practical bushcraft skills for their own outdoor excursions.

Key Metrics

Joe Robinet's YouTube channel offers a wealth of content focused on camping, canoe tripping, and backpacking.

  • Subscribers: 10
  • Average Video Length: 1 minute and 30 seconds
  • Video Views: 9178

Content Focus

  • Joe Robinet creates detailed tutorials on bushcraft and survival skills, such as building shelters and making tools from natural materials.
  • His content often includes survival training techniques, focusing on strategies for thriving in various environments, from tropical islands to dense forests.
  • He also explores primitive living skills, demonstrating traditional methods like fire-making by friction and identifying wild edibles.

5. Fowler's Makery and Mischief

Who is Fowler's Makery and Mischief?

Fowler's Makery and Mischief, run by Zachary Fowler, is a YouTube channel that focuses on bushcraft, outdoor survival, and self-sufficient living. Zachary Fowler, who won History Channel's "Alone" show by surviving 87 days in Patagonia, started his YouTube journey on February 27, 2016. For more information, visit Fowler's Makery and Mischief.

Fowler's Makery and Mischief is based in coastal Maine, United States.

Audience

The audience for Fowler's Makery and Mischief tends to be outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists who are passionate about bushcraft and self-sufficient living. For example, viewers often include individuals who enjoy survival challenges and DIY projects, such as building a pirate ship pontoon or participating in catch and cook adventures.

Key Metrics

Fowler's Makery and Mischief, run by Zachary Fowler, is a YouTube channel that focuses on bushcraft, outdoor survival, and self-sufficient living.

  • Subscribers: 1.66 million
  • Average Video Length: Varies
  • Video Views: 12 million

Content Focus

  • Fowler's Makery and Mischief features videos on bushcraft and outdoor survival, including survival challenges and building off-grid shelters.
  • The channel includes "Catch and Cook" videos, focusing on catching and cooking food in the wild.
  • Content also covers DIY projects and builds, such as constructing a pirate ship on a pontoon boat and a floating fishing cabin.

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6. The Urban Prepper

Who is The Urban Prepper?

The Urban Prepper, whose real name is not publicly disclosed, is a YouTube creator who focuses on emergency preparedness and gear reviews tailored for urban environments. He joined YouTube on February 16, 2011, and has since amassed a substantial following by providing family-friendly, accessible content that leverages his background in software engineering. For more information, visit The Urban Prepper.

The Urban Prepper is based in the United States, specifically in the greater Seattle area.

Audience

The audience for The Urban Prepper tends to be city dwellers who are keen on emergency preparedness and practical gear reviews. For example, viewers often include individuals living in urban environments like Seattle, who are interested in everyday carry (EDC) essentials and urban survival kits.

Key Metrics

The Urban Prepper, whose real name is not publicly disclosed, is a YouTube creator who focuses on emergency preparedness and gear reviews tailored for urban environments.

  • Subscribers: 293K
  • Average Video Length: 9 minutes
  • Video Views: 2.3M

Content Focus

  • The Urban Prepper creates detailed guides and strategies for emergency preparedness tailored to urban environments, covering topics like home prepping, vehicle preparation, and earthquake readiness.
  • The channel features comprehensive gear reviews, including everyday carry (EDC) items and specialized kits such as Altoids kits, providing practical insights for urban survival.
  • Content also includes organizational tips and DIY projects, helping viewers efficiently manage their preparedness gear and personal items.

7. Bushcraft Bear Grylls

Who is Bushcraft Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls, whose real name is Edward Michael Grylls, is a renowned survival expert and television host known for his adventurous spirit and survival skills. He joined YouTube on February 7, 2019, where he shares a variety of content, including survival tips and adventure stories. For more information, visit Bear Grylls' YouTube Channel.

Bear Grylls is based in the United Kingdom, living on a houseboat in London and a small remote Welsh island.

Audience

The audience for Bear Grylls' YouTube channel tends to be adventure enthusiasts and survivalists who are passionate about outdoor challenges and survival skills. For example, viewers often include young adults who enjoy extreme sports and middle-aged fans of Bear Grylls' television shows and books, such as "Running Wild With Bear Grylls" and "World's Toughest Race | Eco Challenge Fiji."

Key Metrics

Bear Grylls' YouTube channel offers a variety of content, including survival tips and adventure stories.

  • Subscribers: 554K
  • Average Video Length: Varies
  • Video Views: 2.7M

Content Focus

  • Bear Grylls creates adventure and survival-themed content, including TV shows, interactive series, and various survival tips and challenges.
  • His channel features extreme survival challenges, such as base jumping, paragliding, and wilderness workouts, showcasing his adventurous spirit.
  • Bear Grylls also provides educational content, offering practical survival skills and knowledge through videos like "5 Survival Tips" and "Guide To Essential Knots."

8. Haze Outdoors

Who is Haze Outdoors?

Haze Outdoors, a YouTube channel dedicated to wild camping, bushcraft, foraging, free diving, hiking, cooking, and reviews, joined the platform on October 21, 2014. The real name of the creator is not publicly disclosed. For more information, visit Haze Outdoors.

Haze Outdoors is based in the United Kingdom, where the channel focuses on wild camping, bushcraft, foraging, free diving, hiking, and cooking.

Audience

The audience for Haze Outdoors tends to be outdoor enthusiasts who are passionate about wild camping, bushcraft, and hiking. For example, viewers often include individuals who enjoy exploring UK-based trails like the "Cape Wrath Trail" and "The Cleveland Way," as well as those interested in learning practical outdoor skills and gear reviews.

Key Metrics

Haze Outdoors is a YouTube channel dedicated to wild camping, bushcraft, foraging, free diving, hiking, cooking, and reviews.

  • Subscribers: 122K
  • Average Video Length: 36.85 minutes
  • Video Views: 727K

Content Focus

  • Haze Outdoors creates detailed documentation of multi-day hiking and camping trips, showcasing trails like the Cape Wrath Trail and The Cleveland Way.
  • The channel features practical bushcraft and survival skills tutorials, including foraging for natural foods and cooking campfire recipes.
  • Content also includes engaging storytelling and personal experiences, often emphasizing solo adventures and self-reliance in nature.

9. MCQBushcraft

Who is MCQBushcraft?

MCQBushcraft, whose real name is Mike, is a YouTube creator known for his expertise in nature, outdoor skills, and bushcraft. He joined YouTube on August 12, 2012, and has since built a substantial following by sharing his knowledge on foraging, fishing, camping, and general wilderness survival. For more information, visit MCQBushcraft.

MCQBushcraft is based in Sweden, where the channel focuses on nature, outdoor skills, and bushcraft.

Audience

The audience for MCQBushcraft tends to be outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers who are passionate about bushcraft and wilderness survival. For example, viewers often include individuals who enjoy foraging for wild edibles and those interested in learning practical outdoor skills like fishing and camping.

Key Metrics

MCQBushcraft, whose real name is Mike, is a YouTube creator known for his expertise in nature, outdoor skills, and bushcraft.

  • Subscribers: 327K
  • Average Video Length: 30 minutes and 33 seconds
  • Video Views: 1,488,980

Content Focus

  • MCQBushcraft creates detailed tutorials on bushcraft skills, such as fire lighting, shelter building, and camp cooking.
  • The channel features experiential content on foraging, fishing, and general wilderness survival, often sharing personal insights and practical knowledge.
  • MCQBushcraft also includes equipment reviews and modifications, focusing on tools like knives, axes, and saws, as well as overland builds and primitive living skills.

10. Corporals Corner

Who is Corporals Corner?

Joe Robinet, a YouTube star known for his camping, canoe tripping, and backpacking content, joined the platform in September 2007. He has gained a substantial following for his bushcraft-style camping trips and wilderness adventures. For more information, visit Corporals Corner.

Corporals Corner is based in the United States, specifically in California.

Audience

The audience for Corporals Corner tends to be outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists who are passionate about bushcraft and practical survival skills. For example, viewers often include individuals who enjoy learning how to build shelters using natural materials and those interested in mastering fire-making techniques for wilderness survival.

Key Metrics

Corporals Corner is a YouTube channel that focuses on bushcraft and practical survival skills.

  • Subscribers: 1.1 million
  • Average Video Length: 20 minutes
  • Video Views: 100 million

Content Focus

  • Corporals Corner creates detailed tutorials on bushcraft and survival skills, such as building shelters and making tools from natural materials.
  • The channel features practical survival techniques, focusing on strategies for thriving in various environments, from dense forests to arid landscapes.
  • Content also includes gear reviews and recommendations, providing insights into the best tools and equipment for outdoor survival.

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