Surviving on a strange island like in Sons of the Forest isn’t exactly easy! And weapons alone won’t always get you through harsh winters or help you explore key parts of the island. For that you need essential kit scattered across the island. To make sure you don’t miss anything, we’ve put together a compact guide with locations, tips and crafting advice.
Finding items in Sons of the Forest: All useful utilities
In this guide, we focus on all items found around the island that are useful for different activities. If you want to build a large base and survive for a long time, tools, clothing and utilities are just as important as weapons. That’s where helpful items come in, making survival noticeably easier.
If you’re looking for guides to weapons or other items from caves and bunkers, we’ve already written several articles. You’re sure to find what you need there!
If you’re looking for other items:
- (Sons of the Forest: All melee weapons – locations, maps & crafting tips)
- (Sons of the Forest Ranged Weapons: Locations, Maps & Crafting Tips)
- (Sons of the Forest caves: best order, locations & tips)
- (Sons of the Forest bunkers: best order, keycards, loot and tips)
Can Opener in Sons of the Forest: Locations & uses
A Can Opener belongs in every good survival kit. Canned food keeps for ages – even in Sons of the Forest. It’s mostly cat food, but in a pinch it’ll reliably keep you going. Grab the Can Opener early so you can open food on the move.
Locations:
- In the camp downstream from the forest spawn
- In the camp upstream at the mountain spawn
- On the beach, not far from the beach spawn
Pro tip: Save a few cans for winter – it prevents hunger during blizzards or cold snaps.
Cooking Pot in Sons of the Forest: Locations, recipes & boiling water
The Cooking Pot becomes especially important later when you want to prepare proper meals at your base. You can heat water and combine ingredients to cook ramen, stews and other hearty dishes.
Locations:
- In the camp downstream from the forest spawn (right next to the Can Opener)
- Next to the Machete on the northern beach
- In the camp where you also find the Modern Axe
- On the western beach, overlooking the lifeboat
Pro tip: Place the pot on a campfire and combine ingredients you often find (e.g. meat + herbs) to cook efficiently.
Binoculars in Sons of the Forest: Location & spotting threats early
Binoculars help you scout distant areas and spot incoming enemies early. This lets you plan better and react in time. The view is framed by the zoom, but you’ll still see far more than without binoculars.
Location: From the cave with the Wetsuit, follow the coast further west. In the next bay you’ll find a kayak – the binoculars are inside it.
Pro tip: Use elevated positions for maximum range and safer scouting.
Night Vision Goggles in Sons of the Forest: Location in the military camp
Caves and nights are dangerous without a good light source. The Night Vision Goggles make orientation much easier – everything is tinted green, but you’ll move far more safely.
Location: Far to the southwest in a military camp (no longer in a cave). There are several large tents. In one of them – alongside dead soldiers – you’ll find the Night Vision Goggles.
Pro tip: Use them specifically in caves or during night attacks to see enemies and paths more clearly.
Hang Glider in Sons of the Forest: Locations & flight tips
With the Hang Glider you can glide across the island and gain excellent situational awareness. Equip it, take a run-up at a steep cliff and jump. You won’t fly forever, but with lift and a clean line you can stay in the air for a long time.
Location: Around a dozen gliders are scattered across the map – often on high ground, so you can try them straight away. You’ll find one near the kayaks by the binoculars location, for example. Another lies east of the forest spawn on a cliff above a small pond.
Pro tip: You generally can’t store the glider in your inventory. Mark good launch points and keep a glider near your base.
Winter Jacket in Sons of the Forest: Location & cold protection
Many outfits are cosmetic – the Winter Jacket, however, is essential to slow down how quickly you freeze in winter. It makes the cold season much more manageable.
Location: In the northeast on the golf course (position changed). Look for the long, narrow lake with a military camp. The Winter Jacket is in one of the tents.
Pro tip: Combine warm clothing with hot meals and campfire breaks to prevent hypothermia effectively.
Flask in Sons of the Forest: Crafting & water management
You won’t find the Flask directly; you print it at a 3D printer in bunkers. Craft it early so you’ve always got water with you. Equip the flask and fill it at a river or stream.
Locations (3D printer):
- Maintenance Bunker A
- Maintenance Bunker B
- Entertainment Bunker
Pro tip: Bring enough Printer Resin – the flask costs little but offers a huge survival advantage.
Conclusion: Survive in Sons of the Forest with the right items
Survival in Sons of the Forest only works if you’ve got the right tools ready. Besides weapons, that mainly includes practical utilities such as the Flask, Can Opener, Cooking Pot, Binoculars, Night Vision Goggles, Hang Glider and Winter Jacket. Pick these up early and use them wisely – you’ll handle cold, hunger and explorations much more easily.
If you want to explore the map with friends, rent your own Sons of the Forest server – together you’ll have the best chance of surviving on the island.
