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. You’ll need essential utilities scattered around the island. To make sure you don’t miss anything, we’ve put together a compact guide with locations, tips, and crafting notes.
Finding items in Sons of the Forest: All useful utilities
In this guide, we focus on items found across the island that are useful for different activities. If you want to build a large base and survive long-term, tools, clothing, and utilities are just as important as weapons. That’s where useful items come in – they make 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’ll 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 & Tips)
Can Opener in Sons of the Forest: Locations & use
A Can Opener belongs in every good survival kit. Canned food keeps for a long time – even in Sons of the Forest. It’s usually cat food, but in a pinch it’ll reliably keep you going. Grab the Can Opener early so you can open food on the go.
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 – this helps you avoid hunger during snowstorms and 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 things like ramen, stew, 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 liferaft
Pro tip: Place the pot on a campfire and combine commonly found ingredients (e.g., meat + herbs) to cook efficiently.
Binoculars in Sons of the Forest: Location & spotting enemies early
Binoculars help you scout distant locations and spot incoming enemies early. That way you can plan better and react in time. The view is framed by the zoom, but you’ll still see much more than without binoculars.
Location: From the Rebreather cave, follow the coast 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 navigating much easier – you’ll see everything in green, but you’ll move far more safely.
Location: Far in the southwest in a military camp (no longer in the cave). There are several large tents. In one of them – next to dead soldiers – you’ll find the Night Vision Goggles.
Pro tip: Use them in caves or during night attacks to spot enemies and paths more easily.
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, get a running start at a steep cliff, and jump. You won’t fly forever, but with good lift and clean lines you can stay aloft for a long time.
Location: Around a dozen gliders are scattered across the map – often on high points so you can try them right away. You’ll find one near the kayaks by the binoculars spot. Another lies east of the forest spawn on a cliff above a small pond.
Pro tip: The glider generally can’t be stowed in your inventory. Mark good launch sites and place a glider near your base.
Winter Jacket in Sons of the Forest: Location & cold protection
Many outfits are cosmetic – the Winter Jacket is essential to slow down how quickly you get cold in winter. It makes the cold season much more manageable.
Location: In the northeast on the golf course (location changed). Look for the long lake with a military camp. The Winter Jacket is inside one of the tents.
Pro tip: Combine warm clothing with hot meals and campfire breaks to prevent getting chilled.
Flask in Sons of the Forest: Crafting & water management
You don’t find the Flask directly – you print it at a 3D printer in bunkers. Craft it early so you always have water with you. Hold the flask in your hand at a river to fill it.
Location (3D printer):
- Maintenance Bunker A
- Maintenance Bunker B
- Entertainment Bunker
Pro tip: Budget enough Printer Resin – the flask costs little but offers a big survival advantage.
Conclusion: Survive in Sons of the Forest with the right items
You’ll only survive in Sons of the Forest if you have the right tools ready. Besides weapons, that means practical utilities like the Flask, Can Opener, Cooking Pot, Binoculars, Night Vision Goggles, Hang Glider, and Winter Jacket. Grab these items early and use them strategically – you’ll handle cold, hunger, and exploration 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.
