Surviving on a strange island like in Sons of the Forest isn’t exactly easy! And weapons won’t always help you make it through the harsh winter months or explore key parts of the island. For that, you’ll need essential utilities scattered across the island. To make sure you don’t miss anything, we’ve prepared a compact guide with locations, tips, and crafting notes.
Find items in Sons of the Forest: all useful utilities
In this guide, we focus on all items that can be found around the island and are useful for various 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 useful items come in, making survival noticeably easier.
If you’re looking for guides on weapons or other items from caves and bunkers, we’ve already written several articles. You’ll surely 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 an emergency it will reliably keep you going. Grab the can opener early so you can open food on the go.
Locations:
- At the camp downstream from the forest spawn
- At 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 helps prevent hunger during snowstorms 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 boil water and combine ingredients to cook things like ramen, stew, or other strengthening foods.
Locations:
- At the camp downstream from the forest spawn (right next to the can opener)
- Next to the machete on the northern beach
- At the camp where you also find the Modern Axe
- On the western beach with a view of the lifeboat
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. This lets you plan better and react in time. The view is framed by the zoom, but you still see much more than without binoculars.
Location: From the cave with the rebreather, continue along the coast to the west. In another cove you’ll find a kayak – the binoculars are inside.
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 navigation 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 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 overview. Equip it, take a run-up at a steep cliff, and jump. You won’t fly forever, but with updrafts and clean lines you can stay airborne for a long time.
Location: About a dozen hang gliders are scattered across the map – often on high ground so you can test them right away. You’ll find one near the kayaks by the binoculars location. Another lies east of the forest spawn on a cliff above a small pond.
Pro tip: The hang glider generally can’t be stored 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 easier to handle.
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 effectively prevent getting chilled.
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 always have water with you. Hold the flask at a river to fill it.
Locations (3D printer):
- Maintenance Bunker A
- Maintenance Bunker B
- Entertainment Bunker
Pro tip: Bring enough Printer Resin – the flask costs little but offers a big survival advantage.
Conclusion: Survive in Sons of the Forest with the right items
Survival in Sons of the Forest only works if you have the right tools ready. Besides weapons, that mainly includes 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 deliberately – 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.
