DIY Super Shelter: Live Like a King in the Outdoors

A super shelter is like your little home out in the wilderness; one that you build by yourself with the most basic amenities but should be strong enough to protect you from the harsh weather. It takes a lot of work to build, but it’s much sturdier and more comfortable than the tent you’re used to. Check out this tutorial to learn how to make your own!

If you don’t have a bug out location like the most of us or are simply trapped in the woods, then you will need to build a bushcraft super shelter. This task will require a lot of time and plenty of muscle, but the result will be worth it. You’ll have protection from the wind, rain, and snow with a raised bed and fireplace to keep you warm. As a result, your chances of surviving a disaster or any SHTF scenario will be much greater.

Most super shelter designs are based on the lean-to but they are fortified to be tougher, with a fireplace in the center and surrounded by a fence.

How to Build a Durable Super Shelter

Building the Wall

Although the video below already shows most of the work done, it gives us an idea of how to choose the perfect spot in the woods to put up the shelter. The wall is built in front of two trees at approximately 8 feet apart. It’s designed to be doable for a person with minimal tools, basically cutting and tying small logs.

Each wall is made up of small logs stacked horizontally until chest-high. The logs are held by two others that are nailed vertically to the ground. This is a great idea if you don’t have nails to secure the wooden logs together. The last wall is built in such a way that you leave a small entrance for your survival shelter.

Fireplace and Shelter

Heat is a non-negotiable requirement in order to survive extremely cold weather, which means your shelter must have a space to make a small fire. A fireplace two feet away from your shelter is an ideal distance for generating heat while you’re inside.

Attach a plastic sheet 2 to 3 millimeters thick for shelter cover. You can use crooked nails to secure it from the top so that you can roll it up when not in use. Lighting a fire in front of the plastic sheet will radiate heat inside. At the same time, the sheet will trap the heat inside to keep you cozy and warm.

Watch Survival Lilly construct her own version of building a super shelter:

The purpose of the super shelter is to protect you from very cold winter nights. Since your shelter and walls are made of logs stacked on top of one another, make sure to fix the gaps in between the logs. This is necessary to allow as much heat to stay in your shelter as possible. The key is to stay warm and safe from the cold.

What do you think of this DIY survival shelter? Share us your thoughts in the comments section below!

Up Next: How To Build A Shelter Using Natural Resources

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.