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To be honest, I often caution others against using most self defense weapons when first learning how to protect themselves. If you aren’t extremely well trained in any of these weapons, they can just as easily be used against you in a fight. And then what’s the point of having them?
But if you are prepared to be smart and careful with your purchase, practice, and use of such weapons, I do have a few recommendations on where to start. Please take this advice with caution and self-awareness, and only carry a weapon on you that you’re fully prepared to use effectively.
With that, here are my top 10 recommended self defense weapons, ranging from novice to expert, including how to (and how not to) use them and where you can get your own without breaking your travel budget.
1. Self Defense Keychain
The keychain is probably the easiest and simplest self defense tool for anyone to use. There are many good ones designed to fit neatly and securely in or on your hand for effective use without much chance of compromise.
Take these beautifully designed Self Defense Kubaton Keychains by Munio. Not only are they a lovely accessory to bring style to your keyring, they are also super strong indestructible weapons designed by a self defense expert and endorsed by police, martial arts and military professionals worldwide as an effective self defense tool to have on you wherever you go. They are also legal in all US states and even TSA friendly to take on an airplane. Purchase of these keychains also comes with a free e-book training guide and self defense video series, much like our Tough Cookie Self Defense online course which offers even more in-depth training.
For an equally effective but cuter option, try this Wild Kat Keychain. It’s self defense cat design provides a slot for your fingers through its eyes, while the ears turn your knuckles into lovely little spikey stabby weapons. This version also comes with a built-in bottle opener and hex wrench. And when not in use, it makes quite a cute accessory for your keyring. Just make sure you check your state or local laws before you carry this around with you. A few states, including California, Texas, Illinois, Michigan and Vermont, have made brass knuckle weapons like these illegal.
In that case, I’m also a big fan of this EIOU Self Defense Keychain, as I also recommended in my Travel Safety Accessories list. It’s cute, compact, and designed to fit neatly and securely in your hand for effective striking at everything from a car window to an attacker’s body. And you can’t beat the price on Amazon for a 5-pack either.
Another excellent choice for a self defense keychain is the emergency whistle like this Michael Josh Emergency Survival Whistle Kit. You can hook them to your keys/purse/etc or, if you prefer, wear them on your person all sneaky under your clothing as a necklace. The necklace option does keep the whistle a lot closer at hand to easily grab in the split second you need it, but then not everyone loves wearing a whistle under their shirt. So you do you. You’ve got options. Just make sure you practice quickly grabbing and using it under adrenaline-fueled scenarios, so it’s muscle memory by the time the real danger strikes.
2. Rings for Self Defense
If you’re into jewelry and want to decorate your fingers with some cute yet functional rings that can double as self protection, here’s a suggestion for you.
Keeping in the vein of brass knuckles, this AMOY TANG Hexagon Retro Ring can be worn all as one stack for a bold fashion statement or strung out across your four main fingers to mimic brass knuckles. Once again, make sure you’re legally allowed to sport this in your state before you take it out on the town.
3. Self Defense Pen
Possibly my favorite item on this whole list is the tactical pen, like this one, this one, and this one from the Atomic Bear. It’s legal to carry anywhere, including on airplanes, and is multi-functional as a pen and sometimes also a flashlight as well as a survival striking tool. I love it so much that I included it on my list of Travel Safety Accessories as well. And I can’t recommend it enough. I own several, so I always have one with me no matter which purse or backpack I’m carrying. I never leave home without it. And neither should you.
4. Self Defense Flashlight
However you arm yourself, your first goal should always be to prevent a physical fight from happening at all. De-escalation is your friend. One of the best ways to achieve that is by startling your attacker with bright ass lights. Plus, a solid flashlight can double as a baton-like weapon if a physical altercation can’t be avoided. I’ve got quite a few to recommend, depending on what you’re looking for and are prepared to carry.
If you want something compact size yet sturdy and reliable, the Atomic Bear makes a great tactical flashlight with aircraft grade aluminum casing, zoom lens, multiple lighting modes, and a serrated head on the opposite end you can still use to jab into your attacker’s gut if the bright light doesn’t dissuade them.
Going a bit bigger, the perfect medium-size Goldilocks of tactical flashlights would have to be this one by PeakPlus. It’s got an extra intense high lumen LED beam, just one of 5 lighting (and zoom) modes that can reach 200 to 500 meters, and is 10 times brighter than incandescent flashlights. Add to that an ultra heavy duty, water resistant aluminum alloy body and rechargeable batteries (charger included), and you’ve got one solid tactical flashlight.
For another great multipurpose flashlight, this VIPERTEK VTS-195 Heavy Duty Stun Gun with LED Tactical Flashlight provides a great stun gun and flashlight combo. However, let me emphasize caution here. Stun guns are not always as useful in self defense situations as people think. They only help in very specific situations, or else you risk zapping yourself along with your attacker, and don’t always pack enough punch to stop larger attackers. So I’d honestly sooner recommend one of the previously mentioned multipurpose weapons, like the tactical pen plus flashlight, unless you are extremely confident in the use of stun guns.
Now if you want EVEN BIGGER, the flashlight I’d most like to have on me in case of attack is by far the Maglite Heavy-Duty 6-Cell D Flashlight. It is truly a beast: water resistant, corrosion resistant, drop resistant, and packs one hell of a wallop. It’s a girl’s best friend for kicking ass and taking names. I have one custom engraved with my name on it, and it also goes with me everywhere possible.
5. Self Defense Baton
While a Maglite can make a great head basher, it’s naturally not going to be quite as effective for rapid strikes as a baton like this Outdoor Telescopic Pole that expands to triple its collapsed length at a more advantageous 26 inches. Talk about added reach.
Lucy Liu carried one of these around as Joan Watson in Elementary, and it seemed to come in handy quite often. If that isn’t a glowing review, I don’t know what is. Just make sure you look up your local weapon carry laws before you go traipsing around with one of these.
6. Cane for Self Defense
Walking around with a baton, even a retractable one, might still look a bit conspicuous. But a cane or walking stick. Now that’s a normal object to carry around with you. Especially if you’re at all mobile impaired, or if you’re hiking in the woods, or just a conscientious walker.
This multi-functional one by Southern Garden Tools is a walking stick, flashlight, and stun gun all in one. Yet another excellent multipurpose defense weapon. Perfect for zapping, beating, or warding off any unwanted assailants, human or otherwise.
7. Knife Self Defense
When it comes to the best knives for self defense, as opposed to other uses, the key elements are the ability to easily conceal, handle, and prevent someone else ripping it from your grasp. Of course, as I’ve said before, even if you have a great knife that covers all these bases, you still need to add to that considerable skill and confidence using such a knife. If not, there is just as great a chance that knife will be taken from you and used against you. Which would defeat the purpose of having one in the first place.
So as you review my top self defense knife recommendations below, please be honest with yourself about whether a knife would serve you well. And if you do decide to get one, please make sure you practice with that exact knife to get really comfortable and familiar with it well before you go waving it around in public.
MTech USA’s Ballistic MT-A705 Series Spring Assist Folding Knife is everything you need in a self defense knife. It’s spring-loaded, so you can quickly and easily open it one-handed. It also comes equipped with a glass breaker point and bottle opener, for all your survival needs. Plus they’re so cute and cheap, you can get one in every color to go with all your outfits.
For those of you living in states that don’t allow spring-assisted knives or switchblades, this Folding Knife with Half Serrated Stainless Steel Blade is another great option from the Atomic Bear (sensing a trend here?) that’s just as ideal for any survival situation, be it hiking, camping, hunting, or fighting for your life. It may take a little extra hand coordination to pull the blade out, but if you heed my advice to practice practice practice, you’ll do just fine with the moment of truth arrives.
If you don’t want to deal with having to open and close the blade every time, especially in the heat of the moment of attack, Smith & Wesson makes a fantastic High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife that’s ready to go the instant you need it. You never know when danger could strike (though developing your situational awareness will help you better see it coming). So it could definitely help to have a knife with a blade already out in fixed position and ready to strike back.
Expanding on the fixed blade concept, SOG’s Small Fixed Blade Instinct Mini knife comes with a chain to wear it around your neck and under your clothes. An extra sneaky place to keep this weapon concealed and handy at the same time. This is a great option for those of you who like keeping things compact or close to the vest. Once again, make sure you first familiarize yourself with your state or local laws on carrying concealed weapons. But if it’s allowed, SOG is an excellent brand and really knows their knives, so you can be sure to rely on this one when your life depends on it.
8. Mace Self Defense
A very common self defense weapon you’ll hear folks recommend for women is mace or pepper spray. But while it can be a handy tool for incapacitating your attacker, or at least disorienting them, it’s by no means an easy or simple one. My previous words of warning go doubly for mace. Sure a knife can be used to harm you if taken from you, but mace can also harm you while still in your possession, especially if you don’t know how to properly use it. So I cannot stress enough how important it is to practice using yours, a lot, and in increasingly sudden and adrenaline-fueled scenarios. Drill yourself and see how quickly and smoothly you can pull it out and spray firmly in the right direction. And be careful as you practice. A face full of mace is a truly unpleasant experience. Trust me on that one.
If you feel ready for this, I recommend one of SABRE’s several excellent options, including their solid all-around RED Pepper Spray Keychain with Quick Release, their safer RED Pepper Gel that’s less likely than a spray to blow back into your face, or their more compact and versatile Advanced Compact 3-in-1 Pepper Spray – police strength CS tear gas, UV marking dye, and pepper spray all in one for an especially gruesome burn.
9. Stun Gun Self Defense
The exact same warning goes for stun guns as for mace, if not more so. The chances of you injuring yourself along with your attacker are very high, especially if you aren’t confident in its use. So practice is just as essential here, as well as a solid understanding of the scenarios when this weapon will and won’t be useful. Electric current will flow wherever the best path of connection allows. So if your attacker is touching or holding you, stunning him will mean stunning yourself as well. And that rarely leaves you better off than you were before. But there are certainly situations where a stun gun can be quite helpful, if you are able to keep your distance and reach your attacker with only your stun gun-equipped hand.
In those situations, the best stun guns you can arm yourself with are any of the top quality options from VIPERTEK (the same brand behind the tactical flashlight & stun gun combo above). Their VTS-989 model is my top choice, with super sharp spike electrodes, internal rechargeable battery, LED flashlight, and side shock plates to help prevent an assailant from snatching it away from you.
Their VTS-979 model is another excellent choice with an alternate form of snatch prevention by means of a disable pin attached to a wrist strap that will pull out and disarm the stun gun if your attacker snatches it away from you. You can even get it in pink, if you want to add a more feminine touch.
10. Gun for Self Defense
There aren’t enough words in the English language to fully convey my warning about the use of guns for self defense. Sure, they may be the absolute most effective weapon for stopping an attacker in his tracks. But they come with a great many other serious risks that may not be worth the cost. More than any other weapon on this list, guns can prove the most disastrous if you aren’t properly trained and prepared to use one. Even if you do, you may still end up facing dire consequences. Like oh say, murder.
So please do not make this purchase lightly. Personally, I prefer to be well trained in their use but not actually own one myself. But to each their own. If you choose to own one, take the time to research the right gun for you. Then take it to a shooting range and practice using it until your fingers bleed (I’m only partly kidding). I also highly recommend finding certified hands-on handgun safety training after, and even before, you buy your own gun. That way, you can get a preview of what using it will be like and whether you really want to go down that road, not to mention learn about your local gun ownership and carry laws.
Now if you still want to know my top choices for the best self defense gun for women, here’s what I advise. You can also search the most popular guns for women purchased and gun reviews written by other women. But below are my own personal favorites.
You want to maximize both weapon control and stopping power in the same gun. So that means something compact enough to fit well in your hands for easy trigger pull and minimal recoil, but not so lightweight that it’s harder to load and shoot, and with large enough caliber ammunition to do sufficient damage. In general, I’d advise against ammunition smaller than .380, but maybe not quite as cumbersome as a full-size .45 pistol or .357 revolver. The sweet spot that falls right in the middle there would be 9mm, which is also some of the most common and affordable ammunition. It’s the Goldilocks of calibers.
My top pick is the Glock 19. Glocks are the handguns of choice for law enforcement like the police and FBI. And this one is one of their most compact, affordable, and reliable models. Many consider it the best all-around handgun for home defense or concealed carry. That’s why it’s Glock’s best selling 9mm gun. Get it with specialized self defense ammunition rounds and you’ll be ready for anything.
Another popular choice for self defense is the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm, which is another super popular and reliable brand with solid resale value. (M&P stands for military and police.) This model is a subcompact handgun, so it’s a bit smaller than the Glock 19, but with the same solid 9mm caliber ammunition. I’d get the M2.0 model, which has a slightly easier trigger pull and improved grip from the original version.
Many people also swear by the Ruger brand of guns. So if you prefer this route, I’d recommend the LCP II .380 or the LC9s 9mm for self defense. The LCP2 is a bit smaller and lighter for easier handling, while the LC9s has the more powerful 9mm ammunition and a superior trigger (than pretty much any other single stack handgun on the market) for them dainty feminine fingers. After firing your gun over and over as I advise you do to practice and get comfortable with it, you’ll understand why a smooth and easy trigger pull is extra valuable. But either is a very solid choice for a women’s self defense handgun.
The downside with a semi-automatic handgun like the ones above, however, is the strength needed to pull the slide to release it or clear a jam. If you don’t feel as capable of that, a compact revolver like the Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard is a great way to go. Its synthetic grip and great design make it easy to hold and greatly reduces the recoil you would otherwise get from the .38 special defense caliber ammunition. So you get all that .38 stopping power without the added kick in the pants. Plus, you can get this model with an integrated Crimson Trace laser sight that can help you find your aim even when your blood is pumping and hands are shaking.
You also want to make sure you have a solid and safe means of storing, carrying, and handling your new handgun. The Well Armed Woman offers some fantastic options for handgun holsters and accessories. I really cannot recommend them highly enough as your best first place to start when you’re ready to get yourself armed and outfitted.
Bonus: Travel Insurance
Now that you have armed your body for ultimate travel protection, you’ll want to do the same for your travel plans. Travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself in case anything goes wrong, from cancelled flights, to lost baggage, to severe injuries after you’ve fought off an attacker. Defending yourself is only step one. Recovering is the next, and equally as important, step. So get World Nomads insurance and give yourself the best chance of recovery and recompense.
Ready to Learn Self Defense?
Check out my Tough Cookie Travel Self Defense online course, the first truly comprehensive women’s self defense online course that’s designed FOR women like you BY a woman who’s been through it too. I got your back. Because you are not alone. We Tough Cookies gotta stick together.
Want more Self Defense Tips?
Read on, young Cookie-san. We’ll get you tough and travel-ready yet.
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