When constructing a bug out bag, the initial question that must be addressed is: Which bag will you select?
Although numerous articles are available providing guidance on what items to include in a bug out bag, there appears to be a lack of quality articles focusing on selecting the appropriate bag itself.
Today’s discussion will focus on what attributes contribute to a good bug out bag and the crucial importance of selecting the appropriate one.
What’s a bug out bag?
If you’re feeling confused already, let’s take it slow and discuss the concept of a bug out bag. I believe it is crucial to define this concept before we proceed to discuss the qualities of a good bug out bag.
A bug out bag contains essential items for survival and is designed for emergencies, with enough supplies to last for at least three days. It is a preparedness measure for natural disasters, survival situations, or any other extreme event. If you haven’t packed a bug out bag yet, you are already falling behind.
In situations where disaster is imminent, there may not be enough time to prepare and gather your belongings before evacuating. Therefore, it is crucial to have a readily available and prepared bag for such emergencies. A bug out bag is an essential item that should always be ready and easily accessible.
A bug out bag is not solely utilized by eccentric survivalists; it is a bag intended for everyone. The United States Government even recommends having a minimum of three days’ worth of food and water readily available at all times. Owning a bug out bag is simply a wise measure of preparedness.
A bug out bag is a spacious bag that can accommodate enough water, food, and survival supplies for a period of three days. It should be sturdy and specifically designed for easy transportation by foot across vast stretches of terrain.
Let’s now delve into the factors that contribute to a well-prepared bug out bag.
Our top picks
Mystery Ranch Scree 32L Backpack
I am a huge supporter of Mystery Ranch’s backpacks that are built to last. While they may not have all the fancy features of other brands, they also don’t have weak buckles that you won’t be able to get replaced during a chaotic situation. Personally, I have been using the Scepter 35 Pack for a year and have even dropped it off cliffs without any damage. If you’re looking for a survival backpack, something like the Scree 32 Pack with its sturdy design and easy access will provide you with all the necessary essentials without any unnecessary accessories.
U.S. G.I. Military Surplus Alice Pack
Despite lacking some of the finer features of new packs, the Alice pack, an olive drab monstrosity, has stood the test of time and proven to be a reliable design after many years of use.
With its spacious interior compartment, the backpack allows for convenient transportation of three days’ worth of food, sleeping essentials, and an ample amount of water. Alice packs are equipped with three sizable external pockets designed for storing readily accessible equipment, while the top pouch features a smaller pocket specifically intended for essential maps and other necessary items.
5.11 Rush 72 Tactical Pack
If we turn around completely from the Alice pack, we reach the 5.11 Ruch 72 Tactical pack. This highly advanced design includes some of the specific features we extensively discussed earlier.
The pack is equipped with MOLLE webbing, which enables you to attach desired items and conveniently expand or add accessories for easy accessibility.
The Rush 72 comes with wide and heavily cushioned shoulder straps, along with a chest strap and hip strap.
With a well-thought-out design, the bag includes back padding on the outside to ensure comfort and allow for airflow. The bag’s size is enormous, indicated by the number 72 which represents its capacity for 72 hours. Its purpose is to provide users with a contemporary and exceptionally spacious backpack, specifically intended for bugging out for a minimum of 72 hours.
Halftrack Backpack
This bag is designed for the toughest environments in the world and is of high professional quality. Additionally, it is a spacious pack that can hold all the necessary gear for escaping any disaster situation. The individual responsible for its design is someone I would consider to be extremely intelligent.
Access to the main pack is granted through a sizable panel that can be fully unzipped. This provides simultaneous access to all items within the pack. Inside the main compartment, there are dividers to keep your equipment segregated and internal MOLLE to facilitate the use of internal pouches.
The pack has two smaller pouches located on its side and an extra pouch on the top.
The exterior is equipped with MOLLE, enabling you to affix anything you require externally. The straps boast an ingenious design, characterized by their notable thickness and width, enhancing their support capacity. Furthermore, the hip straps are exceptionally cozy and offer considerable support.
USMC Gen 2 Assault Pack
The USMC Gen 2 Assault Pack was given to every Marine and acted as a lighter option to our bigger packs used for sustaining missions.
The Gen 2 Assault Pack possesses a range of features that may be difficult to find in a regular backpack, such as a thin and unpadded waist strap, a chest strap, and numerous external straps. With these external straps, it becomes convenient to attach additional equipment, such as tarps, ponchos, and sleeping bags.
The USMC Assault pack is a big backpack that has a capacity of 1,500 cubic inches and can hold up to 40 pounds. It can be challenging to pack three days’ worth of supplies in a backpack, but it is slightly easier with the USMC Assault pack.
With its external MOLLE, it is easy to cover the bag with additional pouches, thereby increasing its storage capacity.
Bag Essentials
Solar Panel + Power Bank
To stay updated on news and information, it is necessary to ensure that your phone remains charged. The Goal Zero Nomad 5 Solar Kit is an excellent solution for this, especially in situations where there is no access to the grid. Despite being lightweight and easy to handle, this kit consistently provides enough power to keep my devices running smoothly even when I am in remote areas.
Radio
If you find yourself in a situation where you require most of the items on this list, it would not be wise to depend on your phone for communication. Instead, the most reliable method of receiving news would be through a traditional radio. The Midland ER210 is a hand-cranked device that can function without the need for sunlight or batteries, allowing you to access AM, FM, and NOAA radio broadcasts. Additionally, it is capable of charging your devices and features an LED flashlight.
Headlamp
In order to have mobility and functionality during nighttime, especially during power outages, it is recommended to have the Biolite Headlamp 200. It ensures a long-lasting charge and offers comfort and convenience when worn.
Water Filter
The MSR Guardian stands out among portable filters as it has the ability to remove viruses, bacteria, and protozoan pathogens, which is a feature not commonly found in other filters. If you are looking for a more affordable alternative, the Lifestraw’s 8L Gravity Filter System and Peak Series Straw Filter are also worth considering.
Water Bottles
Hydrapak produces excellent collapsible bottles that are ideal for carrying the filtered water. These bottles are compact when packed, and they do not leak or spill while drinking. Among the available options, the Flux with a 32-ounce capacity is my personal favorite. However, there are different sizes to choose from. Additionally, I recommend keeping a full hard water bottle too, and the sturdy 24 oz. Standard Mouth bottles from Hydro Flask are suitable for this purpose.
Fire Starter
Lighting a fire has several benefits such as boosting morale, providing warmth, and enabling cooking. I have had numerous unpleasant experiences outdoors, but being able to start a fire using kindling and logs has always turned things around. The striker from Wolf and Grizzly is outstanding as it produces sparks at temperatures exceeding 54,000 degrees. This set conveniently fits together and can be used for approximately 20,000 strikes, ensuring plenty of nights spent around the campfire. If you are interested in learning more, you can find a comprehensive list of the top fire starters available.
First Aid
When in the backcountry, being in a survival situation is similar to dealing with injuries without help. To ensure my safety and the ability to help others, I rely on the Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Backpacker Medical Kit and the Wilderness Medicine training from NOLS. I appreciate how the kit unfolds and has clearly labeled and easily accessible items. If you are preparing your own bag, remember to include a week’s worth of personal medications and a cooler for medications like insulin that need to be kept cold. Regularly check the expiration dates on the medications in your kit every few months.
