The best bug out bags will keep you ready when an emergency strikes. Will you be prepared to grab it and go?
Emergency preparedness may seem like a daunting task, but there are simple, tangible steps you can take to help your cause. One of the first things to do is obtain a solid bug out bag, which can really come in handy during a survival situation.
Not all bug out bags are created equally. You're going to need storage space, a durable outer shell, a large main compartment, heavy duty shoulder straps, and ideally some kind of water resistant material to keep everything inside dry.
Survival gear should almost always include a quality first aid kit, a water filter, and other essentials. But that's not exactly what this article is all about. We're addressing the bag itself, not what should be in it, and sharing a few good options while pointing out the qualities to look for when choosing your own.
Even though they're commonly known as a bug out bag, we think they should be exclusively called bug out backpacks. No rolling suitcase, duffel bag, or shoulder bag will compare to the ease of a backpack. It will keep your hands and arms almost entirely free, and are often constructed to last a long time. They're also easier for youngsters and the elderly to carry, as a bug out bag is meant to hold supplies for one person. That's means every member of your family will need one.
The bug out bag serves as a portable kit that contains all the necessary items that a person would need to stay alive for at least 72 hours in the wild or during an evacuation. It's an attempt to give them a fighting chance at survival on a moment's notice. Cubic inches of space won't mean a whole lot if the bag can't stand up to the rigors of the trail.
We never want to have to rely on such a thing, but preparedness rests upon our ability to be ready no matter what.
Here's what we'd want in a bug out bag, including one ready-to-go system plus a couple inexpensive backpacks that you can start with.
Uncharted Supply Co. SEVENTY2 Survival System
Perhaps the best pre-packed bug out bag on the market, this Uncharted Supply Co. SEVENTY2 Survival System pack is loaded with essential gear, is durable, waterproof, and has a solid shoulder strap system. The brand worked closely with first responders, doctors, special forces operators, mountain guides and other experts to create what's been deemed the "greatest 72-hour emergency kit in existence."
This is the bag that allows you to buy it and consider your bug out bag complete.
Tacticon 24BattlePack
This combat veteran-owned company makes a pack for sale on Amazon that will suit any survival needs. It is concealed carry-ready with a built-in universal CCW handgun holster for use as part of your EDC collection. It's laptop safe and hydration bladder ready.
ArmyCamo 30L Rucksack
This pack is slightly smaller than the others mentioned, but is said to hold three days worth of clothes along with toiletries and other essential gear. This bag would work great for camping, hiking, trekking, or traveling in the outdoor world, but as a go bag it shines. Its 600 denier polyester makes it tear resistant, but you'll have to add your own waterproof seal or cover.
WintMing 70L Camping, Hiking, and Tactical Backpack
This huge WintMing backpack is a tactical military-style rucksack made of 600D Oxford fabric that's water resistant. It has a padded waist strap to help with a heavier load, and multiple compartments for easy organization. It has a strong Molle webbing system for attaching accessories to the exterior.
Why We All Need a Bug Out Bag
Lousy things happen at the worst possible moments and the desire to simply be ready for it has grown into a cottage industry. Since then, manufacturers have been coming up with newer and more versatile versions to help an emergency survival situation.
Bugging out during a natural disaster, power grid failure, or civil unrest is a stressful endeavor. Making a "go bag" is as simple as looking for a high quality pack which will suit your personnel needs, and filling it with the essentials you've determined are most important. This can provide some serious stress relief, or at least allow you to focus on other things in an emergency.
Customization and versatility are two of the biggest keys to preparing your bug out bag for the road ahead, so make sure you've
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