Bugout Bag, too much vs too little.

[Deplorable Me]

I have a running discussion with my son about what's too much vs what's too little in our bug out bags. This video discusses mobility vs utility. My son plans for every contingency on earth, my goal is to hike home or to one of two other locations within 24 hours; both about a 20 mile hike. Included would be hunkering down for weather or having an overnight delay.

I always have winter supplies in my car but would ditch them in the summer to gain the advantage of mobility and speed. The basics are always at hand but as a bonus I know there's a crap load of stuff I can scrounge at work if needed. ie: I have access to a wheel barrow and cart if I want if I want to heavy up on my supplies, one of a few options.

We're both constantly evaluating and re-evaluating our strategies.

 

[phatfarmerbob]

Here’s nutnfancy bug out bag 3 parts series. ( each one is almost an hour ) pretty god tho

 

[Marine Cpl]

I used to pack everything for every scenario until I did a test hike with it. It feels good at home but after 2 miles, it starts getting heavier.

My bag now consists of the bare essentials. For a 24 hr hike, all I have is energy bars, water, a life straw, a bic lighter, a tea light candle to help make fire, a multi tool, a survival sleeping bag (the space blanket kind that folded up it's the size of a fist), a contractor trash bag to fill with leaves for bedding, a basic first aid kit, a military poncho, and a Baofeng radio programmed to listen to public safety frequencies.

Less is more for a 24 hr hike.

 

[GOPerfect]

Whatever you think you may need is probably too much. How your bag is packed, right now, put it on and go for a walk. Not a hike, just a walk. Walk around the neighborhood for a couple of miles. How does it feel? Now imagine needing to carry it for 10 miles, maybe 15 miles or more. Depends on how far you will need to walk to get safe.

I have two bags. One bag that is in my truck for the days I am at work. If I need to walk home from work, 11 miles. I have a different bag for longer trips. On top of the GHB, you need to consider any types of weapons you may be carrying.

 

[meketrefe]

Do a test, for real. Condition yourself to see where you can go, how far you can truly walk, and live with what is in your pockets.
Feeling Amish yet?
Then the rest is all extra and gives you time to think what is really important to have in one of those fancy bags.
I see so many things that do not make any fvcking sense!
It is like adventure riders with $30K dollar bikes and gear approaching a 600lbs hog, only to find out (The hard way) that you can
do better with 1/3 of that.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Mine fits in a small backpack. Canterbury's 10c's.

 

[Robin]

Mine has a Snickers bar and a few of my wife's homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Robin

 

[Bananabandit]

Here’s nutnfancy bug out bag 3 parts series. ( each one is almost an hour ) pretty god tho

3 part series of nutnfancy..probably 13 hrs in total

joking aside...you really dont need everything you think you will. I only keep the basics and its pretty light. Its nothing fancy but itll do more than having nothing!

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I tried using one bag for multiple tasks. It turns out that it wouldn't have been good at any of them

I have a "get home bag" and a "bug out"

For get home I kept it very simple. I prioritize light weight, low profile, comfort, speed. It's basically intended to be anywhere I would normally be in my day. My criteria is if I think I can walk home in less than 36 hours I take this bag.

In the trunk I carry extra winter clothing. In my get home bag I have a 24 hour 3000 calorie Energy bar ration, some hard candy, life straw, 1 bottle of water, matches lighter, kindling, small first aid kit, rain poncho and survival blanket and a multi tool.


If I am going outside my usual area on a day trip I would bring my larger bag instead.

 

[SteyrAug]

Always wonder where anyone within one tank of gas is going to "bug out" to ?

Suggest watching the movie "The Road" to realize if you have weapons and ammo you don't need no bag. You just kill people and eat them.

 

[Blimey]

I used to pack everything for every scenario until I did a test hike with it. It feels good at home but after 2 miles, it starts getting heavier.

My bag now consists of the bare essentials. For a 24 hr hike, all I have is energy bars, water, a life straw, a bic lighter, a tea light candle to help make fire, a multi tool, a survival sleeping bag (the space blanket kind that folded up it's the size of a fist), a contractor trash bag to fill with leaves for bedding, a basic first aid kit, a military poncho, and a Baofeng radio programmed to listen to public safety frequencies.

Less is more for a 24 hr hike.

inkeep something like this in each car but also road flares, foil blankets instead of sleeping bag, SOS emergency ration, and a small bit of cash. I should add a med kit to each one.

 

[Blimey]

Always wonder where anyone within one tank of gas is going to "bug out" to ?

Suggest watching the movie "The Road" to realize if you have weapons and ammo you don't need no bag. You just kill people and eat them.

That was an uplifting and inspiring film.

 

[Toecutter]

If it comes to the point where you need to run oft into the wilderness your probably gonna want to be light and fast. Pehaps placing a stash somewhere away from people that you could come back to . if you train you could hike with some weight but most people arnt conditioned to carry 60 lbs for miles. Knollage is lightweight learn your area and what you could eat drink hide and keep warm.

 

[togmaster]

Not much wilderness around me to bug out to. If SHTF I would be looking to join up with family and probably have to deal with a mass of people trying to get away or doing the same as me. Being armed and able to deal with the crowds is priority for me.

 

[Bob]

The bag I keep in my SUV is more of a ‘get home bag’ than a bugout bag. I put it together with two particular scenarios in mind. One scenario is that I get stuck on the Thruway in a snowstorm in Buffalo and have to hunker down for a couple of days. The other is that I have to abandon my vehicle and hike out to civilization, taking a couple of days to do so. Since I’m constantly running I-90 between Buffalo and Boston, both are very real possibilities.

That said, I know I have too much gear in my ruck. There are some definite luxuries in there, many of which would be abandoned. But I know that ahead of time.

 

[Marine Cpl]

More times than none it's better to hunker down where you actually have supplies at home and go dark rather than to bug out.

The only reason to bug out is if your bug out location has more supplies than your home.

For a get home bag all you need is the bare minimum to make things a little more comfortable. That's it. In the less than 24 hr period to get home to your family, you aren't going to be hungry enough to have to harvest and butcher a deer and you don't need hi-speed sleeping accommodations either. Just a concealed, pistol, fire, multi tool, rain gear, energy bars, and water will get you home. Look to procure a bicycle on the way and you'll be home in no time.

Leave all the Rambo shit at home. It'll only slow you down.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Yep, my general plan is to stay put. So bags are to get back here.

 

[Toecutter]

If I were in a city id stock pile supplies for 3 months and bug in. After that any people who were unprepared will be gone.
you will be armed and well fed ready to make your move.

 

[Curmudgeon]

If I were in a city id stock pile supplies for 3 months and bug in. After that any people who were unprepared will be gone.
you will be armed and well fed ready to make your move.

A little light IMO in both time and number of peeps. However, I expect it's different in every city. If you lived in Syracuse I could expect groups of .mil folks sweeping south from Watertown.

 

[SteyrAug]

That was an uplifting and inspiring film.

Yes it was. Just think if Dad had had a 10/22, 1000 rounds and 10 magazines.

Fat girls buns for barbecue !

 

[meketrefe]

3 part series of nutnfancy..probably 13 hrs in total

joking aside...you really dont need everything you think you will. I only keep the basics and its pretty light. Its nothing fancy but itll do more than having nothing!

He falls in the Elephant dung youtuber category. What a piece of work! People follow that guy! lol

NotSoFancy

NotSoDandy

NutsAreFunky

 

[meketrefe]

More times than none it's better to hunker down where you actually have supplies at home and go dark rather than to bug out.

The only reason to bug out is if your bug out location has more supplies than your home.

For a get home bag all you need is the bare minimal to make things a little more comfortable. That's it. In the less than 24 hr period to get home to your family, you aren't going to be hungry enough to have to harvest and butcher a deer and you don't need hi-speed sleeping accommodations either. Just a concealed, pistol, fire, multi tool, rain gear, energy bars, and water will get you home. Look to procure a bicycle on the way and you'll be home in no time.

Leave all the Rambo shit at home. It'll only slow you down.

What, no MacPro laptop, Charcoil grill and small beer brewing kit in the BOB?!! Blasphemy!

 

[BDinPutnam]

I'm a little different than most- I take the train to the city every day so would have a 50 mile or so walk just to my vehicle to get home. I run a winter and a summer bag. This time of year the main things for me would be staying dry, warm, and hydrated including what I'm sure would be at least one overnight depending on why it is I'm walking home in the first place.

 

[Jmac00]

Im fairly lucky in that Im in the HVAC industry and spend a LOT of time in my Van. So I have plenty of room for emergencies. And I am rarely very far from either a known customers home or my home.

Im not at all worried about a SHTF scernerio, Im worried about it happening in winter. I'd rather the SHTF in the summer LOL

 

[togmaster]

I'm a little different than most- I take the train to the city every day so would have a 50 mile or so walk just to my vehicle to get home. I run a winter and a summer bag. This time of year the main things for me would be staying dry, warm, and hydrated including what I'm sure would be at least one overnight depending on why it is I'm walking home in the first place.

Sounds like I'd be about half way for your trip. If they light off an A-bomb in the city just PM me and I'll leave a light on for you.

 

[Wraith]

My ‘Get Home’ bag is a Condor Medium Assault Pack.

It has 3 days of non-perishable food @ 2,500cal/day and 1 collapsible gallon container for hydration. 50 rounds Ranger T-series. Change layerable clothes (I work in scrubs and going to and from work is 60% of my time in my vehicle). Two Bic lights. An IFAK.

In my car I always have an additional 3 days of food (2,000cal/day), winter clothes/boots and sneakers. Tire Chains. Emergency repair kit. A 26” axe. Blankets/Ground mat.

I can supplement my pack from my vehicle as needed if I must abandon my vehicle.

 

[Blimey]

I'm a little different than most- I take the train to the city every day so would have a 50 mile or so walk just to my vehicle to get home. I run a winter and a summer bag. This time of year the main things for me would be staying dry, warm, and hydrated including what I'm sure would be at least one overnight depending on why it is I'm walking home in the first place.

You know they are going to detonate the bridges in SHTF, and you'll be left with everybody else in manhattan eating rats and homeless people. Pack some rat traps, sporks, and pieces of wire to make tiny little spit roasts.

 

[BDinPutnam]

I know how to get to the Bronx from Manhattan without using a bridge.

 

[Bananabandit]

I know how to get to the Bronx from Manhattan without using a bridge.

has anyone ever told you how bruce lee that is? because thats how you bruce lee

 

[MadScientist]

Always wonder where anyone within one tank of gas is going to "bug out" to ?

Suggest watching the movie "The Road" to realize if you have weapons and ammo you don't need no bag. You just kill people and eat them.

If you’re not keeping extra tanks of gas in your trunk, you’re doing it wrong.
It’s pretty easy to buy a couple of those 2 gallon tanks, fill em up and toss them in your trunk. We all know how disaster situations go after a hurricane, basics like bottled water skyrocket and lines at gas stations can be hours long, if they are not already sold out.
I also try not to ever let my tank get less than half full. You can’t rely on refueling if you need to drive during SHTF