Bugout Bag Basics

Bugout Bag Basics: What you need to make your own Bug Out Bag.

How to build a good survival bag for yourself or your family.

Being prepared for anything, like a natural disaster or an economic collapse doesn't mean your paranoid. Although there is a stigma when you let it be known your preparing for the unknown, be it your beliefs of a coming disaster, or an economic downturn, or even a world war. It's up to the individual to be or not be prepared.

The fact is that you are better off being prepared and not needing to be, than needing to be prepared and not having the necessities ready at hand. So it pays to have what is called a "bugout bag" at the ready just in case, but for many people a bug out bag is something they know nothing about. Many people don't see a need for one or have no idea what one is, even worse than that, for many others, they have no idea how to build one.

A basic build for a useful bag for bugging out should have the basics. Basics being, food, water, clothing and shelter. You can devide those four things into rational necessities that are basic needs everyone should have on a regular daily basis, but made specifically for survival and protection in an emergency.

Firstly you need a good size, dependable, sturdy and well constructed backpack or large wearable duffle bag. A bag that can hold everything you need and be worn comfortably isn't cheap, but it's the first item on the list of necessities. It should be capable of holding numerous items of different sizes and give you plenty of room for extra items that might come your way. You don't want a bugout bag that is stuffed full with no room for more. Here are some suggestions for a good bag of adequate size for a single person, and some more suggestions for a family of 4 or more.
Extreme Pack Dgt Camo Montaineers Backpack

VVV Gear Paratus 3 Day Operator's Pack (Black)

If your looking at preparing your entire family, divide packs into appropriate bags for each family member. A man can carry more than his wife, and his wife can carry more than a child. A good diverse bag set up will be useful. Even a small child can carry a little. Put clothing in one bag, food in another, etc etc...or divide your total amount of survival items evenly between adults, and make lightweight bag set ups that smaller children can carry.

Secondly you need the first of the basics. Food. MRES. (Meals Ready to Eat) Astonishing enough, the surge of people purchasing MREs has tripled, along with the prices for this staple. You should have a minimum of 30 days of food stuff. Dried food or sealed dehydrated food is light enough to carry easily. Moist sealed food that is ready for consumption is also a needed item. Military food pouches and dried goods are good for your bug out bag setup. Here are a few items I suggest you buy.

Military Type MRE MEALS READY TO EAT

THE BEST Long Term Emergency Bulk Food Storage - THE BEST Freeze Dried Foods - Long Term Food Supply - Ready Made MRE's - Essential Food Storage - Food Storage Buckets - Emergency Food Supply - Meals Ready to Eat! - 2160 Serving Package

More about survival food: Calories is important, so is vitamins and minerals. You need food stuff that gives you everything you need to feel your best. Avoid high sugar containing foods, and also avoid high sodium content too. You need easily digestible food. Dried fruit, nuts and grains are great as a food item for when your on the go. Rice and beans also are good items. Just bare in mind, you don't want to be carrying more than you can handle.

Thirdly, and the most important thing to have is water. Not just water but the capability to purify water as well. Water is heavy and is also cumbersome to carry. You should have at least 2 gallons minimal, and the capability to purify 100s of gallons on the go. Purification systems are easy to use and allow you to make drinkable water when you run out of ready to drink water from your bug out bag. Containers for carrying water can be anything from empty soda bottles to empty milk jugs. Here are a few suggestions for water purification needs.

MSR MiniWorks EX Microfilter

Fourthly, clothing. Weather resilient clothing that will help you stay warm or cool during your bugging out time should be highly functional and easy to maintain. Socks, underwear and gloves are a start. Layers for both cold temperature climates and warm weather should be part of your bag. Here are a few suggestions for your bag.

Outdoor Clothing

Shelter is the fifth item of consideration. A simple rain proof tent can easily be added to your Bugout system. A 2-3 person tent is perfect, depending upon who is bugging out with you, you may need something bigger, but if your on your own a single person tent is all you really need. A few items I suggest would be a hammock tent, or a ground tent that is weather resistant and water proof. Here are a few suggestions for sheltering needs.

Tents for Camping

6th, first aid kits and wound dressings. In a life or death situation, being able to address a broken bone, or a deep cut is ultra important. These following kits if added to a bug out bag will help you in the event of an emergency.

first aid kits

7th, Hunting and self defense items. A gun is useful but not exactly something you can keep concealed, unless your licensed to do so, but a gun like a rifle or handgun is a necessity. A gun is not just for self defense, but also for hunting. Keep that in mind. Whichever you prefer as a gun, it should be easy to carry and powerful enough to take down animals to eat.


A good knife and other weaponry that can help you survive an animal attack or defend against a dangerous person are necessities. Here are my recommendations.

Get your bag ready and keep it somewhere safe. You can have it ready at a moments notice by just keeping it ready, and packed away for when you might need it. It also pays to exercise with the bag. Take long runs, hike with it, or run a treadmill with it. Doing exercises with a 30 pound bug out bag ensures that when the time comes to bug out, you can actually carry it without getting too worn out.

Remember, you are not a idiot or a paranoid freak if you decide to make a bug out bag. You might never need it, or you might need it. The fact is, there's nothing wrong with preparedness. There's nothing wrong with being a prepper. In today's world, with so many uncertainties and world wide problems, your smarter than the average person if your ready for the first sign of a reason to bugout.