12 Best Bug-Out Bags Reviews-Buyer Guide 2022
The Ultimate Bug-Out Bag List is here to answer all your questions and help guide you through all your long term and short term survival needs.
Whether you’re being proactive about emergency preparedness or are a skilled survivalist, we can help you get through any situation.
We will review and discuss in great lengths all the items that are necessary for your ultimate bug-out bag, or BOB. The Ultimate Bug-Out Bag List, where we care about your survival.
What is a bug-out bag?
A bug-out bag is a bag that contains food, tools, and other things for use in a disaster or other type of emergency.
Often when a disaster occurs, the infrastructure that we normally take for granted becomes bogged down or completely unavailable.
Electricity may be out for days or even weeks, the supermarkets we buy our food and water from may be low or out of stock, hospitals may be extremely over capacity, and even the roads we use everyday may be closed.
This is why there are bug-out bags.
Like insurance, BOBs are something that you hope to never need, but are extremely important to have if you ever do.
Many people like to keep a BOB or two on hand, just for the peace of mind of knowing it’s there for use, should the need arise.
Having all the right things in your BOB can mean all the difference if you or your family are ever in a position to have to use it.
Should I buy a bug-out bag or make my own?
This is a good question, and it’s something that a person has to decide for himself.
We frequently get asked this question, and our answer normally comes down to how much time and money the person wants to spend. If you’re short on time we recommend that you buy an off-the-shelf bug-out bag.
An off-the-shelf bag will have basic supplies that might be useful in an emergency situation. But it may not have everything you want, in the quantity you want, and so you’ll probably have to supplement the bag or do without. The cost will also likely be more than making your bug-out bag.
Making the bag yourself allows you to personally choose everything that goes into it. This can be very time to consume, because you need to research every individual piece, to make sure it’s right for you.
Many people enjoy researching items for their bag and finding the perfect ones. You will have more confidence knowing that you have personally researched and chosen every item in your bag, and you will very likely spend less money than if you bought a similar off-the-shelf bug-out bag.
But no matter whether you want to buy an off-the-shelf bag, or you want to make your own, have something. Even the cheapest off-the-shelf bag is better than having nothing at all.
Don’t be one of those people who intend to make their bag, but never get around to it. Make your own, or buy one, but have something.
Recommended Bug-Out Bags
Before we get to our list of recommended bug-out bags, I want to point out that none of these BOBs come with everything you’ll need.
All of them require some additional supplementation, but some require less than others. For these recommendations, we have listed the BOBs we feel are best, for some price ranges.
There are other bug-out bags that are in these price ranges, but we did not feel that they were as good as those listed.
When it comes to supplementing food and water, you can buy food specifically made to be emergency food, or you can even just add a couple more liters of water per person, and a jar or two of peanut butter.
But whether you’re adding peanut butter or food designed for emergencies, always check the expiration dates!
Finally, remember that a BOB with a rating of 1.5 stars is still better than no BOB at all!
2.0 Bug Out Bag by OuttaGEAR
This bug-out bag is the top off-the-shelf BOB that we recommend. It has almost everything you need to ensure your survival in the event of a disaster. It has some items that many other off-the-shelf BOBs don’t have, but the well-roundedness of this bag comes at a price. This is the most expensive of all the BOBs we recommend.
Pros:
This BOB comes with a LifeStraw water filter so that you can drink any water you come across. It has a real sleeping bag, unlike most other BOBs. It has most other things you will need
Cons:
Aside from the high price of this BOB, it doesn’t have enough food or water, and the food it comes with requires water (taking away from your drinking supply).
Recommended Supplementation: We recommend that you add additional food and water to this BOB.
The 2.0 Bug Out Bag is our top recommendation for off-the-shelf bug-out bags. This is the most well-rounded BOB we’ve found, but the price reflects that.
This BOB has many things you will need in the event of a disaster. The backpack itself is a Teton 3400, which has a capacity of 3,400 cubic inches, or 55 liters. It has an internal frame, height-adjustable shoulder straps, and shoulder, lumbar, and waist pads.
This backpack is durable and will let you carry your gear in relative comfort. It contains some useful tools and equipment, like a decent knife, a decent multi-tool, and a trowel.
It has a small alcohol stove (which is necessary because the food is dehydrated and requires boiling water), and a small cook set.
It has a headlamp and two glow sticks for light, and for fire, it has some ways to start a fire, including a lighter and a one-handed fire starter.
One particularly good thing about this bug-out bag is that it comes with a real sleeping bag. Most other BOBs come with mylar sleeping bags, which are just mylar thermal blankets that are enclosed. An actual sleeping bag is much more comfortable and should be much warmer, as well.
Another good thing about this BOB is that, in addition to a water bottle, it has a LifeStraw water filter, which will let you safely drink water that you come across. This can extend how long you can survive.
The 2.0 Bug Out Bag is rounded out with most other things you’d need, including a decent first aid kit, an N95 mask, an all weather poncho, and more.
There are a few downsides to this BOB, however. Like most off-the-shelf BOBs, it doesn’t come with enough food or water. Also, the food it does come with requires you to use water, as it is dehydrated.
Most likely, this water will come from your drinking supply. We, therefore, recommend that you supplement the food and water by adding your own. For the food, a jar of peanut butter is good to throw in (check the expiration date!), and a few bottles of water, or even a hydration system, would be good.
It’s hard to go wrong with the 2.0 Bug Out Bag by OuttaGEAR, once you supplement the food and water. That’s why it’s the Ultimate Bug-Out Bag List top recommendation for off-the-shelf bug-out bags.
Echo-sigma Get Home Bag
Another recommended pre-packed BOB that comes with a nice variety of items that comes close to fulfilling most of your needs. This particular one person pack is mid-sized and weighs in at 17 pounds.
The price of this BOB may limit some from purchasing it, but if you don’t want to put the effort or time into research, then this pack will keep you covered through numerous scenarios.
Pros:
A few of the highlights of this pack are multiple ways of starting a fire for a variety of situations. Also comes with a thermal sleeping bag cocoon, hydration system, Gerber multitool, and waterproof LED flashlight.
Cons:
This pack is lacking in the way of food and water. For a three day BOB It includes only 2.5 liters of water and 1 bottle of water purification tabs. As far as rations are concerned, this bag comes with 6 food bars that are listed at 400 calories each.
Recommended Supplementation: Added food and water as well as the inclusion of a hearty blade. Some individuals may also prefer to have a stove and a cooking pot included.
Our second highest rated off-the-shelf bug-out bag is the Echo-Sigma Get Home Bag. This bag is less than half the size of our top rated BOB, but it’s still packed with lots of good stuff.
Not having a normal sized sleeping bag allows the bag to be smaller, but of course, sleeping won’t be as comfortable.
The backpack itself is the Compact Assault Pack by Condor Outdoor. It is 1,362 cubic inches, 22.3 cubic liters. It’s a good quality backpack, and it has four compartments.
One of the really good things about this BOB is that it has a 2.5-liter hydration system. We’d still like to see a little bit more water, in case it’s very hot, or you have to physically exert yourself, but it’s a good start. And it does include water purification tablets, which could extend your ability to survive beyond 72 hours, provided you find some water.
There are a multitool and a flashlight, and they’re both decent. There are some ways to start fires, including a lighter and a magnesium fire starter. A 68 piece first aid kit is included, which is okay.
To help protect you from the elements, there is a poncho, tube tent, thermal blanket, and thermal sleeping bag cocoon. The included 50 feet of 550 paracords, the extra large zip ties, and the duct tape could be very handy.
A pair of work gloves, an N95 rated mask, safety goggles, and a few other things complete this BOB.
There are just a couple of areas where this BOB comes up short. It only has 2,400 calories worth of food ration bars.
This isn’t enough if you have to hike far or do something that is physically exhausting, like clearing debris or building a shelter. So we would recommend adding more food, and maybe a little bit more water.
The last thing that needs to be added is a knife. We recommend a fixed blade knife, but a folding knife should be added, at the very least. The multi-tool does have a blade on it, but you’re much more limited in what you can do if you’re trying to use a small blade on a multi-tool.
The Echo-Sigma Get Home Bag isn’t a bad choice for a bug-out bag. With just a couple of additions, you’ll be ready for an emergency. 
Two Person 72 Hour Bug Out Bag
This particular item is a two-person BOB that’s packed into a Fox Tactical Rio Grande pack. It takes numerous needs into account but ultimately falls short of our highest marks because of its price range as well as its lack of a few key items.
Pros:
This pack comes with a sufficient amount of food in the form of MRE’s, fortified food bars and freeze-dried entrees.
Cons:
Once again we are looking at a BOB that is lacking in its initial water offerings. It contains twenty-four 4.22 ounce packets of water for two people over the course of 72hrs. Although we are glad the pack offers Katadyn MyBottle Water Purifier, we would still like to see enough liquids to cover the three-day duration. Also, one would expect a pack of this price to contain a tool or blade of some kind, but unfortunately it does not.
Recommended Supplementation: The addition of a tool and knife would help greatly further this pack, as well as an extension of the initial water offerings.
The Two Person 72 Hour Bug Out Bag is another BOB that receives one our top ratings. This BOB is intended to be used by two people, but we think it would also be good for just one person.
The backpack is a FOX Tactical Rio Grande and is 4,576 cubic inches, or 75 liters. It is a very big bag, with lots of room for gear. It has adjustable shoulder straps, a padded back panel and padded hip belt, and two large zippered pouches on the sides.
One of the good things about this BOB is that it has a decent amount of food for two people, for three days. It has four 2,400 calorie food bar packets, as well as four MREs containing 1,100 to 1,300 calories each, and two packages of Backpacker’s Pantry freeze-dried entrees.
The freeze-dried food does need boiling water, but the food bars and the MREs don’t need any water, which is great. This is possibly the only off-the-shelf BOB we’ve found that comes with enough food for three days.
This BOB contains waterproof matches and a magnesium fire starter. It also contains a folding stove and a small cookware set. This would be great for boiling water you come across, to make it safe, or for making tea or coffee.
Another good thing about this BOB is that it has a water purifier bottle. So if you do come across water, you’ll be able to drink it safely.
There is also a decent first aid kit, but you’ll probably want to supplement it with more pain relievers, and possibly ointment for burns.
A two person tube tent, two ponchos, two emergency blankets, six N95 masks, 100 feet of 550 paracords, plus a few other little things, round out this BOB. We’re happy to see 100 feet of paracord, as that can be extremely handy, and many BOBs either leave out the paracord or have a lot less.
This BOB does have a few weaknesses, however, and if you buy this one, you’ll want to make sure to add a few things. First, it doesn’t have nearly enough water.
The water filter is great, but you still have to find water before you can use it. We would add a couple more liters per person, at the very least.
Next, there is no knife and no multi-tool. These two items are extremely important to have in a bug-out bag, and you’ll want to make sure to add your own. The last few things we would add are duct tape, a disposable lighter to get fires started quickly, and some insect repellent.
Don’t forget insect repellent, because depending on you where you live and what time of the year it is; bugs can eat you alive.
All in all, the Two Person 72 Hour Bug Out Bag is not a bad choice for a BOB. Just don’t forget to add the things mentioned above, and you’ll have a bug-out bag you can count on in just about any emergency.
Urban Survival Pack for Two
This two person pack by Zippo is a relatively affordable BOB that contains numerous items to help you survive an emergency or disaster in an urban environment. The items contained within a range from food and water, to the addition of flashlight/radio and a stainless steel multi-tool.
The Urban Survival Pack for Two People is an off-the-shelf BOB that we gave a relatively good score. But we want to point out that we do not consider this a BOB for two people. Not unless a lot more food and water are added.
This bug-out bag comes with a 21-inch backpack. It’s nothing special, but it should do the job.
For gear, this comes with pretty much just the basics. There is a basic first aid kit and a basic hygiene kit. These aren’t bad, and they cover pretty much all of your basic needs.
One nice thing it has is a dynamo radio/flashlight combination, so can see in the dark and get information on the radio, without needing to worry about batteries. Three light sticks give you lighter, and let you be seen in the dark, and a disposable lighter is included to start fires.
25 feet of paracord is included, though we’d like to see at least 50 feet. 25 feet, though, could still be useful in constructing shelters and many other things.
There are two emergency sleeping bags supplied, which are essentially just thermal blankets that are enclosed. It would be nice if there were something for shelter included, like either a tube tent or at least a tarp.
There is a multitool, but no knife included. The multi-tool will be good for small tasks, though, so it’s nice to see that in a relatively cheap bug-out bag like this. There are one pair of heavy work gloves, and two dust masks.
This is a reasonably priced bug-out bag, but there are some areas where it is deficient. As noted above, we do not consider this to be a good BOB for two people. There is 4,800 calories worth of food bars, and 2.2 liters of water. That might be enough to keep two people alive for three days, if it’s not hot and you don’t have to physically exert yourself, and you’re just sheltering in place waiting for help to arrive. But often in a survival situation, you have to use a lot of energy, and that just isn’t enough food or water for even one person. So we very much suggest that you supplement this BOB with additional food and water. A jar of peanut butter, which has a lot of calories, and a few more liters of water per person will make things much more bearable if you ever have to rely on this bug-out bag.
Next, there is some gear that is lacking. We recommend you add some knife to this bag. A fixed blade knife is best, but even a decent folding blade would be good. A good knife is much more versatile than the blade on the multi-tool. Also, while a person that buys this BOB is obviously not looking to be able to survive for an extended period, and so probably wouldn’t be interested in things like water filters, we do recommend that you add a fire starter. Disposable lighters are great, but they can break easily, and they’re not always reliable.
And the last things we would add are all weather ponchos, insect repellent, and either a tube tent or a tarp or two, to use to construct a shelter.
This isn’t a bad little basic BOB; it just needs to be supplemented a bit. You won’t be using this for long term survival, but with added gear, food, and water, it should get you through at least 72 hours. We’d also like to add that this is a good off-the-shelf bug-out bag to toss in your car.
Extreme Survival Kit for Four People
Here we have another BOB by Zippmo, except this 72hr pack is meant for four individuals. Much like the pack we previously reviewed, this bag comes with many similar items except multiplied to help further a larger group.
We gave the Extreme Survival Kit for Four People the same decent rating that we gave the similar Urban Survival Pack for Two. They have slightly different gear, and this one is intended for four people. We would like to point out that we don’t consider this to be suitable for four people, but only for one or two.
Like the Urban Survival Pack for Two, this BOB comes with a 21-inch backpack that isn’t anything special but is useable.
This BOB comes with a fixed blade knife that isn’t too bad, and a small flashlight. There’s also a wire saw that could come in handy.
There is one pair of heavy work gloves. For fire, there is a disposable lighter and a fire starter. Four emergency sleeping bags are included, but they are essentially just thermal blankets that are enclosed.
There is a compass with a signaling mirror, and 25 feet of paracord. A decent first aid kit, a hygiene kit, and a few other things are included in this BOB.
This BOB does come up short in a few areas, and like most off-the-shelf bug-out bags, it requires supplementation.
First, there is not nearly enough food or water. This BOB comes with 7,200 calories worth of food bars. That’s about enough food for one person, for three days. There are 4 liters of water. Again, that’s about enough for one person, for three days. If you intend to use this for more than one person, you’ll want to add enough food and water.
Next, there are no ponchos, and there is nothing to use for shelter. For shelter, we recommend either adding some tube tents or a couple of tarps.
Then, there’s no multi-tool. Multi-tools can come in very handy, and we recommend you add one, even if it’s an inexpensive one.
A roll of duct tape could come in handy, and we would include some insect repellent.
The Extreme Survival Kit for Four People isn’t bad for an off-the-shelf bug-out bag, just don’t forget that it’s only for one or two people. But with the addition of a few things, it can be BOB that you can count on if disaster strikes.
Emergency Survival 72hr Bug Out Bag
This BOB is contained within a Fox Tactical Field Operator’s Action Pack. The bag is very durable and contains enough room for those additional items that are not included. Overall this is a good beginner kit and should be modified to your particular specifications.
The Emergency Survival 72hr Bug Out Bag is another off-the-shelf BOB that we gave a decent rating.
The backpack it comes with is a FOX Tactical Field Operator’s Action Pack. This is a nice backpack that is about 19.5 inches high, by 12 inches wide, by 12 inches deep. It has padded and adjustable shoulder straps, and a padded and removable kidney belt. It has a hydration pocket and is a pretty rugged backpack.
This BOB is pretty good when it comes to food and water. There is 4,800 calories worth of food bars, plus two MREs. That should be enough food for one person for three days. It has 2.25 liters worth of water, which is almost enough for one person. We’d add a little bit more water, though.
This bug-out bag has a magnesium fire starter, an emergency poncho, an emergency blanket, and two pairs of disposable hand warmers. These basic things will help keep you warm and dry.
It has a pair of heavy work gloves, and a 19 LED flashlight. It also has 100 feet of paracord, which we’re happy to see. Paracord is something that can come in very handy.
It includes some items for hygiene, as well as three N95 rated masks.
There are some key areas the need to be supplemented. This BOB has no knife, so you’ll need to add one. As always, we recommend a fixed blade knife, though a decent folding knife would be okay. There is no multitool, so you’ll need to add one of those, too.
It does have a magnesium fire starter, but we always recommend to have both a fire starter and a lighter. Duct tape and insect repellent should be added, too.
Two other important things that are missing from this bug-out bag are some shelter and a first aid kit. You’ll want to have some basic first aid kit, and for shelter, you could either add a tube tent or some tarps with which to construct a shelter.
Also, if you want to be able to extend the amount of time you can survive with this BOB, you might consider adding a water filter, or at least some water purification tablets.
The Emergency Survival 72hr Bug Out Bag has a good backpack and a decent supply of food. Adding some key things to this BOB will round it out, and make it a good bug-out bag to have in case of emergency.
4 Person Deluxe Survival Kit
Once again we have a four person pack that shows potential with the variety of items but falls short of being able to equip all four individuals over a 72 hr length of time. More and more we see that a four person BOB would be better off if it were broken down into two separate packs especially when considering the weight.
We gave the Four Person Deluxe Survival Kit a decent rating, but we’d like to stress that we do not consider this to be a four person BOB like it claims.
This BOB weighs 32 pounds and comes in a duffel bag. It needs to be pointed out that this is best for use in a vehicle or for sheltering in place, as you don’t want to have to carry around 32 pounds in one hand. We prefer our BOBs in a backpack, and you’ll want to think about whether or not a duffel bag is right for you before you buy this.
A good thing about this bug-out bag is that it has a hand crank AM/FM radio, and two squeeze recharge flashlights. You don’t need to worry about batteries running out, or expiration dates on batteries, and that’s always a good thing.
It also includes a fire starter, a box of 50 waterproof matches, and shavings to help get a fire going. Those things are great, but we always recommend a disposable lighter, in addition to those things, for quickly getting fires going.
To keep you warm and dry, there are four emergency ponchos, two 2-man tube tents, and four mylar sleeping bags (essentially emergency thermal blankets that are enclosed). There are also four body warmers.
This off-the-shelf bug-out bag has a 16 function knife. This knife will be useful for cutting things like string or rope, but we recommend a fixed blade knife, or at least a sturdy folding knife, as they are much more versatile. It comes with a wrench for turning off gas and water, which can also be used for prying open windows and doors.
A portable stove and fuel tablets are included, but because there is no cookware, the stove is only good for a little bit of heat, unless you’re sheltering in place and have some pots. A package of candles and four 12 hour light sticks are also included.
There is a first aid kit, as well as a four person hygiene kit with necessities. This bug-out bag has four N95 rated masks, which is good.
There is one pair of work gloves and 50 feet of rope. The rope is always a good thing to include and can come in handy.
Water and food, two of the most important things in a bug-out bag, are included, but we want to stress that there is not enough food or water for four people. This BOB contains 9,600 calories worth of food bars. It also has six liters of water. That is enough food and water for one or possibly two people, for about three days. If you plan to use this BOB for more than one or two people, you will need to supplement the food and water.
This does come with enough water purification tablets for 40 liters of water, however, as well as a 2.5-gallon water bag. Those things are good for extending the amount of time you can survive, but you need to come across the water before they’re useful.
A compass, signal mirror, can opener, and a few other things round out this BOB.
As stated above, this BOB is best for a vehicle, or for sheltering in place. If you intend to use it for more than one or two people, you’ll want to add more food and water. You’ll also want to add a better knife– preferably a fixed blade knife– and as it lacks a multi-tool, you’ll need to add one yourself. A few other things we would add are a disposable lighter, a roll of duct tape, a couple of tarps, a small pot to use with the stove, and some insect repellent.
The price is reasonable, and it’s not a bad off-the-shelf bug-out bag if you’re sure you won’t have to travel on foot. Just make sure you supplement it with what it’s lacking, and you’ll be ready in the event of a disaster.
Wise Deluxe Survival Kit
This deluxe survival kit by wise is meant to sustain one individual for 2 weeks, or two people for 1 week. Initially, the contents of this bag look quite attractive simply because the description of the food included, but once we delve deeper how does it stack up?
Next on our reviews of off-the-shelf bug-out bags is the Deluxe Survival Kit by Wise Foods. This BOB is a little different from the others we have reviewed simply because it is meant to sustain one individual for a total of two weeks or two people for one week. This kit weighs in at 27lbs and comes contained within a rolling duffel bag rather than a backpack. Given the situation, this particular bag with all its weight could become problematic if you are forced over rough terrain and have to continuously switch which hand you want to carry the burden with. Personal preferences lead us to prefer taking the contents and putting them into a water resistant backpack.
The variety of foods that are included are quite impressive at first glance and tantalizes you with thoughts of tortilla soup and pasta alfredo. On closer inspection, we also see that each of these tasty meals requires the further addition of the precious resource we know as water. Unfortunately, because this pack only supplies a total of 76.5 ounces of water, we will be left figuring out how delicious dry stroganoff is. On a positive note, this survival kit does include 20 water purification tablets, a water filtration bottle and portable stove with fuel and matches. We would also like to add that if you decide to purchase this BOB, be sure to include a lighter as well as a fire starter since you will need a fire quite often. Also be sure to throw the all important jar of peanut butter into the mix since it is ready to eat and provides much-needed fuel for the body.
This emergency kit by Wise does contain a nice variety of items and would suit an individual well with just a few minor modifications. Some of the highlights of this grab and go kit are a multi-function shovel, swiss army style knife, a 4 in 1 flashlight, a two person tube tent, and a portable stove. We also recommend including a multi-tool other than the knife that that this pack comes with, and even think about doing some of your upgrading to better suit all your needs. A few more items worth mentioning are the 30-hour emergency candle, 2 deluxe hygiene kits, hand and body warmers, 50ft of nylon rope, and they even had the good sense to include silverware and a cup. Now if only they included a tall order of coffee!
If you are looking for a pre-packed bug out bag and don’t want to put much thought into what your specific needs are then this kit should serve you well. Once you add a bit more water and can get past the sticker shock, this pack will do a fair job meeting most of your emergency and survival needs. Once again, we here at the Ultimate Bug Out Bag List want to make sure that you’re looked after. Be Prepared, Be Ready, Be Aware.
Ready America Grab ‘N Go Deluxe 4 Person Backpack
This reasonably priced BOB by Ready America is fairly popular. While it says it’s packed to help sustain 4 people during a disaster or emergency, we don’t feel there is enough food or water for 4 people, and we recommend it for 2, or possibly even 1 person. It weighs in at 19lbs.
The Ready America Grab ‘N Go Deluxe Backpack is a popular kit that is intended to meet the needs of 4 people in the event of an emergency. This moderately priced 72hr pack weighs approximately 19 pounds, and the contents are enclosed in a bright red backpack. The pack itself is NOT water resistant which could pose an obvious problem during poor weather conditions. This emergency kit is similar to many of the other low-end off-the-shelf bug-out bags being reviewed in that some adjustments need to be made to keep you adequately prepared.
Ready America has included what it considers to be a supply of food and water for 4 people over the course of 72hrs in this pack, but upon further inspection, we see that there is no way 4 liters of water is enough. There also seems to be a shortage of food as well, and we recommend including the trust worthy jar of peanut butter and perhaps a few more high-calorie food bars. The addition of water purification tablets would also be highly recommended as well further means of purifying groundwater.
A few of the noteworthy additions in this bag that we are happy to mention is the inclusion of a multitool, 10yds of duct tape, and 4 function emergency power station (flashlight, cell phone charger, siren and AM/FM radio). Unfortunately, we are left without any way to start a fire, so consider throwing in a lighter, matches, and fire starter. Also, if you want would prefer to be prepared for a possible stay outdoors, be sure to include a tent or tarp, and a healthy length of paracord.
This pack does seem to lean heavier towards being an emergency kit rather than a survival pack. It comes with a 107 piece first aid kit as well as a quadruple order of goggles, nitrile gloves, survival blankets, ponchos, and dust masks. Ready America also remembers to throw in a few all important biohazard bags and an emergency whistle. To further round out this pack, also consider including insect repellent, sunscreen, and a modified hygiene kit.
Once again, your preparedness is in your hands, and we can only recommend and stress the importance of being prepared during these times of strengthening storms and world events. Think about what it takes to sustain you and your family’s life beyond the comforts of home, and remember that we are here to help you help yourself.
Life Gear LG567 Wings of Life Emergency Survival Kit Backpack
The Life Gear LG567 Wings of Life Emergency Survival Kit Backpack is moderately priced and has some basic supplies that you would need in a disaster or emergency situation. There isn’t enough food or water, however, and some critical things are missing, such as a flashlight and a way to start a fire. It weighs 8.6 pounds and would be worth keeping in a car.
The next off the shelf bug out bag we are reviewing is the Life Gear LG567 Wings of Life Emergency Survival Backpack. This particular pack is meant to sustain one individual for a total of 72hrs. The pack itself is water resistant and is well ventilated which promotes cool air flow as you’re wearing it. This BOB weighs 8.6 lbs and is school bus yellow for easy identification and also sports a red emergency flasher. This pack is also ergonomically designed for children as well as adults and touts two detachable wings that are used for extra storage.
The contents of this off-the-shelf bug-out bag reveal another pack that is short on food and water. We suggest adding additional methods of purifying water such as water purification tabs or a life straw, and also adding further high-calorie foods such as a jar of peanut butter. Overall, this moderately priced BOB contains most of the basics that you would need in an emergency situation, but as with any pre-made pack, adjustments are necessary.
Delving deeper into the contents of the LG567 emergency kit, we notice that we are left without a quick way of starting a fire. It is highly recommended that if you purchase this pack that you consider adding a lighter, matches, and a fire starter. This pack does contain some typical items that we are happy to see included such as a first aid kit, poncho, hygiene kit, thermal blanket and even a multitool. Furthermore, Life Gear had the good sense to remember a directional compass and magnifying glass, as well as a whistle and a respirator mask. Additionally, you may want to include insect repellent and sunscreen just in case you have to remain outdoors for an extended period. If you want to be further prepared for a possible stay in the great outdoors, then further measures are recommended such as including a tube tent or tarp and a hearty length of paracord.
Overall, this BOB would make an adequate quick addition to the trunk of your car, but there are a number ways that this pack could be improved. Once again we are faced with a pack that would function well in a minor emergency situation, but it’s up to you how well prepared you to want to be. Just remember that The Ultimate Bug Out Bag List is here to help you with all your survival needs and questions.
Ready America 70280 Grab-‘m-Go Emergency Kit, 2-Person
Like the Ready America pack designed for “4 people”, this one really doesn’t have enough food and water for the number of people that it claims to. It might be enough for 2 people if you don’t have to physically exert yourself during the 72 hours this bag is for, but if you do, there isn’t enough food or water to sustain 2 people. It weighs 8.1 pounds.
Here we have a personal emergency kit by Ready America that is meant to cover the needs of 2 people over the course of 72hrs. This reasonably priced off the shelf bug out bag weighs in at 8 pounds and seems considerably light for being a 3-day pack. As mentioned before, everyone has their way of putting a BOB together, but does this particular one by Ready America meet your needs? Let’s find out!
Similar to many bugs out bags, this pack contains a number of the necessities that are needed during an emergency. This Grab-‘n-GO emergency kit is meant to sustain 2 individuals with food and water, but upon closer inspection, we see that it only comes with 50oz of drinking water. Also included in this pack are a few high-calorie food bars which are always a good idea as they do not force you to use more water, but we also recommend throwing in a jar of peanut butter along with a method of further purifying additional water.
A few of the other items contained in this 72hr pack are two light sticks, a couple of dust masks, a whistle, ponchos, emergency blankets, gloves, and a 33 piece first aid kit. For the most part, this pack isn’t a bad basic BOB to throw into the trunk of your car if you do not want to spend much time or money covering all your emergency needs. In any case, we recommend adding a lighter, matches, and fire starter just in case a situation warrants the need for warmth, cooking, or boiling water. Also, it would be a good idea to upgrade the first aid kit to something more substantial. Additionally, we believe that the inclusion of a knife or multi-tool would be highly desirable, as well as a flashlight.
Like many of the basic off-the-shelf bug-out bags we are reviewing, we suggest adding a healthy length of paracord as well as a roll of duct tape, not to mention a tarp or tube tent for a quick and easy shelter. This pack also fails to include a hygiene kit or trash bags, so don’t forget to include your toothbrush! Another good idea would be to bring along a can of insect repellent and sunscreen.
Once again, this BOB is very basic and is a good starter pack. Just keep in mind that some adjustments could and should be made to meet the needs of two people during an emergency properly.
Life Gear LG492 Emergency Survival Kit Backpack
It should be noted that this BOB has NO food or water! It does have some basic supplies that would be useful in a disaster or emergency.
The LG492 Emergency Backpack by Life Gear is reasonably priced at first glance and weighs in at a minuscule 2.8 pounds. The backpack itself is water resistant and is ergonomically designed to reduce the stress placed on a person’s back if you were to add supplemental gear such as the Life Gear 3 day supply of food and water which is sold separately. Overall this is a relatively small pack which leaves much to be desired and adjusted.
This emergency kit by Life Gear is one that can easily be purchased and thrown into the trunk of a car, and it would come in handy during an unexpected situation. If you’re looking for a Bug out Bag that will cover all your bases, then you will need to adjust the contents of this pack accordingly. One of the main concerns with this particular off the shelf BOB is that it does NOT include food or water. It is highly recommended that if you are planning on being prepared for an eventual emergency situation then be sure to have at least a 3 day supply of food and water on hand, and a method of purifying additional found water.
Keep in mind that this emergency pack does NOT contain a method of starting a fire and it is suggested that you include a lighter, waterproof matches, and a fire starter. Also, be sure to toss in a knife of some kind or multi-tool just in case the situation calls for one. We also recommend including a wire saw and length of rope or duct tape, as well as a tarp or tube tent in case an emergency shelter is required. Another recommendation we have is to also consider including a can of insect repellent and a bottle of sunscreen.
Fortunately, this pack does come with a thermal blanket, poncho, first aid kit, and flashlight, which are essential if you ever find yourself stranded on the side of the road. Other useful items that are included in this BOB are a compass, signaling mirror, respirator mask, whistle and a hygiene kit.
Something to think about if you’re considering the purchase of this personal emergency kit is that Life Gear recommends the addition of their Life Essentials 3 day supply of food and water for one person which costs $. Furthermore, we here at The Ultimate Bug Out Bag List view Life Gear’s supplementation as being sub par at best due to the minimal amount of food and water included.
Overall, this pack is missing some key items, but if you’re looking to be minimally covered in case of an emergency then consider purchasing this off-the-shelf bug-out bag. Granted, everyone’s BOB is going to be a little different, but keep in mind that our goal is to make sure that everyone is informed and prepared.
Food and Water for a Bug-Out Bag
Food and water are two of the most important things in a bug-out bag. They sustain you, and they give you the energy to do the things you need to do in a disaster. They also help to keep your mental health good, and that is very important, especially in a survival situation.
How much food and water do I need?
One question people constantly ask us is, “How much food and water do I need?”
The Centers for Disease Control, FEMA, the Red Cross, and the US Coast Guard all say that you should have at least one gallon of water per person, per day. We agree. You might not need that much, but you never know when a disaster will strike, and if it’s hot or if you’re having to physically exert yourself a lot, you will need at least a gallon of water. If it’s not hot, and if you’re sheltering in place, you might need less, but it’s important to plan for the maximum amount you might need.
For food, most of these sources are less specific, and just say “a three day supply for evacuation, a two week supply for home.” And when you look at most off-the-shelf bug-out bags, they’ll say they have a three day supply of food, but there are very few calories available per person.
We recommend that you plan for 3,000 calories per day, per person. A person can survive for three days with absolutely no food, but he won’t have the energy to get much done, and his mental health will not be good (don’t forget that mental health is as important as physical health).
3,000 calories of food might seem like a lot, and it’s probably more than you normally eat in a typical day. But after a disaster, there are often many physical things you have to do, such as clearing debris, moving to a safe location, building or repairing shelter, etc. All those things require energy, and that energy comes from your food.
What kind of food should I put in my bug-out bag?
When it comes to what kind of food you should have, there are some choices.
One choice we like is food bars. These bars are made specifically to be used in emergencies. They have a long shelf life, and they don’t require water or heating. You just open the package and eat them.
Some people like to use canned food. Things such as beans and chili can be eaten straight from the can, without being heated. Canned fruit can be good, and so can things like can stew. You’re mainly looking for food that doesn’t taste too bad straight out of the can and unheated, and food with high calories.
MREs are great for a bug-out bag. Meals Ready to Eat usually have a long shelf life, they are often high in calories, and as the name says, they’re ready to eat. Many will even heat the food themselves. And the food itself will often taste better than food bars, and is more like “real food.”
One type of food that we like to avoid is dehydrated food. Like MREs, dehydrated food often tastes better than food bars. However, unlike MREs, dehydrated food isn’t ready to eat; you have to add boiling water. This means that you must have some way to heat water, like a portable stove, and you must also use water, which presumably comes from your drinking water. We don’t like food that requires us to use our drinking water to prepare it.
Something else we recommend is if you’re supplementing an off-the-shelf bug-out bag, or you want to add some more calories to a BOB that you have made, toss in a jar or two of peanut butter. A normal 2.5-pound jar of peanut butter has over 6,000 calories.
What kind of water should I put in my bug-out bag?
Just like with food, you have a number of choices when it comes to stocking your BOB with water.
A good source of water is bottled water from the grocery store. Leave the bottles unopened until you need to use them, and they’ll last quite a while. They’re cheap, and you can get different sizes, which can be helpful when packing your BOB.
Many off-the-shelf bug-out bags come with pouches of water. These are good because they have a long shelf life, and they can be convenient to stuff in your BOB. That being said, bottles are often more convenient, so that you don’t have a huge pile of small water pouches in your bag.
Some backpacks come with hydration systems. These can be great because they fit in a compartment in the backpack that is made specifically for them, and they allow you to get water quickly and easily, without having to stop to open your pack. The downside is that, if you’re filling them yourself, you need to read the instruction manual on how to clean them, and how often to change the water. The water won’t be good for as long as bottled water that you buy.
Many people ask about storing tap water in soda bottles. You can do that, but you need to do it right, and it won’t last as long as bottled water bought from a store. For information on how to store tap water in soda bottles, see FEMA’s instructions on how to do it properly.
Anything else to consider when adding food and water to a bug-out bag?
Always check the expiration date on both food and water!
Emergency food is designed to have a long shelf-life, but it does still go bad. So make sure it has a long expiration date.
If you use canned food, you can rotate it out so that the food in your BOB always has a long expiration date. Also, make sure you have a manual can opener.
Even water goes bad. So you need to check the expiration date on your water, too. And if you’re storing tap water in bottles or hydration packs, you’ll need to rotate it more often than if you buy bottled water.
Don’t assume that because you just bought some emergency food or emergency drinking water, it has a long expiration date. Always check expiration dates either before you buy food and water at the store, or as soon as you get it, if you bought it online.
Keep this info in mind when you’re stocking your bug-out bag, and you’ll be ready to go if disaster strikes. The last thing you want is to think you’re prepared, only to find out that you don’t have enough food and water, or that it’s out of date and no good.
