In This Article
In this step-by-step guide, I will go through how to build a bugout bag.
For anyone new wanting to be a survivalist, creating a bug out of a bag might seem like a major challenge. Everyone you’ve read about has been tweaking theirs for months or even years, and they’ve built up a pile of gear.
The 72-hour bags are typically designed to get you out of an emergency situation and allow you to live on your own for up to 3 days. Many people prepare their Bug Out Bag to keep them going for a lot longer than just that, but there’s always a limit to what you can bring on your back, and a 3-day goal is a reasonable place to start.
So, in this article, we will cover exactly how to build a bugout bag. Let’s dive right in.
Best Bugout Bag In Terms of Quality
You need a high-quality bug out bag before you start filling your bug out bag with all your survival gear and supplies.
Starting your bug out bag with a lousy backpack is a bad idea, so ensure you get all of the following qualities:
- Made of dense, tough fabrics
- Includes MOLLE(covered below)
- Has a chest strap and/or a padded hip brace
- Waterproof or contains a cover
- Great quality zippers and clips
- It contains many pockets and compartments.
The MOLLE system (Modular Lightweight Loading System) helps you to connect items to your bag via a weaving system. If you don’t know how to mount equipment to your MOLLE bags, here’s a nice video:
How to Build a Bugout Bag
Here are all the things you need to build your perfect bug-out bag with the best gear linked right by it. Other blogs have had similar lists, but this is the proper list from my experience.
Here is exactly what you should have as a bare essential. With our recommended gear, this should not take up that much space in your bag if packed properly and should weigh about 22.5 pounds. However, if your gear does not fit the recommended gear linked below, it may be slightly higher or lower.
- The bag – here
- Basic first aid kit – here or learn how to build a survival first aid kit.
- Gasmask – here
- Water
- Collapsible Canteen – here
- Water filter – here
- 20 Water purification tablets – here
- Freeze-dried food – here
- X2 survival lighter – here/here
- Headlamp – here
- Field Knife – here
- Multitool – here
- Parachute Cords – here
- Compact tarp – here
- Paper map (Print online map)
- Cash Currency($400)
- Condensed soap – here
- Compact toilet paper – here
- Jacket
- Underwear
- Socks
- Shirt
- Bandana
- Two-way radio – here
- Waterproof storage bags – here
- Tactical Pen – here
- Paper
- Cellphone
- Legal Documents (Passport, Personal ID, Insurance Policy, Medical Card)
Here is what you need to add to the bare essentials. This should take up more space and should weigh about 32.5 pounds with the recommended gear linked to below.
- +Larger first aid kit for multiple people – here
- +Gloves – here
- +Spork – here
- +Flashlight – here
- +Ultralight sleeping pad – here
- +Ultralight sleeping bag – here
- +Sleeping masks/ earplugs – here
- +Wet wipes – here
- +Toothbrush/paste/ floss – here
- +Chapstick – here
- +Towel – here
- +Tactical sunglasses – here
- +Insect repellent – here
- +Tactical belt – here
- +Firearm, holster, and a full mag
- +Nail clippers – here
- +Compass – here
- +Small game
- +Power bank – here
This is going to be more costly, obviously, and heavier. However, this will help you out in a variety of extra SHTF scenarios.
- +Reusable match – here
- +Rechargeable batteries/ battery charger – here
- +Extra magazine
- +Hand sanitizer – here
- +Ultralight/compact portable stove – here
- +Stove Fuel – here
- +Vaseline – here
- +Small mirror – here
- +Whistle(came with compass)
- +Ultralight tent – here
- +Saw – here
- +Sillcock key – here
- +Blade sharpener – here
- +Second pair of socks
- +Second pair of underwear
- +Flat travel roll of duct tape – here
- +Field guide book – here
- +Gold/silver button coins – here/here
- +Glowsticks – here
Common Bugout Bag Mistakes
Here are some bug-out bag mistakes that are commonly made.
1. A Low-quality bag
If you chose your bug out bag hastily, you will most likely end up with a bag that is unsuitable for your specific needs. Your bag can be too large, have little space for essentials, or have an unsuitable overall appearance. Using an insufficient bug out bag would reduce the odds of success in a bug out the case.
I recommend reading this article to determine which is the right bug out bag for your needs. After reading a thorough analysis of each bag, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which bag would best fit your needs by weighing the size, construction material, and price.
Determine if the bug out bag is intended to hold a 24-hour supply, a 48-hour supply, or a 72-hour supply. A 72-hour bug out bag can have a volume of 40 liters or 2,500 cubic inches for an adult.
Remember to be adaptable as well. If you are bugging out with your mates, you will split the load and bear fewer things by sharing the load with other family members (or more if you are well-built). Purchase your bag right after thorough testing.
It is a smart idea to put weights in the bag and walk around with it for a while testing the bag. You can request any bean bags from the store clerk in order to replicate a bug-out scenario.
2. A Bag that Stands Out
3. Lack of Equipment Training
Training is key. You cannot argue that successfully bugging out will necessitate a high level of ability, such as building a survival fire, constructing a proper survival shelter, and even learning how to filter water resources.
4. Too Little Food/Water
Bringing very little food or water is a deadly error, particularly if your environments have little food and water resources.
Bugout Bag Weight
People overestimate how much they can carry. I recommend testing your bugout bag and not packing anything above 50 pounds for an adult.
For those wondering how to optimize weight in your bag to the fullest, here is how:
Final Word
My final word is that all of these will be necessary and will be worth it. Having extra equipment is never bad, as long as it isn’t too heavy.
Thanks for reading this simple, short guide on how to build a bugout bag. I hope you build a great bugout bag to survive almost any emergency that may present itself.
Here are some more resources you may want.
- Urban Survival Skills List [25 Skills You Should Know]
- 18 Survival Skills Your Kid Should Know Now
- Free Survival Gear Ultimate List (UPDATED 2021)
- Survival Medical Kit (The Ultimate Guide)
- 24 DIY Paracord Bracelet Patterns With Visuals
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