Anything can happen when you least expect it For some reason though, most of us don’t think prepping is necessary. Some folks might even think prepping is nothing more than worrying yourself too much about things that aren’t likely to happen.
But would you place bets on your own life?
While most people are content with waiting on the government to do something in the event of a natural disaster or civil unrest, the truth is that you have zero guarantee that you will get assistance when you need it or whether you’ll get any help at all. When you start thinking of “worst-case scenarios” this way, the idea of packing a bug out bag doesn’t sound as silly.
Bug out bags contain everything you need to survive within a set time frame in case you need to leave home. What you need to survive depends entirely on what you’re packing your bug out bag for. A bug out bag for a wildfire isn’t going to have the same contents as a bug out bag intended for escaping civil unrest. That’s why some preppers keep multiple bug out bags for different scenarios.
No matter what you’re trying to survive, though, there are some essential items that are practically auto-includes in any bug out bag. These bug out basics include a knife, a medkit, a fire starter, and shelter just to name a few.
TOP CHOICES
An Overlooked Essential
Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack
- 100% waterproof, heavy-duty material.
- Tons of storage space.
- Great weight distribution that doesn’t hurt your back.
CHECK LATEST PRICE Or scroll down for our runner-ups
A Bug Out Must-Have
First Aid Only 178 Piece Contractor's First Aid Kit
- Stored in a durable metal case.
- Includes tweezers, scissors, cold packs, and burn cream packets.
- Multiple bandage types.
CHECK LATEST PRICE Or scroll down for our runner-ups
A Good Budget Knife
Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
- Made of high-quality stainless steel.
- Slip-free patterned grip.
- 4.1-inch multipurpose fixed blade.
CHECK LATEST PRICE Or scroll down for our runner-ups
1Bushcraft Survival Ferro Rod Fire Starter Kit
You don’t need to be an avid watcher of Naked and Afraid to know that having access to fire is one of the most important things when you’re trying to survive. Fire fulfills a ton of survival needs. It cooks food, lights your path, keeps you warm, and functions as a weapon.
That’s why Bushcraft’s Survival Ferro Rod Starter Kit makes a great addition to any bug out bag. This fire starter kit might not look like much but it gives you a magnesium ferro rod, a striker, and a tinder rope which is basically all you need to get a fire going. The best part about this parsed-down fire starter kit is that it’s compact enough to fit in the pocket of your bug out bag or, if you’re wearing the right pair of pants, your pocket. When you’ve carried a bag on your back for hours, you’ll appreciate how little this item weighs.
PROS
- Lightweight, no frills fire starter kit.
CONS
- Does not come with a waterproof bag.
- Very little fire starting options.
2Professional Field Compass
Most of us rely on Google Maps in our day-to-day lives but in a real emergency, chances are you won’t have access to electricity. That’s why a lot of bug out bags include maps and compasses.
While you’ll need a map specific to your area, what’s certain is that you’ll be able to use this Professional Field Compass.
The compass comes with a ruler and indicators about scale to help you navigate your map. Its size is small enough that it can easily fit in the palm of your hand and with the string that it’s attached to, you can tie it onto your bag or wear it around your neck.
PROS
- Acrylic base plate lets you see your map.
- Orienting lines and scale indicators make navigation easier.
- Small magnifier built into the base plate.
- Comes with a ruler.
CONS
- Plastic housing is more fragile than metal compasses.
3Fire and Water Resistant Expanding File Folder
Expanding folders are rarely mentioned when you look for info online about what to put in your bug out bag. However, think about what your most important documents do. A passport enables you to travel out of the country, your birth certificate is proof of your identity, and the title to your property, if you own any, is proof of ownership. You get the idea.
In the event of an emergency, your important documents are going to be among the things you want to pack so when you do, it’s best to have this Fire and Water Resistant Expanding Folder around to keep them safe for you.
The folder contains several pockets for organizing your documents and has a zipper to keep them all in. And of course, it’s fire and water resistant so your documents are protected.
PROS
- Multiple storage pockets.
- Water and fire resistant
- Heavy-duty zipper keeps documents in place.
- Color labels to help organize documents.
CONS
- No additional features.
4Woobie Poncho Liner
You typically need three separate items in your bug out bag to protect you from rain, provide you with shelter, and give you something to sleep in. With the Woobie Poncho Liner, all you need is one.
This poncho may look like it’s nothing more than a raincoat but it’s actually a sleeping bag liner, blanket, rain poncho, and shelter sheet in one. You can even use it as a blanket or keep it rolled up so you can have a pillow.
PROS
- Corner and middle cords let you use it as a shelter sheet.
- Insulated fabric functions as a blanket, sleeping bag liner, and garment.
- Waterproof and has a camouflage pattern that makes it perfect for hunting.
CONS
- A bit small when used as a sleeping bag.
5First Aid Only 178 Piece Contractor's First Aid Kit
A Bug Out Must-Have
Med-kits are an obvious addition to any bug out bag. The last thing you want when you need to survive independent of civilization is to suddenly need a doctor to treat an infection.
This First Aid Only 178 Piece Contractor’s First Aid Kit pretty much has everything you need to deal with cuts, burns, and bruises. There are multiple bandage types and wound cleaning products included, as well as a First Aid Guide that can come in handy if you need someone else to patch you up.
PROS
- Comes in a metal case.
- Several bandage types to choose from.
- Includes a cold pack.
- Multiple wound cleaning products.
CONS
- Very minimal first aid information included in the booklet.
6Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife
A Good Budget Knife
Stick ’em with the pointy end using a reliable, multi-purpose knife.
The Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife doesn’t have a lot of fancy features. This isn’t one of those survival knives that promises to be the Batman of knives. It’s a simple, fixed-blade knife made of high-quality, non-rusting steel that keeps its edge and is easy to maintain. You can use it for preparing food and cutting branches for firewood.
PROS
- Friction grip handle makes it easy to maneuver the blade.
- Made of quality Swedish steel that keeps its edge longer than carbon steel knives.
CONS
- No additional features.
7Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack
An Overlooked Essential
Okay, you have your bug out essentials. What now?
The most important step that most new preppers and survivalists forget is to use a good bag. While you don’t need to buy an expensive bag, you do need one that’s able to hold all the weight of your bug out essentials and keep them dry.
The Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack is designed to hold 35L to 55L worth of stuff, depending on which variant you get. The back is padded which makes it more comfortable to carry and it has several buckle straps that keep the bag secure. And of course, it’s waterproof.
PROS
- Heavy-duty waterproof backpack.
- Multiple buckle straps keep your essentials secured to your bag and to you.
- Has organizer pockets to hold your keys, phone, and other small items.
CONS
- Only has one external pocket.
- No water bottle holder.
