The world can be a dangerous, unpredictable place. From natural disasters to economic collapse to civil war, riots, pandemics, and even foreign invasions, you never know where you’ll be when one of these worst-case scenarios comes your way. In such situations, having the ultimate bugout bag prepared can make all the difference.

Because of this, many people have turned to creating a bugout bag (or a 72-hour bag, a To-Go bag, a Ready Bag, or a SHTF bag, it goes by many names) in which they can carry everything they need to survive for at least three days until conditions hopefully improve. 

The Ultimate Bugout Bag

This is a very sound idea. That is unless the assembler makes critical mistakes in creating their bag, which adds fuel to an already raging inferno of trouble. Here, we’ll discuss the hows and whys of putting together the most efficient and troublesome-free bugout bag and avoiding some of the pitfalls that newbies make that significantly hamper their chances of survival. 

Why The Concern?

One may think that something is better than nothing when it concerns having some basic survival gear for an unexpected emergency, and they would be correct. However, with some careful planning and common sense, a person’s survival chances will exponentially improve if their bugout bag is optimized in numerous categories. These areas include the ideal weight of the filled bag, the proper filling of the bag, the choice of the bag itself, and the quality of gear included. But don’t worry; everything will be sorted out below to get you on the right path to success in survival. 

Keep Your Bag Light

Many people may say more is better. However, when packing a bugout bag, more items (or more incorrectly chosen items) equal more weight, and more weight is a bad thing. Though debatable by some, the ideal total weight of your bugout bag should range between 10 and 20 percent of your body weight. Naturally, you can add more if you are fit and strong, but everyone should stay around this number. 

It may feel good if you pack heavy at home and try your bag on. But don’t make a judgment on a one-minute try-on. Instead, walk around your block or at your local park a few times for a half hour or so. If it becomes a struggle and your back and shoulders feel the burn, it’s too heavy and needs to be rethought and repacked with lighter or less gear. Remember, a bugout bag states in its name ‘bugout,’ which means to move, so your bag must be comfortable and carriable when you move.

Buying Cheap Can Cost You

Filling a bugout bag from scratch (including the bag itself) may take a bite out of your budget. All the items can add up fast and can become a bit costly for some people. When this happens, some assemblers may opt for lower-quality pieces, but this can cost them plenty later on. Cheaply made items, discounted items, or well-used items can either break on first use or just not perform the job they were intended to do.

Either way, you lose, and when you’re talking personal or your family’s survival, this could have life-threatening consequences. First-aid kits with only the minimum “basics,” a multitool that won’t cut or snap upon first use, or even a water filter that leaks are not worth the low price that may have attracted you. 

To remedy this and to find the perfect balance between your budget and quality gear, it’s best to “squirrel away” some money every week until you have enough to buy mid-grade or above-average items for your bag. Also, remember that a quality knife, saw, or multitool can last for years and will cost you much less than buying cheap gear much more frequently. 

Choose Wisely

It’s not only the weight and quality of the items in your ultimate bugout bag that will make a difference, but it’s also the correct or incorrect items that you add to your emergency bag. Simply put, are you picking the best items to include? This can be a difficult question to answer, but it becomes crystal clear when you take a more in-depth look. 

You need to start with the CORE 4 of survival, which informally means food, water, fire, and shelter. Even when considering these categories, there are correct and incorrect additions. The water category, for example, should have a water purifying device, water purification tablets, and a few durable water storage bags. These are small and effective. A poor choice would include heavy bottled or canned water or cumbersome containers with large filtering heads. 

Compact MREs are an excellent option for the food category, and small snacks are strategically positioned throughout your bag. Heavy canned meats like tuna or beef or bags of uncooked rice and beans burden the carrier and are not necessary for short-term survival. For non-core items like clothing, carry at least one extra set in case you get wet, not an entire wardrobe stuffed into your bag that takes up precious space and adds useless bulk. 

In short, examine your needs, set your priorities, and then try to find the lightest and most compact versions available. This applies to all categories, whether core essentials or minor extras. 

Avoid Back Problems

When creating your ultimate bugout bag, there are two things you need to keep in mind. First, pay attention to the proper choice of bag. Second, not all backpacks are created equal. Comfort and durability are two categories that matter greatly. Suppose you’re going to carry the pack for hours over rugged terrain. 

In that case, you need one that offers padded shoulder straps (preferably lock across your chest), comfortable lower back support, and enough pockets to allow equal distribution of gear to avoid shifting items that can cause you to become off-balance when walking. Going the cheap route may save you money initially, but the payback will be a sore back, neck, and shoulders, to say nothing of possible falls due to a shifted payload. 

Appearance

Your backpack’s style, color, and size can cause problems you may have yet to consider. If you are in an actual survival situation, then the odds are excellent that others around are too. This means people will revert to their innate survival instincts and take from others what they don’t have themselves to survive. 

Suppose you choose a large tactical pack (especially with a camo pattern) with exteriorly secured gear and equipment and live in a populated urban environment. In that case, you’re ripe to becomes someone’s target for theft. Nondescript packs that mimic school-style bags may be the way to go in this situation. Just be sure to find one that is both durable and pocket-centric to hold what you need.

Additionally, choosing a brightly colored bag in red, orange, or blue will stand out among nature’s backdrops if you focus on a more rural bugout plan. You will be putting a target on your back. A well-stocked pack is useless if it’s stolen by those who didn’t prepare beforehand. 

Plan Out Your Ultimate Bugout Bag

The bottom line is… don’t rush your bugout bag preparation. It’s far better to do your homework, read gear reviews, and make sound, logical decisions than to haphazardly toss some items into your old-school backpack and call it a day. 

The underlying idea is that this bag will allow you to survive at least for three days (HINT: a well-thought-out bag will lengthen that time to at least a week) no matter where you find yourself during and after a crisis, You owe it to yourself to get it right because your life may significantly depend on what’s secured on your back.