This bag is for the SHTF, and having to evacuate to Western NJ, Northeastern PA, or the Catskills in NY. It will be packed and ready to go from my apartment. I may also build a second identical bag in the event I cannot get to the one at the apartment.
This is a heavy bag. Packed it is very heavy. I repacked it and had it on my back tonight. If there is hard terrain, I have a LOT of work ahead of me if I have to hoof it on foot for 5 — 10 days. Primarily, that is what it is for. I am assuming I may have to hike up to 120 — 150 miles in the event of an EMP strike, natural disaster, etc. My bag is a MOLLE II Rucksack that I bought for $49.95 on sale. I have added a 72 hour assault pack to the top of it„ two 16″ MOLLE pockets to either side of the pack, and a MOLLE shovel pouch. I am assuming loaded, this pack is 60 — 70 pounds. Pretty heavy. I will say the frame that it is strapped to makes good work of holding up the load.
I have no doubt any fat on my body would be converted to energy and I would easily lose 20 — 30 pounds from a hike of this nature. If I am lucky, I throw it in the back of my truck with some other gear, food, and water, and I am off and make it to my BOL in one piece.
I have packed it so that if I need to I can unload some gear I can do so along the way. I would not look forward to humping this on my back, but if it gets me to my BOL and family, then so be it.
This is by far from perfect I am sure. To boot, I am sure that your bag(s) are similar, with more gear, or less gear. I know by no means everyone has the same type of bag, and that some people prefer more civilian style bags, etc. I happen to have replaced a bag I thought I liked, but it had no frame, and made for a dead load that weighed down my back. The load was not carried high, and maneuverability was hard. So I replaced it with this one. More money spent. Ugh.
Shelter
- 1 x 2 man tent, waterproofed (Inexpensive Tube Tent)
- 1 Rothco hammock
- 1 x Bivy Tent (taking off of bag)
- 1 x 6 x 8′ 10mil plastic tarp
- 1 x large plastic sheet for ground underneath tent
- 2 x space blankets
- 2 x emergency rain poncho
- 1 x roll duct tape
- 1 x 100′ + foot 550 cord
- 5 x 33 gallon trash bags
- 1 x mosquito netting
Food
- 5 x MRE Main Course Meals (Re-shrink wrapped)*
- 10 x MRE 1.5 oz Peanut Butter Packets (Re-shrink wrapped)*
- 4 x MRE Chocolate Brownie (Re-shrink wrapped)*
- 2 x ER Bar — 3600 calorie 72 hour emergency ration bar (Bought 1 to try first)
- 1 x Assorted Gatorade packages for water
- 1 x repackaged / freeze dried coffee / tea / sugar / salt / pepper
- 1 x WWII Mess Kit
- 14 x 45lb x 24″ steel fishing leader (used as snares)
Water
- 2 x 1 Quart Canteen (One canteen has a canteen cup) [Grab & go gear]
- 1 x 2 Liter Bladder [Grab & go gear]
- 1 x bottle water Polar Pure purification iodine
- 1 x bottle of iodine tablets
- 1 x Katadyn Hiker PRO Water Filter (Filter good to 750 liters)
Fire
- 1 x Esbit hiker stove with packages of Trioxaine
- 1 x zippo lighters
- 1 x container liquid Butane for lighter
- 4 x package waterproof matches
- 1 x bag waterproofed strike anywhere matches
- 1 x bag homemade fire starters
- 1 x 36 hour candle
Communications
- 1 x Portable CB radio with rechargeable batteries
- 1 x emergency crank radio with recharge kit for mobile phone(s)
- 1 x prepay mobile phone with phone cards
- 1 x laminated mini phone directory of family and friends (Do in Word / Staples to Laminate)
- 1 x Signal kit w/ mirror, penflare and 5 flares, whistle, handheld flare, signal panel, extra rechargeable batteries
- 1 x solar battery recharger
- 2 x walkie talkie
- 1 x Signal Mirror
- Extra Batteries
Tools
- 1 x Collapsible fishing pole, fillet knife, lures, etc.
- 1 x leatherman multi tool (Actually have two of these)
- 1 x Altoid EDC Kit
- 1 x ka-bar marine knife
- 1 x Cold Steel Bushman Bowie
- 1 x Mora Swedish Military knife
- 1 x Gerber folding saw
- 1 x mess kit with 2 spoons, 2 forks, 1 knife
- 1 x 9mm pistol [Grab & go gear]
- 3 x magazines for 9mm [Grab & go gear]
- 2 x box 9mm 50 rounds FMJ [Grab & go gear]
- 1 x 9mm 50 rounds (hollow point) [Grab & go gear]
- 1 x Henry .22 Survival Rifle (Pocket of BoB)
- 1 x 4 x 32 scope (mounts on Henry Survival Rifle)
- 1 x Brick 500 Rounds .22 Caliber Ammunition (High Velocity) [Grab & go gear]
- 1 x .22 semi automatic pistol [Grab & go gear]
- 3 x magazines for .22 pistol [Grab & go gear]
- 1 x Tactical Vest with cross draw holster
- 1 x Shoulder holster
- 1 x Tactical Leg Holster
- 1 x assault rifle with three 20 round magazines (DEPENDS ON LOAD) ??? Questionable and may switched out for a lighter load weapon.
- 1 x Monocular
Light
- 6 x eight hour light sticks
- 1 x maglight flashlight
- 1 x mini flashlight / lantern
- 1 x crank flashlight
- 1 x 9 Hour Candle Lantern
- 1 x package of baby wipes
- 1 x shrink wrapped/crushed roll of toilet paper
- 4 x tubes of camp soap (from target or other camping shop)
- 2 x toothbrushes
- 2 x tube travel toothpaste
- 2 x package of dental floss
- 2 x tube of chap-stick or other
Clothing
- 1 x two pair boxer shorts vacuum sealed
- 1 x t‑shirts vacuum sealed
- 1 x pair cargo pants vacuum sealed
- 2 x pairs socks vacuum sealed
- 1 x extra fleece vacuum sealed-nice and tight
- 2 x pairs gloves-nomex/winter
- 1 x wool caps & Baseball cap
- Note Amazon Wish List for Winter gear items to purchase
- 1 x spare sunglasses
- 1 x Goggles (for winter and bright summer days)
- 1 x pair mil spec hiking boots
- 1 x Summer and long sleeve base layer
- 2 x bandannas
Medical
- 1 x Adventure Medical first aid kit w/ bandaids, neosporin, meds, eye drops, dental repair kit, tape, etc. (Large)
- 1 x bottle of claritin for allergies (50 + count bottle)
- 2 x Eye drops (for allergies)
- 1 x blow out kit w/ H bandage, TK4, Traumadex, Primed, ACE, 2 safety pins, 14g needle, Nasal airway, gloves
Misc. Gear
- 200 — 500 dollars cash
- 1 x roll quarters
- 1 x maps of AO, routes etc (YET TO BE DETERMINED)
- 2 x Pen, pencil, waterproof paper grease pencil, sharpie
- 2 x prepaid phone card
- 1 x Thumbdrive w/ business, personal, and medical information
- Copies of Social Security Card, Passport, Drivers License CCWs Weapons Ownership Documents, etc. in paper format as well
- 1 x USGI lensatic compass
- 1 x compass with emergency whistle,
- 1 x small button compass
- 1 x sewing kit with assorted safety pins. needles, and kevlar thread
- 3 x hand warmers (disposable)
- 1 x knife sharpening kit
- 1 x knife sharpener
- 1 x sleep system
What you see in the red above is either in progress or needs to be completed yet. The bag is a work in progress. You will no doubt have also seen some redundancy of items you may or may not think as important. I added them ( two mylar blankets, two emergency ponchos,etc. Some of these things can be used for barter or a companion that may or may not be along with me.
As for anything marked [Grab and go gear], this is gear that is in a bag near my BOB and can be picked up on the way out the door, that is not packed in the bag.
Let me know what you think, as I know for more experienced outdoors-men this may be overkill. It may be overkill for me as well, but you don’t know until you know.
Lastly, I did not mention specific brand weapons here, as I do not want to reveal to everyone what brands they are, etc. Call me a little paranoid, but I figure there is no reason to discuss that yet. If you follow the blog, eventually you will figure it all out anyway.
I am hoping to have a bug out weekend shortly, where I can take most of my gear on a three or four day hike/camp out before summer is over to give the bag and my body a once over.
Good pack/inventory. I purchased the same pack as a backup to my CFP-90 pack, though I do find the MOLLEE II to be more comfortable.
My BoB inv;
http://suburbansurvivalist.wordpress.com/bob-inve…
I’m a bit embarrassed to say this is my 3rd bag, due to trial and error, and frankly, this is the best one for me for the load I have found…
Great bob. I am using the Large alice pack and frame. I need a stronger frame so It can be used seperate from the pack as a transport system to carry heavy stuff like wood, extra water, rocks, shot or trapped game etc. Redundancy is not that much of a problem for small light items. I have done the same as each is stored in a part of the total package so I can drop part and run and still have some very needed stuff. My nephew is looking into the same pack as you please let us know how it works out for ya. Load and miles covered, you know the good and the bad.
Will do… I plan on a test weekend, or I hope to this fall. I’ll keep everyone in the loop. Thanks for the comments!
Hi may i recommend for your assault rifle go with the cx4 storm 40. i have it and its nice light weight and does the job also by any chance did you serve in the military
CAPTDIFF, I did not serve in the military, less the two years of Army ROTC in college, (many of my friends have and still do, however) I almost forgot about. This is a neophyte’s journey for me, and I am learning as I go. Is my bag too packed? Quite possibly. Am I sure I can trek on foot as far as I have to, nope, however, I am working to get in better shape, as well as stay that way so that if the situation arises, I can make the best of it in a better physical condition.
remember you may have to run, jump, and climb can u do that with ur pack
CAPTDIFF, Oh, I know, and I have hiked part of the trail that I would be hoofing it. I already realize I would have to scale down the pack for the hike to my BOL. I’ve been trying to be as realistic as I can.
Hi well when i go on patrol i like to bring what i know im gonna need and what i could need so for both i bring the minim of both. But i do on occasion depending how long i might be out and where i go from my fob i bring alot of gear and equip but if i dont have to i wont because its much harder to run and jump with all that shit but if i know i have a ride i tend to bring alot but if i dont its hard to take it all, so i recommend for you a atv
@CAPTDIFF, I’ve thought about an ATV, however, where I live, that would draw a LOT of attention on the streets until you hit rural land. Technically, it would lighten my load, because I could get to my destination quicker (hypothetically) but I would have to add a cache of fuel for the trip. Trade offs are clearly give and take.
well if you happen to have a friend who has a house outside the city like upstate some where ask if you can keep it there
Good point…
Seems a little excessive to me. The OP complains about it being a heavy pack and that it might prove difficult for long distance hauls. Personally, if this were the case I would remove some of the non essential items. Hammock could go, and also you probably don’t need three knives. I would stick with the Ka-Bar as it would prove a good hunting knife and self defense weapon, along with being a good all around cutting tool.
As far as weaponry goes, I think maybe you have a few too many weapons for your load. I would stick with an AR as your long gun. I would recommend a .260 caliber. Very flat shooting, long range round. It doesn’t have much more recoil than a .223, but comes with better stopping power guaranteed to put dicks in the dirt. This makes it ideal for hunting and self defense. I like to keep my engagements long range and not up close and personal. As for a secondary/backup weapon then it is really up to you. A 9mm does have better penetration than a normal load .40 or .45. I prefer the .357 SIG. It’s a .40 necked down to a .357, giving it the power of the magnum with more manageable recoil.
These are just some suggestions. I recommend experimenting with different loads and definitely take your bag out on a few dry runs. Only take what you would if you were to bug out and then maybe tailor your bag based on the experience. Oh and if mosquitoes are even a remote possibility, take DEET. Smells like shit and feels oily but it’s the best stuff. Good luck to a fellow survivalist.
Walowik — Thanks for the suggestions. One of my goals this winter is to refine the contents. As for the weapons I know there are holes in my choices… I am taking some tactical courses and will be doing some re-evaluations there as well.
Thanks for reading, and feel free to keep suggesting!
it might be wise to stick to the more common calibers, you mentioned .260 and .357sig, these are good rounds, you pointed out their advantages, but it is harder to find those rounds, something to think about.
I would try to stick with a common NATO issue round, .223 (5.56mm) or 7.62mm. In the event of a conflict it will be easier to find NATO issue ammo than anything else.
I think in the event of conflict .223/5.56 will fly off the shelf faster than anything else and it will be hard to find. Everybody has an AR nowdays. I’m sticking with 7.62x39.
I’m a 7.62 guy as well. But don’t be fooled. It too flies of the shelf…
Thanks for sharing. I would go much lighter. I am planning my pack with items that can double for other uses to keep the weight very low. I have one survival knife and one concealed .38 special.
If we have a pretty good idea where we would go what of burying sealed containers along the route where we could get to them if needed
Hello, my name is Zach and i recently created my own survival website. The website url is http://zachjensensurvival.webs.com/apps/blog/
I have came to a point where I need to include the content of other survival blogs to help explain what is in a bob or a good bag. Would it be ok if I put your link onto my page to help the people who visit my website get more information? I can site your name and your link together.
Thanks Zach jensen
Absolutely, Zack. It is appreciated as well…
Hey, My name is Zachary Jensen and I have created to website http://zachjensensurvival.webs.com/apps/blog/
I want to give the people who look at my page all the resources they can get and so I wanted to ask you if i could put your link into my descriptions of survival gear and tips and what not, to help they get a better idea on ways and items that help them survive.
Great things you’ve shared with us. Thanks Zach
Thanks for this post, and I really appreciate the links. Been slowly stocking up on beans and bullets for the past six months, and am now working on the BOB and assorted hardware. Your post is something that I’ve referenced many times now.