Volumes have been written on what/how/why to pack a Bug Out Bag (BOB). In general, a BOB should support the Survival Rule of 3’s. These are the things the human body needs to survive, no matter the situation, including:
In general, a BOB should contain:
You should read several blogs and/ or books on this subject, compare the lists, and hone it to one that you may actually use. There is a lot of good information out there on the subject, but also some worthless stuff. Read with a skeptical eye if the writer is trying to sell you certain specific items. Always, always, always try out your gear before you need to use it, so you have time to substitute in something that works better. For example, those handy-dandy, lightweight, credit card sized multi-tools are pretty worthless and can easily break when you need it most. Suffer carrying the extra few ounces and get yourself a real Leatherman tool, or something like that (and not the cheapest one you can find, either). This is one of those times when paying a little more for quality (if you can afford to) may save your life in the end.
Keeping things light is essential. Your pack should weigh no more than 25% of your weight, or 35 pounds. Certainly, many people can carry much more than this, but for how long? Carrying ¾ of my body weight 10 miles in my youth was doable, but not something I would attempt 35 years later! Besides, if you are carrying much more weight than 35 pounds, you are hauling too much. Switch out heavy, bulky clothing items for the newer, thinner, and warmer materials (Under Armor, 32 Degrees, etc.). Ditch the heavy tent, as it will be the first thing to be dropped along the way, anyway. Opt for a lightweight tarp, military grade poncho, or a couple of mylar safety blankets. While the metallic shine from the mylar blanket could give away your location, there are some on the market that have a duller color on one side. Mylar safety blankets are cheap – they can be found for under US$1.00 on Amazon, so buy a few, as they weigh virtually nothing.
As a last resort, large, heavy duty contractor grade garbage bags or yard bags can be patched together to make a shelter. They can keep water off, acting as an impromptu rain poncho. There are many uses for these bags, and you won’t regret tucking away one or two in your kit.
Food must be lightweight, somewhat nutritious, and should be able to be eaten without having to add (much) water or heating up over a fire. Avoid packing bulky cans, although if you do pack a few, pack canned fruit because you can supplement your water supplies with a few gulps of liquid the liquid it is canned in. Caveat: those little lunch bag-size plastic fruits? I you carry these, make certain they are enclosed in their own plastic zip bag, or you may very well have a mess inside your pack.
Foil pouches of tuna, salmon, and other meats make it easy to take along much needed protein, and do not require a can opener to open them. Also convenient to pack and somewhat nutritious are protein bars (be sure to try them out beforehand!) Throw in a few packets of powdered Gatorade or Tang, along with a cup, to help replenish electrolytes. The cup is essential, and if you are worried about space, get either a collapsible one or attach a metal or plastic cup to the exterior of your pack with a carabiner clip through the handle.
Nuts, seeds, and trail mix are the hiker’s quick energy resource. Nut butter (think peanut, almond, Nutella, etc.) and a spoon are also great to carry if you have room. While pre-packaged peanut butter or cheese stuffed crackers may seem like the ideal choice for your pack, they will be crushed to crumbs after you drop your pack once or twice. Decide for yourself if it is worth using the space in your pack for a hardcase plastic box for crushable or squishable items. You may find it easier to carry jerky and pepperoni sticks. Items that require refrigeration, bruise/squish easily, or are too bulky should not go in your food supplies in your pack. If you are worried about constipation, carry dried plums (we called them prunes in my youth), or some other dried fruit or fruit roll. Lastly, a few pieces of a favorite hard candy at the end of the day or as a quick recharger take up very little space and can be a great morale booster, especially for the kids. Chocolate is heavenly. If you can’t live without it for a few days, slip some in your pack. You might end up having to lick it off other items in there, but the desperate will do what the desperate will do.
After stuffing your pack with the essentials, put on your pack and take a practice hike. If it hurts, adjust the pack or find one with better padded straps. An excellent place to find what you need, and cheaply, is a thrift store or Army/Navy supply store. Packs can easily cost in the hundreds of dollars. If you are rich, you probably are not hiking to your bug out destination, anyway. For the rest of us, find an easy to carry pack with strong seams. If the weight or bulkiness of your pack is too unwieldly, consider transferring a few items to your jacket or cargo pants pockets to even out your load. Layer your clothing and tie it on your pack or around your waist when it is too warm to wear. Get rid of ANY non-essential items, particularly if the item could reveal your location to others or worse, animals bigger than a bread box. You won’t need perfume or hair dryers and forgo vanity and leave the make up at home!