TruePrepper Bug Out Bag Guide

A comprehensive bug out bag guide for preppers both new and experienced.

This is a dynamic guide curated by all of our authors. TruePrepper Bug Out Bag Guide is constantly being updated with up to date and accurate information, so please check back frequently for updates.

Bug out bags, also known as 72 hour bags or Go bags, are usually used to bug out from a location. Survival tools, food, and water are the cornerstones of these kits. They are individual kits, meaning that even in a family, you spread food and water storage across each person’s bug out bag rather than storing it all in one or two. This follows the important guideline of resource dispersal and gives each individual a shot at survival, even if separated. There are a few variations of bug out bags designed for different functions:

• Get Home Bag (GHB) – kit designed to get you home to your supplies rather than away to a bug out location.
• (INCH) I’m Never Coming Home Bag – kit designed to support survival indefinitely .
• (SCARE) Social Chaos and Response Emergency Bag – kit designed for the biggest wildcard in emergencies: other people.

The Basic Bug Out Bag

Our basic bug out bag checklist with recommended gear for each area. There are a few options for a couple of the required areas you need to cover. 

The Bug Out Bag:

• TETON Sports Scout 3400 Backpack
• 5.11 Tactical Rush 72 Backpack

Survival Knife:

• KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife
• Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Knife

Flashlight:

• Streamlight 88033 ProTac LED Flashlight
• Black Diamond Spot Headlamp

Water Solutions:

• Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Bottle
• 5 Gallon Collapsible Water Container
• Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System
• Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets

Food Solutions:

• S.O.S. Rations Emergency 3600 Calorie Food Bar
• The Survival Tabs – 8 Day Supply

Fire Tools:

• AWL-10 All Weather Lighter
• Uberleben Zunden Ferro Rod

Shelter:

• Super Heavy Duty 16 mil Tarp
• Survival Shack Emergency Mylar Tent

Communication/Information:

• Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band HAM Two Way Radio
• NOAA Solar Crank Radio
• Coghlan’s Signal Mirror (See why this is the best signal mirror)
• Print local maps on waterproof paper

First Aid:

• 100 Pc First Aid Kit

Miscellaneous Tools:

• Leatherman Surge Multi-Tool
• Survival Sewing and Repair Kit
• Titan Mil-Spec 550 Paracord
• Gorilla Tape 35 Yard Roll
• Zip Ties

Clothes:

• Back up change of clothes (Skivvy Roll)
• Mechanix Wear FastFit Gloves

Miscellaneous Extras:

• Hygiene Supplies
• Conflicted: The Survival Card Game

The Next Step

Now that you have completed a bug out bag and are ready to be prepared on the go, you can take it up one notch further.

You won’t always have the luxury of being nearby your survival kit or even your bug out bag. That is where Every Day Carry comes into play. Just a few extra items combined with some situational awareness can allow you to be prepared for many situations at any given time. Follow our EDC guide here: Every Day Carry.