How to Pack a Bug Out Bag

Packing your bug out bag is one of the most crucial steps you can take to be prepared for anything that life throws at you. Filled with essential supplies, a bug out bag is your key to surviving off the grid for at least 72 hours. While the concept seems simple enough, choosing the right gear that should be packed often isn’t as easy. It can be stressful trying to determine your bug out bag must-haves and how to pack your bag for maximum efficiency.

Well, that’s where we come in. We’ve done it already. So today, we’re going to walk you through how to pack your bug out bag so you’ll always be ready, no matter what life throws at you.

One of the biggest obstacles that many encounter with their bug out bag is overpacking. It’s easy to add item after item, causing it to overload. The heavier your bug out bag, the harder it will be to carry when you’re on the move. When thinking of how to pack a bug out bag, it is critical to only pack the essentials. This means packing the things you would need to survive like having reliable footwear, clothing, and stoves and sterno for meals. While each bug out bag is unique to one’s needs, there are some bug out bag must-haves you may want to keep in mind while packing. Some of those essential items for a bug out bag include:

• Firestarters
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Water or a water purification system
• Machete or knife
• Shelter, such as a tarp or sleeping bag

Think quality, not quantity, when you’re figuring out how to pack your bug out bag. Lugging a heavy, overloaded bag in an emergency situation is the last thing you want to do! 

When you’re on-the-go, things happen. Having backups helps reduce the risk of not having a tool that you need in the case that it breaks or doesn’t work. That doesn’t mean that you have a backup for every one of your bug out bag must-haves and overload your bag! Instead, have backups for the most important survival items in your bag, like a flashlight and batteries, a knife, and first aid. 

Determining how to pack a bug out bag is like assembling an advanced puzzle. You want to pack so you’re prepared for everything, but you also don’t want to weigh your bag down. Multi-purpose tools are a great way to save precious space (and weight!) in your bug out bag. They provide much-needed versatility in a single package and make for a handy backup for certain tools like a knife or utensil. 

Packing a bug out bag is all about balance. Contents shouldn’t shift around on your back; the bag should be stable. Evenly distributing the weight will make your bug out bag much easier to carry, especially for longer distances or extended periods of time. When determining how to pack a bug out bag, you should generally pack your heaviest bug out bag must-haves at the base of the bag and closest to your spine. Try laying out all of your must-haves before you begin to organize your bag. It’ll give you a clearer picture of the weight and size of your items for packing. 

Though it may not seem as important, strategic packing balances the bag’s center of gravity and can significantly reduce strain on your spine and back. No one wants a back injury or to be slowed down when you need to be on the move.

When figuring out how to pack your bug out bag, you want to keep accessibility in mind. Think about the things that you’ll need most often and the urgency of the item. You don’t want your canteen or first aid kit at the bottom of your bug out bag. Frequently used items and items that you need to find urgently should be easily accessible, placed in compartments on the outside of your bag or another space you can quickly grab them. Doing so will prevent you from needing to unpack and repack to find one item. It also saves you valuable time in emergency situations.

You wouldn’t keep expired food around in your home, so why would you do so in your bug out bag? An important part of mastering how to pack a bug out bag is to make sure everything in your bag is fresh and ready-to-use. That requires regularly checking on it. If you choose to pack food, it should have a long shelf life or regularly be replaced so that it is up-to-date. The same rule applies to other items that expire, like certain medicines. 

If you’re trying to figure out how to pack a bug out bag, remember that there’s no one way to do so. However, there are steps that you can take to increase your efficiency, success, and preparedness. By using strategic packing methods and sticking to the bug out bag must-haves, you can ensure you’re ready for any situation.