B.O.B's

glefic

glefic

Joined
Feb 2, 2009
Messages
345
Ok so today I was thinking about bug out bags and my thoght was. That my bag is a military bag so it shit hits the fan and I was out in the street going some were. People might think that i have some good stuff and might make me a target to others. So what do you guys and gals think about that? Are you for or agenst military style bag?
 
This thread may get locked as it is off topic but if it were about B.O.B's and the importance of having a RAT in or attached to one my reply would be both. I have a RC3 attached to the shoulder straps of my VultureII and I currently have my RC5 attached to the side of my jumbo fatboy. I can easily remove it from the fatboy which is my GHB and my EDC..

To answer your question about a military bag, I would suggest something that could be hidden in plain sight. Like a LLbean bookbag and such. My maxpedition's are both khaki.
 
I think having any bag would make you a target. Maybe you should dress in rags and shuffle along with trash bags in a shopping cart.
 
I got a County Comm Bailout Bag for Christmas, and I've been EDCing it. I really think that any bag noticeably full of stuff is gonna draw covetous eyes in that sort of situation, even if it's only a Harris Teeter shopping bag or a burlap sack. The key then is convincing folks that it just ain't worth it trying to take your stuff. To quote the guy in the Dos Equis commercials: "The right look should suffice."

1Most_Interesting_Man.jpg
 
I'm not entirely sure, but I believe you are asking if, in some post apocalyptic situation you were to be running about with a bag, if anyone would care? Probably not. Everyone left alive would be carrying something. If that IS what you are asking then... Maxpedition Fatboy Jumbo + Concealed Carry = COME GET SOME in the event someone wants it.
 
I would think if it is tactical looking may draw more eyes than a standard pack but again if people are desperate they kill you to get what you have whether in a paper sack or a tactical back.
 
Iboschi said:
I'm not entirely sure, but I believe you are asking if, in some post apocalyptic situation you were to be running about with a bag, if anyone would care? Probably not. Everyone left alive would be carrying something. If that IS what you are asking then... Maxpedition Fatboy Jumbo + Concealed Carry = COME GET SOME in the event someone wants it.
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Not post apocalyptic but more like post natural disaster
 
I carry a normal looking pack everyday. All of my BOB's look like a normal thing. None of them are tacticool. The reason not necessarily being because I don't want to draw attention in a serious mass survival event, but just because I don't like people wonderin what's in it on the daily. As far as they're concerned, I'm just some dummy who can't leave the house without his Gameboy Advanced and MP3 player. I will say though that in a serious event with tons of people, I don't want anything on me that looks like it might be emergency supplies, med kits, tactical gear, etc. Mine just looks like a gay little man purse. Shouldn't draw too much attention, and if it does, they'll find out quick that it wasn't the bag that they should be concerned with. It's the side arm and extra mags inside my waistband.
 
If it looks tactical, then they may figure your a tactical person and that there maybe a weaker victim on down the road, usually predators go for the weakest easiest prey.
 
I tend to lean to the less tactical side of things wherever convenient. I live and work in the city, so thats probably where I'm going to be if the SHTF. I feel than in an urban environment, the more you can blend into the crowd, the easier it is to move through it
 
You’re on the right track and bring up a valid point. This same theory applies to rifle cases and bags which you might carry a gun in during an emergency. Often referred to as a “Sneaky Bag” in some circles.

Maxpedition makes excellent quality products for example, but I might agree a Faclon II covered in MOLLE in OD green might draw more attention to you than a black Jansport backback that you dumped your kids school books out of. It doesn’t apply to just bags though. If you’re wearing the entire 5.11 catalog and jungle boots and have an RC-6 on a drop leg rig you will draw attention to yourself more than an average Joe.

I’ve accepted that I will make decisions on gear based on what will best suit my needs. And these are things I try to keep in mind. If things got really bad for XYZ reason and my AR and a chest rig worn over a vest were what I wanted to be wearing would I draw more attention to myself than that vest worn under a jacket and my carry gun concealed?

Blend in, don’t draw attention, get to where you need to be, then adjust your gear accordingly. YMMV.
 
I live near a major military base. Many folks here dress in or carry mili-camo everyday. So carrying a BOB that looks "tacticool" would not be out of place, before, after or during a disaster.

A Maxpedition bag in a non-mili color, like the new blue one, wouldn't draw much attention most anywhere. But the Fashion Police are the last thing I'm worrying about. I'll be carrying an MBR, so going after my bag would be at their peril.
 
adaman04 said:
You’re on the right track and bring up a valid point. This same theory applies to rifle cases and bags which you might carry a gun in during an emergency. Often referred to as a “Sneaky Bag” in some circles.

Maxpedition makes excellent quality products for example, but I might agree a Faclon II covered in MOLLE in OD green might draw more attention to you than a black Jansport backback that you dumped your kids school books out of. It doesn’t apply to just bags though. If you’re wearing the entire 5.11 catalog and jungle boots and have an RC-6 on a drop leg rig you will draw attention to yourself more than an average Joe.

I’ve accepted that I will make decisions on gear based on what will best suit my needs. And these are things I try to keep in mind. If things got really bad for XYZ reason and my AR and a chest rig worn over a vest were what I wanted to be wearing would I draw more attention to myself than that vest worn under a jacket and my carry gun concealed?

Blend in, don’t draw attention, get to where you need to be, then adjust your gear accordingly. YMMV.
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Nicely said
 
When sh*t hits the fan, people aren't going to pay attention to your bag. Or at least the style of it. I don't think a camo bag will attract more attention than any other bag.
 
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eygen said:
When sh*t hits the fan, people aren't going to pay attention to your bag. Or at least the style of it. I don't think a camo bag will attract more attention than any other bag.
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I agree if they want your bag they will either try to get it or not.
 
.... 1 its how you carry yourself.... 2. you cant exactly blend in with a chest rig... 3. find a happy medium... i went with a maxped monsoon resently got it today to see about a bob/ woods day pack... but frankly it was on sale... theres some mole but it looks like it will do good , ill keep my normal county comm bag.... the monsoon seams a lot like some of my old bike bags so im not to worried ... now if your humpin and alice pack and got a bunch of mags on the out side maybe you need to think about your profile a bit
 
There has to be a compromise. With an attention grabbing Maxpedition or similar military look, you get utility and comfort. With a standard bookbag, you lose a lot of utility and comfort, but may be able to pass by folks under less scrutiny. I'd refrain from having any knives or flashlights attached to either style pack to.

Step one should be get away from people as a whole if there is a huge problem and people are flipping out in the streets. I think even a crappy used and stained Jansport pack will have people jumping on you.

I've been setting up a Maxpeditoin Falcon II in Foliage Green (great all around color for both city/wilderness/snow/sand/scrub brush IMO) as a BOB/ self contained camping / E&E pack.
 
I was in Disneyworld at Christmas and was carrying a Swissgear pack the wifey got for me, and saw people carrying everything all sorts of bags ,lots of coyote and ACU camelbacks, coulpe of old alice packs, and alot of foreign surplus ,so I'd say carry whats comfortable. If in an evac sit everyone will be carrying something. IMHO
 
hwpaintballer said:
If it looks tactical, then they may figure your a tactical person and that there maybe a weaker victim on down the road, usually predators go for the weakest easiest prey.
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I disagree - I doubt that anyone is going to be scared off because you carry a military style bag.

somberbear said:
.... 1 its how you carry yourself....
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This is much more true - walk with confidence & purpose, at least pretend to be the sort of person that those that prey on the weak would rather not mess with. The bag matters much less than the attitude you project! If you look like you are afraid of your own shadow you might find yourself being asked to drop your possessions and run away - or die, your choice!

A nervous and scared looking person carrying a bag full of goodies will fare as well in a WTSHTF situation as someone wearing a miniskirt in a prison.

As far as making a BoB look less inviting, there is a trick that photographers use in poor areas/countries with high crime rates - duct tape! A photographer will sometimes put duct tape on an expensive lens to make it look like a well used and beaten up lens - much less attractive to criminals. Similarly a cheap looking bag with some duct tape on it (that many would assume is holding it together) may give the bag a more 'ghetto' look and it wouldn't stand out as a well organised person's BoB fulled with great survival gear. You would still need to look out for people that may try to take anything of anyone, even food and clothing - for them finding quality survival gear would just be a bonus.
 
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