confused about Bug Out Bag / Go-bag design...

Magnaminous_G

Magnaminous_G

Joined
Jul 13, 2011
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2,090
Hi all,

Here's one of those questions I've been wondering about for a while but never got around to asking. I've been looking at various designs for bug out bags that are sold on the popular tactical equipment sites, and I noticed something: they're all basically designed like a very thick and deep messenger bag. Does anyone know why that is?

I do have a go-bag/bug out bag/5 minute bag/whatever you want to call it, but it's a light, internal frame backpack with a proper hip belt. Doesn't that make more sense? I mean, when the sh** hits the fan, you will have to carry your gear in that bug out bag for an indefinite period. You might have to navigate many miles in urban, rural, or wilderness terrain. Is it really a good idea to have all your stuff in a tactical messenger bag, slung over one shoulder?

I have thought about it... and thought about it... and I still can't figure out why someone considered that to be the best design for a bug out bag. Am I missing something?

Thanks
 
Stop over thinking you did fine.:p

Your bag is quality right? It's properly fitted? To me, that is ideal. Not "good", not "ok" or "that will do" It's ideal. If your in a city and need to get the hell out fast and the freeway's and streets are jammed with cars, rioters, and looters, you may need to open your trunk, grab your bag and walk to wherever it is you want to be. It could be a long day, it could be a long several days. But you may not want a tactical camo looking bag with teklok webbing. You could make a tempting target for rioters/looters, etc. It may be better if instead you look like a confused idiot running amok with gym clothes and junk food stuffed in his bag. You don't need to advertise that your contents are valuable and useful.

The "Tactical bags" I've seen are actually really good and look more like your internal frame back. In Black and OD Green, they'll blend in more in an urban environment. Kifaru is a highly recommended brand and may be worth taking a look if you feel you want to upgrade your back.
 
The only advantage of a messenger bag is that you can get into it without taking it off. I suspect that labeling bags as "bug out" has more to do with marketing than function.

The bag I keep in my trunk is like yours; a plain looking 35 liter, internal frame backpack.
 
If it holds what you need to survive whatever you're surviving, it's your BOB. Comfort is key, as previously mentioned. I have a walking in the woods large fanny / waist pack BOb, and a big disaster GTFO backpack. Both work.
 
There will be as many perfect Bug out Bags as there are persons carrying them. Every one is unique to a fellow's individual needs. A person's AO, what season of the year it is, and what they expect the bag to do for them will vary from one to another.
Never has been a 'one size fits all'.

When first trying to put something together, folks tend to obsess with the minutia. Redundancy, over thinking and the desire to emulate someone else makes it hard to concentrate on the basics.
Your bag usually is designed to cover a couple of needs. Food, water, comfort/shelter and safety.
 
Mannlicher said:
There will be as many perfect Bug out Bags as there are persons carrying them. Every one is unique to a fellow's individual needs. A person's AO, what season of the year it is, and what they expect the bag to do for them will vary from one to another.
Never has been a 'one size fits all'.
Click to expand...

Says it all.

The best bugout bag I ever had really spoiled me. It's an Eagle Creek Convertibrief, a briefcase with an optional shoulder strap and backpack straps that zip into a back pocket. I carried it to work and to play. Still in great shape over 20 year later, too.

What most people call bugout bags are really gear bags. That's how I see my messenger bags, toss in the gadgets I like to have handy, with lots of room for lunch, and shopping on the way home. A true bugout should leave your hands free.
 
Having fun with the evolution of your BOB's is the best part, for me at least.:)

Comfort is king, IMO. We have many many kinds of bags and there tends to be some constant things in all of them. The core items. The rest gets tweaked with some of the changing factors mentioned. Climate, location, weight...etc.

I sure like that Eagle Creek you mentioned Esav. I got mine on the closeout shelf at EMS years ago. Needed a sewing fix and it's been the best over the years. Hands free is important sometimes and it can blend into an urban, rural or wildy scene.

I tend to over pack and be doubly redundant. My own worst problem.:)

Mark
 
Esav Benyamin said:
What most people call bugout bags are really gear bags. That's how I see my messenger bags, toss in the gadgets I like to have handy, with lots of room for lunch, and shopping on the way home. A true bugout should leave your hands free.
Click to expand...

Also, including what Mannlicher said…

For me a shoulder bag is something that is a grab-and-go and easy to access. I wouldn’t consider it a bug-out-bag. If you’re carrying any significant amount of weight and plan to traverse rough terrain, a backpack makes much better sense. Shoulder bags are good for some situations, but the backpack would be more stable, secure. I’ve used a shoulder bag in some situations where a backpack just wouldn’t go over too well. Again, don’t over-think it. I’ve also said to figure out what your requirements are (contents) and then find a bag to fit. If you can keep a small pack nearby, that’s what is important. For some, a shoulder bag is the lowest profile or more suitable…my choice would be a small pack.

ROCK6
 
Pretty sure "BOB" is tongue in cheek. They're just a tactical-looking purse/briefcase originally geared toward cops as duty bags. One of my friends gave me a used one that he'd had on duty for awhile, and then replaced. When he got a new one, he ordered me one at the same time. His carries all his cop stuff in a patrol car, while mine carries all my junk in to my work.
I doubt anyone with any sense would actually buy one to "bug out" with.
The packs that get labeled as "3 day" packs are more what I picture someone getting for a bugout bag. "3-day"..I hate that as much as "bug out". Then you have people asking about what they should buy for a "3 day pack" without having the slightest clue what they even need it for, or what to put in it. How many cubic inches do 3 days take up? I don't know, either:rolleyes:
 
I have the County Comm 3 day bag and it has about the same capacity as my Timbuk2 XL Classic Messenger, just organized into more pockets. It makes a good car bag for a long weekend, camping, or a big grocery shopping trip.

The BOB that police use is good for a walk in the woods, room for food and drink, outside pockets for camera and binoculars. It's a gear bag.

When I was in the Air Force, people talked about bail out bags or AWOL bags, about the size of a gym bag. Long weekend, grab the bag and go: extra clothes, toothbrush, razor.

But in the context of Outdoor Gear, Survival Equipment & More, a bugout bag is the gear you keep ready if a storm or a flood or a fire means you and your family have to leave now, and bring enough to keep you supplied until the situation stabilizes. That can take a large backpack, and may include family documents as well, if it's your home that's on fire.
 
I consider mine to be a bag to help me get home from work if I were unable to travel with a vehicle. It doesn't differ much from what one would take backpacking for two or three nights.
 
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