Maximize or Minimize?

I prefer to have an essentials + bob, small, but with enough space left over to fill a bladder with water, and add a few pick up items I might run across. I prefer to prepare for a two week situation, and depend on whatever skill sets I have beyond that. Right now, thirty five pounds of gear, food and bag are what I am working with, not including water.
That is luxury living though, over the next year I plan to replace worn gear with lighter versions.
Three cutting tools , one Hatchet, one heavy knife, one multi- tool, weigh a lot. I am thinking of dropping the hatchet.
Have a sleeping bag, but am thinking of replacing it with a thinsulate blanket.
I want to keep my Trangia stove, I have damaged too many soda pop can stoves.
 
Eramus- thanks for the tips :) I had Exos 46 that I used on several trips, a couple at six days- that was probably close to the limit volume wise. Osprey has a new pack coming out this spring- the Hornet, I'll probably purchase the mid 40-ish liter one again for my normal 3-6 day trips. I'm thinking they will also make one in the mid 50-ish range (they do for the Exos series), if all goes well w/ the Hornet- I'll probably pickup the bigger one for JMT.

I've caught Golden's here in MT, but they've always been on the diminutive end of the scale- would be fun to get some a little bigger :D
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Take what you actually will need (depends on you, and on ly you can really answer).

If you have room left, bully for you. Cinch things down, and be happy knowing that you have room should you run across a must-have [something] during your bug-out.

In other words, neither. :D
Click to expand...

I see it like the Cpl. Moderation is key in many things.
 
My way of handling the "BOB" issue has been to gather up absolutely everything I could possibly need. Then I lay that all out, and go through and minimize it from there. I find ways to replace two items with one that can handle both functions, if I can. I try to find better/lighter/more easily packed versions. But I also identify the absolute essentials and double/triple up on them (3 fire starting methods minimum, 2 knives, etc).

This is how I've handled my hiking/daypack packing, and it has served me well so far.

Then, the phase I am stuck at now, I look for a comfortable pack to fit it all in. I've got it all loaded in a big Oakley duffle that I've had since high school right now. It's durable as can be and high visibility, but it's really a car-camping back... it's horrible to carry.

Someone earlier said leaving extra room for more water was a good plan, and I absolutely agree with that. There are lots of comforts you'll miss early on if you find yourself bugged out to a shelter or bugout location or whatever the scenario, but the first essential you'll miss will likely be water.
 
Sufler said:
This is more of an inquiry out of curiosity than anything else. I'm just wondering what you prefer to do. Let's say you're building a BoB and already chose a backpack - will you maximize its capacity and fill it to the fullest? Or, minimize the amount of bare essentials needed for whatever you think might happen? I will assume that weight is the first concern - so, let's try and leave that out of the discussion. Second concern? Probably your skill level and that's why I'm just asking what YOU (personally) choose to do.

Thanks.
:D
Click to expand...

I had such a hard time with this very issue when putting together my BOB. I finally decided that the size had to be something readily useable (Maxped Monsoon)

-It had to be non tactical looking, I like the fact that when I carry it the man-purse jokes come out, its reassuring to set people at ease, they think I carry a laptop, ipod and Kindle when the contents are more like 100 oz H2o, 10" knife, firestarters, tarps, 550 cord, flashlight and batteries...

-I did not go with the standard 3 day pack, I am in no shape to hump a 40 pound ruck plus whatever other gear for any long length of time, if I had to bug anyway the extra room goes to ammo, filteration and breathing apparatus all of which weigh alot.

My thoughts on the BOB is like your knife, your gun and your other kit, it has to fit you and your life.
 
My bad I didn't read the next two pages to see this turn into a Rucker lynching.

Payette, I understand that you ruck alot of Ruckerish stuff, I for one think your posts are awesome, but then again it would be cool to see a picture.

zeke
 
Eyegor said:
When I pick a bag, pack, etc. for a given use, I've learned to pick one or sometimes 2 sizes smaller than I thnk I need. This results in the bag always being stuffed. If I picked the "right" size bag it would also end up being stuffed and even more bulky. So, it is my way of forcing myself to travel lighter.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:

That's me to a "T":rolleyes:
 
Bugging out-

My wife and I were discussing this the other day....


The most likely scenario for us having to "Bug Out" would be some sort of disaster, probably chemical in the city where we both work.

Where we would be likely "Bugging Out" to would be our house which is about 25 to 30 miles away.

We pretty much figured we'd need stuff like water, raincoat, and comfortable shoes, maybe flashlights.

All along the way there are houses, barns outbuildings and rock outcrops should we need to have shelter.

If it was chemical we would need to go upriver and come to our house from a point to the south of our house since most of the chemical plants are along the river and we normally drive down river to our house.

So really the most important things for us would be dry clothing, water and good footwear and traveling light.

On the flat we can do around 16 miles a day so it might take us 2 days unless once we got out of the city we caught a ride. Trying to drive ourselves would likely mean setting in traffic and never getting out.
 
For BoB I'm stuffing that thing full. Let's not confuse roles here. If I were out playing in the woods I'd take whatever I felt like. If there is a serious emergency I want as much stuff as possible. Even if gear wise you only took a knife and a speedo, I'd have that thing full the rest of the way with food, water and other essentials. No guarantee I'll bump in to some a mile down the road. If the load becomes to much, ditch some of it to some other BO-ers and collect the karma points.
 
adaman04 said:
For BoB I'm stuffing that thing full. Let's not confuse roles here. If I were out playing in the woods I'd take whatever I felt like. If there is a serious emergency I want as much stuff as possible. Even if gear wise you only took a knife and a speedo, I'd have that thing full the rest of the way with food, water and other essentials. No guarantee I'll bump in to some a mile down the road. If the load becomes to much, ditch some of it to some other BO-ers and collect the karma points.
Click to expand...

That last part is just plain good ol' logic right there. :thumbup:
 
I assembled the contents, then chose a bag.

My BOB is an 2500 cu daypack, grey in color. Does not look military.REI Lookout 40, 2008 model.

I estimate I've got about 700-800 cu of available space still on the inside. This cinches down when not in use.
I've added a few feet of bungee for some more storage on the outside and the pack does have 2 straps on the bottom that can hold things.

I think an important issue w/ BOB's are mobility. Stay light if you can. I also have the extra space for adaptability(weather, seasonal). You alsoever know what your gonna find out there.

Great thread.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top