Word. I'm starting at SHTF.
Not to derail your thread cause I'm a gear junkie, these bags are fun to put together and talk about, and possibly they have their place but: SHTF bags differ from place to place. I don't see any city or state listed on your initial post so generic has to do. After having a bag containing items as you describe for many years, I am changing my thought process on bags. A BOB stocked for running off into the woods is not feasable where I live. We have 6 million + people and are growing every day. Nuclear power plants, Military bases, industry, and financial centers that would be targets for any would be bad guys. A more likely scenario for a bag is having essential items well organized so that you can get out of dodge and as far away from the threat as soon as possible if possible. The large events that I have watched unfold from a distance (thank goodness) that dictated just such action have been more along the lines of natural disasters and the need to be prepared, leave early, and not wait for everyone else to decide they need to get out. Being prepared may not mean having a well stocked bag sitting in the closet. It may mean being aware of what is going on a all times, keeping your gas tank as full as is feasible and having a tentative plan for a few scenarios that are more likely for your location. Having a smaller bag with essentials with you wherever you go is more appealing to me these days. I don't mean strapping a backpack on everywhere you go but having essential items in a bag that can be moved from your house to car, to work where feasible, to a hotel room etc: may be the ticket in a real emergency. Items like cell phone & charger, flashlight and batteries, cash, credit card, personal protection of your choice, small amount of food, water and filter, medications, basic first aid meds and kit, personal needs bag, seasonal appropriate clothing, etc:
I could be way off here folks but it seems to me that the
likelyhood of a tornado, earthquake, dirty bomb, Nuclear reactor issue, etc: is way more of a threat than anything I can think of that would cause me to think I needed to head off into the woods and build a shelter and fire as opposed to trying to head out of town to a friends house or a hotel at a safe distance from the threat. These are the things I prefer to be prepared for. It will be somewhat different for each of you but hopefully I made enough sense for you look at it from this perspective and then make the choice that fits your need.
Food for thought.
