Suggestions for a good, low cost "survival bag"?

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
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I'm looking for a nice bag that would serve as my survival bag. Maybe something similar in size to Pitdog's bag. I'd like something that would be ready to go for wherever I'm going. It would have my big first aid kit as well as psk items. I suppose this would be my B.O.B., but I've never be used to that phraseology for some reason. I definitely like having different compartments for organization's sake.

It think I'd prefer a fanny pack style with optional shoulder strap to a small bag pack. Idealy, I'd like to be able to throw this in whatever bag I'm using. So if backpacking or canoeing, I could just have this as a bag within a bag.

So, what does everyone use? I like the look of some of the Mountain Smith and similar fanny packs, but they are expensive!
 
Hello, i have an idea for you, what about a US Army cold weather sleeping bag, I picked on up for $ 29.00 dollars on www.cheaperthandirt.com

I like it, but i have alot of other sleeping bags, lighter and set-up for colder weather, that i only use it from time to time. But you did say a low cost survival bag.


Your friend at the post Donald S.
 
If I understand correctly, you are looking for a small bag to keep essentials in, right?
As such, wouldn't it be wiser to keep it on your body, rather than in a bag that might get lost? I've been toying with adding a kit to one of the more compact camelback hydration systems. Of course, you may pack heavier than I do.
 
How about this:
campingsurvival_1961_66611609

http://campingsurvival.com/cagistnybupa.html


# 10 1/4" X 9 1/2" X 6 1/4"
# WATER REPELLENT COLLAR WITH DRAWSTRING
# QUICK RELEASE CLOSURES
# 1" CINCH STRAPS
# TOP CARRY HANDLE
# ACCESSORY LOOPS
# VENTED BOTTOM
# D-RINGS AND KEEPER CLIPS

If you got a GI pistol belt to go with it, you'd have a very high quality waist pack for not much money, that you'd also be able to add/subtract gear from.
 
Spook is got the right idea. I have one set up for me the same way for the essentials that stay with me when I leave main bag at camp. Just pack every thing in ziplock bags just in case you take on to much water . You can make a strap out of para-cord or clip it to your belt. My seal pup also clipped on one of the side loops sometimes when i have a strap on it for a shoulder bag.
 
I'm think that I'm going to get one of the Maxpedition Proteus bags like Pit carries. The only thing that makes me hesitate is that I don't think that a USGI poncho will fit in the bag and leave any room for other gear, but I might be able to strap it underneath, but havn't seen one in person to figure that out yet. Also, for your needs, they don't come with a shoulder strap.
 
longbow50 said:
I'm think that I'm going to get one of the Maxpedition Proteus bags like Pit carries. The only thing that makes me hesitate is that I don't think that a USGI poncho will fit in the bag and leave any room for other gear, but I might be able to strap it underneath, but havn't seen one in person to figure that out yet. Also, for your needs, they don't come with a shoulder strap.
Click to expand...

I think that you can attach pouches to the outside of maxpedition bags, there might be one that would be just the right size for the poncho. Or am I thinking of another brand?
 
Mountainsmith makes several fanny packs with optional shoulder straps. Marmot has one too.

I have a couple drawstring packs-- those things that are like a nylon envelope with a drawstring top and the strings are anchored in the bottom corners so they become shoulder straps. They are used a lot for promotion-- Nike has them on a regular basis. I've picked them up at thrift stores for 99 cents. I use one for my food bag when hiking and also for hanging the food to keep it away from bears and varmits. The idea is that it can become my bug out bag if I have to leave my main pack behind. My survival gear and an extra clothing layer can fit.

I've also found self-stowing travel packs made of light nylon and good for 5-10 pounds. REI has a stuff sack that has pack strap on it that weighs a few ounces-- search on "REI Flash."There are lots of good shoulder bags by Eagle Creek and others. A lot of camera bags make great PSK carriers and have shoulder straps and belt loops too. Hydration style fanny packs are another option. Some hold two water bottles and have some storage between. You could load a Nalgene PSK on one side and water on the other, etc. Again, I've picked them up in thrift stores and yard sales for a couple bucks.

I think the ultimate day-hiking PSK rig is a hydration pack that has some stowage space. You want to carry water anyway and another 1000-1500 cubic inches of storage will hold your PSK, food, and an extra layer of clothing. I've seen them on sale for $24 or so.
 
MG_Saldivar said:
I recently bought one of these MOLLE deployment bags... They're about the size of a medium-large fanny pack but with lots of compartments. I use it to pack the PSK kept in my truck.

This MOLLE from CountyComm is larger AND is on sale...
Click to expand...

Yep, I've seen them on ebay. Same basic design as the Maxpedition Proteus bag, except the proteus is a buttpack design and has large brass zippers. I tend to shy away from nylon zippers, but in the case of this bag, if it isn't stuffed over full of gear, they should probably last a good while and for the price, it looks like a good bag.
 
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