My buddy Keith Brown, deceased, he whom got me started this whole knife collecting "thang" was big on Ready bags, good to go....
Keith had been with the 101st in 'Nam during '67-'68, and had kept it simple since.
Part of what he imparted on to me back then still holds water today.
Rafting the Merced a few weeks back, the guides were really jazzed that I had all our gear stuffed into two duffels.
ALICE packs are cheap at the shows, carry much, and wear easy.
On a side, I'd set my ex's family up with emergency kits in blue 55Gal. drums for X-Mas back in '93. They laughed. They stopped laughing when the Northridge earthquake hit 2 miles from their home 22 days later!
Be ready, be prepared.
Mel
"Buy Quality and Only Cry Once"