whats in YOUR go bag?

[akennedy73]

hmmm i've thought it over a bit and decided to re-arrange my BOB...heres my list tell me what you guys think (improvements, advice, etc)

Great go-bag/BOB list! A couple of recommendations:

You need a way to purify water.

If you actually intend to feed yourself by trapping game you need more snares - at least five or six, preferably more: http://www.buckshotscamp.com/Article-Snaring-For-Survival.htm

Also some candles and/or camping stove/fuel - and some tea along with a metal cup/pot to brew the tea. Drinking hot tea is a great way to ward off hypothermia.

Might also consider a sewing kit.

 

[rebeltf]

Have any of you tried to take a short hike with your BOB on ?

I have reorganized mine several times in the last 6 months , each time feeling it was still too heavy for long term SHTF scenarios.
Now assuming I had a car or my truck to 'pony' around in , that would not be a problem but if I had to use my feets , that pack is going to be awful cumbersome after a spell.

Now add on all the extras like my pistol belt with pistol/loaded clips , ammo , pocket goodies, sturdy clothing and... I better hope I'm in better shape if the SHTF.

 

[LHD]

I camp out of mine 3+ times a year. This serves 3 purposes. I cycle everything through. Everything is tested. I also become accustomed to where things are kept and the best way to pack it for access as well as carryability. I keep the water on the bottom of the pack but I have a canteen for quick drinks on my belt.

 

[jca21]

update:

i've made snaring lines our of clear monofilament before (fishing line) and they seem to work ok for mid-sized game. i also took my go-bag on a small walk (4 block distance) and it seemed ok... although i got a few stares from ppl cause i guess it seemed weird walking around in the suburbs with my trapper nelson pack on =)

+++added+++
water purification tablets

 

[Happy Joe]

Lets see;
A svensaw
an entrenching tool
a 6" fixed blade (medium heavy knife)
A diamond "stone"
a 1 qt canteen w/ cover
a spoon
purifying tabs
canteen cup
canteen cup stove
4 triox bars
100 feet 550 cord
a SAK (Tinker)
2 bic lighters
a magnesium bar w/insert
a white gas stove (svea backpacker) and 1 pint of fuel (will run on gasoline)
complete set of wool clothing (Except undies)(cotton for those)
a bandanna
ex mil rubberised poncho
a sil niylon tarp
heavy work gloves
wool watch cap
extreme cold bag
Toilet paper (Quadruple bagged,to stay fresh.)
an LED flashlight w extra batteries
a can of spam
a bag of hard candies
some power bars
4 MREs
spare glases
a small bottle of provodene iodine
a stretchy veterinary bandage (vet wrap)(similar to an ace but way cheaper)
a broad spectum antibiotic
A battle dressing
a pair of sizzors
several rollers of gause
Assorted fabric plasters
several gause pads
an eyecup
some aspirns
some zantack
some sutchers
chapstick
saftey pins
Some bottled water (4 one quart containers)
needle and thred (and extra buttons)
small roll of duct tape
some stainless steel wire
some woven nylon fishing line, a couple of hooks and sinkers
some salt and a few spices
a really nasty looking backpack
2 compases one as a zipper pull and one silva
several large lawn and leaf bags
small bar of soap
a comb
a razor
a toothbrush and paste
washcloth

I'm certain I forgot some stuff (like the whistle)
Enjoy!

 

[Quiet Storm]

How long could you live on your back for?

I think the kit can comfortably sustain me for well over a week, food-wise. Finding fresh water is less of a concern here, as there's plenty of fresh water in my "bugout area" - so the 3 liters, large empty container and purification tablets should be sufficient.

Have any of you tried to take a short hike with your BOB on ?

No, but I've carried heavier stuff than that for about 20 miles when I was in the army, so I'm sure I can handle it.

 

[darkestthicket]

this is a long list. lol. keep in mind i have an lbe and military pack with frame...



Lbe - black clip on flashlight, multiple lenses and 6 batteries in main pack, 1 pair aviator gloves(they have the best grip imo), 1 roll electical tape, arkansas stone, compass, water purifier tablets, magnesium fire starter, buck strider spearpoint. Tops Tracker strapped/taped across the back of the belt. uncle mikes shoulder rig, rigged to the left side of the LBE. 9mm Beretta 92 f/s Centurion in it. edit : forgot gerber multitool. lol.

Ruck - lansky sharpening kit, 2 rolls 100mph tape, 1 jar Jiff w/peanuts, 2 display box powerbars, 2 boxes (20 each count i think) hydrashok 9mm and 3 boxes .9mm FMJ (50 each count i think), 2 mini survival kits with sewing needles, thread, presoaked cotton(i added this), band aids, antiseptic, razors, burn cream, benedryl, tylenol, ibuprofen, loritabs (back pain sufferer), 1 led surefire flashlight, 1 long ass spool of paracord (not sure length its friggin long though), 2 canteens affixed on frame, SAS survival Guide, Army Survival guide (pages burn, hence having 2 manuals) 2 pair levi 501's, 2 pair socks, 2 pair plain black haynes t shirts. 4 magnesium flares. 1 extra magnesium fire starter, home made bow drill (i kept the first one i ever got to work. lol. its lucky!)
Thats about it I think. or all i can remember anyway.
Edit : will probably be adding a hellrazor to the kit when i get a sheath.


"Have any of you tried to take a short hike with your BOB on ?"
yep, this is a requirement!

 

[longbow50]

There are holes in my bags list of contents, which are filled by my EDC, Becker BK-7 with minikit, 1 gallon water and USGI canteen-cup-pouch-iodine.

600ci E. German combat rucksack.

1 USGI Poncho
1 Mora 2000 knife
1 pr. smartwool socks
50' 550# parachute shroud line
100' natural jute twine
1 pr. gloves
1 pr. wool glove liners
1 thermal shirt
1 watchcap
1 space blanket
1 Industrial 55gal drum liner
2 candles

1 1gal. ziploc bag
1 burlap bag w/handles
12 coffee filters
2 quart ziploc bags
4 Emergen-C
3 Wylers drink mix

1 FAK
1 elbow support
1 insect repellent
1 roll TP
1 writing tablet
2 pencils
1 sewing kit
1 toothpaste
1 toothbrush

1 4 tine fish spear
1 4 tine frog spear
1 cheap hammock
1 pr. chopsticks
1 fish/trap kit
1 esbit w/fuel
4 oatmeal
4 coffee singles
4 tea bags
x assorted salt, pepper, sugar, cayenne
2 oz. honey
1 cup parched corn

1 tin birch bark
1 tin homemade firestarter
2 pitchwitch firestarter
6 Spark-lite tinder
1 flame adjustable, disposable lighter

1 USGI compass
x maps of area

1 Inova mini LED light

 

[Happy Joe]

If you read my bag above you see that it makes up a pretty good selection for camping and hiking. which is what it was, largely, developed from. As I got newer stuff for camping much of the old went specificly to the BOB because it was reliable and well tried out.
I view each camping trip, and each 4wd trip as a dress rehersal, & constantly look for ways to improve.
IMO, relying on an untried BOB is like going into battle or hunting with an untried weapon -you will likely be disapointed in the results.
Enjoy!

 

[jca21]

are the inova led lights really worth their price????

*added* folding military shovel.

 

[longbow50]

I paid $7.00 for the mini at Target. Well made and has 2 power settings, as well as a strobe setting. That said, I'd been hearing how good the Inova line of lights were and when I bought the little light, I had my Dorcy Super 1 Watt Luxeon LED ($19.95) with me and I compared it to a couple of the Inova lights and found they were very well made, but didn't have the output of the Dorcy and were twice the price +. Being more of a *bang for the buck* type, I passed on their lights, but there are a lot of people out there that swear by them.

 

[ranger88]

Candles, or small oil lantern with extra oil. (BATTERIES WONT LAST!) Found it out the painfully hard way. Fire good to Shandor. Shandor no like dark.

 

[ranger88]

Shandor like new picture moving van. Remind Shandor of ice cream truck. Ice cream Good.

 

[rebeltf]

I guess what you add to your bag , depends on a lot of factors , one of which would be how long do you plan to be 'away' for ?
Since the basic concept is 72 hours something like a lantern would be unnecessary IMO.
My bag has a cheapie AA LED (Chi-Com 8 LED twisty) , not a bad little light for the whopping 3$ I got it for , runs on one AA. I keep 3 extra fresh AA Duracells in my bag too.
It's been dropped in the toilet ( dont ask how ) and it still works so I know it will handle some water lol. Also carry two fat stubby '8 hour' candles and a citronella.
Now I know if I had to scram with my BOB , on the way I out I would grab at least my two Surefires if not a few more of my LED's I keep on my top shelf , light I dont have to worry about too much.

Added notes..
If you plan on using Bics for flame , try and buy the bright orange ones , can be found much easier if dropped.
One Gent on here stated that your better off buying a real deal Bic than the
3 for 99 cent pack ones , those lighters are okay for smoking but otherwise they suck , like he said.
I've only seen caffiene tablets mentioned in a few articles , I have to say I think the addition of some is invaluable , yea it makes you thristy but I dont plan on being in the desert (in the valley here the weather is usually pretty livable and water is not too hard to come by.)


Saws -
Do you guys prefer the goods wire type saws , or the folding type such as Fiskars ?

Shanks Mare !! This is something we should all bear in mind , footwear.
Dont have to spend a paycheck for good footwear but it is essential since many of us might find ourselves using our feet for travel.
Imagine doing so in a pair of sandles or office type shoes.
I keep an old yet great shape pair of Carolina's on top of my bag , added footpad , very comfortable and durable , somewhat waterproof.
How about adding one set of extra socks in your bag ? or is that more of a comfort thing ?

hmmmm........

 

[J33psru1e]

..

 

[jca21]

j33psru1e: 1 prepaid calling card


i like the idea of having a prepaid calling card in a bob. never know when it'll come in handy. and how the heck did u fit a stove in there?

 

[ranger88]

What about the bag itself? I dont really have a "go bag", or a bag that I would single out as one. I have a couple of good duffles, and maybe an old rucksack laying around. Is there a type of bag that works better than others? Should it be large and roomy, or compact and light. I was thinking about something like a small to medium A.L.I.C.E. pack. Anybody here use one?

 

[ROCK6]

I don't have pictures of my larger Kifaru EMR...but it's usually packed for "grab bag, go hiking"

For a smaller kit that has since been upgraded a little...works well as a 72 hour kit or get-home-bag when around town, and nice to have when out hunting or day-hiking:

The Scout will easily do me for a few days and can cover most of my needs for my current situation/location. It has changes some since the pictures, but here's what I was using last year in KS:

Like I've said, a few things have changed. Instead of the MIOX, I like a simpler Katadyn pump filter...it's quicker and easier while on the move. Also, I'm a bigger fan of the folding saw over the wire/chain-type saws...I've found you really don't need to be sawing logs over 6-7" in diameter unless you're clearing a dropzone. Also, I've replaced one of the Nalgene bottles with a Siltarp for shelter...my original intent was humping my limited range of 10 miles or less, and didn't feel the need for shelter under even extreme weather...especially in an urban environment where you could wait out larger storms under over-passes or abandoned buildings. Now that my 72-hour kit is upgraded to include some rural areas, I've added the shelter.

Everybody's situation is a little different, but everybody probably needs to take a little hike and weekend camping trip to try out their 72-hour go-bag, BoB, INCH...or whatever it is to you. I've often had to finally drop that "cool" item because I never had or found a need for it.

ROCK6

 

[J33psru1e]

....

 

[longbow50]

After seeing Rock6s kit, I just wanted to share with those who are putting a kit together, that when you carry meat and consume it, you will require more water than normal. Because meat requires more water than other foods to digest and move through the system and this is in addition to what you would normally drink to remain hydrated. So, if you are in an area, like desert, where water can be scarse, it might be best not to carry and eat meat.