Bugout Bag Items

After assembling your supplies pack them in a sturdy tactical pack or backpack (details). This is the complete list of the items in my Bugout Bag. Your pack should have plenty of extra space for clothes and additional supplies. Make your kits modular so that it easy to move items between packs. For example, you might have a single first aid kit that you move between your hiking kit and Bugout Bag. Modular kits can help if you are on a budget but consider duplicating kits as your budget allows. Items to include in the Bugout Bag include (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Air Filter to protect you from sand, dust, smoke, etc.
  • Spare Batteries for headlamp and flashlight stored in waterproof poly bags
  • Sturdy Backpack or tactical pack to carry your supplies
  • Microfiber Bandana or Towel for cooling, as a face mask to filter air, and for washing
  • Climbing grade Carabiner that can hold at least 3,000 pounds (15 KN)
  • Cash in small bills and optionally some small denominations of silver coins for barter
  • Clothing for protection and warmth:
    • Base Layers for warmth
    • Gloves that are sturdy, warm, and waterproof
    • Googles that can fit over glasses to protect eyes from snow, wind, sand, etc.
    • Waterproof Hat with large brim to protect against rain and sun
    • Insect Net to help protect you from insects
    • Panty Hose for warm, protection, water filtration, tourniquet
    • Lightweight and compact Rain Gear
  • Compass: Be sure you have practiced using it
  • Dry Bag to protect clothes or electronics and can double as a pillow
  • Fire Kit: Sparker, storm matches, waterproof poly zip bag, fire starters
  • First Aid in a waterproof bag
  • Food for short- and medium-term including high calorie ration block and packaged freeze-dried meals or MREs
  • Hand Sanitizer for hygiene or to help start fires
  • Hygene Items including toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, toilet paper, soap, etc. (keep in large poly zip bag)
  • Illumination: Headlamp, long-life flashlight, and small lantern (optional)
  • Insect Repellent to prevent bug bites and reduce the risk of bug-borne disease
  • Knives: Fixed blade survival knife, cooking knife or multi-tool knife
  • Knife Sharpener
  • Manifest on outside of pack with complete list of contents and locations
  • Multi-tools: Large with pliers and small with scissors (use as pull tab on pack)
  • Chrome metal Name tag with name, phone number, city, state, zip, and blood type
  • Paracord for shelters, splints, emergency rescues, and many other uses
  • Patch & Sewing Kit for repairing clothes, tent, sleeping pad, and first aid
  • Pen & Paper: Preferably waterproof paper
  • Sewing Kit to make repairs to tents, clothes, and your bugout bag
  • Shelter: Poncho, space blanket, tarp, bivy
  • Shovel: Medium-sized foldable shovel
  • Signal Mirror to help facilitate a rescue
  • Sleeping Bag or Sleeping Bag Liner for warmth at night (use with a bivy)
  • Space Blankets: Large (tarp style), small, and emergency bivy
  • Straps to hold gear or put a fine edge on knives
  • Sunscreen to protect you from sun exposure
  • Tape including duct tape, medical tape, and electrical tape
  • Tent Stakes that are longer and lightweight
  • Trash Bags can be used for trash and keeping things dry
  • Utensils: Collapsible cup, fork, spoon, chopsticks
  • Water in containers, water filter (Sawyer Mini, Squeeze, or Point ZeroTWO, spare containers (water bladders work well and take very little space)
  • Whistle: Multi-frequency that could be used for signaling
  • Zip Ties are useful for a variety of repair and survival tasks

Adjust your supply list if you have special needs. Include items for children, pets, elderly, or for those with special needs or medications. If you want to create a very complete Bugout Bag that will allow you to survive in relative comfort then consider including these items (in alphabetical order):

  • Cooking Equipment: lightweight cooking pot, plates, cups, utensils, can opener, etc.
  • Power: Rechargeable batteries, USB battery charger, solar charging panel with battery pack, spare batteries
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad or hammock
  • Tent or hammock with rain cover