Downsizing Your Bug Out Bag
You should also leave our or trim out non-essential contents. If it’s not necessary, not critical to your survival, or is not a significant time saver or value-adder, cut it.
Things to Trim
- Water
Consider water. Water is extremely heavy, with a mere two liters weighing almost 2.5 pounds. If you’re carrying 3-5L of water, it will significantly impact your bag weight. It’s nearly impssobile to carry the recommended amount of water and still have a reasonably condensed bug-out bag; instead of carrying all that water, carry a small amount (1-2L), but keep lightweight water purification or filtration tools and know how to source water. (Another option os to cache your water in advanced.)
- Unnecessary Food
Food is important, but it’s not that important. The human body can survive over thirty days without food, and your bug out bag is only intended to last your 72 hours. That’s only three days.
Food is, of course, still important, especially in a high-stress, high-risk scenario, such as an emergency or disaster. You’ll be moving a lot, so don’t reduce your food supply too much.
Choose food that is lightweight, compact, and calorie-dense. Look for the most calorie-dense and most light-weight non-expiring food options. Packaging is a big factor here, as it ads significant weight, especially in the case of canned goods.
Balance the amount of food you include with your ability to find, scavenge, or otherwise acquire food. If you include tools to help you in food acquisition, consider that as well. Knowing what edible plants look like, and how common they are in your area, is also something to keep in mind.
- The Tent
Tents can sometimes be one of the heaviest items people include in their bug-out bags, unless they get a light or ultra-light tent. Ultra-light and compact tents are expensive. They’re a great investment, but if it’s not in your budget, you may consider trimming your tend, trading it in for tarp and parracord. Depending on your willingness to go rugged, there are many ways to build survival shelters that sufficiently protect you from the weather and wild animals, and which also better mask your location.
If you do choose to scrap the tent, make sure you consider the weather in your region. A good tent can be important in cold weather.
Sleeping Bags
Clothes
Firearms/Ammo
Packing Your Bag Correctly