The best bug out bags to keep you ready for anything
Be prepared for any emergency with up to 72 hours-worth of food, medicine, and other survival gear.
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Osprey Farpoint 55 / Fairview 55 | SEE IT |
These 55-liter offerings from Osprey provide plenty of space and features while maintaining a low profile during worst-case scenarios. Its versatility and semi-custom fit can accommodate anyone in any situation. |
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| Best Value |
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Tacticon Armament 24BattlePack | SEE IT |
The 40-liter 24BattlePack is an excellent starter choice for new preppers. Its affordability, abundance of features, and MOLLE-compatible PALS webbing make custom prepping for any situation a breeze. |
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| Best Premium |
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5.11 RUSH72 | SEE IT |
5.11 Tactical’s RUSH72 is the perfect 55-liter bug out bag for virtually any scenario. With tons of storage space and a tough, water-resistant construction, this bag can do anything. |
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A well-stocked bug out bag is an absolute must-have for anyone preparing for the uncertainties of life. The life-saving gear packed away into a bug out bag provides enough food, water, medicine, and other life essentials for a 72-hour trek to a safe location in unpredictable conditions. The best bug out bags have plenty of space for shelf-safe foodstuffs, water, an advanced first aid kit, fire starters, shelter equipment, and navigation gear. They feature plenty of pouches, pockets, and cavities for all your gear (and then some) and are rugged enough to withstand abrasions, poor weather conditions, and any other abuse life can throw at them. In short, a bug out bag is your insurance policy against short-term emergencies that require you to be mobile and flexible. The next time a hurricane strikes, grab your bag and bug out to a safe location without a second thought about the bare necessities.
Of course, selecting a bug out bag is one thing: building the ultimate bug out bag is another thing entirely. Consider taking the time to read this handy guide to packing everything you need for a solid bug out bag and nothing you don’t. Trust us: the next time you’re in an emergency, you’ll be glad you did.
When it comes to bugging out, some people plan ahead — like, way ahead. So if you are that guy or gal who built a cabin in the woods or set up a secure location tucked away in the mountains, the gentlemen’s Osprey Farpoint 55 or ladies’ Osprey Fairview 55 is the pack for you. These 55-liter packs combine the gray man concept with features friendly for backcountry use. Each pack relies on ripstop nylon to provide a tough barrier between your gear and the elements, while the semi-custom internal frame works in cooperation with the adjustable, padded shoulder straps (with sternum strap) and padded hip belt to evenly distribute weight in a comfortable manner. This pack includes plenty of compartments and pockets for easy access, and the zip-off daypack adds to its versatility. To top things off, the compression straps and lockable zippers make these packs great for air travel.
Whether you need to bug out or get home, the Tacticon Armament 24BattlePack has you covered. This ruck adapts to any given mission with a minimum capacity of 20 liters and a max capacity of 40, yet it also has a healthy amount of MOLLE-compatible webbing to further expand cargo space. The waterproofed cotton lining in this bag protects sensitive gear and other valuables, and the double-stitched seams ensure this bag keeps going when things get rough. The waist belt, padded shoulder straps, and sternum straps keeps this backpack precisely where you want it, while the hydration bladder pouch, CCW holster, and glove-friendly zippers make this an incredibly practical option. With a maximum carrying weight exceeding 100 pounds, this ruck can handle anything, and the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty covers everything from stitching to zippers in order to boost your confidence in this pack just a bit higher.
When things go awry, people begin scrambling, making a mad dash for the proverbial door, but with the 5.11 RUSH72, you can skip the rush and skip town before anyone else knows what to do. This MOLLE-compatible backpack is ready for any situation with 3342 cubic inches of storage space (that’s 55 liters, y’all!) and 30 different storage compartments and pockets. It is constructed with tough, water-resistant 1050 Denier nylon (1000 Denier on MultiCam variants) for long-term durability and all-weather performance. The main compartments feature dual zippers, and the entire back uses self-healing YKK zipper hardware with glove-friendly tabs for quick, easy access to critical gear and provisions. The dual-density, closed-cell foam padding in the shoulder straps and hip belt wings make for a more comfortable pack, while the sternum helps keep things stable and secure. The Shove-It compartment, seemingly countless admin pouches, and other features further round out this pack.
Bugging out entails plenty of stress, but equipping your elementary and middle school kiddos with their own bug out-ready Osprey Jet 18 can cut back on extra stressors. Since your kids will rely on you to keep them safe, warm, and pointed in the right direction, this 18-liter pack is perfect for distributing provisions more evenly among your group while providing a little extra space for other essentials, such as rain gear, hats, or a small stuffed animal. The pack’s waist belt, padded shoulder straps, and sternum strap distribute weight evenly and, when combined with the breathable back and hip belt, make it comfortable to wear for longer time frames. This pack features a limited number of easy-to-access pockets and compartments for straightforward packing, and the external hydration bladder pouch keeps things from getting wet on the inside. With the Jet 18, none of your kids’ complaints will include the word “pack”.
While most serious survivalists recommend buying and building out a DIY bug out bag, plenty of pre-packed options, like the Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 Premium Emergency Survival Bag, exist to get you kick-started. This 72-hour pack includes all the basic provisions a group of four might need in an emergency situation. In addition to 48 packets of drinking water, this pack boasts four water purification straws (similar to the LifeStraw), 24 Mountain House meals, a portable stove, and a four-pack of bowls and eating utensils. When it comes to lighting and heat, the kit features a ferro rod, fire starters, and LED lantern, and Cyalume SnapLight glow sticks, and of course, not bug out bag would be complete without a first aid kit, emergency blankets, whistles, a fixed blade knife, and an actual bag for toting everything with you. While this bag may not have 100 percent of everything you need, it comes pretty darn close.
Why should you trust us
Growing up, I skipped my time in the Boy Scouts, thanks in part to my natural prepping tendencies. Since Day 1, I have been prepping and planning for emergencies of all kinds, collecting the gear and skills I need to handle potentially hazardous situations. I’m not a fan of wearing cargo pants stuffed with 35-pounds of gear, so whether it’s lugging my EDC gear everywhere or preparing for the next Snowmageddon, I firmly believe in investing in the right bag to keep my gear ready to roll. I’ve also written about bags before, from go bags to carry ons, and have covered various other kinds of gear as well.
Types of bug out bags
Bug out bag
A true bug out bag stores away all the necessities you could ever need to survive for up to 72 hours in unfamiliar settings during unsettling events. They have plenty of space for water, essential foodstuffs, medical gear, fire starters, sheltering equipment, and other user-specific items, such as a rain poncho, a compass, a multitool or survival knife, and a solar phone charger. They are tough and can withstand use in urban, suburban, or rural settings, depending on where you live.
Get home bag
While technically different than a 72-hour bug out bag, the get home bag serves a similar purpose and must meet similar requirements with the exception of size (usually). A get home bag flips the bug out bag concept on its head and instead contains the gear and provisions necessary to reach home from a number of predetermined locations, such as the office. Since most people spend the majority of their time less than three days from home, get home bags tend to be much smaller and contain fewer supplies than their big brothers.
Key features of bug out bags
Capacity
Packing 72 hours-worth of survival gear into a small bag is an impossible task, so finding an appropriately sized bug out bag is an absolute must. Since we are looking at three days of uncertainty, the ideal bag will have a very large capacity in order to accommodate space-hogging water containers. As such, try and find a bag capable of handling 40 and 55 liters of gear, depending on your specific sustenance requirements.
Comfort
Find a bag that will be comfortable to wear for long periods of time on foot. While pedestrian travel may not be a given, being caught without padded shoulders straps, a sternum strap, and a hip belt can kill your morale within minutes of having to abandon more traditional modes of transportation due to unforeseen circumstances. This principle holds true for kids, so make sure that you little people have creature comforts to match yours.
Organization
A disorganized bug out bag is another way to tank both morale and success rates. No one enjoys digging around in the dark for a fire starter, so have the appropriate pouches, pockets, sleeves, and other storage options can make starting a fire a simple exercise in Boy Scout skills (or SERE training for the special stiffs among us) instead of a reminder that failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
Profile
When things go sideways, the wrong bag can attract sideways looks. In a rural setting, a MOLLE-ready tactical bag may be an ideal option that disappears nicely into the cavernous rear of the family minivan or SUV, but in urban settings, it could attract attention from the wrong kind of people: desperate ones. In urban settings, look for a less conspicuous choice, something with “normal” colors that still retains all the essential bug out bag features.
Benefits of bug out bags
When things go south, a well-constructed, properly organized, and thoroughly-equipped bug out bag can be worth more than its weight in gold. Just like insurance, a bug out bag requires an initial investment yet can pay massive dividends should the need ever arise. All in all, this amounts to peace of mind for you and your loved ones, and this is especially true of a bug out bag customized for each member of the family. If you live alone or with a roommate or two, taking the time to plan and pack your own bug out bag and practicing with your chosen gear can be an amazing confidence booster. On the flip side, if you have kids with too much energy and curiosity, teaching them how to pack their own bug out bag and to use their own gear can be massively rewarding as well. Just think, how many kids can brag that their mom or dad taught them how to start a cooking fire or splint a broken arm? Talk about parenting points!
Bug out bag pricing
A good quality bug out bag may not be the cheapest thing in the world, but neither should it break the bank. You can expect to drop around $50, give or take, for a decent quality bag with plenty of space and plenty of pouches. That said, a heavy duty tactical-style bag will easily run you over $150, and the same can be said for well-built hiking backpacks and similar non-tactical designs. Of course, all of this is just for the pack itself and will not cover the cost of your gear and sustenance. While not often recommended, “prepackaged” bags with the bare essentials, such as food, water, and a first aid kit, are available on the market as well. These bags usually cost at least $150 and can easily shoot north of $200. That said, you will still need to round out the contents of these bags, so you can think of them as a bug out bag starter kit. For some, they are totally worth it for the convenience.
How we chose our top picks
When reviewing new gear, we much prefer to go the hands-on route, but sometimes, a lack of resources may thwart our attempts to get our mitts on some cool gear. When that happens, we listen to those who have firsthand experience. We comb through reviews on Amazon, enthusiast blogs, professional publications, and more to bring you the best, most comprehensive information we can. We sift through it all, keeping the gold and tossing the rest.
