A bug out bag (BOB) is a pre-packed bag you grab when you need to evacuate immediately. Wildfires, flooding, chemical spills — situations where “leave now” means in minutes, not hours.

The difference between a useful BOB and a useless one isn’t what you include — it’s what you leave out. A bag too heavy to carry is no better than no bag at all.

Target weight: 15–25% of your body weight maximum.

Water

  • 2 liters of water (bottles or hydration bladder)
  • Water filter — Sawyer Squeeze or LifeStraw
  • Water purification tablets — backup; weighs almost nothing
  • Collapsible water bottle or bag — for refilling en route

Carry 2 liters + a purification method. Carrying 12 liters (3 days) is impractical by weight.

Food

Target: 1,500–2,000 cal/day × 3 days = 4,500–6,000 total calories

  • Energy bars or protein bars (3–6 per day)
  • Nuts and dried fruit
  • Peanut butter single-serve packets
  • Jerky or pull-tab canned fish
  • Instant oatmeal or rice packets
  • Electrolyte packets
  • Manual can opener
  • Spork

Shelter and Warmth

  • Emergency mylar blanket (1 per person)
  • Lightweight tarp or emergency bivy
  • 550 paracord (30–50 feet)
  • Extra socks and underwear (2 sets)
  • Thermal underlayer
  • Rain poncho

Fire and Light

  • Lighter × 2
  • Waterproof matches
  • Ferrocerium rod (works wet)
  • Headlamp + extra batteries
  • Small flashlight (backup)
  • Glow sticks (2–3) for signaling

First Aid

  • Compact first aid kit (bandages, gauze, antiseptic, tape, ointment)
  • Blister pads / moleskin
  • Pain relief (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
  • Antihistamine
  • Prescription medications — 7-day minimum supply
  • Nitrile gloves (2–3 pairs)
  • Tourniquet and pressure bandage
  • Tweezers

Communication and Navigation

  • Charged smartphone
  • Power bank (10,000+ mAh)
  • Hand-crank or battery radio
  • Paper map of your region (waterproofed)
  • Compass
  • Whistle — 3 blasts = universal distress signal

Documents and Money

  • Copies of vital documents (ID, passport, insurance, medical info) in waterproof sleeve
  • Cash — small bills; ATMs fail in grid outages
  • Written emergency contact list (not only on phone)
  • Encrypted USB drive with digital document copies

Tools and Gear

  • Multi-tool (Leatherman or similar)
  • Fixed-blade knife
  • Duct tape (small roll)
  • Zip ties (10–20)
  • N95 masks (2–4)
  • Work gloves
  • Small sewing kit

Hygiene

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wet wipes (2 packs)
  • Compact toilet paper
  • Small trowel
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Feminine hygiene products (as needed)

What NOT to Include

  • Bulky tools you don’t know how to use
  • More than 2 changes of clothing
  • Heavy canned food (use lightweight alternatives)
  • Duplicate tools
  • Anything you haven’t tested

Adapting for Your Profile

Urban evacuation

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Transit card + simple city map
  • Know your on-foot routes — roads will be gridlocked
  • Face mask (urban air quality degrades fast in emergencies)

With children

  • Each child carries their own age-appropriate small pack
  • Include a comfort item (small toy, book)
  • Double first aid and medications
  • Child-specific documents: vaccination records, custody papers
  • Add formula, baby food, diapers if applicable

Rural or wilderness

  • Heavier purification setup
  • Upgrade mylar blanket to bivy
  • Quality compass + topo map, and practice with both

Maintenance Schedule

  • Every 6 months: Rotate food and medications, test electronics, inspect gear
  • Seasonally: Swap clothing for temperature; adjust water needs
  • After any use: Replace immediately
  • Always: Keep it in one consistent, accessible location

The Bottom Line

The goal isn’t to carry everything you might need — it’s to carry exactly what keeps you alive and mobile for 72 hours, and nothing more. Build it once. Maintain it twice a year. Know its contents cold.

Store your go-bag list and vital documents — accessible offline, always. Download GetPrepKit →