After I left law enforcement I worked for a brief period at a ranch store, in the sporting goods department. One day there was a couple in the backpack aisle, and I asked if they needed any help just to let me know.
They took me up on the offer, they were shopping for a bug out style bag and wondered if I had an opinion? Well, I was just as full of opinions then, as I am now. So to start with, I asked if either had walked with a bag on their back much before? Nope was the answer.
Our back packing aisle was arranged by size; they were towards the larger end of the aisle. I walked them to the smallest packs, the day packs and overnight bags. They both looked at me kind of shocked, but I said something to the effect of when I used to carry a pack for a living and I know that 20-25 pounds is the limit to carry all day and still be able to do tasks efficiently. To set you or me up with more would being doing everyone a disservice. If you are wearing a bug out bag on your back, the biggest goal is to cover ground, not comfort via stuff. If it is in your car or transitioned between your house and car you want to have it light enough so you will have it where you want it to be.
The couple was under the impression a much bigger bag was needed, based on the commonly available research. Unfortunately, this is written or filmed by people who are selling you something and not by anyone who must carry it once it is full.
For example, about ten years ago I went prairie dog shooting with my dad and brothers. After a day or two I remember my dad’s back and shoulders were sore in a way he hadn’t sore before. He is strong guy, mind you, working a very physical job. He didn’t, however, usually carry a heavy backpack loaded with water and ammunition several miles a day, for days at a time. I pointed out that the rest of us carried these stupid bags for work, my brothers were grunts too, so it was normal too us. If I did what he did every day, then I’d be hurting in new ways too.
What I am hopefully getting across is if you have, or think you need, a bugout bag make it light and practice with it. It’s a different sort of exercise and takes some time to develop.
Do you even need a bugout bag? You are going to need to do an assessment of your area and your situation. If you are leaving your house, are you going to another person’s house or a storm shelter or where?
During fire season we keep bags stocked in case we must evacuate, often it is in the car ready to go. In Iraq our assault packs were a sort of bug out bag, I certainly lived out of it. Once I worked overseas on a short teaching assignment in a semi-permissive country. The day pack I took to the classroom also had items in it to use as an evasion bag; it couldn’t have weighed more than 15 pounds. Those are few examples of the concept in practice.
I think a primary reason people make a big deal about this concept is a combination of several things. First it is an easy project to start and complete. Secondly the people putting the most content out about are selling you something. Third, the need to evacuate because of a fire, hurricane, flood, riots, or whatever is real for a lot of people the world over. Many of those people would also be just fine if they had an overnight bag and copies of their documents, and a few other basic tools their situation dictates. Remember, if they are leaving with time to only take one bag, then they are in a hurry. Traveling light and fast, allowing them to evacuate.
Don’t over think this one guys.
-Joe
Outpost 95 