Emergency Ready: The Ultimate Bugout Bag Checklist

Bugout Bag Kit List: We live in extremely uncertain times, from the port strikes, to the war in Ukraine, and to the soon-to-be apocalyptic war in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. We have no idea what is coming, but we all need to be ready for any emergency that may present itself, and I cannot recommend enough, having a bugout bag for yourself and each of your loved ones. Please see the checklist below.

1. Shelter (You want to regulate your body’s core temperature)

• Tent, rainfly, hammock or tarp: Lightweight, rain-proof, and weather-resistant.
• Sleeping bag: You want a bag with down insulation. Down insulation is lightweight, compressible, and has the excellent ability to maintain warmth. This is what you want for cold weather.
• Blanket: You want wool, it is easily compressible, lightweight, and is excellent for warmth, even when wet. You can even sleep with 2-3 wool blankets sandwiched in a tarp on the ground.
• Emergency space blanket/mylar blanket: Use to keep you warm, for signaling, and for an emergency shelter. Drape it around your shoulders, sit against a tree, light a candle and warm yourself inside the emergency blanket.

2. Food/Water

• Water purification device: Filters and devices such as a LifeStraw.
• Water bottles or bags of water: Portable and easy to pack
• Water purification tablets: Easy to pack and small.
• Non-perishable food: MREs, freeze-dried food, energy bars, hard candy.
• Mess Kit: Portable stove, cook pot, plate, cup, spork

3. Med Kit

• Basic first-aid supplies: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, adhesive tape.
• Medications: Personal prescriptions, allergy meds, antihistamines, pain-killers, heart-burn meds, (optional but recommended-Epipen, Narcan).
• Tools: Tweezers, multitool, scissors, safety pins, cloth sail needle.
• Tourniquet: Gunshot wounds, apply so you don’t bleed out.
• Corn starch: Stops bleeding effectively.

4. Tools and Equipment

• Multi-tool: Get a Leatherman such as the Wave.
• Survival knife: Get a Mora Black or Mora Pathfinder.
• Paracord/#36 bankline, cordage: So many uses.
• Duct tape: For repairs, first-aid, signaling, cut into strips to light a fire, and make emergency fixes.

5. Navigation and Signaling

• Map and compass: Always have a physical map, find them at MyTopo, get a Suunto mc2 compass.
• Whistle: Use for signaling.
• Portable charger, solar charger or power bank: For your iPhone, electronics, etc.
• Walkie-Talkies: For comms between your teammates.
• GPS with batteries: Most reliable method; map and compass are a backup to your GPS.

6. Clothing

• Clothing: Waterproof coat, multiple layers when cold, you want real wool.
• Extra dry socks and clean underwear: Keep yourself dry, clean, and comfortable.
• Rugged footwear: Broken-in, durable, think Salomon shoes, they are the best in my personal experience and affordable. Merrell’s are good and affordable but tend to make your feet hot in my experience.
• Gloves: Protect your hands when grid down and in rugged environments.

7. Personal Items

• Hard Cash: Bring cash for emergencies, and if grid down, bring silver such as American Silver Eagles.
• Toiletries: Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes which are easier to pack than toilet paper, gold bond.

8. Self-Defense

• Hand Weapons: Buy a full-tang tomahawk, a good utility tool and self-defense weapon. Carry a good knife for both bushcraft and self-defense. I like my Mora Pathfinder. For something more intimidating, try the Becker BK9, it looks like a short sword. Also consider a foldable saw like the Bahco Laplander or Silky Gomboy.
• Firearms: Just buy a Glock in .9mm.

9. Miscellaneous

• Flashlight: Get a Sure Fire with extra batteries. A headlamp is also a good option.
• Fire-making: You want a minimum of 3 ways to light a fire, such as fero rod, lighter, matches, or perhaps flint and steel. Put in a small bag, also add tinder.
• Outdoor contractor bags: Buy at Dollar General, cheaper and more rugged than regular trash bags.
• Notepad and a pen: Use for notes.
• Cotton Bandannas: Many uses, bandaging, signaling, making char cloth, mark a waypoint, filter water.

10. Optional Items

• Fishing kit: For gathering food.
• Bivvy sack or emergency tent: Bring for a quick shelter.

Pro Tips:

• Check your inventory and the condition of your gear once a month.
• Mod your gear based on your own personal needs. Example, for me that would be including both Claritin-D and Xyzal for my allergies.
• Get your family and practice bugging out twice a year at a minimum. Try it in warmer months (spring, summer) and cold months (fall, winter).
• Try to keep your bag at 25-30 lbs or less, because ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain.
• This list is highly modifiable!