Outdoors
Sponsored by

EDC/Bug Out Bag

1,377 Views | 18 Replies | Last: 14 hrs ago by AvsB
CrocsAg20
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:40a, 1/12/26
AG
A goal for 2026 is to be more prepared. What do yall carry everyday, and what do yall keep in your bug out/go bag? I already have the pack, but I'm looking for things to put in it.

No specific scenario I'm planning for. Just things that can help me out in a pinch or give me the ability to get home/somewhere else.

EDC: cash, pistol w/ extra mags, knife, flashlight

Bug out (ideas): water filtration item, water bottle, fire starter, utensils, some type of stove/pot, MREs/non-perishable food, flash lights, extra batteries, paper map, compass, some type of digging tool, sleeping bag/mat, gloves, spare clothing/jacket, rain poncho, cash, knives, pistol w/ extra mags, ammo

Anything else I should think about or add?
Reply Quote
1
BenderRodriguez
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
1:09p, 1/12/26
AG
I don't have a bug out bag. I try not to leave a bunch of loot in my car for scumbags, and I'm typically not far enough from home for the concept of a edc/bug out bag to have any merit to my daily life.

I carry a handgun and a pocket knife every day on my person. I'll add a light if I'm going out at night, somewhere dark like movies, etc.

In my car is some medical stuff, a couple bottles of water, a noco boost battery jump starter, and a multitool. Hats/jackets depending on season.

I think consumerism has done terrible things to the concept of "preparedness". You don't need enough supplies in your car to survive being the main character of a Cormac McCarthy novel. You need to get stronger, get some emergency medical training like stop the bleed, take a handgun and rifle class or two, shoot some competition, go hunting, go camping, etc and then apply common sense to your actual needs.

I only keep a couple bottles of water in my car because that's how far I'm traveling in my car. If I was going across West Texas to El Paso on backroads I'd bring a lot more water.

Don't get my wrong, buying stuff is half the fun of being "prepared". I have lots of "stuff". But most of it really doesn't matter compared to making sure you are a physically and mentally healthy human being who is actually skilled at using anything you own. Start there, and then apply what you know and are capable of to the problem of "_________". Then see if you need a bug out bag or a car full of gear to solve your potential problem. Rinse/repeat.

Advice from strangers online who don't know your routine, your family, your needs, the area you live in etc are useless for this kind of problem. IMO.
Reply Quote
21
ChoppinDs40
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to CrocsAg20 • 1:45p, 1/12/26
AG
CrocsAg20 said:
A goal for 2026 is to be more prepared. What do yall carry everyday, and what do yall keep in your bug out/go bag? I already have the pack, but I'm looking for things to put in it.

No specific scenario I'm planning for. Just things that can help me out in a pinch or give me the ability to get home/somewhere else.

EDC: cash, pistol w/ extra mags, knife, flashlight

Bug out (ideas): water filtration item, water bottle, fire starter, utensils, some type of stove/pot, MREs/non-perishable food, flash lights, extra batteries, paper map, compass, some type of digging tool, sleeping bag/mat, gloves, spare clothing/jacket, rain poncho, cash, knives, pistol w/ extra mags, ammo

Anything else I should think about or add?


Starlink mini.
Reply Quote
2
CrocsAg20
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to BenderRodriguez • 2:25p, 1/12/26
AG
Good advice. Thanks Bender
Reply Quote
javajaws
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to ChoppinDs40 • 2:31p, 1/12/26
AG
ChoppinDs40 said:
CrocsAg20 said:
A goal for 2026 is to be more prepared. What do yall carry everyday, and what do yall keep in your bug out/go bag? I already have the pack, but I'm looking for things to put in it.

No specific scenario I'm planning for. Just things that can help me out in a pinch or give me the ability to get home/somewhere else.

EDC: cash, pistol w/ extra mags, knife, flashlight

Bug out (ideas): water filtration item, water bottle, fire starter, utensils, some type of stove/pot, MREs/non-perishable food, flash lights, extra batteries, paper map, compass, some type of digging tool, sleeping bag/mat, gloves, spare clothing/jacket, rain poncho, cash, knives, pistol w/ extra mags, ammo

Anything else I should think about or add?


Starlink mini.

We packing a bag or an RV?


I could see a starlink being a great "at-home" bug-in-bag along with a battery powered power station (with solar recharge ability).
Reply Quote
1
ChoppinDs40
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to javajaws • 3:10p, 1/12/26
AG
Starlink mini fits in a laptop sleeve and can be battery powered. Assuming the world wide internet doesn't go down, I'd argue being able to access information from anywhere to anywhere is key.
Reply Quote
O.G.
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:01p, 1/12/26
Driving as much as I do, and at the distances that I drive, I carry a lot of stuff with me. Full medical kit, way past a first aid kit. Water etc etc & of course the EDC gun/knife and all of the other mandatory stuff.

As far as a bugout bag goes. That only works if you have a set place to go. In an "event' if you need to travel over land, if you don't have a pre-determined destination, you are just a refugee.
Reply Quote
CrocsAg20
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to O.G. • 4:06p, 1/12/26
AG
If you had a destination ~75 miles away, what type of things would you want?
Reply Quote
TXJD2012
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:39p, 1/12/26
AG
I travel a fairly long distance for work. I carry a "get home bag". It contains a medical kit, some basic medicine, water, small snacks, flashlight, headlamp, gloves, small tool kit and a few other items such as maps, compass etc I'm happy to share the full contents of anyone cares.

In addition, I carry a firearm, multitool, and flashlight on my person.

Also last year I built a Starlink mini kit from an Apache Case that serves as communications in bad reception areas and could potentially be used in a disaster situation.
Reply Quote
5
O.G.
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to CrocsAg20 • 4:47p, 1/12/26
CrocsAg20 said:
If you had a destination ~75 miles away, what type of things would you want?

A good pair of shoes. Really good shoes.
Reply Quote
2
ValleyRatAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:58p, 1/12/26
AG
Nice try fed.
Reply Quote
1
Mas89
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to CrocsAg20 • 5:00p, 1/12/26
AG
12 gauge shotgun and .308 rifle with plenty of ammo for both.
Reply Quote
1
El Gato Charro
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:04p, 1/12/26
AG
Blanket, granola bars, water.

I have an extensive set of tools in every vehicle, but a basic setup of hammer, crescent wrenches, pliers, wire cutters, screwdriver, zip ties, rope, a couple of cheapo flashlights, etc will get you a long ways.

I also keep the same toolkit in my boat, and it never leaves the boat.

Reply Quote
AvsB
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:46p, 1/12/26
I don't have anywhere to "bug out" to. So I am "bugging in" - but I do have a get home bag if I am traveling by car more than 2 hours or so away from the house.
Reply Quote
4
1 edit
Deerdude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:19p, 1/12/26
Double post
Reply Quote
1 edit
Deerdude
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:21p, 1/12/26
I'm hunting just east of Hermosillo right now. In my pack I can walk home if things went south. Cartel trouble, etc.
I carry a BOB on every trip to Mx for same reason. Survival blankets is huge to keep wife warm. I have several solar battery power banks. I carry a basic filter with three clean bags that could be any combo of clean or dirty. Also carry water sanitizer pills and a steripen. Gives me three options for water.
I have propane camp stoves but you can't fly with them. Instead I went with an alcohol stove. You can't fly with flammable but Everclear is not on the list. So I've got two TSA approved flasks with Everclear. Stove works great with it I've used to boil water which gives me a 4th option for water. Carry a titanium coffee cup to boil water with.
Need to add headlamp that charges off power bank as well. Forgot this trip and only have rechargeable flashlight.
Everything electric recharges off solar battery. I keep on outside of pack to charge and use as needed. Between two of them I've not had trouble running out of power, while charging headlights, IPad, Iphone, sat phone, Garmin Explorer plus and mini 3.
Reply Quote
1
2 edits
RCR06
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:50a, 1/13/26
AG
About 10 or 15 years ago this topic came up a lot more on here. I remember thinking about items I would want to have and then it hit me "where are you bugging out to?" I don't have any land or family land to go to. I have about a weeks worth of freeze dried food at the house, lifestraw, steripen, guns, ammo, and jet boil. If it takes more than that I'm SOL.
Reply Quote
1
CrockerCock00
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to RCR06 • 10:10a, 1/13/26
AG
RCR06 said:
About 10 or 15 years ago this topic came up a lot more on here. I remember thinking about items I would want to have and then it hit me "where are you bugging out to?" I don't have any land or family land to go to. I have about a weeks worth of freeze dried food at the house, lifestraw, steripen, guns, ammo, and jet boil. If it takes more than that I'm SOL.

Tends to be the case for most. A more important measure, as a couple have called out, is a Get Home Bag. Water, socks/shoes, long sleeve sun shirt, cap/shemagh, sun screen, pocket flashlight, multitool, trail mix type snacks, USB style charge pack, and perhaps some extra pistol mags, assuming you're carrying.

Granted, a lot of it has to do with how far you normally are from home. If you work < 5 miles away, your bag is going to look different than someone who works 30 miles away.
Reply Quote
AvsB
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:06a, 1/13/26
I know it's kind of a meme these days, but I don't have anything super tactical looking with my get home kit. Nothing in multicam or molle all over it. Just a good covert bag with neutral clothing. An 8" suppressed 300 black out and a couple mags in the bag. I use the Stern Defense RAB-AD so the rifle collapsed down super small into a normal hiking style backpack.
RIP ATMHockey
Reply Quote
1
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.