In an emergency, don’t be caught with your pants down, err ... without your bug-out bag (both are actually preferred). Get prepared with this list + pdf.
In an SHTF situation, you don’t know exactly what you’ll be facing. Having a well-prepared bug out bag, ready to go, will give you the best chance of escaping the threat and surviving — if you have to bug out. You don’t know if you’ll be slogging away from your house on foot or driving 100 miles, so be prepared, and have additional gear you can grab to go on the fly.
Consider making an inventory list by pocket or pouch so you know right where every piece of equipment is located. Check your inventory at regular intervals to ensure food, batteries, and first aid items aren't going bad. Another thing to keep in mind is the quality of what you pack. Don’t put your $300 Microtech knife in here, but also don’t put flea market bargain items in here either. You want moderate quality stuff that will serve you well in a tough situation.
Download the bug out bag list as a pdf by clicking the link below.
Note: We earn a small commission on many of the items in this post if you buy through these links but it doesn't change the cost on your end. Learn more in our FAQs.
Packing your bug out bag
Before you try and pack everything on this bug out bag list, make sure you’ve got a sturdy backpack, preferably with MOLLE webbing so you can attach extra pouches as needed.
We’ve purchased several tactical backpacks to serve as bug out bags, but this is our favorite:
Tactical backpack, three-day prepper bag
19.6” x 11.8” x 11.8”, 45L capacity with waist straps and MOLLE webbing system.
You may also want to get some stuff sacks and zip locks to organize, and vacuum seal bags to compress clothing. Water bottles and other items can be hung from the MOLLE webbing with carabiners.
Most items on this list should be one per person, however, there are some items that may work for two or more people. We’ve put these items in the shared section. Assess your needs and decide how much you want to carry.
Shared emergency gear
Let’s get to it. As you prepare items for your bug out bag, remember that some items will serve more than one person. You can pack these items with the person who will lead your team in an emergency, spread them across multiple people, or pack a separate bag that can be strapped to any bag in your group.
Pocket-sized camping stove
3.4 ounce, 3” tall, aluminum alloy camping stove. Perfect size to store inside of your 16 oz metal mug.
Butane / propane for camping stove
Your camping stove is no good if you have no fuel. Get some and pack them together for quick, easy use.
Folding survival shovel (w/ pick)
A basic tool like this will be a lifesaver for making latrines, clearing a tent site, digging your car out, and a number of other things. We like the SOG brand.
Foldable saw and/or hatchet
You’ll probably need a fire for warmth or cooking. A sharp portable saw or hatchet is your best bet for cutting smaller, easily accessible firewood.
Multi-function kinetic radio
Tune into the news or other emergency communications so you know what’s happening in the world around you.
Lightweight tent
Not every bug out bag needs a tent, but if you can carry one comfortably it will pay you back with privacy and weather protection.
Bug out bag list: food and water
Every bug out bag should have enough food and water to help you survive for three days. As you select the food for your bags, be aware of allergies and food sensitivities. You don’t want to feel like YOU-hit-the-fan during a tough situation.
Water
You’ll want to fill your water container on the way out, but it helps to have extra, sealed water pouches at the ready.
Water-filtering straws
Filters up to 1,100 gallons, removes 99.9% of waterborne bacteria and parasites. You’re made of water, what else is there to say?
Canteen / water bottle
Did we mention water?
Water purification tablets
Bugging out is hard enough. Don’t make yourself sick from drinking dirty water. Use water purification tablets on water you’ve already filtered through a clean shirt or bandana.
MREs or backpacking meals
If you’re using this bag, you’re probably in a high stress situation. You need high-calorie, nutritious food that will keep you going and store in your bag for a long while.
MREs are a great option. High quality backpacking meals are also great and easier to work around allergies. Some of our favorites are from Backpacker’s Pantry: Pad Thai, Chana Masala, and Cuban Coconut Black Beans and Rice.
Energy bars
Again, you need calorie-dense, life-sustaining food.
Trail snacks
Yes, more food. You need to keep your body fueled and your brain function at top performance.
16oz stainless steel mug
Use this as a mug for drinking and as a pot for boiling water for your yummy backpacking meals.
Bug out bag list: tools and navigation
Make sure you have some simple survival tools in your bug out bag and a few basics to help you find your way.
Swiss Army knife and multi-tool
A compact way to get 15 small tools in one. This one weighs just 3.5 ounces and is 3.6” long.
Compact fishing kit
Variety of lures, string, and hooks in a zip lock bag. Just like with Grandpa, but without the beer. If an emergency situation goes long, you’ll want ways to get food that don’t involve fighting others in a long line.
Nylon rope
Climb, lift, pull yourself and others out of sticky situations. Or tie up your kids, who am I to judge your parenting?
Sewing kit
Stuff always tears at the wrong time, and sometimes it can create an inconvenience that slows you down.
Pliers
For situations where a multi tool just won’t do the trick, you’ll be happy you had a real set of pliers.
Duct tape
This is great for tying up the neighbor’s kids (see rope above), but also happens to be great at fixing things, works as moleskin, etc… Plus, it comes in small, flat packages so you can keep your load light.
Multi-purpose sillcock key
Yet another source of water on the go!
Paracord
Versatile 550 seven-strand paracord can be used for tie down straps, shelter building, and more. Strands include fishing line, fire starter, thread, and floss.
Maps of your local area
In a chaotic situation, you can get lost much more easily than expected. Have a map of your area handy and pre-mark key spots of close friends, key rendezvous points, and places you buried your emergency ammo.
Go to the mytopo site, select the type of map, and zoom in on the area you prefer, and have a quality, waterproof, tearproof map sent to your mailbox.
Sighting compass
Waterproof, glow in the dark, adjustable declination, with a mirror. Learn how to use it.
Bug out bag list: light, heat, and fire
Stay warm. Cook food. Keep predators at bay. And, have a variety of ways to do those things.
Lighter
This makes fire. Need we say more?
Stormproof matches in waterproof case
25 waterproof matches, 3 strikers, and a case that holds up to 40 matches.
Flint and steel or a ferro rod
Another great way to make fire. Sometimes those lighters won’t spark or they run out of fuel. If you go with a ferro rod, you’ve got a firestarter that’s weatherproof.
Headlamp
A good, multi-color headlamp is crucial to keep your hands free. You’ll want to use red/green at night to keep your pupils from dilating and to draw less attention.
Flashlight
A flashlight is a good addition to your bag along with the headlamp.
Candles
These are great for shared, low, light as well as producing a little warmth. Wax also has many purposes including sealing small wounds and lubricating surfaces.
Bug out bag list: clothing
Pick out comfortable but durable clothing.
A change of clothes
Include a shirt, pants, extra socks, and underwear. Vacuum seal to keep them compact. Get vacuum seal storage bags for your clothes.
Hat
Unless you’re at the beach, the sun is not your friend. You may also want to mildly disguise yourself in chaotic situations.
Poncho
This is basically a very versatile sheet of plastic that works primarily to keep you dry.
Gloves
Keep your hands clean and cut free. Rough situations may call for you to pull, lift, and get your hands dirty. Cut up, dirty hands lead to discomfort and infection.
Bandana
So many uses, not the least of which is covering your face or dressing wounds.
Extra shoelaces
Your shoes may or may not need them but shoelaces have many emergency uses. Place extra shoelaces in your bag that you already have on hand or cut some paracord to the right size as needed.
Bug out bag list: bedding and shelter
Some shelter options are heavier and bulkier than others. Make sure you include lightweight items in your quick-grab bag and store the larger items in a secondary bag or container to take along if you have more time to prepare or if you'll be in a vehicle.
Sleeping bag
We keep a small mylar bag in our individual backpacks but we have sleeping bags in an extended kit we can grab based on the circumstances forcing us to bug out.
Warm blanket
Again, we keep a small fleece blanket in our individual backpacks with wool blankets in our extended kit.
Mylar thermal blankets
Retain 90% of your body heat with minimal weight. These mylar blankets weigh just 2 ounces and measure 52” x 82”.
Bug out bag list: emergency items
These are basic emergency items for your bug out bag, along with some extras you'll want to pack in your extended kit.
Whistle
Make some noise if you get lost so you can be located.
Signal mirror
Send signals or stare at yourself.
Hand warmers
These are compact, lightweight, and they stay warm for about 10 hours once activated. These are also great to keep your feet warm at night. If you’re bugging out in the winter, this is a must-have.
Flares
This is a handy item that you should consider, assuming you want to be found. Consider your location and situation.
Gas masks
This is another item to put in an extended kit and not something that’s necessarily needed in every bug out bag.
Bug out bag list: toiletries
Just because you're on the move doesn't mean you don't have biological needs. Take care of yourself by having the right supplies.
Toilet paper
We’ve all experienced the great toilet paper shortage of 2020. Don’t let it happen again, especially when you’re on the move.
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Pack light but don’t neglect your oral hygiene. This foldable toothbrush takes up very little space in your pack.
Feminine products
If you’re a woman, you know you can’t plan emergencies around that time of the month. Pack a few feminine products into a ziplock bag to keep in your pack.
Brush / comb
Bugging out isn’t about beauty, but it is about meeting basic hygiene needs. Make sure you have a compact travel comb or brush in your bag.
Multi-use soap
Save space and stay clean by packing soap designed to work on you, your dishes, and your clothes.
Lip balm and lotion
Keep your lips from chapping, and take care of your skin. You don’t need cracked parts while you’re on the move with limited resources.
Wet wipes
To conserve water or do quick cleanup, you’ll be grateful you added wet wipes to your bug out bag. The only thing worse than a tired, grumpy, prepper is a tired, grumpy, prepper with a chaffed butt. Seriously.
Garbage bags
Good for keeping things dry, or just gathering all your trash when you’re not moving around much.
Small towel
Wash up or dry off with the help of a small towel. You’ll need something. You’re likely not packing a shower with you.
Hand sanitizer
When water isn’t readily available but you’ve got to clean your hands, you’ll want some hand sanitizer close by.
Bug out bag list: first aid
First aid is about more than a single kit. In this section we provide a list of first aid items that can aid anything from a blister or headache to severe trauma.
First aid kit
Keep a few first aid essentials on hand for minor injuries to prevent them from becoming bigger medical issues.
Wilderness first aid book
Pocket-sized, spiral bound guide with information on common injuries and illnesses.
Moleskin
Prevent or treat blisters with moleskin so you can keep on bugging.
Colloidal silver
Colloidal silver kills bacteria on contact. It’s good for external wounds or taken orally as a mild antibiotic.
Over-the-counter meds
Keep a small stash of individual-use over-the-counter meds such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Benadryl.
Insect repellant
Prevent bug bites and itching by being prepared with insect repellant. This is especially important if you have to bug out during the warmer months or in hot, humid climates.
Sunscreen
Take care of your skin by adding some small packets of sunscreen to your bug out bag.
Activated charcoal
Have the right tools on hand to deal with poisoning and insect bites and stings via ingestion or topical applications.
Nasopharyngeal airway tube
Keep a person breathing. As with any specialized medical equipment on this bug out bag list, you should take time to know how to use everything you have — before an emergency.
CAT tourniquet
This tactical tourniquet can be used single-handed, making it perfect for an individual bug out bag or to carry as an emergency tool with a group.
Blood clotting powder
We keep Bleed Stop in our bug out bags. It’s a must have in an emergency when you need to stop the bleeding fast.
Thermometer
Maybe this is part of your first aid kit, but a thermometer is an important tool to have when your body is under stress and you’re subject to unpredictable weather.
Bug out bag list: communication
You decide what works best for your emergency communication, but make sure you have something, and that's it's compatible with whatever the rest of your group has in their bug out bags.
Burner phone
Whether or not you actually need a burner phone depends on your specific situation — are you trying to stay anonymous? There are others who are strong proponents of satellite phones. Do your research and get what makes sense to you.
Handheld 2-way radios with batteries
Keep in touch with your group during emergencies, even when you get split up.
This is a decent, inexpensive set of handheld radios you could add to our bug out bag.
Bug out bag list: documents and cash
Just because it may feel like the end of the world doesn't mean it actually is. Keep copies of the following documents and keys in your bug out bag.
Legal documents and critical health records
This may include medical records, insurance policies, etc.
At least $100 in cash and some change
If the power’s out, you’re not using a credit card to buy supplies. You may also need to buy supplies off of someone else on the move. Either way, you want to prepare ahead of time to make some simple purchases.
Extra house and car keys
Just keep a spare set in your bug out bag so you’re not trying to remember all the little things when it’s time to go.
Other bug out bag items
These other items are a starting point. Take a good look at your unique situation and adjust.
Freezer bags
Freezer bags weigh next to nothing and take up little space. Keep several on hand to collect foraged food, seal up opened food packages, or for waste.
Travel games / cards
Keep boredom or overthinking at bay. Give your brain something else to think about with games or cards. This is especially important if you have young people with you. These cards aren’t only good for playing games, they help you identify edible plants.
Specific needs for infants or toddlers
Think about your unique needs. Diapers, formula, baby sling, etc.
Batteries
Pack extra batteries for each device you have!
Scriptures and hymn book
This includes any religious materials you’d like to have to help sustain you during emergencies.
Customize your bug out bag
This list has been created from personal experiences, research, and from ordering and assembling the items to ensure they fit into a manageable tactical backpack. We’re aware that more items may be needed than will fit into a single bag, hence, the sharable items.
We have our bug out bags easily accessible in a large rubbermaid container to keep dust, rodents, or other undesirables out. We have a secondary container with our shared items and more.
As we consider emergency scenarios that may warrant bugging out, we think of a variety of factors:
What’s causing us to bug out?
Where will we go?
How much time do we have to gather supplies?
How many people will be with us?
Will we be in a vehicle or on foot?
Do we need speciality gear to counter the threat and/or weather?
Will our home and belongings be intact when we return?
We organize our emergency gear in a way that we can grab the right survival gear in just minutes.
Bugging out: the first time
We learned a lot the first time we had to leave in an emergency situation. Wildfires flared up to the west of us and wind pushed the fire almost 20 miles toward our home in a single day. When we got the call to leave, we had 15 minutes to evacuate. We didn’t have as solid a plan back then. But we learned a lot. Those learnings played into the way we organize our bags and the way we determine how much we need to grab when it’s time to bug.
Of course, this is a starting point. Your unique situation will vary so we expect you to customize where needed.
Download the bug out bag list as a pdf by clicking the button below.