There are a ton of articles already out there about bugout bags. Such bags are considered a primary staple of all prepping and emergency preparedness after all. While all of them share some of the same fundamental attributes, there are a few different things you need to take into consideration when building a bugout bag meant for collapse preparedness, because there is a big difference. This article will go over everything you need to know about a collapse-prep bugout bag.
Traditional bugout bags are meant for temporal situations, just the supplies needed to get you to a safe place nearby or tide you over through a natural disaster until you can return home. But, in a collapse situation, there is no safe place nearby, and you won’t ever be returning home. That is just the way it is, and preparing for such a situation requires a few changes to the normal bag loadouts.
I want to mention that there is also the concept of the INCH bag, which stands for “I’m Never Coming Home,” Such bags are a bit closer to a collapse-prep bugout bag, but they do tend to focus more on long-term deep wilderness survival rather than a permanent change to living in a combination of wilderness areas as well as the extensive urban and industrial ruins left over by civilization. Another difference for a collapse-prep bugout bag is that you will take into consideration your other preparations when building it, such as having other survival caches stashed along the way and also having a clear destination in mind.
Remember, when we talk about prepping for collapse, this means the total, and permanent, end to organized civilization on a large scale. And that includes all the nasty things such a collapse will come with, such as the melting down of unattended nuclear power reactors, massive zones of destruction from military actions, rampant sickness and disease, and the formation of large, violent groups that will survive by preying on others.
And so, a collapse-prep bugout bag is meant to carry the supplies necessary to cover a variety of situations that may occur on your way to a new permanent destination. Such a destination should, if you have been following along with the rest of the class, be a previously established secure bugout location. If you have not set up such a place, then you should have at least done some scouting and preparation of your area of operations. This means knowing about potential locations you could use or convert, points of interest in the area such as sources of water and materials, and maybe even the locations of supply caches you have prepositioned. The bugout bag should contain all the tools and gear you would need to traverse this AO safely and to begin setting up a permanent new base.
Now, that being said, this bag design is more of the variety for general purposes, where you may be having to set up in some previously scouted, but minimally prepared location. Because of that, it is large and heavy, packed with a little bit of just about everything. If you already have a prepared location stocked with supplies, then you will want to use this as a base template to pare down from. Bugging out with 60 lbs of gear is okay when you have a vehicle to run with, but if you don’t need to try and walk with it, I wouldn’t.
So, what you need to do in that case is create a smaller, lighter bag that is specifically tailored to your unique plan and environment. Something just well enough equipped to get you from the starting point to your final destination and nothing more. The general rule to follow in the case of a long-endurance foot march is to make a bag that is no more than about 15% of your total body weight. For more on what this kind of bag would be like, and for an in-depth look at the philosophy behind it, take a look at one of my videos where I showcase my own emergency bug out bag, which you can find here.
I have written in more detail about preparing your area of operations elsewhere, but the simple idea is that the more you get things prepared beforehand, the less you have to worry about during the actual crisis event of collapse. Your bugout bag can be all the lighter if you already have many of the needed items scattered along the way in survival caches and other hidden locations. For the purposes of this article, and to be thorough, I am including many items in this list which can be done away with by previous staging. There are some things that will be critical to your future survival, such as having a seed vault, but there is no need to have to carry the thing with you. It should already be in place somewhere, either at the final destination or along the way. Other survival caches can be used along a route as well, to store things such as long-term emergency food supplies, the good stuff that lasts for 25+ years.
Remember, everything that you get staged now, in advance of the collapse, will be one less thing to have to carry or worry about later.
The Guiding Principles
Simply “bugging out” when the SHTF is not much of a plan, and no one bag is really going to make it any better. You aren’t Chuck Norris or Bear Grylls, and even if you are, it is still not a great idea to just “wing it” when it comes to bugging out in a collapse situation. For the most part, one person couldn’t survive long term and thrive permanently using just the contents of such a bag. Perhaps a group could do it, but even then, you are much better off having planned for collapse and prepared your area of operations well in advance. Your bugout bag is meant to help you execute those plans, it isn’t a plan in itself.
This is the ultimate guide and gear list for your collapse-preparedness bugout bag. It contains only the essential items needed for an evacuation from a chaotic or wartorn urban location, followed by a long-term wilderness survival situation and extended occupation of ruins and temporary camps post-collapse.
This is the primary way it is different from a traditional bugout bag, or even an INCH bag. Other bags are meant for short- or long-term survival situations, after which there is a return to normal. Everything from fleeing the destructive forces of a hurricane for a week or two, all the way to having to live through something like the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As bad as those situations are, they are both localized or regional, and above all, they are temporary. Collapse is not temporary. The collapse of civilization is a permanent thing, and the beginning of an entirely new world that will not truly begin to develop for years or even decades. It is the new normal.
The guiding principles for bugout bag creation are the same as for all collapse prepping. You must recognize the fact that what you are preparing for is the complete and total end to civilization, and you must make allowance for the difference between short-term and long-term survival. In the short term, most of the traditional priorities still apply, such as staying hydrated and avoiding exposure to the elements. But one major way in which collapse prepping differs from the traditional is that you will now be in a situation where signaling to others and searching for help have the very real potential to make your situation worse, not better. Remember, there is no help coming; you are the help.
That means there aren’t things like whistles and signal flares associated with a collapse prep bugout bag, nor will there be high-visibility orange and reflective items that are meant to make you more visible. This is an SHTF situation, and you never want to attract attention to yourself or your position. In fact, what you want is the exact opposite.
Normally, food procurement is the main priority in the long term, and that is still mostly the case with collapse prepping. But there is one other primary element added in, and that is security. Whether you have prepared a location in advance or you are planning to head for a spot to establish one, security joins food as an equally important factor for your long-term survival. You still need to be able to make temporary shelters, start fires, and keep yourself hydrated, etc. But being warm and cozy won’t matter if you starve to death or get raided and robbed of all your supplies and maybe even lose your life. You must realize that long-term survival is about security, not just food.
For that reason, you are encouraged to set up or plan for a location that takes advantage of the very best type of defense there is: Defense-in-depth. For more on this concept, see my article on bugging out and bugout locations, but in short it means distance. Putting as much distance as possible between your location and any threats. And by threats I mean sources of significant human population. To that end, your BOL is probably a great distance away from where you will be when the SHTF event goes down. That means you will be facing an early version of what others will face should they try and come to your spot post-collapse. A very long, arduous, and difficult journey. Your bugout bag needs to reflect this.
Operational Guidelines
There are several fundamental principles that will apply to your bag, everything you put in it, and the uses for which those things are intended. When deciding what items to include, always make sure they are up to snuff when it comes to these principles.
Durability
Make sure not to skimp on quality when it comes to tools and gear. In a post-collapse world, these items will not be easy to replace. You can’t just run out to Home Depot or click on Amazon to get new stuff when the old stuff breaks or gets used up. It can sometimes be challenging to get past the normal mentality of cutting corners when it comes to things you “probably won’t ever use,” but that is where having the mentality of a true collapse prepper comes in. You have already made the conscious choice to accept the inevitability of collapse. You have looked at the data and evidence and have seen where things are headed.
You absolutely will be using this stuff.
So, make sure all items are of quality manufacture, durable and rugged. Make sure to inspect secondary attributes as well, not just the primary purpose of an item. For example, with denim clothing, sure the fabric might seem very durable, but what about the stitching? Are there zippers or buttons? Are the insides of the pockets also made of heavy cloth?
This type of thing goes for all your items and gear. Make sure everything is kept as simple as possible in function, and consider reinforcing the weak points of some things, such as sewing patches on the knees of the above-mentioned denim jeans.
Redundancy
Perhaps you have heard the mantra, “Two is one; one is none.” Something the Navy SEALs used to say, among other professionals when it comes to hostile environment operations. Basically, it means that if you do not have a backup for an item, consider that you don’t have the item at all. No item is complete unless it has at least one backup. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to carry two or more of everything, it just means whatever function is covered by one item should be able to be fulfilled by another item in the kit. Operational redundancy means that if you lose your primary firestarter you can still make a fire using a different tool.
Familiarity
Something that can be hard to imagine is how your gear will perform in a total collapse scenario. Especially after you have been out there for a long time, chronically stressed, exhausted, starved, and under-performing. There won’t be much room for optimism in the early days of collapse, so you must prepare for the worst and expect it.
The only way to really know how your equipment is going to perform is to actually get out there and use it. Practice with your equipment and imagine having to use it during long duration harsh conditions. Put it, and yourself, to the test.
Along the lines of this is a simple rule to not bother bringing some items if you are unaware of how to use them properly. Plan for your strengths and for your specific training when it comes to choosing gear.
Practicality
Make sure that you have your plan in place before you go trying to put together a complete bugout bag. Because there is no one set of gear for all possibilities. You have to consider the elements of your planning, your own skills and physical abilities, as well as the area you will be operating in. All of those and other factors have a huge bearing on what goes in your bag.
You wouldn’t waste space and weight packing a super-heavy winter jacket if you were operating in a hot desert environment, and in that type of place, I would say fishing gear gets reduced in priority.
Think about what you are physically capable of carrying in terms of weight and bulk, and also how each item in your kit works with your planned bugout process and objective.
Bugout Bag Gear List
Here I will break down a general list of gear and supplies that make a good starter for a proper collapse-prep bugout bag. Remember, this isn’t one of the small bags traditional preppers recommend for surviving a few days during a disaster until things return to normal. This is a real bugout bag, a Get-The-Fuck-Out-Of-Dodge bag made to see you on your way to your new forever home because civilization is gone and it’s never coming back.
Below this article, I have put together this list in table format as well, with the specific gear I use, if you want to jump right to it.
The Bag Itself
A 45 to 75L backpack should be plenty big enough. Remember our guidelines, durability is key, so look for a military-style pack made of at least 500D Cordura Nylon. You bag should be the last item you get so you can make sure everything is going to fit well in it. An external frame would distribute your weight better if your Bugout Bag is heavy, but you shouldn’t make it super heavy. You are going to have to haul this thing around for quite some time, and possibly over difficult terrain, so keep it as light and comfortable as you can. Internal frame packs also work great. You can also look for one with pockets on the hip belt for easy access to things you need often such as a scope or compass. And make sure your bag includes a well-fitted rain cover as well!
SHELTER
Tent or Tarp: Depending on the bug situation in your area of operations, you might want to bring an actual tent instead of just a tarp. A three-season tent would last years if properly cared for and kept in a shaded spot. Choose carefully, because this could end up being your temporary shelter while you build a permanent one. It is worth considering the extra weight if mosquitoes would make your life miserable. If you choose a tarp consider a 10ft x 13ft ultralight camping tarp. They are very light and save space and weight over a tent. You must really take care of your tarp, and be careful with fire. Your tarp can even be a key component of your permanent shelter.
Sleeping Bag: There are three primary branches for sleeping bags; down bags, synthetic bags, and hybrid bags. Down bags are easily compressed and lightweight, but are not really viable in a long-term survival situation. Synthetic bags can be bulkyand heavy, but retain insulation much better when they are damp. Hybrid bags can be a good compromise. In my opinion, and based on my own experience, a synthetic bag is the way to go for a long-term survival sleeping bag. The important thing is to bring a bag rated to the lowest temperature you would expect to encounter within the area you will be operating in. Even if there is only one day of the year when the historical average drops to -5°F, bring a bag rated to at least -5°F. Also, a two-bag system like the Snugpak or US military bag can be a good idea. Always plan carefully depending on your area and the weather you will be exposed to. Shelter in the desert means something entirely different than shelter in the tropics.
Mosquito Netting: Having a decently large multi-use mosquito netting system for your camp or tent will make a huge difference when it comes to keeping bugs away.
Hammock & Straps: A good compact and well-made hammock is an excellent addition to any bag. There are many varieties to choose from, even some with rain covers and others with full-enclosure mosquito netting. These are perfect for quick-camps and to get you up off wet ground.
FIRE
Creating fire is one of the primary things you will need to be a master of for survival purposes, as it will be needed constantly for a variety of tasks. Redundancy here cannot be over-done, and most firestarting methods are very small and light allowing you to pack a wide variety of them.
Lighters: Plain old Bics. These will probably be your primary fire-starting method most of the time, and you should bring a few of them just in case. Each one can be used to start thousands of fires, so if they are well taken care of they can serve you for a long time. Make sure to wrap them for a bit of waterproofing and use some tape to keep the button from being depressed accidentally which could cause you to lose all the fluid.
Ferro-Rod Firestarter: A good flint & steel should always be carried as a backup method for starting fires, and good ones can last for over 20,000 strikes. It is also a good idea to pair it with a good magnesium bar which can provide a special form of chemical tinder to start fires in any conditions.
Magnifier Lens: A good glass magnifier lens can be used over and over as long as you have sunlight to magnify. Make sure you have a good soft leather or microfiber bag for your lens to prevent scratches over time and the thing will probably last longer than you will.
Stormproof Matches: Sometimes you may find yourself in need of fire very fast in adverse conditions, and for such a situation, nothing is better than a good stormproof match. Able to burn even underwater, such matches are a must for emergency survival. Make sure your kit contains a few extra strikers as well.
Tinderbox: By the time you get to making a collapse bugout bag, you should have all the knowledge you need to make tinder out of just about anything. But, every once in a while you might find yourself in a situation where every single thing is wet… and in that case, having a small sealed container dedicated to tinder is a good idea. You can make your own or buy commercial stuff, either way, make sure to have some dry stuff.
WATER
Along with fire comes another primary staple of survival, water. Having water for both cleaning and to stay hydrated will be critical, and so you must bring along methods to both carry water and purify it for drinking. When it comes to carrying water, don’t waste time on things like hydration packs as they are not really durable enough for this application in the long term.
Water Bottle: You will probably have more than one, but you should have at least one primary all-purpose water bottle. Make it a wide-mouth stainless steel or aluminum bottle, not vacuum or otherwise insulated. A metal water bottle will not break if it freezes or bumps up against rocks or tree branches, and it will allow you to boil water in it when necessary. Try and aim for at least a 750ml capacity, and look for one with a handle that will make it easier to use over a fire. Boiling water is always going to be your best and most economical way of killing microbes, so you will probably be doing it often.
Purification Tablets: Especially considering that almost anywhere you go will not have any guarantee of clean water, consider bringing some standard purification tablets with you as well. These will be useful when you are in a hurry and do not have the time, or the fire, to boil water. 100 tablets don’t take up much space and can treat 100 liters of water easily.
Filtration System: There are many filter systems available out there, and this is one of those things where you should choose the best option for you and your environment. Filtering is important because it isn’t just microbes and bacteria that you need to worry about, There can be all sorts of sediments, heavy metals, microplastics, and other chemical toxins that cannot be removed by either boiling or purifying water. Those need to be filtered out. I tend to be a fan of things such as the Grayl filter-press bottles, as well as Lifestraw-type filter systems, but for such a bugout in a collapse scenario, you need to consider more long-term solutions. Once you get somewhere permanent, you can make your own filters out of other materials, but for the initial period you should consider a filter-pump system. Yes, I know they are expensive, but this is your life we are talking about here. Drinking contaminated water is one of the quickest and most debilitating ways you can screw yourself in a survival situation. Don’t cheap out on your water. And don’t forget extra filters!
UV Purifier: These are electronic devices that use ultraviolet light to kill water-borne microbes and pathogens. Such systems will require recharging, but that is something you should be able to handle with small solar-powered battery banks. The upside is that as long as they are taken care of they will last a very long time.
NAVIGATION
This is a special category which has a lot of variables, but there are some basics to make sure you have covered. It is going to be very important that you know where you are going and don’t get lost in the process of going there. Much of this is knowledge-based stuff, your area of operation should be something you have already spent time becoming intimately familiar with, but still, there are those basics.
Compass: A sturdy compass of good design in a protective case is a must. Make sure and go with an air-filled or induction compass as they won’t develop air bubbles that can make other compasses close to useless. Go with either a lensatic or mirror compass to use for advanced land navigation techniques. Make sure it is waterproof and impact resistant as well. Also, you can stick a few of those tiny air-filled button compasses around your gear to be emergency backups.
Wristwatch: Things of the past, I know, but the past is exactly where we will all be living post-collapse, and much farther back in time than the wristwatch, I’m afraid. A watch is an excellent tool to have and contains many functions for very little dedicated space. A good expedition watch will share several specifications, being solar powered, very durable, and packing sensors such as a compass, altimeter, barometer, and more, all into a small package that only takes up a little arm space. Very much worth it.
Topographic Maps: This is another of those special tidbits that will be entirely custom to your own bugout plan and area of operations. I discuss the concept of collapse mapping in detail elsewhere, but at the very least you should have several topographic maps (1:250,000) covering the entire area of operations you will be in. You should also carry more detailed maps (1:50,000) of the special locations within that AO. They should be plastic or laminated, paper isn’t going to last long. Previous scouting for the purpose of mapping out places of interest will allow you to mark these maps with locations of things such as all the man-made structures, abandoned mines, cattle watering tanks, natural springs, and wild edible harvesting areas. Anything that will be of use. Gathering intel on your area of operations is an article in itself. For our purposes here, the idea is to make sure that you have all the maps and information about your AO that you can. Digital backups are important as well, something I talk about in detail elsewhere as well…
CalTopo is a very good resource for topographic maps. You can create and download maps for a custom area where you will be operating, and they are perfect for navigation with a mirror compass. In addition to topography, most forest roads and trails are also marked. CalTopo has many layers that you can choose from including satellite imagery and others that, you guessed it, I discuss in detail elsewhere. You should print these maps on weatherproof paper and use a waterproof map case as well.
COOKING
You are going to need to cook your food and boil your water regularly, so you need to have the right tools for the job. Focus on the most versatile implements as space is at a premium for bugout, and you don’t need to waste it on specialized things. So, that’s a big “No” for your French coffee press…
Cookpot: A shallow and wide 1-liter pot would be pretty versatile. You want to make sure it has a lid and a handle that won’t melt from fire. Either titanium or stainless steel would be best, aluminum can melt if left unattended. Titanium will make it very light and strong, and that comes with an increased cost. Stainless steel is heavy but cheaper. You will want to save as much weight as possible, and again, you don’t want to cheap out on your survival gear. And make sure it isn’t Teflon coated inside. Teflon taints your food if it overheats and is loaded with PFAS toxins.
Utensils: A small set of eating and cooking utensils is good to have, and there are some good light sets that don’t take up much space. This would include something like a small mess kit. If I had to put it all in one, I would go with the full Kelly Kettle set. This is a well-made set with a long-standing reputation for quality in outdoor circles.
Stove: I don’t recommend regular fueled camp stoves because once the fuel is gone, what use are they? Instead, pack a good metal folding stove that you can use with wood and other fuels found along the way.
FOOD
Gotta have something to cook, right? Well, when it comes to bugging out for collapse, you are not going to carry too much food with you. Hopefully, if you have been following along with the rest of the class, you will have spent some time out there in your AO setting up survival caches, guerilla gardening spots, and other useful things. But still, you need something to tide you over and you also need the tools to feed yourself down the road.
Hunting Weapons: Now this is a special category because there are a wide variety of things to choose from and much of the choice will have to be based on your skills and your area. Still, there are some basics to think about. The survival standard when it comes to firearms is the .22 long rifle round. And there are some good survival rifles to be found made specifically for the task. There are also choices in bows and crossbows and even some air rifles that are anything but toys. The primary consideration here is to have a couple of options for versatile weapons that you are already trained to use and familiar with. Make sure to consider how much ammunition you can carry, and the availability of it in the future in a post-collapse world. Arrows are easier to make and reuse than bullets…
Bow & Arrows: As I have already stated above, having something is a must, and I am including my own best pick. Either a takedown recurve bow or folding survival bow would do well. A 45-lb survival bow would be the most practical. A traditional bow is lighter than a compound one and easier to fix in the field. They are also more forgiving when it comes to using improvised arrows. Take some time to practice and learn to shoot without sights. Also, consider packing a lightweight arm guard as well. You will want to bring as many extra bowstrings as you can, and at least 8 good carbon arrows. Pack a selection of small game points as well as a few big game broadheads.
Ration Bars: Every bag should have at least a few thousand calories worth of dense ration bar food. In the initial evacuation from urban areas, the environment is going to be dangerous and chaotic, and there will be no time or safe place to stop and set up a proper camp for cooked meals. You will need some nutrient-dense food that you can eat on the go, High-calorie ration bars are the ticket, and I tend to have around 7200 calories worth in my own bag. I also stuff as many little oatmeal packets in as I can.
Fishing Gear: Depending on your area of operations, lakes, sea coast, or rivers will be more prevalent. If your AO actually has some places nearby where fishing can be an option, then you will want to include the gear for it in your kit. Fishing is a great way to supplement your diet, and it is easier to manage than hunting for many. The first item up will be line. Braided line is more versatile and easier to handle than monofilament line which will degrade over time. Bring a few hundred yards of 35 lb strength line and a few more of 65 lb braided line. Use it for trotlines as well as fishing. You should also have a large assortment of hooks and fishing tackle such as sinkers and such. Strong and big hooks would last longer. Small hooks could break easily if a bigger fish gets hooked. They are very small, so bring as much as you can as these are not so easily replaced. You should also consider bringing a breakdown fishing rod, or even a small telescoping one, as well as a few nets like cast nets and gill nets.
Slingshot: Very small and packable, and capable of taking small game even when forced to use small stones for ammunition. It does take some practice to get good with a slingshot, but it can be invaluable for times when silence is needed and when there is no ammunition to waste from other methods.
MEDICAL
First-aid gear is going to be incredibly important in a collapse scenario, and having the right supplies can easily mean the difference between life and death. Make sure that you assemble your first-aid supplies into their own separate and clearly marked bag or satchel. The last thing you want in an emergency is to be fumbling around in a giant pack trying to find medical supplies.
First-Aid: Make sure to get a good base set of first-aid gear, one that includes all the basic necessities already. You can then add to this, once again depending on your Area of Operations and your general bugout plan. Make sure to create small containers of medications to add to the kit, as well as extra bandages and standard consumable items. Add as much stock of different medications as you can, things such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and allergy medications especially. Ideally, you should already have enormous quantities of medication stashed away at your bugout location, but there is no such thing as too much…
Tactical Shears: A good pair of compact and foldable emergency shears need to be included in your medical kit. Having more than one, if possible, is a good idea as these shears can serve many purposes. But at the least, a single pair dedicated to medical use is key.
Israeli-Style Compression Bandages: This proven style of compression bandage is a tactical first-aid device for the staunching of blood flow from traumatic hemorrhage wounds in emergency situations. You will want to include a few in your kit. Quite simply, these are the best emergency bandage there is to compress a wound and close it to stop bleeding.
Suture Kit: Suturing wounds in the field is usually a bad practice. But, in a collapse scenario, there is no alternative, so you better have a kit if you need it. Make sure the wound has been cleaned properly, and you have taken preventive antibiotics: you could use an absorbable suture and needle (3/0 or 4/0) at your own risk.
Basic Surgical Set: Again, not something that is recommended to use in the field, but this is the end of civilization we are talking about here, and at some point you may have to do what you have to do. At least having good tools helps.
Medications: You will want to create sealed containers of various medications, both general stuff and any specific prescription requirements you may have. Allergy medication, pain and anti-inflammatory meds, etc… Pack different antibiotics for emergency use like cephalexin for example. Antibiotics are going to be a huge deal post-collapse, so make sure to have as much as you can on hand. There are several companies now that sell case-packaged sets of prescription antibiotics directly for preppers, so that is something to take advantage of. There are also veterinary versions, which are the same things, so…
Tactical Tourniquet: Not something fun to think about, but having a tourniquet in the event of a catastrophic injury to a limb can save your life or the life of someone else. When it comes to the use of tourniquets, and all other medical devices, make sure that you get yourself trained up with some basic first-aid classes before SHTF.
TOOLS
There will be many tools that you will want to include in your bag, but this is a category where you really have to try and maximize your weight management. Good tools tend to be heavy tools, and too much weight can turn your bag into a burden.
Knife: A fixed blade, full tang knife that is comfortable to use extensively would be best. I usually like stainless steel knives because they will hold an edge longer, but a carbon steel knife that is sharpened more often would be great as well. Don’t go for a serrated knife as your primary since you won’t be able to sharpen it in the field using local materials. In addition to your primary knife, you should also have a smaller tactical folding knife for quick access and simple tasks.
Axe: Choose a good survival hatchet with a sheath or case. A hatchet is a must-have tool for survival, and you can even find ones that contain other tools within such as a saw or firestarter. A regular long axe is another option and would be great for shelter building, and felling trees, but they are much heavier. Ideally, your group should have both types.
Saw: Having a good folding saw will come in handy for quite a few applications, but especially for building shelters and such. The vast majority of building projects you will have are going to involve wood, so having a good folding saw as part of your kit is key.
Entrenching Tool: Otherwise known as a tactical shovel or folding spade, this is a multi-function tool that collapses down into a small carrying case for transport. At the very least you should get one that has a good shovel head and a pick attachment. Some others also contain knives and even saw blades as well.
Multi-Tool: These many-function tools have a great many applications and they can put quite a few tools in your hand in a single simple package. In addition, adding one of these to your belt can cover the redundancy requirements for many other items in your kit.
Lights: Lighting will be important in several applications, but in general you will want to have one high-power flashlight, one good headlamp, a small tactical light, and at least one powered lantern. Try and go for solar and USB rechargeable items when you can, as these can be powered indefinitely using solar or crank recharging systems.
ELECTRONICS
Yep, still gonna want to keep the dream of electrical power alive for as long as possible. And in reality, there is no reason even portable systems can’t last for many years. The vast majority of other systems are something you will want to have stored away in more permanent locations, but some items you will want to have with you in those first days, weeks, or months of collapse.
Solar Battery Bank: There are plenty of these out there these days, but make sure you get a quality device rather than some of the more generic ones that overstate their capacity or durability. You don’t have to go too extreme, and often just 8 to 10 thousand mAh capacity is good enough. Try and get one that has more solar panels than just a single one.
Emergency Radio: In the earliest days of collapse there will still be quite a bit of information you will want to have, and most of it will be broadcasting across radio frequencies. Having a good survival radio with weather and more will be a big advantage. Multipurpose systems will also serve as lights, power banks, and even as hand-crank chargers. Make sure the one you get includes shortwave as well as NOAA and AM/FM bands.
Power Generator: You will want to get either a solar power system or a hand-crank dynamo-type power system, depending on your needs and environment. This should be a standalone unit, not part of other systems.
Communications: And yes, here it is, the venerable Baofeng UV-5R radio that is either loved or hated by every prepper out there. Yes, in order to use the ham radio to transmit you would need an FCC license… pre-collapse. Post-collapse, there are no more laws or enforcement or even an FCC, so don’t worry about it. Make sure you get yourself trained for ham radio use.
CLOTHING
This is one of those categories that will vary greatly depending on the region where you live and plan to be bugging out to, as well as your personal needs. Think about layers, extreme durability, and certainly versatility. Depending on where you are, and where you may be going, you could be facing torrential rain storms, freezing snow and ice blizzards, dry and intense desert heat in the day, and bone-chilling tundra cold at night. You may be hiking wet muddy trails, steep rocky desert terrain, or thick tangled forest, according to where you live. Try to avoid cotton and down. Instead, pack wool or fleece, and even some synthetics. Learn to layer your clothing like military forces and experienced expedition adventurers do.
You should be looking to bring only the bare essentials. The amount of clothing you would need during a long-term scenario would be prohibitively heavy and bulky, and this is one of those things you should be staging in quantity across your AO and at your intended bugout location. To get more mileage out of your available space, I recommend using compression bags to tightly pack clothing items. Most clothing choices will be common sense ones within these considerations, but let’s go over a few items specifically.
Raincoat: Your raincoat should be one made of layered Gore-tex fabric. Gore-Tex is probably the best waterproof breathable membrane in the industry, and this is one layer you don’t want to skimp on. Backcountry skiing jackets are ideal because of their durability. You could make do with other lower-cost, 3-layered waterproof breathable membranes, but make sure the face fabric is at least 40 denier nylon or equivalent. The 3-layered construction ensures durability in the face of extended use. Having armpit vents helps to reduce moisture buildup inside. Make sure you get a larger size so that you can wear all your winter clothing underneath this jacket, making it your final outer shell. For environments of a warmer nature like the tropics, or where rain is less of a concern such as the desert, having a solid rain poncho could also be a better option. A full poncho also has the added backup capability as an emergency tarp shelter as well.
Pants: It is incredibly important to have strong durable pants that can stand up to heavy abuse. You could be bushwhacking through thick forest growth, crawling along muddy ravines, and scrambling up rocky mountainsides, and you want pants that can handle all of it. Heavy mountain hiking pants (non-insulated) would be the most durable. They should also have side zippers for moisture venting.
Base layers: Your top and bottom underwear layers are an important part of your clothing system. What you want here are wool or synthetic fabrics, which will transfer your sweat to the outer layers. Don’t go for cotton layers because when wet, they extract heat from your body much faster. Make sure your choice is a durable one. Try and pack a couple of sets if you have the room.
Footwear: If you want versatility go with a durable hiking shoe, if you want durability go with an urban leather boot. Ideally, you are looking for a combination of the two. Another option is a good pair of tactical boots designed for long-term use in harsh conditions. It would take an entire article to really get into the importance of footwear. For now, I will just say that you should focus on durability and versatility. I encourage you to pack a second pair if you have the room.
Overshirt: A good quality long-sleeve synthetic shirt that you can use with its sleeves rolled up would be perfect. For hotter climates, you can get ones with mesh at the sides for increased breathability. If there are tons of bugs around you can roll down the sleeves.
Headgear: Having a boonie hat or a cap would help you keep your head cool, literally. It also works in conjunction with the hoodie of your rain jacket to keep rain off you. If there are a lot of bugs in your neck of the woods, a head net is a must. Your boonie hat should work well with it to keep the netting off your face. There are many lightweight options out there and they are easily repaired. You will appreciate having one. I also recommend having a good beanie and mask combo, for colder areas and times. There are hot weather versions as well that deserve a look.
Belt: You are going to need something to hold your pants, and to carry a knife, hatchet, or gun holster attached to your belt. Pack a durable but lightweight belt. I usually default to leather here, but the synthetics are just as good. Go for traditional buckles, none of that fancy click-in stuff that can break down the line.
Socks: It is important to have good socks that will work well for your environment. Go for durability and look for ones with extra padding at the weak points. Try and pack about four pairs, if you can.
Gloves: Make sure to pack at least one pair of good gloves. Durable thin leather gloves would do the job. They can have insulation in the back of the hand as long as the inside of the palm is made of leather for durability. You can also bring something along the lines of a tactical glove, and even a pair of extreme winter gloves as well, depending on your planned activity and your environment.
GENERAL SUPPLIES
These are a few items that do not serve any specific purpose, but that will be very good to have for a wide variety of uses. Most of these things can be stuffed wherever there is room, and fill any unused spaces.
Cordage: You will want to have as much good quality cordage as you can for a long-term survival situation. Strong cord will be hard to find and even harder to make. Pack around 250ft of 550 type III nylon paracord. Also, pack about 250 ft of 2mm cord for use when breaking strength is not as important. Whenever there is spare space or weight, stuff some cord into it. Cord can also be used as the handles of tools and strung up onto your pack itself. Also bring along some even finer twine and thread, even fishing line and wire. You can wind this around other items easily without sacrificing space.
Duct Tape: Good duct tape can be used for a wide variety of purposes, and is easy to store by adding it to other items. You can wrap some on handles, bottles, and even roll it around pencils and lighters.
Sewing & Repair Kit: Put together a good sewing kit with durable threads and extra patches. I tend to use upholstery threads because they are extremely strong. You will also want to include large needles for working with leather and such as well. Bring lots of needles! They are very tiny, but also very hard to replace post-collapse. Pins, clips, buttons, and all the rest. Everything you have after the collapse will either be things you had before or new things you have made out of old stuff, so having the tools to repair and modify items will be critical.
SPECIAL ITEMS
You are gone. You have left civilization behind and there is no going back because there is nothing to go back to… Think about that for a moment. Consider what things may be easy to find at some later date from the ruins of the world, and what things may be needed sooner than it is safe to go out salvaging. There are going to be some things you will want to have in advance, and here I will go over a few specific items I include.
Seed Vault: A well-stocked seed vault could be worth its weight in gold over the long term. Being able to provide yourself with food is going to be your number one long-term priority once your immediate security is taken care of, and much of your time will be devoted to that pursuit. Getting started with a garden, as well as some other guerilla gardening stuff in your area could be a lifesaver. Make sure when you put together your seed vault, take into consideration the region your area of operations is located in, the climate, and the hardiness zone. Choose your seeds accordingly. There are several good sets you can start with, and make sure you don’t forget to include seeds for common medicinal plants that will be of use. Put them all together in a case with individual secure storage cells to keep out moisture and light.
Bookbank: As I have written about elsewhere, having a Faraday-shielded digital collection of all human knowledge isn’t really that hard. Even just a small display device like a smartphone paired with a decent flash drive can hold more PDF and EPUB books than you could read in your lifetime. Going a step further and creating an “internet-in-a-box” system can still be achieved with a very small laptop computer. Remember, the internet goes away when civilization does. You may be very knowledgeable and capable, but you don’t know everything. Having access to information will be a huge deal in a post-collapse world.
Smartphone: Many people never think about their phone when prepping. Sure, once the world goes into collapse there won’t be any phone service or internet, but those things are only a few of the many features modern phones have for you to take advantage of. I have written an entire article about the subject, but the short version is that your phone will be an incredibly useful device long after the ashes of civilization are cold. Think about the camera functions, and using zoom and night modes. All the useful offline sensors such as altimeters and accelerometers that have many uses. There are a ton of offline apps that will still function, from simple things such as calculators, to more advanced inertial navigators and offline maps. And some ruggedized devices even have FLIR vision built right in, which can be a very big deal. Think about how much information you could keep stored, pictures, PDF documents, even entire downloaded high-resolution maps.
Faraday Bags: These are special bags made to shield electronics from the effects of an electromagnetic pulse, or EMP. Given that a nuclear war is one of the primary eventualities collapse preppers are getting ready for, these are very important items to have. Faraday bags come in every shape and size these days, and are even waterproofed for additional protection. Ideally you should have dedicated bags for all your electronic items.
DEFENSE
This category of items is very broad, and some of it is already covered by whatever you are choosing for your hunting weapons. Also, as items such as these are special cases, I am not necessarily including them in the actual bugout bag itself. Rather, the category of defensive items will be the subject of an entirely separate article. Weapons with a primary use other than hunting are not something that is kept in the bugout bag itself, although ammunition might be something you will want to include.
There are a few things to mention here specifically. One of those things is that we are planning for a collapse scenario. Societal collapse is an unfortunately violent process, and so defense is of greater concern when planning for it as opposed to planning for a wilderness survival scenario or localized disaster-type of bugout. In a post-collapse world, violent action will have replaced the rule of law for most dispute resolution, and others out there may actually be planning on using violent means as their primary method of survival to obtain what they need by force.
Now, in general, the best thing to do is always to avoid a fight. Even winning some physical battle or shootout means you are most likely going to be injured, and this isn’t the movies. In the real world, when there are no hospitals or antibiotics, you can easily die from even a small wound. Still, at some point the time may come when you simply cannot avoid a fight, and in those cases you need to be equipped to win as quickly, and cleanly, as possible. To that end, there will inevitably be a need for various weapons. And even if not, as the old saying goes, “Better to have and not need than to need and not have.”
And so, your personal feelings about the issue aside, you are going to want to have firearms and be well-trained in their use, maintenance, and safety.
Conclusion
Putting together a good collapse-prep bugout bag is a very important part of your emergency preparedness journey. And make no mistake, such a bag will be a journey. You want to make sure not to skimp out on quality when it comes to the items in your bugout bag. These things may have to last you… as long as they can. And that means they are going to be a bit expensive. And so, this is a project that you may have to build over time, and that is just fine. Start by planning out a list of things you will need as part of your own personalized bugout plan, and then build your bag one piece at a time. I delve into great detail on this subject in my comprehensive book Prepping For Collapse, which is available online.
Remember, while there is a lot of good advice out there about bugging out and the bags you need, the traditional methods don’t always apply when prepping for the collapse of civilization. this isn’t a hurricane evacuation you are preparing for, this is more along the lines of nuclear war, high-mortality pandemics, Carrington Event-style grid-down scenarios, and so on. You need to have a plan to live for the rest of your life without a modern society, and a bugout bag designed to help make it work.
I have assembled links to items in this article to serve as quality examples of what you may want to include. this doesn’t mean that these items are the best out there, or even the best for you, that is something you must decide for yourself. But I have tried to stick to those items that I have personal experience with, or in the case of the tables below, are items that I actually own and include in my own preps.
It is never too soon to start building your own collapse-prep bugout bag, and given the direction the world is headed I would say it is more critical than ever to have at least a bugout bag and a plan in place and ready to go.
Equipment Tables
Below I have assembled my own bugout bag equipment into a series of tables to go along with the above categories. Keep in mind that while these are the main items carried in my own bag, your bag will no doubt need to be different. Specifically putting your bag together based on your plan, your area of operations, and your capabilities is a must for collapse-prep. These items are presented here to serve as examples and help you visualize items that may go into your own bag. I have personally used the items below, both in training and actual practice, so when it comes to these I can speak to their durability and utility. All come with my recommendation
BAGS & STORAGE
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Primary bag | Sturdy frame pack, 45 to 65 liters | Contain all other items inside for travel | 5.11 Tactical Military RUSH100 60L Deployment Backpack |
| Compression bags | Small zipper pouch bags | Compress clothing items for more space | Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Compression Packing Cubes |
| Pack cover | Waterproof pack cover | Keep the rain off your bag and gear | Joy Walker Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover |
SHELTER
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Tent | Fully enclosed rainproof shelter | Semi-permanent use when camped for an extended time | Bessport Camping Tent 2-Person Waterproof Tent |
| Tarp | General use outdoor tarp | Open shelter/bivy for brief stays | AQUAQUEST Guide Waterproof Camping Tarp |
| Sleeping bag | Sleeping bag optimized for your climate | Cooler weather sleeping | Snugpak Softie Elite 3 Sleeping Bag |
| Netting | Large area mosquito netting system | Cover your entire tent or hammock when sleeping | MEKKAPRO Ultra Large Mosquito Net with Carry Bag |
| Hammock | Compact portable hammock and straps | For quick camps and when needing to sleep off the ground | ENO TravelNest Hammock & Straps Combo |
FIRE
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Lighters | Regular old lighters | Primary fire-starting method | BIC Maxi Pocket Lighter |
| Ferro rod | Basic “flint & steel.” | Emergency fire-starting | Kaseamu premium ferro rod |
| Magnesium bar | Magnesium shavings bar with striker | Emergency fire-starting | AOFAR Magnesium Fire Starter |
| Storm matches | Water and windproof matches | Final option fire-starting | UCO Stormproof Match Kit |
| Tinderbox | Small case to keep dry tinder | Storage of quick-start tinder options | Wick & Bellow – Parrafin Wax Infused Hemp Tinder Tube |
| Magnifier lens | Plain magnifying glass lens | Starting a fire with the sun | Cooper’s Bay Lens Burning Fire Starter Kit |
WATER
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Bottle | Metal bottle without insulation | Can be used to both carry and boil water | Bambaw Stainless Steel 32 oz Water Bottle |
| Purification tablets | Very small bottles, 50 tabs in each | Purifying water to kill harmful microbes | Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets with PA Plus |
| Filter system | Bottle based filter | For removing microbes and other contaminants | GRAYL UltraPress Titanium 16.9 oz Water Purifier |
| Backup Filter system | Pump-based filter system | For higher volume use | MSR Guardian Water Purifier |
| Simple filter | Small life straw water filter | For quick use as a straw or with a regular bottle | LifeStraw Peak Series – Solo Personal Water Filter |
| UV sterilizer | Ultra-violet light system, compact | Quick use, long-lasting with power | Katadyn Steripen Ultra UV Water Purifier |
NAVIGATION
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Compass | Foldable and compact | For land navigation and direction finding | SUUNTO MC-2 Compass |
| Maps | Waterproof topographic maps of your area | Navigation and survival planning | CalTopo Map Systems |
| Watch | Solar powered wristwatch | Time, altitude, and more | Casio Men’s Pro Trek PRW-3500T-7CR |
COOKING
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Cookpot | Titanium cookpot with pan | Primary cooking | TOAKS Titanium 1100ml Pot with Pan |
| Messkit set | Basic bowls, cup, and spork | For eating | UCO 6-Piece Camping Mess Kit |
| Kettle | Specialized camp stove/kettle | For rapid water boiling | Kelly Kettle Trekker – Stainless Steel Camp Kettle |
| Camp stove | Foldable lightweight wood-burning camp stove | For cooking | Kuvik’s Titanium Wood Stove – Ultralight and Compact |
FOOD
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Ration bars | Compact, long-lasting ration bars | Emergency food source | S.O.S. rations Emergency 3600 Calorie Food bar |
| Oatmeal packets | Shelf-stable oatmeal packets | Emergency food source | Nutrient Survival MRE Oatmeal |
| Survival Bow | Compact folding bow, fifty-pound | Hunting | SAS Recon Folding Survival Bow |
| Carbon arrows | Set of arrows | Hunting | 2 Piece Takedown Carbon Arrows |
| Arrowheads | Set of broadheads | Hunting | SinbadteckTraditional Point Screw-in Hunting Arrowheads |
| Fishing tackle | Complete set of fishing accessories, many added in | Fishing | PLUSINNO 397pcs Fishing Accessories Kit |
| Fishing line | Braided fishing line spools, several weights | Fishing | Piscifun Onyx Braided Fishing Line |
| Fishing rod | Collapsable fishing rod and reel | Fishing | WT3000 Premium Spinning Reel and 7ft Telescopic Fishing Rod |
| Slingshot | No-frills designed slingshot | Small game hunting | BARNETT King Rat Slingshot |
MEDICAL
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| First-aid kit | Trauma-grade kit, many small items and packets added | For medical emergencies | RHINO RESCUE IFAK First Aid Trauma Kit |
| Tactical shears | Compact, foldable multi-function shears | Medical | Emergency Response Shears, Stainless Steel |
| Compression bandages | Individually sealed bandages | Stopping bleeding | 6″ Israeli Style Emergency Bandage, Compression Wound Dressing |
| Suture kit | Kit with needles, and wrapped sutures | Emergency wound closure | Sterile Mixed Sutures Thread with Needle |
| Surgical kit | Small molle surgical tool pouch | Field surgery | OdontoMed 20 PC U.S. Military MLT-04 Emergency Surgical Kit |
| Medications | Case-packed prescription medications | Illness and infection treatment | JASE case medkit |
| Tourniquet | Tourniquet with holder | Emergency bleeding stoppage | Tactical First Aid Medical Combat Tourniquets |
TOOLS
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Primary knife | Fixed-blad, full tang knife | Everything | KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corps Fighting Knife |
| Folding knife | Tactical belt folder knife | Everything else | Benchmade – Bailout 537GY EDC Knife |
| Hatchet | Small hatchet with hard case | Kindling, splitting, chopping | Fiskars 14″ Hatchet Axe |
| Folding saw | Lightweight folding wood saw | Woodwork | Silky Professional BIGBOY Folding Saw |
| Entrenching tool | Folding shovel/pick | Digging trenches | REDCAMP 22.8” Military Folding Camping Shovel |
| Multitool | Folding tool with multiple blades and tools | Pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, knives… | LEATHERMAN, Wave+, 18-in-1 Full-Size, Versatile Multi-tool |
| Flashlight | Tactical bright light | Repelling the darkness | Fenix PD36R Pro High Lumen Tactical Flashlight |
| Lantern | Camp light | Area lighting | Black Diamond Orbiter 650 Lantern |
| Headlamp | Headband lighting system | Walking and working light | Nitecore HC65 UHE 2000 Lumen High Efficiency Headlamp |
ELECTRICAL
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Power bank | A high-capacity battery | For recharging all of your other devices | Survival Frog QuadraPro Solar Charger Power Bank |
| Emergency radio | Multi-function radio receiver | For weather and news, while it lasts | Eton Adventure Series Odyssey |
| Power generator | Solar panels with battery storage | For generating power while camped | SunJack 25 Watt Foldable Waterproof Solar Panel w/Bank |
| Backup generator | Hand-crank dynamo | For when the sun don’t shine | Hand Crank Generator/Power Charger |
| Ham radio | Not a sandwich, a radio | For talking or listening to others | Baofeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) |
CLOTHING
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Rain jacket | Lightweight waterproof jacket | Staying dry in the rain | THE NORTH FACE Men’s Waterproof Antora Rain Hoodie Jacket |
| Base layers | Lightweight wool long underwear | Skin layer clothing | Merino.tech Merino Wool Base Layer Set |
| Shorts | Legless pants for hot climate | Staying cool in the heat | CQR Men’s Hiking Cargo Shorts, Quick Dry Stretch Tactical |
| Pants | Durable hiking pants | Everyday work/travel pants | ZAPT Tactical Pants Molle Ripstop Combat Trousers |
| Poncho | Full body rain cover | Keep off rain | Snugpak Patrol Poncho, Waterproof, One Size |
| Socks | Durable hiking socks | I swear by these things | Wrightsock Escape Crew, Unisex, Double Layer, Blister Free Socks |
| Headcover/mask | Full balaclava | Keeping off the sun | BOTACK Balaclava Face Mask Sun UV Protection Breathable Full Head Mask |
| Hat | It’s a little bit Indy, but I will be in ruins, so… | Looking cool while staying cool | Dorfman Hat Co. Men’s Cotton Outback Hat |
| Overshirt | Longsleeve shirt | For general everyday use | Outdoor Research Men’s Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt |
| Gloves | Heavy-duty full gloves | For work tasks | Mechanix Wear: The Original Tactical Work Gloves |
| Belt | Full leather dual prong belt | Multi-use | Main Street Forge Double Down Leather Belt |
| Shoes | Durable hiking shoes | Everyday wear | KEEN Men’s Targhee 2 Low-Height Waterproof Hiking Shoes |
GENERAL SUPPLIES
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Heavy cordage | Heavy duty 7-strand paracord | Multi-use | HERCULES Type III Paracord 550 Parachute Cord |
| Light cordage | Light 1.85mm paracord | Multi-use | Paracord Planet 95lb Paracord |
| Duct tape | 100 feet of good tape | Multi-use | The Original Duck Brand Duct Tape |
| Sewing kit | Heavy threads, extra needles, patches, buttons, and thread added | Repair work | PLANTIONAL Upholstery Repair Sewing Kit |
SPECIAL ITEMS
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION | USE | MODEL |
| Seedvault | Sealed seed collection, many added for the region | Survival food for long-term | Open Seed Vault 15,000 Non-GMO Heirloom Vegetable Seeds |
| Bookbank | Massive PDF/EPUB library | Rebuilding the world | Custom made shielded tablet/flash combo bookbank |
| Faraday pouch | EMP shielding for electronics | Protecting devices from EMP | Mission Darkness Dry Shield MOLLE Faraday Pouch |
| Rugged FLIR Smartphone | Rugged, waterproof, FLIR-enabled device | Too many uses to list | Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra 5G Rugged Phones, Thermal Image Camera |
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