I hate bug out bags

[jmsenk]

what i used to do to my old green jungle boots and yes i said green jungle boots is use duct tape on the heel. it would reduce friction on my heels. but also guys and gals invest in good boot socks they alone will make your day no matter what you are doing.

I wore the Green Jungles back when I was a 17 yr old PVT jmsenk, pre black beret, pre war on terror, training to fight communists (I still hate those guys) back when it was "Be all you can be" etc. etc. (Sorry, I joined up in Jan 2000... I'm not THAT old) and our cure-all was electrical tape - typically down the achilles and on the toes (these were MY problem areas, and they're different for everyone) my old Platoon Sergeant (Panama Ranger... oh boy did he have some stories) told me never to use Duct Tape, and silly me, I never asked why not.

[Packy14]

i have 3 bug-out-bags... one at home, one in the car, one in the gf's car...because the bag is no good if you don't have it with you or you can't get to it. If your only bag is in the car..what if your garage collapses... what if you're not in your car but the sig other's? They constantly evolve, but they do so in parallel. My latest idea is to go with one ammo caliber for all handguns, so I can shoot it and so can she; I picked 9mm. My new bag is the blackhawk X-1 raptor (her car has a smaller one that is similar) for house and my car. have fun.

[Salty]

I don't really have blister problems, but the modern standard for hikers seems to be "moleskin".

Realistically though, someone who is not used to hiking 15-20 miles a day or doing a crap ton of exercise is not going to hike 15-20 miles a day out of the blue. Depending on pack weight, fitness level, foot comfort, etc, a person like that may be lucky to do even just 10 mile. Not sure what ElToro's experience level is, but it's just something worth mentioning for anyone planning out a long route.

[jmsenk]

I don't really have blister problems, but the modern standard for hikers seems to be "moleskin".

Realistically though, someone who is not used to hiking 15-20 miles a day or doing a crap ton of exercise is not going to hike 15-20 miles a day out of the blue. Depending on pack weight, fitness level, foot comfort, etc, a person like that may be lucky to do even just 10 mile. Not sure what ElToro's experience level is, but it's just something worth mentioning for anyone planning out a long route.

Very true - I have used moleskin before, but had an issue with it not sticking too well when I sweat, and then it just turns into a big blister producing ball on my foot. They're good for padding around existing blisters after a long hike, but if I'm marching again, i'll cover it with more tape to keep it in place.

And yes, no one is going to just step out with a pack and cover 20 miles without being prepared before hand. A lot of "regular" people (meaning not preppers, soldiers, backpackers, etc.) assume that hiking with a pack might as well be walking. Nope, not even close. if you're not used to it, it will wear you out in a heartbeat, you'll work muscles you didn't even know you had, and if you push hard, the next day you won't even be able to move.

The best option I would say in an emergency situation, or one where you have to cover 30+ miles to get home, is to do it in spurts. Go 3 or 4 miles and then stop. drop your pack and plan your next route. Cache it (hide it) and get to some high ground to see what you can see. get your wind back, and keep going. Find a good place to camp out and take a nap (OPSEC permitting) during the heat of the day, and then keep pushing later. 12-15 miles a day is still going to kick your ***, but it is a lot more manageable in 4-5 mile incriments. It will keep you alert and focused, instead of just zombie walking and putting one foot in front of the other. Think of it as security halts like on a patrol, so you don't stumble blindly into a bad situation.

[Allentu]

Here is my unfinished "BOB/Hiking/Camping/Zombie running pack"

Bugout bag / Zombie pack / hiking pack / camping gear
Backpack, full size sleeping pad, thermo bivvy sack, stove, titanium pot and frying pan, 6 different ways to start a fire, a few different types of tinder, 50 oz of water, 2L bladder and filter, LED headlamp w lithium battery and backup batteries, backup flashlight that doesnt need any batteries, survival knife, sharpener, sponge, two towels, med kit, snake bite/scorpion kit, anti itch cream, compass, rescue mirror, peeless loud whistle, small backup whistle, underarmor coldgear shirt and pants, soap, fishing net, bandana, duct tape, drink mix, 3 day supply of food and two days worth of water, protein bars, trail mix bars, pepper spray, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, small strand of rope, water proof bags and containers, bath and bodyworks hand sanitizer (dont judge me, i have a lil sister), and most important survival item in the middle of nowhere.....TOILET PAPER!

Total weight is only 10-12 lbs with food, water, fuel, and spare clothes

[BigCat]

As a member of another site that will remained unmentioned as im not sure of CalGuns Rules of advertising other sites, after you find burried the acronym thread for that site (took me months to learn your guy's acronyms here) there are several bags/packs you can make.

A BOB (Bun Out Bag)/GHB (Get Home Bag) is generally considered a 72 hour bag that covers your basic essentials. Food, Water, Shelter. Generally you can carry 72 hours worth of food on your person. 72 hours of water weighs a lot, so water covers a way to collect, store, and purify water. Shelter is shelter from the elements, could include a trash bag that can serve many purposes one of which im sure you all are aware of is a rain poncho. extra cold weather gear depending on the time of year and your location, a hat/sunscreen/sunglasses if you are in a very sunny/hot environment, an emergency shelter of some sorts to keep rain/sun off of you. The shelter usually includes some sort of paracord, duct tape, and or a fire starting kit (matches/flint and steel, and tinder/wetfire/cotton ball in petroleum jelly.

On top of the basic necessities, people include basic tools such as a multitool, light, radio, etc. in their BOBs. Also navigation is big as you need to be able to get from point A to B reliably. Some, depending on their AO (Area of Operation) will carry personal protection, this usually includes a pistol/ammo concealed. The school of thought is to not look all tacticool looking like you are prepared, but to be as grey man and blend in as possible. Hard to do with 6 bags and guns hanging off you or tac vests and lots of ammo.

Im guilty of not being so grey man as I am on a budget and have bought lots of Mil Sup gear. So I will most likely move to my BOL at night to hopefully not be seen by as many people and use less water.

Realistically thats what you need to SURVIVE for 72 hours or how you can realistically Bug Out. What most of your are talking about is a INCH bag, or Im Never Coming Home bag. This is an end of the world bag usually weighing way more than any one person can carry and would have to be carried by a horse/car/atv to a BOL (bug out location) where you would reestablish your own since of civilization. But a BOB is ultimately meant to get you to a BOL where you can hopefully store most of your INCH items. The Flip side to a BOL is to Bug In and stock up your home (usually the plan for people living in large urban cities or dont own/know people with rural property). In which case you wouldnt make an INCH bag you would fortify your home.

So my advice to the OP (Original Poster) would be to concentrate on where you would go in a Zombie/End of the World/PAW (Post Apocalyptic War) and make a bag that would get you from point A to B and Store your End of the World supplies at a BOL. If you want more information on a community of like minded individuals, I would be happy to point you in the direction of a very big, helpful, and friendly community. the last 2 only apply if you are asking how to be better prepared, not ask for a place to crash when the time comes.

[WokMaster1]

i have plenty of gear at home and am prepared for bad stuff once i make it home. wife and 2 small kids are always home. i work in san fran and live in the outer eat bay. if STHF when I'm at work, I'm in for a long walk. in my desk drawer at work i keep an innoccous backpack with a water bladder and a few gallons of fresh water. in my bag i have a change of cpants and some old boots and socks and a heavy hoodie ( i wear business outfit daily) and a ball cap of the local pro team some shelter provisions and some candy bars and a few cans of sardines/oysters /spam (protein and metal for future use) . also a leatherman and some matches and candles and a LED flashlight and small FAK. if SHTF when at work my plan is to fill the bladder with fresh water at the office and change clothes and take as much water as i can with me get the bag and head home. im prepared that it may be a 2 day trip. of course i dont have a gun because i cant leave one at work and it would be the end of my career if caught with one. if one of the major bridges goes out its head south to nearest friends or parents house. if a bridge is still open its head east to get home. i take BART everyday so my car is parked at the train station. i do keep some gear in my car. my work bag doesnt weigh much and just sits until it is hopefully never used. i rotate out the water and canned meat every 6 months or so. easy enough to just walk in the door at work with that and nobody even says anything. my plan is to not look like a business man wearing uncomfortable shoes and clothes but to change into normal street clothes and blend in and vamoose..

any suggestions for adding ? maybe a wool beanie for an outdoor sleepover and wool longjohns. maybe a safety orange vest that weighs nothing and costs little ? chemical light sticks ? again im looking at least 1 night overnight and possibly 2 to hike the 30-40 miles as the crow flies trip home. and while it doesnt snow here it could get really cold in the winter

in the bay area i fear a major quake or a terrorist event (dirty bomb)

ElToro, you & I are on the same boat. I work in SF & live in West CoCo. We should pull our resources together & work as a team. Shoot me a PM if you are interested.