Before we spend any of the few dollars we have let’s sit here for a moment and figure out what the bag is for. Why? Because in most cases the bag might be the most expensive part of putting a bag together and we cannot afford to over spend or under spend on this item.
Are we putting together a “BOB”, a simple Bail Out Bag. Something which sits in the car with you and if you have to leave the car you are going to take this bag with you. This is something you keep a minimum amount of stuff in. Maybe you keep your extra jacket, beanie, extra cash, water filter straw, lighter etc etc. Kind of like a day pack or an oversize purse or the only acceptable “man bag” a fella should carry.
Is this bag holding the stuff you are packing to help you ‘Get Home’ in case you are not that far from home and need to walk? Then we need to make sure this bag can carry a bit more than the ‘BOB’ or be combines with the ‘BOB’. This bag also needs to be comfortable to carry for the distance you are planning on moving. Something with a frame, internal or external, maybe with a waist strap and chest strap?
Will this bag sit in the closet until the next big storm? Grabbed when your family and you have to run from a forest fire or tornado? Or have you decided to put together the ultimate, end all be all, zombie apocalypse, end of the world and the aliens have landed “BUG OUT BAG”!!!!! (sounds of trumpets in the background) Let’s save the infamous BUG OUT BAG for another post. Right now let’s just focus on finding a bag we can us today if we had to.
Realistically take stock of your physical condition. Can you really carry a bag that big, do you really need all that stuff you want to put in the bag? Focus the bag and what is in the bag to the mission of the bag!! Once we decide what the mission of the bag is then we can find one to fit the mission.
Need just a Bail Out Bag, a simple book bag can fill the bill.
Need a Get Home Bag, a small camping backpack or military style ALICE pack can fit the bill.
Need something in the closet to grab and go, a standard hiking bag can fit the bill.
Need a full on end of the world bag, try the ILBE system used by the Marine Corps.
At the end of the day you need to do some planning and some shopping. Also plan on upgrading your bag later and buy only what you can afford right now. Having something to use is better than planning on buying something and having nothing when you need something………….
As Always,
Stay Safe.
I remember the first B.O.B. I put together for the wife and kiddies, and then quickly found out it was way to heavy for her to carry. Now, we have a simple shoulder strap bike bag that holds just the basics, since I don't expect to be making a bonfire or hunting in Tokyo. Some energy bars, water, a flash light, small billed cash, etc...
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