…… I need a new Bug Out Bag (BOB) pack. Recommendations wanted.
- Thread starter gunwish
- Start date
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
I think he was questioning me needing an intervention for my knives and flashlight obsession
and following your rough list out, I could probably outfit a platoon without denting my backstock too much
Sweetwood
Senior Member
You say it like it’s a bad thing!Gear-slut.
After all the suggestions, Gunwish has a BOB that weighs 163.7 lbs.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Nothing wrong with any of your collections!
I could use more of everything, but I've been practicing a little restraint because I'm afraid I might have another move in my future.
One last thought: I understand the value of tactical packs, but they look . . . tactical. In some circumstances, carrying a pack like an Osprey makes one look less military and perhaps less of a target, especially if one is making a quick hike through a new housing development on the edge of a town or is in town.
I've proven this myself: my Osprey attracts zero attention. However, when I was carrying a friend's black tactical gear across the field to his truck (parked in town), someone said something to one of the LEOs. It was fine because he knew me and guessed that I was probably loading "P's" stuff, but this is a small town . . .
I could use more of everything, but I've been practicing a little restraint because I'm afraid I might have another move in my future.
One last thought: I understand the value of tactical packs, but they look . . . tactical. In some circumstances, carrying a pack like an Osprey makes one look less military and perhaps less of a target, especially if one is making a quick hike through a new housing development on the edge of a town or is in town.
I've proven this myself: my Osprey attracts zero attention. However, when I was carrying a friend's black tactical gear across the field to his truck (parked in town), someone said something to one of the LEOs. It was fine because he knew me and guessed that I was probably loading "P's" stuff, but this is a small town . . .
CaryC
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Just a thought:
The "noticing tactical" is probably based on location.
I wear tactical pants out and about all the time. See them everywhere men and women. Cops, etc... the only difference is in color. Don't think anything of it. Been to funerals where half the men there, were in Khaki colored tactical pants. It's the color the cops first wore before they changed to black.
Anyway around here while not a lot of people carry backpacks anymore, a "tactical" backpack would not draw any undue attention.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Definitely.
Some of it's about it being broken in and worn down, which helps. The other thing is reading the environment. Urban? my get home bag most of the time is a beat to shit patched and pieced together messenger bag. Most people wouldn't recognize some of the mods, even standing there when I open it. It's big, old, canvas, and looks like nothing special.
I have plenty of packs ( well covered topic) and even them, I look at what they look like and evaluate which one for what environment. My current EDC is a small bag covered in MOLLE but the pouches on it absorb most of that visual. It's as small as it it so it can fit in the saddle bags of the motorcycles.
In this town, an older tactical bag isn't out of place especially on older people, especially in an older color or pattern.
With it's smaller size, it can be added to another larger bag or in conjunction with them, to plus up the gear carried. My set up is designed to be added to from either stuff here at work or the stuff in the vehicle.
That's where we dive deep DEEP into the rabbit hole.
Bug out bag? Short term or INCH? Or is it more of a get home bag? from where? over what terrain? Environmental concerns? resupply concerns? Benign or contested environment?
That's where it end up everyone for themselves since they have to evaluate what they have that they are planning for.
I have about a 25-30 mile hike to get home, and the physical terrain isn't very challenging, but there would be initial concerns about others until I clear town and get into the surrounding countryside.. Taking all of this into account, my Get home kit doesn't have to be very big.
Mission Drives the Gear Train
For me to use a fully decked out MOLLE to the max tactical bag, things have gone horribly wrong and I must have a long way to go or some really shitty terrain or weather.
Every time we look to change gear, we should ask ourselves why, otherwise, we end up with Millwright's 163 Lbs pack to come home from the supermarket a mile down the road.
On any given day, I'm likely to be 200+ miles from the barn.
Mine is set up with the minimums to make it a few days without having to interact with anybody.
Mine is set up with the minimums to make it a few days without having to interact with anybody.
At least you can find cold beer in one nowadays if the grid is up and running. It wasn't that long ago that you couldn't, was it?
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Very familiar looking to meI still use a raggedy-ass milsurp.
Hangs from the headrest with a piece of PVC through the straps.
Son? Is that you?!
Seriously, you could have taken those words right out of his mouth!
I use a Kayden hiker pro filter and carry some tablets to kill virus if needed, but in the clean fresh water I use in the mountains I don’t further treat the water.
I’ve rigged it so that I don’t need to take the bladder (camelback mil spec) out of the backpack, it simply clicks on to the drinking tube
I’ve rigged it so that I don’t need to take the bladder (camelback mil spec) out of the backpack, it simply clicks on to the drinking tube
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
GRAYL GeoPress 24 oz Water Purifier Bottle - Filter for Hiking, Camping, Survival, Travel
- PURIFY WATER ANYWHERE: Make sketchy water safe to drink. Ideal for outdoor adventures (hiking, camping, backpacking, fishing, hunting, bushcraft), global travel, and survival situations. Simply – Fill. Press. Drink!
- REMOVES ALL PATHOGENS: Viruses (e.g. rotavirus, norovirus, hepatitis A), bacteria (e.g. E. Coli, salmonella, dysentery), and protozoa (e.g. giardia, cryptosporidium, amoebae).
- FILTERS & CLEANS: particulates (e.g. sediment, microplastics) and adsorbs volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFAS, chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, flavors and odors
- UNRIVALED SPEED & EASE: Purifies 24 oz (710ml) of water. Requires no setup time, pumps, hoses, sucking straws, batteries, chemicals, or prolonged waiting. Effortlessly purify from any spigot, hotel sink, murky river, lake, or well.
- EMERGENCY PREPARATION: Equipped with replaceable purifier cartridge good for 65 gallons (250L). Perfect for home or car prep kit so you are ready for any natural disaster, water emergency, or survival situation.
we have a few of the first generation of these And one lives in each of the cars. Great for quick small needs. The Kayden’s are for more dedicated deliberate choices, along with the UV wands. Clean water is important
I have a lifestraw waterbottle. It’s metal, so assume I could boil in it (minus cap & filter) if needed, and can pre-filter water using appropriate cloth + carbon pack. Good enough until I can do better?