Why I Hate Bug Out Bags

Sep 16

Written By Lora

Let me be real with you for a second. I absolutely hate bug-out bags. You’ve probably seen them in countless survival videos or on prepper websites, and maybe you’ve even started putting one together. The whole idea of throwing everything you think you'll need into a giant bag, then dashing off into the woods to live off the land with nothing but a tent, a fire, and your wits, sounds like something straight out of a survivalist movie. It’s a romantic notion, right?

But here’s the thing: for most of us, this just isn’t realistic. The concept of bugging out to survive in the wilderness for weeks on end is impractical, inefficient, and, honestly, unnecessary. So today, I’m going to break down why I dislike the idea of bug-out bags and what I believe is a far better, more practical alternative: the get-home bag.

The Problem With Bug Out Bags

Before we dive into the alternative, let’s address the core issue with bug-out bags. If you’ve ever looked at one of those “ultimate bug-out bag” checklists online, you’ve probably realized that they’re recommending you pack almost everything under the sun. The idea is to be ready for a doomsday-level event, but let’s be honest—how realistic is that?

If you actually tried to pack everything recommended, you’d probably need a bag that’s bigger than you are. And good luck lugging that around. Even if you could, how far are you really going to make it before you’re exhausted? Most people aren’t in the kind of shape to carry a heavy bag over long distances.

More importantly, the idea of heading off into the woods to survive on your own just isn’t feasible for most of us. Do you really want to live in the middle of nowhere for days or weeks on end? For me, that’s a big no.

A Practical Alternative: The Get-Home Bag

Instead of a bug-out bag, I suggest something a little more practical: a get-home bag. This is a smaller, more manageable pack that’s designed to help you get from point A to point B—like from work to home—in the event of an emergency. It’s not about living off the land for weeks; it’s about survival for a day or two, tops.

I’ve tailored my own get-home bag based on what’s practical for me, and I think it’s a much better solution than the traditional bug-out bag. Let’s dive into the details of what’s inside and why.

Choosing the Right Pack

The first step in building a get-home bag is selecting the right pack. I personally use an Osprey hiking backpack that’s specifically designed for women. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and the right size for my frame. When fully packed, it weighs about 45 pounds, including water, which is manageable for me.

When choosing a pack, make sure it’s comfortable and properly fitted for your body. You don’t want something too big or too small. Consider your daily commute or the distance between work and home—how far might you need to walk in an emergency? For example, when I lived in Colorado, my potential trek was around 17 miles. In Oklahoma, it could be closer to 30 miles. Your pack needs to be something you can carry over that distance if necessary.

The key here is to select a bag that matches your size, fitness level, and daily routine. You don’t need a massive military rucksack. A simple, well-fitting hiking backpack will do the trick.

Shelter and Temperature Regulation

In an emergency, shelter and temperature regulation are crucial, but you don’t need to carry a full tent. In my get-home bag, I include a few simple items that will keep me warm and dry if I need to spend the night outdoors.

First, I carry a rain jacket, a small tarp, and a Mylar blanket (also known as a life bivy). These items are lightweight and compact, but they provide excellent protection from the elements. The Mylar blanket, in particular, reflects body heat, keeping you warm in cold conditions.

I also keep a small pillow in my bag. Is it necessary? Probably not. But in an emergency situation, comfort can go a long way toward maintaining morale. After all, if you’re stuck outside for a night, a little extra comfort can make all the difference.

For fire-starting, I carry a silky saw, a ferro rod, and a Bic lighter. While I’ve practiced using the ferro rod, if I need to start a fire in a hurry, the lighter is my first choice. The ferro rod is more of a backup.

Water: Staying Hydrated

Staying hydrated is absolutely critical in any survival situation. In my get-home bag, I carry a single-walled metal bottle that can be used to boil water if needed. Additionally, I pack a Sawyer Mini water filter, a couple of collapsible water pouches, and a LifeStraw for drinking directly from water sources.

I also keep a few chemical water purification tablets on hand. And one of my favorite tools? A wrench designed to open spigots on public water systems. Now, I wouldn’t recommend using this unless it’s an absolute emergency, but it’s nice to have just in case you need access to water.

Food: Keeping Your Energy Up

When it comes to food, I keep things simple. My get-home bag includes energy chews, Gatorade powder for electrolytes, and if I expect to be out for more than a day, a couple of Mountain House freeze-dried meals. These meals are lightweight, calorie-dense, and easy to prepare with my MSR camp stove, which I use to boil water. And yes, I have another Bic lighter packed with the stove—because you can never have too many lighters!

The goal with food is to pack enough calories to keep you going for 24 to 48 hours. I also include snacks like tuna packs, energy bars, dried fruit, and instant coffee. Let’s be real—coffee is a must for me in any situation.

First Aid and Sanitation

In my get-home bag, I carry a small first-aid kit. It’s not designed for major trauma, but it includes basic items like bandages, blister care, and antiseptic wipes. If you’re trained in more advanced first aid, you might want to include items like a tourniquet or quick-clot powder, but for me, a basic kit suffices.

For sanitation, I pack toilet paper wipes, a small shovel, and a "shiwi," which allows me to use the bathroom without exposing myself in the open. This is especially useful in urban environments. I also carry hygiene essentials like deodorant and wet wipes to help maintain a sense of normalcy and cleanliness.

Lighting and Communication

In terms of lighting, I carry both a flashlight and a headlamp with extra batteries. The headlamp is particularly useful because it frees up my hands, and its red-light mode helps preserve night vision.

I also carry a whistle for emergencies, some duct tape (because duct tape can fix just about anything), and a battery bank to keep my phone charged. My emergency radio is solar-powered, and it can also be charged via hand crank or regular batteries.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, prepping isn’t about following a one-size-fits-all model. The best bag for you is the one that fits your needs, lifestyle, and environment. While bug-out bags may work for some, I believe a get-home bag is a much more practical and achievable solution for most people.

Your get-home bag should be designed to get you safely from point A to point B in an emergency, and it should only include the essentials to sustain you for 24 to 48 hours. Overloading yourself with unnecessary gear won’t do you any favors.

So, take the time to assess what makes sense for you, and remember, the goal is to be prepared—not weighed down!

Ready to build your own get-home bag? Check out the links below for some of my recommended gear. And remember, the best bag is one that works for you, so customize it to your heart’s content!

🛒 Recommended Products: (As an Amazon associate, I earn from your purchases. This helps me keep this blog going, at no additional charge for you! So if you see something you like, just click the link below).

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Osprey Mira Hiking Pack for Women - https://amzn.to/3AtWwkt

Life Bivy - https://amzn.to/3ArJJih

Silky Saw - https://amzn.to/3XkeSgN

Sawyer Squeeze - https://amzn.to/4ctWq9z

Single Walled Water Bottle - https://amzn.to/3Md0jF8

Collapsible Water Bottle - https://amzn.to/3AqjB7k

LifeStraw - https://amzn.to/4cwRWPD

Micropur Tabs - https://amzn.to/3M8SjoG

Water Shutoff tool - https://amzn.to/3YLyT0L

MSR Campstove - https://amzn.to/46RBUhT

SOG multi-tool - https://amzn.to/4dJ7uk4