So we know how a bug-out bag can be important, they can save lives. But what makes them so important? The answer is what goes in them.
From waterproofs to food, water and other items those are the items that are important. We have to pick each item carefully and this list is no exception.
So today we will be looking at what you can buy for your hard-earned $500. Yes, you will get more gear for $500 and some of that at a better quality than in the previous articles.
The better the gear, the better your chances of survival. You do not need your cheap crowbar snapping when you have rarely used it and when you need it the most, like opening a nailed shut crate of MRE rations.
It would be disheartening to hear that snapping and floor hitting ping after using the last of your energy to find and try to open the crate.
So spending more on a dropped forged crowbar or just a better forged crowbar, for example, will aid in your survival for a long time, maybe for the length of your survival.
Rucksack
OUTLIFE Hiking Backpack ($39.95)
I chose this rucksack for many reasons:
- Drawstring seal of the main compartment
- Side Mesh Pocket
- Front Pocket
- 65L capacity
- Waist Pocket (Small Items)
- Bottom Pouch with clips for a sleeping bag
- Ergonomic back design to protect your back from the pressure that is also breathable
- Chest buckle whistle
- Side Straps
I also chose this rucksack because it has room and that is important, you can not prepare well if you do not have the room to do so.
Verifygear 216 piece Survival Kit ($28.04)
- First Aid Kit
- Survival Bracelet
- 12-in-1 Saber Card
- 3-in-1 Tactical Knife
- Flashlight/Torch
- Glowsticks
- Fishing Kit
- 8-in-1 utensils
- Wire Saw
- Paracord Rope
- Carabiner
- 2 x Screwdrivers
- Water Bottle Holder
- Thermal Blanket
This kit will ensure you can survive and thrive no matter what happens. You can carve wooden spears, fish and much more.
I am also going to throw in a multi-tool shovel.
Antarctica Multifunction Shovel ($59.99):
- Shaft
- Axe Head
- Shovel Head
- Small First Aid Kit
- Multiple Screwdriver Attachments
This multitool shovel will allow you to do more than dig a hole The axe head will allow you to chop wood for a fire. The screwdriver attachments will allow you to maintain anything with screws.
Poncho
AGPTEK Waterproof Poncho ($19.99 black or blue)
This poncho will keep you dry, especially when you pull the neck string close around your face. The peak will also keep rain from coming down on your face.
Cuffs and velcro closing to make you even more waterproof. The extra room will allow you to cover your rucksack as well.
Eyelets or Grommets to create a shelter or a way to collect rainwater when shaped to guide running rainwater into a container, like your bottle.
This is a good poncho that you can store in the front compartment in its storage bag.
Water
SHARLOVY Water Bottle ($10.49)
This is a good water bottle as it marks off how much you should drink throughout the day. The bonus is it comes with a strap.
Sawyer Mini Personal Water Filter (4 pack $24.99)
Each straw will purify water up to 100,000 gallons or 378 541 liters. That should be more than enough to last you and your family.
Coghlan’s Water Tablets ($8.95 for 50 tablets)
This will ensure that you have water when the straws are used up.
Food
British 24 hour Army Ration Pack ($65.00 per one box, many menus to pick from)
The basic British Army Ration Pack consists of:
- Tea
- Coffee
- Hot Sauce
- Tissues
- Spork
- Sugar
- Energy Drink
- Biscuits
- Peanuts
- Powdered Drink
Everything will fit in this rucksack when taken out of the boxes, however, you can store the snack items and tissues in your pockets when you take a break.
Some menus have vegan and vegetarian options to pick from and that changes the meal packs you get.
Cooking
Hauunwey 5 Pcs Camping Cookware Mess Kit ($14.99)
- 1x knife, fork and spoon set
- one large boiling pan
- one medium boiling pan
- one frying pan
This kit will cook on anything, on an open fire you will need a grill like structure. This item stores in the large pot and that into a bag which will sit nicely in your rucksack. Each piece of the kit is built to last.
Outset 76356 Collapsible Camping Grill ($19.35)
The item, when taken out of the bag will assemble within 15 seconds, just unfold to open and stick on the grill and this will use wood or coal to create a fire, the stay cool handle will reduce burning.
Windproof and Waterproof Lighter ($8.99 Black)
This item is a must to have in one the small pockets of your rucksack this will help you light a fire in the rain or heavy wind.
Neon 11x Universal Lighter Fluid (12 cans $39.99)
Yes there are twelve cans, but each one is valuable to you to help make fire. If you can not stay warm then you will not survive. You should have room for each fuel can.
Crowbar
Vaughan – 15″ Multi-Function Demolition Tool ($44.71)
Part hammer with chisel and part pry bar this is one heck of a tool to have on you. This item will smash and pull apart anything, so yes, this will make a great close-combat weapon as well if needed.
Hygiene and Dry Bags
6 pack dry bag set ($13.99)
These bags are great to keep all your preps and secondary clothing dry even across a body of water.
The Nobleman charcoal wipes (120 wipes for $9.65)
A clean survivor is a happy survivor. Washing has a potential to change our mood, so keeping clean when you can is a must. The charcoal will help get you a better clean.
Each wipe is packed with charcoal, aloe vera and chamomile for a great refreshing clean. Each one is also hypo-allergetic and Ph balanced.
Clean Life No Rinse Shampoo ($5.99)
You do not need dirty hair when trying to survive and the less water you use the better. Ph balanced to be kind to your skin.
Trident Hand Towel (4 pack, Silver, $19.99)
You need to dry the hair when you use the no rise shampoo, these will do the job well.
Communications, Power and Other Additions
FosPower NOAA Emergency Weather Radio (Model D4, $34.90)
A radio is a must for one way communications, like government broadcasts or broadcasts from other survivors.
This comes with dynamo and solar charging for better chances of keeping your electronics powered, plus it is a flashlight/torch.
Batteries and Safe Storage AAA Energizers Max ($16.78 a pack of 48)
These will keep your small torch/flashlight active for longer. Which is vital, yes we have other light options, but the battery flashlight/torch is stil a vital piece of equipment.
Dial Industries, Inc. B327FN Battery Storage Organizer Case, 12 AAA ($5.99 x3=$17.97)
To keep your batteries safe and dry is important. This pack has a torch that needs batteries. If the batteries are useless that torch is, also they will make good trade items if needed.
Weepro Battery Tester ($5.49)
Carrying one is important and will check AA, AAA, C and D. You need to know the batteries you have or find still have power and how much, this is important.
Winter Knitted Warm Set Infinity Scarf and Hat Touch Screen Gloves ($13.99)
You need to keep warm and these will do it, the shemagh will also deal with weather other than rain or snow, also this will stop UV rays from touching your face.
Summing It All Up
- $39.95 (Rucksack)
- $28.04 (Survival kit)
- $59.99 (Shovel)
- $19.99 (Poncho)
- $10.49 (Water Bottle)
- $24.99 (Purification Straw)
- $8.95 (Purification Tablets)
- $65.00 (Ration Pack)
- $14.99 (Mess Kit)
- $19.99 (Grill)
- $8.99 (Lighter)
- $39.99 (Lighter Fuel)
- $44.71 (Crowbar)
- $13.99 (Dry Bags)
- $9.65 (Wipes)
- $34.90 (Radio)
- $17.97 (Battery Storage)
- $16.78 (AAA Batteries)
- $5.49 (Battery Tester)
- $13.99 (Winter gear)
We have a grand total of $498.55.
Final Thoughts
I would say a B.O.B is personal, and you need to decide what goes into one, everything you put into your B.O.B is specific to where you are and what you think you need, some might need items for bites, some might need other items.
You can make a bug out bag for $500 and it will keep you going for a long time. But if you don’t have this amount of money, know that you can assemble a BOB even with 100 dollars.
For a true, custom bug out bag you need to add to the bag over time, perhaps creating smaller budgets out of your final budget.
