The Ultimate Bug Out Bag List for Preppers

In my quest for ultimate preparation, I found that the average 72 hour kit sold at your local sports outlet isn’t a practical approach to bugging out. Most ready-made kits are all but useless containing minimal calories and a destitute number of tools for survival. That’s why I decided to create my own ultimate bug out bag.

Before I get going crazy on all the wonderful prepper items you need to add to your kits, a couple disclaimers:

First – This kit is not for wussies. If you’re going to survive a coronal mass ejection, nuclear warfare, EMP attack, natural disasters or anything else you happen to be preparing for, you need to be in good shape. Health and fitness are essential to survival and this kit is made for people who take that seriously. It has some weight to it, but not more than an in shape person should be able to handle.

Second – This is a “96 hour” kit for two people. There are several tools you will only need one of between the two people. It’s an easy way to distribute weight and add more essentials. I put the “96 hour” in quotations because essentially you can make this kit last as long as you need so long and you can supply yourself with adequate food.

When shopping for your items ALWAYS keep weight in mind.

Now to the good stuff:

2 – Backpacks (Highest quality available I’ve found at my local army navy store)
1 – First Aid Kit
1 – Body Powder
2 – Flashlights w/Extra Batteries
6 – Glowsticks (3 per person)
1 – Wind and Waterproof Matches Pack
1 – Magnesium Block
2 – Sandwich Bags Full of FiredUp! (Or any other fire starter/kindling kit of your choice)
1 – Map of Local Area
2 – Compasses with Measure (Learn to orienteer if you haven’t yet)
1 – Pocket Knife
1 – Hand Saw
1 – Hatchet
1 – Compact Fishing Kit
2 – Cooking Sets (Or 1 large)
1 – Hunting Knife
1 – Stove and Fuel (Propane only. Do not buy an isobutene or butane camp stove. They don’t work in cold temperatures.)
24 – Packaged Meals (small and cheap solution for food)
1 – Body Wipes Package
2 – Toilet Paper Rolls (Remove cardboard roll in the center so it can be easily compressed in your pack)
1 – Trowel
1 – Container of Corn Starch (Great for use as dry shampoo, burn treatment and insect bites)
1 – Soap / Sanitizer
2 – Hand Towels
1 – Sewing Kit
1 – Pocket Radio w/ Extra Batteries
2 – Two Way Radios
2 – Foam Pads
2 – Sleeping Bags
1 – Pair of Binoculars
4 – Hankies
4 – Plastic Bags
1 – Waterproof Watch
2 – Pairs of Sunglasses
1 – Small Pad of Paper and Pen
1 – Bug Repellant
1 – Lip Balm
1 – Sun Block
1 – Aloe Vera
1 – Mirror
4 – Signal Flares
2 – Storm Whistles
1 – 3 L Water Bladder
1 – Water Filter
1 – Spool of Rope (100+ Feet)
6 – Rubber Bands
6 – Safety Pins
1 – Tent
1 – Tarp (light weight)
2 – Firearms and Concealed Carry Holsters
Extra Clothing Each (Including Wool Socks, Jacket and Layered Clothing)
Necessary Prescriptions
Copy of Important Legal Documents in Water Proof Pouch
Address Book
Cash – $200 Worth
Coins – $10 Worth

Some of these items I have left to your own discretion such as the first aid kit, extra clothes, fishing kit, etc. And yes, I was able to fit all of this in mine and my spouse’s bug out bags each weighing approximately 25 pounds.

TIP: Next to my bug out bags I have one clothing bag filled with our hiking boots, wool socks, thermal underwear, 2 long sleeve shirts, 2 jeans, 2 hoodies, beanies and 2 pairs of gloves. The purpose for having a clothing bag is in the case of an emergency occurring in the middle of the night while we’re sleeping (such as a fire) and all we have on our backs is some cotton pajamas – we grab our bug out bags and clothing bag. When we get to a safe place we’ll have warm clothes to change into and the bag can be easily tucked away in our packs

Do you have an ultimate bug out bag list?

This post was kindly contributed by Jessica Hooley, an emergency prepper and writer of the blog Salt n’ Prepper – Critical Emergency Preparation with Ease.