With the appropriate knowledge of how to keep your BOB light, bugging out can become more comfortable.
A too heavy bugout bag is one of the items you don’t ever want to be with when SHTF. I could bet that you haven’t taken your bag out recently for some bugging out practice — I don’t even think you do so at all. How then do you intend to heave this bag on & conveniently bug it out? A bag that weighs over 50 pounds is always a no-no.
In this article, we’ll check out the recommendations of expert preppers on keeping your bug out bag light.
Expert Recommendations on How to Keep Your BOB Light
Keep in mind that the perfect BOB for you has to be conveniently carried about while ensuring that it contains all gear & supplies essential to your bugging out over a predefined period. It is easy to pack in excess while at this — so if you find yourself with an extremely heavy BOB, here are pretty effective suggestions to follow.
Watch the Bag’s Weight
The weight of your bag has to be considered, too, although most people have oversight on this. The weight of a bag is not a negligible factor. You have to consider it enough, because as they say — “ounces become pounds.”
And there’s already enough pounds to carry with the gear you’re packing; the bag to carry them shouldn’t also be weighty itself. A normal school backpack does not weigh very heavily, but a proper outdoor pack or military-styled bag featuring a frame system will weigh considerably heavier.
However, note that I am not suggesting that you settle for a regular student backpack because it weighs much lighter. I am only hinting that you consider various bags in your research to find one that will function well enough (durability is key) without weighing too much.
Be Familiar With Your Bug Out Plan
Preppers are usually vague when discussing their bug out plans — rarely because they want to be discreet but mainly because they are not familiar with the intricacies of the whole thing. The normal answer I get when I ask people for their bug out plans is, “I’ll grab my bag & zoom off to my bug out location.” Answers the question but not satisfactorily.
In a bid to pack a light bug out bag, you need to answer other questions. Having the answers to these questions will help you know the items to pack & the items to not. Ask yourself these:
- How far is my bug out location to my home, school, work, kid’s school, or any other place I go often or an important place I may have to get to when SHTF?
- Are there alternative routes to my bug out location? If yes, how much distance does each alternative add to the trip?
- What are my options for alternative means of transportation?
- What is the weather condition where I live & in my bug out location?
- How many members make up my group?
- Do I or any of my group members suffer specific health issues that will require special attention?
By answering these questions correctly, you have a clearer picture of the gear to pack in your bag instead of just throwing in anything you can lay your hand on. For example, a person bugging out to an urban area about 10 miles away will pack lighter than a person traveling over 100 miles to somewhere rugged.
Opt for Multi-purpose Gear
The use of single tools that will serve a handful of purposes can lighten things more easily. A single gear that can fulfill 10-15 uses surely trumps packing ten tools for the same uses. The overall weight of a BOB with plenty of multi-tools is significantly light.
We honestly don’t have to go through the ins & outs of multi-purpose tools in this regard. They are very much better options when the focus is on weight.
Niceties are Not A Priority when Packing Cookware
You need to have it in the back of your mind that a bugging out trip is not the same as you camping out in the Savannah or among the alligators of the swamps. There will be a lot of niceties that you have to get rid of.
If I asked you for the cookware in your BOB now & you started to mention pots, pot lids, pans, skillets, plates, eating & cooking utensils, a grill, cups & many more, I wouldn’t be surprised as someone else has done that before you. But trust me: I wouldn’t be surprised, but I’d be bothered.
You need to cut down on what you pack aggressively. Even though outdoor cookware kits are now very compact, you still have to reduce a lot of them. The ideal items to pack for cooking are a small pot, a cup (perhaps) & an eating utensil.
All your cooking can be done in the small pot, and you can eat directly from the pot — so plates aren’t necessary. It is best to choose a pot made of titanium as it is light.
Replace Tents with Tarps
Tents are popular — but they’ve never been my thing. They can only work as a tent, except you agree to piece it out.
I prefer tarps greatly for many reasons, such as affordability, versatility, easier setup & dismantling, multi-purpose & not as heavy as tents.
Final Lines on How to Keep Your BOB Light
Now that you know some suggestions on how to keep your BOB light, I’m hoping that you pack neatly & purposefully when you have to bug out. However, note that John Wick did not give these suggestions — you can decide not to obey them. These are mere ideas that I believe will make things easier & lighter (not in color). Here’s a quick example: I suggested replacing your tent with a tarp when packing light, but this may not be ideal for you, depending on your region’s climate or the season you’re in. Always do what you believe is best — except Jack Ma is offering you a million-dollar not to.