Too many preppers ignore this…
When disaster strikes you might find yourself in a situation where you’re not only forced to evacuate your home but have no other option than to walk to safety… and “safety” could be 100 miles away.
Just 2 miles into your 100-mile journey, the reality will set in.
Your sweaty feet are beginning to blister, you’re losing precious time whenever you stop to drink water (which is quickly running out) and now that it’s dark you’re seriously terrified about getting separated from your kids or grandkids.
You’re learning a hard truth about bugging out every infantryman has learned the hard way:
Your bugout bag is only as good as the gear you pack.
You can have the best “bugout” bag in the world packed with high-tech gadgets and still end up dying 3 miles from safety because you overlooked the essentials.
Last week I told you about the 10 essential features to look for in a bugout bag… now I’m going to tell you the 11 pieces of gear no bugout bag should be without.
My “Top 11” ESSENTIAL Battle-Tested Bug-Out Gear That Can Save Your Life On A 100-Mile March To Safety
Here’s What You’ll Discover In This Week’s Episode:
- The science of snacking that will keep your body moving and your spirits up on a 100-mile hike.
- The secret life-saving ingredient you need to be adding to your water if you want to survive a long march to safety.
- The common candy found in every grocery store, gas station and Halloween goodie basket any soldier worth his salt keeps in his bugout bag.
- One “girly” items that a “burly” man needs to keep his long march to safety from becoming a living hell with each and every step.
- What the military uses to “cure” just about everything that make all the difference between you getting to safety or dying in a ditch.
- And much, MUCH more!
Include a wide-brim – full circumference hat (sun and rain protection) with optional drop-down insect netting. Trekking pole or walking stick helps maintain stability (especially over uneven ground) and reduce walking fatigue – can also serve as a defensive or exploratory safety tool. I still want a full-size military poncho for rain protection and use as improvised resting shelter. Just to clarify, Cacao products contain tryptophan, which body uses to make serotonin, the brain chemical that helps you relax. Raw cacao nibs are best, but most people find them bitter and have to mix them with other items. Powdered Cocoa mix has been processed (reduced physiological benefits), but added sugars help boost energy and mood. Seeking the suck before time of actual need is always well-advised as experience is a dear teacher!
Good list validated by military and Scouts BSA. Used many with the CAV (yes we were in vehicles to cover lots of ground but had to hike some times).
Tip – carry an 8 x 8 sheet of light plastic (or extra poncho) for use as shelter. Fold up small and it fits in a side pouch.
Great info. I would include a quality led headlamp. It could be used during power outages in buildings etc while keeping your hands free.
Closest thing for me (not a “hold-able” item, was the realization that fear can be a companion, a great advisor, not an entity to “be afraid of”. This developed early on for me in Iraq as a contractor (former military).
I large contractor bag with a hole cut in the corner makes an instant shelter.
I hike a lot – 1600+ Arizona hikes in the last 14.5 years. At 73, I hike (actually climb) Camelback Mountain 4 times a week. I used to do the two pair of socks routine until a couple of years ago when I bought a pair of Wrightsocks at REI. These socks have a double layer built in. I have put hundreds of hours on these socks and they are great. I have had to re-sew the toes a couple of times but that is more of a reflection on me (probably should trim my big toe nail more often). I am looking to get another pair as these are getting worn. I don’t do endorsements very often but I could not recommend Wrightsocks any more highly.
1: tootsie roll pops- energy comfort food.
2: the big Swiss Army knife a true life saver.
3:2-3 carabiner clips and 2-3 longish zip cable ties
4: 2-3 one gallon slider plastic bags great to keep stuff dry yet handy, useful and observerable. Think phone comm devices compass etc.
5: small baggie of protein powder
6: handful of big ish rubber bands
Wrap them around folded up gallon slider bags and protein powder bag.
7: but I do did like all your helpful tips and have added them.
Big thanks and I do love my big blue back pack bag.from you. Only one I use really good quality excellent excellent piece of equipment. Thanks again.
Peanut lighter its like a zippo but is sealed there are a few companies that make them some seal better than others. Iv had one that cost me $3.50 that held fluid for 5+ years and others that I had to refill a few times a year countycomm make some good ones but thats the one I carry extra fuel for but more reliable than a bic or just flint. Dark chocolate always does the trick good fuel last years in a bag and pumpkin seeds have a great nutritional profile less thirst inducing than other nuts.
Hi Jeff,
One thing I use is a walking stick or a staff. Apart from something to lean on and assist walking up or down hills is the ability to use it as a weapon and also a tent pole for making a lean to kind of a shelter also using your rain poncho or a tarp. If you have both than one can be used as a ground cover so you are not lying on the ground .
It’s nice to hear someone say to pack plenty of socks and underwear because to me, two pairs of socks, briefs, tee shirts, etc., is insufficient and you’ll be constantly worried about washing the “dirty” pair, which might be the ones you are wearing.
By having extra changes you can wash a few items at one time and not be washing daily which would get old very fast. And trying to mend rips and tears would also be tedious, but the more pairs or sets, the less chances of wearing out one or two pairs.
I did want to mention that polypropylene socks and underwear reduce friction. In paintball people began to wear tights or bodysuits under their long-sleeved jersey and pant outfits to reduce friction and allow better evaporation. An old trick I learned from Bradford Angier is to wrap your feet with plastic or a bread bag which helps keep them warm, dry and reduces friction. Despite what most might think, your feet don’t really sweat much more than usual.
In addition to powder, regular or medicated, oil or lotion will heal dry or chaffing skin. By keeping the skin supple and elastic we can counter the effects of friction and moisture. Bag Balm is fantastic, but sticky and gooey like a heavier duty version of petroleum jelly or the name brand Vaseline, but it comes in a little box shaped tin and you just rub it on and it protects the skin. And like Vaseline it’s good for the rest of your body although I’d recommend lip balm like Lip Medic or Burt’s Bees in those little round canisters. And for people with any skin problems they are dedicated foot and hand lotions.
I don’t like Jolly Ranchers, but I like hard candy and LifeSavers. And I stock up on peppermint sticks after Christmas.