(Part 3) Top products from r/bugout

There is a lot wrong with this list, so I'm just going to work down it one by one with my thoughts on the matter.

USB flameless lighter? Why? That is going to be unreliable, at best. Throw a few BIC lighters and some stormproof matches in there and be done with it. IF you want to be fancy, get something built to be rugged, that will stand up to use in the field:

https://www.amazon.ca/Ultimate-Survival-Technologies-Floating-Lighter/dp/B00C85NBA6/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173178&sr=1-2&keywords=camping+lighter

Speaking of, I didn't see any sort of firestarting material. Warmth is going to be important, and you need as few steps as possible between you and fire. Get some quality firestarters. I am trying to keep all my links relevant from amazon.ca, so some of the brands I'm most familiar with aren't there. But these work well (though there are options from Wetfire and other brands that take up less space):

https://www.amazon.ca/Ultimate-Survival-Technologies-Fire-Stix/dp/B00C6SHODK/ref=sr_1_20?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173338&sr=1-20&keywords=emergency+fire+starter

What is with the mall-ninja "tactical" hatchet? That is a lot of weight and not a lot of utility. You'd be better served with a reliable and lightweight folding saw, and a good full-tang fixed-blade knife. Something like a 7 inch Corona saw:

https://www.amazon.ca/Corona-Cutting-Tools-RS-7041/dp/B00004R9YN/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173467&sr=1-1&keywords=corona+folding+saw

If you insist on carrying a hatchet (and their function in a bugout situation is debatable, especially for the weight) get something quality like an Estwing:

https://www.amazon.ca/Estwing-E24A-14-Inch-Sportmans-Sheath/dp/B00BNQR4SG/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173510&sr=1-1&keywords=estwing+hatchet

Nothing wrong with duct tape, but you'd do well to wrap just maybe 3-4 meters of it around a small core (like from doggy waste bags, or even just around itself).

The self-crank radio/flashlight/phone charger is shit. You also don't need four lights, especially if all of them are crap. Buy one good flashlight, and maybe one good headlamp.

A flashlight like a Nitecore P12 or something that runs on an 18650 and offers long runtime would be ideal. If you buy a diffuser cap for it, you can replace the lantern. Pick up some spare, high quality 18650 cells, as well. The P12 has SOS and beacon modes, which will run for days at a time, in addition to a nice throw and excellent brightness on Medium and High.

https://www.amazon.ca/Nitecore-Flashlight-Lumens-Meters-Distance/dp/B00PQE1D2E/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173859&sr=1-2&keywords=nitecore+P12

As for headlamps, those don't need to be super bright. You want something with enough brightness and floodiness to work around camp. But ideally you also want a red-light or low-light mode for night time, when you don't need to destroy your night vision just because you need to take a piss or something.

https://www.amazon.ca/TACTIKKA-CONSTANT-LIGHTING-HEADLAMP-DESERT/dp/B00GCGIGHK/ref=sr_1_14?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173989&sr=1-14&keywords=petzl+headlamp

The powerbank thing in the crank radio is crap, only 1000mah. Not enough to charge most modern smart phones even 25%. Figure that of that 1000mah, ~25% will be lost just due to inefficiency in the charging process. Get a 10,000mah or bigger high quality battery, with 2.1A ports, and be done with it:

https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-PowerCore-Portable-Ultra-Compact-High-speed-Charging-Technology/dp/B0194WDVHI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482173708&sr=8-1&keywords=anker+usb+power+bank

Combine the money you'd spend on the shitty folding knife and the shitty Gerber multitool, and buy a proper multi-tool. You don't need two folding knives.

The Leatherman Wingman is a good value, though I prefer a nicer quality one like the Charge TTi, but at four times the price it may not be worth it just for an S30V blade.

https://www.amazon.ca/Leatherman-2996-831426-Wingman-Multi-Tool/dp/B005DI0XM4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482174264&sr=8-1&keywords=leatherman+wave

Ditch the camp toilet paper, that stuff is like wiping your ass with cardboard. Get some biodegradable camp wipes from an outdoor store. You can now use these to clean your ass, and they also are useful for wiping your hands, or taking whore baths.

Same with the camp soap. Are you bugging out or camping for a week? Nothing you are going to do in a bugout situation is going to necessitate body soap. Toothbrush, floss, deodorant.

Ditch the giant first aid kit full of crap you don't need. Those things are heavy and 80 of the 85 pieces are just different sized bitch stickers. Build your own first aid kit tailored around the likely injuries you would face: sprains, cuts, burns. Maybe throw some Quik Clot Z-pack gauze or a tourniquet (CAT or similar) in there for larger trauma, if that is a concern to you. Limit the bitch stickers to 5-10. All gauze, tape, trauma pads, alcohol wipes, tincture of iodine, moleskin for blisters, tweezers, surgical shears, gloves, maybe burn cream. Small containers of medications you might need: aspirin, antihistamines like Diphenhydramine, anti-diarrheals, etc.

That survival paracord bracelet thing is garbage. You already have 100ft of paracord in your list (which you could probably cut down to 50ft). You don't need some shitty firestarter, whistle, and compass thing. Buy a real lensatic sighting compass. Not going to do you much good without a map and the ability to understand it, anyway.

https://www.amazon.ca/UST-Survival-Essentials-Lensatic-Compass/dp/B005X1YI3Q/ref=sr_1_5?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482174799&sr=1-5&keywords=compass

You have both a cookset AND a mug/pot. This is extra redundant and not needed in a bugout situation. Stick to food you don't have to prepare. Caloric density is your friend. Jerky, EPIC bars, Clif bars, etc.

If you need to boil water, use a single-wall metal canteen (NOT a thermos). Remove the plastic lid, fill with water, set in your fire. Widemouth canteens like those by Klean Kanteen are multi-purpose (multipurpose is your friend). You can sterilize water, you can cook and eat food out of it (because of the large opening), and you can fill with hot water, wrap in a sock, and warm your sleep system.

https://www.amazon.ca/Klean-Kanteen-Stainless-Bottle-27-Ounce/dp/B0027W6WHE/ref=sr_1_sc_4?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482174908&sr=1-4-spell&keywords=klean+kanteen+widemouth

You don't need a can opener if you have a good multitool.

Lifestraws suck ass. They only work as a straw, and I am going to guess you don't want to get your water by drinking out of puddles exclusively. Get a Sawyer Squeeze mini filter. This can be used in-line with a hydration bladder, can be used like a Lifestraw, or can be used to filter an fill your water storage containers/bladder:

https://www.amazon.ca/Sawyer-Products-SP128-Filtration-System/dp/B00FA2RLX2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482175065&sr=1-1&keywords=sawyer+mini

One seriously lacking area for you is your sleep system. A tarp and a space blanket are not going to keep you functionally warm. You might survive a night, but you won't be useful the next day.

At the BARE minimum, you should get a good, reflective, breathable bivvy sack, like this one from SOL, AND a sleeping pad. A bivvy will reflect heat back onto you, helping with heat lost through convection, but no sleeping bag will help with heat lost through conduction (you touching the cold ground). That is why a sleeping pad is mandatory. I have used the Escape bivvy and the Klymit pad linked here together, and both kept me comfortably warm to about 50 degrees F. Below that, I've had to augment with base layers or jackets, and that still sucked. If you are hoping to sleep in below freezing temperatures, you'll need a properly sorted ultralight sleeping bag.

https://www.amazon.ca/Adventure-Medical-Kits-Escape-Bivvy/dp/B00EVGD0FQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482175280&sr=1-1&keywords=SOL+escape

https://www.amazon.ca/Klymit-06SVGR01C-Camping-Mattress-Green-Grey/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482175199&sr=1-1&keywords=sleep+pad

Other recommendations of mine would be to take survival, medical and foraging guides and put them on a smartphone, along with a GPS mapping software and pre-downloaded offline topographical maps at 1:24k resolution of your main bugout areas and 1:100k resolution elsewhere. Something like Gaia GPS for iOS or Backcountry Navigator Pro for Android:

The Fallkniven stones, DC3 and DC4 are great. A bit pricey, but they're excellent. The Spyderco Doublestuff is a bit larger, but also very good. Otherwise, you could just get a ceramic rod for like $2. I keep one of these in my EDC bag and I've been very happy with it so far.

Basically you got a kit that is a GearWhores dream, what you don't have is a kit that will keep you alive for more than a few days.

1. I want you to pile up all this shit you call a kit on Floor
   
2. Place an empty box on your bed and put the following in it:
   A) the ability to clean and carry water.
   B) the ability to make fire.
   C) shelter to keep dry/warm (a simple poncho and Mylar Blankets at first)
   
   At this point you could live for a couple weeks, and you've spent $40+ cost of pack
   
   D) food, start with compact shelf stable foods, like the dry emergency rations or these.
   A couple weeks worth is like $20, now if you ration you could live for over a month.
   
   3)Now throw away everything else left on the floor.
   As the other person pointed out you have 60+ pounds of junk. That fact is a kit to keep you alive for over a month should cost $60 and fit in a shoe box.

Would definitely recommend the books on edible plants, also gives medical benefits and cautions for eating too much of a single type of plant.

Also recommended The Survival Doctor's Complete Handbook: What to Do When Help is NOT on the Way https://www.amazon.com/dp/1621453057/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_qcYNBbEYT481E

Alot of good info, still reading it, plan to keep reading it over and over while taking care of business.

Great start. I would add a small hiking first aid kit like this. Plus I always recommend adding Immodium and Benadryl to first aid kits. They're probably the two OTCs most likely to save a life.

I have placed an order with everyone's suggestions in mind for a starter BOB. Thank you everyone for your input.

Here is what it is looking like so far:

Bag: I'm just going to use a northface bag I have that still appears new after 4+ years of use. Was my college bag originally so was used everyday. Very well built.
Here it is for reference

Knife: Since I freed up some money, I went ahead and picked up the Kabar also grabbed a leather sheath. Hopefully I don't get flack for it having a USMC logo on it. It is their knife anyway after-all.

Multitool Decided I probably would need a multitool of some sort.

Nalgene bottle and cup Thanks for alerting me to the cup, I didn't know these exist and should come in handy.

First aid kit based on suggestions.

Sawyer mini water filter

Saw chain was questioned but after watching the user video of him sawing through a tree in like 5 seconds I'm sold. I've tried cutting wood with machetes and hatchets and it is a PITA.

Emergency Blankets can't be too warm I feel.

Rations I will be taking at least 6 days worth.

Emergency Tent Will need to see how big this is. I might just get a tarp for my eno.

Compass

Cordage

Water treatment tablets

Headlamp

Emergency Bivvy

I also have a Ruger LCP with ~100 rounds I will toss in. I need to make copies of all of my documents to include. I already have a tactical flashlight to put in but will need some extra batteries. I have extra glasses to include. Have some flint and steel and bic lighters to include. Considering some sort of magnifying lense. The eno hammock, some jeans, a sweatshirt, rain jacket, and cap will be included. Also some sunglasses. I need to grab some duct tape, charger/radio, some sort of ereader or survival book, and probably a dozen other things I can't think of right now.

I will also need to make one for my 100lb black lab since I realized I wouldn't be able to leave him behind. Going to start training him to hike and carry a pack etc to have him ready. Ultimately he could become a major asset.

i had snagged this for my BOB
MSR MiniWorks EX
and also
Nalgene 96Oz canteen

been pretty pleased with the ease of field cleaning, and quality of the filtering

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00020S7XK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1410610220&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40 have one of these in every bob. Great radios and pretty solidly built.

It's essentially half of this kit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000069EYA/

• (3) 2x Aspirin tablets
  
• (3) 2x Ibuprofen tablets
  
• (3) 2x Extra-strength non-aspirin tablets
  
• (7) Alcohol cleansing pads
  
• (7) BZK antiseptic towelettes
  
• (3) Antibiotic ointment packs
  
• (1) First aid cream packs
  
• (1) Insect sting relief pads
  
• (1) Burn relief pack
  
• (30) 3/4"x3" Adhesive plastic bandages
  
• (10) 3/4"x3" Fabric bandages
  
• (10) 1"x3" Adhesive plastic bandages
  
• (5) 1"x3" Fabric bandages
  
• (2) Knuckle fabric bandages
  
• (2) Fingertip fabric bandages
  
• (1) 2"x4" Elbow & knee plastic bandages
  
• (20) 3/8"x1-1/2" Junior plastic bandages
  
• (1) Butterfly wound closures
  
• (3) 2"x2" Gauze dressing pads
  
• (2) 3"x3" Gauze dressing pads
  
• (1) 4"x4" Gauze dressing pads
  
• (1) 1/2"x5 yd. First aid tape roll
  
• (1) 2"x2" Moleskin

I'd never have a gun in my EDC, but other than that it looks okay.

I recommend these things

These two books are great
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0061992860/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1885071620/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

> water filtration for the river water

Your LifeStraw will clog up way too fast, OP. Check out something like this instead.

Cut plenty of firewood ahead of time.

Personally I would bring some #10 cans of Mountain House even if I was planning to hunt or fish. Maybe some multivitamins in case what you're eating is not enough to stay healthy.

Also at least three sleeping bags of different comfort ratings for each person. If you run out of firewood and get really cold, you can unzip and pile on top to stay warm.

Gore-Tex and wool everything, especially for your feet. Cold and wet is the worst.

Jansport Big Student. 31 liters, does not look at all tactical or hikerly, comes with a lifetime warranty, available in an astonishing variety of colors and patterns. I've been using one as a work bag (taxi driving) for the last four years and it's holding up just fine. I have another that I used for community college that also is fine. My cat puked on the college bag once. I washed it on gentle cycle and let it air dry on a drying rack. It came out looking brand-new.

titanium cook set weighs 7.4 ounce they are regularly used by ultra light hikers stainless is heavy for its small benefits

Central NC resident here. I just picked up a new weather radio, another flashlight (red is cheaper for some reason), and some backup batteries today. We're going to get water and dry foods tomorrow.

What are you stocking up on so you're ready to bug-in?

Edit: I just realized I capitalized the "H" in hurricane. I guess that's what I get for living in Raleigh. /r/canes would not protest.

https://www.amazon.com/Jungle-Stock-Starter-Survival-Emergency/dp/B07TS8QLZP/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=29L1VZG40X4YK&keywords=jungle+stock+fire+starter&qid=1564243561&s=gateway&smid=A4IOO6LZDKY7M&sprefix=jungle+stock%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

They used to put little bottles of Tobasco in MREs for that reason.

You can also find camping gizmos that hold a bunch of spices.

I got mine on amazon.

This book has everything you need to know.

Late answer sorry about that.

I find mine very handy. I will sometimes carry items with me on hikes that if I encounter other people, they might become nervous. So it is essential for me to avoid them, So I carry this monocular and its pretty handy.