This is a long one folks (see shortcuts in the description + downloadable checklist) - but I get asked all the time, *_"What exactly should I pack inside my bugout bag?"_* Most preppers are packing WAY too much! These are the bugout bag essentials for an ultralight approach based on my experience. Yours may be different so leave a comment. Enjoy!

Try 96 gal trash bags. You will never look back ;) There uses are endless. Emergency shelter big enough to set inside, tarp, ground cloth, and Thay make the best Ponchos To, cut hole for head and arms smaller than you think you need push head and arms through and it will make a seal.

THANK YOU for including feminine hygiene needs. This is so often overlooked but women are preppers too! This is so minuscule but doesn’t weigh anything and uses are endless soI’d also add in some hair ties. 1) hair in your face could be dangerous in a bug out scenario 2) can help keep you cool 3) can be used to secure lots of items or in setting up a shelter.

You're suggestion about the diva cup put this video into the cream of the crop category. Thoughtful, and forward thinking.

Best video hands down. The most logical and realistic kit I've seen in years. This isn't about comfort its about staying alive long enough to get from A to B

I would suggest adding clear eye protection to the list regardless of whether or not you wear glasses. While moving through the brush, catching a branch or thorn in the eye could be catastrophic.

When it comes to emergency rations , I remember my father a WW2 vet telling me a horrific story when they liberated one of the Nazi Concentration Camps. They immediately issued British army rations to the survivors, and even several days later they were still dying. Then they found if the survivors were given beef extract drink( brand names, brovil, marmite, vegemite ) they could slowly be brought back to some health, so they could eat solid food. When in the Armed Forces Reserve, I always carried a jar of brovil, in my webbing.

Thank you so much for mentioning the DivaCup and other feminine concerns. Very refreshing to hear a "manly man" mention such things. Natural bodily functions aren't anything to be embarrassed about and videos like yours normalize that thinking. I assure you the ladies in your audience appreciate it!

I may have missed it, but I highly recommend having a sharpening tool/stone to restore the edge on any cutting tools you carry.

I like having a saw with me. I think the name of the game is calorie consumption, and cutting wood with a saw burns fewer than a knife. Yes it adds a little more weight, but I've found it a fair trade for the time/effort in the woods. Silky makes some good ones.

I’m a 55 year old former 11Bravo...was in a light infantry unit in Korea 1985-1986...happily surprised that l packed my bag almost the same as yours lol! We packed a wool blanket a poncho and poncho liner...for the Korean winter..which was sub zero many times....travel light freeze at night!

US Army veteran here. I'll take 16 pounds over 80 pounds any day! WYSI wipes on Amazon to take care of the toilet paper issue. New subscriber.

Definitely the most well planned "we need to leave now" kit I have ever seen. I definitely appreciate not just the detail but the full situation break down for your items. Being prepared for a crisis is so overlooked and when something bad happens you'll always overlook important things (and often small things) that will make all the difference in your ability to stay safe or in some cases, alive. So thank you for a great video.

Thank you Jeff for a great video. I served in the Canadian Army and what you've shown here jives with my experience. The one thing I would mention is that water or any liquid becomes a real problem in the winter. Leaving it in a vehicle results in ice, not liquid, and that often happens in a pack too. I have a number of stoves and containers, depending on how we're travelling and although they do add some weight, they're critical in a more northerly climate. I have two bags, a lightweight in my vehicle (the older I get, the lighter it gets!), and a full pack for longer bugouts in the house. If I'm on a road trip, I'll throw the bigger bag in just in case I can't get home. My primary goal is to get home if I can, then saddle up our horses and go from there. They don't need fuel (grass works), they can go more places than any vehicle and they can carry the extra weight of additional supplies. At my age, walking is not my first choice.

HANDS! Your hands are everything. Cut proof, heat resistant gloves with good grip. Item #1 Also. Some medical nitrate gloves and MASK! Doesn't weigh anything and you sure will be sorry if you don't have one. Also EYES! Hands and eyes, Safety sunglasses. You need to see things from far away, FEET! Good boots. Step on nails, glass, hot surfaces....

Usmc infantry here. Thank you for this great video. I do carry one of those sport type water bottles (because that little nozzle lets you control the water to some degree) for cooking, washing your hands but mostly for the inevitable dust or (my personal favorite) gnat that gets in your freaking eye somehow! Also socks, tp (cause I don’t want to end up wearing a t shirt dickie) gloves and chapstick

Good points! I live in Sweden and it can get pretty cold, windy and wet. My focus would be on keeping warm, would probably add more ways of processing wood for fire, like a silky saw and a spliiting axe.

Over the last dozen years I've changed my get home bad many, many times. After being through just about every kind of food imaginable. I now pack the lifeboat bars as my main food source. I live in the desert so having food that doesn't require water is the best. Yes I know their not all that flavorful, but in a shtf situation, I just want to get home. I have some protein bars, jerky, and instant coffee packs also. Great video.

@ Warriors Life... One thing that I've used and has been a very versatile piece of kit is what the old plumbers use to use called or was called the plumbers candle. This candle put out very good heat, as well as a useful lighting device. I came across this candle a few years ago and have made it a permanent piece of gear in my bag. Great way to stay warm in a pinch and it burns longer and slower then regular candles as well as generating more heat in a survival situation. Plumbers used it to place under pipes back in the day to unthaw pipes.👍

Your's is the first video I've seen that recommends something that I always carry! A Bic lighter wrapped with a couple of yards of duct tape! It has served me well over the years. From quick repairs, to a piece of duct tape inside the back of a shoe to prevent blisters, to improvised first aid.

Very useful vid - and finally one with common sense and not loaded with testosterone in bags/knives etc So big thank you!! I'd add: 1. Tiny home made roll of black duct tape fit temp repairs or sealing tent / bag etc 2. Lady 'super thin, high flow pant liner pads - great for: intended use over long distance but also as: - 1x big bandage to soak up bleeding. - Inner boot protection if blisters; - Cut into strips for small cuts/wounds/sores. - Also good for males and females if don't want to risk showing yourself for pee, do in pants and carry on. Clean up with wet wipes in safe zone. - Wear every day - makes underwear last longer as discard and use new one every morning. - Aldo good if got 'the runs' and get seepage with wind' I know grids but it happens! 3. Tiny size book or area guide to help de-stress and relax quietly with in evening. Doubles as toilet paper when done with. 4. Test high Calor bars now - some taste really skanky. Find one you like. Likewise jerky as lightweight high protein. Thanks Jeff - good no-nonsense info. Much appreciated I'm a Dr (MD) in UK so I'd also recommend practicing dealing with a wound with only what you have around you - what I'd the most useful items - like can you pop back a dislocated shoulder? Seconds painful, long term relief. Splints from twigs and gaffer tape or dental floss - just TRY doing a couple of these so it's not unfamiliar territory when out. Finally, ditch half of what's in most survival pack medical kits. Your panty liner(s) will cover much of it. Then consider what you really really might need after. No plastic scissors please!!!

Great video from someone with actual experience. Appreciate that! No need to apologize to men about the "ick factor" of a period. It's just a fact of life. Men can just get over it if they have a problem. Thank you for including that very important sanitary product that us women will need. Most videos don't include it.

What a great combination of ultralight and ultra-practical. Certain things really stuck out with me, like the poncho based shelter and the 4-way silcock key, show me you've played with your gear and have adapted as necessary. Two things that I do just a little different are both related to water are the inclusion of one or two 1qt gi canteens, one of which has the nested, stainless steel cup and nested stove. I like the canteen stove because I can still use esbit fuel tabs (hexamine or trioxane, too) but can throw twigs in the stove which is not easy in the esbit style folding stove. I also like the pedialite powder because they are not as harsh as some of the electrolyte replacement powders. (Another good reason to have a 1qt canteen to mix the powders in) Tea bags are another light weight addition to help hide the taste of filtered or treated water. Thank you for a great video, some good tips that I am going to implement in my preps.

Even if the video is several months old, thank you very much for that good video. The setup is pretty good and shows a lot of experience - thank for sharing. Some things I have within my backpack at the following: - sewing kit (from hotels), or just a needle with dental floss - protective gloves - blister relieve (when walking long distances) - playing dices / playing cards -> if you are evacuated to a official shelter boredom might become an issue - water purification tablets (weight almost nothing) - waterproof pen and paper Regarding the pictures of the family, they also keep the morale up in desperate situations. Maybe that helps someone. Let’s hope we never need it :-) Best regards from Germany.

Include an inventory with uses for each item, handy when you periodically check bag contents and in case someone else needs to use your bag. Bonus, add a space pen so you can use the back for notes. Weighs nothing.

You also probably saw what happens when someone either forgot or lost some essential piece of gear and how hard life can be without it. I've seen what happens when someone forgets their socks. Once his feet were more mole skin than skin and we knew we had to cover down. I've always liked the AM/FM/SW1&2 radio it is more useful when standard stations might not be available.. The more info you can get the better your chances of suffering less. I also like at least a cheap pair of mechanics gloves you can save the neosporin for later if a glove prevented a cut or scrape. Just a couple of ideas.

Change to a titanium cup the titanium ultralight folding stove for solid fuel tabs. Will save weight.

So happy to see someone else recognize the multi use of dental floss... Hygene, it threads through a needle for sewing/repairs, threads through a hook for fishing, it's plenty strong for snaring small animals(I've caught several rabbits, squirrels ect using dental floss snares) it's strong enough also for small shelter tasks such as securing cross pieces On shelter frames ect, and a tiny tiny roll is like 100 yards... And it's the size of a damn button compass...I carry 2 of the spools that are like 110yds each... And that 220yds of multi use cordage is smaller and lighter than a damn AAA battery... Such a no brainier to me. It's a big deal actually, just how versatile dental floss is....

Great video 👍 I live in the north up in Canada so my only suggestion would be a fireproof wool blanket because of the climate. I also carry an actual -10 sleeping bag with my sleep system and extra pairs of wool socks. One of my tricks is to use my clean extra wool socks over items that could make noise in travel. I also carry a rain cover for the bag, you don’t want your sleep system getting wet. While its raining you can put your bag face down on something away from water and still move freely with your poncho on. Helps keep you and your stuff dry. I use mine ice fishing, camping and at the cottage. It can go from 22-55 pounds depending on the situation. I was living out of a backpack for 10 years after the judge took my license. I got none intentional back pack game 😂 I keep mine in my hummer set at 22lbs and 33 lbs worth of stuff in a container underneath. I also have a tent in there for two. If I want to get real crazy which some call me… whatever. I attach my bug out trailer behind the hummer in a few minutes and I got 2 years worth of food in there, bunk beds, wood stove, solar generation, the roof collects rain water and filters it before it goes into my tanks. I also have the trailer filled with the rest of my camping and survival gear. Work in progress still but this year I can almost finish it up. It’s my mobile command Center. 🫡🇨🇦

I'd recommend having a old phone in there, just a cheap flip phone, because they can call emergency with no sim, and if your phone is flat or broken or whatever you can put your sim in it to contact loved ones etc

Thorough presentation. And FINALLY, someone talks about nutrition options and electrolyte balance! Had to chuckle over the “yuck factor” but as well, thorough! Lastly, the machete-wielding mannequin was a brilliant stroke for pepping up the brief towards the end! Well done, and thanks!

This came up as recommended & I’m glad it did! I bought a new vehicle & was looking to update my survival bag in my vehicle. I would just add 1 thing that is the MOST important, that is KNOWLEDGE! Know your equipment & test it & go through it to remind yourself. Cell service could be down & if you don’t know something maybe carry a small survival book with you.

Thanks for all the info and tips. Great information and very thorough. You did include the wipes, so good on you. I don’t see a lot of people put TP or wipes in their bags. I carry both TP and wipes. TP is inexpensive and doesn’t take up a lot of room. Can use as a snot rag. And wipes to finish the dirtiest job. After a hot, sweaty day on the trail, those wipes are great to use right before bed so your skin can breath and get a better, cooler night sleep.

For the nesting cup, I’ve always recommended the Olicamp titanium cup for a couple reasons. 1, it’s titanium so it’s light, sturdy, it provides all the services of any other metal cup. 2, they’re made specifically to fit around a 32 oz nalgene. The nalgene, if empty, can store all those same food items, so it doesn’t take up virtually any more space, but you add 32 oz of potential water storage or water tight storage for other items. Or, if you get the small-mouthed bottle, the sawer filter can be threaded onto it.

Add a handkerchief for filtering out debris from water going into water bag so filter won’t get clogged, also can be used for first aid,etc. Excellent advice Mylar bags, didn’t know about the moisture barrier, thanks. At theatrical lighting stores one can get free film colored gels in a packet that can be cut for flashlight and taped over lens, I.e. red gels. Thanks for service!

A backlit Kindle or tablet with survival guides, medical guides, etc stored on it that can be charged with solar power would be a nice addition. A crank/rechargeable radio with a light would be nice. I would choose a multi-tool with pliers, small saw and and awl and can opener. Personal info on a thumb drive can also be backed up on the kindle. Some waterproof sacks are invaluable, too. Some other thoughts on essentials... Bandanas (multitude of uses from bandages, to cleaning), Gorilla Tape, Stainless/titanium cup/pot for boiling water, etc. One-handed Trekker Swiss knife (especially if you get injured). Needle that would work with dental floss to repair things, wool cap and extra socks and work gloves (I know, you didn't discuss clothes), extra zip lock bags for a variety of things, wipes, whistle, cordage: bankline/paracord.

Thanks for confirming everything that I've learned in both my time in school and the military... After seeing all the fancy stuff people are prepping with out there, you've reminded me of the basics: keeping it simple, and keeping it real.

Also like the OODA Loop (orient, observe, decide, act, repeat) that you alluded to but did not mention by name: Continually re-evaluate your gear for changing needs (weather, seasons, your size and ability to carry load, tastes), expiration dates, newer multi-function, lighter gear. Good reason to keep an inventory list of each bag with date inventoried, expiration dates.

A good down sleeping bag or quilt weighs 1.5lbs n very small. N will make u legitimately warm n comfortable. Can stuff into bottom of bag.

Gruntproof got me into using Mass Gain powder, I prefer it with milk and all we use at home is powder milk which is easy to carry too. I paired my Lifestraw with a Amazon case that holds two Whirl-Pak water bags to form a complete unit (there is space for water tabs too). I also like the Canadian Forces waffle scarf which you can wrap around your torso as an extra layer or use as a towel.

Pausing at the part about water filters. I recommend the Grayl Geopress purifier. It's one of the best if not the best on the market, no tubes or attaching filters to flimsy bags, parts which can break, tear or get lost, just one sturdy purification system that you can rely on long term. If your main source of water such as the bladder is kept inside your pack with the hose running out the top as they do, what happens if you have to ditch the pack or lose it? I keep my Grayl Geopress in a Pathfinder bottle pouch which has molly to attach to the main pack, or you can wear it separately at the same time. If you have to run and drop the big bag, you still have your most important survival tool with you, plus whatever else you've added to it. Corporal's Corner has a review, fits the whole 10 C's into the Pathfinder pouch. Just that instead of a metal canteen, I choose the Grayl. I'd rather filter water quickly and keep moving than have to light fires and boil. Could still fit a stainless cup in there with the Grayl inside, plenty of options. Those two items are a great combo for starters.

Thank you so much for stressing the importance of ELECTROLYTES in staying hydrated! They are a must in get home bags, especially in the summer months.

Excellent information. Thanks. Extra socks. Hot chocolate packets, a personal favorite. The Afghan mujahideen carried dried mulberries and walnuts, a great combination.

Outstanding. But, like so many others, I will add my 2 cents worth. 1-I highly encourage the use of freeze dried...NOT dehydrated. Freeze drying retains, on average, eighty percent nutritional value whereas the dehydration process generally causes the LOSS of eighty percent of nutritional value. 2-Owning a small hammerless revolver is rarely considered by gun enthusiasts but is my recommended covert firearm. And while firing from within a pocket may not be recommended due to the loss of accuracy as well as the tendency to set the fabric of your clothing on fire...the need arise to do so, you will be better served with a hammerless revolver. No hammer to snag/pinch fabric which would interfere with striking the firing pin and no jamming from ejection port blockage.

Water, I have a couple life straws for when you are on the run and the convenience, a Sawyer mini bulk filter with five 2 liter bags that can be used for either clean or dirty water intended for when we can safely stop and collect water and I carry a water bladder/bottle in the back pack to keep water in reserve for when you can't stop to collect, or can't find water. Nothing is worse than ending the day thirsty/dehydrated and with no resupply leaving you to desperately hunt for water at first light!

Recommendation for non lethal that I carry in my pack and in my vehicles is Sabre pepper gel. It's small and weighs practically nothing. Just one of the things I added. Stay safe

If you want to store a Big or other lighter safe use a zip tie underneath the gas button to prevent bumping the gas button and wasting lighter gas. It’s specially useful with backup lighters.

After a little training, a simple baseplate compass, which typically have a built in protractor, is worth the 30 bucks / 2 oz (50g). The ability to set a bearing and calculate distance without thinking too much is really helpful under stress.

Considering, you are "out there", I would say, leaving a note as to where you are going to be, or planning to be, for someone you trust that would come looking for you if you didn't return, or weren't able to carry out whatever plan you had. Might save you.

A lot of great tips. Would recommend safety glasses for chopping and walking around at night. For urban and woods I switched out my machete for the Cold steel shovel. Here’s why. First it’s legal and not viewed as lethal. With the kydex sheath it becomes a baton. Without the sheath a machete. I shortened the handle so I could have just enough room with one hand around metal neck and one hand before the bulbous end. Better for self digging shallow holes, chopping, self defense like a tomahawk and easier to carry. I bring extra screws to use multi tool to attach the spade to a long branch handle for a lot of digging. I also dulled one edge of the spade so I can but my hand on it for help in digging and moving dirt. Depending on using it right or left handed the spade will have a natural curve for striking so dull the top edge. The kydex sheath has a belt loop on the back. This I tapered and put gorilla tape around it for comfort when I put my hand through and grab it as you would a shield. With or without the spade in the sheath it is a great shield against weapons and thrown objects. I also take a poncho liner and a SOL Mylar double size heat sheet which is stronger and a lot quieter than the cheap stuff and some packaging tape and large safety pins and mate it together in the corners and center. Trim excess Mylar. Multiple uses. Shade, blind, tarp, quilt. And with 24” zipper I can use it as an extra warming layer like a poncho with out a hood or I can mate the liner with military poncho to allow my head to go through it into the poncho hood it becomes an an extra warming layer and impromptu mobile survival shelter that doesn’t require stakes and cordage. I carry one canteen and a Rothco GI cup with lid because it is thin metal which improves heat transfer for tabs, waxed cardboard fire starter cubes or alcohol fuel and natik GI stove. I cut 2 pairs of very small triangular cuts to put some thin stakes across the top to allow for the flames to go up around the sides of the cup for tabs and alcohol. I also flipped it upside down and did the same shallow cuts to stop metal stakes from moving to use with fire staters and dry kindling as well. I use a foil windshield sun reflector trimmed to fit the length or height of my pack as a ground Matt and two contractor bags. And a small inflatable Matt for sleeping on the floor and a ring inflatable pillow. So I carry one GI canteen system and knife fork and spoon. I also carry another canteen that has the top 3rd cut off as a cup and trim it to slide onto the bottom of another intact canteen. I carry one plastic water bottle and bladder to screw onto a sawyer water filter. Liked your vid

A handkerchief is versatile and a great pre-filter to protect your primary water filter and make it last longer without clogging.

I keep multivitamins/multiminerals in my bug out and inch bags. Equate makes some that are reasonably priced. We probably won't be able to secure good nutritional food and vitamins will help with that. I use a twenty watt Xdragon solar panel and a magnetic Olight battery charger to keep my phone and flashlights working. It's a little bulky but it doesn't weigh much and you can hang it from your pack. It works really well and is a lot faster than the smaller ones. Who knows you might be able to barter charging up other people's batteries for a little food or something else you might need.

I've just found your channel and firstly thank you, great presentation style which is very calm and no nonsense. You had me at a large pack because you will be foraging for food and gear and they tend to be more comfortable with better harness systems and can be synced down for smaller loads. I live in the UK so my first point would be to pack your gear load out for your environment. Mine is very wet so finding water is easy but staying dry is a priority. A poncho is essential but for my environment so is a Gore-tex bivvy bag in camouflage material, being covert at night is the best way to stay safe and it can be used over your pack with air in it for river crossings. My packs are all single colour earth tones so I don't look overtly military but I can stash my gear for a recce and expect it to still be there. A compass will keep you moving in the right direction until you can spot familiar land marks and stop you walking in circles. I found the Grayl water filter despite being stupidly expensive is a great system for quick and easy water filtration on the move and can easily be transferred to other containers. Water sources can be quite exposed so speed is a priority. Purification tablets because one is none right? An easy to light fire extender such as cotton balls soaked in vasaline or fire dragon fuel tablets to get a fire going in very wet weather and for use with a ferro rod. A gas lighter yes but windproof like a jet flame. In my area a Gore-tex jacket being wind and waterproof is a must. I work 120 miles away from home so weight a comfort of my pack is a priority as are good boots, my kit is more of a "get home bag" but is my general use survival kit. Finally the lightest tool you'll carry KNOWLEDGE! Know your kit, use it to camp with, you'll change it around once you start using it. I'm a veteran too, British Airborne '85 - '04 🇬🇧

Hands down, this video is the BEST, most informed, most practical one I've heard yet. Too many "pundits" would have you carry enough gear to bug out for life. No, you're bugging out for a *short* while, must be resigned to enduring some discomfort, and can declare victory if you come out alive. A bug out is not a planned camping trip. At the risk of repeating something that's already been mentioned in a comment ... - Besides your prescription glasses, some kind of backup, such as some el-cheapo reading glasses. You absolutely must see things that are close to you. - When performing minor surgeries such as splinter removal, besides the tweezers, you may need an eye loupe. Inexpensive, light weight. - The smallest, lightest LED light (as you might attach to a keyring) is useful in itself, but tied to a 3-foot length of dental gloss, it can be spun in circles above your head and thus serve as a great nighttime signaling device (if you've already spent your one and only flare). - For daytime signalling, a proper, glass mil-spec signaling mirror will also serve to see yourself, if that becomes a medical necessity. The mil-spec ones can be aimed with precision. Avoid toys. - Besides carrying quality duct tape, people should be aware of gaffer tape (less sticy, not as strong, but re-usable) and self-fusing silicone tape. Again, no one should be carrying full rolls of any one of these three types. - If you think there's a chance you may need to ward off pesky insects during the night, a good mesh to be worn over the head. - A "fisher" cap with high SPF has an extra flap you can deploy to protect your neck from sun. I'd be sure it sheds rain. To its brim you can clip the light recommended by the video's author. - There are packs that are modified dry bags. If your bag is not waterproof, incorporate ZipLock bags as necessary to protect items you'd not want to see soaked. - If you embark on your bug out wearing wool socks, you're fine. If you fear you might forget that detail, store proper wool hiking socks within the bag. - Some will think to bring chapstick if they feel weather conditions might require it. A small tube of petroleum jelly would be more versatile. - By all means, carry that Bic lighter. However, the one backup I recommend to that is a small ferrocerium rod and either a magnesium rod or some magnesium shavings. If the tinder you've found is wet, the intense heat of burning Mg can dry out the less-than-optimal tinder. Very light strikers can also make shavings. Failing that, be sure some portion of the spine of that machete has been ground to a sharp right angle. One last thing: Take a physically fit body along to carry your 16 pounds of survival gear! Here in the US, I look about me and see a bunch of overweight, out-of-condition victims, not survivors.

Great video! Don't get me wrong, I have a solar charger myself, but it has let me down from time to time. I do recommend having a good one, I also recommend having a hand crank charger of some kind. All of my stuff is usb chargeable and I keep rechargeable batteries in them. It allows me a backup for powering everything. Most are multi tools being that they not only charge things, but they can also have a solar charger themselves, they also have am/fm/wb radio and a flashlight. I have downloaded a lot of things on to sim cards from maps, bushcraft/survival videos and even some of my favorite movies. It's better to me than maps and books. I have put myself in high pressure situations to see how I would do in a survival situation and as many times I've made them, one time for the life of me, I couldn't remember how to cut a simple figure 4 trap. That agitation grew in to other issues and was almost the death of me. So I now keep necessities on cards. But all this is just my preference. I've had some that think I'm nuts for carrying some of the things I do.

First person I have heard mentioning walking around in the dark, Good video, Thank You.

I happen to like MREs. But your right not everyone likes them so I really like your suggestions I guess it's just what you like to eat that would give you a moral boost

Good luck trying to sleep in that bivvi bag. You’ll sweat your ass off, then freeze, even with that layer. I’m surprised you’re giving that advice if you’re an ex infantryman with real life experience. Travel light is always a compromise.

@36:40 - suggestion, also keep digital photos, on your phone, camera, thumb drive, and SD card of...(drumroll)...your drivers license AND CCW/concealed carry permit if you got one. I know, most states require you to keep the CCW on you, but if it gets lost or stolen you can always claim you had the digital copy...may not stop you from getting arrested...but will probably be enough for a judge to let you off with a warning. If you have NFA items keep a copy of the paperwork, hardcopy and digital with you too. I would also suggest a photo of your credit cards and a blank check...but only keep on an encrypted device....or an unencrypted device in a locked container (e.g. SD card in locked gun travel case).

Check out the thru hikers that hike 1000 miles plus living 6 mos. plus outside - add a pack that is ultra lite and capable to carry ammunition. Hydrated meals add supplements ( vitamins, krill oil, minerals) some breaching tools. A lot of my military survival depended on frequent support. (Every five days on average) with thru hiker kit you can survive around a year and move light and fast if you can replenish food. Yes it takes some $ but if you plan on surviving thru hiking ultra lite kit will really work. Thousands do it every year.

Thank you Jeff , my husband and I really enjoyed your video , Thank you for serving our country , you are greatly appreciated !! I carry a survival keychain , has several different types of useful things on it . It's light weight , can be carried on a key chain and they cost around 20 dollars on e-bay or Amazon . I also carry a mini Bible , you can get them at any christian store or on line . I also carry a p3 on me at all times . And waterproof matches , and my son works for a charcoal factory , so we carry a brick of charcoal , it only takes a little piece to light up and cook right on top of it or starting a fire to stay warm . A mini stove with a cooking cup is light weight also for cooking . And their is collapsible light that is solar and is very thin , and weighs nearly nothing , like a few sheets of paper weighs . My husband and I are in our mid 50's and have been prepping for about 8 months now , we are getting our children and our young grandchildren to learn things also . How do we find a like minded community of preppers ?? May God Bless You and Your Family and May God Bless Us All 🙏🕊️💌

Your key chain taser rec works awesome! I got one ($20 on amazon) and is making a nice addition to my bag. I made some helpful modifications to it like making a handle and lanyard out of 550 cord and gorilla tape so that there's a better grip. Yet still able to easily conceal. 10 mil volts for a little key chain taser is, in a good way, over kill and pretty scary to those who aren't ready to get tased. To everyone else, Get you one!

Listen to this guy. Good vid Bruh. 11B for ever. #1 build your bag for what YOU need. Other than that you get one piece of snivel gear! #2 medical should always be easily accessible. #3 glad it wasn’t a nerf ruck, and glad you didn’t throw in a bunch of KZfaq popular bushcraft stuff. #4 camo woobie poncho and liner, bivvy is great. #5 start with water then look for water, don’t start out looking for water. #6 machete for sure. Still carry my spring steel bolo machete from ranger joes in Columbus (1984 era). #7 ID photos in print. #8 build your bag for what you need. It’s redundant to keep saying the things you said right in this video. Thx.

I'm 68 so I'll add cross country ski poles to my vehicle. With a sharp metal tip they make excellent walking sticks.

I like your gear selections for the most part. One thing I'm now focusing on is organizing my bag into modules. And yes, even following some color coding suggestions from another KZfaq prepper. I like the idea and once I get it all put together (fairly soon), I will see how practical it proves in the field.

Great video. The shoe goo will make a good addition. Add peanut butter or other high protein food to the menu. Protein helps rebuild tired muscle strained by exertion. Taken before settling in, it keeps you warmer at night as it slowly gives off heat during metabolism.

Also, a heavy duty 50+ gallon trash bag or two. It can be used to waterproof all your gear, turned into a Pancho, transport water, make tinajas, etc.

I live in a place with a temp range from about freezing up to 120 far... A litlle extra / trick I use is to wrap a wool neck-warmer around my waist...it makes you more confortable, like a weightlifter belt, warming your kidney atea and protecting you back against chaffing!

First video I have seen where the correct way to carry a load is explained. Probably the most vital tip of all.

Just subbed and don't know how i missed you so far into my search in how to keep my loved ones alive!

Thanks for your recommendations I am also a combat vet and you are very informative. Army 1976-1978

One thing I recommend is a boy scout merit badge book for first aid and survival. They are packed full of info, small, and very useful.

For shelter i pack an Exped Down Mat 9 mattress, a PHDesign Minum 400 Sleeping Bag, Karrimor Elite 900 Down Jacket and a Lightwave Zr0 Cylq tent. (about 10-11 lbs in total) Pack light, freeze at night then die from cold weather injury. As a 45 Commando once said to me '10th Mountain Division don't do Mountains'

Waxed Dental floss can also help with clothing repair. Eye pro definitely don't need something in your eye if you're moving at night, ear if you can for firearm use if you're able to carry firearm. Just like keeping water near your bag keep 1/2 a tank of gas in your vehicle at all times. If you're sucking fumes when the gaspumps don't work... (electricity out from storm as example) Laminate the photos if you print them out because water.

Nice to see that my bag doesn't differ much from an experienced military vet. Thanks for taking the time to share your insight.

Dissolving mini paper foaming soap sheets. They're disposable and weigh practically nothing. Or maybe a couple of alcohol wipes or a small travel size bottle of "hand sanitizer" - (can also be used as fire starter.)

One of the best videos on this subject I have ever seen. Congrats.

YES , = NO ONE in hundreds of videos has mentioned the correct ( Large ) quantity of drinking water needed . THANK YOU !!!

The shoe goo idea is fantastic.

A reflective tyvek bivy is much more comfortable than mylar, breathable and keeps you dry. I really like the 2GoSystems Velar bivy, also has a bug net and suitable for taller people. Great video, thanks

Fantastic vid, the best I’ve seen on the subject (maybe because we think alike on just about everything; then again, it might be because of our military training). When I travel I like to carry a coin purse shaped like a sap. When there are coins in it it can be quite effective for self defence. I also bring a door stopper/alarm combo.

Thank you for mentioning requirements for women - so many male preppers miss this!

People need to know there's a difference between survival and just hiking..

Just to elaborate on the water filters, always filter out as much sediment , dirt ,debris from water your filtering, use a shirt a coffee filter anything, because debris will clog the filter, and most filtrrs have be back flushed in reverse with clean water, and also don't let any those water filters freeze, it will ruin the filter

Thanks . Pretty much agree with your ideas, and actually came up with a different opinion with some of the junk that I've been hauling around in my pack. Cheers . Guy Speight

Thank you; this has to be one of the most informative and practial videos I've seen on bugout survival gear, and I really like your minimalist attitude and I particularly liked your suggested sleep gear. I am just a little smug that a lot of my gear is similar to the gear that you recommend :)

Thank you for all the Great Information! I came up with some great ideas for Securing my perimeter for Bugging in with the Personal Alarm and Bear Bells. Again Thank you so much! As I am a New Prepper and researching for any information I can get. Times are getting crazy and scary.

I use Canterbury's 5/10 C's of Survival when evaluating any kit that I might consider putting together. You've covered Cut, Cord, Cover (I'd recommend the breathable bivvy sack though), Combustion (I'd add char cloth and a lens; maybe you covered this elsewhere. I carry 2 methods of making flame (Bic & WP matches) and 2 methods of making sparks (lens & ferro rod), Container (water/cooking); Candling Device (red headlamp), and Cotton Bandana well. I like your additions for food, security, personal items, & papers. So many kit descriptions miss these items. For Compass (you only added maps. Need to add compass & pace beads, notebook & pencil), Canvas Needle (missing--for repairs, a tapestry needle can use paracord or bank line strands; magnetize for use as improvised compass), Cargo Tape (you added some duct tape to lighter, but you can easily carry 12-15' on a used gift card/old credit card. I also cut a waist in these type cards to spool bank line or waxed jute twine (doubles as tinder). P.S. The backpacks Jeff offers are of excellent quality, design, and construction. They are tactical without looking tactical. Pricy, but highly recommended. Comes with water bladder and filter, modular bags that attach to outside.

Items in my bug out bag that I consider crucial are: Multiple Bic lighters, foil emergency blankets which can be put inside your light sleeping bag to increase heat retention at night and can also be used as a signal in an emergency situation. Nylon twine which is much stronger than dental floss and can be used to lash together branches that will withstand storms and will not rot like regular twine does. Also I have a high quality 12" Bowie blade instead of a machete which I consider to be too heavy and bulky. It's made by cold steel company and is made out of 1095 high carbon steel so it will last under hard use. Thanks for the idea about energy gel packets used by competitive bicyclists! If you run out of energy you are just dead in the water so I think that is a great idea!

Where's your SURVIAL KIT? I keep a pair of small MOLLE pouches on my bug out pack's waist strap. The left pouch is my medical kit, which is simply an upgraded boo boo kit with some medications and not a true IFAK. The right pouch is a survival kit with a Mylar sleeping bag, ferro rod, Swiss Army knife, Sawyer Mini, 550 cord and various other small items. Both pouches can be put onto my belt on the move or can be stuffed into my cargo pockets so that they are ALWAYS on my person. The kits also provide redundancy, with the Sawyer Mini serving as a back up to my pack's MSR filter system for example. The United States military does issue survival kits (last I heard) to frontline Pilots, Soldiers and Marines with a similar two-module system in case main equipment is lost or abandoned. Something to think about.

Great video! It's rare to find a prepper who is realistic and knowledgeable. Thanks for the tips.

Brother it's ok to say being a combat vet is everything when it comes to survival... Knowledge is power

The video presentation is well done, maybe a little wordy but the information is worth the time. Good stuff here. Thumbed up. Subbed.

I use string poppers with Spider fishing line for perimeter alarms. Spider is also very strong and has many uses. I have also carried a cheap kurki with me on my mortorcycle trips through South America Mexico, Africa, and it has never been questioned.

• I like to put a couple of fish hooks (taped together) inside the dental floss box. It becomes a makeshift fishing kit. • I don’t drink coffee, but I always carry it into the field. It makes a great barter item when you meet some poor slob who ran out yesterday and is still two days from the trailhead. 😉 • I’m always thinking long term, so I will carry a flint and steel kit. Even if it’s just the striker. • The non-lethal defense “zapper” is an excellent idea when hiking in bear country. The sound alone will turn most animals around. Except for moose during the rut. Don’t ask how I know. lol

I would recommend replacing the dental floss with an 80lb( or higher) kevlar line. Use it to saw, to hang bottle over fire, to floss, etc, very versatile.

Work or tactical gloves, extra socks and underwear, extra shoe laces. Sewing needle and thread (unless you want to use paracord or floss). Whistle. Compass. Good pair of scissors (probably already in your medical bag). Mosquito net. Mirror. Ductape. Sunglasses. Hair fine mist spray bottle and USB rechargeable fan. Cold rag. Those last few make a HUGE difference in the scorching heat, particularly the fan if the humidity is high like here in the South.

I will always go with ultralight backpacking gear .if possible not going to be bringing my ultralight kit in my truck every day I have had my truck stolen with at least 1500 in gear in my driveway I have has several cars broken into and took bags of gear . So my personal ultralight is kinda extremely expensive but being a grunt in the Marine corps let's you know really fast every ounce counts. So my bag is a dyneema zpack arc blast with extras lumbar belt mod for a front strap pouch works great, , I went kinda extreme with tent and sleeping system because a bug free sleep and being warm is so helpful. Tent is a Terra nova laser ultra tent 18 ounces poles stakes and in the bag . Mattress I was using a xlight neo air but changed to a static V wider quilt better comfort , ok I'm just going to say it I want to be warm so zpack quilt 10 degree extra wide reg let's me wiggle around open if I get hot feet in or out ect. . Water 3 ltr platypus with shut off valve and hose SAWYER squeeze, but i also have MSR MICRO pure as well as Cloraflock packs makes it taste better.

I use braided fishing line instead of floss. It’s stronger then bankline for the same size and weight as floss

Shoe Goo. Great tip. I use it at home. I was on a motorcycle trip through Canada and the sole of my military boot started peeling off. I glued it back on with gel superglue. Didn't have time to wait for shoe goo to cure. Great info from you.