Need advice on a bug out bag

[Muleskinner]

I'm looking for a sturdy backpack type bag to be used as a bug out bag for my girlfriend's car. She's not going to be able to carry anything large and I'm going to fill it with basic needs just in case she gets stranded somewhere and has to make her way to someplace safe on foot. I've looked online and there are many many options. It does not need to have a holster or a compartment for a firearm. That will not be one of the items placed in the bag. That's by her choice not mine. She's not anti-gun in any way she just doesn't feel comfortable carrying one around in the car.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

It does not need to have a holster or a compartment for a firearm. That will not be one of the items placed in the bag. That's by her choice not mine. She's not anti-gun in any way she just doesn't feel comfortable carrying one around in the car.

Then why is she your girlfriend?

 

[BurkeM]

1: Any bag will do, if it fits her.
2: As you assemble a kit, watch the weight. If she can't carry it comfortably for 5 miles, it'll be abandoned or dumped.
3: Sample list- water, blanket, rain-gear (light poncho), flashlight, food, first aid pack, phone charger.

 

[Triggerfinger]

There's no standard for what goes in a bug out bag. Too many variables such as the area that you live in, distance of travel and time to get there, hazards, weather, emergency situation, your physical condition ect.
Pack based on need, not cool factor. If you can get home within a one day march, then 50 percent of the stupid crap that you'll never use can be eliminated.

 

[Pale Ryder]

Seems like you need to watch some You Tube videos on get home bags. Probably need around a 20-25 liter capacity bag. Water and away to get and carry more, shelter whether a poncho, or tarp. Light spare batteries, fire kit, something to boil water in, one or two meals. A lot depends on how far she has to travel. Go with worst case and by foot travel.

 

[rondon600]

Since this is for a girl…. Pack a pair of socks and tennis shoes. Otherwise good chance she gets stranded in flip ops or heels

 

[ground chuck]

Any bag that is comfortable to her

 

[Fate]

No gun, ok. Pepper spray and a knife at minimum should be in her kit as well.

 

[BFMIN]

I'm a fan of discreet.
Buy a good quality branded (so it seems obvious what it is) sports bag with a padded shoulder strap.

 

[Trekker]

1: Any bag will do, if it fits her.
2: As you assemble a kit, watch the weight. If she can't carry it comfortably for 5 miles, it'll be abandoned or dumped.
3: Sample list- water, blanket, rain-gear (light poncho), flashlight, food, first aid pack, phone charger.

With backpacking trips, the general rule is to keep weight no more than 1/4 or 1/3 of body weight, adjusting for fitness level. For the described purpose, aiming more at 1/4 body weight as an initial guideline sound appropriate.

After you have an initial bag prepared, time for a day hike for her to test it out for comfort.

Since this is for a girl…. Pack a pair of socks and tennis shoes. Otherwise good chance she gets stranded in flip ops or heels

Office wear (and the like) is frequently poor for hiking, and not just in the footwear department. I would recommend a change of clothes and footwear appropriate for the season.

I'm a fan of discreet.
Buy a good quality branded (so it seems obvious what it is) sports bag with a padded shoulder strap.

+1

 

[Moonlighter]

Don't forget to put $100 (5 twenties, not a $100 bill. lol) in the bag. I'd add one of those water purification pumps, a set of warm, comfortable clothes, good rechargable flashlight, and the other items that were previously mentioned.

 

[Muleskinner]

Then why is she your girlfriend?

She has been told by both of her LEO sons that guns in cars in get stolen...I told her I would mount a safe box under the seat and it can live there until she needs it but she said no. I "think" she thinks one of us are going to come to her rescue...She's probably right. Right now her project is at GBMC but she will be moving to Hopkins main hospital in Baltimore after the summer. Once she moves there I will again attempt to persuade her to carry one in her car. Honestly I would prefer her to take the class and get her wear and carry but she shows little interest. She likes going to the range and isn't a bad shot. I think it might have something to do with her feelings on how to cope with taking a life if it came down to it..I keep telling her it's them or you...Doesn't matter. She does her thing...It is what it is.

 

[Muleskinner]

Don't forget to put $100 (5 twenties, not a $100 bill. lol) in the bag. I'd add one of those water purification pumps, a set of warm, comfortable clothes, good rechargable flashlight, and the other items that were previously mentioned.

Yeah, that's basically the contents of my bag minus the firearm, fire starter, MREs and a few other things.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

She has been told by both of her LEO sons that guns in cars in get stolen...I told her I would mount a safe box under the seat and it can live there until she needs it but she said no. I "think" she thinks one of us are going to come to her rescue...She's probably right. Right now her project is at GBMC but she will be moving to Hopkins main hospital in Baltimore after the summer. Once she moves there I will again attempt to persuade her to carry one in her car. Honestly I would prefer her to take the class and get her wear and carry but she shows little interest. She likes going to the range and isn't a bad shot. I think it might have something to do with her feelings on how to cope with taking a life if it came down to it..I keep telling her it's them or you...Doesn't matter. She does her thing...It is what it is.

I expected you to say it was because she does fun and unspeakable things to you. Many a man has fallen to that.

 

[Muleskinner]

I expected you to say it was because she does fun and unspeakable things to you. Many a man has fallen to that.

Lol.. no.. we still have "our time" but nothing out of the norm. We're old.. fun and unspeakable things are for young people..

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

As Groucho Marx said…”A man is only as old as the woman he feels.”

 

[Crazytrain]

A power pack to charge her cell phone.
Heavy duty trash bag.
Space blanket.

 

[Muleskinner]

As Groucho Marx said…”A man is only as old as the woman he feels.”

Well she's 2 years older than me so i'm feeling older than I am....twice a week..

 

[Doctor_M]

Add a good stout knife and maybe a small hatchet.

 

[Jimgoespewpew]

Since this is for a girl…. Pack a pair of socks and tennis shoes. Otherwise good chance she gets stranded in flip ops or heels

Excellent point. They wear shoes that hurt and you can't walk more than a few paces in.