For newcomers to prepping, one of the first things you’ll want to get organized is a bug-out bag.
Whether you’ve been planning things for years or have only just learned about how to prepare for a disaster scenario, this one item can give you so much peace of mind that you’ll be prepared for anything.
A bug-out bag is a go-to fixture that has all of the necessary supplies for survival, and they’re all tucked neatly away in an easy-to-carry bag.
There are two schools of thought that preppers have when it comes to these kits, and that is making your own from scratch, or buying the best premade bug-out bag that has everything covered for you.
What is the best bug-out bag on the market, though?
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How Do You Choose The Right Bug Out Bag?
To be a good bug-out bag, you need to have the right supplies, enough space to store it all, some carefully placed compartments, and a durable and comfortable bag for it all to live in. The best bug-out bag will look different for each person in terms of supplies, but the other features should always be there.
We’ve rounded up our picks for the best bug-out bag kit as well as one that lets you build your own from scratch. This is a must-have accessory for any survivalist and the easiest way to ensure you and your family are ready for anything, big or small.
A bug-out bag is the easiest way to get peace of mind and ensure you and your family are prepared for all kinds of disaster scenarios. To make prepping easy, we’ve chosen some of the best bug-out bag options on the market with ready-made kits that have everything you need and more.
Best Overall: Sustain Supply Co. Family Bug Out Bag
- Size: 20 x 16”
- Weight: 25lbs
- Contents: First Aid, Food, Water, Lighting
- Number of people: 4
The best option could be the Sustain Supply Co. Premium Family Survival Kit, with absolutely everything you’d ever hope for in a prepping kit. This bag features a fully stocked first aid kit, food supplies, water, eating utensils, lights, and other emergency gear.
It’s all housed in a durable and comfortable premium backpack that measures 20 x 16 inches, with loads of compartments, zippers, and pockets to keep it all organized and ready for action.
Customers were thrilled at just how much was included in this premium family emergency bag, especially when compared to others in the same price range.
The contents were good quality and there was no need to replace anything as you’ll find with some other cheaper brands, so this is truly a bug-out bag you could purchase and set aside, feeling confident that it’ll be able to provide everything you need in case of emergency
The downside to this bug-out bag is the size, so if you’re expecting something lightweight that lets you travel easily, this isn’t it.
The bag with all of the supplies inside weighs around 25 lbs and if you plan on adding a few extras, as most people do, you’ll be left with a very heavy package indeed. The strongest member of the family will need to carry this, but you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the stamina.
Within the Sustain Supply Co.’s Premium Family Emergency Go Bag are Sustain Supply water straws, snap lights, an LED lantern, a utility knife, a portable stove, fire starters, whistlers, and a water filtration system.
There’s also enough food to last a family of four for 72 hours, which is the most crucial time after a disaster strikes, as well as 48 packets of Datrex water. You’ll truly want nothing else if you choose this bug-out bag, so it’s great for those who want to set it and forget it.
The Sustain Supply Co.’s Premium Family Emergency Go Bag is priced at around $220 on Amazon, which includes free shipping and free returns.
If you’re not satisfied with the quality of the backpack and its contents, you can return it without a hassle. However, as our favourite pick for the best bug-out bag, we’re certain you’ll love everything about it and feel safe knowing it’s there and ready for action.
Runner Up: First My Family Survival Kit
- Size: 12 x 19”
- Weight: 18lbs
- Contents: First Aid Kit, Food, Water, Shelter
- Number of people: 4
First My Family is a company known for creating survival gear with families in mind, and if you want one that’s fully stocked without a premium price tag, you’ll love everything about this.
This survival kit comes with all of the necessary supplies like food, water, shelter, warmth, and first aid, so it’s the perfect grab-and-go kit for when an emergency strikes, and you can leave it stored away without giving it a second thought once you own it.
The best thing about this survival kit was the backpacks included with it. When you choose a family of four sizes, you’ll get two premium backpacks to house all of the gear.
Not only does this lighten the load for the person who normally has to carry the bugout bag, but it also means you can take more of the important stuff with you without feeling like you have to sacrifice.
The quality of some of the items in this bug-out bag isn’t as good as it should be, and according to other customers, they’ve replaced a couple of things with better versions.
This bug-out bag will certainly serve you well in an emergency but if you’re a family who takes their survival prepping seriously, you’ll probably want to update things yourself, like the food rations and the outdoor camping kit.
Within the First My Family Survival Kit, you’ll get enough food rations to last a family of four for 72 hours, as well as water. The shelter and warmth supplies will keep you protected with a space blanket, glow sticks, poncho, and 24-hour body warmer, so even in the coldest conditions, you’ll be okay.
The 85-piece first aid kit has everything you need, including pads, bandages, and dressings, so you can quickly and safely attend to any injuries that might occur when you’re in a disaster scenario.
Priced at around $170 for the four-person kit, the First My Family Survival Kit is a budget-friendly option, that also happens to deliver the best backpack for bug-out bag, with two included so you can take along more of the essentials.
You’ll get free shipping and free returns when you shop with Amazon and the peace of mind that only true preparedness can bring.
Alternative: Aokiwo Survival Kit
- Size: 2.5lbs
- Weight: 8 x 6.5”
- Contents: First Aid Kit, Fishing Supplies, Emergency Survival Gear
- Number of people: 1
Aokiwo has created a survival kit with 47 pieces of essential gear, helping you get prepared for any type of situation. With a range of practical survival gear as well as a fully stocked first aid kit, it’s the best small bug-out bag that can be added to as you choose.
Measuring just 8 x 6.5 inches and weighing only 2.5 lbs, you’ll have no issues carrying it around with you or even putting it inside another larger bag if you already have one set up.
If you’re someone who would rather pack your own bug-out bag but you don’t want to source all of the survival gear and medical supplies separately, this one could be a lifesaver.
Some customers have mentioned using it as the base for your bug-out bag and adding batteries, food, water, and whatever else you need, with some good quality gear that will put your mind at ease.
The addition of fishing gear to this backpack was also worth mentioning and could be a real lifesaver out in the wilderness.
However, there were some negatives worth mentioning in this basic survival kit, including the fact that the contents are only good for one person.
Most of the supplies can be shared but there’s only one poncho and other single-use items, which means if you’re packing it for a family, you’ll need to spend a bit more money getting these extra supplies together.
The Aokiwo Survival Kit is best suited to single users or packed as part of a family bug-out bag, and it’s all housed in a 1000D nylon Molle bag which has been upgraded since the plastic bag before it.
It comes with large and small compartments and the ability to attach it to another backpack, as well as a full supply of fishing gear that can help you catch fresh food on the go if you ever need to.
If you don’t want to spend a fortune getting all of the basic supplies and want the freedom to choose your own food rations, the Aokiwo Survival Kit is a great choice.
It costs less than $40 for the entire kit and comes with free shipping to your door, but unfortunately no offer of free returns to be found. For a lightweight starter kit to build your bug-out bag from, this is one of our favourites.
Best Urban Bug Out Bag: Emergency Zone Urban Survival Kit
- Size: 18.5 x 12.5”
- Weight: 26lbs
- Contents: Food and Water, First Aid Kit, Survival Book
- Number of people: 4
If you live in an urban area, your bug-out bag will look entirely different, and our top pick in this category has to be Emergency Zone Urban Survival Kit.
This kit contains everything a family of four needs in a disaster scenario, including food and water rations, a first aid kit, and a detailed survival book that teaches you everything you need to know in these kinds of situations.
This handy survival kit comes with two reasonably sized backpacks to store everything, so you can share the load with a loved one, and their combined weight with all of the contents is around 26lbs.
Customers also loved the five-year shelf life on the food rations from the SOS brand, which means once you receive this bag, you can store it away for years to come without giving it a second thought.
On the downside, the backpacks don’t seem to be the highest quality, and if you’d rather store everything in one for easier transport, it probably won’t hold up for long.
Some customers commented that the straps seemed weak so it could be a good idea to put all of the contents in something more durable, especially if you plan on only taking one bag alone in a disaster.
The Emergency Zone Urban Survival Kit contains tools like duct tape, a can opener, a multitool knife, and gloves, as well as enough food to last a family for 72 hours. You’ll also get a water-purifying straw, water pouches, a radio flashlight, and sleeping bags and ponchos.
This urban bug-out bag understands the importance of hygiene as well, as it’s also got toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, feminine pads, and more, so you can always feel fresh, even in a disaster situation.
This is truly the best urban bug-out bag with everything you could ever want, and it’s priced at around $190, making it a great bargain.
Emergency Zone has put a lot of thought into making this urban accessory, and if you shop for it through Amazon, you’ll get the lowest price, free shipping to your door, and the option for free returns, should it not be everything you hoped for.
Best Backpack for a DIY Bug Out Bag: Drakon Outdoors Survival Backpack
- Size: 20.5 x 16”
- Weight: 4.5lbs
- Contents: N/A
- Number of people: N/A
If you’re looking for a good bug-out bag backpack to create your own survival kit, one of our top recommendations is the Drakon Outdoors Survival Backpack.
This is the best bag for a bug-out bag due to its size, durability, and comfort, meaning you can pack just about everything inside of it and still feel happy walking around with it on.
The Drakon Backpack creates the perfect base for a survival kit with only the best content, and it’s got the type of resilience that will last forever.
The most surprising thing about this backpack is its weight, with just 4.5 lbs of size, but the ability to hold up to 40L of contents inside. The durability of the backpack alone makes it seem as though it would weigh at least double that, but it doesn’t.
This means you won’t have to sacrifice on what goes in it for your prepping kit, so you won’t feel pressured to leave out really important things.
However, this isn’t the most waterproof backpack, although it’s advertised as being so. The main compartment is okay to hold the things you don’t want getting wet as it has welded seams but avoid putting contents in the pouches if you don’t want them to get wet.
This part is more water resistant than waterproof, and it’s not ideal for sensitive items. If you’d rather have something with more protection against water, you could easily cover the backpack in a plastic poncho, just for peace of mind.
The Drakon Survival Backpack is made with 500D PVC waterproof material, and it can withstand scratches and tears without a fuss.
Made with a full mole system, you’ll be able to expertly organize and store all of the items within your bugout back, and with an additional six pouches on the outside, there’s room for everything.
The backpack has a 40-liter capacity and padded shoulder straps so even if it’s packed to the top, you’ll still feel comfortable carrying it around.
Priced at around $170 on Amazon, the Drakon Survival Backpack is not for those who prefer cheapness over quality. This is a well-made and durable backpack that will last a lifetime if you let it, and it’s the perfect vessel to turn into a bug-out bag.
With free shipping and free returns, you’ve got nothing to lose giving it a try, and you’ll feel the greatest sense of relief knowing this bag is ready to help your family survive in a disaster scenario.
Bug Out Bag FAQs
A bug-out bag is the best starting point for the survivalist, and no matter where you live or the type of disaster you’re prepping for, it’ll serve you well.
If you’re a newcomer prepper and want to know more about what these bags are there for, check out the answers to some FAQs to give you everything you need.
What Is A Bug Out Bag?
A bug-out bag is another term for a survival kit that can be taken along in disaster scenarios. A bug-out bag is usually stored away somewhere like in a garage or your car so that if you need emergency access to it, you have everything you need ready to go.
Bug-out bags can vary in their contents depending on the owner, but usually have first aid kits, food and water supplies, and other basic survival equipment.
Where Should I Keep My Bug Out Back?
A bug-out bag can be stored wherever it’s most readily accessible.
Some people have a bug-out bag ready to go home, and others might want an additional one kept at work or in the car. You can keep one of these bags wherever feels safest to you and usually, the place where you spend the most time.
What Should I Bring Back In My Bug Out Bag?
If you’ve made a bug-out bag and taken it with you in a survival situation, it’s best to bring everything back with you that you’ve used.
Not only does this prevent waste and littering in the outdoors but it also helps you keep track of what needs to be replaced or renewed. A bug-out bag should be inspected every 12 months to make sure the contents are still worthy.
How To Make A Bug Out Bag?
A bug-out bag will look different for each household, but the basic supplies it should include are food and water rations, shelter and warmth, first aid, and other basic survival gear.
You can add or remove items as you wish, so a bug-out bag can be completely customized to suit your needs and those of your family.
Is It Better To Make My Own Bug Out Bag Or Buy A Ready Made One?
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to bug-out bags, but if you’re new to prepping, it’s usually easier to buy one that’s ready-made.
As time goes on and you learn more about survival gear and skills, you might decide to replace some of the items in the bag with better-suited or higher-quality ones. Those with a good understanding of what they need might prefer to make their own from scratch so it’s exactly as they want it.
Prepare Yourself for Anything
Nothing can beat the feeling of knowing that you’re prepared for anything, and with your own bug-out bag that’s got everything you need, this is exactly what you’ll achieve.
Whether you plan on being out on your own or you have a family to take care of, you’ll know that you can do it with one of these options for the best bug-out bag.
With our recommendations, you can start a bug-out bag from scratch, or choose one that’s been expertly packed with everything you could ever need.
Whatever option you go for, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing it’s stored away and ready for action, and this feeling of safety and peace of mind is something that money just can’t buy.