Bugging Out Part 3 - How To Choose An Emergency Evacuation Bag

"What Bug Out Bag Should i get"?A very common question and one that I keep getting asked... You could be a Prepper, a Homesteader or even a concerned Citizen living in a Disaster threat-zone. No matter who or where you are, if you have an Emergency Get Out Of Dodge (GOOD) plan, then you will need some essentials to take with you and something to put them in... Your Bug Out Bag (BOB)! Here are some pointers that'll help you choose your BOB.When selecting the bag that is right for you, you have to ask yourself some questions first, and be realistic about your answers! Ultimately, if you evacuate, you should be prepared for your initial plan to break-down or change.
Therefore you should be prepared to go on foot, carrying essential survival gear sufficient enough to get you to your intended location. As there are so many variables It is difficult to recommend any one item. My key functional criteria for bag selection are linked with my evacuation plan:

Size of Bag - How much 'stuff' do you need or intend to take? Has it the capacity and is it big enough to store your critical survival items. Compartments may also be useful depending on how you operate. It would ultimately depend on the amount of gear you are going to put in it (Good Luck because you're the one carrying it). As i have stated, you must be realistic! You are after all, escaping disaster and ultimately are trying to avoid death!
Are you even fit enough to evacuate? You may have a long term illness, disability or ailment that inhibits your mobility. Your fitness level will dictate the weight and ability of your load bearing capacity and hence the size of bag you can carry. Fitness has to be the aspect we all kid ourselves about!

Type Of Bag - So many to choose, ranging from Rucksacks, Wheeled suitcases, military load carrying vests to shopping Carrier bags. Whatever you choose, i would suggest versatility and functionality over looks and branding. Whatever the type, it should be suitable for your particular method of evac.
You don't have to actually restrict yourself to one type of bag. You can actually use a combination of equipment. Personally, i opt for two bags, a brightly coloured dry-bag and a green rucksack to get the job done.

Ribz Front-Pack & Rucksack | Daysack & Shoulder Sling | Suitcase & Rucksack
Increases Multi-Functionality

Durability/Security – Will your chosen bag stand the test of time & does it even have to? Based on past experience, i have found the buckles and zips are the first to break, they should be both solid and of robust construction. Soon after, the fabric of the materiel itself will fray and wear down to the thread. Abrasive resistant material should be a key factor in your choice. Is it also required to LOCK? Your initial location may be a gymnasium or community centre.. With plenty of people around, your goodies may become attractable to the undesirable opportunist.

Budget - At the end of the day, it may all come down to MONEY, so it may have to be a balance between quality and price. Why spend a load of money for something you may never use, right? Most of us cannot afford to splash out on expensive gear or branded items, so balance your budget against other factors. Buy cheap - buy twice.

Colour/Pattern - There are many colours and patterns to choose from. You may wish to blend-in to your environment, go neutral and adopt a 'grey-man' approach or even have a distinctive colour or pattern in order to stand-out for identification and or marking preferences. Personaly, my preference is to go neutral.

Weather / Climate & Conditions - This will dictate the type of fabric your BOB is made of... canvas bags for example tend to shrink when wet and offer limited protection against the rain.... Whereas a plastic based material will tend to go brittle in cold temperatures and not be as malleable. From landscape, seascape, jungle, desert to arctic or temperate conditions, consider your requirements! The alternative and cheaper solution is to either get a protective covering for the outside of the rucksack or bag (eg - could be bright in colour or to get a waterproof liner for the inside!).

I have come to find that the less experience you have, the bigger the bag you will take. People have the tendency to fill whatever size of BOB they have, mostly with unnecessary stuff and too heavy.
Remember, we are talking about Emergency Evacuation! Your initial method of travel may initially be a car, so you can afford to take an extra bag... Ultimately though, you must be prepared to go on foot, therefore a suitable walking rucksack may be preferable!
So, just some pointers for anyone thinking about how or what to pick and look for. There are many other factors such as external vs internal frame rucksacks that i haven't included here. Bear in mind, that one day, your life may depend on your choice. Whatever you choose ensure that your BOB is versatile and fit for your scenario.The key question should be What is my intended use?

Your thoughts and criteria are welcome.