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Best bug out bag survival backpack

There are a ton of backpacks on the market — so how do you know which one to buy and depend on in a survival or bug out situation? Preparedness and backpack experts with decades of experience have spent months reviewing hundreds of bags to shortcut your shopping.

Picking the best survival backpack is often more challenging than picking most of the stuff that goes inside the bag.

Even when you set aside personal preferences like fit and color, there are tons of considerations that matter in an emergency context: what kind of organizational layout is best for common gear, how well does a bag balance blending in vs. tactical features, weight vs. durability, and so on.

More : Bug out bag checklist and first aid kit checklist

To make matters worse, the market is flooded with options. It’s so easy for companies to make small changes that they can crank out a ton of different models, see what works, and iterate. And since everyone has their own personal quirks when it comes to backpacks, companies rise to meet the demand for so many fragmented choices.

Even in the course of writing the original draft of this guide, between the time we started collecting bags and publication, manufacturers would change things up too quickly for us to keep track.

So this is more of a purchasing guide to help you zero in on the right companies and products, rather than a contest where we pick the single best bug out bag backpack.

There’s a lot of theory down the page — so you can learn and be a better shopper at any time — plus recommendations for popular brands and specific bags we think fit the criteria.

In addition to hands-on reviewing, every bag tested was packed according to our recommended loadout so we could see how well it held common gear. The gear in this kit is pretty close to what we used.

The most important tips , whether you’re considering repurposing a bag you already own or shopping for a new one:

• Two-strap backpacks are the only acceptable type of bag in this role.
• There are no bags we recommend with new MSRP prices under $70 — the quality just isn’t good enough.
• The sweet spot for most people tends to be in the $125-$300 range.
• If you’re on a tight budget, it’s better to buy a better but gently-used bag than a cheaper new one. Check your local craigslist.
• Most people end up with a bag in the 40-55 liter range (2,450-3,350 cubic inches). For the vast majority, over 65L is unnecessary and under 35L is too limiting.
• If you don’t know the size of a bag you already own, try to stuff it with blankets/pillows and measure the outside dimensions. Then multiply for a rough idea of cubic inches, eg. 9” x 14” x 22” = 2,772.
• Backpack fit matters a lot — stop by a local sporting goods store if you want help figuring out your size.
• Have a rough understanding of what you plan to put inside and outside the bag. eg. Are you building a small evacuation bag or a full SHTF bag?
• The best type of bags tend to be mild versions of technical or tactical bags, ie. not too extreme in either direction.
• People who favor comfort and blending in tend to favor more technical bags, while people who value durability and customization tend to lean more tactical.
• You want your bag to blend in regardless of type, so avoid camo, bright colors, too much MOLLE/PALS webbing, etc. and consider the norms around you.
• You want a balanced mix of large main compartments, smaller interior pockets, and external pockets. Only 1-2 large compartments (and nothing else) or lots of smaller specialized compartments are bad.
• Front-loading bags (ie. “panel loaders”) and hybrid types with multiple access points are much better than top-only loaders that require you to dig everything out to get to what you’re looking for.
• Any bag over 30-35L should have a hip belt because you shouldn’t carry heavy loads just on your shoulders.

Contribute! Comment with bags you’ve tried and what you thought. We’ll update this list over time.

Best budget backpacks (< $125)

• Blackhawk 3-Day Assault Pack (32L) (Amazon)
• 5.11 Tactical Backpack – Rush 12 2.0 (24L)
• 3V Gear Paratus 3-Day Operators Pack (40L)
• Cannae Phalanx Duty (37L)
• Kelty Redwing 44
• LA Police Gear Atlas 24 Hour Tactical (52L)
• Teton Scout 3400 (50L) (Amazon)
• Fox Outdoor Advanced Mountaineering Pack (65L) (Amazon)
• LA Police Gear Atlas 72 Hour Tactical (70L)

Best mid-tier backpacks ($125-$300)

• 5.11 All Hazards Prime (29L) (Amazon)
• Deuter Trail Pro 32
• Direct Action Gear Ghost Mk II (31L) (Amazon)
• Eberlestock F5 Switchblade (28L) (Amazon)
• Maxpedition Entity 35 (Amazon)
• Maxpedition Tiburon 34
• Mystery Ranch Scree (32L)
• 5.11 AMP72 (40L)
• Maxpedition Gyrfalcon (36L)
• Tasmanian Tiger Mission Pack Mk II (37L) (Amazon)
• 5.11 RUSH72 (55L) (Amazon)
• Deuter Air Contact 45+10 (55L) (Amazon)
• Kelty Redwing 50 (there’s also a tactical version : made in US + velcro) (Amazon)
• Osprey Farpoint Trek Pack 55
• Tactical Tailor Three Day Assault Pack (46L)
• Gregory Baltoro 65
• Kelty Coyote 60L Womens & 65L Mens (Amazon)
• Mystery Ranch Stein 65
• Osprey Ariel AG 55 Womens & Aether AG 60 Mens (Mens)
• REI Traverse 65L Womens

Best premium backpacks (> $300)

• Eberlestock F3M Halftrack (35L)
• Mystery Ranch 3 Day Assault (30L)
• Eberlestock F7 Kite (36L, expandable roll-top to 49L)
• Mystery Ranch Komodo Dragon (38L)
• Arc’teryx Leaf Assault Pack 45
• Goruck GR3 (45L)
• Hill People Gear Aston House Backcountry (48L)
• Kifaru 357 Mag (55L)
• Mystery Ranch Terraframe 3-Zip 50
• Tasmanian Tiger Modular Pack 45 Plus (Amazon)
• Tactical Tailor MALICE (100L)
• Why backpacks are the best type
• Price tiers and popular brands

What you get when you spend more

• On a tight budget?

Size and shape

Importance of fit.

• Women's backpacks

Internal vs. external frame

• Bag types: technical vs. tactical
• "Gray man" and how to blend in

Other bag features

Why you can trust this review.

Besides decades of combined experience as preparedness teachers and outdoor product reviewers, we have 10+ years of experience living out of backpacks for long stretches of time in the military and while traveling, including in places like North Korea and Iraq.

We’ve interviewed various backpack experts, including designers and product managers at top manufacturers, bag repair shops, outfitters, and SERE instructors.

Be prepared. Don’t be a victim.

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Backpacks are best for survival

The whole point of a primary bug out bag is to be able to survive on foot. Which means you’ll have at least 20-40 pounds of gear that you need to be able to carry over unpredictable terrain and distances — possibly more if you pick up stuff along the way (eg. water or food).

The best way to do that is the humble backpack.

Price tiers and brands

Within the realm of backpacks that are relevant to prepping (ie. excluding things like a basic school backpack), the new market generally breaks down this way:

• Under $75: Not good enough to depend on
• $75-$125: There are winners, but they’re hard to find
• $125-$300: Middle of the bell curve, most common
• $300-$500: Premium, worthwhile step up in quality
• Over $500: A few winners, but mostly starting to pay for the brand name

Although some brands will have products across a wide price range, you can generally sort common companies by tier.

Budget brands:

• Fox Outdoor
• LA Police Gear
• Leapers UTG
• Sandpiper of California
• Voodoo Tactical
• “mystery meat” brands you find at stores like Walmart

Mid-tier brands:

• Direct Action Gear
• London Bridge Trading
• Maxpedition
• Triple Aught Design

Premium brands:

• Arcteryx consumer and LEAF tactical
• Hill People Gear
• Mystery Ranch
• Tactical Tailor

Backpacks are definitely one of those “you get what you pay for” categories — although you start seeing diminishing returns for each extra dollar once you go over $400 or so, depending on the brand name.

The biggest areas where you’ll see differences based on what you spend:

• General build quality, durability, and lifespan
• Warranties and customer service
• Zippers and buckles
• Water and tear resistance
• More personalized fit adjustment
• Adaptability and custom configurations
• Made in the US/EU vs. made in China/Mexico

Cheaper bags mean companies have less margin to invest in other things like proper customer service, warranty, and build quality. Osprey, for example, is famous for their comprehensive any-reason lifetime warranty . Random Chinese knockoff brands who only sell on Amazon/eBay might not be around in three years, and even if they are, they won’t care about you. Be skeptical if a brand doesn’t have their own dedicated website and support contact.

Cheaper bags will either skip hip belts entirely or include a bare-minimum strip of thin fabric. Similarly, cheaper bags will cut corners on the padding in shoulder straps, again sometimes having nothing more than a thin strip and/or using low-quality cushions that deflate quickly. Premium brands invest in higher-quality cushion materials that will still be springy years from now.

One of the most common problems with cheap bags is poor stitching that falls apart from stress. When evaluating a bag, look at how serious the stitching is around those critical seams and joints. Premium bags will also vary the angle of the doubled and tripled stitching to better hold against forces coming from different angles.

Another common way companies save money is by chain stitching the zippers. Which becomes a problem is one part of that chain breaks, which can pull apart the entire length of the zipper.

Budget brands cut costs through cheaper zippers and buckles. You may not notice the difference at first, but since these are the biggest wear parts, you will as you use the bag more. The zipper should feel substantial, smooth, and solid with no hiccups or snags, no matter what speed you use.

According to expert Luke Fowler, who repairs bags and helps companies like Triple Aught Design create better ones, one of the easiest ways to tell a cheap bag from a quality one is if they have branded zippers ( usually “YKK”, the most famous zipper maker ).

Premium bags will be more thoughtful with zipper design and placement, too. We love bags with four zippers on the main compartment because you can open little access holes wherever you need them, such as slinging a bag around on one shoulder and accessing from the side while on the move.

Intelligent designers will put zippers in areas less likely to be directly hit with rain — such as not having any zippers that face straight upward — since the zipper and seams around it are the most common entry point for water.

Besides using better materials that won’t fall apart, more expensive buckles are also easier to use. We particularly like the “Osprey-style” adjustment buckles where you pull the tail end of the strap forward / away from your body to tighten the hip belt, which is a much easier motion than trying to pull the tail end backward past your hips.

The higher price tier you buy, the more likely the bag has been intelligently designed for customization. Many brands will also offer in-house pouches and other adaptable gear as part of an overall system.

If you’re on a tight budget

The backpack might seem like a good place to save a few bucks — especially since the stuff that goes inside the bag will cost at least a few hundred dollars.

But if you are depending on a backpack to survive, that means things are bad and you don’t want the single container that carries all of your critical stuff to fall apart when you need it most — and cheap backpacks will fall apart .

We wish there were no-brainer options under $75, but there just aren’t.

Tips on saving money:

• You can find high-end packs that are used and significantly discounted, but because they’re a premium product, they’re often still more than fine for a bug out bag. Many enthusiasts will upgrade their bags every few years then sell their still-great outgoing model on Craigslist, Facebook Market, local swap meets, etc.
• Buy after the end of a season, whether it’s back to school season, hunting season, etc.
• If you live in an area where outdoor recreation is popular, there may even be physical stores for second-hand gear or repair shops with leads.
• Check your local Play It Again Sports and Goodwill .

To keep things easy and consistent, we think about bag sizes in tandem with our bug out bag checklist , which is broken down into three prioritized levels depending on how big/advanced you want to get with your kit.

Using the gear in that list, we’ve packed the various levels into dozens of bags to figure out what sizes fit what levels. Roughly speaking — design can make a big difference here — minimum bag sizes for able-bodied adults are:

• Level 1 > 25 liters
• Level 2 > 45 liters
• Level 3 > 50 liters

Most of you should end up with a bag in the 45-55 liter range — the size of common airplane carry-ons — which is enough to carry the most popular and critical supplies without overloading, assuming one or two of the bigger items like a sleeping pad are strapped to the outside.

Size considerations:

• One of the most common mistakes we see is going too big. Do not buy a bag over 65 liters unless you already have backpacking experience with those loads .
• You can get a basic kit into small 25-35 liter bags, but frankly we’d never personally use a bag smaller than ~35L. Although smaller bags are obviously easier to carry and blend in better, you probably want some extra volume in your bag so you can add supplies that you find during an emergency.
• If you do go under 35L, then it should be a very “gray man” bag because that’s one of the main reasons to sacrifice and go small.
• If you live in colder climates, you need a little more room for bulky insulated clothing.
• Most people fill the space they have, which can lead to overpacking. Be disciplined.
• Even though our gear list adds 10 pounds of bulky gear from Level 2 to 3, the bag size doesn’t need to get proportionally bigger because some of that advanced gear gets strapped to the outside of a pack (eg. a tent or sleeping pad).
• How a bag is designed makes a big difference in these rules of thumb. For example, some 60 liter bags couldn’t hold the exact same gear we got into other 50 liter packs simply due to organizational layout.

You’ll often see bags labeled as 24 hour, 72 hour, 3-day assault, etc. This is branding shorthand for roughly how large they are for a common three day loadout in a military context . Similarly, labels like “assault pack” generally mean the one backpack a soldier would take with them on a three-day mission, which is a decent proxy for the kind of loadout you’ll have in your BOB.

But those labels don’t mean much in the end, are not standardized, and can trick you. For example, even though both bags have the “24” branding in the name, LA Police Gear’s 24 hour pack is 52L while the 5.11 Rush24 is 37L.

Shape considerations:

• Stick with basic box or tube shapes. Pyramids, ovals, and other designs sacrifice too much storage space.
• You generally want the fully-loaded pack to fit within the area between your shoulders, neck, and hips. It shouldn’t stick way out in any direction.
• Go too tall and you won’t be able to tilt your head back, or it’ll snag on stuff along the way.
• Go too wide and you’ll snag, have trouble getting in vehicles, through crowds, etc.
• Bags that are too deep — where they stick out far away from your back — don’t carry loads as well because the center of gravity is pulled away from your body.
• We love bags that can stand upright on their own on a flat floor. Avoid curvy bottoms.

A backpack works best when it can direct the force of weight to the right spots and in the right proportions (eg. at least 60% on your hips).

But since your body is different than mine — even if we’re both generally a Medium — how a bag sits on the top of my hip bone or curves with my shoulders could be very different than yours.

The better the bag fits on your body, the more weight you can carry for longer and further. That might really matter in an emergency.

Which means pack fit is just as important of a criteria as any other. If you’re deciding between bag A and B, and A is overall slightly more awesome or cheaper but doesn’t fit as well as B, go with B.

Tip : Like buying shoes, sometimes you just won’t know until you try it on. Almost all ecommerce vendors will let you return a bag you bought online, but if you want to save yourself that step, pop into a local outdoor store and try some on. Employees in bag departments at stores like REI and Cabellas are trained to help you find the right fit (just like good shoe salespeople). Be sure there’s some weight in the bag when you do — they often have sandbags near by just for that.

Cheaper or smaller backpacks tend to have more universal sizing (and a lack of fine-tuning customization features) since the designers assume the bag will have lighter loads and only be used for short bursts.

Women’s backpacks

Unless a bag is specifically labeled with a gender, you should assume it’s unisex or cut for men.

Some women don’t care. Others do. Roughly speaking, the curvier and/or bustier you are, the less comfortable a non-female bag will be.

One of the most common areas where companies tweak designs for women is in the shoulder and sternum strap. Designers assume women have narrower shoulders and wider hips than men of the same general size, for example. The straps themselves will also have different curves or positions to accommodate bras and breasts.

A growing number of companies are adding dedicated Women’s versions to their product lines. Sometimes they’ll keep the same model name and add “- Women” to the end, such as the Kelty Coyote. Sometimes they make slightly different model names, such as Osprey’s similar Ather for men and Ariel for women.

The most popular brands for women’s backpacks:

Backpacks need a rigid frame in order to properly direct weight to the right spots. Without a frame, a backpack has no built-in form and hangs like an empty sack.

Most people end up with an internal frame , which means the structure is either sewn into the fabric and/or has removable inserts (ie. “stays”) stored in the interior (usually a fabric compartment along the spine). Just look around your local store and you’ll likely find 10-20 internal frame models for every external frame.

Stick with internal unless you know you have a specific reason to use externals and/or are already comfortable with them through time in the military.

Pros and cons:

• External frames are often a separate piece you need to buy and combine. Besides extra cost, this adds the complexity of matching bags and frames — and manufacturers don’t always make it easy to figure that out.
• External frames are generally more rigid than internals, which means they can carry weight more comfortably (especially heavy loads). The famous ALICE pack used in the military is a great example.
• Internal packs tend to move better with your body when you’re moving in ways other than just normal standing/walking.
• Internal packs are typically lighter.
• Some external frames act as a customization platform, giving you more room to tweak things your way. For example, some have “shelf space” between the frame and fabric bag where you can carry an ammo can, water jug, or game carcass.
• External packs have more airflow around your back because the frame holds the pack an inch or so out.
• Some external frames even have a flip-down seat built in — picture the seats people bring and lay on top of benches at sports games or concerts — so you can have a place to rest against the weight of your pack while waiting in hours-long refugee lines and so on.

Types: tactical vs. technical vs. travel/EDC

Very few manufacturers make bags specifically marketed for emergency preparedness. Which means you’re usually shopping among these categories:

• Technical bags are what you’d find at a sporting goods store or on a hiking trail
• Tactical bags are built for military and law enforcement scenarios
• Travel bags cover a range from everyday carry to “backpacking through Europe”

Technical and tactical bags are usually better than travel bags because the latter, while great for blending in and EDC/travel, often don’t add any other value as a bug out backpack over the former. The travel bag category is evolving more quickly than the other two, though, so perhaps that will change in a few years.

Storage compartments can sometimes be too big on technical packs and too small on tactical packs.

Technical bags are often just a few large compartments, sometimes even just one large “bucket” compartment with no other pockets or features. They’re designed this way because the company assumes you won’t be going in and out of your bag quickly and frequently to pick and use one piece of gear — rather, they assume you’re carrying recreational gear on a trail and you’ll dump everything out all at once.

On the other hand, some EDC-oriented or tactical bags can get too crazy with micro pockets and overly-optimized organization. You might enjoy specialized individual pockets on your daily work commute for your sunglasses, pencil, pen, business cards, wallet, phone, and bicycle helmet, but that can be too limiting in a BOB.

We tend to dislike compartments that are too big because there’s no inherent organization, especially when you’ve been on foot and things jumble around or get squished.

Some packs have added a feature to minimize this problem: a removable, horizontal divider that creates a “shelf” somewhere in the main compartment, splitting the big compartment into two more manageable areas.

Technical packs often lack external pouches.

In addition to the same reasoning as the big main compartment, designers also try to keep the exterior smooth so there are fewer snag points in the wilderness. That might add a small stretch pocket for a water bottle, but even those aren’t good enough to hold a proper bottle in many cases.

We strongly prefer having at least a few external pockets for things you might frequently want to use without digging into the main pack, such as a canteen, compass, map, knife, multitool, flashlight, etc.

Technical packs are usually more comfortable and ergonomic.

Military grunts are told to “embrace the suck” while consumers looking at a weekend-warrior pack are more picky about comfort. Technical pack designers tend to be more thoughtful about comfort to meet that demand.

Higher-end technical packs will often have preformed hip belts, adjustable lumbars, adjustable spine heights, more cushion on the surface that rests on your back, extreme curves, and mesh webbing to create airflow gaps.

Tactical packs generally have better external attachment points.

You want the ability to attach gear to the outside of your pack. Yet bags intended for everyday carry and activities like day-trip hiking tend to have smooth exteriors. Sometimes it’s just for the sleek look, and sometimes it serves a purpose to reduce snag points when on a trail.

Even when a technical bag does have attachment points, because there’s such a wide range of recreational activities and specialized gear, you may end up with features that looked “attachey” at first glance in the store but were only meant for hanging an ice pick or something else not relevant to prepping.

On the other hand, tactical designers assume tactical people want to add stuff and you essentially only ever see two options: MOLLE or velcro.

“Gray man” and blending in with your environment

The punchline is easy: You want the ability to blend in with your surroundings when you’re in a situation that requires a go-bag. You don’t want a target on your back when people around you are panicking, nor do you want to draw suspicion from someone like a National Guardsman loading you onto an evac bus that you’re someone who’d have weapons in their bag.

What that means in practice is not so simple.

Consider that even just having a pack at all will in some cases be enough to make you stick out! It could even be the case that what makes you stick out like a sore thumb in one area is what helps you blend into another.

But, like all things, there’s a balance — and we think some people have taken the gray-man goal too far. We’ve seen people use a children’s school backpack (Hello Kitty!) or work briefcase, for example, which sacrifices too much functionality for the sake of blending in.

Think about what “average” means for the people around you.

If you live in lower Manhattan, the chances are higher that the people around you when SHTF will be carrying smaller day packs, professional work gear made of black/brown leather, and so on. A black bag with a sleek exterior will blend in better.

If you live in Bozeman, Montana, the people around you are more likely to be carrying an outdoor technical pack than a leather messenger bag. A green hunting pack may blend in better than a sleek black bag.

It’s easy to see that what even counts as “blending in” greatly depends on the people and norms around you — there is no universal answer.

Avoid camo and bright colors. Stick with solid, neutral earth tones.

Camo is a perfect example where there’s more risk than benefit. Even if you need to hide your bag, you can use materials found around the area, the tarp you’ll have in your bag anyway, etc.

Technical packs often come in bright colors. You may be in a situation where you want to be seen, but the backpack is not the right way to accomplish that.

You want external attachment points without glaring MOLLE/PALS fields.

MOLLE is an attachment system originally used in the military that has since spread into tactical consumer gear. PALS, sometimes used interchangeably with MOLLE, is the webbing weave that MOLLE gear attaches to.

Which is why most people will assume a bag with lots of conspicuous PALS webbing is more of a target than a plain bag. That’s caused some preppers to avoid any and all MOLLE.

We strongly recommend having the ability to attach stuff to the outside of your bag. You’ll likely want to carry your sleeping pad, bag, and/or tent on the outside of your pack. And you may want to add additional pouches, water holsters, and other modular accessories.

The problem is that some manufacturers — especially cheaper brands trying to make their junk seem cooler than it is — will slap as much MOLLE webbing around a pack as they have space for.

So when you’re shopping, be thoughtful about the amount and placement of the PALS fields. How many things do you expect to attach, and where? Is it overkill?

Prime spots for webbing are the bottom (to attach sleeping gear) and sides (for extra side pouches). It’s rare you’ll add something big to the main outward face of the pack, so only a few rows towards the top of that face will be fine for most people.

Some companies have started to include MOLLE attachment points that blend in better with the bag. The most popular version is “laser cut”, where the webbing is cut out of the core pack fabric rather than sewing extra material on top. Look for laser cut MOLLE that has some kind of reinforcement around the cuts so the attached gear doesn’t pull it apart over time.

Morale patches are another “tactical” signal.

Besides cost and how you generally get better materials the more you pay, the main spectrum in bag materials is between low weight and high durability. Go too light and your bag can tear from something like a passing tree branch. Go too durable and you’re carrying unnecessary weight.

Denier is a common fabric measurement. The higher the number, the thicker (and presumably more durable) the fabric strands. Silk is 1D while a human hair is 20D, for example.

Tactical packs tend to be in the 500-1000D range, reflecting thicker fibers that take more abuse, while technical packs are usually 210D, 420D, or a patchwork mix (eg. tougher strands on bottom, lighter strands on top) to cut down on weight. Technical designers assume it’s no big deal if you tear a bag on a camping trip, while tactical designers know a bag falling apart on a mission is a quick way to lose contracts.

Although you’ll be okay with anything in the 400-1000D range, current research suggests the sweet spot is around 500-600D . The market seems to be settling in this direction, to the point 1000D bags can come across as trying too hard.

More : Contributing expert Luke Fowler shares a deep Denier test he did on various bag fabrics .

Nylon is the best common material, and Cordura is a special form of nylon with high abrasion resistance.

Avoid polyester in bags over $100 (it’s unavoidable in many cheaper bags) — even if it’s labeled “tactical” or “ballistic” polyester, which is usually a nonsensical marketing label used by cheap brands.

Just like the tarp you’ll carry in your go-bag , a transparent polyurethane (PU) coating is applied at the factory. But the coating is more for seam integrity than for waterproofing — any coating will wear down from water exposure over time.

Common features you should avoid:

• Laptop sleeves are generally a waste of space because you won’t have a laptop or anything of similar size/shape that justifies its own compartment.
• Hydration reservoirs are a similar story — you shouldn’t use a bladder in your go-bag anyway, and there’s nothing else worth having that dedicated pocket for (although it’s usually less wasteful than a laptop sleeve).
• Built-in raincovers aren’t horrible, and it’s fine if you find a great bag with one that isn’t too intrusive. But they’re often too bulky and waste space. You will have a tarp and other rain cover gear if needed.

Buy front-loading bags (or hybrids), not just top-loaders.

One of the most common problems with technical backpacks is the top-loading design, which means the only access hole to the main compartment is at the top of the bag (often hidden under the lid, as in the following picture), looking down to the floor.

Do not buy a technical-style pack without knowing how you get into the compartments. As of this writing, for example, REI’s website has only two out of 72 total bags that can load from the front, and only one out of 72 is even close enough to be a candidate.

That’s fine for hiking and does reduce water penetration (since the entry points are usually hidden), but it sucks in an emergency — you want to be able to access the specific gear you need without having to dig through or dump out everything.

Thoughtful attachment points for shelter/sleeping gear.

Unless you’re carrying a minimalist bag, you’ll probably want to carry a few items on the outside, namely some or all of your sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and tent. They take up too much room on the inside of the pack and there’s no harm in carrying them outside.

We strongly favor packs where the designer considered this and built thoughtful attachments, straps, or other ways to carry that gear in proper spots.

For example, we like when there are built in straps near the bottom but not on the bottom. When the only place you can strap a tent or sleeping bag is underneath the pack, you can’t easily set the pack down on the ground. Straps that hold the gear just off ground level make this easy, and the extra gear even helps stabilize the bag while standing upright on its own.

Removable sub-packs that can also serve double duty.

Technical packs sometimes feature a removable top “lid”, the compartment that sits over top of the bag’s main compartment access. Some models even include an extra strap or two so you can turn the separate lid into a smaller day pack or shoulder sling.

These types of areas are also nice because it’s another space where you can lay bulky external items like rope, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, or rain jackets and then cinch them down between the top lid and main body, holding them flat on top of the bag instead of strapped to a side.

High-visibility interior colors help you find what you’re looking for.

Unlike the exterior, we like bright colors on the inside of pockets because it helps create contrast against your gear. Imagine digging through a solid black bag’s main compartment, at night, looking for your all-black flashlight.

You can submit private feedback to editor@theprepared.com

My BOB is heavy and not even fully stocked

Maxpedition tiburon 34 backpack review.

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2024‘s Best Bug Out Bag Backpacks

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If you’re the kind of person who skips to the end, I’ll go ahead and spoil the surprise for you.

My choice for the best bug out bag is the 5.11 Rush 72 backpack (here’s my full review of the 5.11 Rush 72 ). It has plenty of space, is as durable as a concrete shower curtain, and is comfortable enough for an all day hike without the need for a back massage.

I especially like being able to keep my gear organized with all of the pockets and the MOLLE webbing allows me to add additional storage like a quick access first aid kit easily.

Ok, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s get into the meat of the subject, picking the best bug out bag for you.

You might see me refer to it as a GOOD bag (Get Out Of Dodge), bail out bag , bugout bag, go bag, grab bag, or My Little Pony. Hell, I may even shorten it to BOB if I’m feeling lazy.

They all mean the same thing in this context.

The Best Bug Out Bags

Overall best bug out bag – 5.11 tactical rush72.

Click image for more info

• Exterior Materials : 1050D Nylon
• Color Options : Black, Dark earth, Double tap, Multicam, OD, Sandstone, Storm
• Interior Capacity : 55 liters

Huge, comfortable, and modular. What’s not to like about the 5.11 Tactical RUSH72 backpack?

The RUSH 72 can carry everything you need to live in the woods for 72 hours. And more, especially if you take advantage of the MOLLE webbing.

It has a large main compartment, a big front pocket, two side pockets, an admin pocket, and a hydration compartment. Oh, and a fleece-lined pocket at the top of the bag for your glasses.

Compression straps hold all of your gear close to your center of mass.

This 72 hour bag also has plenty of internal pockets, some with YKK zippers and some elastic, to compartmentalize your gear. I appreciate these organization features to keep small things that you need to use quickly, such as flashlights, emergency sleeping bags, and multi-tools.

You can also shove some items between the front pocket and main part of the bag. A helmet, coat, first aid kit, or another item you need quick access to fits perfectly there.

The shoulder straps have closed-cell foam for comfort and a waist strap so your bag won’t careen to one side.

Though you can buy this backpack at Amazon , some of the colors are only available on 5.11 Tactical’s website .

What I Liked

There is plenty of capacity for all the gear you need in this bug out bag and, thanks to all of the inside compartments, it won’t all fall into one big heap you have to dig through.

Plus the fabric is tough and resists water. I also thought the zippers felt smooth and high quality.

What I Didn’t Like

At a whopping 5.5 lbs , the RUSH72 bag is heavy before you start putting any gear inside!

And as far as the bug out bags on this list go, it’s one of the most expensive. That high price tag gets you plenty of features and a high quality bag but it’s still not fun on the wallet.

Recommendation

The 5.11 Tactical RUSH 72 backpack has MOLLE to spare, enough space and compartments for all of your gear to have a place, and is tough enough to withstand any type of storm.

Best Budget Bug Out Bag – Evatac Combat Bag

• Exterior Materials : 600D Polyester
• Color Options : Khaki
• Interior Capacity : 40 liters

The Evatac Combat Bag is made of heavy duty 600D polyester, has 10 pockets/compartments, comfortable shoulder straps (and a chest strap!), is waterproof, and even has a padded laptop pocket.

And it costs less than half of the 5.11 Rush 72 .

It’s a durable bag made for tough situations. The Evatac can comfortably carry all of the survival gear and emergency items you need with plenty of storage space and organization features.

And it does it at a price that works with anyone’s budget. If you plan on outfitting your whole family, they have some great bulk discounts like 40% off when you buy 3 bags.

I absolutely love the “EZ Slide” zippers. If you’ve ever tried to open a zipper with gloves or cold hands, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

The Combat Bag also has MOLLE/PALS webbing so you can attach whatever pouches, patches, or accessories that you’d like. I’ve got glow sticks and a mini pry bar in mine.

I very much appreciate the vented back padding. I sweat if I think too hard and having a soggy back is no fun when you’re on the move. Or ever, really.

What I really appreciate, though, is the top flap. It’s a great place to store sunglasses or binoculars and provides extra water protection for the main clamshell pocket.

And if you don’t know what a clamshell pocket is, imagine being able to open your backpack like a suitcase. Everything open and easily accessible. You’re gonna love it.

Whatever bag you end up choosing, being able to open it completely will save you a lot of time sorting through gear and personal items and improve your organization.

My biggest gripe with this bag is that there is no waist belt. Carrying a heavy load all on your shoulders will wear you down pretty quickly so keep that in mind when choosing the best bag for you and your situation.

Another issue I have is that I’d prefer water bottle holder to be on the side rather than at the top of the bag. It ends up smushing whatever items are in the compartment behind it and makes the center of gravity higher.

One of the most frustrating things about the Combat Bag is that it is not always available. This isn’t an issue with most manufacturers but Evatac seems to run out of stock somewhat regularly.

Whether you’re just getting started and don’t want to spend a lot upfront or you’re just looking for a get home bag to keep in your office, the Evatac Combat Bag is a solid option that you won’t be disappointed with.

It offers many of the same features as bags that cost twice as much and can stand with some of the toughest packs on the market.

Best Hiking Backpack for Bugging Out – Kelty Redwing 44 Tactical

• Exterior Materials : 500D Kodra nylon (similar to Cordura)
• Color Options : Black, Forest Green, Navy,
• Interior Capacity : 44 liters

The Kelty Redwing Tactical is basically a typical hiking backpack, but made from more durable materials and ready for a sandstorm of pain.

Because it is a hiking, or “technical”, backpack, it was designed with long term comfort in mind, which is good news for you people who tend to overpack.

While there is not an “internal frame” with this bag, the Kelty does have a “single light beam aluminum stay”, basically a stiffener to make large, unwieldy loads more manageable.

If you aren’t familiar with the Kelty brand yet, they make very high quality gear. And the Redwing Tactical is no exception.

From the double stitching of the seams to sewing the YKK zippers on from the inside out (which makes it more dust and water resistant) to the 500D Kodra nylon exterior material, this bag can take a licking and keep on ticking.

The size (44 liters) is perfect for a day pack or a 72 hour bag. If you feel that you need more storage space, the Redwing is also available in a 50 liter version .

Like most technical backpacks, there is no MOLLE webbing, so you’re limited in your expandability. But remember, those attachments can change your center of gravity.

So not being able to add lots of pouches and kits might be a good thing in the long run.

Since this bag was meant for long hikes and heavy loads, it is extremely ergonomic and comfortable to wear for extended periods.

It’s got all the straps you’d expect from a hiking pack; chest, compression, and waist.

My favorite feature on the Redwing is the hip belt. When you’ve got it cinched tight, the belt takes the majority of the load off your shoulders (literally) and makes it easy to carry a lot of weight comfortably.

As far as compartments go, there is a laptop sleeve, quick access top pocket, an area for a water bottle on the side, and a large main section, as well as space for a hydration bladder.

I do wish it had more organization pockets in the main compartment, though.

As I mentioned in the Evatac review, a clamshell-style main compartment is, arguably, a must-have for any bug out bag. Instead of a clamshell, the Redwing has what it calls a “hybrid-loading u-zipper design”.

I’m sure that sounds good to some people but there really is no substitute for being able to completely open your bag and quickly access all of your gear.

Also, I found the zippers on the Kelty a bit less sturdy than other bags. This is probably because the Redwing was designed for backpacking and hiking rather than for high-stress situations like the other bags on this list.

While the zippers weren’t as heavy duty as I would have liked, I do appreciate that they have cord pulls to make them easier to operate while wearing gloves.

If comfort is as much of a concern for you as it is for me, then you’re going to want to go with a hiking style bag.

And the Kelty Redwing Tactical gives you that comfort and ease of use along with the long term durability of a tactical style backpack.

Best Tactical Bug Out Bag – Condor 3 Day Assault Pack

• Exterior Materials : Cordura
• Color Options : Black, Multicam, Olive drab, Tan
• Interior Capacity : 50 liters

Available in several tacticool colors, the Condor 3 Day Assault Pack has enough MOLLE for you to customize it to your liking.

Even without adding your own pouches, it has the compartments and capacity you need to have the right gear in the right place.

There are also document pockets, radio pockets, pen holsters, and not one but two 3-liter hydration bladder pockets.

Compression, sternum, and waist straps keep the gear from shifting. You can remove the waist strap if it gets in the way, too.

The large main compartment has quick-release retention straps to further help lock your gear down without slowing down your access.

Heavy-duty drag handles on three sides let you pick up this bag no matter how it lays, which is helpful if you need to drop the bag quickly to respond to an emergency situation.

Unlike some bug out bags, this one fits both large and small folks. It can likely fit everyone from a football player to a teenage girl.

It can also carry a massive amount of emergency supplies.

The fabric is somewhat lightweight Cordura, so this may not be the best bag for running through thorny bushes.

The Condor 3 Day Assault Pack makes a good bug out bag but isn’t heavy duty enough for long-term camping (not enough room for a sleeping bag). It’s still good for when you need to grab your things and go, though!

By the way, if you’re thinking about the Condor 3 Day Assault pack , the guys at Ultimate Survival Tips did a great, in depth review of it here:

Best Bug Out Pack for Car – REEBOW GEAR 3 Day Assault Pack

• Exterior Materials : 600D
• Color Options : Black, Tan

REEBOW GEAR’s 3 Day Assault Pack can hold a lot of gear without spending a lot of money.

You do cut some corners this way. The fabric is heavier duty than office pants but not as tough as the other bags on this list.

Still, this bag will hold up to moderate use.

I wouldn’t choose this one for long term survival but if you want it to hold 72 hours worth of supplies, it’s perfect!

The REEBOW Pack has MOLLE/PALS webbing, multiple compartments including a hydration pocket, and compression straps.

The main shoulder straps have padded mesh and a cinching strap but are a bit thin.

And as a bonus, you also get a blacked out American flag patch!

You can carry an awfully large amount of stuff in this inexpensive backpack.

On paper, the features list is impressive:

• MOLLE/PALS webbing
• Chest and compression straps
• Ventilated, mesh back padding
• Hydration compartment
• Water resistant

This bag is cheaper than similar bags. You can tell when you hold it. The straps and MOLLE webbing are uneven.

While the features list is impressive, this bag still leaves some things to be desired such as higher quality padding, more durable materials, and a fast access top compartment.

The REEBOW GEAR Assault Pack is a good emergency bag but isn’t built to withstand constant adventure.

I’d likely keep this bag in my car – with some basic survival items like emergency sleeping bags, water bottles, and a first aid kit – where it wouldn’t get much use but could be a life saver in an emergency situation.

Best Bug Out Bag for Law Enforcement – Maxpedition Vulture-II

• Exterior Materials : 1000D nylon
• Color Options : Black, Foliage green, Khaki, and OD green
• Interior Capacity : 34 liters

The Maxpedition Vulture-II is a backpack that can pull double duty as a bugout bag and as your daily backpack.

Load up the main compartment and front pocket with survival gear when you aren’t hiking.

Then swap out some of the unnecessary gear when you want to use the backpack for pleasure instead of as an emergency kit.

It has multiple compression straps to bring the weight close to you, including a Y-style strap that goes over the top of the pack, which most bug out backpacks lack.

There aren’t too many compartments but you can add your own pouches to the external MOLLE webbing. There’s even some webbing on the waist straps.

The Vulture-II has a concealed carry pocket . I generally don’t advocate for off-body carry, but it’s a fine choice when hiking and would be perfect for a backup firearm.

This would be a great bug out bag option for law enforcement officers or any one who has a pistol in their emergency survival kit.

It’s also very light, so you can carry 72 hours worth of gear with less fatigue.

Plus, this bag comes Teflon-coated, making it more water and stain resistant than other, similar bags!

There aren’t as many compartments as I’d like and the capacity isn’t as large as some 3-day backpacks.

The Maxpedition Vulture-II is a good backpack when you want one bag for both long hikes and for emergency use.

How to Choose a Bug Out Bag Backpack

I should probably address this first since you need to make a choice here before you start looking at any other variables.

There are a couple of schools of thought on this and you may not agree. It’s your choice.

Tactical Backpacks vs. Hiking Backpacks

To be able to carry as much equipment as we need, comfortably, and stand up to some pretty tough conditions, we have two choices; hiking/technical or military/tactical backpacks.

They both have pros and cons so you’ll have to pick which one works best for you.

Hiking Backpacks

The argument is that, in the case of an emergency, anyone who looks like they know what they’re doing will be targeted by those who are… less prepared.

Meaning all that hard work you put into prepping while your friends and neighbors made fun of you will actually put you at more risk.

This is a pretty valid point. Even if you are armed, you can easily be outnumbered and overpowered by a mob or small gang.

And even if you win the fight, you’ve wasted precious time and resources.

In this case, hiking backpacks are a better choice. They are built to carry a large amount of gear over long distances comfortably.

The emphasis with these packs is on space and comfort .

They lack some of the features and durability of tactical style backpacks but they also look like you just threw some stuff in a bag and ran.

As long as you buy a pack with muted colors, you will probably blend in with everyone else.

Hiking packs are a good option if you live in an urban environment.

Bonus points if you add dirt and duct tape to make the bag look old and worn (and you have more duct tape!).

Tactical Backpacks

If you live in a more rural area where you are less likely to run into other survivors, a tactical pack might make a better choice.

Military or tactical bug out bag backpacks generally aren’t as comfortable to wear for long periods as hiking packs but they could survive a hurricane/dust storm/avalanche/sharknado super combo and come out unscathed.

They also usually feature the MOLLE webbing system (no, not the robot from WALL-E).

MOLLE is an extremely versatile attachment system and is supported by a number of manufacturers.

It can be used to quickly attach and detach various gear and accessories like magazine pouches, sheaths, and day packs.

This feature really increases the effectiveness of your BOB by being able to adapt to the situation, increasing space and items you are able to carry as needed.

As far as color choice, again this is up to you, whether you want to go with something that blends into the landscape like camo or a color that doesn’t scream “military”.

Space is one of the biggest variables when picking out your pack because how much you can carry will depend on your size, endurance, and strength.

If you’re 5’2 and 110 pounds, you’re going to need a different size bag than a person who’s 5’11 and 180 pounds.

Liters vs Cubic Inches

This can be very confusing as some packs are measure their space in cubic inches and some are measured in liters. And then there are liquid measurements vs dry… It’s all a big cluster F.

The other reason you can’t evenly compare one size pack to another is because compartments that aren’t fully enclosed, like water bottle storage pockets and such, aren’t counted in the measurements.

Then you’ve got some areas that are larger than others but are less usable.

Bottom line, don’t make a decision solely on the volume metrics.

With that being said, you’re almost definitely going to want something larger than 2,500 cubic inches or 40 liters.

Beyond that, you’re going to need to factor in what equipment you will need, how much you can carry comfortably, etc.

Anything over 6,000 cu. in./90 liters is probably overkill and will hinder more than help. If you have that much stuff that you think needs to be in your BOB, you should rethink your list .

It is important to pay attention to the dimensions of the pack as well.

If you’ve ever had to help a buddy move, you know that half of a 100 pound couch can be harder to carry than two 50 pound dumbbells. It’s all about how it fits you.

Do your arms hit the sides while you’re walking because the bag is too wide?

Does it stop at the small of your back or is there an awkward empty space because it’s sitting on your butt while you walk?

Does the top of the bag hit your head with each step? That’s going to get old pretty fast.

Also, for the ladies, there are gender specific backpacks that are designed specially for women. If you find a brand that you like, check to see if they have bug out bags for women.

The better the fit, the more comfortable you’ll be.

Compartments

Like I mentioned earlier, not all compartments were created equally.

I like to travel with a simple duffel bag because I can easily throw in some clothes and a toiletry kit in and be on my way.

But it is bulky and when I need to find something small, it’s a lot of rummaging. Things get smushed, clean shirts rub up against dirty shoes, it’s anarchy in there.

And if I packed like my wife and brought more than just some t shirts, gym shorts, and underwear when we went out of town, it wouldn’t be nearly as convenient for me.

On the other hand, when I was backpacking with a hiking pack, having everything separated and tightly packed into different areas made retrieving exactly what I needed terribly easy.

Even though I was packed for 3 months instead of 3 days, my backpack was still smaller than my duffel bag.

All my gear had its spot and everything went back when I was done with it.

It’s not about having more space, it’s about having better space. Think tiny homes vs. McMansions.

Accessibility

Having quick access to the gear you need can literally mean the difference between life and death.

Plus, having to pull everything out of your pack just to get to your toothbrush at the bottom and then have to repack all your gear isn’t just annoying, it wastes a lot of time that could be spent doing useful things like setting up a shelter, building a fire, putting on a puppet show, or literally anything else.

Imagine if you saw a rescue plane in the distance when you’re stranded in the wild but can’t get to your signal mirror in time. Way to go, Sergeant Unorganized.

MOLLE Attachments

Another thing that isn’t included in the volume measurements of bags is the ability to add attachments to the exterior of the pack.

For example, clipping your water bottle to the outside instead of having to store it inside makes it more accessible and saves quite a bit of room for other items.

This is where the MOLLE backpacks really stand out.

Hydration Bladder Compatibility

Yeah, water is great and all but drinking is such a hassle.

All that up and down. I might as well go to the gym and do curls. And straws aren’t much better. I still have to hold the thing!

For this reason, hydration bladders (Camelbaks for the rich kids) really are useful additions to your survival pack.

They’re an efficient way to carry water, keep your hands free, make it easy to ration water, and even have filtration devices built in.

What more could you ask for?

The distance you are able to travel is dependent largely on two items, your shoes and your pack. And since we aren’t talking about shoes today, let’s focus on the bag.

Improving the comfort and fit of the bag will allow you to go further, carry more items for survival, and reduce recovery time (trust me, you don’t want to be the person complaining about how much your back hurts in an emergency survival situation).

Shoulder straps

The shoulder strap is the primary point of contact between your bug out bag and you. This is where almost alllll of the weight is going to be alllll day. So make sure they’re comfortable.

I remember I had a backpack in high school that seemed to have good, padded straps but they were foam and by the end of the year were flattened and useless.

Trust me, when you’re carrying 30-50 pounds (basically a five year old on your back) for 8-12 hours a day, those straps start to feel like barbed wire.

On the other hand, the bag that I backpack with has some awesome gel honeycomb wizard magic technology padding that doesn’t wear out and allows it to breathe.

Besides padding, you should also look at the width of the straps. The wider the shoulder strap, the more surface area for the weight to be displaced, making it easier to carry.

However, if you have a wide neck, too wide of a shoulder strap will be uncomfortable and could rub and chafe you after a while.

I have heard this is an issue for some people with the 5.11 Rush 72 .

Your shoulders may take the brunt of the weight of your survival bag but that doesn’t mean they have the take all of it.

Many hiking and tactical/military backpacks come with hip straps that allow you to carry some of the weight with your thighs and hips rather than Atlas-ing it all on your shoulders.

Hip straps also change the center of gravity of your backpack to help you carry more gear with less strain.

I know it doesn’t seem like much at first but I’d say that this feature decreases the effort required to carry weight by 30% (based on absolutely no actual tests or empirical evidence, just me getting lost in Barcelona without a wallet and 50 pounds of gear in my pack).

An added benefit of a hip belt is that many have fast access pockets for sunglasses/cell phone/etc, clips for water bottles, and/or allow you to add attachments, which increases the versatility of the pack while improving the weight distribution.

It also keeps items that need to be close at hand, close at hand (that’s a weird phrase, right? Close at hand?).

Having your knife or tactical flashlight right on your hip can save a lot of time when seconds matter and keep you from having to take your bag completely off just to see what’s in this hole.

Sternum Strap

I kind of glazed over the whole center of gravity thing but you would be amazed at how much something so little can make such a big difference.

Other than being a place to hang my sunglasses, all that a sternum strap does is pull your straps together.

But you don’t realize how much effort you’re using to keep your shoulders from being pulled back until you clip the strap on. Centering the weight on your chest rather than the outside of your shoulders is like a cold glass of water in the desert.

A bug out bag without a sternum strap is a deal breaker to me.

Back Padding

I remember a buddy of mine in school had a backpack that had no padding and accidentally stabbed himself in the back pretty badly with a pencil while running for the bus.

That was an embarrassing scar.

Besides the shoulder straps, your back is the main point of contact between you and your gear.

It will be bumping into you and rubbing back and forth as you walk (no matter how tight you cinch it) so make sure there’s something comfortable between you two.

Ideally with air channels to improve circulation and keep you from sweating.

Compression Straps

Here is another feature that seems small but makes a huge difference. Basically a girdle for your bug out bag .

Being able to cinch your gear tighter, and therefore closer to your center of gravity, will improve your ability to carry the bag longer.

Another must have feature, in my opinion.

Remember that miracle honeycomb padding I mentioned before?

Besides the comfort and longevity, the real benefit of the design is that it breathed better than any conventional padding.

Sweating may help cool us off but it also drains our electrolytes and increases the amount of water per day we need.

Plus it smells and no one wants to stink any more than they have to when hot showers aren’t an option.

So when looking at packs for your bug out bag, pay attention to any airflow channels, cooling options, or webbing features in the back and shoulder padding.

I don’t care how comfortable your straps are, if they break, you’re going to have a bad day.

It doesn’t matter how much gear your pack can hold if the fabric rips and leaves a Hansel and Gretel trail of your survival items through the woods.

You’re not going to the store for groceries or hauling books from class to class.

In the event you need to use your bug out bag, you’re going to be in a rough situation and your survival is riding on what is in your bag.

So you want to make sure it can hold up to some beating.

Obviously some materials are more durable than others but the weight of the fabric, as well as the type of weave, also make a big difference. Though I love cotton, I’d stick with Nylon in this case.

It can take more abuse, generally, and it’s what most of the best tactical backpacks are made out of now.

Tactical bug out bags are built with thicker fabric like 1000d Cordura Nylon but this sacrifices weight for durability compared to the lighter hiking backpacks.

While the materials of the bag is important to prevent rips or fraying, your zippers are more likely to fail before the fabric.

Pay attention to the size and quality of not only the actual zippers and pulls but also the stitching to the bag.

This is where reading reviews is important to see if anyone else has had issues with the zippers catching or ripping.

Buying a “cheap” bug out bag may end up costing you more over time.

Oversized zippers are also very handy when you’re wearing gloves.

Water Resistant

I don’t think there’s much to say about this. You don’t want your stuff to get wet. So being water resistant is a plus.

I wouldn’t say it’s a deal breaker because there are other ways to keep your gear dry but it’s a pretty nice feature.

Some hiking bags come with rain covers but those take up space in your bag. Usually very little but something to keep in mind.

I figured I’d throw this one in here.

Some pickpockets will slice open the bottom of your bag while you’re sitting on a train or walking down the street and steal your gear literally right out from under you.

To combat this, some manufacturers offer models with basically chicken wire (or Kevlar strands) sewn into the bottom of the bag and the top compartment so that they can’t be cut.

I don’t know how much of an issue this will be after a disaster but it could keep your bag from being ripped open by a jagged piece of rebar or a particularly aggressive tree branch.

Whew! That was a lot of words. The sad thing is that I actually cut a lot out! Hopefully this helped you to get started building your own bug out bag.

What’s your pick for the best bug out bag backpack? What essentials do you pack in your bug out bag ?

16 thoughts on “2024‘s Best Bug Out Bag Backpacks”

But still what is the best materials for backpacks?

It really depends on if you want to go for durability or weight. The best tactical backpack material seems to be 1050D which, oddly enough, outperforms 1680D. But for hiking backpacks, 1050D is too heavy so they use something like silnylon (which is waterproof as well). There are new variations coming out every year but they are all some type of nylon. This really was a helpful article for me: https://www.loadedpocketz.com/difference-ballistic-1000d-cordura-ripstop-nylon/

Thanks for the information. And what about the manufacturer? We always prefered Deuter. This year our son went to school and we bought him Deuter also. Any better ideas?

No, that’s a pretty good choice. We’ve always heard good things about Deuter. Sounds like your son has the coolest backpack in school!

Great article, Evan! I like your thorough coverage of the many issues that need to be taken into account when choosing a bug out backpack. Thinking through these factors really helps us make the right choice. Thanks for putting this together.

What about ALICE packs? I have a large ALICE with an external frame. I keep boots, a tarp, a blanket, shelter and my sleeping bag in side and the stuff I need to access quick, I have in the outside pockets and the lid pouch. I have to attack my sleeping mat to the lower part of the frame. I have a dry bag for things like clothes, socks, extra boots a cook kit and personal items. Water and knife are carried externally on the ALICE and on my belt. To me, it makes a great BOB and you can get them used, fairly inexpensively.

That’s a great point, David! We were actually planning on doing an article on ALICE packs soon. Where do you recommend finding them used?

I made a post and I don’t see it on here. I may not have clicked the right button. 🙂 Try again, LOL: I bought my ALICE at Midway USA and got it online for $20 without the frame. Had to get the frame from Rothco at the time. I thought originally, that it was $30 for the frame, but it was about $50. At any rate, Midway has some good ALICE packs. Mine was in medium condition, but no holes or tears or anything. Still in reasonably good condition for a $20 pack. They vary in product availability when it comes to Army surplus. Rothco is more expensive, but still has great stuff. They have vintage ruck sacks, and putt packs and stuff like that.

That is a pretty great deal for a quality pack! We’ve always liked Rothco products here as well. I’ll have to check out Midway and see if I can put together a good bug out bag for less than $50

Correction on previous post. I got my wires crossed on the ALICE frame. It was about $50 at Rothco. Still, that’s $70 bucks total, so not a bad deal. 🙂

Where do you get the idea that US litres and UK litres are different?

A litre is a litre is a litre. There is only one definition of a litre.

1000 ml. or 1000 cm^3. (a hair over 61 in^3).

(A US quart and a UK quart are different of course).

Good call, Alan. I think I was thinking of gallons and pints. I fixed that statement, thanks for pointing that out!

Have you seen GoRuck? https://www.goruck.com/rucksacks/ What is your opinion on this pack?

I’ve seen them but haven’t had a chance to try one out. What’s your feeling on them?

I have the Lafuma Backpack Access 40 Carb / black. or close to it. I bought it in Belgium in 1999. It is a pretty good tactical backpack and the one I have has the extra loops like on a MOLLIE pack. It’s worn but my go to get home bag. I need another and will look at these choices.

I think the author of this article missed a major point when it comes to selecting a bug out backpack. The reason why hiking backpacks are better at hauling larger loads compared to tactical backpacks is because they have either an internal or external frame which transfers the majority of the weight to the hips and lower on your body. You DONT WANT your shoulders to carry anywhere near 70% of the weight if you are hauling 40-60lbs or more of gear. You want that weight transferred to the bottom of your body and much closer to your body where it’s much more stable and reduces strain on your back! The hip belt is designed to carry 60-80% of the weight with the shoulder straps keeping the weight centered and the pack as close to your body as possible. The shoulder straps shouldn’t carry more than 40% of a larger 50-100L pack. Modern and more advanced hiking packs have pivoting hip belts that move with your hips and reduce chaffing or stress on your hips. A Tactical backpack is designed for just that, tactical, quick, and short maneuvering generally with a specific goal in mind. They are not meant for more than 2-3 days of hauling and are designed to carry mission focused gear or equipment for soldiers or law enforcement. Generally, soldiers or law enforcement have large support networks that follow or can be dispatched for an extraction. If you plan to go on a 1-2 day hunt 0-30 miles out from you camp, a tactical pack is a good option. If you are planning to bring along everything that’s super important to you in life (a.k.a bug out) you need a larger pack and thus the hiking pack is best. A hiking pack is also good with the grey man aspect of bugging out AND best of all can be used for backpacking trips which is a great way to practice bugging out.

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The Best Bug Out Bags for Preparedness

By Scott Einsmann

Updated on Sep 28, 2023 12:28 PM EDT

7 minute read

Best Bug Out Bag

Eberlestock switchblade, best emergency backpack, kelty coyote 85, best bug out bag for the money, qtu0026qy 45l military tactical backpack.

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A natural or manmade disaster happens and you have to evacuate immediately. Do you have everything you need to survive readily available? That’s where a bug out bag comes into play. It’s a bag that contains life-sustaining necessities — like survival food — you can grab and take with you. These bags can range from large multi-day packs to small bags. With such a wide variety of bags available, the choices can be overwhelming. I’m a backpack enthusiast with a large collection of packs I use for hunting, fishing, hiking, and everyday carry. I also have a few bags packed and ready to go for emergencies. Using my experience testing a wide variety of packs I’ve assembled a list of the best bug out bags. Here are my top picks. 

• Best Overall: Eberlestock Switchblade  
• Best for Emergencies: Kelty Coyote 85
• Best with Rifle Holder: Eberlestock LoDrag II
• Best Value: QT&QY 45L Military Tactical Backpack

How I Evaluated the Best Bug Out Bags

Finding the best bug out bag is much like evaluating the best backpacks, but with a consideration for the features needed for a bug out scenario. Here are the factors I took into account: 

• Look (Does it look inconspicuous?)
• Size (What is the pack volume?)
• Comfort (Will it comfortably carry all the necessary supplies?)
• Features (Does it have pockets for organizing supplies or other helpful features?)

How each of these factors was weighted depended on the category the pack fit in. For example, it’s not necessary to have an inconspicuous pack when you are carrying a rifle. Or, if you’re bugging out in a vehicle a comfortable pack isn’t as important. As you make your bug out bag selection take those considerations into account as well as your budget.

The Best Bug Out Bags: Reviews & Recommendations

Best bug out bag: eberlestock switchblade, key features.

• Capacity: 1500 cubic inches
• Concealed carry pouch
• Weight: 3 pounds 10 ounces
• Interior pockets for organizing small items
• Easy to organize
• Doesn’t look tactical
• Can’t support a lot of weight

Blending into a crowd and not raising eyebrows can be beneficial during a bug out situation. That’s not a feature most bug out bags have, but it’s what the Switchblade excels at. Inside this seemingly normal backpack are well thought out pockets for organizing small items for easy access. It also has plenty of space for everything you need to survive one or two nights while bugging out. The zippers are one of my favorite features because they are ergonomic and allow fast access to different parts of the bag. 

If you’re looking for a small pack that can support one person for one or two days, then this is the best bug out bag for the job. It offers just enough space, comes in a variety of colors, and has extra features any prepper will appreciate. 

• Pack volume: 85 liters; 5,187 cubic inches
• Weight: 4 pounds 14 ounces
• Torso Fit Range: 15.5 to 21 inches
• Ventilated back panel
• Easy torso adjustment
• Carries enough supplies for multiple days
• Comfortable
• Easy adjustment
• Does not fit all people

If you need to carry a lot of supplies, you’ll need a larger bag than a standard day pack. The Kelty Coyote 85 offers a good blend of space and value. The 5,000 cubic inches of volume will allow you to carry enough supplies for several days, and it carries those supplies comfortably thanks to the internal frame and padded hip belt. In use, you’ll appreciate the exterior pockets that allow you to easily access important items like maps, water filters, and flashlights. 

Before buying this pack or any multi-day pack, check your torso length against the manufacturer’s specified range. If your torso length falls outside the range, the pack will not properly distribute the weight. A proper fit puts most of the pack weight to rest on your hips not on your shoulders. Tall users, like myself at 6’6”, will find this pack doesn’t carry a heavy load well, although it fits most people well. 

Overall, this is the best emergency backpack for carrying around 50 pounds of supplies and bugging out on foot. It’s priced well and has all the features you need for a large bug out bag. 

• Pack Volume: 1800 ci
• Rifle scabbard 
• Hydration bladder sleeve 
• Made of 420 denier nylon
• Weight: 6.5 pounds 
• Securely holds a rifle 
• Limited on space

This is the best bug out bag with a rifle holder and with 1800 cubic inches of space the Eberlestock LoDrag II gives you day pack capacity with the unique capability of securely and comfortably carrying a rifle. The rifle scabbard sits close to your back for the best weight distribution and the padded scabbard protects your rifle and optic. The scabbard holds rifles up to 60 inches, so you can carry all but the longest rifles. The bag features a shelf that allows the interior to be either one large space or two separate compartments. The 420 denier ripstop nylon makes the bag extremely durable. The pack carries weight comfortably thanks to the polycarbonate Gossamer frame. This is the ideal bag for one or two days worth of supplies and the added capability a rifle gives you in a survival situation.

• Separate compartments
• Exterior MOLLE webbing
• Pack Volume: 45 liters
• Material: 900D polyester
• Ripstop material
• Plenty of pockets
• Cannot carry heavy loads comfortably

A bug out bag isn’t a bag you can use for everyday carry, hiking, or hunting because it needs to be always packed and ready to go. That means you can have a pretty expensive bag that you never use. So, it makes sense to spend a little less on a bug out bag than your packs you use hard in everyday life. QT&QY Tactical Backpack fills the budget bug out bag niche perfectly. It’s affordable, functional, and just the right size at 45 liters to store the essentials you’ll need. This bag doesn’t carry a heavy load comfortably so if you’ve weighed it down, you’ll feel it in your shoulders after the first mile. That’s why I especially like this bag for anyone bugging out with a vehicle or bike. If that fits into your bug out plan, then this is the best bug out bag for the money.

How to Choose a Bug Out Bag

The main consideration for choosing a bug out bag is what you intend to carry in your bag. It’s helpful to put together your pack list and bug out plan first. Then, you’ll have a clear idea for the size and type of bag you need. Here are some additional things to consider when making your choice: 

• If you’re evacuating on foot, there’s only so much you can carry. But, if you’re bugging out in a vehicle, you can take more supplies and a much larger bag. 
• If you’re in an environment where keeping a low profile is beneficial, a tactical looking bag might attract unwanted attention.
• If your bug out plan involves a long trek on foot, then you’ll need a proper fitting backpack with a frame and hip belt.

Answering some basic questions around choosing a new bug out bag.

Standard colors like black, blue, red, and green are all excellent colors for a bug out bag. Camo is a color that could draw unwanted attention in populated areas. 

Being prepared is always a good idea. If you live in an area prone to wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters, it’s an especially good idea to have a bug out bag prepared.

The size of your bug out bag will depend on how many people you need to support with the bag, and how far you expect to travel. For most people, a day pack with enough supplies for one or two days is all that’s needed, but some people might need a larger multi-day pack. 

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

When a disaster forces you to leave your home, packing a bag is the last thing you want to do. A rushed packing job might result in forgetting an essential like a water filter or medication. A bug out bag solves this problem by being always packed and ready to go. When choosing from this list of best bug out bags, consider what you’ll carry and how you plan to bug out. Those factors will steer you to the best bug out bag for you.

• Best Overall: Eberlestock Switchblade  

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11 Best Bug-Out Backpacks For 2024

• by Jonny Duncan
• February 3, 2024 February 5, 2024

This is what I recommend for the best bug-out backpacks. You will need a good bug-out bag in case an emergency comes up. It’s best to be prepared!

Hopefully, it never will as it means something generally bad has happened and you need to get going quickly, but it’s always good to be prepared.

If you’re wondering what my credibility is with backpacks I can tell you that I have been backpacking around the world since 1997 and have tried a lot of backpacks out in that time.

Why You Need a Bug-Out Backpack

Maybe you live in an earthquake-prone area like California. Or in a bush wild fire-prone area? Flood risk area? Hurricane risk, like in Florida if you’re in the US?

Maybe you need a bug-out backpack as an emergency bag in your car in case it breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Or maybe you just like to be prepared for the worst no matter where you live.

When living in parts of the world where I thought I might need to just grab a bag quickly in case of an emergency and get out of home fast I have always kept a bug-out backpack filled with emergency gear for that occasion.

For example, when I lived in Japan for several months I had my bug-out bag ready as it’s a highly earthquake-prone country. There are other examples, but this post is about what bug-out backpack to choose so I’ll stop rambling now and get to the point.

What makes for the best bug-out backpack?

The best bug-out bag will be military-grade as they are very durable and suited to the task and also will be a backpack as they are far more practical in a survival situation than any other type of bug-out bag.

You’re going to want to have a smaller backpack as it’s something to just keep the main survival essentials in and to sit quietly stored somewhere out of the way.

There are a few backpack brands that make excellent day packs for military or bushcraft use and those are the ones I am recommending here.

The size of the backpack also depends on where you live and what climate circumstances you may be under.

Generally speaking, you will want what you could call a 72-hour backpack, as that is generally how long you will want some survival gear for. But a smaller bug-out bag for 24-48 hour use can also sometimes be better than a bigger bulkier bag.

If you live in a colder environment you will want a bigger backpack for the colder weather gear. If you live in a hot environment a smaller backpack will do the job.

If you are living in a city then a small bug-out backpack tucked away somewhere will do the job as you won’t be deep in a wilderness area needing more survival gear.

I have tried most of these backpacks and have had 2 of them for a long time now. Number one is my all-time favourite.

Bug-Out Backpack Budget

I’ll get straight to the point of price: Don’t get a cheap backpack as your bug-out backpack!

It would be better to get a used good quality backpack (check Craigslist, eBay etc) than to get a new sub-par pack.

For me, it’s an investment in a backpack that will last a long time so if you can afford it spend around $120-250 on a good bug-out backpack that will last you and give you peace of mind.

The MOLLE System

First of all, a quick introduction to the Molle system as many of these bug-out backpacks use it.

What is MOLLE and how does it work?

MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment and is used primarily in the military forces of NATO. Being military-grade makes them some of the best survival backpacks you can get.

Basically, there are strong nylon straps on the outside of the backpack that allow for attaching external pouches and other items. This allows you to upgrade the space of the backpack if more is required and makes things easier to organize.

Molle really is the way to go as it’s so practical as the backpacks are very durable and you can add to the size of the pack which means you can have a pack that will last for a very long time and be adaptable for different situations.

I’ll start with the brand Karrimor SF as they have a great reputation in military circles and come in at a great price point without compromising on quality. They make for a good tactical bug-out bag and are what I use.

To give you an idea of the credibility of Karrimor, Ray Mears , who is one of the number one bushcraft and survival experts in the UK and the world, has been them for a long, long time.

Side note: If you haven’t watched any of Ray Mears’s survival shows I highly recommend you do! He also has a lot of good books on the subjects of bushcraft and survival.

Quick disclaimer: I’ve added links to Amazon and other sites where you can check prices for these backpacks. I get a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through them and the money helps me keep working on articles for Backpackingman.

Karrimor SF Predator 30 (Tactical Bug Out Bag)

The SF Predator is a smaller backpack and more streamlined without the side pockets, although it has the MOLLE system if you want to add extra pouches to the pack.

For me, the Predator 30 makes the perfect tactical bug-out bag and if I was going to get a backpack specifically for a bug-out bag then this is the one I would get.

It’s incredible value for money, has the Molle option to expand the load-carrying capacity, and being a Karrimor pack will be very durable and up to the task of a survival backpack.

• Volume: 30 litres
• Weight: 2.7 lbs (1.2 kg)

Check prices for the Karrimor SF Predator 30 .

Karrimor Sabre 35

The Karrimor Sabre 35 is a great bug-out ba ckpack and I have used it for other things such as bushcraft, hiking, and travel.

I have had and used this since 2010 and it’s still in good condition. However, if I were to buy again I would just get the Predator 30 as the MOLLE on it makes it much more practical these days.

But if you can find a Sabre 35 they are cheap and good!

The 35-litre capacity is just the right size for all the essential bug-out gear you will need unless you’re in a cold place and need the cold-weather gear.

• Volume: 35 litres
• Weight: 3.2 lbs (1.4 kg)

Karrimor SF Sabre 45

This is the bug-out backpack I would get if living in colder environments as it’s a bigger size allowing for colder (bulkier) cold-weather gear to fit inside.

For example, if you live in cold places in the US or Canada and there’s the potential for disasters in your area, especially in winter, then this is the bag for you.

It doesn’t use the MOLLE system but is big enough in size that you wouldn’t need to add any additional attachments. Especially if kept just as a bug-out backpack.

• Volume: 45 litres
• Weight: 4 lbs (1.8 kg)

Highly recommended!

Check prices for the Karrimor SF Sabre 45 .

Savotta Jääkäri M 30

Another great backpack brand is Savotta. They tend to come in a bit pricier but are very good quality. Saying that however, all the brands here are field-proven for their durability and quality over many years.

Savotta is a Finnish backpack and outdoor gear manufacturer that supplies the Finnish military so you know you’re getting a good bug-out backpack. It’s also, again, one of Ray Mears’s favourite backpack manufacturers.

The Savotta Jääkäri M 30 is on the smaller side of things so is a great option if living in an area where you don’t need to worry too much about a warm sleeping bag etc and can save some space that way.

It uses the MOLLE system and there are plenty of pouch upgrades available to purchase separately.

• Weight: 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg)

Savotta backpacks can be a little harder to find outside of Europe so you may have to order from a store in Europe if you live in the US or Canada. Search Google (or whatever) first and maybe you will get lucky and find a store that sells it where you are or can order from it.

Check prices for Savotta Jääkäri M 30 .

5.11 Tactical RUSH24

5.11 Tactical is well known in military circles and makes good gear at a decent price point as well.

My friend loves this backpack and although I don’t own it myself I have used his one on occasion, primarily out of curiosity.

I liked it although, to be honest, I’m not a big fan of zippers on backpacks. I prefer a roll-top closure. However, if you prefer zips then this could be the bug-out backpack for you.

Having said that the backpack was comfortable and felt durable.

It has the MOLLE system.

• Volume: 37 litres

If you’re in the US, Canada, or Europe, these packs are easy to find.

Check prices for the 5.11 Tactical RUSH24 .

Osprey Mutant 38

The Osprey Mutant 38 is actually designed as a climbing backpack. So why would I recommend it as a bug-out bag?

Simple. It is designed for mountaineering which means it is durable but also lightweight and doesn’t bother with all the added extra stuff your average hiking backpack might have.

In that sense, it makes for a great bug-out backpack!

I used this as my bug-out bag while living in Amsterdam before taking it out to Iceland and Alaska for hiking purposes.

Sadly it got stolen at a guest house in Alaska and I haven’t got another one as I have other backpacks I’m using.

Although it doesn’t have the Molle system it has plenty of space inside for your survival gear and you won’t need to add any extra space.

• Volume: 38 litres
• Weight: 2.8 lbs (1.3 kg)

Check prices for Osprey Mutant 38 .

Drakon Waterproof Go-Bag

Disclaimer: This is one of the best bug-out backpacks that I have not tried, but it gets great reviews in survivalists circles and after researching into it I had to include it on this list.

For one thing, it’s a waterproof bug-out bag ! This would make it a great option if your survival worries are from a high flood risk area or storm area (hurricanes) where it will get very wet and you want a backpack that will keep all your gear dry.

Its 40 litres capacity is a compromise on the smaller backpacks offered and the price point is a little higher, but if you want a waterproof backpack this will be the one to go for.

• Volume: 40 litres
• Weight: 4.5 lbs (2 kilos)

Check prices for the Drakon Waterproof Go-Bag .

The Best Bug Out Backpack

If you live in a place where you will need cold-weather gear, get the Karrimor Sabre 45.

Need a great overall bug-out bag for a possible 48 hours of survival, get the Predator 30, Savotta Jääkäri M 30, or 5.11 Tactical RUSH24.

Need a bug-out bag for a possible 72 hours of survival, then get the Karrimor Sabre 45 or Osprey Mutant 38. The 5.11 Tactical RUSH24 can be pushed for this as well, possibly.

In a flood-prone region and that’s the main worry, then get the Drakon Waterproof Go-Bag.

There should be a good bug-out bag – backpack here that will suit your needs. Or at least give you a pointer in the right direction.

For me? The trusty Sabre 35 is still going strong as my bug-out bag! Other backpacks I use are for bushcraft or for backpacking.

If I were you though and had to choose between the Sabre 35, Predator 30, or Savotta Jääkäri M 30, I would get the Predator 30.

The Predator 30 can’t be beaten when it comes to the price point. After all, at the end of the day, you want a bug-out bag that will do the job of sitting away in the corner but be up for the task at hand if an emergency comes along.

But the Predator 30 may be a bit small for some if you need that extra space so think carefully of where you are and the survival purposes you need it for.

At the end of the day, yes you could just use any bag but it’s best to have a good quality durable backpack like the ones mentioned here, and it makes a good investment as it will last a long time.

As you seem to have some interest in survival as you are reading this post then check out some of these best movies on survival .

What are your thoughts on the best bug-out backpacks?

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10 Best Bug Out Backpacks in 2023 – Buyer’s Guide

To find the best bug out backpack, you need to search a whole lot of styles, features, and usability to find the ideal fit for you. Bug out bags are becoming increasingly popular as the threat of an accident or natural disaster is rising. If you’re new to prepping, you may wonder what a bug out bag is. For starters, its the holy grail of bags whenever a disaster strikes.

Whether it’s an earthquake, explosions, floods, violence, or war, being prepared will always be better than not. And by putting together a bug out bag, you will be more than prepared when the time comes. A great bug out bag will have most of the essentials needed to sustain yourself a minimum of 3 days.

In a Hurry? The test winners after 12 hrs of research

5.11 Tactical RUSH72 Bug Out Backpack – Premium Pick

Why is it better?

• Lots of space and organization (pockets, zippered compartments, etc.)
• Dual compression straps
• MOLLE everywhere
• Main zippers go nearly down to the bottom of the bag, allowing for clam shell opening

REEBOW GEAR Military Bug Out Backpack – Best Value

• Very spacious. 2 main compartments, and back compartment for a hydration bladder, and 2 smaller compartments
• The rugged design holds up well against abrasion and other forces
• Its waterproof design makes it good for carrying electronics or books on campus or out on trails
• Breathable and comfortable shoulder straps

Best Bug Out Backpacks – Overview

If you’re not sure where to start, our guide to the best bug out backpacks for survival is here to help you get going. For every contingency, scenario, and price range, we have looked at some of the largest, hardest, and overall best bug out backpacks out there. Survival backpacks and 3-day backpacks are also similar types of bags that you can use as an alternative.

Bug Out Backpacks Reviews

1. 5.11 tactical rush72 bug out backpack – premium pick.

The 5.11 Tactical RUSH72 Bug Out Backpack is engineered to be a full-featured bug out bag that provides ample space for gear and accessories while remaining rugged and reliable enough for extended excursions or tactical deployments. Built from high strength, water-repellant rucksack made with 1000D nylon, this bag is ideal for recreational use or as an operational bug out bag with dual-zippered front and main compartments with molded grip pulls.

Compatible with 5.11 Tier System, and the Rush Tier Rifle Sleeve, the pack features unmatched storage capability, a wrap-around MOLLE and SlickStick-compatible web platform, adjustable shoulder and sternum straps, a 60-oz. hydration pocket, and durable, water-resistant construction. Adjustable dual density closed-cell foam shoulder straps; cinching waist strap and dual compression straps keep your rucksack pack secure and comfortable. Our handy guide to the best tactical backpacks features more great products like this.

Key Features:

• Water-repellent & made with 1000D Nylon
• Dual compression straps on the outside of the bag
• Velcro ports on each side for securing a hydration bladder drinking tube in place
• Multiple integrated organization pockets
• Adjustable dual density closed-cell foam shoulder straps

Specifications:

• Brand: 5.11
• Capacity: 55L
• Dimensions: 23″ H x 13.5″ W x 8.5″ D
• Weight: 5.5 lbs
• The bag is heavy at 5.5 lbs
• Drain holes in main compartment can let sand in

2. Direct Action Dragon Egg Bug Out Backpack

The Direct Action Dragon Egg Bug Out Backpack is a lightweight and versatile 2-day pack suitable for the role of a basic assault backpack or larger EDC pack. The Egg shape allows the pack to have a smaller height and width than other packs with similar capacity. It also makes it more comfortable with belt kits or ballistic vests. The front pocket features an internal organizer for GPS, writing utensils and other small essentials

Its 25+ liter capacity makes this 2-day backpack great for both patrol and advanced tactical duties. Designed for military and law enforcement operators, however, the camo/solid color selection also makes it a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts. The low profile look and feel makes it a perfect everyday carry bag.

• Daisy chain webbing that runs along the front panel seam for attaching carabineers
• Laser-cut MOLLE/PALS system
• Patented Combat Vent System provides increased comfort for their users during prolonged use
• Made with water-resistant coated Codura 500D fabric with multiple color/camo options
• Brand: Direct Action
• Capacity: 25L
• Dimensions: 18.9″ H x 10.6″ W x 7.0″ D
• Weight: 3.5 lbs
• Plenty of room for accessories and laser Molle makes it possible for adaptations
• The side loops are very handy
• Size is optimal for 3 Day trip
• Overall good build quality
• The green interior makes it slightly more difficult to see what’s pockets. Recommend using a light color like yellow or orange
• The shape makes the bag always roll forward when set on a flat surface

3. REEBOW GEAR Military Bug Out Backpack – Best Value

The  REEBOW GEAR Military Bug Out Backpack  can be used as a 3-day assault pack, bug out backpack, hunting backpack, survival backpack, army backpack, trekking backpack or day pack for daily use. It has double-stitched seams throughout, heavy-duty zips and is made from a durable, water-resistant fabric. It works great with a 2.5L hydration bladder

In addition, this pack comes with an adjustable shoulder and waist straps. The shoulder straps have a good amount of mesh padding and there is a chest strap between them, so further adjust where the backpack weight falls on your shoulders. Like most military backpacks, it also has a MOLLE system, Molle webbing throughout for attaching additional tactical pouches or gear. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best military backpacks .

• High-density fabric-durable and water-resistant
• Molle webbing throughout for attaching additional tactical pouches
• Double-stitched, heavy-duty zippers and utility-style cord pulls
• Ventilated mesh padded back area & shoulder strap
• Brand: REEBOW GEAR
• Capacity: 40L
• Dimensions: 16.6″ H x 14.7″ W x 4.8″ D
• Weight: 2.82 lbs
• Not the best strap quality, so this pack is not recommended for putting a heavy load

4. Maxpedition Vulture-II Bug Out Backpack

The Maxpedition Vulture-II Bug Out Backpack is built for larger individuals and is designed for hauling lots of gear. Endowed with 2100 cubic inches (34 liters) of carry capacity, 3 generous compartments, and a wide bottom design; this is the backpack to pack it all into. However, like all Maxpedition bags, size does not infringe on comfort. Great for longer hikes, deployment, or buggin’ out.

A coating of 1000 denier ballistic nylon is the secret to the incredible toughness of this bag and the bag’s rugged surface makes it a real-world survival and bug out backpack that holds up to tremendous abuse. PALS webbing is included across the side surfaces of the case which provides incredible strength of the stitching used to keep these nylon strips in place.

• 3 spacious main compartments
• Concealed Carry Pocket
• Base of the bag features a non-slip and abrasive finish
• External PALS Webbing for attachments
• Internal Pockets and loop fields for customization
• Brand: Maxpedition
• Capacity: 46L
• Dimensions: 20.5″ H x 16″ W x 7″ D
• Plenty of straps to compress your bag
• Water bladder/laptop pouch
• Awesome quality: durable teflon-coated, 1000-denier Nylon – double stitching – and quality zippers with paracord pullers
• Three-layered compartments for convenience and organization
• Initially, outer material is abrasive to bare skin

5. Direct Action Ghost Tactical Bug Out Backpack

The Direct Action Ghost Tactical Bug Out Backpack is a 30+ liter backpack, scalable and well suited for the role of a tactical 3-day pack. This makes the ghost perfect as a bug out backpack that can adapt quickly to changing situations on the ground while performing well in a number of roles. It features the main pack with two zippered compartments – first, larger, has an internal hydration sleeve and an accessory mesh pocket. Second, accessible from the backside of the pack is reinforced and will hold a large laptop computer.

The low profile look and feel makes it a perfect everyday bag. If you are looking for a heavy-duty backpack for your laptop, tablet, iPad, hydration bladder, etc. or just a solid base for your bug out bag. Additionally, there is a zippered, soft velour-lined, glasses pocket in the upper portion of the pack and a flat zippered pocket below it. Carrying straps of the Ghost MK II backpack is wide, and padded with stiffened closed-cell foam, with side release buckles for quick doffing. Waistbelt of the Ghost MK II pack is a fully functional PALS/MOLLE belt that can be detached from the main body and used on its own with included low-profile suspenders.

• Cordura 500D laminate construction
• Laser-cut PALS/MOLLE on front and sides
• Hydration bladder compatible
• Heavy-duty YKK zippers
• Padded computer sleeve with separate access
• Capacity: 31.5L
• Dimensions: 20.5″ H x 11.8″ W x 7″ D
• Weight: 5.04 lbs
• The hip belt is detachable and comes with straps that you can attach magazines, holsters, etc.
• The laser cut MOLLE looks fantastic and contributes to the slim-profile look
• The shoulder straps are well contoured and have nice padding
• The buckles themselves are made of duraflex and the zippers are all YKK
• The water bottle holders are secure enough for biking and walking but not for running or jumping

6. Exos Bravo Tactical Bug Out Backpack

The Exos Bravo Tactical Bug Out Backpack is the perfect choice for people looking for a bug out backpack on a budget. With a 34L capacity, the five zippered compartments provide plenty of space to secure large tools and gear as well as compartments and pockets to organize small components. The rearmost zippered compartment is great for carrying a water bladder as it has an output for the drink tube, or it could be used to carry a standard size 15″ laptop instead. Built with a focus on quality and functionality, the Bravo’s outer shell material is durable 600D polyester with extra reinforcement at load bearing seams and strap connection points.

Ventilated mesh padding on the shoulder straps and back area provides superior comfort and airflow. Each side has a Velcro loop pad to attach any standard embroidered or PVC Velcro patch. For security, the cord pulls can be cinched together by zip tie, cord, or through the suspension straps to deter would-be pickpockets. External MOLLE webbing is stitched according to military specifications, with 1″ tall webbing and standard 1″ spacing. This webbing is compatible with MOLLE pouches and accessories, creating the ability for the user to build a fully modular pack system.

• Padded strap and back areas
• Front-load compression system
• Heavy-duty zippers and D rings on the shoulder straps
• Zippered hydration compartment
• PALS webbing on the outside of the bag allows MOLLE attachment
• Brand: Exos
• Capacity: 34L
• Dimensions: 18″ H x 10″ W x 5″ D
• Weight: 2.4 lbs
• Double-stitched grab handle as well as ventilated padding around the areas which matter most
• The hip and chest straps really help transfer weight to prevent neck pain
• Plenty of compartments and sleeves
• The zippers do not get caught in fabric and do not unzip on their own
• Does not come with a water bottle holder

7. Paratus 3-Day Operator’s Tactical Bug Out Backpack

The Paratus 3-Day Operator’s Tactical Bug Out Backpack is a great choice if you’re looking for a high-capacity pack that includes everything you’d like from a comprehensive bug out backpack. The Paratus tactical backpack makes long-distance hiking or walking easy and comfortable, while the detachable deployment pack and MOLLE pouches allow you to ditch the larger pack for rapid excursions. This makes the Rapid Deployment Pack perfect for keeping your med kit and other essentials.

The Deployment Pack is fully MOLLE compatible and will attach to any MOLLE pack, vest or other gear. This compact pack has a convenient grab handle or it can be carried with the concealable waist/shoulder belt. Padded shoulder straps, double-stitched seams, self-healing zippers, and heavy-duty 600D PVC backed polyester make the Paratus tactical backpack weather-resistant, strong, and lasting. Our guide to the best MOLLE backpacks offers more great products like this.

• All zippers are threaded with zipper pulls for durability and noise reduction
• All MOLLE webbing is reinforced 
• Four large pockets give you plenty of room to haul your gear
• EVA Molded Back Panel with Vented Channels
• Padded grab handle, double stitching, large zippers, and nylon reinforced webbing throughout
• Brand: 3V Gear
• Dimensions: 20″ H x 12″ W x 5.5″ D
• Weight: 4.55 lbs
• Rugged, quality materials
• Modular design is actually useful
• Hydration bladder fits well, despite the hole for the drinking tube being extremely snug
• Plenty of compartments for most essentials
• Not designed for prolonged hiking (heavier, lack of chest strap, frame and skimpy waist pads)

8. Drakon Survival Bug Out Backpack

The Drakon Survival Bug Out Backpack is a revolutionary survival backpack option that incorporates a high-performance waterproof bag with a high-capacity protective bug out bag The result is a bag that is practically designed to work under all circumstances. A large durable top latch was integrated to add extra protection and keep your roll-top seal in place. This bag has been tested to store up to 10.5 gallons of water using only the backpack itself without leakage. It can be filled at the water source and carried back to camp for processing.

The Drakon is constructed from 500D PVC Tarpaulin sheets with each seam hand-welded and checked to ensure a completely watertight seal across the whole of the bag. Equipped with a full MOLLE system, this pack offers more customization than any other dry-bag on the market. Attach your own MOLLE pouches for quick access to your specific gear or use the 6 included pouches that come with your purchase.

• Made from ultra-durable 500D PVC material
• High Frequency welded seams provide full protection from water, snow, mud, and sand
• MOLLE system
• Roll-top closure
• Brand: Drakon Outdoor Equipment
• Dimensions: 20″ H x 16″ W x 2.5″ D
• Weight: 4.45 lbs
• Made from thick waterproof material
• MOLLE straps allow easy customization
• External mini packs add a lot of storage with quick access
• Strong construction and very adjustable for comfort
• The pack won’t stand up easily by itself

9. Voodoo Tactical Mojo Load Out Bag

If you’re looking for a bug out bag that can be carried as either a duffel style holdall or on your back via traditional backpack strap, then the Voodoo Tactical Mojo Load Out Bag is a great choice. An impressive footprint allows the Mojo to incorporate 11 outer pouches of different sizes alongside a huge main compartment to literally carry anything you might need if an area is evacuated for up to 72 hours.

MOLLE webbing on the side of the bag further extends the Mojo’s capacity and allows additional bags such as or a medical kit to be attached and free up space in the stock compartments and bags. The main compartment’s capacity makes it ideal for carrying larger equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag or other similarly sized pieces of larger stuff, while the external pouches can be allocated to accommodate the smaller items that you need to carry.

• 11 assorted sized exterior pouches
• Lots of webbing all around the bag
• Use carry handles or removable adjustable, padded shoulder strap
• Double compression straps on each end
• Brand: VooDoo Tactical
• Capacity: 173L
• Dimensions: 31″ H x 15.5″ W x 14″ D
• Weight: 6.6 lbs
• It has a lot of rooms
• The D-rings are steel not plastic, the zippers are of excellent quality and there is plenty molle webbing to attach other molle comparable gear
• The shoulder harness is plenty strong to carry this bag fully loaded and are fairly comfortable to use
• When not in use the harness can be unhooked and tucked away nicely out of sight
• The bag is larger than you might think

10. Eberlestock Halftrack Bug Out Backpack

The Eberlestock Halftrack Bug Out Backpack is an extremely versatile and popular 3-day pack. It features two levels of varying-sized tuck-pockets lining its interior, MOLLE-style Padlock webbing racks inside and out, and a fold-down shelf that can be used to divide the main compartment into upper and lower chambers.

It will carry two 3-liter hydration kits, mounted in side pockets, or two 2-liter bladders in side-sleeves if you want to keep the main side pockets free for other gear. The waistbelt features a 5 x 2 Padlock matrix on each side. A radio rack with large antenna portals is fitted to the back wall of the upper chamber. The pack has a Gossamer polycarbonate frame, is comfortably padded with deep-cut airmesh foam, and is well ventilated.

• Padlock webbing tie-points all over the pack
• Upper back wall radio rack with 3 antenna portals
• Made with 1000D nylon finish
• Padded shoulder pads and a longer waistbelt to maximize comfort
• Brand: Eberlestock
• Capacity: 35L
• Dimensions: 24″ H x 11″ W x 7″ D
• Weight: 6.2 lbs
• Very sturdy pack
• Plenty of MOLLE. On the top, bottom, sides and the inside
• Internal divider is removable, and actually functional
• Very sturdy zippers
• There are 5 exterior pouches that have no top

Buying Guide

Most of the best bug out backpacks tend to be advertised as having a length of 72 hours, and what this actually means is mainly how much equipment you will be able to carry on as well as realistic use-related comfort requirements over this period of time. The right bug out backpacks will provide enough space to carry everything from adequate shelter to emergency food supply, water filtration, protection, and other necessary tools and equipment for survival up to three days.

Organization

For every kind of survival backpack, internal organization and separation is something you’re going to want to search for when you think about the perfect bug out backpack for your needs and most bags can provide some sort of separating system to keep your equipment apart when inside.

Pockets can vary by type and size across most bug out backpacks, but usually, you can look at a combination of open and zippered pocket space inside and outside the bag. Within the best bug out backpacks, map pockets and hydration bladder pockets are popular and are an ideal way to distribute and differentiate these components of your survival gear while traveling and on the trail.

In general, comfort is essentially a balance between ample padding and a lighter weight so that the ability to move comfortably is not hampered by the pack. When you consider a given bug out bag’s comfort, you will also want to pay extra attention to how the hip belt of the pack is made. If properly loaded and put on, your hips should carry the bulk of the weight of your pack. That’s why extra padding can make a lot of difference in the hip belt.

Most of the best survival backpacks and bug-out backpacks tend to be built from some very hard-wearing and durable material like nylon or Cordura. Generally speaking, the best bug-out backpacks display the material properties of a metric called ‘ denier ‘ or ‘ D ‘ (e.g. 1050D nylon). A backpack’s denier rating does not specifically refer to the ‘ strength ‘ of the material used in the bag but refers to the weight. Strength is typically derived from the fabric’s actual weave, but in terms of abrasion resistance, a 500D bag will be less abrasion resistant than a 1000D bag.

Frequently Ask Questions

How big should a bug out backpack be.

A decent bug out backpack should have enough room to fit your equipment without being too bulky to make it uncomfortable. Small backpacks mean you’re leaving behind valuable life-saving tools. And too large bags don’t keep gear well inside, making them unstable and hard to handle when you get out of range. If you prefer a quick and light approach, you can choose a bag with a capacity of around 5-10L. A fuller go-bag intended to last you a whole 72-hour evacuation period could be about or greater than the 30L mark.

What is in a bug out pack?

It can seem difficult to pack a bug out bag as the challenge of not losing anything important can be challenging. There are a lot of checklists out there that tell you the important things you should always keep out of your bug bag. Hydration bladder, food and storage, first aid kit, clothes, tent, lighting, and other survival equipment are some examples.

Do you really need a bug out bag?

If there is any tragedy and a mandatory evacuation happens, it would obviously be nice to have a kit. Obviously voluntary evacuations are up to you though. If living in your home is unbearable because of incidents such as gas explosions, fires, nuclear catastrophes, floods, etc.; you’ll definitely need a bug-out pack.

When should a bug out bag be packed?

The whole idea of a bug-out bag is it’s packed and always ready to go. You may not have the time in a real emergency to throw the last few things into your bug-out bag that you really need. And the short answer to this question is that the bag should be always packed and ready to go. But you do need to be vigilant to check periodically any things in your bag that may expire or need replacement.

We hope this guide was helpful for finding the best bug out backpacks for travel as well as our guide on features to look for in a bug out backpack for travel. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this guide, feel free to let us know in the comments section.

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The Best Bug Out Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

These bug out bags will help you be ready if or when disaster strikes

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

A bug out bag is often thought of as something only hardcore preppers and survivalists would put together in case the world ends. While that line of thinking persists to some degree, an increasing number of experts recommend everyone have an emergency or survival kit of some kind—and not necessarily because they believe a zombie apocalypse is incoming either.

In truth, a bug out bag will be most useful for real world disasters. Wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods are just a few of the scenarios where a pack full of supplies might just save your life one day. Keeping that in mind, we tested several bags to evaluate their effectiveness as just such a kit. Whether you plan to build your own from scratch or want something pre-made, we tested some of the best bug out bags available to find what will be most useful in any emergency.

The Best Bug Out Bags

• Best Overall: Decked x Uncharted D-Bag Pro
• Best With Rifle Holder: Badlands MRK 3
• Best Rated: 5.11 Tactical Rush 100
• Best Small: Able Carry Daily Backpack
• Best Lightweight: Mystery Ranch 2-Day Pack

Best Waterproof: Matador Seg45 Travel Pack

• Best for Car: 4Patriots Patriot Power All-in-1 Emergency Car Kit

How We Picked and Tested the Best Bug Out Bags

While it gets a little bit difficult to test individual items in pre-packed kits–especially first aid supplies —I personally tested a few of the bags on this list. I’ve collected and used enough of this gear over the years that it’s easy for me to tell when bandages are quality and when they are cheap. I made sure to hike a little with every one of these bags to test them for fit and comfort. Because transportation may not be available in every emergency scenario, I wanted to know how easy it would be to hoof each bag over great distances.

I also made sure to test things like knives , emergency matches, and other small gadgets to ensure they work as advertised. Additionally, I considered the following factors when choosing a bag for each category:

• Weight: How mobile is the bag? Is it easy to grab and run with?
• Comfort: Do the shoulder straps dig in while walking? How comfortable is the waistband?
• Durability: Can the bag withstand being buried under rubble in a natural disaster like an earthquake? How will it handle periods of prolonged use?
• Value: Are the contents of a pre-packed kit of a high quality? Does the price point match what’s included? Do any single items add more value to the bag?

Best Bug Out Bag Overall: Decked x Uncharted D-Bag Pro

• Very rugged construction
• Diverse range of contents
• Great value for contents
• Not the most comfortable to ruck around

When it comes to pre-packaged survival kits, this collaboration by Decked and Uncharted Supply Co is the most impressive I’ve ever seen. It’s excellent peace of mind just because of the variety involved. Before I even get to the contents, I have to highlight the impressive Decked D-Bag that houses it all.

This bag retails for $200 all by itself. Made of a super-tough 900-denier TPU-coated nylon, it isn’t super comfortable to ruck with, but boy can it take some serious abuse. Rocks, dirt, wood, mud, and metal are no match for it.

While there’s great value in the bag itself, the contents shine even more. This bag comes packed with Uncharted Supply Co’s Seventy2 Pro survival system , which is designed to keep two people alive and supplied for 72 hours. The kit alone retails for $589. That means you’re getting roughly $800 worth of gear for only $650.

Additionally, the contents of that survival kit are most excellent. The big highlight is the full tang Empire knife . It has a great handle and backbone suitable for a variety of bushcraft tasks. This kit also includes Uncharted’s popular Zeus portable jump starter and USB charger , which is an incredibly useful device I’ve utilized many times keeping my electronics going while off the grid. And I don’t even have time to go into all the great first aid, water purification, fire starting, and shelter supplies that are included. This kit is a tremendous bargain and is filled with top notch survival equipment.

• Dimensions: 19” x 16” x 9”
• Weight: 19.8 lbs
• Material: 900-denier TPU-coated nylon
• Pre-Packaged: Yes
• Most Useful Item: Empire knife

• Can haul heavier items utilizing pontoon storage
• Two rifle hauling methods
• Two different sizes

 If you’re planning to bug out with a rifle , you need a bag that’s capable of packing your firearm safely and securely. The nice thing about the MRK 3 is that Badlands built in two different ways to secure the firearm depending on your preference. This storage area keeps the weight centered and against the frame, making it easy to handle bigger loads. The included suspension system will keep the butt of the rifle off the ground.

This is technically a hunting day pack that’s designed with a rather unique “pontoon” storage system area. Essentially, the two storage areas fold out of the way to allow a hunter to pack meat from a big game animal out against the frame. This area can easily be re-utilized for carrying a variety of other emergency items.

These packs are a little on the heavy side. But there’s a whole host of storage compartments to hold smaller items like your emergency shelter, rope, emergency blankets, fire starters, and other gear. There’s also a hydration compartment that adds even more value.  

• Dimensions: 27” x 12” x 12” (Medium), 29” x 12” x 12” (Large)
• Weight: 6 lbs 12 oz (Medium)
• Material: N/A
• Pre-Packaged: No
• Most Useful Item: N/A

• The most comfortable bag on this list
• Tons of pockets and loops
• Great weight
• Waist buckle is small and tends to dig

I’ve owned the Rush for three years now and it’s an outstandingly versatile backpack. I’ve used it as a tactical pack, a hiking pack , and as an everyday rucking pack for exercise. Out of all the packs I’ve owned and tested, this one is the most comfortable by far.

While it has an internal backpack frame that gives it some rigidity, I can’t feel it at all because the padding perfectly hugs the contours of my back. Even when loaded up with 35 to 40 pounds of gear, it’s very manageable.

The only real downside I have for this pack is that the waist belt has a very small buckle that can dig in at times. But the entire waist belt is removable if you find it uncomfortable. Other than that, the padded shoulder straps, the hip straps, and the sternum straps are top-notch. I love the cushioning on the shoulders, which helps to distribute a heavy load. I’ve purposely top-loaded this bag before and the load stays evenly distributed.

This pack is perfect for those who want to build their kit from scratch. This pack is MOLLE-compatible for a variety of gear attachments on the outside. There are literally dozens of pockets and gear loops all over the exterior for all your emergency essentials. I also like the way this pack opens widely to provide easy access to all the contents. It’s very easy to keep everything organized for longer periods.

• Dimensions: 28.5” x 11” x 10.25”
• Weight: 5.7 lbs
• Material: 500 Denier nylon (body) 1050 Denier nylon (base

• Simple, unassuming design
• Comfortable shoulder straps
• Extremely light
• No waist strap

This bag is designed primarily for modern office workers. But that’s why I like it as an unassuming bug out bag for city dwellers or other urban areas. It’s not going to be immediately obvious you’re fleeing the city with this bag because it’s a laptop bag. However, this bag is made of Cordura 1000-denier nylon that makes it far more rugged than your standard work bag.

I feel like this would be a great choice for parents who want to put together a “just in case” bag for their college-bound children, as the bag is small enough to easily tuck away in a closet or under a bed.

The main compartment has a nice series of internal pockets that will help keep everything nicely organized. There’s lots of little pockets for first aid kits , a water bottle , a small power bank , flashlights , emergency food , and more. I was also pleasantly surprised at the roominess of the bag’s front pocket, making it a good spot to store emergency blankets , ponchos , or hand warmers .

I decided to throw my 25-pound rucking weight into this pack to test the hauling capacity and comfort. And I was pleasantly surprised at the cushiness of the shoulder straps. It hugged my back and distributed the weight’s bulk rather evenly. My one complaint is that there isn’t a waist band with this pack. But at the same time, one can argue that would make this look too much like a tactical pack and draw unwanted attention.

• Dimensions: 18.9” x 11” x 7.5”
• Weight: 2.12 lbs
• Material: Cordura 1000-denier nylon
• Most Useful item: N/A

• Super easy access to interior contents
• Nicely organized internal storage compartments
• Multiple color options
• Tactical look is not subtle
• Straps are a little excessive

Mystery Ranch kept the weight of this pack down to just 3 pounds, making it very easy to grab it and go in a hurry. This is a great option for anyone who likes to travel light to a more secure location. The best feature is the three-way zip on the front. It opens the interior up completely for easy access without digging. The interior pockets are also very nicely set up to keep your gear neatly organized. It only takes a couple seconds to find exactly what you need in this pack. Mystery Ranch also outfitted it with some extremely comfortable shoulder straps to help distribute the load.

This pack is better suited for people who plan to bug out in rural areas because it has a real “tactical” look to it that is not subtle at all, especially given all the MOLLE loops on the exterior. While they’re handy for hauling extra equipment, they make it obvious to everyone in a city that you’re getting out of town if things are hitting the fan.

This pack is tough enough to be tossed around quite a bit. We also like the fact Mystery Ranch went with high quality YKK zippers that are easy to open and close no matter the conditions. Available in six color schemes, the bag costs right around $200, which feels very fair given the quality of materials and the durability of this design.

• Dimensions: 21” x 12” x 11.25”
• Weight: 3 lbs
• Material: 500-denier Cordura

• Incredibly versatile
• Excellent zippers
• Easy to organize
• Some reflective material can draw attention

If your area is prone to floods or hurricanes, you’ll want a bag that’s resistant to the weather. Matador gave this pack a serious polyurethane coating, and a DWR water-repellent coating to help shed away moisture. The company also utilized high-quality YKK zippers to help seal out water and snow. Matador further reinforced the zipper areas with 210-denier nylon for extra strength. This bag is great for protecting spare clothing and sensitive electronics such as a satellite phone or GPS unit .

Another big benefit of this bag is the versatility. It works as either a backpack or a duffle bag, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences. The top storage area of the bag is divided into sections which makes it easy to organize your first aid kit, your power supply, and food. At the same time, the different sections open individually allowing easy access to what you’re looking for without having to unpack the whole bag.

Matador built in reflective material around the zippers for visibility, which can be a downside if you’re trying to stay stealthy. But for $200, this is an extremely versatile bag that’s perfect for anyone looking to build a large, custom bug out bag.

• Dimensions: 22” x 13.4” x 10.25”
• Weight: 2 lbs 8 oz
• Material: 420 DenierPU and DWR coated nylon

• Good variety of car-specific gear for bugging out
• Nicely organized
• Jump starter and compressor are excellent
• Very expensive
• First aid kit is severely lacking

While this is technically more of a tote than a bag, the contents of this 4Patriots kit are easily transferable to a pack if needed. This pre-packed kit is packed with automobile-specific emergency gear.

The big standout here is the 14,000 mAh battery and jump starter. The starter is great peace of mind in case of a dead car battery. But it also has two USB ports to help keep cell phones and other small devices powered. It also has an incredibly bright flashlight with a wide beam and a blinding strobe mode.

The other super useful piece of equipment is a small air compressor. It will help you inflate a tire fast. This device also has a USB port. The kit is essentially divided up into three different zippered totes that can easily transfer to a backpack . One of the totes contains packets of emergency water in small rip-open bags, and nine emergency food bars. They aren’t the tastiest things in the world, but they’ll give you energy in a pinch.

The last tote contains standard car emergency gear: glow sticks, an emergency road triangle, a screwdriver kit, handwarmers and more. I really like the small SOS signal light that has nine different modes—great for keeping other vehicles from running into you in fog or a snowstorm. First aid is the weakest part of this kit. It’s basically a small bag with some assorted bandages. There’s nothing here to treat a more serious wound. I would replace it with something that’s better stocked.

• Dimensions: 16” x 11” x 12”
• Weight: 17 lbs
• Pre-Packed: Yes
• Most Useful Item: 14000 mAh battery and jump starter

What To Look for in a Bug Out Bag

It’s important to consider the scenarios you might use a bug out bag and to choose accordingly. While the type of bag might seem trivial, not all packs are created equal. We recommend something made of an extremely rugged, high denier fabric that can take a beating. While the exact type of pack you need will depend on the scenario and preference, no one ever regrets buying something that’s durable. External pack frames are better for carrying extra gear like a tent , sleeping pad , or even a rifle. The extra storage space usually comes at the expense of comfort.

Internal pack frames are more comfortable and streamlined for long hikes. However, many lack the storage space of an external frame. Of course, you’ll also want to be careful to not over-pack your bug out bag. It’s meant to be a bag that’s grabbed in a pinch when you need to evacuate the area quickly.  

Bag Contents

We could talk about the contents of a bug out kit all day. But to keep things short, food and water, first aid, fire, first aid, and navigation should be priorities. For more specifics, check out our guide to building the ultimate bug out bag for more on contents. Think about the area where you plan to use the bag. Harsher desert environments should put a heavier emphasis on water and hydration. If prepping a bag for earthquakes, focus on first aid and possibly digging supplies for sifting through rubble.

Think about the amount of time you plan to be away from your vehicle or home when choosing supplies. Most experts recommend having enough food and water for at least 72 hours and that’s what most ready-made packs provide. Try to include enough food for at least two adults in each pack.

Q: Are pre-made bug out bags worth it?

In my experience, it depends on the bag. There are good and bad pre-made bags. Some are packed with better items than others—although I firmly believe any survival or first aid kit can always be improved. Sometimes it’s as simple as adding some extra bandages. Other times it may call for an entirely different water filtration system. The key is to inspect the contents of the bag ahead of time to determine what to keep in it, and what to replace with something better.

Q: Where should I put my emergency bag?

The best place for an emergency bag is a place that is easy to access. You should be able to grab the bag and go at a moment’s notice. Don’t bury it under a lot of other stuff in a hard-to-reach corner of the basement or attic. A closet, preferably one near an entry or exit is preferable for making a hasty retreat out the door. It’s not a bad idea to keep a smaller bag of supplies in an easy to reach spot in your vehicle too.  

Q: What is the best color for a bug out bag?

Most experts recommend a simple natural tone that will blend in with vegetation in case you need to hide or stay undetected. Tans, browns, grey, and black are all solid choices. Brighter colors are usually discouraged. Especially if you are bugging out of a city and there’s lots of people around. You don’t want to draw attention to the fact you’re fleeing the area.

What Is the Best Bug Out Bag?

At the end of the day the Decked x Uncharted kit just stands out from the other best bug out bags in terms of quality and item variety. There is very little I would add to this kit to make it better than the two companies made it. Additionally, when you start tallying up the costs of the individual items included, the value of this kit is through the roof. It’s a great investment if you’re having a hard time deciding what to buy.

• Best Overall: Decked/Uncharted D-Bag Pro
• Best Waterproof: Matador Seg45 Travel

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

Travis Smola is a Staff Writer with Field & Stream. He spent eight years writing about all things outdoors with Wide Open Spaces before looking for a new challenge with Field & Stream in 2023. Contact the author here.

The Ultimate Bug Out Bag List

Building your bug out bag is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your family in the event of a catastrophe.

Your bug out bag is designed to help you evacuate at a moment’s notice and is packed with the essential survival gear to get you to safety. It should contain everything you need to sustain you for a minimum of 72 hours.

Our free interactive bug out bag list will help you build your fully customized bug out bag, tailored to your specific needs, abilities, and environment.

IMPORTANT: If you do not want to build your kit from scratch, consider the following options…

Prefer a “ready-to-go” kit? See our premade bug out bag buying guide or check out the highly recommended Emergency Zone Bug Out Bag Emergency Disaster Kit for Two .

Do you want professional help building your kit? Learn about our recommended Personalized Survival Kit Service . -->

Instructions

The bug out bag list below is broken down into various essential survival categories. Go through each category, one by one, and select the items that you would like to pack in your bug out bag.

A well-designed bug out bag should weigh no more than 25% of your body weight, assuming you are in average physical condition and are not overweight. Any heavier than that can make carrying the bag highly strenuous and limit your ability to remain mobile and travel long distances on foot during an evacuation. Limit your packing list to the essentials that will help you survive.

Our bug out bag list tool will automatically estimate your bug out bag’s weight based on your selections, with the option of entering your body weight to see if your kit is below the recommended 25% weight threshold.

Once you are finished selecting your items, your personalized bug out bag checklist will be sent to you by email, to help you pack.

DON’T MISS: Below the tool, you’ll find a list of links to the best bug out bag gear to help you find any items don’t already own!

• Select the items you want to pack in your bug out bag.
• Fire Starting Kit
• Emergency Blanket
• Sleeping Bag
• Spare Clothes
• Hidden Shelter and Environmental Protection (WEIGHT)
• Water Filtering Item
• Water Purification Tablets
• Hydration Bladder
• Eating Utensils
• Hidden Food and Water (WEIGHT)
• Emergency Radio
• Survival Whistle
• Laminated State Map
• Chemical Light Sticks
• Signal Mirror
• Cell Phone Cable and Adapter
• Hidden Communication and Navigation (WEIGHT)
• First Aid Kit
• Israeli Bandage
• Bug Repellent
• Hygiene Kit
• Potassium Iodide Tablets
• Ammonia Inhalants
• Hidden First Aid and Staying Healthy (WEIGHT)
• Folding Knife
• Fixed Blade Knife
• Solar Charger
• Pocket Survival Guide
• Hidden Miscellaneous (WEIGHT)
• Work Gloves
• Eye Protection
• Breaching Tool
• Sillcock Water Valve Key
• Hidden Urban / Suburban Survival Gear (WEIGHT)
• Camping Hammock
• Pocket Chainsaw
• Fishing Kit
• Camp Shovel
• Fillet Knife
• Skinning Knife
• Hidden Wilderness Survival Gear (WEIGHT)
• Pepper Spray
• Handgun & Ammo
• Rifle & Ammo
• Slingshot & Ammo
• Hidden Self-Defense (WEIGHT)
• Identification (photocopies)
• Prescription Medication
• Hidden Personal Items (WEIGHT)

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The Best Bug Out Bag Gear (with links!)

In case you’re missing any of the items, we’ve put together the following list of our favorite survival gear.

REMEMBER: Don’t just pack everything on this list. Instead, limit your bag’s contents based on your specific needs, environment, and potential threats.

Also, make sure your bag, once packed, weighs less than 25% of your body weight, assuming you are in average shape and not overweight.

Finally, don’t forget to include your personal items such as cash, copies of your identification, and medications.

The Backpack

We love the 5.11 Tactical Rush 72  for a 3-day bug out bag. It is designed by professional survivalists and is built to last.

If you prefer a budget-friendly option, take a look at the 3V Gear Paratus 3-Day Backpack or the Reebow Tactical 3-Day Backpack .

For more backpack information, read our article on how to choose a bug out bag backpack .

Shelter and Environmental Protection

• Firestarting Kit:  UCO Stormproof Matches in Waterproof Container
• Firestarting Kit (2): UCO Stormproof Torch Windproof Lighter
• Emergency Blanket: SOL Emergency Blanket
• Poncho:  Rothco Ripstop
• Sleeping Bag: Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag
• Tarp: OUTAD Waterproof Tarp
• Tent: Survival Shack Emergency Shelter Tent

Food and Water

• Water: Datrex Emergency Water Packets 72 Hour Supply
• Rations: S.O.S. Rations Emergency Food Bars 72 Hour Package
• Water Filtering Item: LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
• Water Purification Tablets: Potable Aqua PA+Plus Water Purification Tablets
• Canteen: Klean Kanteen Water Bottle
• Hydration Bladder: Camelbak 2.0 Liter Antidote
• Can Opener: P-51 Military Can Opener
• Eating Utensils: Hikenture 4-1 Eating Utensils

Communication and Navigation

• Emergency Radio:  Eton FRX2
• Flashlight: J5 Hyper-V Tactical LED
• Headlamp: Petzl TIKKA Headlamp
• Survival Whistle:  Storm Safety Whistle
• Compass: Suunto Field Compass
• Laminated State Map: Easyfinder Laminated Maps
• Chemical Light Sticks: Cyalume SnapLight Light Sticks
• Signal Mirror: Coghlan’s Signal Mirror
• Cell Phone Cable and Adapter: AmazonBasics Lightning Cable

First Aid and Staying Healthy

• First Aid Kit:  205-Piece First Aid Kit from First Aid Only
• Tourniquet: Recon Medical Tourniquet
• Israeli Bandage: Ever Ready Israeli Bandage
• Sam Splint: SAM Rolled Splint 36″
• QuickClot: QuickClot Advanced Clotting Sponge
• Bug Repellent: Repel 100 Pump Spray
• Hygiene Kit: Premium 10-Piece Travel Kit
• Wet Naps: Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes
• Potassium Iodide Tablets: ThyroSafe Potassium Iodine Tablets
• Ammonia Inhalants: Dynarex Ammonia Inhalants  

Miscellaneous

• Multitool:  Leatherman Wingman
• Folding Knife:  Kershaw Clash Serrated Folding Knife
• Fixed Blade Knife: Smith & Wesson H.R.T.
• Paracord: Rothco Type III Paracord – 50 feet
• Duct Tape:  SOL Duct Tape – 50 feet
• Batteries: AmazonBasics High-Capacity Rechargeable Batteries
• Solar Charger: Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Solar Recharging Kit
• Zip Ties: Cable Matters Nylon Zip Ties
• Bandana: Triple9 Bandana
• Dry Bag: Earth Pak Dry Bag
• Pocket Survival Guide: SAS Survival Guide

Urban / Suburban Survival Gear

• Work Gloves: Mechanix M-Pact Gloves
• Dust Mask: 3M N95 Particulate Respirator Masks
• Eye Protection: UVEX Stealth OTG Safety Goggles
• Urban Axe: Ontario SP-16 SPAX Tool
• Pry Bar: Stanley 7-1/2 inch Wonder Bar
• Breaching Tool: Stanley FatMax Xtreme Fubar
• Sillcock Water Valve Key: Cobra 4-Way Sillcock Key

Wilderness Survival Gear

• Camping Hammock: Trek Light Gear Double Hammock
• Pocket Chainsaw: Sportsman Pocket Chainsaw
• Fishing Kit: Best Glide Survival Fishing Kit
• Hatchet: Estwing 14-inch Hatchet
• Tomahawk: CRKT T-Hawk
• Camp Shovel: Gerber Gorge Folding Shovel
• Fillet Knife: Rapala Fish’n Fillet Knife
• Skinning Knife: Mossberg Fixed Skinning Knife

Self-Defense

• Pepper Spray: SABRE Police Strength Pepper Spray
• Handgun & Ammo: Glock 19 Gen 4
• Rifle & Ammo: Ruger 10/22 Takedown Rifle
• Slingshot & Ammo: The Scout Hunting Slingshot

More Must-Read Preparedness Resources

Want to be even more prepared? You’ve come to the right place.

Check out these popular guides:

• Make Your Bug Out Plan
• Customizing Your Bug Out Bag for Urban Survival
• Customizing Your Bug Out Bag for Wilderness Survival
• The Ultimate Guide to Bugging In

Wrapping Up

We hope that our bug out bag list builder and our gear recommendations help you get prepared.

Remember, don’t procrastinate, and get your bug out bag ready ASAP.

The last thing you want is to be unprepared for an emergency.

IMPORTANT: If you do not want to build your kit from scratch, consider the following option…

My name is Chris and I created this site to help ordinary people prepare for the uncertainties of the modern day world. I believe that a well-prepared society is the best safeguard against any natural or manmade disaster.

The best bug out bags to keep you ready for anything

Be prepared for any emergency with up to 72 hours-worth of food, medicine, and other survival gear.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

A well-stocked bug out bag is an absolute must-have for anyone preparing for the uncertainties of life. The life-saving gear packed away into a bug out bag provides enough food, water, medicine, and other life essentials for a 72-hour trek to a safe location in unpredictable conditions. The best bug out bags have plenty of space for shelf-safe foodstuffs, water, an advanced first aid kit, fire starters, shelter equipment, and navigation gear. They feature plenty of pouches, pockets, and cavities for all your gear (and then some) and are rugged enough to withstand abrasions, poor weather conditions, and any other abuse life can throw at them. In short, a bug out bag is your insurance policy against short-term emergencies that require you to be mobile and flexible. The next time a hurricane strikes, grab your bag and bug out to a safe location without a second thought about the bare necessities.

Of course, selecting a bug out bag is one thing: building the ultimate bug out bag is another thing entirely. Consider taking the time to read this handy guide to packing everything you need for a solid bug out bag and nothing you don’t. Trust us: the next time you’re in an emergency, you’ll be glad you did.

Osprey Farpoint 55 / Fairview 55

When it comes to bugging out, some people plan ahead — like, way ahead. So if you are that guy or gal who built a cabin in the woods or set up a secure location tucked away in the mountains, the gentlemen’s Osprey Farpoint 55 or ladies’ Osprey Fairview 55 is the pack for you. These 55-liter packs combine the gray man concept with features friendly for backcountry use. Each pack relies on ripstop nylon to provide a tough barrier between your gear and the elements, while the semi-custom internal frame works in cooperation with the adjustable, padded shoulder straps (with sternum strap) and padded hip belt to evenly distribute weight in a comfortable manner. This pack includes plenty of compartments and pockets for easy access, and the zip-off daypack adds to its versatility. To top things off, the compression straps and lockable zippers make these packs great for air travel.

Tacticon Armament 24BattlePack

Whether you need to bug out or get home, the Tacticon Armament 24BattlePack has you covered. This ruck adapts to any given mission with a minimum capacity of 20 liters and a max capacity of 40, yet it also has a healthy amount of MOLLE-compatible webbing to further expand cargo space. The waterproofed cotton lining in this bag protects sensitive gear and other valuables, and the double-stitched seams ensure this bag keeps going when things get rough. The waist belt, padded shoulder straps, and sternum straps keeps this backpack precisely where you want it, while the hydration bladder pouch, CCW holster, and glove-friendly zippers make this an incredibly practical option. With a maximum carrying weight exceeding 100 pounds, this ruck can handle anything, and the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty covers everything from stitching to zippers in order to boost your confidence in this pack just a bit higher.

5.11 RUSH72

When things go awry, people begin scrambling, making a mad dash for the proverbial door, but with the 5.11 RUSH72, you can skip the rush and skip town before anyone else knows what to do. This MOLLE-compatible backpack is ready for any situation with 3342 cubic inches of storage space (that’s 55 liters, y’all!) and 30 different storage compartments and pockets. It is constructed with tough, water-resistant 1050 Denier nylon (1000 Denier on MultiCam variants) for long-term durability and all-weather performance. The main compartments feature dual zippers, and the entire back uses self-healing YKK zipper hardware with glove-friendly tabs for quick, easy access to critical gear and provisions. The dual-density, closed-cell foam padding in the shoulder straps and hip belt wings make for a more comfortable pack, while the sternum helps keep things stable and secure. The Shove-It compartment, seemingly countless admin pouches, and other features further round out this pack.

Osprey Jet 18

Bugging out entails plenty of stress, but equipping your elementary and middle school kiddos with their own bug out-ready Osprey Jet 18 can cut back on extra stressors. Since your kids will rely on you to keep them safe, warm, and pointed in the right direction, this 18-liter pack is perfect for distributing provisions more evenly among your group while providing a little extra space for other essentials, such as rain gear, hats, or a small stuffed animal. The pack’s waist belt, padded shoulder straps, and sternum strap distribute weight evenly and, when combined with the breathable back and hip belt, make it comfortable to wear for longer time frames. This pack features a limited number of easy-to-access pockets and compartments for straightforward packing, and the external hydration bladder pouch keeps things from getting wet on the inside. With the Jet 18, none of your kids’ complaints will include the word “pack”.

Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 Premium Emergency Survival Bag

While most serious survivalists recommend buying and building out a DIY bug out bag, plenty of pre-packed options, like the Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 Premium Emergency Survival Bag, exist to get you kick-started. This 72-hour pack includes all the basic provisions a group of four might need in an emergency situation. In addition to 48 packets of drinking water, this pack boasts four water purification straws (similar to the LifeStraw), 24 Mountain House meals, a portable stove, and a four-pack of bowls and eating utensils. When it comes to lighting and heat, the kit features a ferro rod, fire starters, and LED lantern, and Cyalume SnapLight glow sticks, and of course, not bug out bag would be complete without a first aid kit, emergency blankets, whistles, a fixed blade knife, and an actual bag for toting everything with you. While this bag may not have 100 percent of everything you need, it comes pretty darn close.

Why should you trust us

Growing up, I skipped my time in the Boy Scouts, thanks in part to my natural prepping tendencies. Since Day 1, I have been prepping and planning for emergencies of all kinds, collecting the gear and skills I need to handle potentially hazardous situations. I’m not a fan of wearing cargo pants stuffed with 35-pounds of gear, so whether it’s lugging my EDC gear everywhere or preparing for the next Snowmageddon, I firmly believe in investing in the right bag to keep my gear ready to roll. I’ve also written about bags before, from go bags to carry ons , and have covered various other kinds of gear as well.

Types of bug out bags

Bug out bag.

A true bug out bag stores away all the necessities you could ever need to survive for up to 72 hours in unfamiliar settings during unsettling events. They have plenty of space for water, essential foodstuffs, medical gear, fire starters, sheltering equipment, and other user-specific items, such as a rain poncho, a compass, a multitool or survival knife, and a solar phone charger. They are tough and can withstand use in urban, suburban, or rural settings, depending on where you live. 

Get home bag

While technically different than a 72-hour bug out bag, the get home bag serves a similar purpose and must meet similar requirements with the exception of size (usually). A get home bag flips the bug out bag concept on its head and instead contains the gear and provisions necessary to reach home from a number of predetermined locations, such as the office. Since most people spend the majority of their time less than three days from home, get home bags tend to be much smaller and contain fewer supplies than their big brothers.

Key features of bug out bags

Packing 72 hours-worth of survival gear into a small bag is an impossible task, so finding an appropriately sized bug out bag is an absolute must. Since we are looking at three days of uncertainty, the ideal bag will have a very large capacity in order to accommodate space-hogging water containers. As such, try and find a bag capable of handling 40 and 55 liters of gear, depending on your specific sustenance requirements.

Find a bag that will be comfortable to wear for long periods of time on foot. While pedestrian travel may not be a given, being caught without padded shoulders straps, a sternum strap, and a hip belt can kill your morale within minutes of having to abandon more traditional modes of transportation due to unforeseen circumstances. This principle holds true for kids, so make sure that you little people have creature comforts to match yours.

Organization

A disorganized bug out bag is another way to tank both morale and success rates. No one enjoys digging around in the dark for a fire starter, so have the appropriate pouches, pockets, sleeves, and other storage options can make starting a fire a simple exercise in Boy Scout skills (or SERE training for the special stiffs among us) instead of a reminder that failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

When things go sideways, the wrong bag can attract sideways looks. In a rural setting, a MOLLE-ready tactical bag may be an ideal option that disappears nicely into the cavernous rear of the family minivan or SUV, but in urban settings, it could attract attention from the wrong kind of people: desperate ones. In urban settings, look for a less conspicuous choice, something with “normal” colors that still retains all the essential bug out bag features.

Benefits of bug out bags

When things go south, a well-constructed, properly organized, and thoroughly-equipped bug out bag can be worth more than its weight in gold. Just like insurance, a bug out bag requires an initial investment yet can pay massive dividends should the need ever arise. All in all, this amounts to peace of mind for you and your loved ones, and this is especially true of a bug out bag customized for each member of the family. If you live alone or with a roommate or two, taking the time to plan and pack your own bug out bag and practicing with your chosen gear can be an amazing confidence booster. On the flip side, if you have kids with too much energy and curiosity, teaching them how to pack their own bug out bag and to use their own gear can be massively rewarding as well. Just think, how many kids can brag that their mom or dad taught them how to start a cooking fire or splint a broken arm? Talk about parenting points!

Bug out bag pricing

A good quality bug out bag may not be the cheapest thing in the world, but neither should it break the bank. You can expect to drop around $50, give or take, for a decent quality bag with plenty of space and plenty of pouches. That said, a heavy duty tactical-style bag will easily run you over $150, and the same can be said for well-built hiking backpacks and similar non-tactical designs. Of course, all of this is just for the pack itself and will not cover the cost of your gear and sustenance. While not often recommended, “prepackaged” bags with the bare essentials, such as food, water, and a first aid kit, are available on the market as well. These bags usually cost at least $150 and can easily shoot north of $200. That said, you will still need to round out the contents of these bags, so you can think of them as a bug out bag starter kit. For some, they are totally worth it for the convenience.

How we chose our top picks

When reviewing new gear, we much prefer to go the hands-on route, but sometimes, a lack of resources may thwart our attempts to get our mitts on some cool gear. When that happens, we listen to those who have firsthand experience. We comb through reviews on Amazon, enthusiast blogs, professional publications, and more to bring you the best, most comprehensive information we can. We sift through it all, keeping the gold and tossing the rest.

Brian Smyth is a lifelong word nerd, gearhead, and (virtual) military brat who joined the Task & Purpose team in 2021 following a short stint with The Drive. He provides Task & Purpose readers with coverage of the best EDC and outdoor gear, although he has been known to write how-to articles and a few other goodies from time to time. Contact the author here.

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30 Bug-Out Bag Essentials for Staying Safe and Prepared

When disaster strikes, it’s best to have a bag packed. Here’s all the essential equipment with which to fill it.

By James Stout and Hayley Helms

The past few years have taught us a lot of hard lessons. One of them is something we probably should have already known: it’s never too soon to prep for emergency scenarios, where survival could depend on having the right gear ready to go at a moment’s notice.

After all, there are many situations that could result in a temporary lack of services and utilities and require you to look after yourself for a while. Depending on where you live there could be an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, tropical storm, forest fire or flood which might mean you’re left, however briefly, surviving on your own . So it’s not a terrible idea to have a bag prepared that you can grab and go if the ground starts shaking.

Products in the Guide

Mystery ranch blitz 30 pack, goal zero nomad 5 solar panel, midland er210 radio, biolite headlamp 325, marathon general purpose quartz composite watch, under armour ua sportsmask featherweight, learning resources colored safety goggles, good to-go 5-day emergency food kit, patagonia provisions organic green lentil soup – 2 servings, probar meal bars 6-flavor variety pack, msr guardian purifier system, lifestraw peak series gravity filter system – 8l, hydrapak flux 1l water bottle, hydro flask 24 ounce standard mouth, wolf and grizzly fire set, coghlan’s fire in a box, adventure medical kits backpacker medical kit, vssl first aid, dr. bronner’s pure-castile soap, sea to summit wilderness wipes 36-pack, badger reef safe sunscreen, spf 40, leatherman signal multi-tool, benchmade mini bugout, dmos delta shovel, duck max strength duct tape, gear aid para cord, sol escape bivvy, sol emergency blanket, 4 pack, therm-a-rest vesper 20-degree sleeping bag, nemo switchback foam sleeping pad, smartwool merino wool liner gloves, gore wear thermo beanie, icebreaker 200 oasis long sleeve crewe, zippo hand warmer, vssl camp supplies compact adventure kit, gsi outdoors boulder flask, bic classic lighter, assorted colors, 12-pack.

We don’t have to get into doomsday prepper territory here, but you should imagine the scenario most likely to impact you and plan accordingly. I live in Southern California, so it makes sense to prepare for an earthquake (when water mains might be damaged and buildings unsafe to occupy) but worry too much an avalanche. If you live in Louisiana, you probably already know the stakes and are well aware of what a hurricane can do — and will want to adapt your bug-out bag essentials with that in mind.

Alongside this bag, you might want to keep some bulkier items at home. If I were genuinely worried about being flooded and having to escape from my roof, I might consider a small pack raft . If I thought I might be cut off for a few weeks, say because I lived in a remote cabin where weather conditions could prevent travel, I’d be stocking up on dehydrated food.

In general, though, a small and simple bug-out bag is pretty universal and should cover you for the first 24 to 72 hours of any survival situation. After that, unless it’s a total apocalypse, help should be on the way. Indeed, many of these items are designed to help you get to someone who can help you rather than to help you survive alone in the woods.

I have one of these bags in the bed of my truck in a lockbox. It’s just outside my front door and easy to get to, and given that I have more confidence in my survival skills than my mechanical ones, it’s always a nice security blanket when we are adventuring miles from anywhere in the desert.

1. The Bag Itself

• $279.00 at REI
• Great storage and organization options
• Zippers are sticky until broken in

I am a big fan of Mystery Ranch’s indestructible backpacks. They may lack the bells and whistles of some brands, but they also lack the flimsy buckles you won’t be able to warranty when mass panic ensues. I have used the Scepter 35 Pack for a year now and literally dropped it off cliffs. For a survival bag, something like the Blitz 30 Pack (above) with its wide opening and robust construction will let you access everything you need without having any accessories you don’t.

2. Solar Panel + Power Bank

• $59.95 at Amazon
• Easy to use and pack
• A little on the heavy side

You’ll need to keep your phone charged to keep up to date with news and information. The Goal Zero Nomad 5 Solar Kit is a great way to do that even if the grid is down. It isn’t heavy or clumsy but reliably gets enough juice to keep my devices operating in the backcountry.

• $49.99 at Amazon
• Easy to set up and use
• Speaker quality could be better

If things go far enough south for you to need half the stuff on this list, you shouldn’t rely on your phone for communication; a good old-fashioned radio will be the best way to get news. This hand-cranked Midland ER210 operates without sun or batteries and gets AM, FM and NOAA radio broadcasts. It also charges your devices and has an LED flashlight.

4. Headlamp

• $49.95 at BioLite
• Very comfortable to wear
• So comfortable, you'll forget you have it on

You’ll want to be able to move and do things at night, even if the power is out. This Biolite Headlamp 325 keeps a charge for a long time and is very comfy and easy to wear.

• $240.00 at Amazon
• Tons of functionality
• Expensive to just be stored in your bugout bag

The Marathon General Purpose Quartz Composite Watch will do everything you want a watch to do in a crisis. It is water resistant to 30 meters, self-illuminating in the dark, lightweight and reliable. In a first aid situation, you can record when someone was hurt, and how their heart rate and respiratory rate are changing, vital information to convey to a first responder.

6. Protective Face Mask

• $11.97 at Under Armour $25.00 (52% off)

A mask can help with all kinds of airborne particulates, such as those in a forest fire. This comfortable, versatile, affordable option from Under Armour is a longtime favorite, but there are plenty of good ones out there.

• $29.99 at Amazon $31.99 (6% off)
• Multi-pack big enough for a large group
• Cheap feeling

In situations where there is a fire or other air contamination, you will want to cover your eyes as well. This six-pack of Learning Resources Colored Safety Goggles should keep nasties out of your eyes while ensuring you don’t confuse your goggles with a friend’s. Just make sure they fit over your regular glasses if you need prescription eyewear.

8. Dehydrated Meals

• $99.95 at goodto-go.com
• No preservatives or nasty ingredients
• A lot of food to pack

• $7.50 at REI
• Organic and tasty
• Limited flavors available

Good To-Go has you covered here with dehydrated food for long-term survival situations. The brand’s 5-Day Emergency Food Kit features five breakfasts and 10 entrees with a shelf life of two to five years.

Another favorite dehydrated staple of ours is Patagonia Provisions — its meals are delicious, organic and sustainably sourced: a win-win-win, in our book.

9. Meal Bars

• $30.99 at Amazon
• Good protein source
• Shelf life isn't as long as dehydrated meals

If you need something you won’t have to cook, your best bet is calorie-dense bars. ProBar offers delicious and varied bars in 12-packs that I could live off for several days and, in fact, may have.

10. Water Filter

• $349.95 at avantlink.com
• Removes viruses and pathogens

• $95.95 at lifestraw.com
• Lightweight and easy to pack
• Slow to filter

The MSR Guardian is one of the few portable filters that can extract viruses as well as bacteria and protozoan pathogens.

We also like Lifestraw’s Peak Series Solo and Peak Series Straw Filter for a cheaper, more portable option.

11. Water Bottle

• $28.46 at avantlink.com
• Stuffable and packable
• Will need to refill often

• $29.96 at Hydro Flask $39.95 (25% off)
• Standard mouth is easy to drink out of on the go

To carry that filtered water, Hydrapak makes great collapsible bottles. They pack down small, don’t leak and don’t spill when you drink. I love the 32-ounce Flux , but there are various sizes available. I’d suggest keeping one hard water bottle full as well. The 24 oz. Standard Mouth ones from Hydro Flask are pretty sturdy and will get the job done. Nalgene’s Sustain water bottles are lightweight, pretty much bomb-proof and easy to clean.

12. Fire Starter

• $22.95 at Amazon
• Doesn't come with tinder

• $7.49 at Dick's Sporting Goods $14.99 (50% off)
• Comes with everything you need
• Will need to refill supplies often

Lighting a fire is great for morale, warmth and cooking. I can’t count how many bad days outdoors I have saved with some kindling and logs. Wolf and Grizzly makes a great striker which creates a spark of over 54,000 degrees. The set nests together and lasts for about 20,000 strikes, which is a lot of nights around the campfire. For further reading, here’s a full list of the best fire starters available.

13. First Aid

• $47.85 at Amazon
• Small enough to stuff into a jacket pocket
• Not meant for big groupd

• $67.50 at vsslgear.com $135.00 (50% off)
• Stores away in a convenient package
• Re-packing can get tricky

Just like being in the backcountry, being in a survival situation means dealing with what happens when you get hurt and there is nobody there to help. I rely on this Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Backpacker Medical Kit , along with Wilderness Medicine training from NOLS to make sure I stay safe and can care for others. I really like how the kit folds out and everything is labeled and easy to access. If you are building your own bag, add a week’s supply of any personal medications (mine contains insulin and a cooler to keep the insulin cold). Make sure to check the expiration dates on the medicines in your kit every few months.

14. Soap / Cleanliness

• $6.80 at Amazon
• Biodegradable, so it's safe for the environment
• Teeny little bottle will need to be refilled frequently

• $9.95 at REI
• Quick and easy way to clean off

I also add extra soap to this kit; it can clean your pots, pans, clothes and hands. A small bottle of Castile soap goes a long way, and you can kind of brush your teeth with the peppermint flavor.

In the same vein of cleanliness, a full-body wipe is never a bad thing to have on hand — we like Sea to Summit’s 36-pack for easy cleansing.

15. Sunscreen

• $15.29 at Amazon $17.99 (15% off)
• Safe to use in any environment
• Hard to rub in

Sunburn can really debilitate you fast. Mineral sunscreens are not only better for your skin, but the environment as well. Badger’s option may be a little hard to rub in at first, but it provides lasting protection and helps prevent frequent re-application stops.

16. Multitool

• $119.95 at avantlink.com
• Efficient and packable
• Complicated — familiarize yourself before an emergency

The Leatherman Signal is as close as you can get to a pocket survival kit. It has pliers, of course, and a blade (although I always prefer a dedicated locking blade knife, which I often use in combination with the multi-tool, see below), plus a can and bottle opener for getting to your stored food. However, this survival-ready tool also has a safety whistle, a fire starter and a diamond-coated removable sharpening rod to keep your blade in great shape. There’s also a hex bit driver which will help with a whole range of repairs, and a hammer, for when you just need to smash something straight.

17. Pocket Knife

• $135.00 at Blade HQ $150.00 (10% off)
• Super sharp
• Expensive to be stuffed away in a bugout bag

Benchmade’s Mini Bugout is small, light, reliable and sharp. It’ll cut anything you need to and won’t weigh you down at just 1.5 ounces. There are multi tools with knives, but a well-made blade is invariably more reliable and useful on its own.

• $259.00 at Amazon
• Easy to fold down and stow away
• Won't fit in your pack

People like military-issue entrenching tools, and I have used one for trail work for decades, but the DMOS Delta shovel has a full-length 51-inch handle, which makes it much better for digging holes or handling hot coals. The head can be set up as a shovel or a hoe and is designed to take a serious beating outdoors and stay sharp and straight. It weighs exactly the same as an entrenching tool and could even be used as a crutch if you suffer a leg injury.

19. Duct Tape

• $7.84 at Amazon $9.99 (22% off)
• Endless use cases
• Easy to forget or misplace if you're not careful

If it moves and it shouldn’t, tape it. I would keep a few yards of Duck Max Strength Duct Tape wrapped around the handle of my shovel.

20. Paracord

• $6.47 at Amazon
• Strong and efficient
• Can get tangled easily

This stuff has a multitude of uses, from constructing a ridge line for a shelter to using as fishing line to (obviously) tying things together. Despite the 550-pound breaking strain, Gear Aid 550 Paracord is cheap and light, and the reflective cord can be a useful way to signal rescuers. Apparently, paracord is so useful that people like to make it into bracelets so that they’re never without it. I’m happy enough with it in a bag.

21. Bivy Sack

• $51.71 at Amazon
• Breathes while retaining heat
• Can be annoying to get back in the sack

• $25.00 at Amazon
• Great for family prep
• A little small for taller folks

The Escape Bivvy from SOL (Survive Outdoors Longer, not whatever you were thinking) is the only bivvy bag I have ever slept in that isn’t effectively a sweat sack. It’s not luxury, but it is my go-to for light and fast trips that might see me caught out overnight. Thanks to its orange outer and reflective interior, it’ll keep you warm and visible in a survival emergency. If you’re shopping in bulk, SOL’s Emergency Blanket 4 Pack is an affordable option for groups.

22. Sleeping Bag

• $367.87 at Amazon $459.95 (20% off)
• Can double as a quilt
• Really pricey if you're investing in more than one

If you live somewhere cold, the bivvy won’t be enough. For lightweight cold weather camping, I turn to the Therm-a-Rest Vesper , as it provides the most insulation for its size and weight of any sleeping bag I have ever used. If you’re looking for something a little warmer and can store a little more bulk, the Nemo Forte 35 is another great option.

23. Sleeping Pad

• $44.95 at Amazon
• Simple to use
• Not compressible or packable

You can combine the Vesper with Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir Uberlite for a very small and light sleep system. But given the risk of a puncture rendering your pad useless, I might opt for the fold-out Nemo Switchback instead. It is larger, but it’s also cheaper and will never let you down.

• Slim enough to maintain dexterity
• Not waterproof

These Smartwool Merino Wool Liner Gloves aren’t waterproof, but they will keep you warm even when wet. They’re thin and easy to carry and won’t get in the way when performing tasks that require dexterity.

• $27.29 at Amazon $35.00 (22% off)
• Blocks out wind efficiently

The lightweight Gore Wear Thermo Beanie keeps you warm and blocks out the wind as well as keeping you visible, thanks to reflective elements.

26. Base Layers

• $105.00 at icebreaker.com
• Breathes and insulates even when wet
• Can feel a little thin compared to other baselayers

Merino base layers and socks are a nice addition if you think you’ll be “bugging” out for more than a day or two. They tend to need less care than technical fabrics and are breathable and insulating even when wet. I love Icebreaker’s 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe , for example.

27. Hand Warmers

• $16.97 at Amazon $24.95 (32% off)
• Reusable; cuts down on waste
• Can potentially burn with careless use

You’ll also need something to actively warm yourself if you do get cold. You could use disposable hand warmers, but Zippo Hand Warmers are reusable and, according to this one dude on the internet, will burn just about anything .

28. Magic Cylinder

• All the essentials, at your fingertips
• Expensive and not made for groups

If you’re raising an eyebrow at some of these suggestions, do yourself a favor and at least shell out for VSSL’s Camp Supplies Compact Adventure Kit . This pre-packaged sleeve is loaded with sample-size survival goodies, including a flashlight, compass, mini first aid kit, fire starter, rope, razor, fishing kit, beeswax candle, wire saw, water purification kit, whistle, gear ties, sewing kit, can opener, adventure tape and bamboo cloth.

• $19.95 at Dick's Sporting Goods
• Non-essential

I also wouldn’t get that far without whiskey — would you? — so, last but not least, GSI Outdoors makes the ultralight Boulder Flask .

30. Lighters

• $13.69 at Amazon
• Can buy them almost anywhere if you forget one
• Hard to get into tight places and light

It’s always useful to have a lighter on hand, especially in an emergency situation. Having 12 on hand is even better. Keep the packs intact in your bag, or stash a couple in your vehicle’s glove compartment, a couple in the house and anywhere else you may need a light.

Related Topics

11 Best Bug Out Bags: Your Ultimate Guide

• By Harry Spampinato
• Updated Jan 3, 2023 at 5:04pm

123RF (Björn Forenius)

In the event of an emergency scenario in which you and your family need to evacuate your home and move elsewhere, owning a mindfully put together bug out bag is absolutely crucial to ensuring everyone’s health and safety.

Preparing for unknown disaster scenarios is difficult, to say the least – having a well thought out backpack full of rations and survival essentials is the best you can do for more or less every situation.

Traditional emergency kits are wonderful to own, but you never know if you’ll be able to remain in your home during a disaster or even be able to utilize your vehicle to escape to safety. A well-designed bug out bag that you can throw over your shoulders and evacuate within a moment’s notice is undoubtedly the best approach for ensuring your party’s safe passage out of the danger zone.

1. The Denver Survival Company 72 Hour Ultimate Survival Bug Out Bag

• Multiple sizes and aesthetics available (40 to 60 liters)
• Includes food, water, first-aid supplies, and survival equipment
• Nice quality backpack featuring high integrity and MOLLE webbing for additional external equipment attachment
• Higher than average quality survival tools and gadgets that you may be tempted to use outside of emergency scenarios
• Will have to buy one of the larger backpack sizes if you want to ensure you maintain some extra packing space
• Rations and water are only suitble for single person use
• Does not include any bedding or a tent (just an emergency blanket)
• 900D Premium Tactical Military Style Backpack (multiple sizes available)
• Rations, water, and water filter straw
• 117 Piece first aid kit
• Survival Kit: 440C EDC Knife, T6 LED flashlight, paracord survival grenade and belt whistle, emergency light, wire saw, compass, fire starter, paracord bracelet, emergency blanket, survival tool, tactical pen
• Emergency solar charger and radio

The Denver Survival Company 72 Hour Ultimate Survival Bug Out Bag is a wonderful personal option that includes high-end components all around and features an excellent quality backpack when it comes to both longterm comfort and durability.

This kit includes more or less everything a solo survivor might require for persisting for 72 hours in either urban or wilderness environments. It’s a versatile kit including all the gear you need , and nothing you don’t, so The Denver Survival Company has made sure to trim the unnecessary fat on this one. 

Rations, water, and a water filter ensure you keep your body hydrated and well enough fed, while the 117 piece first aid kit is both compact and impressively inclusive for treating any potential injuries without taking up all the space in your bug out bag.

The survival equipment included is of excellent quality compared to a lot of the sub-par gear you see integrated in many otherwise well-equipped bug out bags. The cordage, fire starter, flashlight, compass and most important of all, survival knife, all excel when it comes to quality and reliability.

Another brilliant component that The Denver Survival Company has included here is a solar charger and radio. Keeping your essential electronics charged during an emergency evacuation is of monumental importance, and maintaining contact with the outside world could make all the difference in a true survival scenario!

If you’re shopping for your family or prepping for a larger group, than you could mix and match some of the contents of these bug out bags as well as replace some of the components with other essential gear like shelter and bedding. Four or five people could share two first aid kits, but not the water and rations included here, so consider pulling some of the redundant items and customizing these packs a bit if you’re thinking of buying one for each member of your party.

All in all, this is a well-rounded, impressively inclusive yet no-nonsense kit for individual use that carries well and leaves space for some other essential items. A brilliant choice by The Denver Supply Company if everyone in your party is capable of carrying their own gear load.

Find more The Denver Survival Company 72 Hour Ultimate Survival Bug Out Bag information and reviews here.

2. Emergency Zone 2 Person Family Prep 72 Hour Go-Bag

• Discrete, nondescript, heavy-duty backpack that won’t draw unwanted attention
• Includes food and water, first-aid and health equipment, weather protection, survival tools and communicaiton,
• Great quality water and food rations
• Includes an emergency preparedness guidebook including info on how to create an emergency plan, administering life-saving first aid, and more
• Enough space remaining to include personal items such as medication, clothing, pet items, etc.
• The backpack is well designed and built with integrity, but its load bearing ability is not impressive
• While the backpack is built with some extra packing space, if you want to bring more than just a few additional items you'll need a bigger pack
• Hygiene supplies are wonderful to have on hand, but by no means are essential to survival
• Discrete design backpack will not draw unwanted attention to your party and is highly organized
• Water and food rations (for two or four people) as well as some water purification tools
• Basic first aid kit
• Hygiene supplies: soap, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrushes and toothpaste, razor, shaving cream, toilet paper, comb, sewing kit, feminine pads
• Survival equipment: duct tape, survival whistle, 50 feet of rope, flashlight, batteries, weather radio, leather palm work gloves, multi-tool knife, GI can opener, pencil, reflective sleeping bags, ponchos, tube tent, hand warmers, and 48-page Emergency Preparedness Guide
• Includes a pack of playing cards

The Emergency Zone 2 and 4 Person Family Prep 72 Hour Go-Bags are some of the most trusted, well-designed bug out bags in the industry that are impressively inclusive and equipped for the price point, as well as coherently organized within a mindfully thought out backpack. 

These kits include everything you need in a survival evacuation scenario and more, so you may be inclined to remove some of the contents here and trade the pack space for some more essential items or tools. For example, while having some personal hygiene products on hand is a brilliant touch, being able to wash your hair and brush your teeth is far from a life or death decision. If there are multiple members in your party, then it’s not unwise to include some of these luxuries vs. necessities – if you’re evac plans are solo or it’s just you and a partner however, then you would be wise to trade the hygiene kit for more rations or survival equipment.   

The discrete design backpack will not draw any unwanted attention to your party and is highly organized, so although it’s not the largest capacity, Emergency Zone has ensured you can make the most of the space here.

A basic first aid kit includes all of the usual suspects, but by trading the hygiene kit for some more medical supplies you can take it to the next level.

This bug out bag not only includes food and water rations, but also a water vessel, filter straw, and military-grade purification tablets. The food ration bars are furthermore non-thirst inducing, great tasting and calorie-dense, requiring no extra water to rehydrate and no reheating.

The brand has included a nice array of essential survival equipment with this kit, integrating a few outside of the box items that are brilliantly conceived. Duct tape, leather palm work gloves, reflective sleeping bags and a tube tent are a few of the particularly practical survival items for virtually any scenario included here.

Emergency Zone has even included a pack of playing cards with these go-bags, an important reminder of how keeping spirits and overall morale high in an emergency situation is of vital importance when it comes to staying motivated and on track.

Find more Emergency Zone 2 Person Family Prep 72 Hour Go-Bag information and reviews here.

3. Prep Store Elite Emergency Pack

• Super comprehensive solo bug out bag that hits all the bases and more
• Includes reliable devices for communication
• High quality kit compenents on all fronts
• Nice backpack design that features a high capacity and great weight bearing capabilities
• Expensive option
• Designed for one person use, although the included components will go a long way in a group context
• May end up paying for some tools/gadgets you don't really need
• High capacity backpack is mindfully organized and capable of taking on some additional essential items
• 70+ Piece highly inclusive first aid kit, including an extractor kit and safety mask
• Highly inclusive fire and cooking set
• Extensive water purification and storage tools
• Shelter and bedding: one-person tent, three-season sleeping bag, camping mat, mosquito net, and poncho
• Power and light: solar flashlight, folding solar charger, power bank lantern/emergency beacon, two-way Ham radio with built-in NOAA radio, and 3 in 1 solar fan
• Survival/tactical gear: Machete, folding shovel, paracord, zip ties, sling-shot, duct tape, emergency whistle, compass, wire saw, leather palm gloves, knife sharpener

The Prep Store Elite Emergency Pack is hands down one of the most well-rounded and highly inclusive bug out bags on the market that includes a tremendous array of essential tools and supplies for persisting virtually any evacuation scenario.

If you’re starting from scratch when it comes to your emergency evacuation supplies, this is a great place to start. This kit has included an excellent array of essential equipment and tools that hits more or less ALL of the survival bases.

Shelter and bedding, first aid supplies, power and lighting, water purification and storage, survival tools, it’s all here – and all within a highly capable and mindfully organized backpack featuring some extra packing space! 

The only component missing from this bug out bag is food and water, so make sure to check out our recommended options for emergency rations within our extra content section below!

While this kit is technically designed for single person use, essentially all of the components will go a long way in a group context. If you are prepping for a family group or household, then this is a fantastic option for at least one member to be carrying to ensure all of the more nitty-gritty, technical equipment is covered!

Find more Prep Store Elite Emergency Pack information and reviews here.

4. Prep Store Quick Emergency Survival Pack

• Includes shelter and bedding, water purification and storage, fire and cooking supplies, first-aid, and survival equipment
• High quality kit components all around - particularly the wilderness survival equipment
• Backpack is well designed for organization and bears weight well
• No water or food rations
• Lacks a first aid kit
• Only contains bedding for one person
• Extensive water purification and storage kit
• Medical supplies: extractor kit and safety mask
• Shelter and bedding: one-person tent, three-season sleeping bag, camping mat, large mosquito net, and poncho
• Power and light: solar flashlight, power bank lantern/emergency beacon, charging cords
• Survival/tactical gear: Folding shovel, zip ties, fire starter, wire saw, emergency whistle, compass, canvas gloves, survival guide, utensil tool

The Prep Store Quick Emergency Survival Pack provides you with an excellent quality, coherent set of tools and gear that is the perfect base to build upon in order to create the ultimate, fully inclusive bug out bag.

This kit does not include a first aid kit or any water or food rations – so those are the major blanks to fill in. The included shelter and bedding, power and light devices, water purification tools, and survival/tactical gear is however very well selected for overcoming virtually any survival scenario. 

Fire making, keeping your devices charged, staying hydrated and setting up camp for the night are all made simple and straight forward with this kit, so once you add some rations and medical supplies, you’ll have hit all the bases.

The backpack itself is furthermore very well designed for bearing heavy loads and for including some additional items, so there’s packing space to hit the remaining bug out bag bases.

All things considered, this is a wonderful value option considering the quality and versatility of the included survival tools and backpack that with just a little further thought can be easily modified into a fully-inclusive, above and beyond bug out bag. 

Find more Prep Store Quick Emergency Survival Pack information and reviews here.

5. Sustain Supply Co. 72 Hour Emergency Survival Kits

• Multiple kits available with varying inclusiveness
• More inclusive kits include food and water, first aid supplies and some survival equipment
• Excellent quality components all around
• The backpacks included in the more inclusive kits are designed with extra packing space in mind
• Great price point
• 'Essential' kit backpack has very little capacity
• Food rations are great quality, but not the most lightweight and packable when it comes to minimizing your gear load
• None of the backpacks are particularly durable or weather resistant
• Most inclusive kit includes food and water, first aid supplies and some survival equipment for four people, for three days
• Survival equipment of the most inclusive kit includes: Sawyer Squeeze water filter, 8 Cyalume snap lights, 2 LED lanterns, 2 flashlights,  4 emergency blankets, a portable stove, 4 bowls and utensils, MoraKniv knife, ferrocerium rod, 4 InstaFire tinder, and 4 whistles

The Sustain Supply Co. 72 Hour Emergency Survival Kits are an excellent value option that are offered at varying levels of inclusiveness for different sized groups.

These go-bags include quality components on all fronts, so you can be sure that you’re purchasing rations and survival gear worth buying with this one.

There are not a ton of included survival tools within even the more inclusive kits, but the selected gear is superior to most comparably priced options. For example, the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter and MoraKniv Knife are two excellent quality, invaluable survival tools – unlike the knock-off equipment you often find in the “fully-inclusive” kits.

Sustain Supply Co. even includes a portable stove, bowls and utensils so you can enjoy some hot food on the go. While the included rations are not the most packable and lightweight, they offer excellent caloric content and taste great. There’s something to be said for actually enjoying a meal during an emergency evacuation scenario rather than bearing through dry calorie bars for days – if you have multiple members in your party and therefore the packing space for at least one person to carry some tastier, freeze-dried meals, it could be a great move for enhancing everyone’s comfort and morale.

While these kits offer better than average components, there are some blanks when it comes to overall inclusiveness. The best decision is to perhaps consider owning at least one of these kits in order to ensure one or multiple members of your party have some particularly tasty rations and capable survival tools for everyone!

Find more Sustain Supply Co. 2 Person 72 Hour Emergency Survival Kits information and reviews here.

6. Redfora Complete Earthquake Bags For 1-6 People

• Available as a one to six person kit
• Includes food and water, first-aid and hygiene supplies, shelter and warmth, and some tools
• Unassuming backpack will not draw any unwanted attention
• MOLLE webbing on the exterior of the backpack allows for additional gear attachment
• Very reasonable price point
• Lacks wilderness survival equipment
• Backpack does not have much interior space for additional supplies
• Backpack and duffel (utilized in the larger kits) are not particularly great at bearing weight compared to many alternatives
• Available as a one to six person kit with varying levels of inclusiveness
• Unassuming backpack and/or roller bag will not draw any unwanted attention
• Water and food rations as well as water purification tablets
• Extensive 107 piece first aid kit
• Hygiene essentials
• Shelter and bedding: emergency ponchos, mylar sleeping bags, and tube tent(s)
• Survival tools and equipment: multi-tool knife, 5-in-1 whistle, nylon rope, work gloves, goggles, waterproof matches, hand warmers, light stick, 30-hour candle, hand-crank flashlight/radio/charger, sewing kit

Redfora’s Complete Earthquake Bags For 1-6 People are an excellent value, no-nonsense option that allow you to tailor your bug out bag(s) to properly account for each and every member of your family or party.

Available as a one to six-person kit with varying levels of inclusiveness, you can select the go-bag, or set of go-bags that make the most sense for you and those you anticipate evacuating with. 

Each kit includes water and food rations for the designated amount of people, an extensive 107-piece first aid kit, hygiene essentials, shelter and bedding, and a well thought out array of survival tools and equipment.

Depending on the number of people you are buying for, the kit comes in either a standard backpack, a rolling duffle bag, or combination of both.

Both pack options are unassuming and will not draw any unwanted attention, but keep in mind the roller bag is not a great choice for covering long distances on foot. If you go with one of the more inclusive kits, you would be wise to pair the contents with a more capable backpack.

Find more Redfora Complete Earthquake Bag For 1-6 People information and reviews here.

7. Rescue Guard Emergency Bug Out Bags

• Available in several different levels of inclusiveness
• All options are designed for 72 hour persistence (aside from the kit lacking food and water)
• Suitable kit for wilderness survival scenarios
• Higher level kits have very comprehensive first aid supplies for the cost
• Excellent price point
• Backpack does not provide very much additional packing space, and no external attachment points
• Backpack does not offer very impressive integrity
• While the more minimalist kits can work as a great addition to your existing emergency supplies, they will not function well as fully operational bug out bag
• All options are designed for 72-hour persistence (aside from the kit lacking food and water)

Rescue Guard’s Emergency Bug Out Bags are a brilliant choice for emergency preparedness that allow you to choose your level of survival gear inclusiveness.

All of the options are designed for 72-hour persistence other than the kit lacking food and water rations. We consider each bug out bag to be an excellent overall value, so it’s tough to go wrong here with any of the options. That being said, the Advanced Survival Pack is certainly our top pick for any and all preppers that includes the most relevant and high quality components at just a slightly higher price point.

The top-level kit includes great quality survival tools and equipment including a utility knife, multi-tool, hatchet, duct tape, wire saw, lantern, bivvy sacks and much more. The kit Is furthermore designed for four people, making it an even more impressively inclusive option for the price point.

Unfortunately, the included backpack here is not all that great when it comes to integrity, organization, or capacity, so consider pairing the kit’s contents with your existing hiking bag or a higher quality pack from our recommended list located in the extra content section below.

The higher level kits give you quite a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to their contents, so purchasing these bug out bags for their included components alone is still a great value!

Find more Rescue Guard First Aid Kit Emergency Bug Out Bag information and reviews here.

8. Brite Safety 1 Person 3 Day Survival Kit

• 73-Piece first aid and survival kit
• Includes food, water, first-aid supplies, and a bit of survival equipment
• It can be carried by hand or on the shoulder with a detachable shoulder strap
• Designed to snap onto your existing gear with the quick attach MOLLE straps
• Bag must be carried by hand or over the shoulder, making it a less than ideal option for covering long distances on foot
• No real space for adding additional essential items
• Lacks survival equipment and tools
• Durably built pack can be carried by hand or on the shoulder using the detachable shoulder strap
• Water and food rations for one person for three days
• Quality first aid kit
• Emergency blanket, flashlight and batteries, light stick and poncho

The Brite Safety 1 Person 3 Day Survival Kit is an excellent bare-bones option for single person use that’s offered at a very reasonable price point.

This go-bag comes packed within a shoulder bag rather than a backpack, so it’s not the ideal hands-free option for evacuating home and covering long distances on foot. That being said, this kit makes for a stellar vehicle-specific bug out bag that can live in your car in case of a sudden, unexpected emergency.

This bug out bag is furthermore designed to snap onto your existing gear with the quick attach MOLLE straps, so it can be quickly integrated into your existing kit.

There are food and water rations for 72 hours, adequate first aid supplies and a handful of emergency items that are honestly better suited for roadside use than wilderness or urban survival. 

All things considered, this is best utilized as an add-on kit to your existing bug out bag or as a vehicle-specific go-bag. Stashing one or several of these kits in your safe house or bunker is also a wise move to ensure you’ve got some extra essential supplies.

Find more Brite Safety 1 Person 3 Day Survival Kit information and reviews here.

9. Lightning X EMT First Aid Responder Medical Backpack Kit

• LXPB89 backpack is hydration and MOLLE compatible, highly organized, and supports weight well
• Super inclusive medical supplies
• Includes some more technical, specialized medical devices and equipment
• Backpack leaves little to no room for additional survival essentials
• Includes no water or rations
• Includes no survival tools or equipment
• LXPB89 backpack featuring four main exterior compartments plus a quick access velcro compartment behind the lumbar panel
• Highly inclusive first aid supplies

The Lightning X EMT First Aid Responder Medical Backpack Kit is a full-blown set of medical supplies including both standard first aid items as well as some more specialized equipment, remedies, and devices for treating a wide range of ailments and injuries.

While this kit does not contain any food or water rations, shelter or bedding, or survival equipment – it covers all the bases and more when it comes to ensuring everyone’s health and safety during an evacuation scenario. If your emergency plan involves your family or a party of people from your household or neighborhood, it would be a brilliant decision for one member of the group to carry this intensive first aid pack.

In addition to all the regular first aid items you’d expect to find in a bug out bag, this highly inclusive kit contains some more specialized equipment such as splints, an Oropharyngeal airway kit, CPR masks, a sprague stethoscope, Dyna-Stopper trauma pressure dressing and more. 

If one member of your group carries this medical backpack kit, then all other members of your party can rest assured they’re covered when it comes to ailments and injuries on the go and furthermore pack their bug out bags accordingly with less first aid essentials. Equip the closest one to a nurse or doctor in your group with this pack and entrust them with the role of emergency EMT in the event of an emergency evac.

In an ideal scenario , each member of your party should play a specialized role in terms of what type of equipment/supplies they’re carrying. While it’s wise for each party member to be more or less self-sustaining, someone can take the role of packing most of the food and water rations, while someone else can pack survival tools, etc. It’s a strategic preparation plan that ensures you hit all the bases and furthermore sets up each member of your group with a gear load they can manage.

While the LXPB89 backpack does not have any additional interior storage space, the bag is fortunately hydration compatible and also has some integrated MOLLE webbing on the exterior for securing some extra gear.

Find more Lightning X EMT First Aid Responder Medical Backpack Kit information and reviews here.

10. Monoki First Aid Survival Kit

• 302 Piece first aid and survival kit
• Military tactical molle EMT IFAK pouch is compact and durably built from 600D nylon
• Quality of the included survival gear is above average
• MOLLE system attachment straps on back allow you to attach it to other MOLLE-integrated packs
• Included pack must be carried by hand and is not ideal for covering long distances on foot unless you own a MOLLE compatible pack
• No practical packing space for any additional items
• No food or water rations included
• Military tactical MOLLE EMT IFAK pouch is durably built from 600D nylon
• 275 Piece comprehensive first aid kit
• 23 piece survival kit including: multitool pliers, LED flashlight, tactical folding knife, 6-In-1 paracord bracelet, stainless steel saber card, emergency mylar blanket, disposable rain poncho, compass keychain, emergency whistle, fire starter, wire saw, aluminum D-ring, and fishing equipment

The Monoki First Aid Survival Kit is a brilliant bug out bag option that covers almost all of your first aid and tactical/survival tool needs all within an impressively compact and durable MOLLE pouch!

While this go-bag does not include any water or food rations or shelter/bedding, it more or less hits all of the other bases. The 275-piece first aid kit is quite extensive for treating a wide range of injuries and ailments and the included survival tools and gadgets are of more than adequate quality.

The dimensions of this go-bag are less than 8 by 6 by 5 inches and it’s furthermore integrated with MOLLE webbing so it’s easily externally attached to your existing bug out bag or packed within. If you feel like you’re lacking some first aid essentials or want to add a few pivotal survival tools to your kit, this is a brilliant high-value option that gives you quite a bit of bang for your buck.

There are even a handful of more specialized, unique survival tools here that very well may be absent from your current go-bag such as some fishing equipment, multi-tool pliers and a 6-in-1 paracord bracelet.

All things considered, this is a stellar kit for filling in your bug out bag blanks, utilizing as a vehicle-specific go-bag, or adding to your safe house or bunker’s supply stores that comes at an excellent price point!

Find more Monoki First Aid Survival Kit information and reviews here.

11. Pet Evac Pak, LLC Premium Big Dog Emergency Survival Kit

• Everything to keep your dog safe for up to 72 hours
• For dogs between 30 and 70 pounds (kits for smaller dogs available)
• First-aid supplies and dog bowls can be used for personal use if needed
• 5 year shelf life
• The bag is a normal backpack and not designed to be worn by your dog
• Contents are not intended to cover any of your own personal survival needs
• Includes some non-essential items such as a dog toy and waste baggies
• Designed for dogs between 30 and 70 pounds
• Dog food and water 
• First aid kit: vet wrap, ASAP pet wound ointment, ClotIt blood stopping powder, tweezers, cotton swabs, alcohol wipes, gauze pads, hydrogen peroxide spray, cold pack, and first aid brochure
• Safety items: 6-foot slip lead, mylar blanket, LED light, ID card, and waterproof ID card holder
• Also includes a rope toy and waste disposal bags

The Pet Evac Pak, LLC Premium Big Dog Emergency Survival Kit includes all of the essential items you’ll need for your canine companions in an emergency evacuation scenario.

Don’t forget about your pets when it comes to your emergency plans – this kit has checked all the boxes for ensuring your dog’s safety for 72 hours including food and water, safety equipment and some first aid supplies. The brand has even included a rope toy and some waste baggies (although we doubt picking up after your pet will be of the utmost importance in a survival scenario).

This kit is designed for dogs between 30 and 70 pounds, so if your pooch is any heavier than that, you’ll need to include some extra food and water to sustain them for a full 72 hour period.

Unfortunately, this kit is organized into a regular style backpack rather than a pack that your dog can carry themselves. Everyone needs to carry their own weight in an emergency scenario, so consider transferring the contents of this canine bug out bag into this high-performance dog pack by Mountainsmith , or this equally awesome option by Ruffwear in order to maintain focus on your own essential supplies.

Find more Pet Evac Pak, LLC Premium Big Dog Emergency Survival Kit information and reviews here.

How To Select A Bug Out Bag

Selecting a bug out bag, or putting one together has everything to do with what challenges you expect to endure in the event of an emergency . Carefully consider your local climate, community, and landscape in order to come up with the best assortment of survival tools. 

If you have to run out of the house with essential survival equipment, here are a few general questions you ought to ask yourself in order to be best prepared:

-Will you be needing specialized gear for mostly wilderness or urban persistence?

-Is there an abundance of free-standing water you can filter on your way to safety, or will you need to pack your own water supply?

-Is the climate generally warm, or cold, and what kind of shelter, clothing, and bedding does it call for in an evacuation scenario?

-How long of a trek do you anticipate to reach your designated "safe-zone", and what kind of equipment is necessary for keeping one foot in front of the other?

-Is it wise to include tools for self defense?

-Don't forget to consider where you will store your bug out bag(s) and who will be carrying them - it's important to specialize every person's pack within your party so nobody ends up with unnecessary items and weight. 

Bug Out Bag Specifications

While building your bug out bag is made easy by selecting one of the pre-made, thoughtfully designed options above, there are still a few general guidelines and specifications you ought to be mindful of.

Here are a few details to consider when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of setting up the perfect bug out bag:

-You need food and water for a minimum of 72 hours for each member of your family/party. If you want to really trim pack weight and make the most of each bag's packing space, then calculate how many calories of food and liters of water each individual needs for X amount of time based on their body weight.

-Assuming you are in average physical condition, your bug out bag should weigh no more than 25% of your body weight to ensure that you can carry it long distances. Keep this number in mind as you add items to your personal pack and those of your family members and make sure your maximizing everyone's gear load without over-packing.

-Don't forget personal essential items like medication and health devices - nobody will make it far without their inhaler, prescription glasses, insulin, or other important health tools and meds. 

Building Your Own Bug Out Bag

While we recommend at least starting with a pre-made bug out bag from our top list, we understand that many preppers prefer to start from the ground up when it comes to their safety and that of their family.

Below, we've highlighted some of the best options for each essential category of your personal bug out bag so you can upgrade or fill in the blanks left by some pre-made options, or go ahead and start from scratch!

High Capacity, Weight-Bearing Backpacks

While the contents of most pre-made bug out bags are brilliantly conceived by in-the-know experts, oftentimes the included backpack that houses all of the essential equipment and rations is sub-par at best.

You may have noticed that many of the listed kits above are not particularly well rated for their weight-bearing ability or their capacity for additional essential gear. While the included bags are certainly suitable, those who anticipate longer treks and heavier gear loads will be wise to pair their bug out bag supplies with a higher quality, more performance backpack with greater durability, a higher degree of organization, and most importantly - less required exertion when it comes to carrying it long distances!

Some of our favorite high-capacity backpacks that are built to take a beating and remain comfortable for even the longest of treks include:

• ALPS OutdoorZ Commander + Pack Bag
• ALPS OutdoorZ Extreme Traverse X
• Tenzing 6000 Back Country Hunting and Hiking Pack
• Osprey Rook 65 Backpacking Backpack
• Eberlestock Warhammer Pack
• Kelty Coyote 65 Hiking Backpack

Food & Water Kits

Your food and water supplies are the most important component of your kit in most survival scenarios.

When adding rations and hydration supplies to your bug out bag, ideally you select options that are low weight and pack particularly compact, while offering a whole lot of caloric content.

Your food rations ought to be selected based on the included energy vs. the packed weight/occupied space. When camping and backpacking, there are many delicious freeze-dried meal brands that pack great, but an emergency scenario calls for rations with even greater portability. Typically, calorie bars and tabs are the best routes to go when it comes to bang for your caloric buck - so we've leaned into the following options for bug out bag applications:

• Survival Tabs Emergency Food Rations
• S.O.S. Rations Emergency 3600 Calorie Food Bars
• Genuine U.S. Military Surplus MREs
• Redcon1 - Ration Pack

Water, of course, has a fixed weight, so there are no corners to be cut there, but you can, however, choose soft, rather than hard-bodied vessels for containing your water supply that will pack more compact than a bottle, canteen or jug. Some of our favorite picks for pre-packaged water and water vessels to fill on your own include:

• SOS Food Labs, Inc. Emergency Water Pouches
• DATREX Emergency Water Pouches
• MSR Dromedary Bag Water Reservoir
• Platypus Platy 2-Liter Ultralight Collapsible Water Bottle
• Ivy Bag Portable Water Bladder

Portable Water Filters

While having a water supply packed within you bug out bag is wise, if you know there is bountiful free-standing or running water in the landscape you plan on evacuating through, you ought to have a reliable portable water filter on hand.

A water filter can trim your pack weight immensely by replacing a few liters or gallons, so every in the know prepper should own one.

Our top picks include the Sawyer Mini and the LifeStraw , but make sure to check out our post on the best portable water filters for all the top options!

First Aid Kits

Your first aid supplies are of monumental importance when evacuating your local surroundings. Sustaining an injury on your way to safety could be the difference between life and death, so be sure to have some tools to keep you going in the event of an accident.

Selecting your medical supplies is just as much about the potential injuries/afflictions you can't think of , as much as it is about preparing for the usual first aid suspects. This means including at least a few versatile items that can be implemented to treat some more 'outside of the box' type injuries or ailments.

For example, band-aids and tweezers are great, but what about a leg splint or ankle brace for staying on your feet in the event of a bone break or sprain? 

While most premade bug out bags offer exceptional first aid components, check out the following specialized medical supplies and fully inclusive fist aid kits for some particularly great emergency options:

• First My Family All-in-One 4-Person Premium Disaster Preparedness Kit
• Sawyer Products SAM Medical Splints
• Lightning X Premium Rip-Away Individual First Aid Kit
• Uncharted Supply Co. The Triage Kit First Aid Kit
• VSSL Compact Adventure First Aid Kit
• Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Backpacker First Aid Kit
• Adventure Medical Kits Trauma Pak Pro

Survival Equipment Kits

Every well thought out bug out bag should contain some survival equipment for persisting outdoors. Whether you live in a greatly urban or suburban environment or within a complete and total wilderness, there are some particularly practical tools for staying comfortable and safe in a survival scenario.

Many pre-made bug out bags offer an assortment of survival tools that are just plain sub-par when it comes to overall quality. A survival situation is not the time to struggle with mediocre gear, so be sure your more technical tools are up to par with the challenges you expect to endure.

The main details to think about when considering tools/equipment that maintain your well-being are as follows:

• Shelter and bedding
• Fire making and cooking
• Communication with others/staying informed
• Light and power supply

Here are just a few of our favorite kits and tools to get your gears turning that we've found to be the most relevant for bug out bag inclusion:

• VSSL Camp Supplies
• Go Time Gear Emergency Survival Shelter
• SUPOLOGY Emergency Survival Gear Kit
• Zippo Emergency Fire Kit
• Sharpal 6-In-1 Pocket Knife Sharpener & Survival Tool
• FiveJoy Military Folding Shovel Multitool
• Midland - ER210, Emergency Crank Weather AM/FM Radio
• Garmin in Reach Explorer+ Handheld Satellite Communicator with Topo Maps and GPS Navigation

Self Defense

While conflict with others while fleeing an emergency scenario is an awful thought, responsible preppers ought to have this detail covered somewhere in their bug out bag. 

If you are a gun owner, then choosing a backpack with an adequate, on-hand firearm carry system and some space to stash ammo is a wise tactic for staying alert and ready to engage potential threats.

If you are not a gun owner or would simply prefer to employ non-lethal tactics rather than implementing your firearm, there are many reliable and effective self defense tools for directly engaging threats that don't require you to use a gun.

Paintball guns, mace, and pepper spray devices, stun guns, and many other non-lethal alternatives to firearms exist, so make sure to check out our post on non-lethal home-defense tools for some guidance selecting an option that you feel safer having on hand than not, as well as comfortable using.

Best Survival Backpack | Hands-On Tested

This is an updated review of the best survival backpack . Our first review was seven years ago and we will continue to update as new products are released and as we test even more tactical, hiking, and travel bags.

A good survival backpack will hold your gear and get you to where you need to go when things go south. A great backpack will get you there easier, smarter, and for less money. The best survival backpack will organize all the gear you need, be comfortable carrying large weights, and be the most durable on the market. There are plenty of backpack types and brands to consider for bugging out.

That’s where we come in. We’ve researched and reviewed the top bags, put them through the paces, and literally ripped them apart at the seams. The results are in: the overall best, a budget option, and a tactical option. If you need a backpack to keep up with you when you need it most, one of our suggestions is up to the task.

Contents (Jump to a Section)

• The Best Survival Backpack

Budget Survival Backpack

• Tactical Survival Backpack

Everything We Recommend

The backpacks we compared, what to look for, how to pack a survival backpack.

• What to Pack in a Survival Backpack

The Survival Backpack

Rush 72 2.0.

Expandable, Customizable, and Durable

The second iteration of the Rush 72 builds on the strengths of the previous best survival backpack.

*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.

This is the quintessential survival bag, and it comes in a variety of sizes from the Rush 12 all the way up to the Rush 100. The 72 model hits the sweet spot with 55L of space, meaning it is designed to be a 72-hour bag (ideal for bug outs).

Your SHTF situation would not be a 5.11 Rush bag’s first rodeo. It is a solid choice and is consistently trusted by both law enforcement and military operators.

Here are the quick hits:

• 3340 cubic inches (55L) – more sizes available though
• 1050D Nylon
• Adjustable sternum and yoke straps
• 16 compartments and MOLLE
• CCW, hydration, and laptop (15″) pockets

My favorite features of this bag are the hefty 1050D Nylon fabric paired with the many ways to configure this bag for your specific kit. The bag is simple but has countless attachment points for expansion. I like to create modular-type kits so the many compartments work well with my exact loadouts.

These bags have a reputation for being as tough as a nickel steak and can take some abuse, and we can confirm that the 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack is the most solid survival backpack option.

Large capacity, Comfortable, and Lightweight

This proven backpack is perfect for bugging out with plenty of room for gear while still being comfortable long distances.

Backpacking is a sport that is basically people bugging out over long distances for fun. The few differences are that maybe you aren’t avoiding other people and you may have a few more resources along the way, but these bags are designed for long-distance travel. They keep the bags light with heavy-duty but lightweight fabric. They keep them pretty clean of straps and decorations to keep the weight down as well. Backpacking backpacks are optimal for mid to long-range bug out travel.

Here are the specs:

• 3400 cubic inches (55L) – more sizes available though (45L – 65L)
• 600D Polyester
• Dual aluminum 3/4 frame
• Sleeping bag pocket, integrated rain fly

Some of my favorite parts of this bag are the internal frame attached to the adjustable lumbar and the construction quality of the critical parts of the bag. Sure, eventually the elastic straps and water bottle holders will wear through or separate from the seam- but the shoulder straps and main compartment are well engineered with double stitched and folded main compartment seams and smartly-placed ‘box and x’ stitches for distributing strap loads.

This is one of the cheapest bags you’ll find us suggesting due to durability, but this one will still keep up. If your BOL is a good distance from your home, the Teton Scout 55L Internal Frame Backpack makes a solid survival bag choice.

Tactical Bug Out Bag

Gunslinger ii.

Well Designed, Versatile, with Top-Tier Construction

This assault pack is designed ground-up for bugging out and pulls it off with unmatched toughness and versatility.

The Gunslinger II is one of Eberlestocks’ most expensive bags from their Mission line. It is extremely well-designed using the best materials you can find. The G2 costs a pretty penny but will reward you with a lifetime of service. It brings extreme versatility, with plenty of organization designed around the internal frame.

Here are the specifics on how it measures up:

• 2700 cubic inches (44L) including scabbard
• 1000D Nylon (Cordura polyurethane-coated)
• Intex II tubular frame
• MOLLE, PALS, Alice compatible
• Rifle scabbard (600 ci) for weapons up to 60″

This bag is a beast and takes the best parts of the rest of the Mission lineup. It has a scabbard to keep a long rifle (and optics) covered completely. The best part of these bags is the craftsmanship. There is attention to detail on the internal seams that other bags don’t even address in their main compartment.

My second favorite part of the G2 is how configurable it is. Even if you aren’t a gunslinger yourself, you’ll find plenty of uses for this bag and the integrated scabbard. The downside, of course, is that the bag costs over $400 and is usually excluded from sales. To justify this purchase, you’ll need to plan to use it and consider it an investment.

When it comes to survival, you’ll want the top-tier Eberlestock Gunslinger II Backpack on your six.

5.11 Rush 72 2.0

Where to Buy

$185* at 5.11

$185* at Amazon

*at time of reviewing

Teton Scout 55

$75* at Amazon

Eberlestock Gunslinger II

$429* at Amazon

Our research narrowed the field down to the several backpack brands and types that we tested: 3V, 5.11, Kelty, Vertx, Eberlestock, High Sierra, Blackhawk, Maxpedition, Mystery Ranch, Mardingtop, and more.

You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.

We did not consider smaller bags, sling bags, or pouches even though those can be viable.

We’re always looking for new and better equipment, so if you have a backpack that you swear by let us know down in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually, so we can always get it in the next roundup round and see if it makes the cut and we can see if it will beat out our top picks.

The best survival backpacks have several important features to look for:

Functionality

Size & weight, versatility.

When you get the right blend of these, you can find a truly reliable backpack that will let you carry all of your essential gear. Below, we break down what each of these features means for a dependable pack that you can trust with your life:

Value: Cost vs. Benefit

The amount of money you spend on something like a backpack shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. Don’t go overspending or overdoing it. Budget according to your risk and your needs rather than just spending lavishly.

On the flip side, you don’t want to go too cheap or just plain get the wrong thing. There are plenty of cheap backpacks out there, or backpacks made for a different purpose that won’t work as well.

You never want to spend too much money on one resource, especially something like a backpack. It’s better to diversify your tools and preparedness gear to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios. There is a sweet spot where you get high value out of the best features with not too high of a price, which is where our top pick sits.

Functionally, any bag that will fit your gear could technically be a survival bag. But considerations should go far beyond that. You want it to hold your gear well, in an organized manner, and for it all to be comfortable on your back- which is scientifically verified to be the best place to carry it (in most situations).

Of course, there are other options: roller bags (think of the airport), Pelican cases, and even the old bandana-tied-to-a-stick are all options for your survival bag. Many of the bags/cases/boxes without shoulder straps are being used by plans that rule out bugging out by foot.

Prepping for these situations can be tough when considering congested highways, EMP effects, and scarce power resources. But some have it figured out to the best of their ability and will not need to hoof it across the countryside to their bug out locations.

Some preppers with extensive planning will use caches along their bug out route to minimize the gear and supplies they have to carry with them. If you find your bug out plans becoming long and convoluted, remember that keeping a plan simple is sometimes the best course.

Backpack design, material quality, and construction quality determine a bag’s durability. Cheap bags can fake the look just with design. Adding straps and do-dads to the outside can make a bag look tactical, even if it can’t perform. Quality brands typically have good design, similar material quality (many of them use the same vendors), and excellent craftmanship.

Material Quality

Heavier weight textiles, thicker and wider straps, metal zippers, waterproof zippers: all of these significantly improve durability (at a cost). For survival purposes, we believe these are all worth it. You don’t want straps breaking on you when you are navigating the tough times survival situations present you with.

Design can sometimes make up for lighter and less expensive materials, but generally when it comes to straps: the bigger the better. Some backpacks use suspension rigs, triangle force distribution, or proven stitching techniques to reduce the chance of a strap fraying or buckle breaking.

Lightweight but strong textiles and straps are key for survival bags, especially those designed to be used indefinitely. Most bags use synthetic fabric like nylon or polyester with different weights and weaves.

While polyester is the main pick for backpacking brands’ shell material, heavyweight nylon is the workhorse and is used even more extensively in tactical bags. Some of the quality brands even bump up their nylon from 600D to 1000D+. Specialized needles are used to prevent needle breaks when sewing these heavyweight fabrics.

When designing areas of backpacks where the bag will contact your body, backpacking and EDC bag manufacturers typically use spacer knit material. This is the material that looks like mesh, and it’s meant to reduce contact pressure and improve airflow. The downside to spacer knit is that it is not very durable, and can snag and fray from abrasion.

Construction Quality

After material quality comes construction quality. Construction quality is shown mostly through the stitching, although some design features can highlight it as well. A few stitch patterns that indicate good construction include:

• Double stitch – Material seams are stitched twice in parallel, usually less than 1/8″ apart.
• Folded seams – Raw fabric edges shouldn’t be visible on a bag. Fabric is folded while it is sewn to prevent tearing and pulling.
• Bar tack – A dense stitch for attaching straps and fabric at a single point.
• Box and X – A square or rectangular box is stitched with an ‘X’ inside to distribute strap force where it is attached.

Like I said before though, cheap companies can knock off a look. Besides stitch patterns there are a few other telltale signs of quality:

• Loose stitches – Good bag manufacturers have quality control and toss these out for rework. All sewing machines can have issues with tensioning, but if you can pick a stitch with your nail you’ve got a crappy backpack that could fall apart at the seams.
• Quality combinations – What separates the good from the great is attention to detail. Double stitching is usually reserved for the main compartment of bags, but when you see it on an internal zipper tape seam, you know that the zipper is there to stay.

Take care of your backpack as well so it lasts as long as intended. Don’t kick it around unnecessarily, store unsheathed knives in it, etc. Just keep it clean and use common sense.

The capacity of your backpack can range quite a bit. This also increases the size and weight of the bag. When you are traveling any distance, you will quickly notice that ounces matter.

Here you can see how the backpack capacity compares to the average male’s profile:

Finding the ‘sweet spot’ between capacity and portability is the key to getting the right bag. This usually depends on what you are using the bag for. Your own size and capability can influence how large of a pack you can handle as well. We’ll talk about weight restrictions with packing further below, but you don’t want the bag itself adding too much unnecessary weight too.

Some examples of kits matched up with appropriate sizes include:

• Everyday Carry  – 10L – 30L
• Get Home Bag  – 20L – 30L
• Bug Out Bag  – 30L – 60L
• INCH Bag  – 40L – 75L +
• SCARE Bag  – 10L – 20L

You may notice that many of these kits’ ranges overlap with the 30L capacity, which is why this size is so popular. You may be restricted in size, but you will be comfortable without overloading yourself with unnecessary weight.

Versatility is where the tactical backpacks really shine. You can add more storage, and compartmentalized kits using MOLLE, ALICE, hook and loop, or tied attachments. They stem from military applications, so they are designed to be versatile for a wide range of equipment and environments.

Avoid elastic components, even if you believe they give your bag versatility. Regardless of the quality, stretch materials eventually give way. If you are looking for a true survival bag with limitless durability, avoiding elastic straps, bungees, and pull cords can help (or just know that they won’t always be reliable).

Higher capacity in a bag can give you more versatility as well, just in that you can carry more gear if weight allows it. Rolling wheels and the ability to convert into a duffel make sense in certain situations, especially if you are packing more weight than you ought to carry.

Survival backpacks are all about functionality and versatility, and these are the main points to consider when packing the bag as well. The function of the bag is to simply provide you with the resources you need to survive in an expedient, portable solution. To accomplish this, the backpack should be  versatile  to tackle both known and unknown problems, risks, and situations that will arise.

There are three main priorities to consider when packing your bag:

Weight Distribution

Resource accessibility.

Different types of kits will dictate what you should put in these bags, but the principles stay the same throughout all of the options.

The most popular method, and a good fallback for any new prepper, is to pack with your bag weight distribution in mind. How much weight you can carry depends on your bag selection, body type, and fitness level.  A very vague rule of thumb is that 25% of your body weight should be your bottom line max, yet this measure can overload you for long distances- especially if you weigh more. Pack weight is something that gets much harder to handle with every pound you add.

The difference between 40-41 pounds can have a much different effect on your body than the difference between 20-21 pounds. This is further complicated by how you distribute the weight within and on your pack. A top-heavy pack will require more muscle control stabilization, tiring you out even quicker. The backpacking community is a great resource for learning to properly pack a bag for the best weight distribution.

There are many great videos out there discussing this, and Marco Johnson does a great job here.

With the various situations you could encounter, quick access to your equipment may make the difference between life and death. Tactical packs excel at having equipment within a moment’s reach, but other types of bags may need some packing forethought here. Safety and security equipment are the highest priority equipment to have rapidly accessible, and on your body if possible. Other rapid accessibility considerations include common-use versatile tools.

A  multitool , zip ties , and 550 paracord are all extremely versatile resources, but won’t do much good if they are lost in the bottom of your bag. Use external pockets, straps, and tethers wisely to keep important items within reach.

After you concentrate on your rapid access equipment, think about the rest of your supplies and the best logical way to store them. Weight usually takes precedence here, as we mentioned above, with bulk food items, sleeping equipment, and cooking tools placed in the bottom of the bag and hardest to access.

Gray Man Appearance

The Gray Man Concept is nothing new but should be a consideration for  anyone  packing a portable survival kit. Advertising that your bag has everything that anyone would need to survive can make you and your bag a target. Tactical bags struggle with this since they are easily identified as packs that hold valuable supplies and equipment. Tactical bags usually have the ability to have a modular load out, which exposes your equipment and supplies. Packing these supplies inside of your bag may be the best course of action, depending on your situation.

One quick workaround to get the best of both worlds is a rain fly for your bag. This subtly hides your bag and everything attached to it while still allowing the equipment to be somewhat accessible. It provides the obvious bonus of rain-proofing your supplies as well and they run fairly cheap. A simple rain fly can make a tactical bag less noticeable in urban areas, but give you fast access once the fly is removed.

Learn more about the Gray Man Concept with our guide:  How to Be a Gray Man . To see our discrete suggestions for gray man backpacks see our review dedicated to them:

What to Pack in a Survival Backpack?

Survival bags accommodate a huge range of survival kits. The kit type determines what you pack in the, although many kits share the same types of resources.

Survival backpacks are designed to be filled with survival gear, so of course, we have plenty of mobile survival kits that require them:

• Bug Out Bag List – Evacuation-style survival kit (aka go-bag or 72-hour kit).
• Get Home Bag List – Survival kit designed to help you get home.
• Everyday Carry List – Bag you plan to keep with you every day.
• INCH Bag List – Similar to a bug out bag, but for indefinite survival.
• SCARE Kit List – Survival kit designed for urban unrest.

Having a backpack on hand, and getting the right gear inside of it can go a long way for preparedness.

How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test .

Sources and References

All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best survival backpack is useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical military and prepping experience:

Harman, E., et al. (2000).  The Effects of backpack weight on the biomechanics of load carriage. ARMY RESEARCH INST OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE. ( Source )

Devroey, C., et al. (2007). Evaluation of the effect of backpack load and position during standing and walking using biomechanical, physiological and subjective measures. Ergonomics. Volume 50. Issue 5. Pages 728 – 742. ( Source )

Labosier, C. (2019).  Bug out bags and first aid kits: Undergraduate college students’ awareness, perceptions, preparedness, and behavior around severe weather. Emerging Voices in Natural Hazards Research. Pages 1 – 25. ( Source )

The Final Word

These survival bags will all do the job but come with varying price tags, comfort levels, capacity, and durability. The tactical bags win the durability contest with the backpacking bags coming in a close second.

Backpacking bags can be tuned to fit like a glove, and are available in very high capacities. The backpacks you already own in your closet are cheap and can still get the job done in most circumstances.

Our subscribers have also found these guides helpful:

• The Survival Rule of 3 | Air, Shelter, Water, & Food
• The Best Gray Man Backpack for Survival and Prepping
• Bug Out Bag List | 44 Essentials

After our exhaustive testing, we recommend the 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack for most applications (sometimes in other sizes) and the Teton Scout 55 Backpack for everyone on a budget.

Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.

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I am an engineer, Air Force veteran, emergency manager, husband, dad, and experienced prepper. I developed emergency and disaster plans around the globe and responded to many attacks and accidents as a HAZMAT technician. I have been exposed to deadly chemical agents, responded to biological incidents, and dealt with natural disasters. Check out my full story here: Sean's Story

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These Pre-Packed Bug-Out Bags Will Help You Survive an Emergency

If you don't want to pack your own, these ready-made emergency kits are a good starting point.

Most experts agree that using survival skills to get through the first 72 hours of a disaster is paramount to remaining alive in the long term. Having a pre-packed bug-out bag waiting in your home is the best starting point. Still, not everyone wants to take the time and money to gather all of the necessary survival supplies themselves. That's when a good pre-packed survival kit can give you a huge head start in the process, all the while leaving room to add anything else you'll need at the moment you need it.

The best bug-out bags, or complete survival kits, should be portable, storage-friendly, and provide basic lifesaving tools. These four pre-packed bug-out bags filtthe bill.

Best Overall

Stealth Angel Survival

Top Pick: Stealth Angel Survival 4 Person

This system comes with two fully loaded bug-out bags at an on-sale price under $200 that falls well below its competitors. When you consider all that this kit comes with—food, water, light and communication, tools, first aid, shelter, and hygiene products—you won't find a comparable kit that offers so much.

• Emergency shelter, blankets, and body warmers for four people.
• Includes lighting and communication accessories.
• Included food and water products need to be replaced at the five-year mark.

Stealth Angel Survival 4-Person Emergency Kit — $179

Best no-food bug-out bag.

Sirius Survival

Top Pick: Sirius Survival Pre-Packed

This bag from Sirius Survival is reasonably priced when you consider that it gives the user time and space to upgrade to something even longer-lasting. True, it's smaller than some, but having something of this proportion is better than trying to fill your pockets when an emergency happens suddenly. This kit starts out well in the genre of bags that can keep a pair of people going long enough to stay safe and survive a few nights on the trail. Once a user adds some sustenance to it, it will do well as a fully loaded bag.

• Small and lightweight
• Plenty of space to update with food items.
• Meant for shorter emergencies.

Sirius Survival Pre-Packed Survival Backpack - $130

Best budget bag.

Blue Coolers

Top Pick: Blue Coolers Blue 72

Considering that tornados, wildfires, and power outages often come without warning, having a basic pre-packed bug-out bag stashed in your car is not a bad idea. They're great for the home, apartment, boat, or even in the corner at your office. As there is plenty of leftover space in this bag, additional food can be added along with water or water treatment tablets.

• Budget-friendly
• Lightweight, and great for apartment living.
• Only six vacuum-packed food bars.

Blue Coolers Blue 72 - $49.99

Best premium bug-out bag.

Denver Survival

Top Pick: Denver Survival 5-Day

A five-day bug-out bag with multiple shelters and food to survive a nightmare. This is the go-to kit for those seeking to be prepared for anything, and it's a great look at what a bug-out bag should really strive for. There are too many features to list here, but some of the best include to tents, a radio power bank, a solar charger, walkie-talkies, survival straws, a zero-degree sleeping bag, and enough food and water for a five-day survival journey with no warning. and much more. This is an item for the serious prepper.

• Said to be a complete military specification upgrade kit.
• High price.
• The 35-pound weight of the bag could be too heavy for some.

Denver Survival 5-Day Bug Out Bag — $849

Read more: 13 best survival skills, ranked by importance, related content, the best bug out bags for survival on the go, top 10 basic survival tips for everyday folks, video: survival lilly shows how to put together a survival bag on a budget, you might also like.

Survival Tents: What to Look For in a Good Reliable One

What Should You Keep in Your Car in Case SHTF?

There's Really a Survival Beer?

Video: Is This $1,000 Survival Kit Worth the Huge Price Tag?

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Travel Bug Out Bags: Your Lifeline out on the Road

Off The Grid Bug Out , Planning , Preparedness: Preparing for Emergencies and Disasters , Prepping 6

You’re hundreds of miles from home, enjoying a weekend of relaxation when all of a sudden disaster strikes; you’re stuck in a new area, with people you don’t know, and you have no way to get home; what do you do?

Well if you’re like most people you’ve probably never even considered the possibility. While I know many of the people who follow this site have a plan in place for while they are at home, not many people plan for disasters and crisis situations while away on vacation. If you travel a lot or are planning any future trips, you need to have a plan in place.

Planning for disasters that strike while you’re away from home

If disaster strikes while you’re away, your survival will likely depend on your pre-trip planning and the supplies you have with you when trouble strikes.

While some people might consider this overkill, reasoning that they are going on vacation to get away from their worries, a little bit of planning could save you a whole lot of misery should the worst happen while you’re away from home.

The first you need to do is research the area you’re going to.

• Research what types of disasters are most common in that area.
• Find out what areas of town have the most problems, the highest crime rates, and have potential hot spots for trouble during a crisis.
• Put together a list of emergency services, hospitals, embassies if you’re overseas, safe zones, and a well thought out list of evacuation routes.

Building your Travel Bug Out Bag

Just like with any type of emergency bag, what you carry is largely going to depend on your personal situation and your overall level of preparedness training. To determine the types of things you need, I advise first conducting a thorough threat assessment on your travel plans and the areas you plan on traveling through.

These types of threat assessments can give you a good idea of what you need to prepare for, and will give you clues to what you may need to bring in your bugout bags. Check out our article on conducting threat assessments . While the article is geared towards general threat planning, much of the information can be used to analyze the threats you may face during a travel related crisis.

Most of what you pack is going to depend on what you found out during your threat assessment, but in general, there are some things that you need to consider bringing.

Local Maps of the Area & GPS Devices : No matter where you are going, you want to have maps of the area and evacuation routes ready to go should something happen.  A little bit of pre-trip planning goes a long way should the worst happen, and having these maps can put you ahead of the crowds that will be clogging up local evacuation routes.

• Have a local paper map of the areas you are traveling through.
• Save PDF maps or Google Maps to your phone and tablet devices.
• Carry a GPS; while these devices can fail during a large-scale disaster, they are good for finding quick backup routes when they’re working.

Communication Gear : Every good bug out bag/get home bag should have multiple communication devices and contact methods. The ability to communicate and gather localized threat information during a disaster is something you should never overlook.

• Have a Plan: Before you leave, put together a list of emergency contacts. Have a point person who can help coordinate rescue efforts should things go bad.
• 2 Meter Ham Radio: For localized disasters, where traditional methods of communication have failed, there is no better tool than a good 2 Meter Ham Radio. If you haven’t looked into the many benefits of Ham Radio , I advise seriously looking into it.

Personal Defense : This is a category where you are going to have to be careful; it’s also a category that you need to take seriously. While local travel laws may dictate exactly what you can and can’t carry, you need to carry something.

• Check out our article on traveling with firearms .
• Thoroughly research local self-defense laws and find out what you can legally carry.
• If traveling through areas where carrying a firearm presents a problem, check out our article on alternative weapons and improvised weapons .

Always Carry Cash & Know Where to Hide it: When Special Forces and government contractors deploy into dangerous areas, they often carry local currency with them as part of their emergency gear. The ability to bribe local officials, buy last minute supplies, or even just check into a hotel room makes paper currency an important addition to any bag.

Make sure you carry emergency cash in a couple of different locations, and if you’re traveling abroad make sure you have both American dollars and the local currencies in every area you plan on traveling through.

Other Emergency Items that I usually take when I travel:

• A good travel water filter like the Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter
• N95 Dust Masks
• A Door Wedge
• These 7 Urban Survival Tools
• A Good First-Aid Kit
• A Small Solar Charger & Electronic Adapters
• My Normal Everyday EDC Gear

One of your best written articles I have ever read. I especially agree with learning how to hide cash on your person. Something as simple as a hollowed out chaptstick tube or a old small flashlight.

Good article. My work requires me to travel all the time. I’m in a different country almost every week that I made 2 EDC kits. 1 fore my home country and 1 that’s always in my carry on. then I have supplementary gear for my check-in. Don’t forget the weather and the terrain. If it’s a cold country, an extra layer or heat pads. A sports cooling towel works as a scarf in cold weather or as a cooling device in a hot climate.

I know some people might think this is silly but I bought a nail drill. One of those little hand held drills that work like a rotary tool for nail care. I have used them successfully on wood and find it a nice portable option to shape wood on the go if you did need to. It has multiple attachments like a dremel tool and takes two AA batteries which are fairly common. I realize some people would just use their knife or a nail file but this makes that kind of work a lot quicker.

These are great “know how’s” especially when you’re an outdoor person. This can also be very beneficial in times when disaster strikes at your very door steps. Knowing how to prepare and what materials we need is actually pretty useful.

Communication gear, this is something that I don’t have yet, but, really, I don’t think I will get it.

Late to this thread, but I’m looking for some input. I’m going to be traveling a bit for business and am trying to put together an emergency kit. My scenario is a trip to LA when a major earthquake hits. The kit has to be small and light enough that I can take it in carry on as I want to have it with me in an airport. It will stay in the rental car while I am at a client site in case the disaster happens and I’m not able to access my hotel room. Traveling by air also means no knives or guns. Thoughts?

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EASY BW 65L Large Travel Duffle Bag Military Tactical Backpack, Army Assault Pack Bug Out Bag Rucksack for Outdoor Sport Hiking Camping with Molle System

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• 【65L Large Duffle Bag】Size Appro: 26.7"/ 68cm L X 12.2"/ 31cm W X 9.8"/ 25cm H which is equivalent to 65L capacity. Designed with enough room to hold a large amount of sports gears and traveling necessities.
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• 【Removable Shoulder Straps】The double shoulder straps are detachable and placed in the back zip pocket, which is easy to access, no need to carry extra and not easy to be lost. Carrying system completely stowable in the back zipper pocket.
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18 Best Travel Backpacks, According to Frequent Flyers

By Gabrielle Porcaro

As someone who frequently travels, I've slung duffels, totes , and travel purses on my arm, but nothing compares to using the best travel backpacks. Depending on the length of your trip, a suitcase can either be too bulky or not big enough, so you'll need the vital second bag to make sure all your clothes, tech, and gear securely arrive at your destination. Plus, traveling with a backpack can be more supportive for your back, freeing up your arms and hands to pull out directions on your phone or to hold an iced coffee. Backpacks can also be surprisingly roomy, so everything you need (or want) on your trip fits as comfortably as possible. The good news is there are a wide range of excellent options to suit any and all of your needs. Below, we found the most travel-friendly options and tapped Glamour editors and some of our frequent-flier friends to share the best travel backpacks.

What to look for in a travel backpack

When shopping for luggage items like a travel backpack, the comfort and capacity of the bag is key. You want it to feel easy on the body, which means wide straps or a hip belt to distribute weight, which comes in handy if you're running to catch a plane or carrying it through a crowded subway. Bonus points if the straps are they adjustable and padded. Consider the material: Is it lightweight, soft, and made of durable material like water-resistant fabric? As for size, think about the use of the backpack. There are weekender bags and carry-on size options you can use for long weekends or smartly packed weeklong vacations and styles for short day trips, hikes, or shopping excursions.

The best travel backpacks, at a glance

• Best Overall : Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack , $210
• Best on Amazon : Shrradoo Extra Large 52L Travel Laptop Backpack , $33
• Best Daypack : Lululemon Everywhere Backpack , $78
• Best Budget : Coofay Carry On Backpack , $30
• Best for Commuters : Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack , $95
• Most Stylish : Tumi Voyageur Just in Case Packable Nylon Travel Backpack , $150

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Overall : Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack - Del Día

Here's a simple, sleek backpack with plenty of built-in organization. “My twin sister and I have traveled the world together, and this bag came in particularly handy on our trip to South America when we both needed more room besides our carry-on luggage. What I loved about this piece is it's essentially a suitcase with straps. The wrap zipper fully opens up, allowing you to see and organize your goods into the compartments. Crafted in repurposed nylon, the exterior is one of a kind, and the colors made it easier to spot one another through the crowds,” says Glamour contributor Gabrielle Porcaro .

Capacity: 42 L / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros: Repurposed nylon body; suitcase layout; weight-distributing harness system
• Cons: Can easily show dirt

Best on Amazon : Shrradoo Extra Large 52L Travel Laptop Backpack

SHRRADOO Extra Large 52L Travel Laptop Backpack

As a runner-up, consider this the Swiss Army knife of backpacks. Hidden in this compact, durable bag are 20 pockets and compartments to accommodate and organize everything from clothes to an umbrella to power cords. A practical standout feature of this travel backpack is an external USB port with set-in charging cables to charge your phone (just remember to charge your power pack before heading out on your trip). Another noteworthy aspect is the U-shaped 3D breathable mesh straps designed to relieve stress from shoulders and reduce a sweaty back.

Capacity: 52 L / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros: So many pockets for organizing; USB charging port; comfortable
• Cons: Chunky, technical look

Best Daypack : Lululemon Everywhere Backpack

Lululemon Everywhere Backpack 22L

Lululemon gets a lot of love for its Lulu leggings and activewear, but don't sleep on accessories like its laptop bags . A classic backpack with a modern design, the Everywhere Backpack has a clean appearance that will effortlessly match your look. Inside it's spacious and has a padded pocket that fits a 16-inch laptop. On the exterior is a front zipper pocket for keys, antibacterial wipes, headphones…whatever you need handy while on the go.

Capacity: 22 L / Waterproof : Water-repellent

• Pros: Internal laptop sleeve; side water bottle pockets; lightweight
• Cons: No luggage strap; not a ton of pockets

Best Budget : Coofay Carry On Backpack

Coofay Carry On Backpack

This affordable, multifunctional pack is lightweight but can hold a lot and easily fit under an airline seat as a carry-on. “I loved the space and compartments of this bag. It's durable and packed a lot of room for so many things. The luggage handle strap is also a bonus if you're hauling a roller bag,” wrote one Amazon reviewer . Bonus: It has a shoes and a wet pocket compartment.

Capacity: 17 L / Waterproof : Yes

• Pros: Separate shoe compartment, 29 color options; USB port design
• Cons: Short luggage strap

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By Sophia Bush

Best for Commuters : Everlane the ReNew Transit Backpack

Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack

Whether you're a college commuter or in the office most days, this is an excellent option for everyday travel or work trips. It's a go-to for Condé Nast associate director of box business operations Haley Welch . “The separate laptop compartment makes organizing seamless, as does the front and upper zipper compartments, which is great for a Kindle,” she says. She likes that the chic and minimal look effortlessly mixes with every outfit, from comfy travel joggers and hoodies to a work-appropriate suit or dress.

Capacity : 27 L / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros : Internal and external water bottle holders; zipper pocket on top; made from renewed materials
• Cons : Only holds a 15-inch laptop

Most Stylish : Best Tumi Voyageur Just In Case Packable Nylon Travel Backpack

Tumi Voyageur Just in Case Packable Nylon Travel Backpack

For anyone looking for a dressier option for their everyday commute or regular work trips, Tumi has a gorgeous style. Don't let the sleek appearance fool you; the zipper reveals a very roomy interior but still folds flat. A two-way zipper makes it easier to grab whatever you need from the inside with a smaller front pocket as well. There’s also a very convenient add-to-a-bag sleeve to secure this nicely over your suitcase handle, making it one to use on daily and international excursions. It's so stylish it can double as a cute work bag for office days.

Capacity: 15"H x 12"W x 4 1/2"D. (Interior capacity: large) / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros :Packable; folds down flat; lightweight
• Cons: Doesn’t fit a ton

Best for Organization : Snoffic Travel Backpack

Snoffic Travel Backpack

If remaining organized is of the utmost importance while traveling or in everyday life, look no further than this Snoffic backpack. This wallet-friendly pick has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon and under $35 price tag. “I was able to pack a week's worth of summer clothes in it, which included two summer dresses," says one Amazon reviewer . Not only does this bag offer ample space and waterproof material, but it also includes two clear toiletry bags (also waterproof) to help you reduce your zip-lock baggie usage. Plus, it comes in a wide range of pretty shades.

Capacity : 40 L / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros : Nicely priced; roomy; includes two toiletry bags
• Cons : Boxy shape

Best for Pockets : Athleta Excursion Backpack

Athleta Excursion Backpack

This pick, courtesy of Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs , is one that can hold every little trinket or gadget you own. “I thought this backpack was going to my go-to for hiking, but it’s actually my go-to for pretty much everything. I love how sleek it is, and yet, despite its slim appearance, it manages to fit my 15-inch laptop, my secondary screen, charger, headphones, e-reader, and mouse. It has handy organizational features, like an inner key ring, zippered outer pockets for me to stash my lip gloss and phone, and not one but two mesh pockets that fit my water bottle and an umbrella. Its handles are also made of a breathable fabric—so useful when I’ve worked up a sweat while out and about.”

• Pros :Lightweight; ripstop material resists snags and tears; mesh back panel for added support
• Cons: Larger on top shape

Best Minimalist Design : Dagne Dover Dakota Medium Neoprene Backpack

Dagne Dover Dakota Medium Neoprene Backpack

“On my last flight I saw not one, not two, but multiple travelers with this style hanging from their backs. As someone who regularly takes Dagne Dover bags on trips, I understand the popularity. The neoprene material is strong, soft, and stretchy, which causes the bag to flex to your body and whatever you put inside. It's forgiving, allowing you to fit in and possibly overstuff everything you need for a trip. It also washes well, ensuring it will always have that chic appearance even after some wear and tear,” says Porcaro. Dagne Dover also makes excellent diaper backpacks like this parent-approved Indi Diaper Bag .

Capacity: 16 L / Waterproof : No

• Pros: Packs a lot; machine washable
• Cons: Neoprene is a bit heavier than other material; material creases easily

Best for Airplane Travel : Augustnoa Classic Noa

Augustnoa Classic Noa

“So many features drew me to this bag: the eco-friendly (plus water-friendly) material, smart design, and luggage sleeve—a must for any travel carry-on piece. There are ten pockets and compartments to organize essentials, something I took full advantage of when using. As an active person trying to hydrate more, I also appreciated the side pockets that securely held my water bottle (I bent over, and it didn't budge). It also includes a removable drawstring bag, something I always forget to pack for morning workouts and overnight travels,” says Porcaro.

Capacity: 21 L / Waterproof : Water-resistant

• Pros: Pockets on straps; laptop and tablet sleeve; two water bottle holders
• Cons: Pockets in the back and on straps are small

Best Roll Top : Roark Passenger 27L 2.0 Bag

Roark Passenger 27L 2.0 Bag

Expandable storage is always a plus with any travel bag. This backpack, from super cool brand Roark, has an adjustable top to allow more room. The roll-top also has a magnetic entry, allowing for easy and secure access on the move. Interior and exterior pockets, including one for your tablet or laptop, sunglasses, and a hidden pocket for your passport, are specific details that make this a unique backpack. Ergonomic air mesh padded straps, a quilted back, and chest straps prevent this from adding any discomfort to your travels. The appearance calls for adventure, but it equally works in cities.

Capacity: 27 L / Waterproof : 100% Nylon

• Pros: Streamlined look; quilted back; magnetic closure top
• Cons: Could use more internal pockets

Best Large Travel Bag : Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

Patagonia Black Hole® Duffel 55L

The beauty of this bag is it says it right in the title—it's a black hole. With a 55-liter capacity, there's no doubt it will hold everything you need for a long weekend or even a long weekend trip. Ultra-comfortable to carry, it's perfect for hiking excursions, camping trips, or multi-city European backpacking adventures. Durably made with 100% recycled fabric, this fits in the overhead bin; if you want to check it, you can trust it will return to you just as you left it.

Capacity: 55 L / Waterproof : Water Repellent

• Pros: Large, carry-on size, top and side handles; removable shoulder straps
• Cons: Rugged design

Best for Laptop : Herschel Kaslo Dayback Tech Backpack

Herschel Kaslo Dayback Tech Backpack

If you're looking for a laptop backpack , this is a top choice. Hershel backpacks are a go-to for marriage and family therapist and mom of two boys, Whitney Steller. “I have had this for almost six years, and the quality is amazing. No rips or anything and the straps are still comfortable. “The classic grade school look was also a draw and the fact that it fits perfectly under a plane seat. This style, in particular, is eco-friendly, made from post-consumer water bottles, and has a padded compartment to fit up a 15-inch laptop.

Capacity: 20 L / Waterproof : No

• Pros: Optional strum strap to help disturbed weight; padded compartment for laptop
• Cons: No luggage sleeve

Best Y-Pack : Topo Designs Y-Pack Backpack

Topo Designs Y-Pack Backpack

This is an awesome option for anyone who ends up leaving a trip with more than they brought. “The adjustable Y-shaped strap can be tight and secure or loosened to allow for more room, which is the reason why this is a piece of heavy rotation for me. It always shocks me how much I can fit/shove into the main compartment yet still slide my laptop out of the back sleeve. No matter if it’s filled with a hoodie and various pouches holding makeup, power cords, and snacks; it's easy to access. I like to use the zip pocket on the top to store antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, headphones, and anything else I want easy access to once I arrive on the flight,” says Porcaro.

Capacity: 23.8 L / Waterproof : No

• Pros: Drawstring closure offers more space; zip pocket on top for easy access; durable material great for travel and the outdoors
• Cons: G-hook buckle closure can sometimes be tough

Best Waterproof : SealLine Skylake Dry Pack

SealLine Skylake Dry Pack

The beauty of this piece is that it rolls up for easy packing within a suitcase or larger travel backpack. The fact that it's created from an extremely lightweight material also ups the packability and wear factor. Jen Ator, a personal trainer, used this on her honeymoon in Thailand. “Not only was it super sturdy and waterproof, but it fits everything we needed during day trips.” She also pointed out how handy the exterior pocket was for easy access to essentials like a phone to snap a picture of her and her husband.

Capacity : 18 L / Waterproof : Yes

• Pros: Lightweight; stowable
• Cons: No interior pocket

Best Convertible : Thule Crossover 2 Convertible Backpack

Thule Crossover 2 Convertible Backpack

Adaptability is vital when traveling, and this Thule convertible backpack offers various ways to hold it. If you're in a tight space, de-boarding, or want to give your shoulders a break, there is a longer shoulder strap and top handle to hold. Inside the backpack, you'll find compartments that look like your favorite easy-rolling carry-on suitcase, making it easy to keep everything with you secure and organized. Another standout feature is the exterior crush-resistant SafeZone compartment that's perfect for storing sunglasses or a phone.

Capacity: 21 ¾"H x 14"W x 8"D. / Waterproof : Water Resistant

• Pros: Crust resistant, two-way zip closure, RFID-shielded pocket;
• Cons: Expensive

Best for City Travel : PAK Large Nylon Backpack

PAK Large Nylon Backpack

“As a backpack I recently added to my collection, I was impressed by how many features were hidden in what seemed like a pretty basic bag. First, it’s worth noting how seamlessly this slid on and off my back, making it a breeze to sit on the subway or grab my wallet to buy coffee. At first glance, I was confused about the zipper on the bottom of the front pocket, but when I realized it was a coat sling, which, as someone who runs cold and always has an extra layer, is something I will use again and again. Another made-for-me feature is an extra large pocket for water bottles since it’s a personal pet peeve when they aren’t wide enough for standard sizes. Having only worn this around the city for daily life, I appreciate that the shape and look of the pack are city-ready and more polished. When I take this on international trips, I look forward to using the hidden theft-proof compartments,” says Porcaro.

Capacity: 13.5”L x 7” W x 14” H / Waterproof : No

• Pros: Easy access pocket in the back, Coat sling, Large side pockets
• Cons: Not super large

Best Customizable : Roam Continental Backpack

Roam Continental Backpack

Anyone who is a fan of customization will appreciate this pick. Buyers can choose the color they want on the front, back, side, and straps to create a bag that is uniquely theirs. This is favorite of Glamour commerce editor Jenifer Calle , who has been using it for years. “It fits enough for weekend trips and vacation travel. I particularly like that the side zippers fit my Owala water bottle and there are plenty of zipper and pockets to hold my wallet, keys, chargers, lip balms, and more” says Glamour’s Calle.

Capacity : 26 L / Waterproof : Water Repellent

• Pros : Customizable; 100-day trial period; soft material; luggage sleeve
• Cons : Expensive

By Kelsey Clark

By Danielle Cohen

By Jake Henry Smith

By Paula Lee

Bug Out Bag Basics

In this article, we will show you how to pack a bug out bag. Since the coronavirus warnings from the CDC were first issued, many people resorted to panic. It caused supply chains to surprisingly run out of items to sell.

This is where your bug out bag comes in. The bug out bag is necessary in case you want to leave your location immediately. It is handy during emergencies or in cases where you suddenly need to go somewhere else.

Why do you need a bug out bag?

The bug out bag is an item of necessity typically overlooked by many people. They are probably busy with their everyday lives or ignore the advice of survivalists. However, a bug out bag can aid you during times of trouble. The bug out bag has many different purposes.

During times when a disaster occurs, war breaks, or a viral infection spreads uncontrollably, your bug out bag can help you escape quickly. Leaving a compromised area with dwindling supplies and danger levels rising is your first survival step.

If we discuss an exemplary scenario where everyone outside your home is considered hostile, your bug out bag should somehow carry some weapons and tools. For example, many people prepare paracords  for karambit  knives. They wrap these sturdy cords around the curvy handle to have some material where a heavy-duty rope can be constructed.

The situation and craftsmanship above are only the tip of the iceberg. Whatever your bug out bag should have inside, it is up to you to modify its inventory to your purposes. Survival in different areas whether urban or rural requires a  basic bug out bag loadout  where you can add more items. You should also consider changes in the weather, wild packs of animals, and your basic needs.

The bug out bag is somewhat familiar to most of us. We have probably seen some secret agents of our favorite movies and TV shows have one. It is why many people mistake the bug out bag as another tool in a professional agent’s inventory. They will then fail to construct a bug out bag on their own unless reality calls for it.

Our times of today are slowly revealing potential catastrophic disasters lurking behind the shadows. We won’t know when the next pandemic might hit. Many of us are even unaware if a zombie outbreak, giant earthquake, alien invasion, or war might ensue. It is better to prepare with a well-equipped bug out bag.

Bug out bag Basics: What items should your bug out bag contain?

When some sort of regional or international calamity erupts, your bug out bag can reduce your time of preparation. Instead of rummaging through your personal and household items in a rush, it is better to now prepare your personal bug out bag. You will have the peace of mind of being prepared while having all the necessities for survival on an ad-hoc package.

First Aid Kit

The world can really be a dangerous place, more so if some disaster strikes up your neighborhood. External forces can cause you harm as you navigate different terrain geographies. You might receive cuts, bruises, scratches, or injuries while traveling. A well-stocked aid kit can mitigate any infections or life-threatening injuries.

• Mini-alcohol bottle
• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Antiseptic wipes
• Mini Scissors
• Painkillers
• Box of Blades
• Antibiotics
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Surgical Kit
• First Aid Instructions

While traversing through different locations, you might be exposed to poisons, airborne viruses, or allergies. Toxic fumes can also appear in different areas. It’s better to filter the air you breathe in.

• Air-purifying Respirator (N95, etc.)
• Military Grade Gas Masks (M40, etc.)

The world is teeming with predators lurking in the shadows. In case you find a safe spot to rest, it is better to have some form of shelter to shield you from wild animals, the weather, and changing atmospheric temperatures.

• Modular Tent
• Camping Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Space blanket

The worst enemy of a person is dehydration. One human being can die of thirst within a 3-day duration. Having some equipment to carry, filter, and store water is essential to your survival. Who knows? It might be some time before you can stumble upon a clean water source.

• Water Bottle
• Liquid Flask
• Military Canteen
• Water Filtration Device

Fire Starters

Whenever you’re out in the wilderness or get stranded someplace isolated, building a fire has many uses. You can use it to cook some game catch, keep you warm, and signal for rescue. Having the proper tools to build a fire is important to have in your bug out bag.

• Strike-anywhere Matches
• Lighter Fuel
• Aluminum Foil

You can end up traveling across locations during the nighttime. As we have all known since the time of our ancestors, nighttime is when the most dangerous predators are out hunting. It’s better to have some form of light source for navigation.

• Camping Lanterns
• Handheld Lamps

Extra Clothes

You don’t wanna run out of your comfort zone without having a replacement of extra clothes. An extra set of clothing can help you sanitize yourself after a day in the wild. Sweaty clothes can cause infections much more if you’ve attained wounds while traveling. Apart from that, extra clothes can keep you warm and protected from different regional conditions.

Navigational Tools

It’s really hard to travel through patches of land without the help of proper navigational tools. You might get lost on your own and get stuck someplace you are not familiar with. Your bug out bag should have some basic traveling tools to avoid this scenario. We need to remind you that learning about the basics of navigation can aid you while using these tools.

We don’t know when the next calamity might happen. A bug out bag can ease your mind and help you escape quickly. We hope this article has given you some of the basic items to store in your bug out bag.

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The 10 best personal item bags, tested & reviewed.

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The Best Personal Item Bags

Catriona Kendall | U.S. News

When you're traveling on an airplane, there are certain items like your wallet, phone, passport, medications and earbuds that you always want to keep close. These are the items you'll want to pack in your personal item bag, along with other in-flight comfort items or perhaps a few souvenirs you're bringing home with you. When it comes to a personal item, there are many options that could be right for you, though keep in mind what airlines will allow can vary.

What size is a personal item bag?

This item can be a purse , bag or backpack that easily fits under the seat in front of you. For most domestic airlines, your personal item should be 18 x 14 x 8 inches or smaller. Most airlines allow passengers to bring one carry-on bag that goes into the overhead bin and one personal item bag that can be stowed under the seat. For both carry-on and personal item bags, it's important to check your airline's carry-on luggage size requirements and policies.

To help you decide what personal item bag meets your needs, our editors shared their go-to bags they personally use when traveling by air.

Best Foldable: Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote

• Jump to features and expert insights ↓

Best Hip Pack: Cotopaxi Kapai 1.5L Hip Pack

Best tote: everlane the recycled nylon tote, best backpack: away the everywhere zip backpack, best organization: nomad lane bento bag, best washable: steve madden quilted weekender bag, best laptop backpack: fila argus 5 laptop backpack, best for adventure travel: osprey nebula 32, best affordable: gorilla wear duncan backpack, best duffel: lipault city plume 24h bag 2.0.

(Note: Prices and availability were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to demand and other factors. Dimensions of personal item bags are height by width by depth.)

Nicola Wood | U.S. News

Price: $155 or less

Travelers will frequently spot this classic tote at airports and hotels around the world for good reason. It folds up easily for storage when not in use, and it has a roomy main compartment with a small interior pocket for a phone, boarding pass and a cardholder. Longchamp's Le Pliage Large tote is made of the brand's durable water-resistant nylon and finished with its signature embossed leather trim.

What our editors say:

I love traveling with my Longchamp Le Pliage tote. It's big enough to hold a laptop and all other essentials, and it has both a zipper and a snap-close leather flap, so you won't have to worry about anything falling out during travel. It is versatile enough to use throughout your vacation as a handbag, or you can fold it up and store it away once you reach your destination. The Le Pliage tote is made of nylon, so it is water-resistant and easy to wipe clean after traveling. There is a small interior pocket that can hold a boarding pass, phone or cardholder, or you can pop in a separate organizer from Amazon for multiple interior compartments. The Le Pliage tote comes in a variety of colors, so there's something for everyone. – Nicola Wood , Senior Editor

Leilani Osmundson | U.S. News

Price: $30 or less

If you're looking to travel light and maximize leg space, this Cotopaxi hip pack is ideal. Strap it around your waist or shoulder for hands-free travel, and reach your wallet or passport quickly. There's a spacious main compartment for your phone, wallet and boarding pass. Plus, a front zippered compartment can hold things like gum or earbuds. Constructed of 100% fabric scraps, each hip pack is sustainable and one-of-a-kind.

My top priority when traveling by plane is ample leg room, so Cotopaxi fanny packs are the perfect under-the-seat choice. I like the smaller Kapai 1.5 L Hip Pack for storing my essentials on shorter flights: phone, wallet, tissues, lip balm and earbuds. (There's also a 3L version .) For longer flights, the larger Allpa X 4L Hip Pack can fit a lot more, including a small book, Nintendo Switch and snack. – Leilani Osmundson , Senior Digital Producer

Price: $85 or less

This versatile tote is constructed with recycled nylon, which makes it easy to clean as well as sustainable. The padded bottom helps to protect your laptop and other contents. The main compartment has a zippered pocket and a 13-inch laptop sleeve. You can carry the bag with its tote straps or over the shoulder, and there's an exterior slip pocket for small items.

My favorite thing about this bag is that it's structured, but also easily pliable when it's time to stow it underneath my seat. The exterior pocket allows for easy access to small items like earbuds and hand sanitizer, and the larger main compartment is roomy enough for my laptop, 32-ounce water bottle, snacks, a small toiletry bag and a book. I also appreciate its sleek simplicity and sustainable materials. – Ann Henson , Assistant Managing Editor

Amanda Norcross | U.S. News

Price: $195 or less

This backpack from Away has a variety of interior and exterior pockets, including a padded laptop sleeve with a magnetic locking zipper, an interior mesh pocket for a small water bottle and two external hidden pockets. It has a versatile design that works for trips to the office, day tours and leisure trips. For carrying options, the backpack has comfortable padded shoulder straps and a trolley sleeve to secure it to your favorite carry-on bag.

For my personal item, I'm all about function over fashion and this bag manages to hit both marks. I especially love the interior key clip – I actually use it for my wallet so I easily find my ID and credit card and not risk losing them. – Amanda Norcross , Senior Content & SEO Strategist

Price: $298 or less

The Nomad Lane Bento Bag has a sleek and professional look that makes it work for both personal and business travel, especially with the 16-inch padded laptop sleeve that you can access from the top. It comes with a toiletries pouch and an electronics organizer that tuck inside two exterior pockets, so you can easily remove them at security. The bag has a variety of organizational pockets, including a trolley sleeve that converts into a pocket. It works well as a personal item bag, and can be used as a weekender bag if you're a light packer.

The Bento Bag is truly exceptional for organization. Not only can it fit a ton for its size, but I love how it also keeps my belongings separated and neat while still easy to access on the go. When I travel with it, the bag is comfortable to carry and fits under the seat in front of me with no issue. I also just appreciate how sophisticated it looks. – Catriona Kendall , Editor

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Erin Evans | U.S. News

Price: From $59.98

This timeless design has sturdy straps to comfortably carry the bag through airports and more. It's affordable, durable and machine washable. The interior compartment can accommodate everything from a toiletry bag to souvenirs, yet it still fits under the seat with a comfortable amount of room for your feet.

I've used this Steve Madden Quilted Weekender Bag as my personal item for years. I love the soft-sided design of this bag and it can fit an impressive amount. There's also an interior zippered pocket and two smaller open pockets for organization. Typically, I'll pack my laptop, various chargers, one to two books, an extra set of clothes and shoes, my wallet, my makeup bag, AirPods, snacks, a water bottle, and my phone. – Erin Evans , Managing Editor

Suzanne Mason | U.S. News

Price: $70 or less

Perfect as a work, gym or travel bag, this durable backpack has multiple pockets to keep everything organized wherever you roam. The budget-friendly backpack has a spacious main compartment with an internal mesh pocket and a separate 15-inch laptop compartment. Its padded straps provide comfort while carrying the bag for long periods of time, and the front zippered compartment is ideal for a boarding pass, pen or phone.

I love my Fila Argus 5 Laptop Backpack. I use it for both travel and for work. The backpack has a pocket in the back separating the main space in the back. I usually carry my iPad or laptop there and use the rest of the space to carry any items I couldn't fit in my luggage or trinkets that I'm bringing back for souvenirs. The front pocket I love because it's a zippered space where I can put my important traveling documents and other miscellaneous items needed for my travels. The backpack straps are wide and padded making it comfortable to wear on my back. The backpack is small enough to fit under a plane seat if you need to access the bag while in flight. – Suzanne Mason , Editor

Zach Watson | U.S. News

Price: $140 or less

This spacious backpack offers the design features of a more technical backpack − like a removable webbing belt along with top and bottom compression straps − but with an emphasis on everyday needs. There are numerous interior pockets to keep all of your travel essentials securely stowed, a TSA-approved laptop sleeve and a front zippered organization pocket. The exterior has two deep, adjustable side pockets that can fit two Nalgene-size water bottles. The Osprey Nebula 32 features two padded straps and a breathable back to help make carrying the bag more comfortable, even in humid climates.

My Osprey Nebula 32 is in the running for my oldest personal possession; I've used it for over a decade. That means this Nebula pack started as a college backpack, lugging my textbooks between classes in Chicago snowstorms before joining me in Washington, D.C., where it kept my belongings safe on my humid (and occasionally rainy) bike commutes. Now, I primarily use my backpack for hiking and flying, and it still holds up remarkably well despite my regular mistreatment. I don't intend to replace my go-to personal item anytime soon, so this Osprey backpack has absolutely justified its admittedly high upfront cost. – Zach Watson , Senior Editor

Alissa Grisler | U.S. News

Price: $59.99 or less

Durable and ideal for everyday use or adventures afar, this backpack has a simple design with plenty of packing space. The spacious interior can hold a lot, including your toiletry bag, reading material, change of clothes and more. The laptop sleeve and variety of compartments help to keep items organized and in place. The exterior offers adjustable padded shoulder straps and a waist strap for comfort, a headphone opening, two mesh pockets and a front zippered compartment.

When purchasing a bag, I am looking for something that is durable and multifunctional. With its many storage compartments and large carrying capacity (perfect for the chronic over-packer or anyone who just can't say no to a souvenir), this bag is perfect for both travel and everyday use. – Alissa Grisler , Editor

Rachael Hood | U.S. News

Price: $135 or less

Lightweight and constructed with water repellent nylon, this bag is durable, yet sophisticated. There are two large front pockets for smaller items like a 3-1-1 bag, headphones, wipes and small travel essentials, plus a side pocket for a water bottle or small items. Inside, the spacious interior compartment has a large zippered pocket, two slip pockets and a mesh pocket for keeping things organized, in addition to room for a toiletry bag, in-flight needs and souvenirs you find along the way. The bag features a separate zippered laptop compartment on the back, along with a trolley sleeve to attach it to your carry-on bag, like the coordinating Plume Cabin Size Spinner . What's more, it folds flat to save space when not in use.

I bought my original Lipault City Plume bag for my first trip to Europe over a decade ago. It's been a top pick for my travels for years, and it still looks and works great. The updated City Plume 24H Bag 2.0 is beautifully constructed, stays looking great even through the rigors of travel, fits perfectly under the seat and holds a lot. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Rachael Hood strives to be a carry-on only traveler. Over the years she's tested a variety of bags from multiple brands at an array of prices. To curate this article, she asked her team of editors to share their favorite personal item bags that have worked for all types of travel scenarios.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Luggage Sets
• The Best Checked Luggage, Tested by Editors
• The Best Travel Accessories, Chosen by Our Editors
• What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

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The 18 Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for Easy, Breezy Packing

From basic rucksacks to nifty new features, these backpacks are a traveler's dream come true.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Team T&C are experts in the field of traveling light and packing efficiently . And because we know every traveler has different preferences and needs, our editors took it upon ourselves to research, test, and share our favorite and most reliable styles on the market. Ahead, find the best carry-on travel backpacks designed to go the distance.

Samsonite Silhouette 17 Backpack

A backpack that packs like a suitcase? Why didn't someone think of this sooner? This Samsonite bag is perfect for the traveler who wants to travel light without sacrificing that packing method they've perfected.

One reviewer writes: "Durable yet lightweight. Streamline design and not bulky at all. Perfect carryon size with backpack straps for convenience."

Dimensions: 20" x 12.5" x 7"

Weight: 3.6 lbs

Material: Recyclex

Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack

This bag has compartments, on compartments, on compartments—including an exterior laptop pocket, making it extra easy to slip your computer in and out for TSA.

One reviewer says: "I initially purchased because I needed more storage to function as my work bag. It just so happen I was traveling abroad in that same month as well. I did not realize that it had a strap on the back to make it super convenient to connect to my carry on luggage. The storage in this bag is phenomenal. 10/10 recommend!"

Dimensions: 17.5” H x 12” L x 7.25” D

Packing Capacity: 27L

Material: 100% recycled polyester with a water-resistant finish

Fjallraven Kanken Water Resistant Backpack

These Scandinavian bags have been tested, tried and true since the 1970s. According to T&C 's Associate Shopping Editor Sophie Dweck, who owns several Fjallraven Kankens, they don't offer a lot of frills or features, but they are as practical and reliable as they come. Cute enough to be your day bag but spacious enough to fit all your carry-on essentials, this bag is two-for-one. Plus, there's no shortage of color options!

One shopper says: "This is my second backpack and I just love to use this during my travels. It’s stylish, lightweight and can surprisingly fit my essentials."

Dimensions: 14" H x 10" W x 4 ½" D

Weight: .7 lbs

Material: Vinylon

Calpak Luka Laptop Backpack

Calpak is known for creating travel bags and accessories with smart engineering in mind, and this backpack is an incredibly popular pick for obvious reasons. Thanks to its many compartments, it can hold a ton—shoes, notebooks, bottles, you name it—and is designed to protect a 15-inch laptop in one of the inner sleeves. Even better, it comes in a variety of pretty colors, such as this rose gold hue.

One shopper says: "I love this backpack. My laptop fits perfectly and it’s very roomy to carry a travel umbrella, glasses, electrical cord, notebooks, and more. I love the puffy exterior and have the matching Luca mini. Together, creates a great weekend getaway."

Dimensions: 16" x 12" x 7"

Weight: 1.8 lbs

Material: Polyester

Monos Metro Backpack

The unique feature on this pack from Monos is the detachable, interchangeable pouch that fixes to the front of the bag. This smaller bag is the perfect spot to keep the items you need quick and easy access to, like your passport, headphones, keys, and charging cables.

One shopper says: "I love this backpack! The trolley sleeve is a huge plus, but my favorite feature is being able to remove the Metro Kit. I like that I can conveniently place the backpack under the seat and the Metro kit can hang off the pouch in the seat in front of me, making it easy to grab the essentials mid-flight."

Exterior Dimensions: 11.5" × 16.5" × 6"

Exterior Weight: 2.4 lb (nylon) / 3 lb (vegan leather)

Metro Dimensions: 8.75" × 6.75" × 2"

Metro Weight: .6 lbs

Material: Nylon or vegan leather

Cuyana Leather Backpack 16-inch

For a travel bag that sacrifices neither function and fashion, you turn to Cuyana. The brand's minimalist backpack is crafted with premium Italian leather and tricked out with convenient features, like a spacious main compartment with pockets and a laptop sleeve, two additional exterior pockets, a magnetic snap closure for easy access, comfortable straps that don't dig into your shoulders, and a top handle that allows you to tote the bag around by hand.

One shopper says: "This is the perfect work and travel backpack. I got it in navy and looks amazing. My laptop, notebook, and computer accessories all fit in very neatly with plenty of room for other items. I was a little worried about my water bottle fitting in the front pocket, but it is just fine there and the magnets even help it stay in place. It is simply PERFECT!!!"

Dimensions: 15.1" x 11" x 7"

Weight: 2.6 lbs

Material: Leather

MZ Wallace Metro Backpack Deluxe

MZ Wallace's bags are absurdly lightweight, insanely roomy, and the signature quilting adds interest to an otherwise understated bag. This backpack is no exception. T&C 's Senior News Editor Emily Burack is a massive fan of the brand .

One shopper says: "Bought the Dawn metro backpack deluxe for a recent trip. I squeezed in so many items such as electronics, iPad, cosmetics, a jacket and small crossbody purse. Love the back sleeve that you can attach to your suitcase, and then can convert it to a pocket by zippering the bottom. And finally side pockets that can fit a water bottle."

Dimensions: 2.20" × 6.90" × 16.50"

Weight: 1.3 lbs

Material: REC Oxford

Carl Friedrik 72-Hour Backpack

For the packer who's serious about one-bag travel, Carl Friedrik's aptly-titled pack is a great option. The 25-liter carrier is designed fit up to three-days worth of outfits and is perfectly sized to fit under the seat in front of you. Also worth noting: The front panel fully unzips, there's a laptop sleeve, and various pockets so you can make the most of every nook and cranny.

And if that's not enough to convince you? Succession 's The Roy family is fan of Carl Friedrik , as is T&C 's very own Leena Kim .

Dimensions: 11.8" x 18.1" x 7.1"

Packing Capacity: 25L

Material: Nylon

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

Those who are often guilty of overpacking will get a kick out of this pick. No matter how much you stuff inside of it, the bag is lightweight to carry day in and day out. It's made of a blend of tough, TPU-coated polyester and durable nylon paneling, and has padded shoulder straps which add to the comfort. Also notable is its harness feature that distributes weight and prevents you from suffering from any back or shoulder pain later on.

One shopper says: "The Cotopaxi was my real working bag for carrying 3-4 days' clothing & toiletries. I am impressed with the quality build, the cool appearance of the bag, the organized storage, the way the compartments hold their shape without using heavyweight material. The interior feels well enough secure for my purposes but also has easy access smaller compartment for a light jacket."

Dimensions : 20" x 12" x 10"

Weight: 3 lbs 8 oz

Material: Polyester and nylon

Lo & Sons The Rowledge

At last, your very own Mary Poppins bag. Well, not quite, but it might as well be. Don't be fooled by this bag's streamlined look—it can fit a lot. Yet, its dimensions qualify as a personal item, meaning it fits perfectly under the seat in front of you.

One shopper says: "I love traveling with this backpack. It is compact enough to wear I am not hitting people with it every time I turn around on the plane. It has a compartment for everything and is great quality. Excellent customer service from Lo & Sons, too!!!"

Dimensions: 11.5" x 6.75" x 16.5" (large); 10.75" x 6" x 16" (small)

Weight: 3.2 lbs (large); 2.9 lbs (small)

Material: Nylon and leather

Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack

First of all, this bag is made with 23 recycled water bottles! So it's already a winner. Water-resistant and roomy, it comes with a zippered pouch that can be used as a shoe bag, or for any other essentials you want easy access to. We also love its sleek look—how could you not?

One shopper raves: "I wanted a small backpack that could still carry all my stuff, but also look stylish and sleek. This was it. The Dakota and small is the perfect backpack. Big enough to carry all my stuff as a mom of three while traveling but small enough to not feel too heavy. The material is soft but durable. I’m definitely a forever fan now!"

Dimensions: 11.5” L x 5” W x 17” H

Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz

Material: Premium neoprene and performance air mesh

Aer Travel Pack 3 Black

A true traveler's bag, the main compartment of this backpack lays open flat, so you can pack it like a regular suitcase. It has designated laptop and organizational compartments, plus multiple additional pockets for all your other must-haves. The zippers are also lockable, and there's a pocket just for your AirTag !

One shopper says: "This backpack does everything I need. Keeps things really organized, looks great, comfortable to carry heavy stuff... I really like how it collapses to a smaller profile once it’s empty for both easy storage, and a slimmer profile for a day to day pack."

Dimensions : 13" x 21.5" x 9"

Weight: 4.12 lbs

Tumi Celina Backpack

Tumi is one of the most trusted names in luggage, so you can be sure this bag is of high quality. It has lots of pockets and compartments, but the best feature has to be the Tumi Tracer, which will allow you to track and locate your bag should you misplace it.

One shopper raves : "So light empty and so roomy. Lots of pockets and fantastic construction. A quality backpack that will last for years and years, worth every penny!"

Dimensions : 16.0" x 10.6" x 6.5"

Shinola Detroit The Runwell Backpack

If you're looking to invest in a bag that can really go the distance, it's gotta be high-quality leather. You can trust that this will hold up, and best of all, it'll only look better as it wears in during all your trips to come.

One shopper says: "I purchased this Runwell backpack in the summer of ‘19 to use as my work bag and waited a few years of daily use to review. I can truly say it’s almost perfect; it looks small on me but that’s my fault for not reading measurements. It easily fits my laptop, plenty of cables, paperwork, gym clothes, a shower bag, and many more random things. The pockets in the interior are great; it’s very functional. Although I do clean/condition it every few months, it’s developed a wonderful patina."

Dimensions: 17" H x 10.38" W x 6" D

Weight: 3.9 lbs

Beis Travel The Expandable Backpack

With pockets and compartments galore, the Beis backpack has endless room for all your essentials. And once it's all filled up? You can unzip the expandable zipper for even more space! Never thought you'd be so excited about a backpack? We get it.

One reviewer writes: "The expandable feature makes it great for travel but un-expanded, it’s great for work. The pockets are so functional and the extra padded laptop sleeve is great. Also got caught in a rainstorm this week and the inside of the bag stayed perfectly dry!"

Dimensions: 13" x 15" x 5-7"

Weight: 1.67 lbs

Material: 100% recycled poly

Troubadour Aero Backpack

This top-loading backpack not only features a main inner section with a ton of clever pockets, but there's also a 3D top pocket for easy access to your toiletries, a dedicated space for shoes, and a separate padded compartment for a laptop. Even better: It doubles as a duffle carrier for days when you'd prefer carrying your things as a crossbody.

One shopper says: "Just perfect. Enough pockets in the right place without being annoying or irritating and it looks sooooo good."

Dimensions: 13.4" x 20" x 7.9"

Weight: 2.75 lbs

Material: Recycled polyester fabric, recycled polyester lining, vegan leather trim

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack

Known for the suitcases everybody can't get enough of, Away also offers a range of backpacks that feature the same intelligent designs and user-friendly features. The aptly-named Everywhere knapsack is made with water-resistant nylon and features a wrap-around zipper for extra access in the main compartment.

One shopper writes : "It may be a little much to say this backpack changed my life, but it changed my life.. It's comfortable. It's SO well designed, with a logical place for everything. It holds a LOT. It's stylish and stays upright when you put it down. Most importantly (and the reason I bought it in the first place), I'm no longer sore after walking around and carrying my stuff all day. I may never go back to wearing a shoulder bag again. Worth every penny."

Dimensions : 12" x 5.9" x 17.7"

Weight : 2.45 lbs

Material : Nylon and leather

Paravel Fold-Up Backpack

The genius of this backpack? Its compact size can fit a ton without weighing a ton, and when it's not in use, it folds up flat and zips into a space-saving pouch. Bonus: Get yours customized with your initials for a personalized touch.

One shopper says: "I couldn’t believe that a roomy backpack could zip up very easily into a pouch! It is very roomy with several zip up compartments for extra storage. It looks very nice. I am going to Europe and was searching for a lightweight backpack. This is perfect!"

Dimensions: 13" x 16" x 9"

Weight: .63 lbs

Material: Nylon from recycled water bottles

.css-1q42gf4{color:#030929;font-family:NewParis,NewParis-fallback,NewParis-roboto,NewParis-local,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.625rem;margin-top:1.875rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1q42gf4{font-size:1.875rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-1q42gf4{font-size:2.625rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1q42gf4{font-size:2.625rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1q42gf4{font-size:3.125rem;line-height:1.1;}}.css-1q42gf4 b,.css-1q42gf4 strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-1q42gf4 em,.css-1q42gf4 i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;} What to look for when buying a carry-on travel backpack

A carry-on travel backpack is a great in-flight companion because it's conveniently designed to be super spacious and a hands-free way to carry your belongings.

When shopping for the best option, it's important to choose a bag that can fit underneath the seat in front of you. While sizes vary depending on the airplane, most domestic airlines in the United States require a personal item to be somewhere around 17 inches tall, 13 inches wide, and 8 inches long.

Equally as important: Look for a backpack with functional features, such as organization pockets, full zip openings, a laptop sleeve, and adjustable straps for a comfortable fit.

Why trust Town & Country?

For more than 170 years, Town & Country has been the trusted source for influence, taste, elegant living, and the finest things in life. We cover everything from the latest and greatest in beauty to luxury travel to the buzziest fashion trends of the season. All of our stories are thoroughly researched, tested, and vetted by T&C editors and industry experts.

Meg is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com where she researches trends, tests products, and looks for answers to all your burning questions. She also co-writes a monthly column, Same Same But Different . Meg has previously written for Cosmopolitan and Town & Country . Her passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and sustainability. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.

Sophie Dweck is the associate shopping editor for Town & Country, where she covers beauty, fashion, home and décor, and more. 

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U.S. tourist faces 12 years in prison after taking ammunition to Turks and Caicos

An Oklahoma man faces up to 12 years in prison on a Caribbean island after customs officials found ammunition in his luggage.

Ryan Watson traveled to Turks and Caicos with his wife, Valerie, to celebrate his 40th birthday on April 7. They went with two friends who had also turned 40.

The vacation came to an abrupt end when airport staff members found a zip-close bag containing bullets in the couple's carry-on luggage. Watson said it was hunting ammunition he had accidentally brought with him — but under a strict law in Turks and Caicos, a court may still impose a mandatory 12-year sentence.

"They were hunting ammunition rounds that I use for whitetail deer," Watson told NBC Boston in an interview conducted last week that aired after their first court appearance Tuesday.

"I recognized them, and I thought, 'Oh, man, what a bonehead mistake that I had no idea that those were in there,'" he said.

The couple were arrested and charged with possession of ammunition. Authorities seized their passports and explained the penalties they faced.

Valerie Watson said in the interview: "When I heard that, I immediately was terrified, because I was like we can't both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home, and this is such an innocent mistake."

The charges against her were dropped, and she returned home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday after the court hearing to be reunited with her two young children.

"Our goal is to get Ryan home, because we can’t be a family without Dad," she said.

The couple also spoke about the financial burden of a much longer-than-planned trip. "This is something that we may never recover from," Ryan Watson said.

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a warning to travelers in September about a law that strongly prohibits possession of firearms or ammunition in Turks and Caicos, an overseas British territory southeast of the Bahamas that is a popular vacation spot.

It said: "We wish to remind all travelers that declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands] and will result in your arrest."

The embassy added: "If you bring a firearm or ammunition into TCI, we will not be able to secure your release from custody."

The embassy and the government in Turks and Caicos did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The same thing happened to another American, Bryan Hagerich, of Pennsylvania, who was arrested after ammunition was found in his luggage before he tried to board a flight out of Turks and Caicos in February. He said he accidentally left it in his bag.

Hagerich was on a family vacation with his wife and two young children but has now been in the country for 70 days. He spent eight days in prison before he posted bail.

"It’s incredibly scary. You know, you just don’t know what the next day may bring — you know, what path this may take," Hagerich told NBC Boston.

"You know, it’s certainly a lot different than packing your bags and going away with your family for a few days. It’s been the worst 70 days of my life," he said.

Hagerich, once a professional baseball player, was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the MLB 2007 June amateur draft from the University of Delaware.

His case goes to trial May 3.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

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We Tested Lo & Sons’ Best-selling Travel Bags Across the Country — Here Are Our 5 Favorite Styles

Shop these spacious, stylish, and functional bags ahead of your spring travels.

If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Travel + Leisure / Daisy Rodriguez

Packing for any trip is a multi-step process of paring down exactly what you’ll need to be the most prepared for any adventure. Of course, clothing and proper footwear may be the first things that come to mind, but selecting the best travel purse for the job is also key for setting you up for a stress-free (and stylish) vacation. As a self-proclaimed purse connoisseur, I was thrilled when the Travel + Leisure team was recently granted the opportunity to put Lo & Sons’ high-quality range of travel-ready bags to the test — and my fellow writers and editors felt the same after taking the thoughtful and luxurious bags to the real world.

Tested from the streets of New York to Boston and Los Angeles, Lo & Sons travel purses proved to provide next-level organization and space for every trip you might have on the horizon. So, keep reading to find our team’s favorite styles, so you can make the best selection for your itinerary. 

Pearl Crossbody

Lord & Sons

“My purse collection is my pride and joy, and while I firmly believe that you can never have too many, I have also found that since testing this shockingly spacious and versatile bag I have begun reaching for my other pieces significantly less. I’ve been in need of a new black bag to take the place of the one I’ve been using since college, and the roomy compartments and adjustable straps of this purse easily slid right into my collection — so easily, in fact, that I have received compliments from nearly every friend that I’ve worn it around.

Apart from one large primary compartment that’s secured with three snaps, this bag also boasts two additional zippered pockets which offer all the security I’m looking for in any purse I’m traveling with. I’m even able to fit my basic essentials (phone, wallet, keys), alongside a book, notebook, and a glasses case, with room to spare during busy days running around New York City. 

I’ve been wearing this purse as a shoulder bag but was impressed to find that it’s not only adjustable to crossbody length (which is ideal for maximum security while traveling), but it also comes with an extra looped strap that turns this bag into a handy wristlet for upscale dinners and nights out. And while my biggest gripe with other purses is that my keys often get lost within the depths of the pockets, a convenient key leash has completely put this issue to bed. All that to say, this is the perfect purse for every single occasion, day or night — and it’s absolutely gorgeous!” - Merrell Readman, Senior Commerce Writer

Travel + Leisure / Merrell Readman

Bond Crossbody Sling Bag

Lo & Sons

“I’ve had my eye on this stunning leather sling bag for quite some time, and I was ecstatic when the opportunity came to test it. The bag’s functional design, which is stocked with plenty of pockets and a spacious main compartment, makes it roomy enough to hold a day’s worth of essentials, whether I’m getting on a flight, exploring a new city, heading to an appointment, or hiking (I don’t love to expose the high-quality sheepskin leather to the elements, but if you have the spot-cleanable polyester version, then definitely don’t worry about getting it dirty). 

But, what I really love is how long the strap is. I’m busty, and I’m finding that not every sling bag’s strap is long enough to comfortably drape over my chest — which has made me hesitant to hop on the bag trend. However, The Bond’s 29.5-inch strap expands up to 40.25, giving me plenty of room to wear it crossbody style without feeling constricted. But, it's so smooth and soft to the touch that I love holding it. 

And, unlike other belt bags that I’ve tried, this one actually looks like a purse with its luxe leather exterior — not a frumpy fanny pack. This means that I can easily wear it for casual outings and even dress it up for fancier occasions.” - Emily Belfiore, Commerce Editor

Waverley 2 Convertible Crossbody

“After testing this genius 4-in-1 convertible bag at home in Boston, I can honestly say that I've never tried a travel purse that's so versatile. Thanks to its adjustable strap, it can be worn four ways: crossbody, belt bag, shoulder, wristlet/clutch — which means I can dress up my look depending on what's on the itinerary. Running errands or walking around town, I loved the casual crossbody and belt bag styles, while on a dinner night out I loved the sleeker wristlet and shoulder styles. Based on a photo review I saw on the website, I even tried running the strap through my belt loops as a literal belt — that was a first for me style-wise, but I loved the security, so I will be doing it again.

At 5.6 inches by 8 inches by 2 inches, it's just big enough to hold my essentials — wallet, keys, phone, AirPods, and Chapstick — but it's still small enough to look inconspicuous (and elevated) for a night out and not be burdensome. It's light at .6 pounds so it feels natural yet still secure when it's on me. My only note is that travelers who will be out all day and need to load up on snacks and a change of clothes might want a bigger bag with more storage space, but I found this perfect for short jaunts.

I loved the thoughtful features like a clever back pocket for a card (as in a Metrocard, or in my case, Charlie Card) — I wish I'd known a bag with a feature like this existed sooner, because it's been so convenient for quickly and easily whipping out when I enter a subway station. It also zips up for added security and has several thoughtfully placed interior pockets for cards.  Finally, the leather makes this look super stylish — and as someone who tends to go for function over style, I'm happy to have found the rare bag that truly does both. It'll definitely be coming on all my trips this summer.” - Kayla Becker, Senior Commerce Editor 

Nouvelle Crossbody

“I have a few different crossbody bags that I swap between, but ever since I got the Nouvelle Crossbody, it’s been the only bag I’ve wanted to wear. It’s the perfect size — not too big, not too small — and can hold all of my personal belongings on a day-to-day basis (lip gloss, wallet, keys, phone, etc.) with room to spare. Not to mention it has super convenient inner pockets that I can store extra cash, cards, and other belongings that I want quick access to. 

I also love how the bag itself feels almost a bit cushioned, so I use it as a protective pouch whenever I’m traveling or wandering around with my camera. And as a surprising treat, the straps are also padded, which makes it extra comfortable for carrying around all day long. As for the material, I’m personally a fan of its nylon construction that allows for easy cleaning if I get a smudge on it. All in all, it’s an excellent bag.” -Ali Domrongchai, Commerce Writer  

Aoyama Purse

Lo & Sons 

"I've been on the crescent-shape bag train for a while now since the style allows me the room to carry more than my hip belts, and I was excited to add an ivory version to my travel rotation for spring and summer. In comparison to my current go-to, this Lo & Sons purse is one of the most spacious and versatile bags I've tried.

For starters, it's actually multiple bags in one, which gives you more bang for your buck when you're paying a higher price tag for luxury style. The adjustable strap turns this purse into a crossbody, shoulder bag, and even a cute clutch — just unclip the strap and snap the two outer clips together. This feature helps it effortlessly transition from day to night during a trip.

With a length of 15 inches and height of 11.4 inches, this thing is roomy; I've nicknamed it my Mary Poppins bag. On a weekend outing, I can pack all of my necessities — phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses case, tissues, chapstick, a baseball cap, and a lightweight sweater — inside without it feeling overly bulky or heavy. Thanks to interior pockets and a key leash, staying organized on the go is super easy.

The bag is incredibly comfortable to carry, even when full, and it's very lightweight coming in at less than a pound. It's the perfect travel purse, as it can also fold down flat into my carry-on luggage, if I'm bringing my laptop backpack as my personal item on a flight.

And, it's stunning. Made of the most buttery-soft leather (with an easy-to-clean poly interior), the slouchy design is super cool, it comes with a wide sporty fabric strap, and has a large exterior side zip pocket that gives me quick and convenient access to my essentials. It is quickly becoming a staple in my wardrobe and I can't wait to travel with it this summer." - Susan Brickell, T+L Commerce News Director 

Merrell Readman

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Frontier offers flights starting at $29 to nonstop destinations from Philly

Frontier is looking to help travelers out this summer with affordable flights, by brianna fallon • published 6 hours ago • updated 6 hours ago.

Frontier Airlines is giving travelers a chance to book their summer getaways on a budget to celebrate their growth to 42 nonstop destinations from Philadelphia. 

The airline is holding a sale for two days only that offers a free carry-on bag and a free seat assignment, in addition to their low fares.

Flights to and from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) through June 12, 2024, could be purchased with fares starting at $29 if booked by May 1, 2024. And if you're a part of the airline's membership program, Discount Den , fares will start at $19 on flights to select destinations.

Léelo en españo l aquí .

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"What better way to show our pride in serving the Philadelphia community than by offering a free seat and carry-on allowance in addition to our ultra-low fares," said Tyri Squyres, vice president of marketing for Frontier Airlines. "Whether you're traveling for a well-deserved vacation, a business trip, or visiting loved ones, we'll save you money when you fly out of Philadelphia International Airport with 42 nonstop destinations to choose from."

Want to score this deal for your big summer trip?

Travelers can take advantage of the free seat selection and carry-on baggage offer by booking their reservation on the FlyFrontier website or mobile app, using the code "FREEBIE" at checkout.

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Frontier also recently introduced UpFront Plus , a new seat option on the company’s airplanes.

The new seating option offers extra legroom and elbow room in the first two rows of the aircraft. In addition, customers who purchase the upgrade are able to select a window or aisle seat with a guaranteed empty middle seat.

Promotion Details:

• Fares must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 2, 2024.
• Offer fares are valid for nonstop travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays through June 30, 2024; and August 15, 2024 through October 31, 2024, except for certain states and days.
• The following blackout dates apply: May 27, 2024; September 3, 2024; From 11 to 14 October 2024.
• Not all markets are available for all travel dates.
• 14-day advance purchase required. 
• No round-trip purchase is required.
• Certain conditions apply, so it is recommended to contact the airline directly for more information.

Details about the Seats & Luggage Promotional Offer:

• Only available on flyfrontier.com and through the Frontier mobile app.
• The limited-time $0 price is available only at the time of initial booking for new bookings made by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 1, 2024, for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through June 12, 2024.
• Valid only on flights departing from or arriving from selected airports: CLE, CLT, CVG, IND, ONT, PHL, PIT, SJU or SLC.
• Limit of one carry-on baggage per person per direction; Size and weight limits apply.
• Free standard seat selection only; The seat must be selected at the time of initial booking.

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic Refunds of Airline Tickets and Ancillary Service Fees

Rule makes it easy to get money back for cancelled or significantly changed flights, significantly delayed checked bags, and additional services not provided  

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed. The new rule makes it easy for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their checked bags, or fail to provide the extra services they purchased.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg . “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”  

The final rule creates certainty for consumers by defining the specific circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds. Prior to this rule, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund. As a result, refund policies differed from airline to airline, which made it difficult for passengers to know or assert their refund rights. DOT also received complaints of some airlines revising and applying less consumer-friendly refund policies during spikes in flight cancellations and changes. 

Under the rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:

• Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.  
• Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.  
• Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

DOT’s final rule also makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. In addition, passengers would receive a travel credit or voucher by default from some airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process.  

The final rule improves the passenger experience by requiring refunds to be:

• Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.   
• Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.  
• Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.    
• Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines.

The final rule also requires airlines to provide prompt notifications to consumers affected by a cancelled or significantly changed flight of their right to a refund of the ticket and extra service fees, as well as any related policies.

In addition, in instances where consumers are restricted by a government or advised by a medical professional not to travel to, from, or within the United States due to a serious communicable disease, the final rule requires that airlines must provide travel credits or vouchers. Consumers may be required to provide documentary evidence to support their request. Travel vouchers or credits provided by airlines must be transferrable and valid for at least five years from the date of issuance.

The Department received a significant number of complaints against airlines and ticket agents for refusing to provide a refund or for delaying processing of refunds during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, refund complaints peaked at 87 percent of all air travel service complaints received by DOT. Refund problems continue to make up a substantial share of the complaints that DOT receives.

DOT’s Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration

Under the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Department’s history.

• Thanks to pressure from Secretary Buttigieg and DOT’s flightrights.gov dashboard, all 10 major U.S. airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov .  
• Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.   
• Under Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.  
• DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable, and protect the rights of the traveling public.  
• In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the U.S. was a record low at under 1.2% — the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel.  
• DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs.

In addition to finalizing the rules to require automatic refunds and protect against surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would:

• Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, and the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.  
• Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.   
• Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity . The comment period on this proposed rule closes on May 13, 2024.

The final rule on refunds can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news and at regulations.gov , docket number DOT-OST-2022-0089. There are different implementation periods in this final rule ranging from six months for airlines to provide automatic refunds when owed to 12 months for airlines to provide transferable travel vouchers or credits when consumers are unable to travel for reasons related to a serious communicable disease. 

Information about airline passenger rights, as well as DOT’s rules, guidance and orders, can be found at   https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .