How to Build a Bug Out Bag: Complete Beginner Guide

A bug out bag (BOB) is a pre-packed kit that lets you survive independently for 72 hours if you need to evacuate your home quickly. Whether it’s a wildfire, hurricane, flood, or other emergency, your BOB gives you everything essential in one grab-and-go package.

This guide walks you through building your first bug out bag—what to include, how to prioritize, and how to avoid common mistakes.

What Is a Bug Out Bag?

A bug out bag is a portable kit containing the supplies you need to survive for at least 72 hours (3 days) away from home. The name comes from military slang—“bugging out” means evacuating quickly.

Key characteristics:

• Self-contained — Everything you need in one bag
• Portable — Light enough to carry for extended periods
• Ready to go — Packed and stored where you can grab it fast
• 72-hour minimum — Enough supplies for 3 days of independence

Who Needs a Bug Out Bag?

Not everyone needs a full bug out bag. Consider building one if you:

• Live in an area prone to wildfires, hurricanes, or floods
• Could face evacuation orders
• Live in a location with limited exit routes
• Want maximum preparedness for any scenario

If evacuation is unlikely in your area, focus on a home 72-hour kit first.

The 10 Categories of Bug Out Bag Essentials

Every bug out bag should address these ten survival priorities:

1. Water (Top Priority)

Water is your most critical need. You can survive weeks without food but only days without water.

Pack:

• 1-2 liters of water in durable bottles
• Water filter (like the Sawyer Squeeze)
• Purification tablets as backup
• Collapsible water container for resupply

How much? Minimum 1 liter carried, plus filtration/purification for more.

See our complete guide: Best Water Filters for Bug Out Bags →

2. Shelter & Sleep

Protection from the elements can be life-saving. Even in mild weather, nights get cold.

Pack:

• Emergency bivvy or lightweight sleeping bag
• Compact tarp (8x10 ft minimum)
• Paracord (50-100 ft)
• Ground pad or emergency blanket

Decision: Emergency Bivvy vs. Sleeping Bag—which should you pack?

3. Fire & Heat

Fire provides warmth, water purification, cooking, signaling, and morale.

Pack:

• Primary: Bic lighter in waterproof case
• Backup: Ferro rod fire starter
• Tinder: Cotton balls with petroleum jelly or commercial fire starters
• Optional: Compact stove for cooking

Tip: Pack 3 ways to make fire. Lighters fail, matches get wet, ferro rods need practice—redundancy matters.

Best Fire Starters for Bug Out Bags →

4. Light

Darkness makes everything harder. Good lighting is essential for safety and morale.

Pack:

• Primary flashlight (200+ lumens)
• Headlamp for hands-free work
• Extra batteries
• Optional: Glow sticks for marking/signaling

Compare: Flashlight vs. Headlamp—Which Should You Pack?

5. First Aid

Most emergencies involve minor injuries. Be ready to handle cuts, burns, blisters, and sprains.

Pack:

• Quality first aid kit (not dollar store junk)
• Personal medications (2-week supply minimum)
• Blister care (moleskin, bandages)
• Pain relievers, antihistamines, anti-diarrhea meds

First Aid Kit Basics →

6. Tools

A good cutting tool handles countless tasks—shelter building, food prep, repairs, and more.

Pack:

• Fixed blade knife OR quality multitool
• Duct tape (wrap around water bottle to save space)
• Zip ties
• Small repair kit (needle, thread, safety pins)

Multitool vs. Fixed Blade—What to Pack?

7. Food

You can survive without food for 72 hours, but calories maintain energy and morale.

Pack:

• Emergency food bars (2,400-3,600 calories)
• Optional: Freeze-dried meals (require water and stove)
• Energy bars or trail mix
• Electrolyte packets

Tip: Focus on calorie density and shelf life over taste. This is survival food, not camping food.

8. Navigation

If you need to evacuate on foot, knowing where you’re going matters.

Pack:

• Local/regional maps (paper, not phone-dependent)
• Compass (learn basic use)
• GPS device or phone with offline maps

Know: Your evacuation routes—primary and alternates.

9. Communication & Power

Information and the ability to reach others can be critical.

Pack:

• Emergency radio (NOAA weather band)
• Power bank (10,000+ mAh)
• Charging cables
• Written list of emergency contacts

Best Emergency Radios → | Best Power Banks →

10. Documents & Personal

Important documents and personal items round out your kit.

Pack:

• Copies of IDs, insurance, medical info (waterproofed)
• Cash (small bills)
• Emergency contact list
• Change of clothes (weather-appropriate)
• Hygiene basics (toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothbrush)

Complete Bug Out Bag Checklist

Optional & Recommended Additions

Beyond the essentials, experienced preppers and organizations like FEMA and the Red Cross recommend additional items based on your situation.

Tools & Safety

Documents & Personal Items

According to FEMA, you should have copies of critical documents ready to grab.

Comfort & Morale Items

Don’t underestimate morale. Survival experts consistently recommend packing a few comfort items—being mentally resilient matters as much as physical supplies.

Family & Children’s Items

If you have children, Mountain House and TruePrepper recommend packing kid-specific items. Children need comfort even more than adults during emergencies.

Weight Guidelines

Your bug out bag should be light enough to carry for extended periods—especially if you’re traveling on foot.

General guidelines:

• Beginner/unfit: 10-15% of body weight
• Average fitness: 15-20% of body weight
• Very fit/experienced: 20-25% of body weight

Body Weight	Light Load	Medium Load	Heavy Load
120 lbs	12-18 lbs	18-24 lbs	24-30 lbs
150 lbs	15-23 lbs	23-30 lbs	30-38 lbs
180 lbs	18-27 lbs	27-36 lbs	36-45 lbs
200 lbs	20-30 lbs	30-40 lbs	40-50 lbs

Packing Order

Pack your bag strategically for access and weight distribution:

Bottom: Sleeping system, extra clothes (rarely needed during the day)

Middle: Food, water containers, heavier items (close to your back)

Top: Rain gear, first aid, snacks (frequent access)

Outer pockets: Flashlight, map, multitool, water bottle (immediate access)

On your person: Knife, lighter, small flashlight, whistle (always accessible)

Choosing the Right Backpack

Your bag itself matters. Look for:

• Capacity: 35-50 liters for most BOBs
• Comfort: Padded hip belt and shoulder straps
• Durability: Quality zippers, reinforced stress points
• MOLLE/attachment points: For adding pouches
• Neutral colors: Gray, tan, green—avoid tactical black if you want to blend in

Don’t: Use a school backpack. It lacks support for the weight you’ll carry.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Too much stuff. The #1 mistake. Every item should have a purpose. If you’re not sure you need it, leave it out.

No practice. Pack your bag, wear it, test your gear. Know how everything works before you need it.

Set it and forget it. Check your bag every 6 months. Rotate food and water, replace expired items, update documents.

Copying someone else’s list exactly. Your bag should reflect your climate, fitness level, and likely scenarios. A desert bag differs from a northern winter bag.

All gear, no skills. A $500 bag won’t help if you can’t start a fire, navigate, or dress a wound. Practice matters more than gear.

Maintaining Your Bug Out Bag

Task	Frequency
Check batteries	Monthly
Rotate food/water	Every 6 months
Check medications	Every 6 months
Update documents	Yearly
Full inspection and test	Yearly
Adjust for season	Spring and fall

Bug Out Bag vs. Get Home Bag

Feature	Bug Out Bag	Get Home Bag
Purpose	Evacuate home, survive 72+ hours	Get home from work/away
Weight	15-30+ lbs	5-15 lbs
Duration	72 hours minimum	24 hours typical
Location	At home, ready to grab	In car or office
Contents	Full survival kit	Compact essentials

Build a Get Home Bag →

Next Steps

1. Start with the essentials. Water, shelter, first aid, light, and a way to communicate.
2. Fill gaps over time. You don’t need to buy everything at once.
3. Test your bag. Pack it, wear it, use your gear.
4. Make a plan. Know your evacuation routes and destinations.
5. Review regularly. Update and maintain your kit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a complete bug out bag cost?

A solid starter BOB costs $150-300. You can go cheaper with budget gear ($100-150) or higher with premium equipment ($500+). Start with basics and upgrade over time.

Should I build or buy a pre-made bug out bag?

Build your own. Pre-made bags often contain low-quality gear and miss important items. Building lets you customize for your needs and learn your equipment.

How often should I update my bug out bag?

Do a quick check monthly (batteries, medications), rotate food and water every 6 months, and do a full review yearly. Also update for seasonal changes.

Where should I store my bug out bag?

Somewhere accessible that you pass regularly—near your front door, in a hall closet, or by the door to your garage. If you can't grab it in 60 seconds during an evacuation, it's in the wrong place.

What's the difference between a bug out bag and an INCH bag?

A BOB is for 72-hour emergencies. An INCH bag (I'm Never Coming Home) is a larger kit for indefinite survival scenarios. Most people only need a BOB—INCH bags are for extreme situations.

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Related Guides:

• Get Home Bag: Complete Guide
• 72-Hour Kit for Families
• Best Water Filters for Bug Out Bags
• Emergency Bivvy vs. Sleeping Bag

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Sources

This guide was informed by the following authoritative sources:

• Ready.gov - Build A Kit — Official FEMA emergency preparedness guidelines
• American Red Cross - Survival Kit Supplies — Red Cross emergency kit recommendations
• TruePrepper - Bug Out Bag List — Comprehensive 137-point checklist from experienced preppers
• Mountain House - Kids Bug Out Bag — Family and children’s preparedness guidance
• Bug Out Bag Academy — Community-tested gear recommendations and morale item suggestions