Prioritized bare bones go bags on a budget
A2 - August 9, 2021I want input, but will start things off with a few of my own ideas.
Critical preps are water, shelter, and food.
My first go bag was a daypack I happened to have lying around, with a bottle of water, Anyoo rain poncho, wool sweater, Powerbars, a map, cheap compass, pocketknife, small pad of paper/pencil, Mylar blanket, lighter, boo-boo first aid, and a slim Maglight flashlight. The bag sat in my front closet on top of an old pair of hiking boots with socks stuffed inside.
It sorta covered basics, but in a very cheap and haphazard way. But I didn’t have the money for anything better.
As I became more educated about what a go bag needs to have (thanks, ThePrepared people), I added better gear…but again, still on a budget. Here’s how I did it.
WATER—REI wholesale and sales to the rescue. Bought my metal water bottle and water filters this way.
SHELTER—I still don’t pack a tent in my go bag. Too heavy. But I still use the Anyoo rain poncho ($25/Amazon) because it’s tough and huge when not rolled up. It has eyelets on the hem for use as a shelter or ground sheet.
FOOD—I’m not a fan of indigestion during an emergency, so concentrated Powerbar-like things don’t work for me. Instead, I carry PROBAR (Wholeberry Blast) meal bars. 360 calories per bar. There are cheaper ways to scarf calories, and you can even make your own, which is *very* much cheaper, but you’ll need a vacuum-sealer. I also prefer Mountain High meals, for their ease and nutrition, but they’re expensive. I only carry three of their meals in my go bag, so the expense isn’t such a hit.
CLOTHING—I use Poshmark and sales at outdoor stores. I pick quality…but at a steep discount. Example: I found a Skea down ski jacket for $18. Other good used places: REI wholesale, threadUP, Patagonia Worn Wear. My winter layers (and yours will depend on your climate) are wicking tech poly next to my skin, then wool, fleece, down, rain shell. In summer, it’s wicking tech poly next to my skin, then a SPF camp shirt, a light fleece or down sweater for cooler nights, and a rain/wind shell. I pack each season’s clothing in its own zippered bag and switch them out twice a year. Quality inexpensive brands: Amazon Essentials, Little Donkey Andy, Columbia.
GEAR—Again, sales and the above used clothing/sports outlets carry backpacks and other camping-like gear. I’ll say it again: buy quality, lightly-used items.
FIRST AID—I’ve never been able to figure out a way to do a solid first aid kit on the cheap, so I bought a big first aid bag and filled it—very slowly—over time. (VANQUEST FATPack 7×10)
I will try to do I’ll do a post for home preps on a budget, next.
-
Comments (32)
-
-
-
-
Carlotta SusannaStaff
-
-
-
rangerjohn
I like the trolley idea, and I’ll raise you a stair climbing dolly, folding, 250 pound capacity.
-
rangerjohn
I keep a stair climbing dolly in the back of the truck, collapsible, 250 pound capacity.
-
Gideon ParkerStaff
-
Gideon ParkerStaff
You do have backpacks and duffle bags that also have rolling capabilities. For your wild fire evac you can use the rolling feature and if you have to carry the pack like during an earthquake you can throw it on your back.
I don’t think these will stand out at all as some tactical/prepper person with lots of great stuff inside their pack.
I don’t recommend these for bugging out, but as a comfort bag to evacuate to a fema/red cross shelter then I think these could be a great solution.
-
Alicia
Conrad B
Matt Black
Candles
Greg P
Bob
Carlotta Susanna
wildfireexpert
LBV
rangerjohn
Alisa Felix
Gideon Parker
