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Blaylocke's Bada** Bug-Out-Bag Building Odyssey (As written by a poor slob)
Preface: Let my explain the purpose of this thread. This is not a how-to, more of a running diary as I build my BOB. I have learned more from the search function of this forum than I can even explain. But most of what I read is about people already having their BOB built. This will show how mine came to be.
So, I kicked around the idea of posting this in the "what did you do today to prep?" thread, but thought that might hijack it, plus I didn't really do this today. Anyway, I am a college bound individual with limited assets. So when the SHTF, you'll find me in the woods with my cheap chinese knockoffs. As such, you wont be seeing the greatest BOB material you can buy. Only what was practical for my purposes. I read extensively, pinch pennies where I can and hem and haw over any real decision making, meaning that (most) of my BOB should be somewhat well thought out. That said, I have never done this before. I'm expecting my BOB brethren (you, dear reader) to help guide my actions, let me know when I've gone astray, and offer any hard earned advice you might have to give me.
It's a work in progress and I'll be updating this thread as I work to build it, until it's done.
The bag
Say hello to the LA Police Gear 3 day back pack.
It can be found here:
LA Police Gear 3 Day Backpack
It's the OD Green version. I found it after numerous searches for "cheapest bug out backpack" (I told you I was on a budget). People had a lot of suggestions, but I kept coming back to this one. For 30 dollars ($40 shipped) I wasn't hoping for much. But when it arrived on my doorstep, I was very happy. The stitching is very solid, nothing about the bag feels cheap or poorly thought out. Here is a caveat: As my needs grow, I may outgrow this bag. The beauty of this bag is that, in the beginning, it will serve as my get-home-bag. As my kit grows, it will serve the purpose of Bug-out-bag.
And when I get enough stuff to need to upgrade? It will again be downgraded to a very effective get-home-bag.
My main gripe (although how much bubbleguming can you do on a $40 bag?) is that the waist belt is padless, and all of the buckles on the backpack are "meh". Not bad, just not anything great. Perfectly serviceable, is all.
It's 2590 cubic inches, so sayeth the website, and has three pouches.
Bottom:
Upper:
Main:
You will probably notice that organizing features are absent. It's true. It will hold a lot, but you'll be doing a dig.
Here is a hydration pocket/slit. I doubt I will be using it for that purpose, and it doesn't appear to have loops to hang the bladder. Therefor it would just sort of flop around in the bag. There are slits for the tube to come out of the pack, although they're not pictured. Can't speak much more about it, except that it will likely serve only as storage for me.
Straps for MOLLE gear:
Side:
Bottom:
I've loaded it with a bit over thirty pounds. It held up just fine. I am heading out for a tryout session here in a few weeks as soon as I am done getting the supplies I need and want.
The Shelter
ALPS Mountaineering Backpacking Tents | REI Co-op
This post details my logic on buying this tent - Link
The Goodies
Beta version 1.0
So remember way long ago before a wall of words and pictures, where I said the pack started as a get-home-bag, and was built up? The evidence is in the picture to follow. It is not fully functional BOB yet. You will see items obviously meant for the GHB which have been folded into the BOB. You'll also notice that there is not sufficient food, or water, or shelter or...get the picture? I have recently made a series of purchases that seek to rectify this situation. However, those will be for another update. Here is the current iteration of the BOB that could.
Ruger 10/22 (2 BX-25 Mags, standard 10 round mag, brick of ammo)
This is the rifle I'll be carrying around when the SHTF. While society may collapse, my BOB is more banking on ugliness if we experience the megaquake. As such, I'm more concerned with being able to go wabbit hunting with a big brick of ammo, or firehose some burgler trying to take my BOB goodies. This hit the fan.
Springfield XD9SC (2 hi-cap mags, one 10rnd mag, 100 rounds ammo)
This is my EDC pistol. Not much to say except that it will obviously be coming with me if things go bad.
Bandaid container with 50+ assorted bandages and tube of neosporin.
A pack of three of these containers was selling at Costco for $8 at the pharmacy. It comes with various bandages and 3 single use neosporin tubes. I supplimented this with another three pack of neosporin, one for each case, one in my BOB. If SHTF I don't want a paper cut to kill me.
Bic lighter
2x energy bars
Five hour energy
Large sterile cotton bandage.
One particle mask
I picked all of this up at Wallyworld. This was initially part of my get home bag. While I plan to suppliment the firestarting capabilities, a bic lighter is a pretty easy way to start. I plan on carrying two or three, but for now, it's the one.
100" 550 paracord
$6.99 at the hardware store. I probably could have gotten a better deal online, but I love the little guy. It's 7-strand, the good stuff.
SABRE Pepper Spray
Same as the paracord, I bought this at the hardware store here in town, Chehalis Sunbirds. It was also 6.99, a pretty good deal, compared to online. This is EDC for me, so it comes during SHTF scenarios.
Knife
Cabelas Multi Tool
I didn't shop for these, I had these laying around. They both serve obvious purposes, so they're self explanatory.
_____________________
Immediate to do list:
Ruger 10/22 Sling
Test and add newly purchased items to pack.
Pull trigger on tent purchase
Pull trigger on sleeping bag purchase
Pull trigger on survival knife purchase.
Decide which of my flashlights to add.
Work on knot tying. Stop putting it off, me!
_____________________
And there we have it. This post will be updated strictly with updates for my bag. I'll likely be harassing all of you for answers and advice, however.
Kirk out.
Preface: Let my explain the purpose of this thread. This is not a how-to, more of a running diary as I build my BOB. I have learned more from the search function of this forum than I can even explain. But most of what I read is about people already having their BOB built. This will show how mine came to be.
So, I kicked around the idea of posting this in the "what did you do today to prep?" thread, but thought that might hijack it, plus I didn't really do this today. Anyway, I am a college bound individual with limited assets. So when the SHTF, you'll find me in the woods with my cheap chinese knockoffs. As such, you wont be seeing the greatest BOB material you can buy. Only what was practical for my purposes. I read extensively, pinch pennies where I can and hem and haw over any real decision making, meaning that (most) of my BOB should be somewhat well thought out. That said, I have never done this before. I'm expecting my BOB brethren (you, dear reader) to help guide my actions, let me know when I've gone astray, and offer any hard earned advice you might have to give me.
It's a work in progress and I'll be updating this thread as I work to build it, until it's done.
The bag
Say hello to the LA Police Gear 3 day back pack.
It can be found here:
LA Police Gear 3 Day Backpack
It's the OD Green version. I found it after numerous searches for "cheapest bug out backpack" (I told you I was on a budget). People had a lot of suggestions, but I kept coming back to this one. For 30 dollars ($40 shipped) I wasn't hoping for much. But when it arrived on my doorstep, I was very happy. The stitching is very solid, nothing about the bag feels cheap or poorly thought out. Here is a caveat: As my needs grow, I may outgrow this bag. The beauty of this bag is that, in the beginning, it will serve as my get-home-bag. As my kit grows, it will serve the purpose of Bug-out-bag.
And when I get enough stuff to need to upgrade? It will again be downgraded to a very effective get-home-bag.
My main gripe (although how much bubbleguming can you do on a $40 bag?) is that the waist belt is padless, and all of the buckles on the backpack are "meh". Not bad, just not anything great. Perfectly serviceable, is all.
It's 2590 cubic inches, so sayeth the website, and has three pouches.
Bottom:
Upper:
Main:
You will probably notice that organizing features are absent. It's true. It will hold a lot, but you'll be doing a dig.
Here is a hydration pocket/slit. I doubt I will be using it for that purpose, and it doesn't appear to have loops to hang the bladder. Therefor it would just sort of flop around in the bag. There are slits for the tube to come out of the pack, although they're not pictured. Can't speak much more about it, except that it will likely serve only as storage for me.
Straps for MOLLE gear:
Side:
Bottom:
I've loaded it with a bit over thirty pounds. It held up just fine. I am heading out for a tryout session here in a few weeks as soon as I am done getting the supplies I need and want.
The Shelter
ALPS Mountaineering Backpacking Tents | REI Co-op
This post details my logic on buying this tent - Link
The Goodies
Beta version 1.0
So remember way long ago before a wall of words and pictures, where I said the pack started as a get-home-bag, and was built up? The evidence is in the picture to follow. It is not fully functional BOB yet. You will see items obviously meant for the GHB which have been folded into the BOB. You'll also notice that there is not sufficient food, or water, or shelter or...get the picture? I have recently made a series of purchases that seek to rectify this situation. However, those will be for another update. Here is the current iteration of the BOB that could.
Ruger 10/22 (2 BX-25 Mags, standard 10 round mag, brick of ammo)
This is the rifle I'll be carrying around when the SHTF. While society may collapse, my BOB is more banking on ugliness if we experience the megaquake. As such, I'm more concerned with being able to go wabbit hunting with a big brick of ammo, or firehose some burgler trying to take my BOB goodies. This hit the fan.
Springfield XD9SC (2 hi-cap mags, one 10rnd mag, 100 rounds ammo)
This is my EDC pistol. Not much to say except that it will obviously be coming with me if things go bad.
Bandaid container with 50+ assorted bandages and tube of neosporin.
A pack of three of these containers was selling at Costco for $8 at the pharmacy. It comes with various bandages and 3 single use neosporin tubes. I supplimented this with another three pack of neosporin, one for each case, one in my BOB. If SHTF I don't want a paper cut to kill me.
Bic lighter
2x energy bars
Five hour energy
Large sterile cotton bandage.
One particle mask
I picked all of this up at Wallyworld. This was initially part of my get home bag. While I plan to suppliment the firestarting capabilities, a bic lighter is a pretty easy way to start. I plan on carrying two or three, but for now, it's the one.
100" 550 paracord
$6.99 at the hardware store. I probably could have gotten a better deal online, but I love the little guy. It's 7-strand, the good stuff.
SABRE Pepper Spray
Same as the paracord, I bought this at the hardware store here in town, Chehalis Sunbirds. It was also 6.99, a pretty good deal, compared to online. This is EDC for me, so it comes during SHTF scenarios.
Knife
Cabelas Multi Tool
I didn't shop for these, I had these laying around. They both serve obvious purposes, so they're self explanatory.
_____________________
Immediate to do list:
Ruger 10/22 Sling
Test and add newly purchased items to pack.
Pull trigger on tent purchase
Pull trigger on sleeping bag purchase
Pull trigger on survival knife purchase.
Decide which of my flashlights to add.
Work on knot tying. Stop putting it off, me!
_____________________
And there we have it. This post will be updated strictly with updates for my bag. I'll likely be harassing all of you for answers and advice, however.
Kirk out.
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