"Go" totes vs "go bags". Pros/cons, suggestions.

[Indy62]

I don't know what everyone's definition of a go-bag is, but for me, it's a backpack large enough to carry a few days supplies and change of cloths, strap to your back comfortably and securely, and allow you to also maintain control of your rifle while walking.

 

[CamoDeafie]

I don't know what everyone's definition of a go-bag is, but for me, it's a backpack large enough to carry a few days supplies and change of cloths, strap to your back comfortably and securely, and allow you to also maintain control of your rifle while walking.

 

[Certaindeaf]

The original tote is a pack or trapper's basket for the lotion.

 

[Xaevian]

 

[Lazyfaire]

COLE-TEC makes a good sized tote. They call it their Grocery Getter. Double lined, handles are very strong. Threw away all my crappy grocery carriers and just use this one. Can carry lots of ammo and anything else you want to carry. Multiple colors (mine is black multicam outer and orange inside) $50-55

Grocery Getter | Cole-TAC Outdoor Gear

The Grocery Getter from Cole-TAC is the best way to carry your essential gear. Whether you need to haul loaves of bread or cases of ammo, our rugged bag will outperform your expectations. With a pocket in front, integrated key snap, and Molle-compatible webbing, the Grocery Getter keeps your gear…

www.cole-tac.com

 

[bradsteen]

Slightly more expensive, but pelican or similar cases that have pull handles and wheels like luggage would be a good alternative to a tote, more portable at least.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Either/or it just doesn't matter. Guns I like to put in hard case not totes.

These kinds of bags you can overload with crap cuz they are huge and have wheels and they are cheap. They were $18 but prob a bit more now. So if you beat the piss out of them like I do putting heavy steel plates and all kinds of bs going to the range who cares the worst you can lose is $18. They've survived for years being way overstuffed and way way overloaded. I even drag them one the ground with steel plates in them which of course abrades them but who cares.

For travel I use clear bins cuz you can see everything and if anything leaks or food crumbs it's contained.

 

[Boyandhisdogs]

I've been using these Rubbermaid Action Packers for years, and they've held up great. I like that you can also sit on them, and use the top like a little table.

After going through a major fire down at my winter place on the Yucatan, I learned how important it is to have your important papers and valuables ready to go in an emergency.

It was very interesting to find out what people grabbed before running out of their homes, and mostly they were things they were thinking about during the day, or things they were planning on using the next day, like mayonnaise and scuba gear. Not one person thought to grab their passport, credit cards, and cash.

View attachment 1865414

I love those. I keep my "camp kitchen" packed in one of these, and as you say, it makes a great seat or table. I have a few, and used them to pack tools in when I was doing a lot of side work, so they can handle being tossed around with that much weight in them.

 

[Bacchus]

What you're calling a Go Bag I call a Bug-Out Bag.

I have a small bag in the car that I call a Go Bag; items to get me home in case I have to drive from work to home in a crisis situation. Interestingly, I read a thread where someone asked what should be in the car for those situations. Someone suggested a fold-up bicycle, and to my mind he Won the Thread on the spot, if I had one I wouldn't need anything else.

I also have a Bug-Out Bag in my house, whose purpose is to keep me supplied for 72 hours in case I have to leave and go somewhere else. For most crises I would just bunker down in my house, but in some situations like a flood where you absolutely have to leave I have the Bug-Out Bag. I filled up this bag quite a few years ago, and now I'm not so sure I could handle the weight for very long. Of course you don't want to have to strike out on foot, you want to drive somewhere, and the Tote is a great idea for that. But if the car broke down or ran out of gas, I would throw the Bug-Out Bag on my back and start walkin'. So I agree with the folks here who say both. Now I have to get a Tote.

I highly recommend The Poor Man's Bug Out, Escape, and Evasion book. Illustrated like a comic book and small, but packed with easily accessible, useful, and interesting information.

 

[Angie]

What you're calling a Go Bag I call a Bug-Out Bag.

I have a small bag in the car that I call a Go Bag; items to get me home in case I have to drive from work to home in a crisis situation. Interestingly, I read a thread where someone asked what should be in the car for those situations. Someone suggested a fold-up bicycle, and to my mind he Won the Thread on the spot, if I had one I wouldn't need anything else.

I also have a Bug-Out Bag in my house, whose purpose is to keep me supplied for 72 hours in case I have to leave and go somewhere else. For most crises I would just bunker down in my house, but in some situations like a flood where you absolutely have to leave I have the Bug-Out Bag. I filled up this bag quite a few years ago, and now I'm not so sure I could handle the weight for very long. Of course you don't want to have to strike out on foot, you want to drive somewhere, and the Tote is a great idea for that. But if the car broke down or ran out of gas, I would throw the Bug-Out Bag on my back and start walkin'. So I agree with the folks here who say both. Now I have to get a Tote.

I highly recommend The Poor Man's Bug Out, Escape, and Evasion book. Illustrated like a comic book and small, but packed with easily accessible, useful, and interesting information.

I call your "Go-Bag" a "Get Home Bag." It's stocked with items that I might need to walk home from wherever I'm stuck if the car won't/can't go. It causes some anxiety that I can't take it on a plane with me when I have to travel for work. It's like a security blanket when I'm away from home.

 

[Stomper]

Whatever totes your goat.

I'm usually good at picking up on patterns...but this one has grabbed me by the horns.

Had to stop reading this thread…. it was starting to get my goat.

 

[Nosferatu]

Had to stop reading this thread…. it was starting to get my goat.

Ah, I figured you got your beard stuck in the door again.

 

[Stomper]

Ah, I figured you got your beard stuck in the door again.

Yeah, I've been pretty gruff.



(For you unlearned water-heads around here, that's a homage to the, "Three Billy Goats Gruff").

 

[Ben B.]