The Bug Out Bag Checklist

Start with the bag and the weight limit

Pick a comfortable backpack with a hip belt, around 35–50 liters. A loaded bag should stay at or under about 20% of the carrier's body weight; heavier than that and most people slow down sharply after a few miles. Walk a few miles with the loaded bag before you trust it. Make one bag per adult and a lighter one for older children.

Water and food

Water is the heaviest item, so carry some and the means to make more:

• 1–2 liters of water per person, in bottles or a bladder.
• A compact filter plus water treatment tablets or a small bottle of unscented bleach with a dropper.
• A metal cup or small pot that can go on a fire for boiling.
• 3 days of calorie-dense, no-cook food: bars, nut butter packets, jerky, dried fruit, ready-to-eat meals.

Shelter and clothing

Exposure kills faster than hunger. Pack for the worst weather in your area:

• Rain jacket and a warm insulating layer, even in summer.
• Spare socks (two pairs) and a warm hat and gloves.
• A tarp or lightweight tent, cordage and an emergency blanket or bivy.
• A sleeping pad or bag rated for your climate if you may sleep outdoors.

First aid, hygiene and medicines

Carry a compact first-aid kit with bandages, gauze, tape, blister care, pain relievers, antihistamines and any personal items. Pack at least a week of prescription medicines and a written list of medications and allergies. Add hand sanitizer, toilet paper, a small trowel and a few trash bags.

Light, fire, tools and navigation

• Headlamp with spare batteries.
• Two ways to start fire: a lighter and waterproof matches or a ferro rod.
• A fixed-blade or folding knife and a small multi-tool.
• A paper map of your area with two routes to your destination marked, and a compass.
• A whistle, a charged power bank and a phone cable.

Documents and cash

Keep copies of IDs, insurance policies, prescriptions and emergency contacts in a waterproof bag, plus an encrypted USB drive if you use one. Carry cash in small bills; card readers fail when the power does.

What to leave out

Most overweight bags are full of 'just in case' gear: heavy tools, big knives, cans, extra gadgets. If you haven't used an item on a practice walk, consider leaving it. Check the bag every six months: rotate food and water, replace batteries and medicines, and swap clothing for the season.

Packing for children, older adults and pets

Children can carry a small bag with their own water bottle, a snack, a warm layer, a flashlight and a comfort item such as a book or small toy. Put a card in every child's bag with your name, phone number and meeting place. Adults carry the heavy items. For older adults or anyone with limited mobility, keep the bag light and plan for help — a wheeled cart or a neighbor with a vehicle can matter more than any gear.

Pets need their own kit: food and water for three days, a collapsible bowl, a leash or carrier, waste bags, vaccination records and a recent photo in case you get separated. Many shelters only accept pets in carriers, so check local rules ahead of time.

Where to keep your bag and when to leave

Store each bag somewhere you pass on the way out: a hall closet, near the back door or in the car trunk if you usually drive. Keep sturdy shoes next to it. Decide your triggers in advance — an evacuation order, a wildfire within a set distance, rising flood water, or a gas leak — so nobody has to debate it in the moment. Leaving early is almost always safer than leaving late. Tell your out-of-area contact where you're heading and which route you're taking.

Practice once a year: everyone grabs their bag, you walk the first mile of your route, and you note what was missing, too heavy or hard to find.

Frequently asked questions