IF i had a Bug-Out bag...

I don't believe in Bug-Out bags.  I say that every time i'm asked, if I have time to grab one bag, I have time to load my real gear and be properly prepared to survive any extended crisis.  That being said, my backpack camping load out is about as close as I have to a bag I could grab and go with and survive.

The pack and its contents has been selected to be mobile and efficient, but provide everything i need to survive.  I can go overnight, a long weekend, a week, or a month, the only difference is the volume of food I add to it.

First, the backpack itself. It needs to be a "bag" to carry everything in, have pockets and compartments that organize gear, act as a mounting platform for several tools weapons and equipment, and have a frame and suspension system that allows it all to "ride" on me comfortably for both miles and hours of hiking.

My choice is a Kelty  Coyote 80. I love the fit and feel of Kelty backpacks, and rely on my Redwing 50 regularly for day hikes. This 80 liter pack is arguably the most comfortable large pack around.  I picked green to blend and allow easy concealment if i had to hide it, as large and efficient as a Rucksack but without the military look or attention.

The first thing everyone sees it my SOG Tomahawk lashed to the pack.  Yes it s technically a "tactical tomahawk" so it could be a throwing or combat weapon, but it also serves very well working with timber for a camp fires and other camp needs. Its not an axe by any stretch of the imagination, but it fills the need. I will admit, vanity got the best of me and i went for the upgraded green digital camo version.

Ok so here is most of my load out all spread out, and inventoried for an overview.

Up on the right is my ultra light Vango Banshee 300 tent I had shipped from Europe.  I have pulled the poll bags out and carry them in a separate pocket.   A full review of it is coming, but the design, function, and material of the Banshee was worth all the trouble of acquiring a European tent.

Included is a Green MPI All weather space blanket, some parracord and S clips.  I also have my Jetboil Zip to serve as a cook system for meals, and hot water for both drinks and hygiene.  A MSR Miniworks water filter, Camelbak Groove water bottle with the intagrated charcoal filter, and my Camelbak All Clear UV purifier fulfill my water needs.   With this kit I can produce almost limitless safe drinking water on a multi day hike.

Up on the left are my hiking gloves and polls, binoculars, Several flash lights, Hand warmers, First Aid kit, head lamp and arm marker lamp, both a fixed and folding knife, Bushnell Backtrack, and safety whistle.   Another important need is rest, so you also see my Klymit insulated V sleeping pad and Klymit X Pillow.  Both get top marks for comfort and quality, but also both are very compact and light weight.

Spare clothes include convertible hiking pants, REI active shirt, termal military undershirt, wool socks and underwear, mesh "wet" shoes, and some other personal items.  It all fits in the green compression sack.  I regularly add or swap out clothes based on the season and expected weather, but the pants and shirt always stay.

And Here is my ledge light weight 20 degree sleeping bag, a few microfiber camp towels, my tent light, and a supply of cliff bars and other trail food that i always keep in my pack.  You can also see that i make good use of the tie ons to my pack, and have attached my tents under tarp.