Best premade bug out bags for emergency and wilderness survival

Whether you are backing or camping in the wilderness or just preparing for a disaster or emergency situation, being prepared with enough supplies to last the first 72 hours is necessary, as about 90% of rescues and evacuations happen within this timeframe. The best way to prepare for such eventualities is to have an emergency bug out bag (referred to as BOB and sometimes also called bail out bag).

The best option for assembling building a bug out bag is to pick and choose your supplies based on the emergency situation you are preparing for. However, if you are someone who does not have the time or knowledge to pick and choose each item one by one, then you can opt for a premade bug out bag (such bags are also called pre-packed bug out bags or off-the-shelf bug out bags). These pre-packed survival kits can also act as excellent starting points to customize based on your needs.

In this article, we look at some of the best premade bug out bags out there. We will focus on both everyday emergency bug out bags and the wilderness get-home bug out bags. You can carry them in your car, RV, have them handy around your house or as a backpack during a hiking trip. We will also look at some of the factors to consider while picking such items and also share some additional resources to refer to while making or modifying your bug out bags for emergency preparation.

Best premade bug out bags for best wilderness survival

Picture	Product	Size Weight	Features
	Zippmo Extreme 2P Bug out Survival Kit	Person #: 2 Size: 10"x14"x18" Weight: 17 lbs.	- Fully loaded survival bug out bag with a very high-quality water-resistant backpack. Extra storage for additional items. - Comes with tube tent, emergency sleeping bags, body warmers and ponchos. - Also contains Emergency Radio, Nalgene water bottle, purification tablets, first aid kit, fire starter and a Morakniv fixed blade knife. - Five-year life of food supplies and two-year of first aid kit.	Check Price
	Emergency Zone Stealth Tactical 2P Bug out Bag	Person #: 2 Size: 11"x14"x21" Weight: 25.85 lbs.	- Two-person, tactical survival bug out bag with a hydration-compatible (2-lt bladder included) Stealth Tactical Backpack. Also has two Nylon organization bags for additional weather protection and a waterproof cover for the backpack. - Features a 2P dome tent, two emergency sleeping bags, two ponchos and 8 hand warmers - Also comes with made in the US food and hygiene supplies, a 165 piece first aid kit, knife, multi-tool and Dynamo radio + flashlight. - Five-year life of food supplies and two-year of first aid kit. One year warranty on the backpack.	Check Price
	Echo-Sigma Nucleus Emergency Kit Core System	Person #: 1 Size: 9"x13"x18" Weight: 12 lbs.	- One person, emergency bug out bag with a 2.5 lt. gallon hydration system. Heavy-duty water-resistant backpack. - Includes a tube tent, emergency sleeping bag, poncho and a pair of hand warmers - Also, comes with food supplies, Echo-Sigma compact survival kit, SOG multi-tool, Fenix flashlight and Midland emergency radio. - Five-year life of food supplies and two-year of first aid kit. - The backpack is available in three colors.	Check Price
	Guardian Survival Gear Hiker's Deluxe Emergency Kit	Person #: 2 Size: 7" x 12" x 18" Weight: 15 lbs.	- A 72-hour premade bug out bag with all basic supplies along with a multi-tool knife, emergency radio, flashlight and first-aid kit. - High-quality backpack with multiple pockets for extra storage. - Also comes with survival sleeping bags and two ponchos - Five-year life of food supplies and two-year of first aid kit.	Check Price
	Sustain Supply Co. 2P Premium Emergency Survival Bag	Person #: 2 Size: 12"x16"x20" Weight: 20 lbs.	- A decent 2P survival bug out bag that works well for wilderness survival. - Features 12 servings of Mountain House food, along with 24 pouches of Datrex emergency water and a Sawyer Mini water filter. A collapsible bowl and two sporks are also included. - Comes with a Morakniv Companion knife, portable wood burning stove, cookware, Ferro-rod and tinder. An LED lantern, light sticks and flashlight are also included. - Comes with a first aid kit and two emergency blankets, but no tent. You would have to add an ultralight shelter separately, along with an emergency radio. - 30 -year shelf life of food, 5 years for water and 2 years on first aid kit.	Check Price

Best premade bug out bags for emergencies and urban survival

Picture	Product	Size Weight	Features
	Emergency Zone Urban Survival Bug Out Bag	Person #: 2 Size: 10"x15"x17.5" Weight: 15 lbs.	- Complete two-person pre-packed bug out bag with a discreet, water-resistant tactical backpack. Additional pockets for extra storage. - Features a 2P tube tent, two reflective sleeping bags and ponchos, a pair of body warmers and a 118 piece survival first aid kit and N95 masks. - Comes with US coast guard approved food supplies, AM/FM radio with batteries, flashlight sticks and multi-tool knife. Also has additional Zip-lock bags and a weatherproof dry bag. - Five-year life of food supplies and two-year of first aid kit. One year warranty on backpack	Check Price
	Ready America 70280 Emergency Kit	Person #: 2 Size: 8"x10"x15" Weight: 8 lbs.	- Two-person budget bug out bag featuring a standard Ready America water-resistant backpack - Features two emergency sleeping bags, two ponchos and standard 35-piece first aid kit. - Comes with US coast guard approved food supplies, water purification tablets, multi-tool, water bottle, emergency hand-crank power station that acts as flashlight, radio and cellphone charger. - Five-year life of food supplies and two-year of first aid kit. - A family-size 4P kit is also available.	Check Price
	Rescue Guard Survival Family Bug Out Bag	Person #: 2-4 Size: 8"x10"x15" Weight: 20 lbs.	- Advanced, 4-people budget bug out bag featuring a level three survival kit that covers 72 hours of supplies for four people (6 days supply for two people). - Features two emergency sleeping bags, two ponchos and standard 35-piece first aid kit. - Comes with US coast guard approved food supplies, water purification tablets, multi-tool, water bottle, flashlight and lantern, and two surgical dust masks. - Five-year life of food supplies and two-year of first aid kit.	Check Price
	Redfora Emergency Bug Out Bag	Person #: 1 Size: 10"x10"x16" Weight: 8 lbs.	- Complete one-person, three-day urban survival bug out bag that features a water-resistant backpack with additional pockets. - Features a reflective Mylar blanket, emergency poncho, portable backpacking stove. - Comes with US coast guard approved food supplies with 32 servings of food, 107 piece first aid kit, emergency whistle and squeeze flashlight - Five-year life of food supplies and two-year of first aid kit. One year warranty on backpack.	Check Price
	Life Gear Emergency Survival Backpack	Person #: 1 Size: 5"x13"x18" Weight: 2.5 lbs., 6.5 lbs. with food	- Ultralight one-person, pre-packed bug out bag with no food ration. Needs to be purchased separately - Features a standard water-resistant backpack. - Comes with a first aid kit, thermal blanket, all-weather poncho and a document dry bag - Five-year life of food supplies and two-year of first aid kit. One year warranty on backpack	Check Price

What is a bug out bag and are premade bug out bags a good idea?

A Bug Out Bag (also known as BOB or bail-out bag) is a portable, easy-to-carry kit that contains the essentials you need to survive the first three or four days when an emergency or disaster situation arises. Typically, bug out bags focuses on survival through the first 72 hours as most evacuations and rescues happen within this time frame, though some bags may provide supplies for even longer time frames.

Bug out bags are different from survival kits in the fact that bug out bags focuses on evacuation rather than mere survival. Off course, some of the items in your bug out bag would assist in long-term survival as well and the best bug out bags have some sort of survival kit in them.

Bug out bags can be designed specifically for use in off-the-grid wilderness survival as well as urban emergency situations such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and wildfires. They are generally classified as emergency bug out bags which are comprehensive and have supplies to cover all aspects of surviving the first 72 or so hours.

Some bug out bags are more of get home bags which just have items to help you get to civilization from an off-the-grid location. Such bags generally have supplies that last around 24-36 hours and are not as comprehensive as the real “emergency bug out bags”. But they are lighter and cheaper and useful as backups during off-the-grid activities such as car-camping and backpacking.
Irrespective of the type of bug out bag, a typical bag provides supplies for the following main categories:

• Food and water
• Shelter and weather protection
• Fire and lighting
• First aid
• Tools
• Personal Protection
• Communication

The best bug out bags are the ones which are tailor-made for specific situations and your own personal requirements. So you are better off by assembling one from scratch. However, if you are a beginner or do not have the time or resources to prepare, you can choose to get an off-the-shelf, premade bug out bags and then customize them as per your needs.

The major advantage with the pre-packed bug out bags is that you conveniently get basic items picked by experts without having to hunt for them. One the other hand, the major downside is that you would often get some unnecessary items in the bag as most manufacturers do not offer personalization with such bag (isn’t it a great idea? – some suppliers do that actually for direct purchases).

In the next sections we will look at the major factors to consider while picking the best premade bug out bags for wilderness and urban survival and share our top picks.

How to pick the best premade bug out bags for your needs?

With a bunch of pre-packed bug out bags available in the market with considerable variations in their prices, picking the best premade bug out bag can be a challenging task. After all, you need an option that needs minimal customization. You can look at the following factors to pick the best premade bug out bag for your needs.

• Building material and design of backpack
• Size and weight of the bug out bag
• Contents included in the bug out bag
• Additional features and considerations

Building material and design of the backpack

The backpack is the most important part of a bug out bag and also the main reason why you have so much variation in prices of bug out survival kits. After all, all your supplies are as secure and convenient to access as your backpack permits.

The construction material of the backpack shell is the first thing to look at. They should high-quality zippers that are reliable and can hold the supplies intact while on the move. Moreover, they should have padded shoulder straps to make it comfortable to carry them around. The bug out bags that we listed all have high-quality construction and are made of tactical polyester (taffeta) and nylon fabric.

Such bags are designed to last and are water-resistant, though not fully waterproof, meaning that they can withstand mild exposure to water and moisture but would not withstand heavy rains. So, if you want a fully waterproof protection, you would need to get an additional waterproof backpack cover. The Emergency Zone Stealth Tactical 2P Bug out Bag comes with such a cover included with the kit.

In addition to water protection, you should look for a backpack which has a bunch of explicit and hidden additional pockets to hold items such as documents, medications, extra supplies etc. MOLLE or hydration bladder compatibility is another closely related feature to look out for.

In terms of color and looks, you should look for a backpack that has discreet looks and does not exhibit itself to be a survival bug out bag (though there is no harm in that). Zippmo, Echo-Sigma, and Emergency Zone bug out bags are some examples that are popular for their inconspicuous looks.

Check out the backpack construction quality and design to determine if a particular bug out backpack is suitable for your needs. (The size of bug out backpack is also important, but we would discuss it separately).

Size and weight of the bug out bag

The size of the bug out bag in terms of the dimensions of the backpack and the number of persons supported by it, along with the weight of the bug out kit is another important factor to consider.

The dimensions of bug out bag should be such that the emergency supplies that come with it do not take more than one-third to one-half of the space. You would need rest of the space to add other personal items such as medications, an extra pair of clothing or documents and maps. Most of the options that we listed, especially the Emergency Zone bug out bags, have a reasonable amount of empty space to add additional supplies.

Depending on your preference, you may choose to get a one-person or two-person bug out bag. Anything bigger would be difficult for a single person to carry on the back. One-person bug out bags are smaller and lighter, though we would recommend opting for a two-person bug out bag even if you are going to travel solo as you would have a lot of additional space for more items.

Considering you may have to carry the bug out bag for an extended period of time, the weight of the bag is also an important consideration. The general rule of thumb is to not have a bug out bag which weighs more than 25% of your body weight. So if you weigh 90 pounds, it is worthwhile to keep your bug out kit under 22 pounds. Of course, if you are an avid outdoorsman who loves to backpack, you can carry more weight over longer distances when compared to a normal person.

Check out the dimensions of the backpack, number of persons supported by the bug out bag kit and the overall weight of the kit to determine the most suitable option for your needs.

Contents included in the bug out bag

The contents that are included in the bug out bag can play a major role in determining which option would be best suited for you or your family. As mentioned earlier, the best bug out bag is one which is tailor-made for your specific requirements. So, it is obvious you may need to customize a pre-packed bug out bag kit as per your requirements.

Depending on whether you are looking for an emergency solution for wilderness or off-the-grid survival or something for urban disasters and emergencies, the contents of the bug out bag can vary considerably. Typically, you should check that your bug out bag supplies has you covered for following major categories:

• Food and water: In addition to food bars and water pouches, having a mechanism for water purification is highly recommended. For wilderness survival, a backpack with a hydration bladder (or bladder support) is preferable.
• Shelter and weather protection: More important for wilderness survival.
• Personal hygiene
• Fire and lighting: More important for wilderness survival, though a flashlight is important in all cases.
• First aid: An expanded first aid kit is better than the basic injury kit.
• Tools and personal protection: For wilderness survival, you may need something more than just a multi-tool. Wire saw and quality knife are two such things.
• Communication: Emergency battery-less radio
• Miscellaneous Items: Can include duct tapes, additional batteries, dust masks, paracord etc. These can vary for wilderness and urban survival.

Most of the options that we listed have items that cover almost all the above categories.

In addition to the number of contents, the quality of the items included in the kit is also important. Having US Coast Guard approved ration supplies, water filters instead of purification tablets, high-quality battery-free flashlight/radio are some things to look at. This is also one of the primary reasons why assembling your own bug out bag is recommended by many as some manufacturers include low-quality, non-functional items in their bug out bags. Thankfully, most of the options that we listed are established brands and have contents of reasonable quality which can be relied upon.

Check out the quantity and quality of the supplies included before deciding upon the best bug out bag for your needs.

Additional features and miscellaneous considerations

In addition to the major criteria discussed above, there are some other miscellaneous considerations that can make a particular purchase more suitable for your needs.

The reputation of the manufacturer, customer service and warranty on the bug out bag is probably the most important additional consideration. Picking a manufacturer that does more than just assemble the supplies and packs them is often a good indicator of the quality of the bug out bag. Most options that we have listed are established names which manufacture additional emergency supplies such as survival backpacks, survival kits, first-aid kits etc. They have in-house experts, dedicated customer service support and provide a one year or more warranty on the items purchased.

In addition, make sure your purchase directly from the manufacturer or authorized brand seller. This would ensure more reliability on your purchase and speedy resolution of any issues.

Finally, while going beyond the discreet looks of the backpack does not help, many people prefer multiple look-and-feel options to choose from. Backpacks with Camo or Coyote prints are most popular, so if you have such a preference, check the model which has such a color combination available.

You can look at all these additional factors to determine if they make a specific tactical bug out bag a better choice for your needs.

Things to remember after purchasing a bug out bag

In addition to the above factors, keep following things in mind to make sure you are comfortable with your purchase:

• Once you get a bug out bag, check all the contents to ensure there are no missing items. In case some items are missing, contact the customer care to get a refund or replacement.
• For food and water supplies and first aid kit, check the expiry date on the items to ensure you are getting maximum value. It does not make sense to have food and water supplies that are already three years old.
• Review the user guide of items such as straw filters, fire-starters, shelters and practice using them before re-packing. This helps you in familiarizing with them and also detecting any manufacturing defects

Which are the best premade bug out bags and what our picks are?

Zippmo Extreme 2P Bug out Survival Kit review – Editor’s pick for the best premade bug out bag for wilderness survival

If you are looking for a great value-for-money kit that also balances the overall weight of the bug out bag, then the Zippmo Extreme 2P Bug out Survival Kit is an excellent option to check out. This survival bug out kit is designed to handle an emergency situation in the wilderness or other off-the-grid locations wherein access to food, water and shelter may be limited.

The Zippmo Extreme bug out bag features a high-quality water-resistant bug out backpack which has plenty of extra storage for additional items. The bag has a dimension of 10″x14″x18″ and weighs a decent 17 pounds with the contents. The bag is smaller and lighter than the Emergency Zone Stealth Tactical 2P Bug out Bag and that is why we picked it over the Emergency Zone bug out bag which is about 8 lbs. heavier, leaving very little scope for customization.

The Zippmo Extreme kit comes equipped with all necessary items for food and shelter, emergencies and personal hygiene. It has two 2400 calorie Datrex emergency food packs and 20 water packs. You may want to top these bars with Meals Read-to-Eat (MREs) for better nutrition. The kit comes equipped with a Nalgene water bottle and water purification tablets. The kit also has a basic Adventure Medical First Aid Kit and hygiene and toiletries.

For shelter, the kit has a BRW 2P tube tent, 2 emergency sleeping bags, and 2 ponchos. It also has a couple of 24-hour body warmers and work gloves that can double up as warm hand gloves. For lighting the bug out kit has Snaplight sticks and a LED Mini Flashlight.

For tactical gear the bug out bag features Magnesium Fire Starter, Bic lighter, paracord, Ring wire saw, Compass, Whistle, and signal mirror. And the kit features a Morakniv Pro S Survival knife, which is an excellent quality knife to carry. The kit, however, does not come with an Emergency crank radio and you would have to get one separately. Our recommended budget option is the iRonsnow Dynamo Emergency radio.

Emergency Zone Urban Survival Bug Out Bag review – Editor’s pick for the best premade bug out bag for urban and disaster survival

Emergency Zone is an established name in survival kits industry and the Emergency Zone Urban Survival Bug out Bag is one of their most popular kits for bugging out in disaster situations such as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and floods.

The Urban Survival Bug out bag is a complete, two-person kit for bugging out. It features a discreetly designed, water-resistant Stealth tactical backpack. The backpack is smaller and lighter than the Stealth tactical bug out backpack from the same manufacturer but not by much. With full supplies, the kit weighs a manageable 15 pounds. The kit also has a weatherproof zip bag for additional weather protection.

The Emergency Zone Urban Survival Kit comes loaded with all essentials for food and water and weather protection. The kit comes with 2 SOS food bars and 12 water pouches, which you can expand by adding additional MRE’s if required. The kit also comes with a standard supply of personal hygiene and sanitation items.

It also features a standard 2P tube tent, two sleeping bags, ponchos and hand warmers. For emergency care, the bug out bag has a 118 piece first aid kit and 2 N95 dust masks.

Among tools, the kit comes with a multi-tool knife, can opener and 5-in-one survival whistle. Additional items such as glow sticks, pencil, a pair of work gloves and rope are also included. For communication, the kit comes with a dynamo crank radio and flashlight.

And to top everything up, like all other Emergency Zone products, the bug out bag comes with a 48-page emergency preparedness guidebook.

Ready America 70280 Emergency Kit – Best value pick for premade bug out bag

If you are looking a budget bug out bag that you can keep in your house or garage and load in your car or RV for a quick bugging out, then check out the Ready America 70280 Emergency Kit. This survival kit offers a decent set of items without breaking the bank. It’s only slightly costlier than the popular Ready America bug out bag, but has a better quality backpack.

The Survival kit comes with a standard three-pocket hiker’s backpack which also has some additional pockets on the inside. The backpack is water-resistant and not much smaller than the Emergency Zone bug out backpack. It is, however, not as discreet and has the manufacturer label on the backpack.

The Ready America survival kit contains all the basic supplies that you would need for urban as well as wilderness survival (you may need to add a knife and few more MREs). The kit features a couple of food bars and 24 pouches of water. You would, however, have to add some water purification tablets or a filter for water purification.

For shelter, the Kit features a 2P tube tent, sleeping bags, ponchos, body warmers and a couple of separately-packed first aid kits. The first aid kits are basic and you may need to add a couple of over-the-counter items for allergies and fever. The kit also has a pair of hygiene kits with toiletries and sanitation supplies.

The kit is also equipped with an AM/FM emergency radio with batteries and rechargeable squeeze LED flashlight and a 14-tools multi-tool.

Do it yourself (DIY) resources for bug out bags

As discussed above, the best option for you is to make your bug out bag depending on your personal requirements and situation. If you are a beginner and looking for guidance on how to start on building an emergency preparedness kit, you can check out the following excellent books:

• Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag by Creek Stewart: The bug out bag bestseller. A perfect book for beginners and experts both.
• Realistic Bug Out Bag by Max Cooper: A perfect book for emergency preparedness for Average Joe. Filled with easy practical tips and principles to follow.
• Bug Out Bag: A Quick BOB Guide By Robert Reinoehl: Another great book on emergency preparedness and making a perfect bug out bag.

In addition to the great guides above, check out the following excellent online resources:

• Wikipedia’s Bug Out Bag Article: For basic information. The References section has lot of additional government resources for urban emergency survival
• How to Make a Bug Out Bag by Art of Manliness: A popular article with categories of items that you need and why do you need them.
• The Ultimate Bug Out Bag Checklist: Features a customizable checklist that you can email yourself or print. The site also has additional suggestions specifically for urban and wilderness survival.

You can also check out the below video on how to assemble a simple, yet effective emergency bug out bag:

Final thoughts on the best premade bug out bags to buy

Bug out bags are essential kits for emergency preparedness. Whether you are prepping up for wilderness survival or urban disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires or the proverbial zombie attack, having a bug out bag with necessary supplies to last first 72 hours or more is a must. The best bug out bag is one that is tailor-made for your emergency situation and personal requirements. But if you are a beginner and looking for a good starting point, an off-the-shelf premade  bug out bag is the way to go.
In this article, we looked at some of the best premade bug out bags available in the market. We looked at the best pre-packed bug out bags for wilderness as well as for urban emergency survival. We also listed out some of the most important factors to consider while picking a pre-packed bug out bag for your needs and also shared some additional resources to look at while preparing for emergencies.
We hope that this article would help you identify a suitable emergency bug out kit for your needs. Do let us know your feedback by providing your valuable comments below. Until next time, stay safe and stay prepared!

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Image credits:Amazon.com