Hey all
Only really got into prepping this year.
One integral part of this is the bugout bag. This is an all-scenario, hit-the-fan kind of bag that is there for anything from minor natural disasters to civil unrest to full on apocalypse. The issue is, I'm weighing in a bit heavy - 15-16kg and I think getting this down to 12kg would be ideal.
I'd greatly appreciate any advice on the list below as to how to be more efficient with weight and space
Thanks in advance.
NB. Limiting factors are that we are a family of 3 including a 1 year old, and the cold & wet climate.
Bag
65L hiking bag
Shelter
Wool blanket
2x large tarpaulins
Clothing / insulation
Thick fleece vest or other insulating layer per person (down/synthetic puffers are lighter and packable but may lose loft if left compressed in your bag for extended periods)
Thick winter hat per person
Multiple pairs of socks
Rain poncho or raincoat per person
Baseball caps or sun hats per person
Water
Empty stainless steel bottle (for drinking)
Empty plastic bottle (for washing / collecting unfiltered water, etc.)
Water filtration bag
3x packs water purification tablets
2x lifestraws
Large clear plastic bags (to tie around foliage & collect water)
Fire
5x bic mini-lighters
2x pack matches
1x pack long matches
2x pack stormproof matches
2x ferrorods
General purpose
90m paracord
14x cable ties + rubber bands
8x tent pegs
Duct tape
2x bottles isopropyl alcohol (disinfectant, cleaner, flammable)
Tub of vaseline (flammable, sealant, moisturizer, skin barrier)
3x sporks
Small stainless steel pot
Sewing kit
Nappies & feminine hygiene if needed
3x permanent makers
2x carabiners
Compass
A to Z of Britain
3x whistles
3 x head torches
Pack of long shelf life AA batteries
Pack of long shelf life AAA batteries
2x Pack of wipes
Food
18x granola bars
Sealed mylar pack of oats
Sealed mylar pack of red lentils
Multivitamin pack
Medical kit
Pack of paracetamol
Pack of ibuprofen
Pack of benadryl
Pack of assorted plasters
Pack of antiseptic wipes
Pack of safety pins
Pack of earbuds
Sterile saline eye wash
Tweezers
2x emergency space blankets
Trauma shears
3x 4 yards sterile gauze (for general dressing & wound packing)
4.5m microban dressing
Roll of micropore tape
250mL saline spray (for wound irrigation)
Haemostatic gauze (for wound packing with severe haemorrhage)
15g haemostatic granules pack (severe haemorrhage)
2x 6g homeostatic granules pack with applicator (narrower wounds with severe haemorrhage)
Tourniquet
2x chest seals (for chest wound with pneumothorax)
Triangle bandage
Tools
Three-way-chargeable (wind-up, solar, USB-C) radio & flashlight
Small hatchet
Folding saw
Victorinox Swiss army knife (Swiss Champ – 33 functions)
Victorinox Swiss army knife (Bantam – knife, can opener, bottle opener – for food prep)
Morakniv Garberg knife (full tang fixed blade, 14c28n steel, bushcraft knife)
Additional fixed blade knife (haven't purchased this yet, likely either a Buck or a Cold Steel)
Knife sharpener
Wealth
Diversified wealth storage (cash in different currencies, silver coins, gold coins)
Documents
Passport
Residency permits if needed
Degree certificate
Proof of employment (eg. contract)
Proof of professional registration if applicable
Backup hard drive / USB
Bugout bag - What am I doing wrong?
Re: Bugout bag - What am I doing wrong?
Hiya, lightweight BOBs is a specialty of mine. I did a lot of backpacking when younger so it came fairly naturally.
16-18kg for a family of 3 is actually very good. My BOB is around 12kg, but is for one person. It contains tent, sleeping bag, airbed, closed cell mat, extra winter clothing, food, stove, pot, gas etc. It's aimed at 3 days survival outdoors. Ideally I'd go on my bike, so some of it is in two panniers. I also have a larger pannier with extra stuff for longer duration bug-out. Bike can take 4 panniers.
You need to weigh every item and put them on a simple spread sheet. I use the free Numbers that come with my computer and phone. This allows you to instantly add all the weights. Small items, maybe kept together in a bag, can be weighed together. Mainly it's the heavier items like tarps that I'm interested it, but small items soon add up.
I'll go into my initial thoughts in a separate post, or several, to keep replies organised.
16-18kg for a family of 3 is actually very good. My BOB is around 12kg, but is for one person. It contains tent, sleeping bag, airbed, closed cell mat, extra winter clothing, food, stove, pot, gas etc. It's aimed at 3 days survival outdoors. Ideally I'd go on my bike, so some of it is in two panniers. I also have a larger pannier with extra stuff for longer duration bug-out. Bike can take 4 panniers.
You need to weigh every item and put them on a simple spread sheet. I use the free Numbers that come with my computer and phone. This allows you to instantly add all the weights. Small items, maybe kept together in a bag, can be weighed together. Mainly it's the heavier items like tarps that I'm interested it, but small items soon add up.
I'll go into my initial thoughts in a separate post, or several, to keep replies organised.
Last edited by Frnc on Sat Oct 04, 2025 7:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Bugout bag - What am I doing wrong?
Sleeping mats.
Sorry, this first point is extra weight, not less. But it's important.
First thought, is what are you going to sleep on? Is one tarp for that purpose? What insulation would you have underneath you? This is as important in winter as what you have on top of you. Will the blanket do both?
Recommendation for winter backpacking is a sleeping mat or mats (you can use on on top of another and add the R values) with an R value of about 4.5.
I would suggest you consider getting closed cell foam sleeping mats as a minimum. These vary in quality, thickness, weight and insulation. They don't quote R values, but some have other ratings. You can strap them to the outside of your bag, so you don't need to worry about volume. Mine is made by Multimat, who do a wide range of mats. It's rated as 5 season, was around £30, weighs about 350 g. Cheaper, lower rated ones, will be lighter. You can cut them down to save more weight. I used to cut mine so it reached from shoulders to knees, and was a bit narrower, but if you have nothing else, your lower legs might get cold.
Sorry, this first point is extra weight, not less. But it's important.
First thought, is what are you going to sleep on? Is one tarp for that purpose? What insulation would you have underneath you? This is as important in winter as what you have on top of you. Will the blanket do both?
Recommendation for winter backpacking is a sleeping mat or mats (you can use on on top of another and add the R values) with an R value of about 4.5.
I would suggest you consider getting closed cell foam sleeping mats as a minimum. These vary in quality, thickness, weight and insulation. They don't quote R values, but some have other ratings. You can strap them to the outside of your bag, so you don't need to worry about volume. Mine is made by Multimat, who do a wide range of mats. It's rated as 5 season, was around £30, weighs about 350 g. Cheaper, lower rated ones, will be lighter. You can cut them down to save more weight. I used to cut mine so it reached from shoulders to knees, and was a bit narrower, but if you have nothing else, your lower legs might get cold.
Last edited by Frnc on Sat Oct 04, 2025 8:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Bugout bag - What am I doing wrong?
How to save weight.
Compare the weight of your heaviest items to what is available. A good resource is https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ because they list every category of gear in order of weight, lightest first.
So, what is the weight of your tarps? Rucksack, blanket?
Steel water container sounds heavy. Compare that to a collapsible Platypus 1 litre bottle at 35g.
Your stainless pot can be compared to aluminium or titanium. Titanium gets a bit expensive. I'm not sure if aluminium is ok on a wood fire, you'd have to check. It's fine on a gas stove, which is very hot.
Your collection of knives, axe and saw sounds like it could have room for saving weight. Personally I have a Leatherman Rebar in fabric case, small Swiss Army knife, Mora sheath knife with plastic handle and case, no axe, folding saw with plastic handle, but I regard that as an optional extra, because I have a gas stove for short durations.
I can give you exact weight of any of my items if you need it. They are all on my spreadsheets.
Compare the weight of your heaviest items to what is available. A good resource is https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ because they list every category of gear in order of weight, lightest first.
So, what is the weight of your tarps? Rucksack, blanket?
Steel water container sounds heavy. Compare that to a collapsible Platypus 1 litre bottle at 35g.
Your stainless pot can be compared to aluminium or titanium. Titanium gets a bit expensive. I'm not sure if aluminium is ok on a wood fire, you'd have to check. It's fine on a gas stove, which is very hot.
Your collection of knives, axe and saw sounds like it could have room for saving weight. Personally I have a Leatherman Rebar in fabric case, small Swiss Army knife, Mora sheath knife with plastic handle and case, no axe, folding saw with plastic handle, but I regard that as an optional extra, because I have a gas stove for short durations.
I can give you exact weight of any of my items if you need it. They are all on my spreadsheets.
Last edited by Frnc on Sat Oct 04, 2025 12:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Bugout bag - What am I doing wrong?
Have you considered breaking it down to two or more separate bags ? Would be easier for two of you to carry 8kg each than keep swapping a 12kg. You can then split the essentials across the two bags so that if you lose/damage one you're not completely scuppered.
Re: Bugout bag - What am I doing wrong?
Erm, a hatchet and 3 knives, and you're going to add another? That's too many, to me.
Frnc is really good at lightweight issues. You'd be replacing stuff you already have with titanium, or carbon fibre, but it would help.
Why *three* permanent markers? That's a lot!
How many batteries are in those packs you're listing?
I don't think you need trauma shears in a bug out bag - you've got a couple of knives, and the shears I've got are pretty heavy.
You're taking silver and gold coins in your bug out bag? That's INCH philosophy (I'm Never Coming Home) and I get not wanting to lose them, but honestly, you'd be better burying them in a known place on your property. How much do they weigh?
I wouldn't pile in, but you did ask! To be honest, over the years I've seen a lot of dads with babies and toddlers who do too much, because they love their child, and it's the best motivation of all, absolutely. And you have the sense that you can pare this down - you're right! Trust that. If you have to leave your home (and we advise people to stay put if they possibly can) your family need you to protect them rather than using all your strength on carrying these things.
HTH!
Frnc is really good at lightweight issues. You'd be replacing stuff you already have with titanium, or carbon fibre, but it would help.
Why *three* permanent markers? That's a lot!
How many batteries are in those packs you're listing?
I don't think you need trauma shears in a bug out bag - you've got a couple of knives, and the shears I've got are pretty heavy.
You're taking silver and gold coins in your bug out bag? That's INCH philosophy (I'm Never Coming Home) and I get not wanting to lose them, but honestly, you'd be better burying them in a known place on your property. How much do they weigh?
I wouldn't pile in, but you did ask! To be honest, over the years I've seen a lot of dads with babies and toddlers who do too much, because they love their child, and it's the best motivation of all, absolutely. And you have the sense that you can pare this down - you're right! Trust that. If you have to leave your home (and we advise people to stay put if they possibly can) your family need you to protect them rather than using all your strength on carrying these things.
HTH!
Re: Bugout bag - What am I doing wrong?
Thanks for the in-depth advice; I’ll definitely look into these recommendations!
Frnc wrote: ↑Sat Oct 04, 2025 8:15 am How to save weight.
Compare the weight of your heaviest items to what is available. A good resource is https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ because they list every category of gear in order of weight, lightest first.
So, what is the weight of your tarps? Rucksack, blanket?
Steel water container sounds heavy. Compare that to a collapsible Platypus 1 litre bottle at 35g.
Your stainless pot can be compared to aluminium or titanium. Titanium gets a bit expensive. I'm not sure if aluminium is ok on a wood fire, you'd have to check. It's fine on a gas stove, which is very hot.
Your collection of knives, axe and saw sounds like it could have room for saving weight. Personally I have a Leatherman Rebar in fabric case, small Swiss Army knife, Mora sheath knife with plastic handle and case, no axe, folding saw with plastic handle, but I regard that as an optional extra, because I have a gas stove for short durations.
I can give you exact weight of any of my items if you need it. They are all on my spreadsheets.
Re: Bugout bag - What am I doing wrong?
If we have more kids then we may certainly have to, but as much as possible I want to retain one bag as if one person is injured you can’t transport your gear
korolev wrote: ↑Sat Oct 04, 2025 9:29 am Have you considered breaking it down to two or more separate bags ? Would be easier for two of you to carry 8kg each than keep swapping a 12kg. You can then split the essentials across the two bags so that if you lose/damage one you're not completely scuppered.
Last edited by HK06 on Sat Oct 04, 2025 1:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Bugout bag - What am I doing wrong?
Haha yes I’ve definitely gone for the ‘overprepare then refine’ approach! The more I learn, the more I appreciate mobility and training over excessive equipment.
I was thinking about the blade loadout - Hatchet might not be needed if I have a folding saw and a good knife.
Honestly the heaviest thing is that wool blanket but I don’t know what an alternative is with the UK climate.
I was thinking about the blade loadout - Hatchet might not be needed if I have a folding saw and a good knife.
Honestly the heaviest thing is that wool blanket but I don’t know what an alternative is with the UK climate.
Arzosah wrote: ↑Sat Oct 04, 2025 9:54 am Erm, a hatchet and 3 knives, and you're going to add another? That's too many, to me.
Frnc is really good at lightweight issues. You'd be replacing stuff you already have with titanium, or carbon fibre, but it would help.
Why *three* permanent markers? That's a lot!
How many batteries are in those packs you're listing?
I don't think you need trauma shears in a bug out bag - you've got a couple of knives, and the shears I've got are pretty heavy.
You're taking silver and gold coins in your bug out bag? That's INCH philosophy (I'm Never Coming Home) and I get not wanting to lose them, but honestly, you'd be better burying them in a known place on your property. How much do they weigh?
I wouldn't pile in, but you did ask! To be honest, over the years I've seen a lot of dads with babies and toddlers who do too much, because they love their child, and it's the best motivation of all, absolutely. And you have the sense that you can pare this down - you're right! Trust that. If you have to leave your home (and we advise people to stay put if they possibly can) your family need you to protect them rather than using all your strength on carrying these things.
HTH!
Re: Bugout bag - What am I doing wrong?
And also - carry the bag more. Take it when you go on family walks etc. Just getting used to carrying the load makes it "lighter".
Ps - yeah, 3 knives, hatchet, trauma shears & saw is a bit overkill.
Ps - yeah, 3 knives, hatchet, trauma shears & saw is a bit overkill.