15 Items to Always Keep in Your Bug-Out Bag

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15 Items to Always Keep in Your Bug-Out Bag

When preparing for emergencies, having a well-packed bug-out bag can make a significant difference. It’s designed to help you survive and stay comfortable if you need to leave your home quickly. Knowing what to include can save you time and stress when every second counts.

Your bug-out bag should contain essential items that cover basic needs like water, food, shelter, and safety. By keeping the right supplies on hand, you’ll be ready to handle unexpected situations with greater confidence and ease.

Lifestraw Personal Water Filter

Blue LifeStraw personal water filter with attached lanyard and cap, standing upright on a white background
Image Credit: curlewcorp/ ebay.

The Lifestraw is a handy tool you can rely on for clean drinking water during emergencies. It filters out bacteria, parasites, and microplastics, making water from rivers or streams safer to drink.

You don’t need batteries or chemicals, just use it like a straw. It’s lightweight and easy to pack in your bug-out bag for quick access when you need it most.

MSR PocketRocket Stove

Close-up of an MSR camping stove canister with attached metal burner and red valve
Image Credit: SMC Outlet/ ebay.

The MSR PocketRocket Stove is a compact and lightweight option ideal for your bug-out bag. You can easily boil water or cook small meals wherever you go.

It sets up quickly and works well with various pot sizes. Plus, it uses standard fuel canisters, which are easy to find and replace.

You’ll appreciate how it balances efficiency with portability, making it a practical tool for outdoor survival situations.

Bear Grylls Survival Knife

Folded Bear Grylls Gerber survival knife with textured grip and sheath
Image Credit: tantecoseshop/ ebay.

You’ll find the Bear Grylls Survival Knife is a practical choice for your bug-out bag. It’s lightweight, making it easy to carry without weighing you down.

This knife offers more features than a basic blade, giving you useful tools for different situations. It’s reliable enough for general survival tasks without being overly complicated.

Sawyer Mini Water Filter

Red Sawyer MINI water filtration system with black end caps and an included transparent cleaning syringe
Image Credit: Sawyer Products/ Walmart.

The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is a compact and lightweight tool you’ll want in your bug-out bag. It filters out bacteria, protozoa, and cysts, making surface water safer to drink.

It’s easy to use with water bottles, hydration packs, or directly from a water source. Just squeeze or suck water through the filter.

While it doesn’t remove viruses, it provides reliable protection in most outdoor and emergency situations. Its small size means it won’t weigh down your pack.

UST Tactical Fire Starter

Neon yellow fire starter with black ferrocerium rod, attached scraper tool with black cord, two white cylindrical tinder sticks, all set on a white background
Image Credit: UST Brands/ Walmart.com.

You’ll want a reliable fire starter in your bug-out bag, and the UST Tactical Fire Starter is a solid choice. It uses ferrocerium rods, which work even when wet.

It’s easy to use and produces hot sparks quickly, helping you get a fire going in tough conditions. Having this tool in your bag can make your survival efforts much smoother.

Vargo Titanium Spork

Yellow titanium spork with slotted handle and "Vargo Titanium" branding
Image Credit: Vargo Store/ Amazon.com.

You’ll appreciate the Vargo Titanium Spork for its lightweight and durable design. It’s made from titanium, so it won’t corrode or affect the taste of your food.

This spork is easy to clean and ideal for eating a variety of meals. It combines a spoon and fork in one tool, saving space in your bug-out bag.

SOL Emergency Blanket

Two neatly folded silver reflective emergency blankets, rectangular in shape, stacked separately against a white background
Image Credit: FUTUREORYY/ Walmart.com.

The SOL Emergency Blanket is a lightweight and durable tool to keep in your bug-out bag. It reflects 90% of your body heat back to you, helping to prevent hypothermia in cold conditions.

You can use it as a shelter, ground tarp, or even a rain poncho. It’s versatile and designed to withstand harsh environments, making it a practical choice for emergencies.

Quechua 2-Second Pop-Up Tent

Blue and teal Quechua pop-up camping tent, dome-shaped with red trim, partially open front flap revealing inner mesh layer and black groundsheet, designed for two people
Image Credit: Quechua/ Walmart.com.

You want a shelter that sets up fast, and the Quechua 2-Second Pop-Up Tent does just that. It pops open quickly, saving you time and effort when you need it most.

The tent offers good waterproofing with a PU-coated flysheet and sealed seams, keeping you dry in light to moderate rain. It’s compact and lightweight, which makes it easy to carry in your bug-out bag.

Nite Ize LED Headlamp

Black USB-rechargeable headlamp with LED strip light, adjustable elastic strap, charging cable plugged in, shown in close-up view
Image Credit: Nite Ize/ Walmart.com.

You’ll appreciate the Nite Ize LED headlamp for hands-free light when you need it most. It’s lightweight and rechargeable, making it easy to carry without extra batteries.

The headlamp offers multiple lighting modes, including white and red LEDs to save your night vision. You can choose spot or flood beams depending on your situation.

Its simple swipe operation makes it quick to use. This headlamp is a reliable, practical tool for any bug-out bag.

Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife

Black Gerber fixed-blade tactical knife, partially serrated edge, textured ergonomic handle with lanyard hole, shown against a white background
Image Credit: GERBER Store/ Walmart.com.

You need a reliable knife for your bug-out bag, and the Gerber StrongArm fits the bill. It has a full-tang 420HC steel blade that stays sharp and resists rust.

The rubberized handle offers a secure grip, even in wet conditions. Its sturdy construction means you can use it for cutting, chopping, or even light prying.

This knife’s plain edge makes it versatile for many survival tasks. It’s a practical choice to have on hand when every tool counts.

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series

Compact forest-themed Adventure Medical Kit, labeled “Mountain Series: Hiker,” designed for 2 people for 2 days, with zip closure and carrying loop
Image Credit: Adventure Medical Kits/ Walmart.com.

The Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series is a solid choice for your bug-out bag. It includes hospital-quality wound care supplies like irrigation syringes and butterfly bandages to help you clean and close injuries effectively.

The kit is compact and organized, so you can find what you need quickly. It fits well in your backpack or purse, making it easy to carry during outdoor trips or emergencies.

Paracord 550

Bundle of tactical camo paracord, tightly coiled, with black, brown, and green intertwined pattern, Type III 550-lb strength
Image Credit: Paracord Planet/ Walmart.com.

You should always have paracord 550 in your bug-out bag. It’s a versatile tool that can handle many tasks, like securing shelter or repairing gear.

A good amount to carry is several short lengths—around 5 to 15 feet each—and at least one longer piece near 100 feet. This variety helps you adapt to different needs.

Paracord is lightweight, strong, and easy to pack, making it an essential part of your emergency gear.

LifeStraw Go Water Bottle

Blue LifeStraw Go water filter bottle, 22 oz capacity, with black lid, built-in filter, attached carabiner and carrying loop, designed by Vestergaard
Image Credit: LifeStraw/ Walmart.com.

You need a reliable way to get clean water on the go, and the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle helps with that. It has a built-in filter that removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from natural water sources.

The two-stage filter also improves taste and reduces chlorine and sediment. This bottle is lightweight and durable, making it easy to carry in your bug-out bag. It lets you drink safely from lakes, rivers, or streams when fresh water isn’t available.

Black Diamond Storm 400 Headlamp

Black Diamond SpotLite 160 headlamp with a black-and-white adjustable strap
Image Credit: Black Diamond/ Walmart.com.

The Black Diamond Storm 400 is a reliable headlamp for your bug-out bag. It offers 400 lumens of bright light to help you see clearly in the dark.

You can count on it being waterproof and dustproof, so it works well in tough weather conditions. Its hands-free design lets you keep your hands available for important tasks.

VSSL Supplies Emergency Kit

Black cylindrical VSSL survival gear container, sleek design with silver accent band, control buttons on the end cap, compact and durable
Image Credit: VSSL Store/ Amazon.com.

Your VSSL Supplies Emergency Kit is designed to keep essential tools and first aid items in one compact, waterproof container. It includes basics like a flashlight, emergency blanket, first aid supplies, and water purification tablets.

This kit is easy to carry and helps you stay prepared without overpacking. It’s a great addition to your bug-out bag for quick access to crucial survival items.

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