Bug Out! We Got The Best Kits For Prepping and Disasters — Review
With the current situation in the world and the crazy hurricanes and storms, it is essential you are prepared for an emergency.
After a disaster strikes what you do and what you have in the first 72 hours is what will decide whether you live or die.
There could be no power, your house could be ripped away, you could be stranded with no assistance for days. You need to be ready for when one of these disastrous situations happens.
Bug out Bags (BOBs) are perfect as they save you having to spend hours shopping around for individual items and tend to be cheaper than if you bought all the kit separately.
Pre Made Bug Out Bags For Sale Comparison
The below links will bring you to Amazon:
- Emergency Zone 840-2 Urban Survival Emergency Disaster Kit
- Echo Sigma Bug Out Bag
- Sustain Supply Co. Essential 2-Person Emergency Survival Pack
- Tactical Stealth Emergency 2 Person Urban 72 hour Survival Kit
- Premium 2 Person Bug Out Bag by Legacy Premium Food Storage
Premade Bug Out Bag Reviews
Alright, lets get into it…..
1. Emergency Zone 840-2 Urban Survival Emergency Disaster Kit
This is a great all-in-one pack that’s filled with all the necessary equipment for the survival of two people in a disaster situation. It has USA made food and water that’s approved by the US Coast Guard, pretty badass.
What I liked about it
- Just how discrete it is. It’s plain back, perfect for if you don’t want to stand out. There is no high vis or big emergency lettering written on it, so you’ll blend in easily.
- If you have a family and need more supplies, they also do a 4 person version of the bag with twice as much kit inside.
- Extra room inside to fit in any personal extra items
- Extremely lightweight considering how much stuff it has in it, only weighs 14.5 pounds!
- All the equipment is incredibly well organized in separate ziplock bags and distributed throughout the bag evenly.
- Being under $150 it’s cheaper than most while still being filled with useful stuff.
Who’s it for?
Great for those who want a cheap, fully stocked pack that’s already got everything they might need in it.
Perfect for beginner survivalists and those that want to be prepared for anything.
What equipment comes with it?
- Filled with a kit designed to protect you from all weather conditions.
- Two sleeping bags
- Two waterproof ponchos
- Easy to assemble 2 man tent
- Two hand warmers
- Five ziplock bags to keep important bits of kit safe from water damage. It also has a waterproof folder for any vital documents you need to keep safe.
- You’re sorted for hydration with twelve 4.2 oz water pouches and 5 liters of water purification powder. There’s even a collapsible container that you can purify water in.
- Two 3600 calorie bars to keep you from starving.
- This is really cool. A flashlight that has an AM/FM radio receiver, compass and a mobile phone charger incorporated into it.
- A range of hygiene products including toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, soap, and shampoo. It also has sanitary pads, toilet paper, and even a sewing kit.
- Completely stocked first aid kit with everything you need for any surprise injuries.
- Loads of other handy extra bits of gear that most other bags don’t come with
- 10 yards of duct tape
- Emergency whistle
- 50 foot of rope. A rope is always super helpful so is a nice addition
- Sturdy tough work gloves
- Multi-tool penknife
- A pack of playing cards to stop you going crazy in the apocalypse
- Glow sticks
- A pencil
- Handbook on emergency survival tips (I suggest you read this and then ditch it to free up space and reduce weight
2. Echo Sigma Bug Out Bag
Most High End – Most Complete / Fully Loaded
Echo Sigma is one of the leading brands that make high end bug out bags, and that’s not without good reason. They’re a super reputable company and they’ve once again outdone themselves with their attention to detail.
The design of the rucksack makes it super easy to grab anything inside at a moments notice. Perfect for an emergency.
What I liked about it
- They’ve remodeled a previous design to increase the amount of padding and available space, so not only is more gear fitted inside, it’s also much more comfortable.
- All the items have their packaging already removed to best utilize the space and reduce the total weight. It does still weigh about 34 pounds which is much heavier than the others on this list but is still easy to carry without feeling too weighed down.
- It comes with a LifeStraw water filter included. These aren’t cheap and are an incredible example of innovative technology. Simply stick it directly into any water source, start sipping and it will safely purify the water as you do. It can turn up to 4000 liters of contaminated water to safe drinking water, such a cool little device.
- It also has an inbuilt 2.5-liter hydration bladder. You won’t be going thirsty with this one.
Who’s it for?
For those that want the best of the best and don’t mind paying a bit extra for it. The pack costs almost $500 but it really does have everything you could possibly need in an emergency situation.
Unlike a lot of other bags that contain unbranded equipment all the gear in here is from top reputable brands, so you know they won’t let you down when the time comes.
If you want it all and don’t want to be left without some vital equipment, this is the bag for you.
What equipment comes with it?
- Stainless steel multi-tool. Has 18 different tools so can be useful in many different situations.
- Midland emergency weather radio. Midland is another great company which consistently produces top range goods, so this radio won’t let you down.
- Emergency tube tent provides a quick shelter. It has also sleeping bag and a thermal sleeping bag cocoon made by Survival Industries. Get wrapped up in both of these and you’ll be toasty warm.
- Hand warmers to ensure warmth on the move and an emergency poncho to keep you dry.
- Echo-Sigma Provision Pack with high energy bars and filtered water.
- Echo-Sigma compact survival and first aid kit.
- Waterproof LED Fenix flashlight with 6 AA batteries.
- 50 feet of military grade paracord and 10 zip ties which are pretty handy.
- Work gloves, respiratory masks, and protective goggles mean you’ll be kept safe no matter the situation.
A cool extra little feature is that it has a plexiglass mirror which can be used to signal for help. This is quite unique but also really handy as ultimately you need to make yourself findable to other survivors.
There’s not much spare space in this BOB but with all those supplies what else do you really need?
3. Sustain Supply Co. Essential 2-Person Emergency Survival Pack
The Cheapest
This is by far the cheapest on my list only costing $99, which is pretty incredible. It’s grey discreet and still got loads of good gear in it.
But it does lack a few vital bits.
There’s no tent or sleeping bag so you won’t have any shelter but it does come with 2 blankets to stop you from completely freezing!
Oh and it doesn’t come with batteries so you’ll need to buy them too, but considering this is 400 bucks cheaper than some others that are not so bad.
What I liked about it
- The price! That’s the main deal maker with this bad boy.
- It also has a MoraKniv knife which is really sturdy and a nice extra.
- It’s super light, weighing only 10 pounds.
Who’s it for?
If you only need the bare essentials and don’t want to spend too much this is the one for you. It’s cheap and aside from shelter has pretty much everything you’re going to need.
What equipment comes with it?
- An LED lantern, so you’re not stuck in the dark. It also comes with 4 Cyalume glow sticks which I love. They’re super reliable, don’t need batteries and are ideal for signaling for help.
- 41-piece fully equipped first aid kit which has all the essentials in it, bandages, pain relief tablets, sanitary gloves etc.
- Two whistles which are great for attracting attention.
- Sawyer water filter and 2 Mainstay 2400 calorie rations, will keep you watered and fed for at least 24 hours. The food also has a 30-year shelf life, which is pretty badass.
- That all-important paracord. 50 foot worth of it.
4. Tactical Stealth Emergency 2 Person Urban 72 hour Survival Kit
Most Discreet
This is another pack designed by Emergency Zone.
They believe wholeheartedly in what they produce and each product comes with a promise that if anything’s not to your liking they’ll fix it for you.
I love this kind of approach from a brand, it builds immediate trust and respect. Emergency Zone is a great company, nothing I’ve received from them has ever disappointed and this pack especially stands out as being top quality.
What I liked about it
- This has it all and then a bit extra. No matter what the conditions there’s enough gear in here to keep 2 adults alive and well for at least 72 hours.
It has all of the equipment that the 840-2 (the other Emergency Zone pack) has plus some key extras that I’ve listed below.
Who’s it for?
When disaster hits you can bet good manners and courtesy will fly out the window.
When people are panicking and in survival mode, you don’t want to advertise the fact that you’ve got a bag of life-saving supplies on your back.
This is what makes this particular model so great, it’s discreteness. It’s designed specifically to look like a normal bag and not stand out.
This is the most discreet rucksack on my list so if you want to blend in while having a fully stocked pack then this is the one for you.
What equipment comes with it?
- A significant difference in the quality of equipment is immediately apparent with the tent. It is a nylon dome tent which is far superior to tube tents which are the standard in most BOB.
- The two sleeping bags also stand out. They’re made with reflective ‘HeatStore’ material to keep you warm and there are also 8 hand warmers to keep you toasty before you set up camp.
- 2 inner nylon pouches to keep your kit organized.
- Comes with a waterproof cover to be placed over your backpack, keeping your equipment dry.
- In-built hydration bladder as well as a water bottle and a 2-liter water storage bag.
- A flint striker. Pretty handy considering fire is one of the key components of survival.
- As well as a multi-use torch it also has a 9 LED compact flashlight with 3 AAA batteries. LEDs are really good at saving energy so this should last you a long while before running out of juice.
- Pliers and a folding saw are included which are essential if you need to survive for an extended period.
- First Aid Kit has 165 different pieces inside to keep you alive and healthy.
All of this is on top of the all the equipment that the 840-2 has. It’s jam-packed with useful tools while staying organized and if you can afford the slightly higher price, the extra gear is definitely worth it.
5. Premium 2 Person Bug Out Bag by Legacy Premium Food Storage
The Ultimate – Top Stocked
This just has it all. As you’d expect with a high range BOB it has a built-in hydration pouch but what makes this bag so cool is just how well it’s been made.
There are two bits of kit that I really love this pack….
The kit it has that I love
- The first is a fire bracelet. These are badass, the bracelet itself is made of paracord which unravels to be around 9 foot long. The clip has an embedded magnesium flint and sparker to easily create a spark and start a fire and it even has a whistle inbuilt into it.
- Second is the credit card knife. Collapsing to the size of the credit card it opens up into a cool super sharp knife. Lightweight, discreet and deadly.
Who’s it for?
This is the ultimate pack for those who want it all and don’t mind paying a bit extra ($299) for it. The few extras that come with it that others don’t have really make it stand out as the one that has it all.
What equipment comes with it?
- Tactical flashlight with three AAA batteries, it also comes with 2 light sticks, 6 candles and a set of waterproof matches, so you won’t ever get stuck in complete darkness.
- What’s cool about the foodstuff in here is as well as having two super high-calorie bars and loads of water pouches you also have a Mountain meal mess kit and bobcat stove. This means if you’re good at trapping or hunting you could theoretically keep yourself fed forever. Plus it comes with two sporks, so you’re sorted for cutlery!
- They’ve also ensured you’ll be protected from the elements and won’t get cold. With a high quality 2 man dome tent, two ThermaSave sleeping bags, two HeatStore blankets and two ponchos.
- With 50 feet of rope, duct tape, a folding saw and even a folding shovel you’ll be prepared for anything.
- Fully equipped 174 pieces first aid kit with work gloves and 5 in 1 survival whistle.
- A pack of playing cards to keep you sain and a pencil for any vital note taking.
- Finally, it has an emergency preparedness guide which again I suggest you read and dispose of in advance to reduce weight.
What more could you want? This is definitely my favorite.
What Makes a Great Go Bag (BOBs)?
There are three main components which come together to make the perfect survival pack.
The first is the bag itself. It needs to be durable, reliable and not tear or split when you’re running for your life. Ruggedness is key and the best way to ensure you don’t get a low-quality pack is by buying from a reliable brand or following others reviews.
Secondly is its design. You want to blend in. You don’t want to stand out and when everyone’s panicking for their lives. The last thing you want is to be prepared for a disaster and then for someone to steal all your stuff. I’d recommend getting a black one, one that looks like any other normal backpack.
Finally, and most importantly, is what’s actually inside, what does it come with? You need to stay dry, warm, fed and watered. Other things like a torch or playing cards can also be really nice, while not necessarily life-saving it can be easy to lose your mind and courage in a dark room with nothing to do. These kinds of things keep morale high and keep you fighting.
Pre made survival kits vs bug out bags?
Bug out bags is prepacked with all the stuff you need already in them to survive an emergency situation.
Pre-made survival kits you put together yourself, buying each individual item separately.
FAQ
What is a 72 hour bag?
These are prepacked bags that are filled with enough equipment to keep you alive, safe and well for up to 72 hours. Amongst other vital provisions if it’s worth its salt it will provide you with stuff to keep you warm, dry and fed. They’ll also include either water pouches or a form of water purification.
Who are the top suppliers and where can you buy one?
There are three suppliers that are dominating the market at the moment, Echo Sigma, Emergency Zone and Legacy Premium Food Storage.
All of these brands are top quality and which is better is down to individual preference. They all sell their items on Amazon and are easy to find on there.