Originally posted by g146541
2 best recommendations in this order.
6 pairs of socks and alot of duct tape.
Tape for the obvious reasons.
And socks because your feet are more important than any part of your body if you are to "survive", plus socks are useful for more than just feet.

Also remember those socks are perfect to slip over stainless water bottles and other noise makers in the pack and then they take little if any room and go double duty.

As for the whole BOB idea, I never saw much point in anything larger than a shoulder slung mail pouch with a few things to travel. Knife, pistol,fire, some silver and gold coins for trade etc.

I do however have an INCB or sometimes called an INCH bag. (I'm Never Coming Back or Home)

This bag has everything needed for me to make it between 5-10 years in the wilds. Full ultralight camp, 20 days of food and 10 years of water filtration, large groups of hunting trapping and fishing items, butchering tools, fire making tools, shower and sanitation, meds and med supplies....everything an extreme bushcrafter would need to make the ordeal very comfortable and pleasant.

Weigh in right now is #63 and that does not include sidearm, rifle or ammo. Combined with deep bury caches already in place in a couple regions it will be fine.

The whole BOB thing escapes me though....


(mouse is stuttering again....)

As for the whole BOB idea, I never saw much point in anything larger than a shoulder slung mail pouch with a few things to travel. Knife, pistol,fire, some silver and gold coins for trade etc.

I do however have an INCB or sometimes called an INCH bag. (I'm Never Coming Back or Home)

This bag has everything needed for me to make it between 5-10 years in the wilds. Full ultralight camp, 20 days of food and 10 years of water filtration, large groups of hunting trapping and fishing items, butchering tools, fire making tools, shower and sanitation, meds and med supplies....everything an extreme bushcrafter would need to make the ordeal very comfortable and pleasant.

Weigh in right now is #63 and that does not include sidearm, rifle or ammo. Combined with deep bury caches already in place in a couple regions it will be fine.

The whole BOB thing escapes me though....

Basically it boils down to a BOB is what you feel it takes to get you through a short term situation. That you have it already packed and it becomes a grab and go item. Most consideration is to whittle it down to the "Essential 10 Things" plus food and water. So you can either go with a general purpose BOB that should fit in something no larger than a standard pillowcase or you can try to tailor it for what might happen: Fire, Flood, Blizzard, Hurricane, Tornado...etc.

Here comes the rub. In most of those situations (except Fire and Tornado) you have plenty of notice to pack a bag to your needs and expectations. With a Tornado, 9 times out of 10, you are better off sheltering in place (the other time being outdoors either driving or outdoor activities: camping, hiking, playing/watching sports, etc).

INCH bags (I'm Never Coming Home) are for the long term which is something to not be taken lightly, hence you should have some time to pack to your needs.

Now a few will ask what the "Essential 10 Things" are. Well, that is really up to the individual to decide what are the things you need to get by in a situation. And for that you always consider (in no particular order) Fire, Food, Water, Shelter, Tools/Gear. Each of those 10 things will fall into those categories and most will cover several areas. A quality knife is always one of those 10 items. The means to sharpen that knife is usually another item.

My rule of thumb on the 10 Things is first off don't limit yourself to 10 things unless you want to do so but don't weight yourself down carrying the kitchen sink. Go for things that are difficult or too time/energy consuming to make on your own. 550 paracord for cordage is a good example. Yes cordage is easy to do but when you consider time versus weight, the 550 wins hands down. Items should have more than one function. A stocking cap will help keep you warm (shelter) but can also hold gathered nuts and berries (food). You can also place a large rock in it to use as a makeshift pillow or stuff it with cattail fluff and tie it closed if you rather have a soft pillow or just use unworn clothes.

A wool blanket costs more, weighs more but also has more uses and still retains its insulation value when wet. It can also serve as your pack itself. Hence item selection is always a consideration. If you can't afford "everything" that you want now. Gather what you can and upgrade over time. Nothing wrong with a $10 blanket that eventually becomes replace by a $50 wool blanket when that extra $40 goes towards a good knife.

I camp a lot and travel to Central and South America at least once a year and everything I need is on my back a large internal frame pack that I keep ready to go year round so most of these things I list I already carry.

In a BOB get yourself a lockpick set they are easy to find and fairly cheap you should practice at home before packing it away. A realy good solid knife has been the only thing I have ever needed to chop small wood I never needed a ax. Useing a piece of wood to hamer on the Knife will chop through about anything. Lightwieht sleeping bag and there are small tents that only way a couple pounds. Just think about going camping then actually go once with what you have put together. Take a note book with you aand jot down the things you wish you had.

A couple things to include in a INCH bag are vegtable seeds if you plan on ever stoping somewhere and they may become more valuebale than gold. I have a canister of thermite with magnesium strips, faster than a lock pick and will start a fire in the worst condition. Please research first. E tool that can double as a ax, rope saw, vitimens, a flashlight slash radio with a crank to charge it. They also sell a small roll out type of solar charger that is very light. Survival manual. A multi fuel camping stove would be recomended.