The best survival strategies for preppers are those that are multifaceted. In other words, you need to consider contingencies for hunkering down as well as bugging out. If you do need to bug out, a quality bug out bag for your car becomes a necessity.
The best bug out bag for your car is one that you can accommodate as a permanent item in your vehicle. The larger the bag that you can accommodate, the more supplies that you can carry. The Prep Store Elite Plus would be your optimal choice.
This article will present six of the best bug out bags for your car. It will also highlight the essential characteristics that you should look for in a bug out bag. This way, you can make a well-informed decision in choosing the bug out bag that is right for you.
What Makes for a Good Bug Out Bag?
To properly evaluate your choices, it is important to be aware of what makes for a good bug out bag.
Determining Its Main Purpose
The purpose of any bug out bag, in general, is to carry the essential food, water, and supplies that you would need to cover a 72 to 96 hour time period. This helps with the purpose of providing storage for your essential needs while you are in transit from an insecure location to what is, hopefully, a more secure spot.
When it comes to bug out bags specifically for your vehicle, however, you can make a further distinction between a traditional bug out bag and a “get home bag.” In doing so, you will be in a better position to choose the proper type that you need.
A get home bag can be described as a leaner version of a full-blown bug out bag. Its purpose is to provide you with the essential items that you need to get back to your home base. For this reason, the number of supplies held in this smaller type of bug out bags only cover 24 to 48 hours of your needs.
Whether you need a full bug out bag or just a get home bag in your vehicle depends chiefly on your overall survival strategy and the specifics of your daily routine.
Sizing Your Bug Out Bag
Backpacks and large tote bags—the types that are best for use as a bug out bag—are universally measured in liters. You will commonly see bag sizes applying this sizing terminology incorporated into the model and brand names, such as “The X-Model 35L Backpack.”
The size of a bag in cubic inches is usually found in the detailed specifications of the bag. These Imperial measurements, however, may show a slight variance when compared to the liter size that is presented. This is due to the fact that manufacturers round up to the nearest liter size. For reference, one liter is equivalent to 61.02 cubic inches.
While this might sound confusing, when shopping online, it can help you get an idea of what can fit into a bag. Just envision the amount of water represented in liters as the amount of space that you will have in the bag. In other words, if you want to visualize how many items you can fit into a 40 L bag, just imagine how many items you could fit into the space that is normally occupied by 40 liters (42.3 quarts) of water.
For bug out bag purposes, a backpack or tote bag that is described as having a capacity ranging from 25L to 85L is the most useful.
What Bug Out Bag Size Is Best for Your Car?
After you have determined whether you need a full-fledged bug out bag or just a get home bag, the next thing that you have to consider is how much space do you have in your vehicle?
Remember, in order for a bug out bag to fulfill its role in your survival strategy, it needs to remain in your car 24/7, 365 days of the year. This means that you have to dedicate a certain amount of space in your vehicle to store it.
This will directly influence the maximum size of the bag that you choose. The larger your vehicle, the larger amount of space that you will be able to allot to your bug out bag. If you drive a compact or subcompact vehicle, smaller bags in the 25L to 35L range may be the largest that you could accommodate without diminishing available storage for your day-to-day needs.
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Essentially, you want the largest bug out bag that you can properly store in your vehicle that you are certain to always have in your car. Not one that you will occasionally remove when it is inconvenient or when you have to carry large items.
Having an 85L bug out bag in your car that you only carry with you half the time because you have to remove it when you go grocery shopping, etc., wouldn’t be as prudent as having a 25L bug out bag that you know will always be in your vehicle.
Style and Material
Even though you are carrying your bug out bag in your vehicle, you should always keep in mind that—in the event of a survival situation—you may have to carry it on your person. This is why backpacks tend to be preferable to handheld tote bags.
This is also why it is important that your bug out bags be made of resistant—preferably waterproof—and very lightweight material.
Heavy-duty hiking backpacks as well as tactical backpacks tend to be constructed out of resistant synthetic materials—such as nylon and other fibers—that fulfill these requirements.
Here are six of our best suggestions for bug out bags for your car that meet these basic requirements.
Gohyo 35L Waterproof Ultra Lightweight
The Gohyo 35L Waterproof Bag is an excellent example of a lightweight hiking backpack that makes for a very good bug out bag for your car. Having a 35L (2,136 cubic inch) capacity, it is on the upper-end of carrying space for smaller bags. This makes it well-suited for small and medium-sized vehicles.
Its smaller form-factor will not take up as much space in your trunk. Also, the incorporation of shoulder straps that are adjustable and also padded makes carrying this backpack less strenuous even if you have to travel on foot for great distances.
Further ease of carrying is provided with its ergonomic adjustable chest and waist belts. These two devices allow you to keep the bag well-balanced even when carrying a large load of supplies.
The Gohyo also comes equipped with a survival whistle that can be used to alert others to your presence when that is desired.
It is made of a lightweight and resistant nylon fabric that comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty. The zippers are metallic and are therefore more resistant to frequent and rough use.
In terms of organizing your supplies inside the bag, the Gohyo has two compartments. One large main storage section as well as a large zippered pocket at the front. The sides also have one open pocket each. These provide easy access to frequently used items, such as water bottles.
Specifications
- Capacity: 35L (2,136 cubic inches)
- Material: Nylon
- Empty weight: 0.8 pounds (380 grams)
- Dimensions: 21x7x11 inches (52.5×17.5×27.5 cm)
- Can be hand washed in cold water
JUDY Emergency Preparedness Kit in Backpack
For those who prefer purchasing a bug out bag that comes already stocked with your essential bug out supplies, the Judy Emergency Preparedness Kit is a good choice. It is a waterproof bag that can be worn as a backpack.
The base model comes with a wide assortment of supplies. According to the manufacturer, these items were selected by survival experts and can sustain up to four people.
It includes:
- An LED flashlight
- One multi-tool, Duct tape
- A hand-crank radio and portable charger
- One disposable phone charger
- 4 rescue blankets
- 7 food bars
- 8 hand warmers
- 4 ponchos
- 4 glow sticks
- An emergency whistle
- 2 sets of pocket tissues
- 2 hand sanitizers
- Wet wipes
- A first-aid kit
- A biohazard bag
- 14 water pouches
- 3 spare AAA batteries.
The Judy Emergency Preparedness Kit is made from phthalate-free TPE fabric. This means that it is very lightweight, resistant to tears, and highly waterproof.
Weighing in at 15 pounds when fully stocked, this bag packs a lot into its 19.25 x 13.75 x 12-inch (48.1 x 34.4 x 30 cm) form factor.
If you are looking for a ready-made solution for your vehicle’s bug-out bag, the Judy Emergency Preparedness Kit brings you as close to a one-click solution as you are going to get.
Specifications
- Weight when fully stocked: 15 pounds (6.8 kgs)
- Material: Phthalate-free TPE fabric
- Dimensions: 19.25 x 13.75 x 12-inch (48.1 x 34.4 x 30 cm)
- Shoulder straps: Yes
BB Traveler 37L – Lightweight Foldable Backpack
The BB Traveler 37L backpack makes for a good bug out bag if you have a small vehicle or if you want something that will not attract attention in a crowd.
Sometimes, during a survival situation, blending into the crowd can be useful. In a moment of panic—if others around you are desperate for supplies—being seen with a large backpack on your back can make you a target.
In this regard, the BB Traveler 37L helps you to maintain a low profile when you have to navigate an urban scenario in a moment of chaos. What you may sacrifice in the overall storage capacity of this bag, you will make up for in stealth.
Made of a waterproof material and zippers that help to keep the moisture out of its pockets, the BB Traveler 37L can make for an excellent small to medium-sized bug out bag or a well-sized get home bag.
Specifications
- Shoulder strap padding: No
- External pockets: 2 (both zippered)
- Capacity: 37L (2,258 cubic inches)
- Empty weight: 11.2 ounces (318 grams)
- Dimensions: 12.5 x 6.3 x 19.3 inches (31.25 x 15.75 x 49.2 cm)
Prep Store Elite Plus
The Prep Store Elite Plus offers you the best ready-stocked large capacity solution for a bug out bag that can be kept in your car. It has a 65L storage capacity that is packed with food, water, and gear essential to a bug out situation.
It includes:
- A 2 Gallon water container
- A water bottle filtration system
- Water filter straw
- One micro water filter pump that can purify 500 gallons (1,893 liters) of water
- One camping mat
- One sleeping bag
- Tent
- One poncho
- A large mosquito net
- 70-piece first aid kit
- One dust mask with filter
- An extractor kit
- One thermometer
- Disposable gloves
- Disposable safety mask
- A folding solar charger
- A combination power bank and lantern
- One solar flashlight with radio
- A combination solar fan and torch
- Cable set
- A set of tactical and utility tools
- 4-day supply of food supply
- A travel cooking set (includes a pot, pan, spoon, bowl, etc.)
- Firestarter
- One hatchet
- One skinning knife
The Prep Store Elite Plus can truly be seen as the ultimate ready-stocked bug out bag. Of course, its large size may not be practical for smaller vehicles. However, if you can accommodate this bag into your vehicle, it offers you the greatest flexibility to face any survival situation.
Additionally, even when stocked by the manufacturer, the entire bag only weighs 28 pounds (12.7 kgs). This makes carrying the Prep Store Elite Plus on your back possible even if your upper body strength is not that well developed.
Also, even when stocked by the manufacturer, its large 65L capacity still has room for you to store additional items and gear.
The Prep Store Elite Plus comes with well-cushioned shoulder straps and a waist belt that will keep the pack snugly attached to your body, keep your gear balanced, all while making carrying the weight comfortable on your shoulders.
It comes stocked with all of the essentials that you need in terms of food, water, cooking gear, lighting and power, medical supplies, and shelter equipment.
Specifications
- Material: Nylon
- Capacity: 65L (3,967 cubic inches)
- Includes: 40+ survival items
- Weight: 28 pounds (12.7 kgs) This includes initial stock of supplies
- Height: 28.5 inches (71.25 cm)
Mountaintop 80L Hiking BackPack
The Mountaintop 80L backpack is a large backpack supported by an aluminum rod framing system. Made of water-resistant nylon, it provides you with a light, semi-rigid, soft-sided bag to store an immense amount of food, water, gear, and supplies.
The Mountaintop is ideal for those who can accommodate a large bug out bag in their vehicle and want to stock it themselves.
There are also smaller 70L and 55L versions that are available for those who want a large bug out bag but for whom an 80L is overkill.
All models of the Mountaintop come with a hydration compartment where you can attach a 3 liter (3.17 quart) water bladder. This allows you to stay hydrated while on the move.
If you have a large amount of gear and supplies for your bug out contingency and if you have a large vehicle, The Mountaintop makes for a wise choice.
Specifications
- Weight empty: 3.3 pounds (1.5 kgs)
- Dimensions: 27.5 x 13 x 9.4 inches (70 x 33 x 24 cm)
- Waist belt: Yes
- Shoulder straps: yes
- Material: Waterproof nylon
- Framing structure: Aluminum
Emergency Zone Urban Survival Bug Out Bag
The Emergency Zone Urban Survival Bugout Bag is another pre-stocked bug out bag that is sized accordingly for even subcompact vehicles.
Stored in a 19 x 15 x 10-inch (47.5 x 37.5 x 25-cm) backpack, you will find nearly 15 pounds (6.8 kgs) of food, water, and survival gear. The manufacturer states that the Emergency Zone Urban Survival Bugout Bag comes with enough supplies to last two people for three days.
It should be noted that the food supply that is included is in the form of two 3,600 calorie nutrition bars. For most people, that would provide the minimum caloric intake required when spread over three days by two people. However, if you have to leave your vehicle and trek on land, the added caloric consumption would burn through those 3,600 calories rather quickly. Fortunately, the bag does have enough room for you to store additional food bars.
The water provided comes in the form of 12 4-ounce (118 ml) water pouches. Again this is to minimize space. The kit does include 5 water purification pouches that allow you to purify 5 additional liters of water from an external water source.
You are also provided with basic first aid, shelter, and hygiene supplies along with a dynamo radio flashlight, two glow sticks, and weather protection gear for two.
The bag itself is designed to emulate a regular urban backpack. That means that it is nondescript and can help you when you need to stealthily traverse an area that may be inhabited by desperate individuals.
For a small car, the Emergency Zone Urban Survival Bugout Bag is a good pre-stocked option.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 19 x 15 x 10 inches (47.5 x 37.5 x 25 cm)
- Shelf-life of food and water: 5 years
- Weight: 15.2 pounds (6.9 kgs) This includes initial stock of supplies
- Padding: Yes. In shoulder pads and backing
- Includes: Survival provisions for two people for 72 hours
Conclusion
To be prepared for a survival situation, having bug out bags in your home and your car is vital. Choosing the best bag for your car requires taking into consideration your specific survival strategy and practical points, such as the size of your vehicle.
The six bags listed above are among the best in their category. Choosing one of those bags or by adhering to the characteristics outlined in the “what makes for a good bug out bag” section, you will be able to procure a vehicle bug out bag that you can rely on when trouble strikes.
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