With all this talk about which survival items should be part of one’s bug out bag (or BOB for short), people forget to talk about the backpack itself.
In what follows we’re going to have a lengthy discussion about the best survival backpack you can get on the market today. Yes, I’m advocating that you get a quality backpack and it’s easy to understand why…
If you have to walk for hours on end by foot, a duffel bag or a suitcase with wheels is suicide. You just can’t drag the entire thing or, even worse, pull it with one hand and switch sides every 3 minutes.
While these may work as temporary measures to get you home, for survival purposes, your bug out backpack is your most trusted ally.
Here are some of the key research points to look into before shopping for a new survival backpack.
What to Look For in a Backpack
Build Quality
There’s no doubt you want something to last you a lifetime, not something that breaks the first time you use it in an actual disaster.
Keep in mind that when you fill it up with all sorts of survival gear including heavy food and water, it’s going to put a lot of pressure on the seams.
Examine the stitching closely. Does it look solid, are there any hanging threads?
Is there extra stitching at various stress points on the pack? A bug out bag that looks and feels cheap will only hold up if you keep it stashed away… and never use it.
Weight
Hiking backpacks have really come a long way the last few years. You won’t care about this tiny detail when you try it on in the store but, trust me, a few ounces less will make a world of difference when you’re forced to carry your backpack for hours on end.
Just make sure you don’t get the lightest backpack possible, it may have less compartments as well as less total space due to the fact that it has less fabric.
Remember that the sturdier the backpack is, the heavier it will be. Due to this, it’s up to you to choose which one is more important: a durable bag or a light bag.
Kidney Pad
Since you’re going to carry your bug out bag backpack, you need a way to take some of the weight off your shoulders and transfer it to your hips. If you have back problems like I do, this is a must.
Even if you don’t have back problems, keep in mind that depending on your body type, you might not be able to travel with a heavy backpack for more than 10-15 minutes… if that sounds silly right now. Just TRY IT.
Get a backpack that has a padded belt that can be fastened across your belly. Test the belt by taking it camping. You could even do survival drills with your family, in the middle of nature or at your bug-out location.
If you get a warranty on your survival backpack, go ahead and put it to the test now before your life depends on it. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for your money back if it fails.
Most companies require you to register your product in order for the warranty to be activated. Make sure that your backpack doesn’t require you to register it first before the warranty will cover it.
If the company does require you to register it, make sure you do so before you test it out, or you could potentially lose your money over a cheaply-made bag.
Pockets
More pockets mean more places for you to store more things. It’s always useful to have quick access to some of your items such as your flashlight, your gun, your knife or your first aid kit.
A bonus would be if it also has pockets on the inside. It’ll make it easier for you to organize the smaller stuff inside.
Color
When disaster strikes, lots of people are going to have backpacks. If you want to blend in, you can’t have a camo bug-out bag! I know it looks cool and makes you feel good about yourself but safety comes first.
Choose a survival backpack that looks just like the ones used for camping in either black, navy or dark blue. Forget those tactical backpacks that look like they belong in a Bear Grylls film shot.
This doesn’t apply to preppers that plan to tactically bug out should the SHTF. If your bug out plan requires you to remain unseen, a black or camo bag may be the best option for you. Look for one of my writer’s articles “Camouflage for Preppers” to learn about camouflaging, this way you can practice using camouflage if your plan includes it.
Colors you should stick to stay under the radar:
Colors to avoid: red, yellow, teal, bright green, and anything else that stands out.
Water Resistance
While you can’t expect to immerse your bug out bag backpack in water for half an hour and expect all your items to remain dry, you do want a good level of protection against moisture. The material need not be waterproof but should be at least water resistant.
Consider these scenarios to better understand the importance of having a watertight pack:
- You cross a river, you fall, your backpack is submerged for a few seconds…
- There’s a flood or a hurricane and your BOB backpack somehow lands in water
- There’s danger behind you, a body of water up front and you need to swim for it.
- Your bag is taken by a flash flood.
- Heavy rain begins as you are on the move during your bug out expedition.
You get the idea…
By the way, you should definitely keep most of your survival items in zipper bags. This way they’re almost 100% guaranteed not to get wet should water get inside the backpack for any reason.
Alternatively, looking for a drybag backpack is also a great way to keep your stuff dry in the event of inclement weather.
Internal Frames
Most hunting and survival backpacks have the frame on the inside, meaning it’s invisible to the eye. Forget the ones with external frames that you saw on people backpacking in old movies from the 1970s.
There are two reasons why an internal frame is better. First, people won’t see it. Second, they tend to be more comfortable for people who aren’t used to carrying weight on their back.
The reason a frame is useful is because it holds your bug out gear closer to your back. Without one, the backpack will tend to move away from your back, causing you increased discomfort in the lower back.
They are designed to evenly distribute the weight around your body as not to cause undue stress.
Padded Shoulder Straps
For obvious reasons: the more you’re forced to walk with it on your back, the more your shoulders will start to hurt unless you have this. Almost every backpack in the price range of 80 to 100 dollars will have this feature.
[optional] Lockable Zippers
You never know who wants to steal your gear or even put something extra inside. Not a mandatory feature, but it will probably give you some piece of mind knowing you have them.
Size
Bigger isn’t always better. Consider your age, your physical condition, and how long you expect the bug out expedition.
If you expect it to last a few hours, you definitely need something smaller. Again, take your BOB for a test drive once it’s at least half-full of survival equipment.
Price
Most survival backpacks cost around 100 dollars but with careful research, you can find cheaper ones of decent quality.
You can also hunt for coupons, sales or wait for Black Friday (or Cyber Monday), because they generally offer the best deals form stores with the best backpacks.
If you are in dire need of a bag, and you don’t have a decent one, I would recommend getting one immediately instead of waiting..
MOLLE Webbing
MOLLE backpacks have this interesting webbing on the outside, which allows other, smaller bags to be attached to them. This will allow you to carry more items on your back, but the trouble is, they will also draw more attention.
So if you’re in the middle of the riot and people see your fancy backpack, they could righteously assume you have some quality gear inside.
If you live in a small town, you can get MOLLE backpacks but if you’re an urban prepper, a regular backpack is better. Forget looking tacticool and start looking like a gray man.
The Best Survival Backpacks
Ideally you want something that is both practical and versatile so that it works in a variety of emergency scenarios. Here are some of the best survival backpacks that you can get on the market.
Disclosure: This post has links to 3rd party websites, so I may get a commission if you buy through those links. Survival Sullivan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure for more.
Slumberjack Carbine 2500 Backpack
- Capacity: 40L
- Weight: 1.9 Pounds
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Internal waterproofing coating Compression system built-in Immersive camo pattern | Could use thicker padding Noisy material |
This pack is a versatile survival pack in that it can be a bug out bag, camping backpack, and hunting pack.
It has the capability of holding firearms and is expandable using a compression system. If you take down an animal you can easily strap it onto the backpack while you go make camp.
Fieldline Pro Series Treeline DayPack
- Capacity: 31.8L
- Weight: 1.6lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large capacity MOLLE webbing system Built-in organizer | Camo pattern can seem out of place |
Another versatile backpack that can be a simple day pack or able to carry all of your immediate needs and then some. Its strengths lie in the organization of the pack which really allows you to keep the gear you need at hand quickly.
You can also put your own hydration bladder into this bag which is great if you are cautious about stocking up on water while you’re on the go. The MOLLE system opens up an entire industry of products that are designed to be attached to the webbing. This expands the functionality of the backpack with added storage.
PANS Tactical Hunting Backpack
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| MOLLE webbing system Oversized zippers Walkie talkie pockets | Some seams may tear if too much weight is put in the pack |
- Capacity: 64L
- Weight: 3.6lbs
This tactical hunting backpack is a multipurpose pack. It’s great for picking up and going with and does not have the tactical look that will make you get noticed. If you want to pack a 72 hour bug out bag this will be the pack to get. It has multiple compartments to strategically put gear that you need access to.
It has plenty of storage and is expandable through straps on the side of the bag. This means you can expand it from 8 inches to 13 inches wide and support up to 64 liters of gear. You’ll also be able to keep everything dry inside since it is waterproof.
TETON Sports Explorer 4000
- Capacity: 65L
- Weight: 5lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High quality zippers Lots of places to lash things on Rain cover included | Putting water bottles in the side pocket can limit what you put in the outer mesh pockets |
The Explorer 4000 is an affordable bag that can work well as a survival pack. It has an internal frame for betting support and weight distribution. It has many pockets and uses a drawstring-style cinch system to make items easily accessible.
There is also a bottom pocket into a separate compartment; however, you can open that right up and have more room in the main pocket which you can access from two entries now.
While it does hold quite a bit of gear it can get pretty bulky on the back. If you need to leave in a hurry this might not be the best bag to wear while running.
What NOT TO Get
You don’t want:
- …a tactical-looking survival backpack that will attract attention particularly during riots. People will label you as a prepper in a matter of seconds and you can become a target.
- …one in bright colors. Just in case you’re trying to keep a low profile.
- …cheap Chinese knock-offs. Stick to the brands I recommended and you’ll be fine.
Additional Considerations
Before we wrap this up, let me give you a few more tips and tricks to make sure you get the most out of your backpack:
- Ensure all items that are not water resistant are all wrapped in zipper bags (lighters, tinder, meds etc.).
- Ensure that the items that don’t handle shocks very well are wrapped in shockproof bubble wrap (emergency radio, walkie-talkies, thermometer etc.).
- Get a backpack that has warranty and try it out after you buy it with a heavy load. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t be ashamed to return it.
- When deciding which size to get, keep in mind you need to keep some free room. You never know when you’ll need it as you’re bugging out.
My dad was military. My grandfather was a cop. They served their country well. But I don’t like taking orders. I’m taking matters into my own hands so I’m not just preparing, I’m going to a friggin’ war to provide you the best of the best survival and preparedness content out there.
Great article and thank you for asking for input. You make a pack water proof by lining every inside space with a plastic bag or similar container that can be tied off particularly when intentionally keeping air inside of the space when you tie it off. This makes the pack a flotation device. It worked great in Vietnam. That was a great second suggestion on not using an external pack frame. Things do get caught on it and people like to hang things on it which will make unwanted sounds when you want to stay quiet when moving and out of sight. (if it hits the fan I do not want anyone to see me or hear me)
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Bill Snapp
LOL Before I got to the comments part I was trying to figure out how I would put floaties on it.
Thanks, William for your insights and your kind words. That trick you tried in Vietnam is awesome, I never would have thought of it. I should probably write an article on how to make your BOB float, lol!
After I wrote the make your pack a float piece I should have added that you could have ballooned each pocket by blowing in it because there was always extra room in each water proof plastic bag in each pocket.
Keep up the good work
Bill Snapp
Thanks, Bill. Your insights are great!
Mr. Sullivan if you really want some good advice on how to be quiet and unseen when moving around in a life and death situation while carrying a back pack I recommend you put a call out to veterans who were LRRPS (Long Range Recon. Patrol) in Vietnam and ask for their input. They were obsessed with being quiet because they were out in the jungle along side of the enemy.
Sounds like a great idea, thanks!
I bought the new US Army backpack. It comes with a detachable patrol pack that is neat to use on short trips of 2-3 days. The backpack itself is BIG and will hold enough to keep you supplied for quite awhile.
Sounds good, Dan, but I have two concerns:
1. Aren’t those packs camouflaged? This could potentially give you away for being a prepper.
2. If you’re going to fill it up with stuff, won’t that be to heavy? Just asking.
A bottle of India Ink will make ANYTHING black! Cheap and easy fix to those fluorescent colors.
Two comments, as I was reading I thought of something a former deputy sheriff told me, blue is a color that stands out and makes a person easy to see. He was talking about blue being easy to see from his experiences in Montana, near Yellowstone NP, when looking for lost hikers. Pick your color accordingly.
I was recently was working with my BOB and saw something for the first time. There are strips of reflective webbing sewn across the back of the pack. These are like the toned down reflective strips on a child’s book bag, or on runner’s shoes. They are designed to make the wearer more visible to drivers passing a school bus stop, kids walking to school in low light, joggers jogging at night or in low light. These same strips may make you more visible when trying to keep a low profile.
I would say that having your primary weapon in your pack is not good. Having to take your pack off to access it seems like a good way to not be able to access it in time. There might be times when having it in the pack is appropriate, but those would be situations where you are unlikely to need it, and the risk of having on your person is too high.
You recommended a Dick’s Sporting Goods backpack. They are anti gun and I would not spend a dime in that store. They refuse to sell so-called assault rifles and will not sell a gun to anyone under 18 years of age even though in Pennsylvania you can buy a rifle or shotgun at 18 years of age.
It’s a shame people diss the external frame packs.
They are rather better at everything if you’re carrying more that a very tiny amount.
They are much, much more comfortable if they are designed right (kelty/jans) The downfall is people worried about looks, people trying to sell new bags to people who did not need them because their external would last till the end of days like the cockroaches. Sure there are issues with now limited batches being made poorly (alps)
People who want short term like a 15-30L pack.
I very much wish Kelty would bring back the large super tioga 5600 sized pack.
Also if you’re in a riot – If you have a large flashy non-tactical bag – People think you’re a very easy mark with lots of goodies. So plus and minus there.
Something else to perhaps consider is a travois they are fairly simple to make and in this modern day and age one can put wheels on them…. One can make a padded harness for one an make it easier to pull. Adapting or making a quick release harness such as was/is used on A.L.I.C.E. packs/rucks….they can carry a lot more. There are various uses for them. They can easily be camouflaged to fit most any situation made to look old and worn covered with various bags of assorted junk and urban debris in urban environments or in forest with various limbs, leaves, plants.
You can still wear a pack albeit probably a good bit lighter as most of your weight on your travois.
The next thing you are probably going to hate is to take your brand new pack after you make sure it fits and is comfortable to your liking and its your needs and you are not going to return it…
You need to scruff the pack up and make it look very worn and well used. Scratches and scrapes….maybe a few holes or patches of “aged/worn” duct tape over to appear to covering/patching holes. Make sure the pack and tape are dirty looking and nothing appears new and all of it looks worn and aged and well used.
A new name brand seldom used pack, will stand out as bad or as fast as a military pack.
Also ones clothing…brand new clothes and boots will also stand out.
You will want everything to look worn and well used.
IF you cannot find a waterproof bag to line your main storage in your pack like we used in he ALICE packs use 3 or so heavy duty garbage bags to line the main part with and secure the opening with twist ties if nothing else and also as suggested above put items in Zip-Lock bags socks, underwear, personal hygiene items, foot powder, (TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET or you will not be walking long), whatever items. You might want to color code items then again maybe not.
Also learn how to pack your backpack properly, Items you are most likely going to need first go in last and are the first items you pull out.
You are on point when you mentioned carrying a heavy bag no longer than 10-15 minutes at a time and not being in shape. I am 56, was carrying a Sandpiper of California 3 day pack, body armor and a war belt. The pack weighed approximately 50lbs, body armor 16lbs and war built around 30lbs. I was sucking air approximately 8 minutes into it, and for a older man I am in pretty good shape. If you’re carrying heavy, be in shape, the more the better.
If you pack your gear in zipper bags, and don’t press all the air out of them, there will be enough trapped air inside to provide flotation without sacrificing storage space.
Or pack some of your stuff in the bubble bags as used for Amazon shipments. It doesn’t take a lot of air to make something buoyant.