Posted: 7/26/2011 1:03:36 PM EDT
| I've been looking at buying a Camelbak BFM pack for my BOB, but figured I would ask here first to see what everyone else is using in case there is something better out there. |
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Well the tactical gear section and the outdoor forums will help with what to use and what goes in them. But right now I use a HSGI Moose V2 or a TT lightweight 3day bag. Thinking of getting a Kifaru Marauder for this next deployment. We use go bags exclusively for situations where being on the run is paramount to living out of them like some believe.
If you're just looking for brands then cool but if you want help with putting one together check out the Outdoor section. We could chime in here though. I don't know many HTF guys that keep a bag ready |
A while back I bought, I am ashamed to admit, the Condor copy of that bag  . In terms of on-paper specs, it is great. Plenty of storage space/compartments, hydration capability, etc.
The actual bag is a piece, unless you like internals that can't stand up to the grueling task of carrying a TI-89 without tearing, but assuming the Camelbak is a higher-quality, actually useful for more than one month version of that, I think you will find it nice. Now, I do not keep a BOB, so I am not speaking from experience in terms of, "I have packed a pack with a widely accepted array of bug-out essentials, and, yes, it does hold them well." My uses for packs in this size range are more for weekend travel, carrying stuff to/from the range, and as a bookbag (this was a rather large and "loud" pack for school, though    ).
I actually just got an Eagle three-day assault pack, non-molle version. Its a bit cheaper than the Camelbak you've asked about, and its a bit smaller. My intended purpose for it is basically the same as my old beater - carry books at school, carry my stuff for the weekend, and carry essential gear and supplies to the range or outdoors for short-term camping or hunting type stuff. Well-built to withstand the use/abuse for years, sizeable enough to tote my shit, and toned-down (I got black) enough to avoid looking too ridiculous in the classroom/in public... to date I've only had one female comment positively on the "multicam monster" I had before... wish I could find her again, compliments on your classroom camo shouldnt be taken lightly 
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If you're just looking for brands then cool but if you want help with putting one together check out the Outdoor section. We could chime in here though. I don't know many HTF guys that keep a bag ready Oh... I think there are more of us that are "bag ready" than you think ;) |
| I used a CamelBak BFM for my BOB in OIF. I still have it and it is in great shape for a well used ruck. It served me well - fortunately I never had to truly use it as a BOB. It handled a one year deployment and was constantly drug in and out of a uparmored HMMWV. It was filled with NVGs, med kits, and ammo plus the all important AA batteries for my EOTECH and digital camera! |
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If you're just looking for brands then cool but if you want help with putting one together check out the Outdoor section. We could chime in here though. I don't know many HTF guys that keep a bag ready Oh... I think there are more of us that are "bag ready" than you think ;) I know there are folks out there but just haven't seen the comments and questions... Maybe that's a good sign? OP, I used to use a BFM but its too structured, bulky, and big for a BOB. I'd look smaller with PALS to add pouches in as you need/want. |
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I like Eberlestock, and their Gunslinger series. I have the Gunslinger I and think it is a great, rugged pack for a BOB. Plenty of molle attachment points and conceals my 10.5" AR15. But it seems the OP wants a hydration bladder to fit in, so consider this just my .02.
If you around the Atlanta area, I found a great civilian bag at TJ Maxx in Roswell. The Kelty Redwing 3100 usually goes for around $100. My TJ Maxx had them for $49.99. Look in the Men's Dept. or where they have their luggage. I'm using it for weekend trips, this weekend to the Smokies, and for a carry-on. |
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If you're just looking for brands then cool but if you want help with putting one together check out the Outdoor section. We could chime in here though. I don't know many HTF guys that keep a bag ready Oh... I think there are more of us that are "bag ready" than you think ;) I know there are folks out there but just haven't seen the comments and questions... Maybe that's a good sign? OP, I used to use a BFM but its too structured, bulky, and big for a BOB. I'd look smaller with PALS to add pouches in as you need/want. First rule of BOB's is that we don't talk about BOB's......well except than the Outdoors section. MY work pack is made by Fox as well as my range pack. Both seem to be holding up acceptably, but neither see hard use. I'm interested in talking to anyone who has used a Maxpedition pack. I've had THIS wallet for three years and it doesnt' have a stitch loose anywhere. |
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BOBs are useless.....
....unless you actually try to use it! I have seen 40-50lbs BOBs that the person could barely get to the trunk of his car let alone take it for a few mile hike! what ever you do and what ever you get, do yourself a favor and take it for a weekend and try it out. try walking 15 miles or so with it. try surviving on nothing but it for a weekend. My BOB is 18lbs and I have done 4 nights with it. that is including water. in hindsight I should have added more food, but then again I eat a lot. |
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I keep an old book bag from my kids in my car. It looks like crap and has their drawings on it, but it works just as well as anything else.
I figure if the shit hits the fan and I have to walk home or spend the night somewhere with a bunch of other refugees, I would rather have a bag that doesn't advertise that I have supplies on hand. The military type (looking) bags are great, but they will tell everyone around you to come and take your stuff. My objective is to blend in and get home, not look cool. |
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Please realize that there is a difference between a GHB and a BOB. A Get Home Bag is something that would get you home while you are away. Most likely something carried in your vehicle or while travelling to use in case of a catastrophic event. A Bug Out Bag is something that you would use to leave your home for an evacuation or catastrophic event. Both have different requirements but the terms often get interchanged.
I use a Maxpedition Falcon for a GHB. I use an Eberlestock FAC Trac for my BOB and my wife has a more discreet REI 3 day pack. I just got rid of a Mystery Ranch NICE 6500 Expedition pack because it was a little too large for a BOB. The Mystery Ranch stuff is unbelievable. Probably the best packs I have seen. Far nicer than Kifaru or Eberlestock. |
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I would rather have a bag that doesn't advertise that I have supplies on hand
This. I use a camel back, but it is a civilian looking type of bag. I think it's called the "cloud walker" or something. It looks more like a book bag/hiking bag. It's a little smaller than some of the very large packs, but its designed around supporting me with food, hygiene, and basic tools for three days. Nor for going to zombie war. It's rugged and I've used it on a couple of camping trips just to test it out and its very neutral looking. I have a second camel back back pack that I use for a gym bag and sometimes a hunting pack when I need a larger one and its seen a lot more use and has held up very well. I think they make high quality stuff. |
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I keep an old book bag from my kids in my car. It looks like crap and has their drawings on it, but it works just as well as anything else. I figure if the shit hits the fan and I have to walk home or spend the night somewhere with a bunch of other refugees, I would rather have a bag that doesn't advertise that I have supplies on hand. The military type (looking) bags are great, but they will tell everyone around you to come and take your stuff. My objective is to blend in and get home, not look cool. My range bag says "kelty kids" on it. :-) We really need to work on BOB and GHBs. Never heard or thought about GHBs, but they make a lot of sense. |
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BOBs are useless..... ....unless you actually try to use it! I have seen 40-50lbs BOBs that the person could barely get to the trunk of his car let alone take it for a few mile hike! what ever you do and what ever you get, do yourself a favor and take it for a weekend and try it out. try walking 15 miles or so with it. try surviving on nothing but it for a weekend. My BOB is 18lbs and I have done 4 nights with it. that is including water. in hindsight I should have added more food, but then again I eat a lot. Mine is a big Osprey Aether. It happens to double as my camping pack. Because of my AO, there are several situations where the FIRST option is to BO. Because of this, it is moderately heavy. I do hikes with it about every few months and can jog about 3 miles with it, so I think I can handle the weight. There are a few items I remove before campouts/hikes, but I made it modular enough where I can take out large chunks if need be. For example: - Clothing bags are separated into drybags and broken down by hot and cold. Socks and base layers are put into both, just in case. I remove the opposite season's before campouts, but replace them afterwards - "Camp" cooking stove and fuel canisters are in one mesh bag and can be removed for an ultra-light config (alcohol stove and extra firestarters) - Ammo and cleaning kit are stored in the same container. These are usually removed before hikes/campouts. It is a neutral blue, so it doesn't scream "armed mofo" or tacticool. The goal is to look like some dude with a hiking pack. In the end, none of us can REALLY answer the question without knowing your security plan. If there is an emergency or circumstance that will force you to vacate, where will you go? What are the routes that will take you there? How long will it take to get there on foot (be CFO-ishly conservative here)? Will it just be you? If not, what will they be carrying in terms of BOBs? Are there special needs? Does Fido (and his extra food) stay or go? Many people average for 3 days. But reality may show that it is 5. Your plan will determine which sized BOB you need, not the other way around. Once you figure it out and start building it, use it. Camp with it. Take long hikes with it. Jog with it. You'll realize what is useless, what you need to add,etc.. Head on over to the Survival Forum if you have specifics... 
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I just got rid of a Mystery Ranch NICE 6500 Expedition pack because it was a little too large for a BOB. The Mystery Ranch stuff is unbelievable. Probably the best packs I have seen. Far nicer than Kifaru or Eberlestock. Never heard of these before. But after googling them they look amazing!! |
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Look at a Camelbak urban assault XL, it is big enough for all of the stuff you will need but not conspicuous at all really, i have a XL and a BFM and use the XL every day.
I got mine from amazon http://www.amazon.com/Camelbak-60893-Urban-Assault-XL/dp/B004LT4NF4 it is a great bag, it came with a hydration reservoir a 70 oz, but it will take a 100 oz. it will haul a lot of stuff comfortably it is very adjustable and has the sternum and waist straps. |
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In the end, none of us can REALLY answer the question without knowing your security plan. If there is an emergency or circumstance that will force you to vacate, where will you go? What are the routes that will take you there? How long will it take to get there on foot (be CFO-ishly conservative here)? Will it just be you? If not, what will they be carrying in terms of BOBs? Are there special needs? Does Fido (and his extra food) stay or go? Many people average for 3 days. But reality may show that it is 5. I think most people really need to ask themselves these questions and be very honest with themselves about what their intentions or needs are. It's easy to throw together a BOB for yourself and when the only person who might suffer from poor planning, etc is yourself. Consider that many here are married or attached in some way - most will probably have to have a BOB prepared for them loaded similiarly in case you are split up, etc. What if you have kids? How do you prepare for them. Preparing for 3 to 5 days is good, but what if it's 2 weeks? A month? I think honestly answering questions like these may have more impact on what pack or bag you choose for a BOB than anything else - and it's something I think only you can answer. A small 3-Day pack might be fine and ideal for 1 guy for a few days, but what if you have to prepare for more than that. Having a cashe set up is all great if you're in a position to maintain it. I live in south Madison County outside of Athens and if the SHTF, I'm going to be doing everything I can to stay away from any population centers which means that everything I need will have to be on my back until I get to a more appropriate location to "bug out' to.... |