Though bugout bags and survival kits are not novel ideas, they certainly have become exponentially more common as the world seems to keep adding chaos and disaster to an already tumultuous epoch. That, combined with the increased use of internet marketplaces has presented people with a myriad of options when looking to purchase a bugout kit (also referred to as a survival pack or 72 hour bag) online and, while this lone fact is good news, most sellers have devised a marketing plan that revolves around a low price point coupled with a high item count. The result: pre-built bugout bags have a notoriously bad reputation!
At Bugout Survival Gear we have taken a different approach. Though we are relatively new to the market, we have decided to build mid-priced survival bags, full of good quality items which are typically re-useable and, wherever possible, multi-purpose. As part of the market research that was done prior to the launch of our brand of survival packs, we did come across a seemingly countless number of such kits that not only made us discontent with popular options, but also seemed impractical to the point of being ridiculous.
Some examples, with discussion, follow.
ReadyWise Emergency Survival Pack | $351.58 USD
Billed as a "148 Pieces" pack, the first aid kit amounts to 112 of those pieces (mostly band aids). That leaves 36 other items, of which 24 are fuel tablets. Highlight include a lantern and knife available for $1 at the Dollar Tree. The focus of this kit is definitely food, which appears to actually be high quality, but considering that water and shelter should be prioritized above food, you'll be in for a bad time with a box of water (1 Litre?) and your single mylar blanket. [View Listing]
Prep Store - Quick Plus Pack | $379.99 USD
An improvement from the previous, this pack contains a few more items that should be in a bugout bag. These include a ferro rod, a compass, and a small shovel. The mosquito net, hammock, and sling shot are definitely eye catchers, but typically impractical. With the exception of a small, cheap multitool and the compact shovel, few tools are included. As such, this kit could potentially serve as a 48 hour bag, but not much else. A survivalist could make do, but without tools to build a shelter or a way to store water, this kit definitely leaves some things to be desired. [View Listing]
72 HRS Deluxe Emergency Survival Kit | $199.99 USD
Granted, this one is on the cheaper side but there are many kits like this and as far as survival kits go, these are utterly ridiculous. With water, shelter, and food in mind this high visibility kit (which only makes its wearer an obvious and visible target in a crisis situation) really provides none of the necessities. Packaged water is utterly ridiculous, and impractical, and the 125ml baggies will be gone very quickly; aqua tab purification tablets are included, but without a water container? Good luck with our "sleeping bag" and "tent" -- simply two layers of thin plastic packaging. You will have duct tape to fix them, though, when they inevetably tear, especially if you are going to make yourself busy gardening using the included work gloves. A classic "you get what you pay for" situation. [View Listing]
Surviveware 72-Hour Backpack | $401.99 USD
Organization is paramount, in this kit. However, it comes at the cost of utility. While silly component include a face mask, goggles, and a plastic hazardious baggie absolute essentials are completely missing: there is nothing to start a fire, and no tools with which to build a shelter. As is common, there is a small number of packets of water, but nothing to stow additional water in. Considering this is one of the more expensive survival kits, it would be a particularly disaterous lesson hard learned, if anyone needed to survive using this particular package. Easy on the eyes, to be sure, but wholly insufficient. [View Listing]
Our BOSG Signature Kit | $379.00 USD
The difference in value should be obvious. Our "Signature Kit" at Bugout Survival Gear is miles beyond the competition. Need water? We have an authentic army surplus canteen, and two containers in which you can actually boil water -- and that is in addition to the water purification tablets included in the first aid kit. Shelter? Aside from a hatchet or machete (your choice) which can be used to create the framework for a shelter, there is also an actual tarp and an actual blanket, both of which are included in all our kits. Build your shelter using these and the paracord and rope, and stay dry and warm by starting a fire using the three different fire-starting tools in each kit: ferro rod, lighter (two are included), or matches. You will also be provided with a quality name-brand knife, in addition to the knife included on the quality multitool included in our kits. In addition to many other components, these items make our kit a no-brainer by comparison. We promise more for your money. [View Listing]
