Building Your Bug Out Bag with the Bag of Bags Method | Episode 481

Building Your Bug Out Bag with the Bag of Bags Method | Episode 481

 Today, we’re talking bug-out bags — specifically, how I build mine using what I call the “bag of bags” approach. This isn’t just throwing gear in a big sack and hoping for the best. It’s about using modular bags inside your main bag (and sometimes hanging on the outside) so your kit stays organized, protected, and ready to deploy.

The idea is simple: instead of one giant, jumbled mess, you break your gear into smaller, clearly labeled modules. Each category of gear — fire starting, water purification, first aid, clothing — gets its own bag. That means no digging through a tangle of paracord, socks, and cookware to find your lighter. You grab the bag labeled “Fire” and boom — all your ignition tools are right there.

It’s also about protection. Ziplocks, dry bags, and pouches keep your gear safe from two big enemies: water and leaks. If your pack takes a dunk, your spare socks stay dry. If your tube of Neosporin explodes (ask me how I know), the mess stays contained instead of sliming everything you own.

I’m not here to tell a brand-new prepper to drop $500 on a Mystery Ranch or Kifaru pack. Get something under $100 to start — even a used military surplus bag or a decent earth-tone hiking pack will do. Upgrade later if you want. Your first goal is to get a functional bag and fill it with the essentials, not spend months saving for the “perfect” gear.

When I start a new bug-out bag, I pull together gear for each of the 10 Cs of survival (Dave Canterbury’s list). Then I sort them into piles:

• Fire starting gear (lighters, flint & steel, tinder)

• Water purification (filter, iodine tablets, metal container)

• Navigation (maps, compass)

• First aid

• Clothing (especially socks — keep them dry, Forrest Gump style)

• Lighting (flashlight, headlamp, candles)

Each pile goes into its own bag. I like to slap a piece of blaze orange duct tape on every bag and write what’s inside. Drop a compass in the grass and it’s gone; drop an orange-labeled compass and you’ll probably find it again.

This method doubles up on redundancy. If a pouch inside your bag leaks, it’s still contained within the larger pack. If your bag gets wet, your inner pouches keep things dry. And when you need something, you’re not wasting precious minutes digging.

You can even take it further: put all your individual pouches inside a waterproof dry bag within your pack. Yes, it’s “bag-ception.” But when your life might depend on dry gear, a little overkill is worth it.

A bug out bag should be quick to grab and easy to use. The bag of bags method keeps your gear organized, dry, and ready — no matter the situation. Next time you’re building or refreshing your kit, try breaking it into modules. Your future stressed-out self will thank you.

Amazon Item OF The Day

Frelaxy Dry Bag 3-Pack/5-Pack, Ultralight Dry Sack, Outdoor Bags Keep Gear Dry for Hiking, Backpacking, Kayaking, Camping, Swimming, Boating

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