Welcome to week #23 in the “72 Hour Kit Ideas: A week by week approach” series.
This series is also available as an e-book. Purchasing the e-book gives you a few additional benefits over just reading the free series:
- Additional details and tips
- The ability to print the entire book!
- Pictures of my own kit show just how I pack each week.
Download “Your Own 72-Hour Kit Plan” E-Book Now!
I hope all of you were able to add some cash to your kit last week.
Week #23: Packaging Your 72-Hour Kit
Now that you have gathered all the supplies for your kit, you have an idea of the amount of space you will need to package it. Remember, this pack of supplies will be used on the go if you have to evacuate. However, you choose to package it, keep the following in mind:
- It needs to be something you can carry relatively easily.
- It needs to be durable.
- It should be as lightweight as possible.
If you’ve already got your kit and will just be updating it, then take a week off!
Here are a few ideas I’ve seen (and my opinions on them). Feel free to share your ideas and opinions if you’ve got them in the comments below. There is a great one from a reader, Don about a pull / push golf cart here!
Option #1: A Cooler or Suitcase on Wheels
- Easy to drag behind you, meaning you don’t have to actually carry it.
- May be difficult to use over tough terrain.
- Would be heavy/difficult if you ever DID have to carry it.
- Durable.
| Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|
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Igloo 110qt Glide Coolers | Buy on Amazon |
Option #2: A Large Tupperware-Type Tub
- Relatively durable.
- Lightweight.
- Can easily see & find what is inside.
- Very difficult to carry.
| Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|
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Rubbermaid Commercial Products Brute Tote Storage Container With Lid,... | Buy on Amazon |
Option #3: Duffel Bag
- Relatively durable.
- Lightweight.
- Could put them in a wagon / wheeled golf cart and pull them unless/until forced to carry them.
- You must carry it at all times…typically more difficult to carry for a long period of time than a backpack.
- Not a lot of separate compartments for making things easier to organize/find.
| Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|
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NPUSA Mens Large 22" Inch Black Duffel Duffle Military Molle Tactical... | Buy on Amazon |
Option #4: Backpacks
- Very lightweight, but must be on your back at all times.
- Will be heavy once packed.
- Could put them in a wagon and pull them unless/until forced to carry them.
Option #5: Wheeled Backpack
- Could be carried if needed, but can also be pulled behind you to make things easier unless covering rough terrain.
- Heavier than a traditional backpack would be.
How We Packed Our 72-Hour Kit
Right now, we have 2 adult backpacks* and 2 children’s backpacks. Only two of our four children would be able to carry a pack (the 5 yr old twins), and one (a 1 yr old) would need to be carried. Both my husband and I will need to have both hands free in order to be able to carry a child and manage another.
We do have a moby wrap for the 1 yr old so we can carry her and still have both hands free. But I still want both hands free to be able to manage the other 3 kids. So, we went in backpacks. However, we will likely switch to wheeled backpacks eventually.
Tell Me Everything About Packaging Your 72-Hour Kit!
Leave me a comment and tell me how you plan to (or how you already) package your kit.
Pin It Now For Later!
| Week #22: Cash | Week #2: Water Part I | Week #1: Packaging Your Kit | Series Into: Survival Kit Series, A Week |
Becky is a wildlife enthusiast and pet and livestock care expert with a diploma in canine nutrition. With over a decade of experience in animal welfare, Becky lends her expertise to Simple Family Preparedness through insightful info about pets, livestock, bee keeping, and the practicalities of homesteading.
Last update on 2024-04-20 at 09:37 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I’m now thinking about converting to a fold-up golf bag trolley rather than a luggage cart because of the larger wheels. I have to hit some yard sales to see if I can find one for a reasonable price. I’m not as sure I want to use a golf bag like in this link: https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Grey-Man-Bug-Out-Bag/
Lovin’ the grey man BOB! Hiding things in plain sight.
We all have backpacks. I started half way through last time. So I am excited to start from the beginning.
Started following about halfway thru the last time, so I hope to finish up this time through. Thanks for the organization.
Woohoo! I made it through my first 6-month cycle. We’ve got one bag that is pretty well-stocked. Now it is time to work on a second bag. With my husband and I both carrying bags, we’ll be able to pack more water and supplies. I’ll be keeping my eye open this week for a good pack back.
Why do you suggest starting with 1 dollar bills or quarters? Starting on our bag this week!
If you could not use your credit cards for any period of time, store / gas stations etc would quickly run out of “change.” You don’t want to pay $20 for a gallon of milk just b/c the store doesn’t have change and you don’t have any $1 bills. (-:
Thank you Misty. I have learned so many things by subscribing to your Blog. I have purchased backpacks, but I haven’t really gotten started filling it up. I have wagon that I could use to pile things into. I think when you think about “bugging out” something else that would be invaluable is a good pair or comfortable hiking boots/shoes. I do have them hooked up to my backpack so I can find them if We have to leave home.
Me too! I’ve got mine in my car Dawn!
I have a great rei daypack that we will use and each of our small boys have a small backpack. We figure that the hubs will carry our youngest in a backpack carrier which we have. We will pack a few things in there as well. Thanks for this great series! I’m excited to start at the beginning!
Those backpack carriers are fabulous Marie!
Currently my husband and I have Rubbermaid totes but they are not practical for a quick bug out. I will investigate and hopefully purchase two backpacks for us real soon. We can also use them when we go hiking in the mountains.
Yes, we use ours for that purpose too Betty!
We just finished putting ours together a couple weeks ago and opted for the traditional backpacks, I would like to get the larger hiking packs for my husband and I so we have more room to carry supplies and better support for your back but we will add those down the road when there is more money to spend. I actually bought all of our back packs for under $5 each! The down east home store in my area was selling all their catalog returns from $2.50 – $5.oo and they are super nice quality backpacks so I was happy with the score!
I love “Sale” stories like that!
My husband and I both have obtained very nice hiking bags. We were able to get them both at a discount on groupon. We try go go through them seasonally to update them. Thanks.
Groupon is the best!
Hi! We are just getting started. I was able to find 6 backpacks for $3 each at a local overstock store. I’ll try to find a place for staging our bug-out bags this week too. Thinking to hang them on hooks under the stairs behind the pantry. Thanks for your site… such a great resource!
Great deal Michelle! Way to go!
Thanks for this helpful reminder that I need to recheck my packs that we put together too long ago. This was full of helpful advice.
I hope you enjoy the whole series MarySue!
We have a regular backpack for each of us but I’d love to start looking for inexpensive backpacks on wheels.
It is yard sale season!
I really like the idea of the pus/pull golf cart. I have one collecting dust in the barn!
Perfect Darlene!
I am so excited you started this series over! Since I have a 5 and almost 2 year old as well as a 14 year old, I am thinking wheeled backpacks is the way to go! Now would be a great time to buy them since it’s before summer and I know they up the prices before school starts.
Perfect Kelly!
For now I’m filling in a tupperware bin we don’t use anymore, but I have my eye out for a good backpack or two — spring/summer is garage sale season, and we have a lot of hikers in the area.
The nice thing about the bin is that it fights right under our shelving in the linen closet. Accessible from every bedroom and the living room, but out of the way.
Bins are great and better than not gathering supplies at all. I think bug out situations are relatively rare compared to “bug-in” Good luck finding a deal on those packs!
My husband and I have matching backpacks that we got in our student ward at BYU when we were dating. Now that we’ve got two kids (2 years and 2 months!) I need to add another backpack for their things. I’m considering using my husband’s camping backpack that has a little more space and we can hook on a tent, sleeping bag, etc. when we get to putting together the “gear” part of our kits. He can carry his pack and the boys’ pack while I carry my pack and the baby. I also plan on including a wrap for the baby so I can be hands-free. I’m thinking about keeping a cheap umbrella stroller near our packs to put our 2 year old in if we end up having to evacuate on foot.
You’ve got some great ideas Vanessa!
We have 4 backpacks. I’m not altogether sure the 3 y/o and the 4 y/o could carry them but I had them so we started there. They are old school jansport backpacks so I may switch one out for a hiking backpack as they fill up…we’ll see.
THat is what I started with a few years ago too Heather. Gotta love Jansport!
Right now I have 2 backpacks (1 for me and 1 for my daughter). I also have a small box in the car.
I am just starting for my family and I have a few things together. My plan so far is to start with a heavy duty rubbermaid for each of us (there is me, my hubs, and our 12 &13 year olds) plus a small on for our cats. That way it is at least all together and if we can go by car, we can throw them in there. I plan is to find some nice backpacks soon. We know where we would go in an emergency too. 🙂
I have been watching your blog for a while now, and have just started building our kit. We have 3 in our house so we chose 3 different ways to package 1) for my husband we have a military style duffle bag , it is good quality canvas and has a long strap and can be carried on his back . Is very roomy and can handle some of the bigger items . 2) for me a back pack ,a larger one that is normally used for long hiking trips. The reason for bigger bags is that we have food allergies and medications that will also have to be packed for so not just any packaged foods will work for us . 3) a smaller back pack for my son .
Could you send me Allergen information for Thrive . Thanks
Sure Anneta! You can see all THRIVE Allergen info (and more) on this pdf document: https://www.thrivelife.com/files/materials/thrive/THRIVE-Product-Details.pdf
I have read many of your ideas & have already picked up several items…now I am ready to start my survival kit. I presently have a large wheeled duffel bag that I plan to use to see how it will work. It can be pulled or carried with a strap. I have used it on an overseas trip & it worked well. The entire top unzips & exposes the entire inner bag & it has some outside pockets as well. Thanks for restarting the weekly lists. I will be making it for me & my elderly Mom.
Sounds like a great bag Norma!
I appreciate you posting this again. I plan one updatting my current system by creating it from scratch as we go through each week. Thanks again
You are very welcome Paul!
I currently have two adult backpacks, still need to get two more for adults and one for a child. I’m so excited to find this site!
I’m so glad you are excited Jennifer! That is important!
My kit is actually in two parts. First, I have a small backpack that was designed for a laptop. Then, I have a carry on sized wheeled suitcase. The backpack fits nicely on the suitcase for rolling over smooth floors, and the suitcase is small enough that I can carry it over rough surfaces.
Both of these bags have seen years and years of heavy use. They have traveled with me back and forth across Europe, parts of the Mid-East, and all over US. Now that they’re starting to look a little ratty, I’ve upgraded my vacation bags, but these two workhorses still get to be useful as my emergency kit. Knowing that my trusty bags are with me will make me feel just a tiny bit better in an emergency.
Sounds like a great plan Catherine!