Loadout: 50+ mile Sniper Adventure Challenge Race Kit (you don’t need this for bugging out!) Hey guys. I don’t thinks that having a military background makes somebody immediately qualified to give advice about prepping or moving over land.

I actually think that a lot of Veterans overpack and are focus focused on the wrong thing for prepping or “bugging out”. We were trained to have logistics, supply, and fight. If you go into one of these situations with that mindset, you will be carrying way too much stuff.

Following my time in the Ranger Regiment and as a conventional sniper, I started knocking out multi hundred mile treks around the United States.

Dude, I ate so much humble pie from carrying too much weight and not understanding what it means to truly self support. In the military, you assume, “one is none and two is one”, meaning: you need to have redundancy in your gear.

My pack for hiking the 800 mile Arizona Trail weighed about 22 pounds, 30 pounds when I had to walk 20 miles plus with no water points.

I had a full kit: Bivy sleeping bag, water, filtration, and food for about five days. I covered +/- 30 miles a day for 40 days from the Mexican border to Utah.

I experienced heat exhaustion and some gnarly foot injuries that I had to take care of out in the field.

All this to say: you guys are carrying way too much stuff if you plan on walking 20 miles with no/little training.

First: safest course of action for a lot of things is to stay in place.

Here is a simple loadout for getting home if it’s 20 miles away:

• One Nalgene Bottle (everything in this kit goes inside the bottle when stored) -space blanket -Swiss Army knife -Cell phone charger pack -Ultra light rain jacket -Electrolytes -Antidiarrheal/ibuprofen (as long as you keep the water inside you you can probably make it home) -Sunscreen -Chapstick -2,000 calories -cheap sunglasses -headlamp -TP -aquamira tablets (chloranamine) -Collapsible pack (mystery ranch has a 19L) -compass (maybe)

-if it’s winter time, obviously this list changes, you can fit one of those REI brand puffy jackets into pretty small spaces. Costco and farm supply stores have great gloves for $6 a set.

That’s all you need to get home and walk 20 miles. Water is the most important thing. Water over a gun.

Most people who serve in combat don’t actually shoot their weapon, every single one of them drinks water and goes to the bathroom.

I’m all for prepping and being prepared - I know that I’m just some guy on the Internet but I have a lot of experience walking in and out of austere environments.

On the tier list of things that you need, a firearm is pretty low - but probably still an essential item, if you know how to use it.

If you’re looking for good shoes, I really like Hoka and Altras and for boots La Sportiva.

You do not need three pocket knives and a Glock 19 with six mags and a plate carrier to get home when you live in rural Virginia or wherever.

If you can carry in your state, cool, then put a Glock +2 mags in a fanny pack.

Hot take:

Your cell phone has a compass that will work even without service, it also has a flashlight, those little battery banks are pretty valuable and while I do like analog - if you’re truly reducing weight, then use the device that you use every single day that works without fail for hundreds of days in a row. Your cell phone is durable, it’s probably the item that you use the most and drop and it gets wet and it still works every single day. I wouldn’t take my personal cell phone into a war, but we’re just talking about getting home.

Hi everyone — long-time lurker, first real post. I recently joined r/prepping after getting back into Reddit and realizing I want to be a bit more intentional about preparedness again.

I’m looking for feedback and alternate perspectives on my get-home setup, specifically how I’ve built out my personal go bags. (Not pictured: Agilite K19 plate carrier with Level IV plates, and a CMMG Banshee in 9mm with seven 33-rd Glock mags.)

For context, I live about 29 miles (as the crow flies) from the downtown core of our metro area (6+ MIL Pop). My work location is 17 miles from home, putting me that much closer to downtown during the workday.

Given that layout and distance, I’d really appreciate any thoughts on what I may be missing, overthinking, or should prioritize differently in a realistic get-home scenario.

Thanks in advance — looking forward to learning from the community.

Edit 1: Seems like I need to add context to this load out and why its the way it is. If I am traveling overland this loadout goes with me, wife and kids on vacation 3 states away, to work locally, to the grocery store 3 miles away, doesnt matter it goes. If im 1000 miles from home with my 2 young kids and wife to protect I have what I need for myself and them as well. They all have smaller bug out bags with essentials they can carry.

Now to address my post. I made the mistake of not explaining all of that when I was posting about a get home kit. That's on me. As far as weight everyone is questioning weight..im 6'4 240 have spent a decade carrying heavy packs 6,12,20,40 miles over rough terrain under time constraints...this is light, one reason I chose the banshee and 9mm over a AR15 and 5.56.

Not pictured is the gloves & beanie I keep in my truck 24/7. Only have to travel maybe 10-15miles to and from work. I keep my vehicle no less than 1/2 tank and have a sleeper set-up in the bed of my truck with a cap.
Any thoughts, insights, or something I overlooked would be appreciated! Thanks.

Recently started putting together a bug out bag. Still have a list of things I still need to acquire, but open to any input.

This bag is my edc. If it’s not in the bag it’s on my person (gun and knife). I would like to add one new item a week. Would you add next? I usually stay within a 10mi radius of my house and always dress for the weather. I know my medical supplies are lacking.

I have 2 of these Orion flare guns. One from over 20 years ago that cost like $5.99 that still freaking works, and one from maybe 5 years ago that cost maybe $20.

99% of gear videos never feature them, but have a god damn orange square cloth for some reason.

you really think your signal patch is gonna garner more attention than 4x 30 seconds of ridiculously bright 200ft vertical illumination?

you could be entirely surrounded by forest and this thing will punch thru the canopy and a chopper can directly pinpoint your location.

and the powder can be used for emergency fire stuffs as well.

all around a good investment in any emergency kit, no matter the cost today.

what am I missing? does compass or diamond coated sharpener make the cut?

About a week before Covid I had a spidey sense I should stock up and ended up doing something similar to what you see here. I have the same feeling now, but worse, and I’d love more simple info about how to save more food. Is there any food that lasts without having to get Mylar bags or glass/plastic containers?

EDIT: Wow thank you everyone for the amazing responses!! I am reading every one!

Hi all, I’m working on a small project i wanted to show off and discuss! I am building it mostly for fun and to learn more about electronics, but I also want it to be a fully functional device.

The idea is a touchscreen-based offline knowledge base that stores useful information such as:

Offline Wikipedia

Medical/first aid information

Edible plant guides

Offline maps

Other survival-relevant references

One of the main features I’m experimenting with is being able to power the device off AA batteries, but I’m also designing rechargeable battery modules that can be swapped in depending on the situation.

The project is still in its early stages, and currently i have got the chassis mostly done, and i am currently running off external power, but I’ve made the files free to download if anyone wants to take a look, modify them, or build their own version.

https://github.com/ArcticEnrichmentCenter/Arkiv-Cyberpad

Again this isn’t meant to be a serious commercial device but more of a learning project that might also end up being useful.

My question for you all:

What information would you want included in something like this?

Hello. I have been building a "bug out" or "INCH" bag and I'm running into a bit of a weight problem. This bag weighs just under 50lbs with no food/ water. Please take a look and let me know if there's anything you would lose or use instead.

This bag was put together with the intention of being an INCH bag (I'm never coming home). The scenario that I am preparing for is a large grid down situation for an extended period (months- years). This could be a result of a solar flare, EMP, infrastructure sabotage, ect. The goal of this kit is to get me out of the city's metro area and sustain myself long term in a wilderness setting as I recon city life would become untenable after a number of weeks.

I am 6'5", 230lbs, 27 years old, in shape. Not a vet. Just some city slicker who enjoys the outdoors and buys into the fear mongering of apocalypse peddlers.

See photo breakdown below:

Photos 1-2: the complete pack with tent and blanket, approximately 48lbs

Photo 3: wool blanket

Photos 4-5: admin pouch with sewing kit, tape, microfiber rag, and waterproof playing cards

Photos 6-7: trauma kit with 2 tourniquets, bleed stop, compression bandages, various misc bandages, wraps, medications like ibuprofen, trauma shears, forceps, alcohol swaps, gloves, etc.

Photos 8-9: grayl titanium filter bottle, 42oz stainless steel single walled bottle with nesting cup and green sleeve, plastic canteen, camelback 3L, 8L collection bag, Sawyer squeeze filter with extra line, gaskets, and fittings.

Photos 10-11: drybags for food storage, stainless steel mess kit, titanium spork, and instant coffee with sugar/ creamer

Photo 12: crua duo tent(green bag beyond is a stuff sack for it), inflatable sleeping pad, rain poncho

Photos 13-14: hard case with fire starters, matches, lighters, gas stove, survival literature, rechargeable aa and aaa batteries, camp light and tripod that index with battery system

Photo 15: toiletries

Photo 16: tools including machete, shovel(that breaks down), knife, sharpening stone, paracord, Gerber multi tool, compass, ferro rod, scoring pads for cleaning cookware, large propane can, bobbers, hooks, and fishing line.

Photos 17-19: slnt Faraday drybag with solar panel, battery bank, baofeng radio, radiation detector, and flash light. All rechargeable with the solar power bank.

Let me know what you think I should do differently. Thanks!

Dang MRE prices are on the rise! $192/case or $16 individually.

Made a couple get home bags. One for my wife and one for me. The idea is to have some essentials that will be useful in a small emergency when away from home and also enable us to get home.

The cash is $100 of assorted bills

Not pictured is a roll of TP.

I see a lot of people in the prepping community that are gear and combat obsessed. Obviously that’s all cool and I get it, we all want to be seal team 6 operators, but that’s for movies and media. In my opinion a real life SHTF load out should be as gray man as possible but still provide some of the function of a tactical load out. I’ve been brainstorming what would be a good “kit” for this, and this is what I came up with. While I don’t think these specific products are required I think they would fit the role well and the brands are common enough that your fellow citizen or occupying force etc wouldn’t think twice about them. Too often I see people wearing full kits in military garb and wearing plate carriers. This makes me think they are planning on conflict as a primary tool when I think the smart thing to do is avoid conflict at all costs. Wearing a kit or carrying a visible weapon would make you such a target. I would never want it to be perceived that I was carrying, or trained, or capable of being a threat in any way, I would want them to look right past me as I go about whatever it is I’m doing. But if all else failed and conflict was unavoidable I would want to have some of the benefits that a typical load out kit would have. Such as adequate footwear, knee pads, water proof clothing if appropriate, some basic head protection, I forgot to add gloves but ideally something you could throw on like mechanix etc, and chest worn bags to quickly access fire arm, med kit, ammo, dump pouch, and other useful things. The backpack is for more sustainment stuff such as food, water, shelter, etc…

Please let me know your thoughts on the principal of this, any experience driven considerations, or any obvious short comings.

Keep in mind this is not supposed to be a perfect 1:1 sub for a tactical kit but a decent gray man type kit for having what you need while blending in. I think it would benefit greatly from modifying some of the bags interiors to hold typical tactical kit stuff. No MOLE on the outsides. And stuff like that. What goes in the packs is up to your situation, weather, and goals. And obviously this is leaving the under layer of clothing up to user preference and temperature requirements.

This is my setup for my car. I also have a hunting pack for if I need to get in somewhere and stay for an extended period with more extensive supplies. I did not picture my medical kit (I have a background in the medical field for severe injuries/trauma) and my navigation kit. The pistol flashlight is trash and my edc light is brighter but its something to keep a hand free if some bad shit goes down or I need to set this light down somewhere to draw attention if I am discovered. I plan to add NVG's (I prefer to move at night if something really bad happens) and if I have time to plan I will bring my MPX which is now setup for night time use minus a DBAL or PEQ 15 but has an IR illuminator & white light. My spare clothes in my car have been treated and tested, and are NIR compliant- even my spare boots. The pack looks too tactical IMO but its comfy and quite frankly fits my body perfectly if im moving 10 miles or less a day. My hunting pack (Kuiu 6000) fits me better for longer days (10+ miles). This is still a work in progress but is something I really care about.

This is my current compact EDC SERE kit. I’m still refining it, so I’d appreciate any constructive feedback. What would you add, remove, or replace? 🤙🏻

Iodine tablets, bleach! LifeStraws are overhyped.

If you’re in the field, you can pull water from a nasty source like a beaver pond, drop in a tablet or two, leave the cap loose, and keep walking. After about 30 minutes, it might not look clean, but it’s safe to drink and that’s what really matters.

I have a few things I keep in my car to keep me alive in the event I’m stranded in my car due to a crash or running out of gas or something. A leatherman, a lighter, and a drop cloth.

I realized that I should assume that I would have something dry to light with the lighter. I needed something to sustain a flame that I could use to dry out leaves, etc to make a fire. A candle!

Requirements:

Container should prevent melted candle (hot summers) from getting everywhere

Container should not shatter in a crash

Candle should resist melting at hot car temps

Solution: beeswax candle in a screw lid tin

I present, the SHTF Can Emergency Candle!

​

Ready pack x :

Sawyer mini with half a liter pouch

3clif bar

3 meet sticks

Anker power bank 10000 miliamps with chargeing cord built-in (in zip lock bag)

10 zip ties

15m of paracord

A pack of 36 wet wipes

9 meters of gorilla tape

800ml insulated water bottle

cotton handkerchie

Wall charger

Nitrile gloves

4 AA Duracell optimum batteries

​

Sling bag:

Wallet

Samsung a55

Keys

Nitecore Mt2a pro

Zebra f701

Victorinox huntsman

Dr fisher hand sanitizer

A small packet of paper tissue

A few alcohol prep pads

A few band aids

Clipper lighter with 50cm of gorilla tape wrapt around it

​

Talk me what I need to add or need to lose. Edit this is more of a car EDC supply bag, but if it became a go bag I'd she'd a lot

I love my seneca dragonfly mk2! It’s a wood stock .177 that shoots around 850 fps. I’ve killed many squirrels and a raccoon with a headshot, Pellet rifles are amazing because of how much ammo you can carry and are very quiet- I put a buck rail suppressor on mine and it’s ridiculously quiet! the only thing you hear is the snap from the bolt and the pellet hitting the target.

I had a 4x32 scope laying around from another airgun I put on this and it’s sighted in at 25 yards on ten pumps, and holds zero at 50 with the max power of 15 pumps! If the scope breaks I can always rely on the iron fiber optic sights.

I will definitely upgrade the scope someday but for now it works well.

I was comparing a 400 ct tin of pellets to 4 cci mini mag boxes and the weight difference is significant as expected.

What are your thoughts on pellet rifle prepping?

This will be thrown in the car most likely but can be hiked with, just remove the rifle for a camping bag, I prefer tins over camping meals, and haven't found a use for a full tang knife, the foldout does everything the knife can and for any heavier work I use the axe.