[MrTinee]

hey everyone I'm new here I'm Devin. I live in Wisconsin and I'm looking for a get home bag on the cheap cheap. I have two small children and I'm the only one in my family working so I'm really really really broke and just trying to prepare for a worst-case scenario with my family so my question is where would be the best place to find a super super cheap but yet quality three day BOB used is great a PIF would be even better 😉

 

[Camel923]

Good will or yard sales may turn up something cheap and use full. Perhaps a flea market.

 

[sparkyprep]

First thing you need to do, is decide exactly what you plan to accomplish with this pack. Is it a true bug out bag? Or is it a get home bag? Is it a I'm never coming home bag? You say BOB, but where are you bugging out to? You also say it is a get home bag. Which is it? I ask, because this information drastically changes what is in the bag.

 

[topgun]

Check out the canvas heavy-duty tool bags made for Craftsmen tools. They can be found at K-Mart, Sears, and Ace hardware stores. Mine can hold up to 50 pounds or so and the handles can take it. They come in at least 3 sizes.

Sometimes they are dirt cheap. My wife who spends most of her time shopping, picked a couple up when they were giving them away for $2.50 each. My wife, "Thrifty" as she's known at the mall, bought several to hand out as gifts too,

I use mine for BOB's and gun range bags because they can handle a lot of weight and they are durable.

DeWalt, Milwaukee and a couple of other tool companies make similar bags, but they usually cost much, much more.

 

[MrTinee]

I am looking for a edc/get home bag... I use the term bob because that's what the style of bags I'm looking for are normally called something along the lines of a 512 rush 72 or the black tyde tactical 3 day bob... I want something in a 3 day size for several reasons first being I'm a big guy and I feel the larger pack will fit me better and second because for the edc side of it I carry my MacBook and other larger items in it and I still want room for the get home portion of the combined pack...

 

[MrTinee]

Check out the canvas heavy-duty tool bags made for Craftsmen tools. They can be found at K-Mart, Sears, and Ace hardware stores. Mine can hold up to 50 pounds or so and the handles can take it. They come in at least 3 sizes.

Sometimes they are dirt cheap. My wife who spends most of her time shopping, picked a couple up when they were giving them away for $2.50 each. My wife, "Thrifty" as she's known at the mall, bought several to hand out as gifts too,

I use mine for BOB's and gun range bags because they can handle a lot of weight and they are durable.

DeWalt, Milwaukee and a couple of other tool companies make similar bags, but they usually cost much, much more.

You wouldn't happen to have a picture would you? I googled it and only came up with a $60 pack

 

[TacticalCanuck]

Dollar tree or dollar store. Get band aids cloths shelter first aid sanitation even a cheap pack as well as food and tools all on the cheap. Will it last? Nope. Will it last 3 days? Probably. It won't be fancy but let me tell you for the cost of a single high end leatherman tool you can build the whole thing. 2x. I've seen tube tents stakes rain ponchos garbage bags cordage multi tools flashlights batteries radios all the stuff you need in an emergency. Check it out.

 

[MrTinee]

Dollar tree or dollar store. Get band aids cloths shelter first aid sanitation even a cheap pack as well as food and tools all on the cheap. Will it last? Nope. Will it last 3 days? Probably. It won't be fancy but let me tell you for the cost of a single high end leatherman tool you can build the whole thing. 2x. I've seen tube tents stakes rain ponchos garbage bags cordage multi tools flashlights batteries radios all the stuff you need in an emergency. Check it out.

I love the dollar tree!!! I have sourced several things from there! I am now looking just for the pack itself... Something to keep it all in.

 

[PaulS]

Mr.Tinee,
If you don't have someplace to go, you really have no need of a bugout bag. A BOB is supposed to hold three days of supplies so you can get from your home to a more secure location that you have stocked with everything you need to be self sustaining. If you don't have that location then you need an emergency kit to get you through a week to 3 week emergency until help arrives. For emergencies you should have at least 1 gallon of water per person per day. Warm clothes and several pairs of socks and underwear, work boots, gloves, some filter masks, for each person. You need four ready to eat meals a day for each person and a snack along with eating impliments. You should have any necessary medicines, dry-wipes and first aid that you can use. You should have a packet of your important papers and recent pictures of all family members. You may or may not want personal protection but if you don't have it then whatever you have will likely be taken from you. Some other items are a knife, ax, a means to start a fire, and some form of personal shelter. Around your home you should be able to turn off the gas, electrical and water in case there are ruptures. Turn these off before you leave.

I know you said you are on a budget and that limits what you can buy but it doesn't limit what you can re-purpose or recycle to use in an emergency. Think outside the box and do what you can, with what you have and where you are.
Best wishes - you know we all started out where you are right now. Keep the faith.
Paul

 

[RNprepper]

Our get home bags are designed for hoofing it quickly home with a possible overnight if SHTF late in the day. 15-20 miles for family members working the farthest distance away from home. I have everything packed in a mid size fanny pack with a water bottle hanging on the outside. Along with the fanny pack is a small, inexpensive back pack that can hold a gallon of water in a heavy duty ice tea type container. As the water gets consumed, the weight will decrease. The idea is to get home as quickly as possible and to be prepared for spending 24 hours on the street or in the elements. It covers food, water, shelter, first aid, light, fire, maps, money, communications. Defense is a sidearm carried in a holster either open or concealed. Packs and most supplies purchased at WalMart. Compact, lightweight, inexpensive.

 

[MrTinee]

Mr.Tinee,
If you don't have someplace to go, you really have no need of a bugout bag. A BOB is supposed to hold three days of supplies so you can get from your home to a more secure location that you have stocked with everything you need to be self sustaining. If you don't have that location then you need an emergency kit to get you through a week to 3 week emergency until help arrives. For emergencies you should have at least 1 gallon of water per person per day. Warm clothes and several pairs of socks and underwear, work boots, gloves, some filter masks, for each person. You need four ready to eat meals a day for each person and a snack along with eating impliments. You should have any necessary medicines, dry-wipes and first aid that you can use. You should have a packet of your important papers and recent pictures of all family members. You may or may not want personal protection but if you don't have it then whatever you have will likely be taken from you. Some other items are a knife, ax, a means to start a fire, and some form of personal shelter. Around your home you should be able to turn off the gas, electrical and water in case there are ruptures. Turn these off before you leave.

I know you said you are on a budget and that limits what you can buy but it doesn't limit what you can re-purpose or recycle to use in an emergency. Think outside the box and do what you can, with what you have and where you are.
Best wishes - you know we all started out where you are right now. Keep the faith.
Paul

Thanks for the tips! I'm not too worried about the contents of the bag like I said before it's more of an edc type get home bag because I often work several hours from home and often in remote locations... So I already have water, fire, cordage, shelter, ( kinda shelter... That's my weak spot ) knives, first aid, food, hygiene, ect... I just am in need of a pack to keep it all in...

 

[PaulS]

Well, you know how much stuff you have so all you need is a gym bag or a pack from a thrift store in which it will fit.

 

[Medic33]

if your only a short distance away from home- why do you really need a shelter? In this case a tent or something? you would spend more time packing and setting up that it would really be worth.
seems redundant to me.
you can't find a decent bag to put it in? sorry if I am being mean but I do find it amazing.
a back pack or gym bag can be bought ant just about any department store.
you have kids can't you just use one of their old school bags they don't use anymore I mean I have kids and they have several I could use even an old diaper bag would be handy you would be surprised how much you can stuff in that thing..

 

[TacticalCanuck]

When it comes to the pack itself i recommend a good one. I know your on a budget. But let me explain.

Maxpedition has a fantastic day pack called a falcon 2. They are about 150 bucks locally. Ouch right?

Well my local surplus store has a falcon 2 rip off for 40 bucks. Looks pretty much the same. Same colors even.

So i grab the knock off. First hike out i blow two of the strap retainers and 2 of the compression retainers. The peices that you tighten or losen the straps through. So i have to tie a strap onto the bag just get back. I end up with gimp bag on day one.

Enter the real deal. I use it every day. Its small and unassuming. Ive hiked many times no issues. Its not only made it through the rigors but it still looks new. Mind you i guess it kind of is its a few weeks old. However i would be 40 bucks richer had i got the better bag. 40 bucks is 40 bucks. Couple boxes of ammo for said bag at least!

 

[Jakthesoldier]

Jansport has bags for like $15 at walmart. Basically the same thing as the army assult pack, just of slightly lesser quality.

 

[topgun]

This one is the medium size that I use for a range bag, about 13 long, 9 high, and 9 wide. It has 6 little pouches on the outside which are perfect for my mags and loader.

You wouldn't happen to have a picture would you? I googled it and only came up with a $60 pack

 

[RNprepper]

if your only a short distance away from home- why do you really need a shelter? In this case a tent or something? you would spend more time packing and setting up that it would really be worth.
seems redundant to me.
you can't find a decent bag to put it in? sorry if I am being mean but I do find it amazing.
a back pack or gym bag can be bought ant just about any department store.
you have kids can't you just use one of their old school bags they don't use anymore I mean I have kids and they have several I could use even an old diaper bag would be handy you would be surprised how much you can stuff in that thing..

Sure don't need a tent for a GHB. "Shelter" in my bags means a way to stay warm and dry if it rains or in winter and someone has to overnight on the way home. That means a poncho, and emergency blanket, and a garbage bag as ground cover. All very light and compact....and cheap.

 

[MrTinee]

Sure don't need a tent for a GHB. "Shelter" in my bags means a way to stay warm and dry if it rains or in winter and someone has to overnight on the way home. That means a poncho, and emergency blanket, and a garbage bag as ground cover. All very light and compact....and cheap.

That's exactly what I have in my pack!

 

[Quip]

For a cheap yet decent shelter Walmart has a little 5x7 tarp in the camping section. $9.97.

 

[gunsandgearnetwork]

You wouldn't happen to have a picture would you? I googled it and only came up with a $60 pack

Walmart has some decent bags made by SOG or Fieldline Tactical that are fairly cheap. Also consider a old military ALICE pack that can be found cheap and is good quality. The ALICE packs can be used with or without the frame.