What to Pack in a Go Bag

Being prepared is key to survival in any situation, whether it's a storm or an attack, for both civilians and military personnel. We know that it can be tough to be ready at a moment's notice, but there are some things you can do to help you stay prepared – and that includes using tactical bags alongside your other tactical gear. A great way to start is by knowing what to pack in a go bag for times of crisis.

What Goes In a Go Bag?

A go bag is essentially a tactical bag that's pre-packed with essentials you might need in case of an emergency. Whether it's due to fires, flooding, hurricanes, natural disasters, or even if you need to get out of town quickly due to family medical emergencies or unrest in your community, a go bag is your trusty companion. It's always ready to go, containing everything you need without having to scramble and waste valuable time. With a go bag, you can stay ready, knowing that you're prepared for any situation that comes your way!

Important Gear to Pack in a Go Bag

Tactical readiness means being prepared for anything and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Go bags are great whether you’re prepping for yourself or preparing your whole family to move quickly. We highly recommend each family member capable of carrying have their own tactical go bag with a few essentials. Here’s a list of things to include in each:

• Water: At least one bottle of water per person, but if you can, pack more than that. A survival straw or emergency filtration system or tablets in case drinking water will be unavailable for an unknown period of time is also a good idea.
• Food: Having MREs on-hand is usually the best option. Pack meals that are not expired, and give you protein and energy when you desperately need it. Energy bars, dried foods, and nuts are all healthy options that will give you energy, but won’t take up much space. Include enough food for at least 3 days.
• Flashlight: In case of power outages, it's smart to have your own flashlight with fresh batteries on hand. Just to be safe: pack extra batteries.
• Clothing: Have an additional outer layer because you never know what elements you may face. When it's time to go, your tactical preparedness will pay off when you already have a tactical jacket or an insulated outer layer tucked away in your go bag. It's also smart to pack a shell, rain jacket, or at least include those single-use disposable ponchos and even a good pair of sneakers in case you have to travel on foot.
• Blanket: You should have at least one warm blanket or sleeping bag per person, so each of you should pack a survival blanket, or space blanket, in your bag.
• First Aid: Get a small first aid kit, any personal medications or apparatus, and glasses if you wear them. Most pre-packaged first aid kits will include non-prescription items too, like pain relievers, allergy pills, and antacids. Duct tape and super glue can also be super useful in emergency situations.
• Communication: Put a spare cell phone charger cord, a burner phone, and separate solar battery pack in there, in case of power failure. A solar-powered radio will be beneficial in case of a cell phone outage. Have a local map, paper, pencil, and whistle handy too.
• Other Tactical Gear and Essentials for Your Go Bag: Consider any climate- or terrain-specific gear your may need for your immediate environment. Add a multi-tool, a small box of matches in a waterproof container, cash or valuables, important documents (i.e. passports, copies of IDs, bank records, insurance policies), a second set of house and car keys, and a weapon for protection. Beyond that you can also have garbage bags, wet wipes, and toiletries to have some modern convenience multi-purpose essentials.

Tactical Planning for Any Go Bag Situation

Now you know exactly what to pack in your go bag. Fit all of your tactical gear neatly in one of our tactical bags + cases, and keep everything up to date. Occasionally go through it and make sure your medications are not expired, replace any that are, and make sure that your phone and battery packs are always ready and functional. In more extreme situations, you may not be able to reach a survival cache site and only be left with the gear in your go bag to get you through. If you're just starting out with your tactical planning, after packing your go bag, start preparing survival tactical equipment caches. Having a backup in case you can't get to your go bag, could be a literal lifesaver and a solid strategy of tactical preparedness.