I touched on this topic in various threads here on pack load, hiking and my failures, the method would be the same for bugging out.
Over the years I have packed in (using a multitude of different packs) for a week at a time and sometimes longer and sometimes shorter never the less short hikes is no different than long hikes and what I am seeing on various sites would lead one to failure in short order if not injured. This post is not going to discuss clothing or shoes but instead it's a discussion on comfort under load bearing weight and the method I use to keep me on the trail longer and further without undue stress on my shoulders, lower back and legs regarding backpacks.
Lets face it, the majority of preppers are not athletic nor in the best of health and or aches and pains associated with age never the less bugging out is the only option for many. First and foremost the weight should be no more than what you can carry COMFORTABLY in the environment you will be bugging out regardless of season, I know at my age I already had to re-adjust my pack due to my limitations (not as sure-footed as I once was on sloped hillsides)
What I am seeing is the recommendations of military packs, yes they durable to a point but I'm going to tell you they are not the best choice for the majority of preppers. Because of the type of terrain I'm in I need to use a pack with an internal frame that carries the weight vertical rested on the hip (not shoulders) that keeps the load closer to my spine that's not much wider than my body (were most Military packs fail) with no weight shifting of the packs contents, now if I was in Texas an external frame pack would be ok if not preferable but on uneven grounds the external frames holds the weight to far out from the spine causing stability issues and undue fatigue.
Another problem I am seeing, people loading up the pants waist belt with knives, multi-tools, firearms, flashlights, ammo etc... while carrying the packs. Advice, get a utility belt (pistol belt) that contains these tools and either strap it to the outside of the pack or put in the pack until the pack is on the ground, if a firearms needs to be carried then think of utilizing a chest rig for handgun, nothing should be on the belt that holds up the pants. I also recommend using suspenders even if using a waist belt for several reasons, one of the worst thing you can do is tighten the waist belt for any reason be it gear on the belt, the pants getting wet, equipment in the pockets or weight loss due to changes in eating habit (common in a high stress environment) etc.. tightening the waist belt puts unneeded pressures on the abdominal and lower back area, suspenders help assist in removing this unneeded pressures.
Since I'm always trying out new equipment I'm always taking my bug out bag (currently my I.N.C.H. bag) out to not only to test the equipment but also refining my load distribution on different terrains, a bug out bag should always be tested and refined more than once and should be done periodically thus at the same time you are testing your limitations, limitations need to be tested least twice a year. Bugging out isn't just having a bag, your body is very much part of the bag a failure on either one can lead to dire straits.
Never purchase a bag blind, no such thing as one bag fits all! The bag should be tried out, put it on before purchase, make sure it can be strapped to your comfort, can the internal frame be adjusted, does an external frame type fit correctly, is the hip belt padded enough for the weight being carried, whats the return policy. Once home load the pack up and walk 2 miles, is it comfortable can it be refined if not? Remember, the hip supports the weight, the shoulder straps suck the pack up against the back and stabilize not weight bearing, the hip belt rest snugly on your hip and NOT cinched to your waist
Sheer panty hose, I strongly recommend Sheer panty hose for guys and gals, it really does help relieve some fatiguing in the legs and offer some warmth in the winter and protection from certain insects, the benefits out weigh the embarrassment. I have used the sheer's when I was in the service in South America and Africa and it did help greatly also keep in mind fatigue in the legs shifts majority of the weight to the lower back accelerating full body fatigue making it very difficult to set up your trail or drop camp and affecting your awareness in a high stress environment.
The pace needs to be consistent and realistic, you need to be truthful to yourself and the party you are with, you need to listen to your body don't push it, communications is paramount not just to yourself but everyone around you! Keeping energy levels and strength up, to help with my pace I eat tuna fish, raisins and sunflower seeds mix together (made easier with tuna in a bag) while walking, low energy accelerates fatigue causing reduced awareness though maintaining energy would be in vain if the backpack didn't fit correctly.
Don't buy into the hype "this is the best bug out bag" Only you can determine the best bag and to determine that is to physically try and test the bag yourself this is were the refund policy comes into play!
We had very expensive bags $360ea and used them for about 3 years, around two years ago we switched to a cheaper (mid-priced $77ea) given the comfort level was far better with the weight we are carrying, the most expensive isn't always the best and in my case I tired quicker!
Over the years I have packed in (using a multitude of different packs) for a week at a time and sometimes longer and sometimes shorter never the less short hikes is no different than long hikes and what I am seeing on various sites would lead one to failure in short order if not injured. This post is not going to discuss clothing or shoes but instead it's a discussion on comfort under load bearing weight and the method I use to keep me on the trail longer and further without undue stress on my shoulders, lower back and legs regarding backpacks.
Lets face it, the majority of preppers are not athletic nor in the best of health and or aches and pains associated with age never the less bugging out is the only option for many. First and foremost the weight should be no more than what you can carry COMFORTABLY in the environment you will be bugging out regardless of season, I know at my age I already had to re-adjust my pack due to my limitations (not as sure-footed as I once was on sloped hillsides)
What I am seeing is the recommendations of military packs, yes they durable to a point but I'm going to tell you they are not the best choice for the majority of preppers. Because of the type of terrain I'm in I need to use a pack with an internal frame that carries the weight vertical rested on the hip (not shoulders) that keeps the load closer to my spine that's not much wider than my body (were most Military packs fail) with no weight shifting of the packs contents, now if I was in Texas an external frame pack would be ok if not preferable but on uneven grounds the external frames holds the weight to far out from the spine causing stability issues and undue fatigue.
Another problem I am seeing, people loading up the pants waist belt with knives, multi-tools, firearms, flashlights, ammo etc... while carrying the packs. Advice, get a utility belt (pistol belt) that contains these tools and either strap it to the outside of the pack or put in the pack until the pack is on the ground, if a firearms needs to be carried then think of utilizing a chest rig for handgun, nothing should be on the belt that holds up the pants. I also recommend using suspenders even if using a waist belt for several reasons, one of the worst thing you can do is tighten the waist belt for any reason be it gear on the belt, the pants getting wet, equipment in the pockets or weight loss due to changes in eating habit (common in a high stress environment) etc.. tightening the waist belt puts unneeded pressures on the abdominal and lower back area, suspenders help assist in removing this unneeded pressures.
Since I'm always trying out new equipment I'm always taking my bug out bag (currently my I.N.C.H. bag) out to not only to test the equipment but also refining my load distribution on different terrains, a bug out bag should always be tested and refined more than once and should be done periodically thus at the same time you are testing your limitations, limitations need to be tested least twice a year. Bugging out isn't just having a bag, your body is very much part of the bag a failure on either one can lead to dire straits.
Never purchase a bag blind, no such thing as one bag fits all! The bag should be tried out, put it on before purchase, make sure it can be strapped to your comfort, can the internal frame be adjusted, does an external frame type fit correctly, is the hip belt padded enough for the weight being carried, whats the return policy. Once home load the pack up and walk 2 miles, is it comfortable can it be refined if not? Remember, the hip supports the weight, the shoulder straps suck the pack up against the back and stabilize not weight bearing, the hip belt rest snugly on your hip and NOT cinched to your waist
Sheer panty hose, I strongly recommend Sheer panty hose for guys and gals, it really does help relieve some fatiguing in the legs and offer some warmth in the winter and protection from certain insects, the benefits out weigh the embarrassment. I have used the sheer's when I was in the service in South America and Africa and it did help greatly also keep in mind fatigue in the legs shifts majority of the weight to the lower back accelerating full body fatigue making it very difficult to set up your trail or drop camp and affecting your awareness in a high stress environment.
The pace needs to be consistent and realistic, you need to be truthful to yourself and the party you are with, you need to listen to your body don't push it, communications is paramount not just to yourself but everyone around you! Keeping energy levels and strength up, to help with my pace I eat tuna fish, raisins and sunflower seeds mix together (made easier with tuna in a bag) while walking, low energy accelerates fatigue causing reduced awareness though maintaining energy would be in vain if the backpack didn't fit correctly.
Don't buy into the hype "this is the best bug out bag" Only you can determine the best bag and to determine that is to physically try and test the bag yourself this is were the refund policy comes into play!
We had very expensive bags $360ea and used them for about 3 years, around two years ago we switched to a cheaper (mid-priced $77ea) given the comfort level was far better with the weight we are carrying, the most expensive isn't always the best and in my case I tired quicker!
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