International Header

Wirecutter: The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

The best gear for your bug out bag according to Doug Mahoney

Wirecutter: The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

Last updated:
September 17, 2021
|  5 min read

Wirecutter: The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

Wirecutter: The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

YouTube video highlight

The best gear for your bug out bag according to Doug Mahoney

Read more about the project

Wirecutter: The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

Thumbnail Slider Image
No items found.

The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

Whether it’s a wildfire, a hurricane, a flood, or any number of other emergencies, a fully stocked bag of emergency gear (commonly referred to as a “ready bag,” “go bag,” or “bug-out bag”) allows you and your family to quickly evacuate to a shelter or other secure location without forgetting any basic survival supplies and tools.

For this guide we focused on gear that could be more easily carried in a backpack, emphasizing lightness and portability wherever possible. For sheltering in place, we have a separate guide to the best emergency preparedness supplies to help you manage at home for a period of time following a disaster that knocks out utility services or cuts off outside resources to your area. We hope both of our guides will help you be prepared with reliable and versatile tools that can help you manage whatever emergency you may face.

If you are interested in learning more, continue to read the complete article on other tips and tricks for your bug out bag, written by Doug Mahoney.

Wirecutter: The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

Whether it’s a wildfire, a hurricane, a flood, or any number of other emergencies, a fully stocked bag of emergency gear (commonly referred to as a “ready bag,” “go bag,” or “bug-out bag”) allows you and your family to quickly evacuate to a shelter or other secure location without forgetting any basic survival supplies and tools.

For this guide we focused on gear that could be more easily carried in a backpack, emphasizing lightness and portability wherever possible. For sheltering in place, we have a separate guide to the best emergency preparedness supplies to help you manage at home for a period of time following a disaster that knocks out utility services or cuts off outside resources to your area. We hope both of our guides will help you be prepared with reliable and versatile tools that can help you manage whatever emergency you may face.

If you are interested in learning more, continue to read the complete article on other tips and tricks for your bug out bag, written by Doug Mahoney.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Staff Writers
Wirecutter Staff
Staff picks for Wirecutter.
Media Mentions

Wirecutter: The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag

Whether it’s a wildfire, a hurricane, a flood, or any number of other emergencies, a fully stocked bag of emergency gear (commonly referred to as a “ready bag,” “go bag,” or “bug-out bag”) allows you and your family to quickly evacuate to a shelter or other secure location without forgetting any basic survival supplies and tools.

For this guide we focused on gear that could be more easily carried in a backpack, emphasizing lightness and portability wherever possible. For sheltering in place, we have a separate guide to the best emergency preparedness supplies to help you manage at home for a period of time following a disaster that knocks out utility services or cuts off outside resources to your area. We hope both of our guides will help you be prepared with reliable and versatile tools that can help you manage whatever emergency you may face.

If you are interested in learning more, continue to read the complete article on other tips and tricks for your bug out bag, written by Doug Mahoney.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Staff Writers
Wirecutter Staff
Staff picks for Wirecutter.
Media Mentions
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
January 22, 2026
6 Min
Backpacker: The Complete Peakbagging Packing List
Read More

Media Mentions

Sawyer Squeeze + Cnoc VectoX 2L is responsible for all water filtration while packs are off, and the large reservoir enables cameling up.

Jaeger Shaw
Owner & Managing Editor

Media Mentions

The Sawyer Mini is the cheapest and one of the most lightweight water purifiers on this list.

Steph Dyson
Freelance Travel Writer

Media Mentions

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter – Ultralight, lifetime-warranty filter that removes bacteria and parasites.

Himiway Bike
Website
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory