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

Assorted outdoor survival gear including rope, headlamp, Sawyer Mini filter, fire starter, and energy bar.
Assorted outdoor survival gear including rope, headlamp, Sawyer Mini filter, fire starter, and energy bar.

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

Assorted outdoor survival gear including rope, headlamp, Sawyer Mini filter, fire starter, and energy bar.
Assorted outdoor survival gear including rope, headlamp, Sawyer Mini filter, fire starter, and energy bar.

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

Recent mentions

Media Mentions
June 8, 2026
The Trek: New Gear, Who Dis?
A review of the gear that DanceOff P. carries.
View post
Media Mentions
June 8, 2026
The Trek: Appalachian Trail Gear Regrets: 8 Things I Would Do Differently and 4 I Wouldn’t Change
Everyone has to start somewhere, but if I was starting over, here’s a breakdown of what I did and what I’d do differently with my gear.
View post
Media Mentions
June 8, 2026
NBC News: What’s Bikepacking? I Found Out By Riding Over 100 Miles And Camping With Strangers
I did it all in two days, carrying everything I needed on my bike. Here are the essentials beginners should always have.
View post
Media Mentions
June 8, 2026
The People's Pharmacy: How to Keep Mosquitoes from Biting You
With the rise of mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S., Americans are more motivated than ever to keep mosquitoes from biting.
View post
Media Mentions
June 8, 2026
The Mercury News: What Is The Best Insect Repellent?
To prevent bites and diseases, make sure to use an effective insect repellent.
View post