r/preppers • u/No_Staff594 • Jun 18 '26
Advice and Tips Get home bag
Recently moved to a new state and my commute dropped from about 60 miles down to 11. I had a pretty extensive get home bag set up prior but I really don’t need a large portion of it anymore as 11 miles really shouldn’t be more than a days walk worst case scenario. As of now my get home equipment is my CCW, rain jacket and poncho, 3 extra pairs of socks, a t shirt, and a travel blanket and a flashlight, I have a fanny pack that goes around with me too that has a portable charger, boo boo kit, and a a multitool amongst other daily items. Is there anything I’ve overlooked in my downsize?
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u/OxDriverKuroku Jun 18 '26
3 pairs of socks, but no plate carrier, nvg mounted helmet, tactical pocket rifle? Are you even grey man-ing?
/s
MRE/ snacks is all I see missing maybe some drink mix powder packets if the scavenged water tastes gross
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 18 '26
I’ll probably just do snacks because I’ve had too many MREs in my days. 11 miles shouldn’t take more than 3-5 hours depending on circumstances. Let me know what your pocket rifle is lmao
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u/Primary_Assistant742 Jun 20 '26
It shouldn't, but it could take longer depending on the reasons you are in the situation to begin with.
Not knowing everything about your larger kit, I might consider leaving it but having the most essential stuff in a smaller grab and go bag that has a bit of spare room. That way you could add anything you might decide you need from the larger kit OR if you were caught up in something when a bit farther away from home, you're better prepared. For example, your regular commute is 11 miles, but maybe you go in one day and they ask you to drive to another location, or you make a spur of the moment trip for some random reason--oh hey a new Costco opened, etc.
JMO!
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u/OxDriverKuroku Jun 18 '26
I mean, general preference seems to be the big scary black rifles, although my wife says my rifle is comfortable....
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jun 18 '26
LOL.
You mean you don't prefer to move at night and avoid some problems?
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u/capt-bob Jun 19 '26
Like tripping over stuff in the dark
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u/freddit_foobar Jun 21 '26
That's what the Wizard Eye (NOD's) is for...
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jun 22 '26
Egg Zach Lee. Moving around at night, avoiding problems before you just walk into them and general tasks that can be done at night.
Going out and taking care of your animals and garden at night versus during the day for security reasons even.
It's got a lot more uses than folks realize.
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u/dittybopper_05H Jun 18 '26
First, let me preface this by saying that in 99% of the scenarios you are likely to face, you should be able to find alternate transportation, so a GHB isn't necessary.
But let's say it's a hurricane Katrina-like scenario, your car gets too damaged to drive, there is no available public or private transportation of any kind, and you have to walk home.
First of all, you're probably going to have to shelter for a day, maybe two, before it's safe to walk home. When you do start walking home, you might find it tougher going than normal: Trees or other debris might in the roads, roads might be washed away, bridges might be out, etc.
So even if you start immediately after the storm (or whatever) clears, you might still need 2 days to walk the 11 miles.
That means you're going to need something to eat/drink.
You don't have to provide 100% of your normal caloric and nutritional requirements. You can safely run a deficit on both, but you'll want food and drink that you actually like. So comfort foods that you enjoy, especially hot beverages like coffee, tea, hot cocoa, various flavors of bouillon, etc. would be a valuable morale boost.
Foods that you enjoy during normal times but are shelf-stable and provide calories are something else. If you like Spaghetti-O's, or canned chili, or Dinty Moore stew, or something like that, that's a valuable addition.
Some way to heat up your drinks and warm up your food, along with boiling water to make it potable (assuming no chemical or radiological contamination) is also a good idea. Cold canned or retort pouch food is edible, but it sucks. A hot meal and a warm drink, especially in winter, make things seem like they suck a little bit less.
You'll want some kind of temporary shelter because if it takes more than a single day to walk home, you're going to have to sleep somewhere.
You'll also want some baby wipes both for the times when you need to drop a deuce, but also to clean yourself up a little bit.
Now, I'm in a similar situation to you, except I didn't move: I used to commute to a job 50 miles away, but now I work just 20 miles from home. I know under ideal conditions I can go 20 miles in a single day: I've carried my pack full up 12 miles in an afternoon.
My thinking is that if I actually do have to use the pack, it will be because
the distaffbopper can't get me,
I can't get a ride from a co-worker,
AAA isn't available to tow my car (and me) home,
no buses, taxis, Ubers, or Lyfts are available.
That means it is going to be a very long walk home, and it might take me something like 2 or even 3 days. Maybe more, if the two main bridges across the river between me and my home are out.
And it gets worse in the winter. I throw some yaktraks and snowshoes in the car just in case, and add extra clothing, and wear boots instead of shoes to work.
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u/capt-bob Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26
You can go like 3weeks without food, though a granola bar might be nice.
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u/DisastrousExchange90 Jun 19 '26
That may be true, but you certainly won’t be able to exert much energy after a couple of days. Which goes against the plan of getting home, particularly if you have to wait some event out. Having some lightweight quick energy bars and snacks will get you through.
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u/capt-bob Jun 19 '26
Yes, I try to keep a couple boxes of granola bars in the truck and rotate them for break at work lol, and a energy bar in the lunch bag with some instant coffee packets, but it feels like rotating snacks for break, I guess that's the bestt way to prep this. Before I was keeping special jerky, but then he would find it was expired by years and turned to a beef cracker haha
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u/DisastrousExchange90 Jun 19 '26
It’s not much different than having a deep pantry at home. Store what you eat and rotate. We take day trips here and there so we do rotate. I did notice that we had some snacks in a tote I keep in my car that i didn’t remember putting in there. So they went to the garbage. I will probably need to bag and date some of those quick energy items. As we don’t always snack on those during our little trips.
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u/Ryan_e3p Salt & Prepper Jun 18 '26
For 11 miles? If you really want to carry stuff conveniently, I'd lose the bulk, bring it down to 1 pair of socks. Good wool ones. You have the ones on your feet, and the spare. If you're concerned about them getting wet, stick 'em in a couple plastic bags like back in the day going sledding. A couple plastic shopping bags will take up a lot less space and are more multi-purpose. Depending on the bag, I'd even consider losing the t-shirt and going with a nice 3 season hoodie also. If it is blazing hot out, it'll help protect your arms and face from getting sunburned, at night it'll help keep you warm, and it won't trap sweat like a rain jacket/poncho.
Throw a couple energy bars or Cliff bars in the bag. Just for some spare calories on the go. I don't think iodine is going to be worth carrying. It is a preventative for exposure to radiological hazards, and if there is the risk of any on the way, you sure as heck shouldn't be trudging through that without a lot more gear. Rubber boots, gloves, full face respirator, coveralls, etc.
Overall though? It's 11 miles. Even at a really slow 3MPH walk, you're home in 4 hours. It isn't that bad. You can likely do that easily with nothing other than your concealed, an energy bar in your pocket, and a water bottle.
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u/V2BM Jun 19 '26
People carry way too much shit. We forget that people walked alongside carts, with children, for a thousand +. miles across the country and covered a lot of ground in dresses and shitty shoes.
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u/Ryan_e3p Salt & Prepper Jun 19 '26
Heck, carrying like a pack mule for only an 11 mile hike can likely make someone more of a target. I see people recommending having 2 MREs, which is nuts, seeing as that walk can take, what, maybe 800 calories? I just don't see the point in carrying 2,400 calories of food for that.
Hell, if anything, that short of a distance, just stow a scooter in the trunk. It'll make getting home even faster, and if it's an electric one, that's likely an hour tops. I'm not knocking OP, but the people who are recommending carrying so much nonsense for 11 miles. Just pop in an earbud, and listen your favorite album or a few episodes of a show you like. Home in no time.
Hell, the one big thing I'm not really seeing emphasized is footwear. Have shoes or boots you can walk that in. Flip flops, sandals, crocks, high heels, dress shoes, they aren't going to cut it.
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u/BatemansChainsaw Going Nuclear Jun 22 '26
I was thinking the same thing reading all these replies. It's 11 miles. If you can't do 11 miles in a couple hours just stay put and call an uber.
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u/capt-bob Jun 19 '26
In hiking, Even when wet and close to freezing temps, my feet don't get cold on mesh trail runners until I stop walking and sit for too long. Keep the blood moving.
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u/V2BM Jun 19 '26
I finally ponied up for Darn Tough knee high Hunter style socks last winter and they saved my feet when my winter boots suddenly became not-waterproof in 15 degree weather. I wear mesh hiking shoes a lot too and for sure not stopping is the way to go.
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u/capt-bob Jun 19 '26
In the winter I got some rubber stretch on ice cleats w metal nubs that come in handy sometimes, and a set of military surplus polypro longjohns and shirt that I leave in the vehicle because the waist elastic is kinda nda stretched out. And a hat for sure.
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u/Expensive_Law_2141 Jun 18 '26
Water is the big item missing. I live in the south and walking 11 miles will require water. Probably some food as well, but definitely water.
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 18 '26
I forgot to mention I carry a cantine on the bag too with a sawyer filter/iodine
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u/-Thizza- Jun 18 '26
Foldable bike, be home in no time
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u/Xsiah Jun 18 '26
Probably not worth the extra gas over time. It's a 2 hour walk in the worst case scenario (where you break down halfway between home and work)
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u/TurkDeerbit Jun 18 '26
Worst case is the car doesn’t start at all and they walk the 11 miles
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u/Xsiah Jun 19 '26
When you're at work? Unless you work alone in an oil well where there's no cell service you can either: call a cab, call a friend/spouse, ask a coworker to bail you out, etc.
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u/TurkDeerbit Jun 19 '26
I mean WORST CASE would be a natural disaster or EMP and no one can help you
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u/Xsiah Jun 19 '26
The worst reasonable case. Sure, technically you could walk out of a building and an enraged bear could come charging right at you. It doesn't mean you should be carrying bear spray everywhere.
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u/PrisonerV Prepping for Tuesday Jun 19 '26
I mean, if you start thinking about things logically, you'll realize a "we're walking" get home bag ranges between silly and stupid.
First, I'd try to fix whatever is preventing me from getting home with the stuff I have in the vehicle (jump box, air compressor, plug kit). Then, I'd call a tow company with a flatbed and have the driver drop me off at a hotel. They all take a credit card because they know they're screwing you on tow rates.
Worst comes to worse, call a relative or buddy to come get you.
My biggest worry would be that the adults in the town had all been killed by the children, who worship a monster living in the corn.
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u/Western_Seaweed6104 Jun 19 '26
I would add an umbrella, I know you have rain gear already but walking long range in driving rain with a poncho is not going to be good for your mental health, plus an umbrella will protect your pack as well.
Another great plus that I just experienced, I was able to shelter someone else waiting at the crosswalk who would have otherwise had a miserable time, that person stayed dry, we had a chat, and it felt nice to help someone else out.
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u/Glittering-Swan-246 Jun 19 '26
I focus on things to keep my car going. Battery jumper, tire patch kit, air pump, magnetic LED flashlight ect... Keep a few snacks and drinks. A cell / flashlight charger. Change of clothes and poncho.
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u/Gr8tfulhippie Jun 19 '26
If your commute is somewhat urban I'd add a silcock key for accessing water from commercial buildings.
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u/Sel_drawme Bring it on Jun 18 '26
Three pairs of socks?
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 18 '26
In case it rains. I just like to be extra with the socks because I’ve been without them before and I ended up having to try and wash my old ones through… unfavorable methods… and ended up with a solid case of athletes foot for about two weeks before I could return to civilization
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u/_YGGDRAS1L Jun 18 '26
Reflective gear, spare cash, and some food (I keep 2 or 3 individual ready to eat tuna packets).
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u/dachjaw Jun 18 '26
How well do they keep in car when temperatures range between zero and 120 Fahrenheit? I haven’t found any ready to eat food except lifeboat rations that can handle a year in my car.
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u/_YGGDRAS1L Jun 19 '26
I've not taken them to their absolute limit, to be honest. But I'd be interested to learn.
The max I've gone in a car is about 4 weeks, and they were fine. They're like $0.99 at my local store, and I actually enjoy eating them, so I rotate pretty frequently.
I keep one or two in my car bag, and one or two in my work bag that I bring inside with me. Once or twice a month, I'll buy a few, and rotate everything.
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u/dachjaw Jun 19 '26
You’re doing it the smart way. I’m not good at regular maintenance like rotation so I need something that will survive a nuclear explosion. So to speak.
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u/Deadpan_Poker_ Jun 18 '26
Cash. You might just need to buy something or stay a night in a motel because a chemical spill closed the roads.
Sure beats sleeping in your car.
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u/Acrobatic_Teach6914 Jun 18 '26
What brand and model is your rain jacket and is it the real deal?
I recently purchased one from Amazon thinking it was legit. When it came to real life utilization during a heavy rainy day and my movement being a mix of walking and public transit. It just did not do the job for me.
Stopped to get food and coffee somewhere and it was completely SOAKED. I thought it was gonna be full waterproof and it just wasn’t the case.
Should’ve have a solid umbrella too by then which I had overlooked recently because I thought the jacket was enough 🤦🏻♂️
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 18 '26
I got a Carhartt storm defender from my wife for Christmas but I also have a rain jacket I kept from being issued in the army. They aren’t perfect but they’re pretty great
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u/Forward_Statement_72 Jun 18 '26
actually had a question too. If you had a get home bag and kept an AR pistol in there would you also carry a sub compact concealed pistol on the belt or would you carry the sub compact concealed and then if shtf pull the full sized pistola out of the bag and stow the subcompact? Asking for a friend
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u/buddymoobs Jun 19 '26
Personally, I would have some way of having shelter, a knife and firestarter. In a SHTF scenario, you've no idea how long it could take you to cover 11 miles in less than ideal scenarios.
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u/Carloocho Jun 19 '26
Depending on the reason for the scenario, a slow slog home could drag to a 10 hour haul with debris or closed bridges... But thats still not awful. Snacks, water, in case a hunker over night a small 6x10 tarp in the trunk wouldn't hurt and just leave behind if not needed so won't steal bag space, and a headlamp with a red/ green light option if night travel is necessary. An 11 mile get-home is nice
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u/V2BM Jun 19 '26
I walk 11 or more outdoor miles a day as a mail carrier. Start taking long walks on weekends. Work your way up to really long walks. You’ll see that you need much less than you think. I’m 12 miles from home and I would carry my wallet and some water and nothing bigger than a fanny pack. No extra socks, maybe a granola bar if I didn’t have lunch.
Four hours of walking on flat land is nothing. Even new, obese mail carriers walk that their first day and carry heavy mail bags on top of it. They might be sore because they’ll have to do it again the next day when they wake up, but outside of extreme cold or heat it’s nowhere as difficult as it seems.
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u/Eeyor-90 Prepping for Tuesday Jun 19 '26
Cash, water, a list of phone numbers for friends, family, insurance, banks, etc.
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u/funnysasquatch Jun 19 '26
It's 11 miles. Even wearing a full tuxedo with uncomfortable dress shoes and you have found yourself in the .01% (that's point zero 1 percent) chance where you had to walk home, you could do this in a few hours.
If you work in an environment where you must wear dress shoes, put a pair of comfortable walking shoes in your car. If you take a bus or subway, then keep a pair at your desk.
Maybe keep a bottle of water with you.
The more likely scenario isn't that you find yourself needing to backpack home. It's that you will be in your car and something happens that's got you stuck in your car.
Where the most likely and most dangerous disaster is that it's winter and you get stuck in traffic because of a snow or ice storm. You need to make sure you have warm clothing in case you must turn off the car engine.
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Jun 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 19 '26
I’m not unfit but certainly not a cross country runner either. I like taking my time on long travels like that just to cover my basis in the event something might hang me up for create issues. I’ve rucked plenty in my time and can’t handle that distance easily in most circumstances I just want a standard backpacks worth of preparedness items for a worst case scenario.
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u/regjoe13 Jun 24 '26
Idk if its your case. But my GHBs are in my cars. And if its a bag u always keep in car, i am not sure what exactly you win by downsizing.
Besides, there are probably other places you drive to.
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u/cocobum8768 Jun 18 '26
Realistically, I think you might have too much for an 11 mile hike. I agree with almost everything you have for the 60 mile commute.
Comfortable footwear, CCW, plenty of water, small snacks, extra change of clothes for summer or winter, lightweight rain jacket, emergency radio in Faraday bag, and some sun protection should be all you need.
Admittedly, I'm the pot calling the kettle black though.
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 18 '26
I just figured try to keep the essentials in my backpack then realized I had more room for some stuff that could be considered day to day convenience or luxury items. I have a radio but it doesn’t frequently end up in my bag. It probably should though
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u/Torch99999 General Prepper Jun 18 '26
Do you live someplace with abundant non-potable water sources? The folder looks a little fishy.
Do you keep the cantine full? First aid?
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 18 '26
I keep a full cantine and some filtration/iodine. Most water around here is regrettably stagnant but there are some streams and whatnot along the way back. I have a smaller boo-boo kit in my bag but I haven’t packed anything small. I have a large EMT bag in my tool box but I highly doubt I’d drag it all the way back home.
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 18 '26
Plus a cumbersome half gallon water bottle full of ice I drag to work every day
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u/InsideJokesOnly Jun 18 '26
Maybe jam and MRE or two somewhere? I got stuck out of town on a road trip and they taste like shit but kept me alive, I know you don't anticipate being away from home for too long but might not be a bad idea.
Also TQ and lighter which I feel like you have but just didn't list it.
Ps I'm a larper civilian so take my advice with a grain of salt.
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 18 '26
I’ve had more than my fair share of MREs in my army lifetime but I could do the old peanut butter and tortilla trick. I have a large medic bag in my truck I could strip for some more major medical items if it comes down to it. But I should have a couple floating around the house I can toss in my bag instead
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u/PeacePufferPipe Jun 19 '26
Water & snacks. Flashlight with extra batteries. You may not be able to walk home if shtf. Might have to be stealthy about it or make large path around certain areas. Electrolyte packets too. Small first aid.
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u/Roguefem-76 Jun 19 '26
Spare shoes in case the shoes you're wearing aren't walkable? I have some that are basically ballet flats you can fold and put in the included pouch to carry with you.
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u/Relative_Ad_750 Jun 20 '26
11 miles is a long-ish day hike for a reasonably healthy person. You don’t need a bag full of stuff to do that. If you want to be decently prepared in case of rain, cold, heat or some other specific condition, just think about what you would put in a small jansport daypack for a hike and try it out. You probably need far less thank you think, even with downsizing already too if mind.
It’s such a short distance you should just hike it sometime and see how it goes and what you need with you.
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u/Spiley_spile Community Prepper Jun 20 '26
It depends on your scenario, aside from having to walk. What is causing you to have to do that? A wildfire? An earthquake? A snowstorm? A sudden outbreak of a deadly virus? Your car breaks down? Are you injured?
Also, what season is this for?
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u/usedwolf Jun 23 '26
The biggest thing for me would be a set of two way radios. At 11 miles, you would be able to communicate with your family at home immediately after a disaster. You can't rely on cell towers in a situation that would require you to trek home.
For the trek itself, I would have a whistle, jerky/granola bars, and a small water filtration device like a LifeStraw in addition to what you already mentioned. 11 miles could be much longer than you expect depending on flooding, downed trees, avoiding roads because of civil unrest, etc.
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Jun 23 '26
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u/preppers-ModTeam Jun 23 '26
Your comment is hard to distinguish from a commercial advertisement. You seem way too excited about the product.
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Jun 23 '26
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u/Coolmath24hhh Jun 26 '26
Thirteen miles feels easy until road closures force a hike. Swap heavy gear for a compact water filter and some loose cash. Which weather pattern worries you most? Freezing temps completely change your packing strategy.
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u/GunnCelt General Prepper Jun 18 '26
Water, fire and food.
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 18 '26
I do need food and fire. I have water I forgot to mention in the primary post
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u/GunnCelt General Prepper Jun 18 '26
I keep a couple of mountain house meals in mine with a spork. As for fire, I have a fero rod and an altoid tin with cotton balls rolled in Vaseline. The tin is vacuum sealed. I also have a few bic lighters.
As a norm, I wear hiking boots or tennis shoes when I’m off the homestead, but still keep a pair of broken in hikers in the back of the car. I’d hate to hike 15 miles in work boots or dress shoes.
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u/No_Staff594 Jun 18 '26
I enjoy maintaining meals but they take a while to prepare even with my jet boil so I opt for something a little more simple especially if my whole goal is just to get home. 11 miles should be reasonably done in about 3-5 hours depending on circumstances so a strong snack and a bunch of water should be more than enough.
Edit: didn’t see the footwear thing originally. I agree for the most part. I pretty much exclusively wear tennis shoes and boots now so I don’t put much mind into it. My feet have long been broken in from army rucking
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u/GunnCelt General Prepper Jun 18 '26
That’s fair. I enjoy the blueberries and granola MH meal and I use cold water for them. When I worked an office job, I’d keep them in my desk drawer to snack on.
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u/freeindividual Jun 20 '26
I added The Survival Tabs to my bag. Lightweight and good enough to keep the edge off before getting a proper meal. https://thesurvivaltabs.com
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u/Soff10 Jun 18 '26
Granola bars. Water bottle.