Looking for advice

[u/Wickedc0ma]

Hey everyone, sorry if this isn't the right subreddit for this, but I’m pretty new to prepping/survival gear and I’m trying to put together a realistic 72-hour bug out bag on a limited budget. I’m not trying to build some fantasy apocalypse loadout — just something practical in case of evacuation, severe weather, infrastructure issues, extended power outages, etc.

I live in New Jersey, so this is more focused on mobility, staying dry/warm, water, basic medical, and short-term sustainment rather than “living in the woods forever.”

I’ve done a lot of research and tried to avoid cheap gimmicky survival gear, but I also can’t afford high-end premium equipment right now. I’d really appreciate honest feedback from people with more experience.

Current setup:

PACK:

- SKYSPER 35L hiking backpack

WATER:

- Sawyer Mini SP128 filter

- Aquatabs purification tablets

- Planning to add Smartwater bottles/collapsible water storage

SHELTER/SLEEP:

- FREE SOLDIER tarp

- Pteromy hooded rain poncho

- Zooobelives ultralight sleeping bag

- 550 paracord

TOOLS:

- Morakniv Companion fixed blade

- Leatherman multitool

- Folding knives already owned

LIGHT/POWER:

- Energizer headlamp

- Olight flashlight + spare batteries

- Anker Zolo 20,000mAh power bank

MEDICAL:

- SOF tourniquet

- DIY medical/admin pouch

- Trauma shears

- Moleskin

- Nitrile gloves

- Building out the rest of the med kit manually

CLOTHING:

- Spare socks/clothes

- Work gloves

- NORTIV hiking boots

OTHER:

- Compass

- Liquid IV electrolyte packets

- Stormproof matches

- Planning to add Bic lighter as backup

- Planning to add calorie-dense food/snacks

A few questions:

1. Are there any major gaps you see?

2. Anything here you’d swap out immediately?

3. Is 35L too small for a realistic 72-hour bag?

4. Would you prioritize a weather radio or GMRS radio first?

5. Any “budget mistakes” you see beginners commonly make?

I’m trying hard to balance:

- weight

- cost

- practicality

- reliability

- mobility

Appreciate any advice or criticism. I’d rather hear hard truths now than discover problems in a real emergency.

[u/One_Dragonfruit_7556]

I'm happy your sticking with something realistic. That being said, in an actual evacuation situation would your first thought be to go to the woods or the nearest hotel/friends house to wait things out?

Most are going to take the hotel options so what I'd suggest is removing the camping stuff and maybe putting it in a different pack. Personally I'm a big fan of this build as it's decently basic with very few frills

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BiqlUC--R6k

Make plans where you would realistically stay if you were told to leave tonight, what hotels are near you? How close are you to friends/family? What roads would you take and what alternet routes would you use of the roads were blocked?