Bug Out Bag Checklist: What to Pack for 72 Hours
Quick answer: A bug out bag should hold 72 hours of essentials for one person: about 2 to 3 liters of water plus a way to treat more, roughly 2,000 to 2,400 calories of food per day, shelter, a light, first aid, 7 days of medications, documents and cash. Keep the loaded bag at or under about 20% of your body weight (around 30 pounds for a 150-pound adult).
This is the packing list. If you still need the bag itself, start with our guide on how to choose a bug out bag backpack, which covers size, fit and weight limits. Here we go category by category through what goes inside, how much it should weigh, and how to keep it fresh, with a printable checklist at the end.
What a bug out bag is for (and why 72 hours)
A bug out bag, also called a go-bag or 72-hour kit, is the bag you grab when you have to leave home fast: a wildfire, a flood, a chemical spill or an evacuation order. Ready.gov's evacuation guidance says to prepare a "go-bag" you can carry when you evacuate on foot or public transportation, and to remember that your evacuation route may be on foot depending on the disaster.
The 72-hour number comes from evacuation planning. The American Red Cross recommends water and food for a 3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week supply for home. Your home stockpile handles the long haul. The bag only has to get you through the first few days, until you reach a shelter, a relative's house or a hotel, or until you can go back home.
So you are not building a wilderness survival kit. You are building a bag that keeps you fed, hydrated, dry and healthy for three days, light enough to carry for miles.
The bug out bag checklist, by category
Each section below lists the core items first, then a few optional ones. Start with the core items, weigh the bag, and add extras only if you stay under your weight target.
1. Water and purification
Water is the heaviest thing you carry. The Red Cross standard is one gallon per person, per day, and a gallon weighs 8.34 pounds according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Three gallons would be 25 pounds of water alone, so most people carry a smaller amount and a way to make more.
2 to 3 liters of water in bottles, a canteen or a hydration bladder
A water filter, purification tablets or both
A metal cup or small pot you can boil water in
Optional: a collapsible water bottle or bag for carrying refills
Ready.gov calls boiling the safest method of treating water: bring it to a rolling boil for one full minute, then let it cool. It also explains how to treat water with plain, unscented household bleach (1/8 teaspoon per gallon, then wait 30 minutes). In a bag, tablets are lighter and simpler. Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets are a small, light bottle that the maker says makes water safe to drink in 35 minutes.
2. Food
Three days of food should be compact, calorie-dense and need little or no cooking.
3 days of no-cook or just-add-water food: ration bars, MREs, jerky, nut butter packets, trail mix
A spoon or spork
A small manual can opener if you pack any canned food
Optional: instant coffee or tea, electrolyte packets, hard candy
The lightest option is ration bars. The Datrex 2400 Calorie Emergency Food Ration is a vacuum-sealed pack of 12 coconut-flavored bars totaling 2,400 calories, small enough to tuck into a side pocket. MREs are heavier but feel like a real meal. Check the dates before you pack them.
3. Shelter and warmth
If you can't get to a shelter or a friend's house by nightfall, you need a way to stay dry and keep body heat.
An emergency blanket or bivy (Mylar-style)
A tarp or heavy poncho that can double as a shelter
50 feet of paracord or strong cord
A warm hat and a pair of gloves (in cold months)
Optional: a lightweight sleeping bag or quilt, a closed-cell foam pad
The Red Cross basic list includes an emergency blanket, and its "consider adding" list includes plastic sheeting, blankets or sleeping bags.
4. Clothing and rain gear
One change of clothes: quick-dry pants, a long-sleeve shirt, underwear
Two pairs of wool or synthetic socks
A warm layer, such as a fleece or puffy jacket
Rain gear: a poncho or rain jacket
Sturdy, broken-in shoes or boots (wear them or strap them to the bag)
Ready.gov tells evacuees to wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection, such as long pants, long sleeves and a hat. Skip cotton for anything next to your skin; it stays wet and pulls heat away. Not sure whether a poncho or a jacket fits your bag better? See poncho vs rain jacket for emergency rain gear.
5. Fire
Two ways to start a fire: a lighter and waterproof matches, or a ferro rod
Tinder, such as cotton balls with petroleum jelly in a small bag or commercial fire starters
6. Light
A headlamp
A small backup flashlight
Spare batteries for both, or a USB cable and power bank if they're rechargeable
A flashlight and extra batteries are on both the Ready.gov kit list and the Red Cross list. A headlamp keeps both hands free. The Rothco Cree LED Headlamp is a budget-friendly pick sized for bug-out bags and vehicle kits.
7. First aid and medications
A compact first aid kit: bandages, gauze, tape, blister care, antiseptic wipes, gloves
At least a 7-day supply of your prescription medications
Pain relievers, antihistamines, anti-diarrhea medicine
Spare glasses or contacts and solution
A written list of medications, allergies and doctors
The Red Cross recommends medications (7-day supply) and medical items, which is longer than the bag's 72 hours for a reason: pharmacies may be closed or hard to reach after a disaster. For a full item-by-item list, use our first aid kit checklist.
8. Tools
A multi-tool or a fixed-blade knife
Duct tape (wrap a few feet around a water bottle to save space)
Work gloves
A whistle to signal for help
An N95 or dust mask
Optional: a small pry bar or adjustable wrench to shut off utilities
The whistle, dust mask and wrench or pliers all come straight from the Ready.gov basic kit list.
9. Navigation
Paper maps of your area and your evacuation routes, in a zip-top bag
A compass you know how to use
Addresses of two or three places you could go
Ready.gov suggests picking several places you could go in different directions, such as a friend's home in another town or a motel, and learning alternate routes. Mark them on your map. The Rothco Lensatic Metal Compass is a classic sighting compass built for field use and small enough for a hip-belt pocket.
10. Communication
A cell phone with charging cable
A charged power bank
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, ideally with NOAA Weather Radio
A written list of phone numbers, including an out-of-area contact
Write the numbers down in case your phone dies. Ready.gov's kit list includes a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio, which lets you hear evacuation updates when cell service is down.
11. Hygiene and sanitation
Hand sanitizer and a small bar or bottle of soap
Toothbrush and travel toothpaste
Toilet paper in a zip-top bag, plus wet wipes
Garbage bags and zip ties
Menstrual products if needed
Optional: a small quick-dry towel, lip balm, sunscreen
Ready.gov lists moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation. A heavy garbage bag doubles as a pack liner.
12. Documents and cash
Copies of ID, insurance policies, medical information, proof of address and deed or lease, in a waterproof bag
A USB drive or secure cloud copy of the same
Cash in small bills
A spare set of house and car keys
The Red Cross lists copies of personal documents like proof of address, insurance policies, passports and birth certificates, plus extra cash. Card readers and ATMs may not work in an outage.
13. Extras for kids and pets
Every person who can carry a bag should have their own. For small children, the adults carry the extras.
Kids: diapers and wipes, formula or baby food, a comfort item, a small game or book, a card with your name and phone number in their pocket
Pets: food and water for 3 days, a collapsible bowl, leash and collar with ID, waste bags, vaccination records and a recent photo
The Red Cross suggests games and activities for children along with baby and pet supplies. Ready.gov notes that most public shelters allow only service animals, so plan a pet-friendly place to stay ahead of time. Our pet emergency kit checklist covers dogs and cats in detail.
How much should a bug out bag weigh?
REI's guidance for backpackers is that a loaded pack should not weigh more than about 20 percent of your body weight, and REI calls that a very general guideline. Treat it as a ceiling, not a goal.
Here is a rough weight budget for a one-person, 72-hour bag. These are our planning estimates, not official figures. Weigh your own gear on a bathroom scale.
Category | Rough weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Water (2 to 3 liters) | 4.5 to 6.5 lb | A liter of water weighs about 2.2 lb |
Food (3 days) | 3 to 5 lb | Ration bars are lightest; MREs are heaviest |
Shelter and warmth | 1.5 to 4 lb | More in winter with a sleeping bag |
Clothing and rain gear | 2 to 4 lb | Wear your heaviest layer |
First aid, meds, hygiene | 1.5 to 3 lb | Pack meds in a waterproof bag |
Tools, light, fire, navigation, comms | 2 to 4 lb | Count spare batteries and power bank |
Documents, cash, extras | 0.5 to 1 lb | Kids and pets add more |
Empty backpack | 2 to 5 lb | Check the listing or weigh it |
That adds up to roughly 17 to 32 pounds. If you land near the top and you weigh less than 160 pounds, start cutting. Good places to trim: carry less water and more purification, swap cans for ration bars, and drop duplicate tools.
Printable bug out bag checklist
Print this, tape it inside a closet door, and check items off as you pack.
Water
2 to 3 liters of water
Filter or purification tablets
Metal cup or small pot
Food
3 days of no-cook food
Spoon or spork, can opener if needed
Shelter and clothing
Emergency blanket, tarp or heavy poncho
50 ft of cord
Change of clothes, 2 pairs of socks, warm layer
Rain gear, hat and gloves
Sturdy shoes
Fire and light
Lighter and waterproof matches, tinder
Headlamp, backup flashlight, spare batteries
First aid and health
First aid kit
7 days of prescription meds, plus OTC meds
Glasses or contacts, medication list
Tools and navigation
Multi-tool or knife, duct tape, work gloves
Whistle, N95 or dust mask
Paper map, compass, list of destinations
Communication
Phone, cable, charged power bank
Battery or hand-crank radio
Written contact list
Hygiene
Sanitizer, soap, toothbrush, toilet paper, wipes
Garbage bags and zip ties
Documents and money
ID and document copies in a waterproof bag
Cash in small bills, spare keys
Family extras
Kids' supplies and comfort items
Pet food, water, leash, records
Customize and rotate your bag
A checklist is a starting point. Make the bag fit your life and keep it current.
Customize for where you live
Wildfire country: add extra N95 masks and eye protection, and keep the bag by the door during fire season.
Flood or hurricane zones: use a waterproof pack or a heavy liner, and put documents and electronics in dry bags.
Cold climates: add a real sleeping bag, an extra insulating layer and hand protection.
Medical needs: add backup supplies for any device you rely on, like hearing aid batteries, a spare inhaler or glucose testing supplies.
Rotate on a schedule
Check the bag at least twice a year. Ready.gov says to re-think your needs every year and update the kit as your family changes. A simple routine:
Every 6 months: swap water, check food dates, replace expired meds, test lights and charge the power bank.
Each season: swap winter and summer clothing.
Once a year: update document copies, phone numbers, cash and kids' clothing sizes.
The start and end of daylight saving time are easy reminders. Do one practice run, too: grab the bag, set a timer, and walk out the door. You'll learn fast what's missing or too heavy.
Bug out bag checklist FAQ
What are the most important items in a bug out bag?
Water and a way to treat more, food, a light, first aid with your medications, shelter from rain and cold, and document copies with some cash.
How many days should a bug out bag last?
Most are built for 72 hours, which matches the Red Cross recommendation of a 3-day supply of water and food for evacuation. Your home kit should cover longer, with the Red Cross suggesting a 2-week supply at home.
How much water should I put in a bug out bag?
Most people carry 2 to 3 liters plus a filter or purification tablets. A full gallon per day for 3 days would weigh about 25 pounds, which is too heavy for most people to carry far.
Should every family member have their own bag?
Yes, if they can carry one. A child can carry snacks, water, a jacket and a comfort item, while adults carry the heavier shared gear.
Where should I keep my bug out bag?
Somewhere you can grab it in seconds, like a closet near the main door, and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is. Many people also keep a smaller kit in the car.
The bottom line
A good bug out bag isn't about having every gadget. It's about covering water, food, shelter, light, first aid, documents and communication for three days, in a bag you can actually carry. Pack the core items, weigh the bag, trim to your weight target, and check it twice a year. Prepper Shop ships within the continental United States.
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