Tested: The Best Bug-Out Bags to Stay Prepared

Whether it but a result of nuclear warfare, a natural disaster, or the collapse of the government or banking system, there’s a myriad of different scenarios that could bring about the end of times — or at least the end to life and civilization as we currently know them. Without knowing when — or if — this emergency may strike or what form it may take, it can be difficult to prepare yourself for this potentially-looming cataclysmic event. Fortunately you can ready yourself by preparing a go-bag now so you have it ready-to-go if ever needed. To help kickstart building out your bugout bag, we’ve handpicked a selection of the best bugout backpacks on the market and then put them to the test for this hands-on review. 

Selection & Testing

As times grow increasingly uncertain, more and more individuals have taken to prepping. As a result, there’s now an even greater number of bugout backpacks and pre-assembled go-bags on the market to choose from. In a bid to uncover the best packs for using as a go-bag for bugging out, we first began by making a list of areas that would be scrutinized and reviewed when looking at potential candidates. This included factors such as primary construction, hardware and trim, storage volume, size and weight, weatherproofing, organizational amenities, and unique features. Viewing each bag through this lens, we then scoured the market, looking at everything from hiking and backpacking packs to military and tactical bags, in order to ultimately generate a shortlist of go-bag candidates that we suspected of possibly representing some of the very best that money can currently buy. 

Though elements such as material selection, volume, and organizational features were taken into consideration when evaluating each bugout bag, we also wanted to compare each selection’s real-world performance and user experience. In order to do so, we devised numerous tests in an effort to simulate common situations one would likely face when bugging out. This included a jogging test, in order to see how supportive each bag was, how well it distributed weight across the wearer’s entire torso, and how much or little it bounced around or shifted amidst physical movement. To examine these same areas more thoroughly, we also performed a short climbing test, in which each bugout backpack was loaded up with gear and then worn white climbing an eight-foot chainlink fence. Additionally, each pack was also worn for an extended period while walking in a bid to simulate what it would be like trekking or rucking with each bag — a test that revealed how comfortable it was to wear each bag for both short and long-term durations. 

With go-bags’ intended use being in an emergency, we also wanted to judge how difficult it was and how long it took to remove specific items from each backpack when carrying a full bugout loadout — as often times in emergencies and survival situations time is of the essence, and in specific scenarios a few seconds can mean the difference between life and death. To judge this aspect of each bag, we took a stack of flash cards and wrote down the name of each piece of gear in the pack on a single card. The stack was then shuffled, and from there three cards were randomly drawn. At that point, a stopwatch was started, and we timed how long it took to remove and deploy the randomly-selected trio of items. This test was performed multiple times on each bag to get a better overall sense of real-world performance. 

In order to test both the storage capacity and organizational features of each bag, we assembled a bugout bag loadout containing a host of survival essentials. This collection of go-bag must-haves was comprised of a compressed sleeping bag, a first aid kit, a tactical pen, a notebook, a night-vision monocular, a week’s worth of meal-replacement bars and MREs, a water filtration system, a mess kit, a tarp, a lighter, a Ferro rod, a pair of tactical gloves, a tactical jacket, a survival knife, a roll of duct tape, 25’ of paracord, a bag of zip-ties, a multi-tool, an emergency radio, a power bank, a water bottle, a flashlight, a headlamp, a Glock 17, and three spare mags. And though we examined the build quality and fit and finish of each pack when it was devoid of contents, we also looked at these same areas once each bag was loaded with all the aforementioned kit, as this better-revealed construction quality and the strength of each backpack’s materials and stitching. 

Once our extensive hands-on testing period was completed, we then sat down, armed with the information gleaned through our tests in order to ultimately narrow our initial shortlist down to a final selection of half-a-dozen backpacks that we found to be the best bugout bags on the market. With that said, there were a few bugout packs that came extremely close to being featured on this list, though, for one reason or another, were slightly edged out by one of our main picks. And several of these bags can be found in our honorable mentions section at the very bottom of this piece. 

Condor Urban Go Backpack

Best Budget Pick: If you step foot on an American military base, there’s a very high likelihood that you’ll come across a decent number of personnel utilizing garments and gear from Condor Outdoor Products, Inc. Though the company’s kit may not be of the top-shelf variety, it delivers well-crafted, built-to-last military gear at a fair price. An obvious example of this is Condor’s affordably-priced, value-laden Urban Go Backpack. Boasting a shell that’s composed of a heavy-duty multi-hundred-denier nylon, the Urban Go bag offers a collective 33 liters of storage space across its main cavity, four exterior zipper-secured compartments, and top quick-access pocket — all of which, save for the latter quick-access pocket sport drainage grommets. Alongside numerous interior pockets, the interior of this Condor bugout bag also features a document sleeve, a full-length mesh pocket, and a padded laptop sleeve that can accommodate notebooks of up to 15” in size. 

The Good

One of the Urban Go backpack’s main highlights is undoubtedly its harness system. Though not constructed around an internal chassis or frame-sheet, its beefy padded shoulder straps and ultra-wide waist belt provide a ton of support and do a pretty great job of distributing the bag’s load across my entire upper body. During my trekking test, it was fairly comfortable, and didn’t become any less so even after being worn for an extended period. In the running test, it did bounce around a bit, even with the shoulder straps, sternum strap, and waist straps all properly adjusted and tightened down. There was also very little side-to-side movement while running, though the same couldn’t be said for my fence-climb test, as the pack shifted a pretty great deal as I tossed my body over the top of the chainlink. 

With 33 liters of volume to work with, I was able to squeeze my entire bugout loadout into the Urban Go bag’s main and side compartments — though getting the sleeping bag, jacket, tarp, and MREs to all fit wasn’t easy This is partially owed to the way that the main compartment’s zipper track curves away from the pack’s back panel allowing for better access when trying to find or remove gear. As such, it unsurprisingly performed quite well in our flashcard, gear-removal test — with the main factor that slowed me down being me trying to remember which pocket I had placed certain items in. 

Not unlike Mystery Ranch’s 2DAP, the Urban Go bag includes some modern niceties that give it a more contemporary feel, such as its electronics-focused soft-lined quick-access top pocket and its padded laptop sleeve. We also can’t talk about Condor’s Urban Go Backpack without discussing its price. At just south of the $100 mark, the thing truly does offer some pretty unbeatable bang-for-your-buck. And, while it is just a fraction of the price of some of the other picks on this list, its durability, craftsmanship, support, and organizational features are by no means a fraction of its costlier counterparts. 

Supplementary Strengths 

Instead of bestowing the main compartment with a ton of organizational elements, Condor instead opted to deliver a largely spartan main cavity — allowing for larger items to more easily fit — that comes supplemented via a quick-access top pocket, a pair of large side pockets, and two onerously-sized front-facing pockets that boast a ton of organizational features. The horizontally-running top and bottom compression straps are well-placed, easy to use, and do exactly what they’re supposed to. With four rows of PALS webbing running across the face of the bugout bag and six shorter rows covering its side pockets, the Urban Go bag’s 33 liters of storage space can be supplemented via a host of modular, exterior mounting possibilities.

Though still fairly rugged — being markedly more hardwearing than your average book bag shell — the Urban Go bag’s nylon shell construction isn’t quite as tough as the materials used to craft its more expensive counterparts. With that said, the manner in which its nylon shell has been pieced together is wildly impressive, as its build quality barely lacks behind go-bags costing four-to-five-times as much. The stitching all feels robust and its hardware, exterior webbing rows, and grab handles all feel incredibly secured and well-anchored. The top of the front face of the bag is also adorned in a VELCRO pile for slapping on ID tags or morale patches. What’s more, the top of the bag is also fitted with a padded, heavily-reinforced grab handle, plus there are also curled webbing-style handles on the sides of the pack towards the top. 

The Not So Good

As a budget pick, I anticipated there being a few shortcomings or downsides that would reveal themselves during test — and sure enough, there were. For starters, it’s pretty lacking in the weatherproofing department — though its shell is at least lightly water resistant, and there are drainage grommets towards the bottom of every pocket so it won’t carry water should some find its way in. And, while I appreciated the compression straps’ placement and functionality, I didn’t love that I was required to unbuckle them each time I wanted to access the main compartment — or to completely open the bottom exterior pocket on the bag’s front face. Some of the zippers were a little sticky and at times snagged or got caught — likely the result of using more budget zippers and hardware — though lubing up the tracks made a world of difference, instantly remedying this issue.

Additionally, I also wish the laptop compartment was at least lightly-padded on the inside, rather than its only padding being the back panel. And, unlike the top grab handle, the side handles are devoid of padding (though are at least very well-anchored and heavily reinforced). As previously touched on, it’s materials are a bit lacking compared to the more high-end bugout bags I tested — though its material selection no doubt plays a key role in Condor being able to sell the Urban Go Backpack at its sub-$100 price point. While this may sound like a lot of complaints, it is worth mentioning that the gripes I had with that backpack are all collectively outweighed by its many strengths and pros. 

Verdict: Sporting a military-inspired design that’s been infused with a few practical everyday features, the Condor Urban Go Backpack is a military-grade bugout-ready carry solution that offers a solid combination of organizational amenities, hardwearing materials, and storage space in an affordably-priced, built-to-last package. Though it may lack the higher quality of its pricier counterparts, it blows them all out of the water when it comes to bang-for-your-buck. 

Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault Pack

Most Versatile Pick: It wouldn’t be at all hyperbolic to say that the Mystery Ranch 3 Day Assault Pack is nothing short of legendary in military circles. With its top-shelf material selection, equally-premium craftsmanship, solid weatherproofing, and trademark Y-zip design, it’s long been a go-to option for everyone from elite operators to modern-day preppers. And while it lacks some of the storage space of its 3 Day-spec counterpart, Mystery Ranch’s 2 Day Assault Pack nonetheless makes for an exceptional bugout bag for those that want to pack a bit lighter and remain quicker on their feet. 

The Good

Weighing in at 3.0lbs on the dot while offering 27 liters of easily-accessible storage space, the 2 Day Assault Pack — or “2DAP”as it’s also known by — is crafted from rugged 500-denier CORDURA nylon and constructed around a full-length plastic frame sheet. A streamlined and modernized version of the 3DAP, the 2DAP also sees some of the larger models tactical and military-specific features jettisoned in favor of more commonly-utilized EDC elements — such as losing its flash-bang pocket attachments and gaining a floating laptop pocket. 

The 2 Day Assault Pack’s Y-zip design thoroughly reminded me of why Mystery Ranch’s signature layout is so incredibly popular, as it really does do a phenomenal job of providing both secure storage and easy, largely unobstructed access. Consequently, it performed at the top of the pack in our flashcard-based, timed, randomized gear removal test. Being able to lay the pack flat on its back and then open the Y-zips allowed me to see the vast majority of the bag’s contents — making item-retrieval a breeze. 

Like every other Mystery Ranch backpack I’ve ever had the pleasure of using, the 2 Day Assault Pack benefits from a truly fantastic harness system. Its contoured, padded, and perforated shoulder straps feature a super natural and ergonomic shape, and the way the straps directly feed into the back panel in a single construction provides really even support across the shoulders and back. And, while it’s not padded and only consists of a piece of webbing with a buckle, the waist strap is surprisingly effective. The bag jostled around very little in my running test, and remained exceedingly comfortable during my short and long-term trekking tests — despite being loaded with over 25lbs of gear. Even when I hopped a fence with the 2DAP, it remained firmly pressed to my back — and probably did so better than any other bag I tested. 

Supplementary Strengths

Though they admittedly took me a bit to figure out and make sense of what they were and how they worked, I ultimately ended up really liking the tension-based locking sternum strap height-adjustment sliders, as they allow you to precisely lock in exactly where you want the sternum strap to be set without any risk of them shifting, moving, or slipping out of the hardware. Because Mystery Ranch offers the 2 Day Assault Pack in multiple harness sizes, the company is able to deliver a more precise fit, thereby allowing for better weight distribution. 

The build quality and craftsmanship on the 2DAP is excellent — as per usual with Mystery Ranch. So much so, in fact, that I was legitimately surprised to learn the thing is manufactured in Vietnam and not in Bozeman, Montana. I also really like that this bugout bag option not only features a laptop sleeve, but it’s also a floating and padded laptop sleeve that can accommodate 15” notebooks — and more can be accessed from the main compartment or via a vertical zipper running along the side of the back panel. This means you don’t have to empty out a bunch of other gear in order to fish out your laptop — which wasn’t the case with some of the other bags on this list. 

While it doesn’t afford the most internal real estate, this bag can accommodate a bit of extra gear thanks to the rows of PALS webbing adoring its exterior’s sides and front face. Another premium touch on the 2DAP that I throughly appreciate is its use of super water-resistant coated YKK AquaGuard zippers for all of its exterior tracks. There are also minor details that manage to pretty hugely elevate the bag’s overall user experience, such as the small pull tabs found at the end of each zipper track — items which make each compartment markedly easier to open. And, though there aren’t as crucial due to the backpack’s smaller size, its series of compression straps and still highly effective and work exactly as intended. 

While I think bug-out bags should be built and then left fully-loaded and ready-to-go until needed, I nonetheless have to acknowledge that the 2DAP also makes for an absolutely stellar EDC backpack — plus happens to be one of our favorite tactical packs currently on the market. This fact adds a bit of value to the bag and no doubt gives it slightly better bang-for-your-buck — though its approximately $230 MSRP is pretty accessible to begin with, at least for a disaster-ready, military-grade assault pack. 

The Not So Good

Though it’s undeniably an outstanding go-bag — and just a stellar backpack in general — the 2DAP isn’t without a few downsides. Starting with the most obvious; with a volume of just 27 liters, it simply can’t store anywhere near as much gear as its larger counterparts. In fact, even without the sleeping bag, fitting both the jacket and tarp inside the pack along with the MREs and all of the other gear was a real challenge — though was ultimately accomplished. With that said, this pack’s smaller size and volume can be seen as an advantage depending on your intended loadout and use — and personal preferences. 

Next, just like with Condor’s Urban Go Backpack, Mystery Ranch’s 2DAP requires that you unbuckle its compression straps in order to have unobstructed access the Y-zip setup that reveals it main compartment. Speaking of the Y-zip setup, I’m a fan of this design in general, though I’ve always been a tiny bit bothered by how there’s a small opening at the point where all three zippers meet that can potentially allow water in. I’m even more bothered by this because both the bag’s shell construction and zipper tracks are fairly weatherproof. Lastly, though I appreciate the fact that it has a waist strap, this element really does feel like it was a bit of an afterthought compared to how elaborate and advanced — and well-padded — its shoulder straps and back panel are. 

Verdict: For those that want a pared down, more lightweight bugout option that still offers immense strength and rapid-access to its contents, we’d highly recommend Mystery Ranch’s 2 Day Assault Pack. What it lacks in storage volume, it more than makes up for in practically every other area.

Eberlestock Little Trick

Best Plain-Appearance Pick: For obvious reasons, most bugout bags bare a close resemblance to military rucksacks, If you aren’t a fan of the soldier/operator aesthetic but still desire tactical features and weapons storage, your best bet is almost certainly the Eberlestock Little Trick. Taking visual inspiration from executive bags and EDC packs, this unassuming-looking backpack was designed to have a more casual, understated appearance, all while sporting the immense durability and wealth of features needed to excel as a go-bag. Offering 31.1 liters of storage space in its normal form, the Little Trick is cut from NT7 nylon. Measuring 21.25″H x 11.25″W x 7.5”D, the entire pack weighs in at 3.80lbs. 

The Good

Because the Little Trick’s primary zipper track is set at a curved angle running from the top of the sides to the the front face, pretty much the entire front two-thirds of the pack’s face can be folded open, thereby providing some pretty unobstructed, near-clamshell-like access to its interior contents. Just like with Mystery Ranch’s 2DAP, this unique zipper design allowed Eberlestock’s entry on this list to perform at the top of the pack in our flashcard gear-removal test. Inside the main compartment there’s also a set of document dividers that can serve as laptop sleeves. The pack’s very top pocket also featured one of the best organizational setups that I saw when testing bugout bags, allowing my to stash and organize my fixed blade, tactical flashlight, NVG, and spare mags. There are also multiple interior rows of PALS webbing allowing for some modular internal MOLLE mounting options. 

The use of dipper circular pulls on every track also makes opening the bag’s various compartments ridiculously easy. Even when I was wearing tactical gloves, it was remarkably easy to slip my trigger finger through the pull to draw open the zipper. It also has little Hypalon pull tabs at the end of every zipper track, making each pocket that much easier to open. The Little Trick also features a hydration tube port, and it can be optioned with one of Eberlestock’s available 2-liter or 3-liter hydration bladders. The bag also boasts some pretty top-notch craftsmanship that had me assuming it was USA-made until seeing an interior tag denoting its Vietnamese origin. 

The back panel features two large, tube-shaped section of thick foam running vertically up the bag’s entire length. In addition to being fitted with an adjustable sternum strap, its harness system also sports economically-shaped, contoured, padded shoulder straps — which, like the back panel, are perforated and highly breathable. Together, this harness system affords a surprising amount of comfort and support. Without a waist strap to shoulder some of the load, the pack’s shoulder straps did eventually start making my back a little sore during the extended trekking test, though this was only an issue when the bag was fully loaded with more than 25lbs of gear. 

Where the lack of a waist straps was most apparent was during my running and fence-climbing tests, and the thing jostled around quite a bit side-to-side. Sure, the sternum strap definitely helped here, though there was a noticeable difference in overall stability when compared to similarly-sized packs that do come outfitted with a waist strap — like Mystery Ranch’s 2DAP. Eberlestock’s Little Trick also makes for an extraordinary everyday carry backpack, which isn’t at all surprising considering it was engineered for EDC use. 

Supplementary Strengths

Between the plush back panel and the backpack’s main compartment is a hidden, magnet-secured CCW compartment that can be accessed from either side of the bag — a detail that I absolutely loved. This hidden compartment was also clearly designed to minimize the possibility of your sidearm snagging on the bag when being rapidly drawn. Just as noteworthy is the base of the bag, which features what looks like a bottom exterior pocket, but is actually a compartment that opens up and allows the pack’s bottom to be expanded by several inches, ultimately allowing it to fit a carbine or SBR, PPC, or AR pistol of up to 24” in length. I do wish this pocket was a few inches deeper, as here in California, we have far fewer options for rifles that can fit in this backpack — though I can’t blame Eberlestock for my state’s gun laws. Additionally, I also love how the Little Trick is a gun bag, without at all looking like a gun bag. 

I also really appreciated how the expandable rifle scabbard compartment could also be used to accommodate more non-weaponry gear. In fact, so long as I also utilized both side water bottle pockets and expanded the tail, I was able to fit my entire bugout gear loadout into the Little Trick, sleeping bag, jacket, tarp, and all. With that said, when the bag was overly stuffed, it made it much more difficult to remove my sidearm from the CCW compartment. 

Because it was largely designed for EDC, the Little Trick’s organizational amenities are great. This may not sound relevant for a bugout bag, but this bevy of pockets and organizers made it particularly easy to spread my gear throughout the backpack in a more organized manner that made it easier to locate and deploy gear — rather than placing my entire gear loadout in a single main compartment that I then have to extensively dig through. I also liked how the bag’s water bottle pockets can be tightened down to keep them pressed up against the sides of the bag, rather than flapping around when empty. 

The Not So Good

OverallI was beyond impressed with Eberlestock’s Little Trick backpack, though I did ultimately stumble across a few gripes during the time I spent testing it. For starters, its dual-laptop compartment is little more than a set of document dividers that are completely devoid of any padding. Next, while it does contribute to its more casual look, the Little Trick also lacks a waist strap, which would no doubt bolster its stability amidst physical movement — though the smaller size of this pack admittedly makes this less of an issue compared to the larger-volume picks on this list. 

And, while it would hugely take away from its understated appearance, I didn’t love that this go-bag option is also pretty much devoid of any exterior rows of webbing or attachment points — save for a few loops on the shoulder straps. Lastly, while it can be optioned with a rain cover, I wish the Little Trick featured a DWR-coating and coated zipper tracks — even if it resulted in a higher MSRP. 

Verdict: The Eberlestock Little Trick is an unassuming-looking go-bag option that conceals a wealth of tactical features, including a magnetic-access CCW compartment, dual interior laptop sleeves, and an expandable scabbard sleeve that allows it to actually accommodate a carbine or SBR. 

GORUCK GR2

Best Minimalist Pick: Derived from special forces medical rucks with full clamshell, end-to-end opening setups, the GORUCK GR2 is one of the best backpacks ever conceived, whether you’re looking for a pack for EDC or bugout use. It features a super spartan design that makes it incredibly versatile. Pieced together around a removable hard plastic frame sheet, the GR2 is made from hardwearing ballistic-grade 1,000-denier CORDURA. Offering 34 liters of storage space — though also produced in 26-liter and 40-liter versions — the GR2 weighs just over 4lbs, which is an impressively lightweight figure considering how ridiculously rugged and over-built it is. 

The Good

As far as craftsmanship and construction goes, the GR2 is easily one of the most over-built bags I’ve ever tested, as every stitch and element is heavily reinforced. And it’s this over-engineered nature that serves as another one of the GR2’s main selling points. Due to its limited organizational features, I expected GORUCK’s GR2 to score towards the bottom of the pack on the gear retrieval test, though its full clamshell-opening setup allowed me to see the entirety of its contents which actually made finding and removing gear incredibly easy. 

Without a waist strap, I also didn’t think it would fair too well in our trekking test yet the thick padding of the harness system does a surprisingly great job distributing the bag’s load across my torso. Even for the extended trekking test, I never found it to be uncomfortable. It wasn’t as impressive in the running and fence-climbing tests, as its lack of a waist strap became fairly blatant as it shifted from side-to-side — and to an extent that even threw me off balance. 

Proudly made in America, the entire bag uses YKK zippers throughout, all of which are fitted with glove-friendly coated 550 paracord pulls. Its so-called “bombproof” laptop compartment is a padded setup with a false bottom and the ability to stash notebooks as large as 18”. Like the front face and sides of the pack, the GR2’s interior also comes lined with four rows of MOLLE webbing. 

Supplementary Strengths

Cloaked in 210-denier nylon, the GR2’s back panel is well-padded. Same goes for its beefy, thoroughly-cushioned shoulder straps. Additionally, its shoulder straps are supplemented via an adjustable sternum strap that sits on a ladder system. Though its main cavity comprises the lion’s share of its total storage space, the GR2 does feature a trio of internal pockets. There’s also a single exterior pocket running across the pack’s front face, a quick-access top pocket, and a built-in field pocket which is basically just a minimalistic onboard EDC organizer.

The GR2 is very much a case of what you see is what you get, It doesn’t have any hidden features or tricks up its sleeve. Instead, it’s just a stellar spartan backpack that’s tough as nails — and then some. Despite being insanely rugged, should you somehow manage to damage your GR2, GORUCK stands behind the bag with an unconditional warranty known as the Scars Lifetime Guarantee. 

The Not So Good

While it’s undeniably a pretty legendary bag, I did have a few gripes with the GR2 . Though I found the padding to be sufficient, I wish the back panel and shoulder straps were perforated as they offer little to no breathability, leaving my back fairly sweaty after my trekking and running tests. Also, compared to most of the other bags I tested, the GR2 is fairly scant on organizational features, which is its main Achilles heel — at least when viewed through the lens of being a bugout bag. Having said that, it’s the backpack’s spartan nature that makes it so versatile. 

Moving on; like the Little Trick, the lack of a waist strap means the GR2 isn’t able to as efficiently distribute its load across its wearer’s upper body, plus it meant far more side-to-side jostling during my running and fence-climbing tests — the GR2’s other main shortcoming in my opinion. Even with these downsides, we’re still dealing with one of the best backpacks ever made — and what’s unequivocally one of your best go-bag options for bugging out. 

Verdict: Simple, spartan, and insanely over-engineered, the GORUCK GR2 is an ultra-rugged full-clamshell-opening carry solution that offers completely unobstructed access to its contents. If sheer durability is at the top of your list of priorities, this is the go-bag for you. 

Stone Glacier R2 3200

Best USA-Made Pick: Founded in 2012, Stone Glacier has built a name for itself over the last dozen years by delivering some of the finest hunting and tactical gear that money can buy. And every product I’ve used from the Bozeman-based business has made me love it that much more — with the Stone Glacier R2 3200 being no exception. Created using a spare-no-expense material and hardware selection, the R2 is cut from 500-denier CORDURA. Made in the U.S.A. and Berry-compliant, the R2 is designed for 3-day missions or hunts. This gives it the storage space needed to easily accommodate all of your of bugout gear essentials with a cool 52 liters of real estate to work with. 

The Good

With a trio of zipper tracks running up the front face of the pack, locating and digging out its contents proved to be fairly effortless. In our gear retrieval tests, it scored toward the very top of the pack, only behind the GORUCK GR2. Where its performance really impressed me was in the trekking test, where its bevy of compression straps, internal frame, and outstanding harness system perfectly distributed its entire load across my torso. Also benefitting from some ridiculously beefy padding, it’s just an exceptionally comfortable pack to wear, despite its massive size. Additionally, its behemoth size had me thinking that it would perform poorly on the running and fence-climbing test, though it got extremely high-marks in those areas too — feats no doubt owed to its world-class harness system.  

A major part of what makes the R2 so special is the way in which it’s designed, as it allows the pack to hug the wearer’s body as close and tightly as possible. This maximizes leverage, minimizes fatigue, and plays a key role in the thing’s ability to accommodate ridiculous amount of weight. The way its frame and harness system keep it pressed against its wearer is also what allowed it to perform so well on the fence-climbing test without it shifting around or jostling. 

Utilizing a unique “X” carbon composite, four-stay design, the R2 is crafted around an internal frame that’s made up of multiple steel plates and an ultra-clever load-shelf system that provides a space in-between the bag’s back panel and the rest of the pack. This allows the R1 2200 to accommodate large pieces of gear — or game — that are held as close to the wearer’s back as possible. Able to support more than 300lbs, this brilliant frame system is unquestionably one of my favorite aspects of the R2 3200. It’s also wildly impressive that the entire bag tips the scales at just 4.125lbs considering its generous 52-liter capacity. In fact, it’s not much heavier than some other go-bags with around half the storage space. 

Supplementary Strengths

Another really cool element of the R2 3200 is that its frame is completely interchangeable with all of Stone Glacier’s other bags — plus when buying these packs there’s a “bag-only” option so you don’t have to pay for the same frame multiple times. In addition to being removable, the R2’s super beefy waist belt is produced in three different sizes, guaranteeing a more precise fit — and one that allows for better weight distribution. And, though it comes at an extra cost, Stone Glacier sells a variety of available add-ons for the R2 such as a hydration sleeve. 

Inside, the R2 boasts a fairly spartan design, with organizational features that are limited to just two interior zippered pockets. Nonetheless, the R2 had absolutely no problem fitting my entire bugout gear loadout into its main compartment, while still having room to spare. This allowed me to experiment with using its series of compression straps which proved to be ultra-effective. It also sports a few tactical-specific features such as a dedicated comms port and an internal spotting scope pocket. In typical Stone Glacier fashion, this American-made pack also massively benefits from the Bozeman brand’s typical top-notch craftsmanship and build quality. 

The Not So Good

As far as bugout bags go, I’d argue Stone Glacier’s R2 3200 is about as close to perfect as it gets. Having said that, there are a few downsides to the pack — granted all are very minor, and all are massively outweighed by the bag’s laundry list of highlights and strengths. My first complaint is that accessing the main compartment requires undoing its compression straps. Second, aside from tactical, hunting, or bugout use, the R2 is pretty overkill for almost any other use or scenario. Third, while I actually think its craftsmanship, material selection, and the highly-calculated nature of its design collectively justify its price, there’s still no getting around the fact that $429 is a lot to spend on a bugout bag — even if it is worth every penny. 

Verdict: Thanks to being designed for 36-hour missions or hunts, Stone Glacier’s R2 3200 backpack makes for an exceptional go-bag option that will have no problem accommodating even the largest gear loadouts, as this USA-made bag benefits from an advanced frame system that can support well-over 300lbs. Made in America from top-shelf materials, this bugout bag is rounded out by a world-class harness system and a main compartment that provides unobstructed access to its contents. 

Kifaru Minikeg

Best Overall Pick: Made by a brand that’s pretty much universally loved by modern operators, the Kifaru Minikeg is an ultra-premium military-grade roll-top backpack with a list of qualities and features that together make it an exceptional choice for use as a bugout bag. Made in America, the Minikeg is cut from a super premium amalgamation of DWR-coated 500-denier CORDURA and  X-Pac VX sailcloth. This material selection is not only both incredibly rugged and lightweight, but it also affords fantastic weather resistance. Offering 45.8 liters of storage space while weighing less than 4lbs, this Kifaru pack features a super beefy, heavily-padded harness system complete with a Duplex belt and shoulder straps, plus a heavily-padded back panel, a lower back pad, and a sternum strap. 

The Good

The fact it boasts over 45 liters of storage space, an internal frame setup, and a ridiculously robust harness system, it’s frankly a little shocking that the entire thing tips the scales at just 3.81lbs. The Minikeg also comes backed by lifetime warranty — though with its next-level craftsmanship and super premium materials, there’s a slim chance you’ll need it. For bugout applications, I also love that the Minikeg can be outfitted with Kifaru’s optional Gun Bearers system, which includes a cradle for the stock of a rifle that mounts to the hip belt and an upper barrel holder that attaches to the sternum strap’s ladder on the shoulder strap.  

It also features a really cleverly-designed compression strap setup, with a single piece of webbing on both sides of the pack that start at the top and run down, diagonally through a D-ring before anchoring to the bottom of the bag. This means tightening a single strap secures down the bag’s entire load — without having to individually tighten multiple rows like the setups on most backpacks. And, while it doesn’t ship with a hydration bladder, this bag does have a dedicated sleeve, ports, and hang tags for accommodating a hydration system. 

Because of how ridiculously plush and supportive its harness system was, the Minikeg made both the short and long-term trekking tests a pleasure to carry out. When tightened a bit more than normal, it was actually able to remain firmly in place better than some of the smaller waist strap-equipped packs I tested. Consequently, I was legitimately blown away by its ability to stay glued to my back in both the running and fence-climbing tests — an area made all the more impressive by the bag’s size and the decent-sized load it was carrying. 

Supplementary Strengths

The Minikeg offers access to its main compartment via its roll-top closure, though there’s also a coated, weatherproof main zipper that runs the entire vertical length of the bag, allowing it to open from the front. This made removing contents fairly easy. Sure, it wasn’t as streamlined of a process as locating gear in the GR2 or 2DAP, but still scored towards the top of the pack in this area. 

The Minikeg also boasts 22” stays that adhere to carry-on sizing requirements. At the bottom of the back panel is a large cushion-like pad that hugely bolsters comfort when hauling heavy loads. With its slew of adjustable points, internal frame, insanely beefy padding, contoured shoulder strap design, ultra-wide waist belt, and a generally calculated design, this is unquestionably one of the best harness systems I’ve ever experienced. With 45.8 liters of onboard storage, the Minikeg had no problem whatsoever accommodating the roughly 20 pieces of gear in my bugout loadout, along with the week’s worth of rations. 

Though it’s not as secure as housing kit within the main cavity with the roll-top fastened shut, I nonetheless appreciate that the rolltop can be left open for a bit of extra storage space — in case its newly 46 liters of internal real estate somehow wasn’t already enough. Equipped with their own compression straps, the dual side water bottle pockets also allow for a bit more gear to be carried on the outside. Same goes for the vertically-running rows of MOLLE webbing adorning the backpack’s front face. 

The Not So Good

At the end of the day, my issues with the Minikeg were few and far between, at best. While able to accommodate a generous amount of kit, the thing is a tiny bit lacking when it comes to organizational amenities — plus I didn’t like having to stash my sidearm in the main compartment where it was harder to quickly dig out amongst all the other gear. Next, while its harness system is simply outstanding, it could benefit from a more breathable, perforated construction, as it left my back fairly sweaty on numerous occasions — an area exacerbated by the immense load I was carrying. Lastly, it comes at a steep, albeit one that’s wholly justifiable considering its material selection and meticulous domestic craftsmanship. 

Verdict: Anyone that has a bit more to spend on a go-bag should no doubt consider picking up the Kifaru Minikeg, as this feature-laden bugout bag boasts stellar craftsmanship and a thoroughly top-shelf material selection that enables it to deliver nearly 46 liters of storage space while tipping the scales at under 4lbs.

Bugout Bags Comparison Chart

What Is A Bugout Bag?

A bugout bag — also commonly referred to as a “go-bag” — is a backpack that contains a collection of emergency supplies, survival gear, and rations to help you and your family survive during the immediate hours following a disaster or emergency. The name “bugout bag” stems from the term “bugging out,” which refers to the tactic of fleeing ones home and heading out in search of help, rations, or just to wait out a disaster or emergency — as opposed to “bugging in” (i.e. staying put and hunkering down in one’s home to wait out a disaster). 

Because they’re intended to be used an emergencies and are required to carry an immense amount of gear, bugout bags need to be extremely-rugged in terms of both their material selection and how they were constructed. As such, these packs often share many similarities with tactical and military bags, such as their generous load capacity, immense durability, and wealth of organizational features. Technically speaking, pretty much any pack can serve as a go-bag, though there are obviously traits and factors that make some bags much more conducive to bugging out than others. 

DIY VS. Pre-Built

If you do not have the time or knowledge of what a bug-out bag is and how they’re meant to function, your best bet is probably going to be buying a pre-built disaster kit — if there’s truly no other option for you. However, a pre-built kit is often, as the saying goes, a jack of all trades, master of none. That is to say, they’re loaded to the gills with gear but designed to suit a wide variety of people and purposes — meaning they’re not specialized to your own personal needs, desires, locale, etc. and, therefore, there might be a lot in them you will never touch.

If you’re confident in your knowledge of survival skills and you have a bead on what you and your family might need in an emergency, you may be able to actually save money and build out a better, personalized survival grab-and-go kit on your own. We wouldn’t necessarily suggest this to novices, but that doesn’t completely rule out the possibility, either. Even a beginner in the world of survival can probably find enough useful information in survival books, on survivalist blogs, or even through documentaries to manage on their own. Again, if you’re not confident in your knowledge or your ability to synthesize knowledge, a pre-built bug-out bag is still a better bet — but you should at least consider the possibility of crafting your own.

What To Look For When Shopping

There are dozens of areas that one can take into account when buying a bugout bag, though the reality is that there’s really only a small handful of key areas that undoubtedly trump all others in terms of importance, and as such should be your primary focus when shopping. Below, we’ll briefly be breaking down each of those key areas to consider when looking at bugout bags.

Volume: Typically measured in liters (or sometimes cubic inches), the total amount of storage space a bugout bag offers will obviously determine the amount of gear and kit that you’ll be able to carry. While there are some preppers that prefer to pack lighter and thus be lighter on their feet, we tend to gravitate towards go-bags that can accommodate a decent amount of gear while still allowing you to be fairly quick and mobile on your feet — which typically means bags ranging from around 30 liters to roughly 50 liters, though there are a few exceptions.

Organizational Amenities: Because go-bags need to accommodate such a wide variety and large collection of gear, you’ll also want to pay attention to each pack’s organizational features, looking at both number, size, and placement of each pocket, as well as examining internal storage and organizational amenities such as dividers, interior pockets, slips. Many bags also feature both interior and exterior rows of PALS webbing for modular attachment or storage options.

Materials: The material used for a bugout bags primary and secondary constructions of extremely important, as these factors will play direct roles in determining a bag’s durability, weather resistance, and weight. Most modern bugout backpacks are cut from high-denier nylon, CORDURA, or sailcloth, though there are other constructions used in this area, albeit much less frequently.

Hardware and Trim: Alongside the materials used to craft each bag, you’ll also want to play close attention to hardware and trim, as details like zipper tracks, zipper pulls, and buckles can play major roles in a backpack’s overall user experience and can even impact water resistance.

Build Quality: It’s not just the materials that a bugout pack is composed of that matters, as how those materials were pieced together is also of major importance. Consequently, you’ll want to review construction technique and stitching and the like. What’s more, while there are admittedly some stellar bags being crafted overseas, backpacks that are made in America tend to boast a higher level of craftsmanship and better overall build quality — making manufacturing origin another factor to consider when shopping.

Special Features: When buying a pack to use as a go-bag you’ll also want to consider any special features or details that will make the backpack more conducive to bugout use. This can include anything from CCW compartments to radio pockets to hydration bladder sleeves to even water bottle pockets. And, while it isn’t the first piece of gear I’d put in my bugout bag, laptop storage is still an area that’s worth considering when shopping in this space.

Weight: Just the gear that fills a go-bag is fairly heavy on its own, which is why you always want to try to opt for as lightweight of a backpack as possible — without overly sacrificing on volume, storage amenities, and durability. In fact, you really want to try to strike a balance between weight and these other key areas. Fortunately, there are some incredibly rugged yet immensely lightweight materials on the market that are often used to make bugout bags.

Weatherproofing: It goes without saying that if your gear is compromised by a little water then many of the items in your bag won’t do you much good. That’s why it’s good to find an option that’s water-resistant at the very least.

Honorable Mentions

Short for the “ W.ilderness U.tility U.rban L.ay F.lat” pack, the Prometheus Design Werx WUULF Pack 24L is a modern interpretation of a classic, alpine-style, top-loading summit assault pack. Thanks to its ample storage, top-notch materials and build quality, and bevy of organizational features, this highly-calculated 24-liter pack makes for a fantastic go-bag option — and one that can also serve as just as competent of a tactical bag or hiking daypack. All-things-considered, for less than $200, it offers pretty exceptional value too.

Another thoroughly rugged go-bag option that affords pretty terrific bang-for-your-buck, the Vertx Ready Pack is a well-crafted backpack that, despite its plain and unassuming appearance, conceals a host of tactically-minded features including a CCW compartment and a rapid access tab — though it also boasts its fair share of storage space and organizational amenities. As such, it’s definitely a pack that should be considered when shopping for a backpack to use as a bugout bag.

Cut from Dyneema composite, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 is a hard wearing mountain and trail bag that offers an unparalleled combination of storage space and lightness, with 40 liters of internal real estate and a weight of less than 2lbs. What makes this backpack so ideal for bugout use, however, is undoubtedly the fact that it was engineered specifically to optimize mobile storage and accessibility. Considering it also makes for a truly fantastic hiking and outdoor bag, it’s also a bit easier to justify this honorable mention’s roughly $400 price tag (all told with tax and shipping).

For those that want a more lightweight option with a little less storage space, we’d recommend the DSPTCH Ruckpack RND Edition Black Dyneema. Like the above bag from Hyperlite, this version of DSPTCH’s is extremely lightweight thanks to its Dyneema construction. Just ad import is the fact that its design puts a contemporary twist on traditional military rucksacks — furthering its conduciveness to use as a bugout bag. It admittedly doesn’t come cheap, though, on top of being cut from Dyneema, it’s also meticulously made in America and comes backed by a lifetime warranty, should you somehow manage to damage this insanely rugged go-bag.

Engineered from the ground up to meet the needs of the world’s most elite military operators, garments and gear from Arc’teryx LEAF often represents some of the finest military kit that money can buy — with Arc LEAF’s Assault Pack 45 being no exception. And while it’s objectively an extraordinary option for use as a go-bag, the 45-liter Assault Pack is only available to military personnel, and as such we were unable to get our hands on a unit for testing — ultimately forcing us to relegate this stellar go-bag to being a particularly honorable mention. If you are able to get your paws on one of these packs, we would highly recommend jumping at the opportunity.

Tested: The Best Tactical Backpacks to Take a Beating

Want to check out a similar selection of rugged carry solutions that share a great many qualities with bugout bas? Then be sure to head over to our buyer’s guide to and hands-on review of the best tactical and military backpacks to take a beating.