I’m first generation that grew up in the city. My mother and father’s parents lived in mountain villages in former Yugoslavia. No running water, no electricity, no gas, no sewer, no bathroom. All tools were hand tools obviously. Log house approximately 30x30 ft with wood stove in the middle. Stove was used for heating and cooking. It did have oven for baking. So let’s start with items in their possession: Metal objects: 1. Axe (very good quality, hand made by blacksmith) 2. 2 Kitchen knifes ( one chef’s knife and one equivalent of filet knife, very good quality, hand made by blacksmith) 3. Every member of the family had pocket knife including children, approximately 3” blade. No butter knifes or any other knifes. That was your knife to eat with and do whatever else you needed knife for. 4. 3 files , one bustard, one triangular fine file and one rasp file for wood. There was a very fine Italian sharpening stone as well. All knifes were razor sharp maintained by my grandpa or my uncle. 5. Pliers, chisel, hand wood drills, couple hammers, shovels, pick, and other regular farm hand tools. Guns : Air rifle,Shotgun,Rifle No handgun as far as I know Kitchen: 2 approximately 5-6 gallon pots,(you need bigger pots than average ones we use today) one for cooking food one for boiling water for cooking, dishwashing and general hygiene. 1 Frying pan 1 approximately 10 gallon wide pot for washing dishes and clothes . 2 pans for baking bread and whatever else All plates and cups were metal ones. There was 3-4 gallon plastic water container with a faucet for washing hands and general hygiene . There was a 6 gallon plastic water container reserved for drinking water only. Those people had incredible “primitive “ skills, strength and endurance. That is a chapter on its own. I know it’s a long post but I wanted people to know what they really need and first things they should be buying. This stuff is relatively cheap , but it is absolutely necessary. Other than that, you need to take care of clothing and food. Hope it helps
I read a comment on a documentary of how life was in 1800s British farm and someone saud ya people in eastern europe do this everyday still. I think there is a wealth of knowledge that we are missing by not talking to those people.
I'm blessed because my family still owns the log cabin my father lived in during the U.S. "great depression" of the early 30's. There's a well, but no indoor plumbing. An outhouse. A fireplace with a cast iron insert. Only recently (e.g., the 50's) did they put in a propane oven. But I sure wish the original wood cookstove were still there now! No A/c/ No electricity. No refrigeration. We go spend time there and it's quite do-able. WE can heat the water as hot as we need it in a steel bucket on the cast iron insert. Then wash. Then rinse. Who needs light when you have the light of the fire? You go to bed when it's dark and get up when it starts to get light. Most will learn to live like this. ' Of course, my suggestion to my local populace is to occupy the abandoned school. PUT a giant stove in the middle of one of the medium-sized rooms. Put all the people in there on bunks and inflatable mattresses. That one stove will keep it above freezing. THen get to work hauling food, water and wood to stay alive. It's doable. My dad did it during the Depression. We will do it in the next Depression.
@@tomturbuckle0076 Before electricity I think most of the people lived this way in Europe and North America . On top of it oil power changed stuff even more. People don’t realize that knifes became very affordable in late 1800,s when companies started stamping steel as opposed to blacksmith hammering them out.
I bought a surplus Marine FILBE assault pack for $50. I also got a double stack M4 pouch that I MOLLEd onto the outside, that holds a set of pruning shears, and my tent stakes. I found a Marine pop up flare pouch at the same store. I attached it to the bag and put my folding saw in it. I grabbed a folding E-Tool, with the canvas type MOLLE pouch that it goes in, and attached that to the outside of my pack. The E-Tool pouch also had room for my deer skin gloves. That left the inside of my pack empty for the clothing, shelter, cookware, etc. I'm really liking the MOLLE stuff. Some of the newer military surplus stuff is golden.
I always love going there, but their garage sale section can have some great deal. Also the bags they have draw less attention than something more tactical. You're right about the staff. Very helpful and knowledgeable.
Love seeing a video about stuff from REI! I work at an REI and one of my favorite ways to pass time on slow days is to pick out items for a get-home bag. Some products are definitely more expensive than other places, but there are lots of options. A couple people mentioned REI's downsides, so here are my two cents: they are an anti-gun company, their "lifetime warranty" stopped being a thing back in 2013, the products are high-end and therefore expensive, some stores have a poor selection, and they make us (store employees) push people to become members. Despite these negatives, the gear you can get is great, and most employees are very knowledgeable about the products because we use them and understand them. If you want to spend your money with other companies that share the same values you do, go right ahead. But as a brick-and-mortar store that can be a great resource to beginners especially, I recommend checking it out if there's one in your area.
@@missingremote4388 most 2A people are anti violence. That is why they own guns. They do not want violence to happen to them. REI sells axes and knives, so they aren’t too anti violence. They are libs. Because they don’t like something, they do not want anyone else to have them either…
Thank you for doing these! Regardless of what store I walk into, I find myself looking for bag items to see if I could build a reasonable bag from that store only. Love the channel, thank you!
Someone at work left their Coast flashlight inside a die that ran on a machine for a week. I put new batteries in it and it worked just fine. Gave it back to the guy and he's still using it a few months later. Also that knife sharpener you got is awesome. I can never keep my blades at the correct angle and that sharpener works awesome for that. Gerber doesn't have steel that stays sharp for long so it's nice to have the sharpener.
Great video. Love rei. Proper good quality equipment, that will last and get you where you're going. Ill choose Quality over quantity, nearly every time. TY, sending hellos from Ontario 🇨🇦
@@thomaswayneward Why is that? Quality? Academy quality wouldn't be good enough to at least get you home? Serious question as I have an Academy nearby and know their prices are much more affordable.
@@Tsi2quick Well I have been backpacking and hiking all my life (77YO) and I have bought lots of gear, some cheap and some not cheap. Even the expensive stuff can fail, like a high priced hiking boot that the sole came loose in the middle of no where. Thats about all I know. Not much for 77 years.
Be sure to check out REI's clearance section. I got a 700D nylon 106"x106" footprint for the Basecamp 6 that normally sells for over $60 for only ~$30 and there was nothing wrong with it. Works excellently as a tarp shelter that weighs less and packs smaller than those cheap blue plastic tarps.
The REI brand of gear is very high quality, and typically cheaper priced, than other name brands they carry! I love going to REI, and have been a member for years.
Great video with loads of details on each item. Thanks for taking the time to share yet another version of how to build a quick and easy to use bag to get home. Sometimes people forget to keep it simple and always wanna make it complicated. Get what works for you and then go use it. Much respect my friend!
It was nice to see a good bag video, everyone has gone to the budget videos which I like also but It was nice to see a nice bugout bag if you were to spend a decent amount or even give people an idea of some of the higher quality items.
Backpackers exercise "bugging out" - studying what they carry, especially "through hikers" - they walk for months. Will show you what's required (I like "homemade wanderlust" - she has nice documentaries on the trips, and shares her gear lists). Curious what is the weight of this bag/kit shown?
Nice vid. I'm not sure I would have gone quite that way with a lot of stuff, but I don't have complaints either. One thing I think you missed which is critical, is rain gear. A Frogg Toggs jacket is cheap, surprisingly durable, and effective while being exceptionally lightweight.
I could see the child in you doing for those items. I knew you were so happy but still keeping it cool. Awesome video sir. I know that feeling. God bless America
At least in the UK, with covid, prices for sawyer mini were way more than the sawyer squeeze, the squeeze has a higher flow rate, and also the outlet has screwtop, so you can attach the included waterbag to the clean end, also with any of the sawyers, you can put an inline pump, and the included straw means its much more versatile than the lifestraw.
@@backwoodstrails which is why it was odd, or possibly price gouging, that the mini was more expensive than the squeeze., i was about to buy a mini when covid hit, then the prcies tripled or the mini was unavailable in teh UK, then i got a squeeze at cracking price. love it, so versatile.
I would do this in an emergency but REI is one of the most anti 2A outdoor shops in America. I am going to bet that you could find all of this gear online for maybe $500 or cheaper because REI also overprices all their gear.
What's really funny about all of this is that REI Started in Seattle as lil COOP. I grew up in the 70s buying all our outdoor gear from them. If you remember Old leather boots and mink oil then you remember rei. It was a mountaineers paradise. It all started about an Ice axe and grew from there. Over priced and some people working there can kind of be snooty but us real mounttaineers remeber the ol days.
Yep, I was in the AF in Tacoma and I discovered REI, the old store in Seattle. It was full of European camping and climbing stuff. It was a paradise for young men. As REI became big the stuff dropped a little in quality but it is still great.
Your money won't matter if it truly comes down to you having to use a bugout bag trust me. The Ritz will have their doors locked and won't have electricity.
For the purpose of the video, this was a very good show of just what someone can do. The only augments I would make: single walled stainless water container, sanitation items (wipes perhaps?), and I'd switch out the med kit for a @Refuge Medical trauma pack (probably a BearFAK 3.0) and a BooBoo kit. Thank you for the look!
Cool video. I'd add body or hand wipes, easily the most used item in my EDC bag. Try Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse or Basspro for your ultimate bag video. REI refuses to do business with companies that make anything firearm related so I don't shop there.
You're right.He gave a liberal company 800 to support their socialist agenda. I have been a rei member for years.I only go to garage sales there although not in a long while.
REI and Microsoft are both seattle based and liberal. Do you boycott Microsoft also. Agreed REI may be liberal but at least they didn't cave to the woke agenda like Dick's. I'd shop REI before Dick's.
What makes you think that the Sawyer set was lower quailty at Walmart? I used to be an assistant manager for Walmart and many people think that the outdoor gear and even guns at Walmart are inferior quality because they are more inexpensive. The truth is the guns at Walmart come from Lipseys just like the guns at your local gunstore. The difference is that Walmart only has a 2% markup on guns. Yes I said 2% and yes I know what I'm talking about. That paired with the fact that Walmart has contracts with manufacturers and wholesalers that sometimes state that other retailers don't get their products until the entire Walmart order is filled paired with the fact that Walmart buys 5 million pieces of an item compared to say REI purchasing 250,000 pieces gives Walmart leverage and purchasing power to make deals that they can pass onto their customers. But I digress, I no longer work for Walmart and am not a Walmart fanboy I just hate seeing false narratives put out that will deter hardworking individuals from purchasing something at a good deal because they think it's of inferior quality.
Nice idea about a transformable backpack. I would also include a couple of cheap rain ponchos because they're lightweight and should be good enough for a few days bug out walk. I also include in each of my packs a whistle and a dual sided signal mirror (silver for daylight signaling and red for nighttime). These items are inexpensive and take up very little space in a pack. The mirror and whistle I actually carry on my person and not in my pack. That way if I am separated from my pack, I at least have basic signaling devices to hopefully attract help.
Nice job, Don! Loved the selection you chose to fill-up the bag. WING thought that those tent stakes could also be used in a defensive manner, you know, to puncture a lung or something. 😏
As long as you're comfortable giving your money to a PROFOUNDLY anti-Second Amendment company. REI is so opposed to private firearm ownership I stopped shopping there despite my early 80's seven digit co-op number. I refuse to support any American company who fights my right to follow the Constitution.
Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, greetings from Northern California. Sincere thanks for sharing this great informational video. You reviewed all the essentials. The best to you and your family. Stay safe out there. 🤗 👋
Merino is excellent, but merino blended with manmade fibres, the manmade will shred the wool vastly reducing its life. 100% wool, or several wools blended, or wool/silk blend , perhaps not as hard wearing as 100% synthetic, so depends if you want for warmth or not. im in my house at the moment and I have complete merino set up thermals on as its -7C outside. merino is awesome.
fantastic video. as I have been upgrading my gear, a serious problem I am running into. some cities, like mine, you have to either go to multiple places to upgrade your gear, travel great distances, or resign to ordering things online. for me, I purchased my stuff at multiple locations but found that the selection online was both less expensive, and greater selection. you def. pay for the convenience of having your gear same day. in my town, Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and Target were my stores I went to for basic items. but anything else, all had to be ordered online. especially the items that were Life or Death. wish we had an REI. or Millers Fleet, or a Cabela's or Bass Pro , but they are all far away or not even in state.
I appreciate the video, thank you very much. It's extremely refreshing to me, to find a prepper video that's not all about panic because someone overheard something at the barbershop, or some politician said something so the end is near. Keep up the good work and keep the traditional prepping videos coming. Best of luck to you.
God bless you bro much love from wa state. I'm 22 live in the urban city preparing became a hobby after I lost friends and it helped me. But it cost a lot lol I built my bug out bag but I'm looking for a long range cb radio and right now i have a 21 dollar weather radio. But right now I'm stocking up with food and water and medicine
@@Eidolon1andOnly the last thing I need or want is anyone pretending to champion for me or put my private business all over the place on blast. Embarrassing
@SensiblePrepper Many years ago, I took your video advice on buying certain brands of quality made backpacks and smaller bags, as I was getting involved more in certain fields of security, and I travel around the SouthEast and a bit more north up the east coast to certain stakeholder sites. Looking back.. Wow that was many years ago.... I STILL have that backpack and those small bags and through floods, snowstorms and even currently tornadoes I'm always happy that I have a reliable backpack and smaller bags of essential gear with me when I need it the most. I ALWAYS have those right next to me, 24/7 and even sometimes, I'm in situation when I need to grab and go. Thanks again for your videos over the years, they are more than just advertisements to me, and I really wanted you Don to know that. Happy New Year.
I like a backpack thats about a 20ltr and then a fanny pack it's makes a huge difference in waight then I would transport my bigger stuff like my tent butane stove amd other items in a wagon with my wood burning stove in my backpack
Yay Team Sooch! Wish you could come back down our way again. My bag is a bit overkill as it has redundancies and needs to be pared down. Still, it has quite a number of things in the event we need to bug out. Getting home is similar a beasties but so much lighter. I'm a fire bug as well so I have multiple tinders. A stick of fat lighter, Vaseline cotton balls, wax tinder starter, a candle matches, sweet tinder, char cloth, tow, and birch bark. I like the Stanley cook system as I can boil and cook plus everything nests inside the main pot. I have 2 heavy duty Mylar blankets, large tarp, Titan survival cord, and stakes. I have vacuum sealed extra clothes but need to change that out as my needs have changed significantly in the several years since creating the bag. My EDC is a monster "fanny" pack and works in tandem with the BOB. The first aid kit has been beefed up but needs renewal.the air rifle is a break down. I have a pump version and a CO2 version. Same caliber and a number of cans. There is so much more but that is a list for another time. Good to see you posting. TH-cam has been delinquent in posting when you have a video up. Keep going as we send our best to you and yours.
What's the use case for this? If you're keeping it in your vehicle, it seems like the goal is to get from your vehicle to somewhere else, but on foot. How long of a trek are you planning for? If you're planning on essentially hiking somewhere, it might make some sense to include a more robust sleep system - with at minimum a decent sleeping pad that'll keep you off the ground. Another addition that wouldn't add much weight or cost is trekking poles. Falling or rolling an ankle would be less than ideal in all situations.
The reason for that cleaning syringe for the water filter is it can clog. There's vendors of millcreek bags to pre-filter your water but you might cut a leg off those old denims your wife wants to discard and sew one side closed. You can fill that with water and allow it to soak through the denim then drip into a container then run it through the Sawyer. That should remove most of the sediment and save the finer filter some work.
Did they have a Stanley cook set? Waypoint Survival has about 18,000 hacks for it. It is small, but does a great job. After you do all those hacks, you can practically roast a Turkey. 😂😂😂
I will be in the woods for christmas. Wanted to wish you anf your family merry chistmas. I practice once a week with my equipment for the last 32 years. Charles
One thing to carry is coffee filters to provide pre-filtering to help preserve the main water filter. Also, spare socks are great, but if you shoes are soaked, you clean, dry socks will instantly get soaked. I carry a couple of small plastic trash can liners. The idea is that when you change your sock you put a liner over the dry sock and then the wet shoe. I think that would help.
I like my old SILVER Compass that I bought decades ago! How about some Ivory Soap to coat the outside of your pot to within 1/4 inch from the top of your pot so you don't have to scrub your soot-covered pot with a scrub pad! With soap and water!
That cooking kit that you got was pretty big, Walmart has an Ozark trail brand pot with a lid, cup, plate and pan that all fits in the pan and it’s about the same width but 1/3 the height
I love REI but they are never cheap. One thing I have to say for them is they usually have knowledge staff that actually enjoys the outdoors and are happy to help you.
Thanks for the Video. Love REI. I bought most my outdoor gear from Sierra back when they still sent emails with links for an extra %30-%50 off. I like the regular size sawyer. Sawyer mini did not serve me well. I've used both squeeze and gravity setups. The regular size sawyer is not alot bigger but is ALOT faster. I haven't bought a Sawyer in a number of years so maybe this has changed. Long spoon recommended for the backpacker pantry/add water bags. If you want a trauma focused med kit check out Refuge Medical. My concern with the bug out bag in the winter is the warm clothing/bag. They can compress small but if stored that way a long time they won't expand again. Been thinking something like a military wool blanket in a bivy would be a good sleep solution. I have an Osprey Porter 46 that is a duffle/backpack I have enjoyed on many travels. Maybe it would be a good bag to use. Fun series you have going here. Good idea.
REI is a PROFOUNDLY anti-Second Amendment company. REI is so opposed to private firearm ownership I stopped shopping there despite my early 80's seven digit co-op number. I refuse to support any American company who fights my right to follow the Constitution.
I used to work really close to an REI so it was easy to drop by real quick and browse around to try and find some good deals. So to try and make a bug out bag on a budget from there would definitely take time, having to wait for sales and coupons.
Thank you for the videos! I would like to see the $2500 kit. Would there be some way you could put that together so that we could see? I’m on a constant research for the best of the best cutting no corners and it’s hard to find people that will review expensive gear. It seams most people are looking to get everything as as cheap as possible while I’m interested to see how high end you can get with quality ultralight survival and hiking gear. Again thank you for all you do. It’s very helpful!
As a backpacker who uses premium gear, I’ll tell you that you can get to $2,500 easily. Zpacks cuben fiber tent: $700 Western Mountaineering ultra lite sleeping bag: $600 Big Agnes rapide sleeping pad: $200 You’re at $1,500 just in your sleep system. I don’t know what my whole kit costs, but it’s definitely more than $2,500.
@@BacktotheOutdoors Thanks, I know high-end gear is crazy expensive. I just wish more people could make videos about the best instead of cheaper gear. I don't have everything I want due to the price but am always looking and prefer to wait to buy the best than get something mediocre. Thanks for sharing some of what you use!
@@benjamingeorge1810 - no problem. I have a video on my get home bag / emergency kit, but it doesn't contain that super high end gear, mostly because the chances of me using the bag are slim, and if I did have to use it, there's a good chance it would be because i was stranded in a remote area after a backpacking trip, and therefore would also have access to my premium gear. If I did put together a high end emergency bag, it would look very similar to my backpacking kit. After all, that is essentially what I'd be doing if I were stranded - walking and potentially camping. Granted, this assumes there isn't widespread rioting or some other scenario requiring different tools. Any time I see a backpacker put together an emergency bag I give it credence because backpackers know what they're actually going to need/use when hiking miles. Otherwise, the bags tend to turn into these random piles of survival widgets that are too heavy and will likely never be used.
@@BacktotheOutdoors You're totally right! I hike as a hobby and camp out sometimes. Most videos of emergency bags are not done correctly. Hopefully, I can finish equipping my bag with some gear soon, and want to make a video about it. Probably very similar to you, my pack is my day hike bag that doubles as an emergency bag or get-home bag. Just the normal gear for a casual hike plus some things that would be more geared to survival and just being comfortable if stuck in a bad situation like a winter storm, lost in the mountains (this has happened to me once), or accident. Could you please share the link to your get-home bag video?
Just a general observation. Why do all multi type tools have a bottle opener? I honestly don't know of any glass bottles that aren't twist off. I also don't know anybody that carries glass bottles and if you do come across one that isn't a twist off there are multiple different ways to pop it off.
More times than not the bottle opener is also a flathead screwdriver, but I believe the biggest reason this tool is included is just to pad out the functionality of the multi-tool. Not that hard to make an 11-in-one multi-tool into a 12-in-one multitool by cutting out the shape of a bottle opener on one of the existing tools. The biggest selling point for any multitool is how many tools it has or how many functions/tasks it can perform, so simply cutting out a bottle opener shape is quick, cheap, and easy enough to include while adding value to the product. Most American made/bottled sodas and beers are twist-off, and most imported sodas and beers are pop-off tops, so for you to not know of any pop-off glass bottles tells me that you either don't drink beer, or at least not imported beer or American craft brews. LOL
I’m first generation that grew up in the city. My mother and father’s parents lived in mountain villages in former Yugoslavia. No running water, no electricity, no gas, no sewer, no bathroom.
All tools were hand tools obviously.
Log house approximately 30x30 ft with wood stove in the middle. Stove was used for heating and cooking. It did have oven for baking.
So let’s start with items in their possession:
Metal objects:
1. Axe (very good quality, hand made by blacksmith)
2. 2 Kitchen knifes ( one chef’s knife and one equivalent of filet knife, very good quality, hand made by blacksmith)
3. Every member of the family had pocket knife including children, approximately 3” blade. No butter knifes or any other knifes. That was your knife to eat with and do whatever else you needed knife for.
4. 3 files , one bustard, one triangular fine file and one rasp file for wood. There was a very fine Italian sharpening stone as well. All knifes were razor sharp maintained by my grandpa or my uncle.
5. Pliers, chisel, hand wood drills, couple hammers, shovels, pick, and other regular farm hand tools.
Guns :
Air rifle,Shotgun,Rifle
No handgun as far as I know
Kitchen:
2 approximately 5-6 gallon pots,(you need bigger pots than average ones we use today) one for cooking food one for boiling water for cooking, dishwashing and general hygiene.
1 Frying pan
1 approximately 10 gallon wide pot for washing dishes and clothes .
2 pans for baking bread and whatever else
All plates and cups were metal ones.
There was 3-4 gallon plastic water container with a faucet for washing hands and general hygiene . There was a 6 gallon plastic water container reserved for drinking water only.
Those people had incredible “primitive “ skills, strength and endurance. That is a chapter on its own.
I know it’s a long post but I wanted people to know what they really need and first things they should be buying. This stuff is relatively cheap , but it is absolutely necessary.
Other than that, you need to take care of clothing and food.
Hope it helps
Thank you for taking the time to share all of those details. Very interesting.
I read a comment on a documentary of how life was in 1800s British farm and someone saud ya people in eastern europe do this everyday still. I think there is a wealth of knowledge that we are missing by not talking to those people.
That’s awesome. Served in Bosnia, mainly in RS area and saw the resiliency of people there. Folks in American cities are clueless.
I'm blessed because my family still owns the log cabin my father lived in during the U.S. "great depression" of the early 30's. There's a well, but no indoor plumbing. An outhouse. A fireplace with a cast iron insert. Only recently (e.g., the 50's) did they put in a propane oven. But I sure wish the original wood cookstove were still there now! No A/c/ No electricity. No refrigeration. We go spend time there and it's quite do-able. WE can heat the water as hot as we need it in a steel bucket on the cast iron insert. Then wash. Then rinse. Who needs light when you have the light of the fire? You go to bed when it's dark and get up when it starts to get light.
Most will learn to live like this.
'
Of course, my suggestion to my local populace is to occupy the abandoned school. PUT a giant stove in the middle of one of the medium-sized rooms. Put all the people in there on bunks and inflatable mattresses. That one stove will keep it above freezing. THen get to work hauling food, water and wood to stay alive. It's doable. My dad did it during the Depression. We will do it in the next Depression.
@@tomturbuckle0076 Before electricity I think most of the people lived this way in Europe and North America . On top of it oil power changed stuff even more. People don’t realize that knifes became very affordable in late 1800,s when companies started stamping steel as opposed to blacksmith hammering them out.
FYI there is no difference in quality in the filters we sell at different retailers (REI vs Walmart).
Love your products! They've served me well all over the world!
I think he was referring to other brands with a similar filter style
So glad Sawyer came around! Lifestraws do work but for an extra few bucks, the capability you get out of a mini is unparalleled.
Thanks for setting that straight. I was just about to start researching. I bought two more spares from Walmart earlier today haha
Thank you
I bought a surplus Marine FILBE assault pack for $50. I also got a double stack M4 pouch that I MOLLEd onto the outside, that holds a set of pruning shears, and my tent stakes. I found a Marine pop up flare pouch at the same store. I attached it to the bag and put my folding saw in it. I grabbed a folding E-Tool, with the canvas type MOLLE pouch that it goes in, and attached that to the outside of my pack. The E-Tool pouch also had room for my deer skin gloves. That left the inside of my pack empty for the clothing, shelter, cookware, etc.
I'm really liking the MOLLE stuff. Some of the newer military surplus stuff is golden.
I always love going there, but their garage sale section can have some great deal. Also the bags they have draw less attention than something more tactical. You're right about the staff. Very helpful and knowledgeable.
Love seeing a video about stuff from REI! I work at an REI and one of my favorite ways to pass time on slow days is to pick out items for a get-home bag. Some products are definitely more expensive than other places, but there are lots of options. A couple people mentioned REI's downsides, so here are my two cents: they are an anti-gun company, their "lifetime warranty" stopped being a thing back in 2013, the products are high-end and therefore expensive, some stores have a poor selection, and they make us (store employees) push people to become members. Despite these negatives, the gear you can get is great, and most employees are very knowledgeable about the products because we use them and understand them. If you want to spend your money with other companies that share the same values you do, go right ahead. But as a brick-and-mortar store that can be a great resource to beginners especially, I recommend checking it out if there's one in your area.
There is one coming to my area, but being anti 2A, will severely limit my spending there.
I don’t understand being an outdoor, preparedness store, and being anti 2a lol
Your company supports banning all mechanized travel in BLM lands. Bikes included.
I think they realize most criminals have pistols or guns.
Rei isn't against hunting or home protection. They're anti violence
@@missingremote4388 most 2A people are anti violence. That is why they own guns. They do not want violence to happen to them. REI sells axes and knives, so they aren’t too anti violence. They are libs. Because they don’t like something, they do not want anyone else to have them either…
Thank you for doing these! Regardless of what store I walk into, I find myself looking for bag items to see if I could build a reasonable bag from that store only. Love the channel, thank you!
I love REI, and I’ve been a member for decades!!
Someone at work left their Coast flashlight inside a die that ran on a machine for a week. I put new batteries in it and it worked just fine. Gave it back to the guy and he's still using it a few months later.
Also that knife sharpener you got is awesome. I can never keep my blades at the correct angle and that sharpener works awesome for that. Gerber doesn't have steel that stays sharp for long so it's nice to have the sharpener.
Great video. Love rei. Proper good quality equipment, that will last and get you where you're going. Ill choose Quality over quantity, nearly every time.
TY, sending hellos from Ontario 🇨🇦
I would love to see a academy sports get home bag! I love these sort of videos!
Thanks Eric! It's on the list.
Yes! Much more 2A friendly, and I would actually shop there.
Academy stuff is ok, but once you are out in the wilderness and no way out except walking with your pack, you will appreciate the REI stuff.
@@thomaswayneward Why is that? Quality? Academy quality wouldn't be good enough to at least get you home? Serious question as I have an Academy nearby and know their prices are much more affordable.
@@Tsi2quick Well I have been backpacking and hiking all my life (77YO) and I have bought lots of gear, some cheap and some not cheap. Even the expensive stuff can fail, like a high priced hiking boot that the sole came loose in the middle of no where. Thats about all I know. Not much for 77 years.
Thanks for another great video!! 19:04 on the Gerber Ultimate Knife- There is a WHISTLE on the lanyard :) 😙 😙
Be sure to check out REI's clearance section. I got a 700D nylon 106"x106" footprint for the Basecamp 6 that normally sells for over $60 for only ~$30 and there was nothing wrong with it. Works excellently as a tarp shelter that weighs less and packs smaller than those cheap blue plastic tarps.
You didn't mention, or maybe didn't realize, that Gerber fixed blade also has a small whistle attached to the end of the lanyard.
The REI brand of gear is very high quality, and typically cheaper priced, than other name brands they carry!
I love going to REI, and have been a member for years.
Places like this in store and online get me in a lot of trouble 🤠
Right
Great video with loads of details on each item. Thanks for taking the time to share yet another version of how to build a quick and easy to use bag to get home. Sometimes people forget to keep it simple and always wanna make it complicated. Get what works for you and then go use it. Much respect my friend!
It was nice to see a good bag video, everyone has gone to the budget videos which I like also but It was nice to see a nice bugout bag if you were to spend a decent amount or even give people an idea of some of the higher quality items.
Thanks, Don. I love any bag videos! Good stuff as usual. 👍🏻. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I would love to see an ultimate REI bag. I'm sure one of your many subscribers would purchase that bag from you so it's not costing you anything.
Backpackers exercise "bugging out" - studying what they carry, especially "through hikers" - they walk for months. Will show you what's required (I like "homemade wanderlust" - she has nice documentaries on the trips, and shares her gear lists). Curious what is the weight of this bag/kit shown?
Jessica has great vids documenting her triple crown hikes, all accomplished packing ultra lightweight.
Nice vid. I'm not sure I would have gone quite that way with a lot of stuff, but I don't have complaints either. One thing I think you missed which is critical, is rain gear. A Frogg Toggs jacket is cheap, surprisingly durable, and effective while being exceptionally lightweight.
You gave us a few things to think about. I like seeing what other people have in their bug out/get home backpacks.Thank you and Merry Christmas 🎁🎄
Cool idea for a vid! A grayl and a leatherman signal are probably the number one things from REI going into mine
lifstraw nalgene filter is better
Love shopping at REI. Lots of gear I like when I’m out in the wilderness.
@Dm_Nicegram_Sensible_Prepper hit dez nutz in your mouth.
Thanks for Review of potential gear that purchased at REI for a bugout bag!
I could see the child in you doing for those items. I knew you were so happy but still keeping it cool. Awesome video sir. I know that feeling. God bless America
" Go North Bag "...fleeing NYC in a SHTF scenario...
At least in the UK, with covid, prices for sawyer mini were way more than the sawyer squeeze, the squeeze has a higher flow rate, and also the outlet has screwtop, so you can attach the included waterbag to the clean end, also with any of the sawyers, you can put an inline pump, and the included straw means its much more versatile than the lifestraw.
You are correct, I don't know a single person that uses these things that would pick the mini over the squeeze.
@@backwoodstrails which is why it was odd, or possibly price gouging, that the mini was more expensive than the squeeze., i was about to buy a mini when covid hit, then the prcies tripled or the mini was unavailable in teh UK, then i got a squeeze at cracking price. love it, so versatile.
I would do this in an emergency but REI is one of the most anti 2A outdoor shops in America. I am going to bet that you could find all of this gear online for maybe $500 or cheaper because REI also overprices all their gear.
Wow, really?...interesting.
What's really funny about all of this is that REI Started in Seattle as lil COOP. I grew up in the 70s buying all our outdoor gear from them. If you remember Old leather boots and mink oil then you remember rei. It was a mountaineers paradise. It all started about an Ice axe and grew from there. Over priced and some people working there can kind of be snooty but us real mounttaineers remeber the ol days.
Yep, I was in the AF in Tacoma and I discovered REI, the old store in Seattle. It was full of European camping and climbing stuff. It was a paradise for young men. As REI became big the stuff dropped a little in quality but it is still great.
For $800, I would make a reservation at the nearest Ritz-Carlton hotel.
LOL
So you can stay 1 night and get nothing of value…smart.
@@AJohnSmith Cheaper than what it will cost to have that stick removed from your a $ $.
You better watch which Ritz you pick. There are a few rooms that $800 will not get you in the door.
Your money won't matter if it truly comes down to you having to use a bugout bag trust me. The Ritz will have their doors locked and won't have electricity.
For the purpose of the video, this was a very good show of just what someone can do. The only augments I would make: single walled stainless water container, sanitation items (wipes perhaps?), and I'd switch out the med kit for a @Refuge Medical trauma pack (probably a BearFAK 3.0) and a BooBoo kit. Thank you for the look!
Also if those don’t have it DEFINITELY recommend quick clot. Burns awful but stops the bleeding. I am 100% speaking from experience
Cool video. I'd add body or hand wipes, easily the most used item in my EDC bag. Try Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse or Basspro for your ultimate bag video. REI refuses to do business with companies that make anything firearm related so I don't shop there.
You're right.He gave a liberal company 800 to support their socialist agenda. I have been a rei member for years.I only go to garage sales there although not in a long while.
REI and Microsoft are both seattle based and liberal. Do you boycott Microsoft also. Agreed REI may be liberal but at least they didn't cave to the woke agenda like Dick's. I'd shop REI before Dick's.
He always makes me smile at the end.
Great video for where I live with Fires and earthquakes all the time!
I'm still waiting for one of the most important item - toilet paper in plastic bag
Find lambs ear, dry it out. Or get camping toilet paper
At the lanyard of the knife is a whistle I believe for communication
Man so I miss your videos. Outstanding as always
I support my local, family owned, gear store for items like these.
What is that local gear store? Where is it?
That's great, hopefully your local store isn't a RIDICULOUSLY anti-Second Amendment as REI is.
Love your videos sir! God bless! You missed one thing! You need a pen to write on the pad!
I built my Bugout bag with many items from rei. Great video, good info!
What makes you think that the Sawyer set was lower quailty at Walmart? I used to be an assistant manager for Walmart and many people think that the outdoor gear and even guns at Walmart are inferior quality because they are more inexpensive. The truth is the guns at Walmart come from Lipseys just like the guns at your local gunstore. The difference is that Walmart only has a 2% markup on guns. Yes I said 2% and yes I know what I'm talking about. That paired with the fact that Walmart has contracts with manufacturers and wholesalers that sometimes state that other retailers don't get their products until the entire Walmart order is filled paired with the fact that Walmart buys 5 million pieces of an item compared to say REI purchasing 250,000 pieces gives Walmart leverage and purchasing power to make deals that they can pass onto their customers. But I digress, I no longer work for Walmart and am not a Walmart fanboy I just hate seeing false narratives put out that will deter hardworking individuals from purchasing something at a good deal because they think it's of inferior quality.
Nice idea about a transformable backpack. I would also include a couple of cheap rain ponchos because they're lightweight and should be good enough for a few days bug out walk. I also include in each of my packs a whistle and a dual sided signal mirror (silver for daylight signaling and red for nighttime). These items are inexpensive and take up very little space in a pack. The mirror and whistle I actually carry on my person and not in my pack. That way if I am separated from my pack, I at least have basic signaling devices to hopefully attract help.
GREAT REVIEW!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Greetings from South Africa! Merry Christmas!
Really good! Like the pack too. Missing a sharpie and/or Space pen and duct tape.
Nice job, Don! Loved the selection you chose to fill-up the bag.
WING thought that those tent stakes could also be used in a defensive manner, you know, to puncture a lung or something. 😏
You may have just gone to one shop but you were very thoughtful in what you were buying, some great items here.
I love REI. Very good store. You can save some money if you join their Co-Op benefit and rewards membership.
As long as you're comfortable giving your money to a PROFOUNDLY anti-Second Amendment company. REI is so opposed to private firearm ownership I stopped shopping there despite my early 80's seven digit co-op number. I refuse to support any American company who fights my right to follow the Constitution.
Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, greetings from Northern California. Sincere thanks for sharing this great informational video. You reviewed all the essentials. The best to you and your family. Stay safe out there. 🤗 👋
Merino is excellent, but merino blended with manmade fibres, the manmade will shred the wool vastly reducing its life. 100% wool, or several wools blended, or wool/silk blend , perhaps not as hard wearing as 100% synthetic, so depends if you want for warmth or not. im in my house at the moment and I have complete merino set up thermals on as its -7C outside. merino is awesome.
fantastic video. as I have been upgrading my gear, a serious problem I am running into. some cities, like mine, you have to either go to multiple places to upgrade your gear, travel great distances, or resign to ordering things online. for me, I purchased my stuff at multiple locations but found that the selection online was both less expensive, and greater selection. you def. pay for the convenience of having your gear same day. in my town, Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and Target were my stores I went to for basic items. but anything else, all had to be ordered online. especially the items that were Life or Death. wish we had an REI. or Millers Fleet, or a Cabela's or Bass Pro , but they are all far away or not even in state.
I appreciate the video, thank you very much. It's extremely refreshing to me, to find a prepper video that's not all about panic because someone overheard something at the barbershop, or some politician said something so the end is near. Keep up the good work and keep the traditional prepping videos coming. Best of luck to you.
God bless you bro much love from wa state. I'm 22 live in the urban city preparing became a hobby after I lost friends and it helped me. But it cost a lot lol I built my bug out bag but I'm looking for a long range cb radio and right now i have a 21 dollar weather radio. But right now I'm stocking up with food and water and medicine
Last place I'd give money to is REI.
Not pro 2A by any means
@@jbdoingjbstuff They also host the LGBTQ Outdoor Summit.
@@Eidolon1andOnly I'm gay and I don't support any business that virtue signals with that crap
@@Diana-fw1bu Exactly. It was nothing but pandering and virtue signaling.
@@Eidolon1andOnly the last thing I need or want is anyone pretending to champion for me or put my private business all over the place on blast. Embarrassing
@SensiblePrepper Many years ago, I took your video advice on buying certain brands of quality made backpacks and smaller bags, as I was getting involved more in certain fields of security, and I travel around the SouthEast and a bit more north up the east coast to certain stakeholder sites. Looking back.. Wow that was many years ago.... I STILL have that backpack and those small bags and through floods, snowstorms and even currently tornadoes I'm always happy that I have a reliable backpack and smaller bags of essential gear with me when I need it the most. I ALWAYS have those right next to me, 24/7 and even sometimes, I'm in situation when I need to grab and go. Thanks again for your videos over the years, they are more than just advertisements to me, and I really wanted you Don to know that. Happy New Year.
I like a backpack thats about a 20ltr and then a fanny pack it's makes a huge difference in waight then I would transport my bigger stuff like my tent butane stove amd other items in a wagon with my wood burning stove in my backpack
Yay Team Sooch! Wish you could come back down our way again. My bag is a bit overkill as it has redundancies and needs to be pared down. Still, it has quite a number of things in the event we need to bug out. Getting home is similar a beasties but so much lighter. I'm a fire bug as well so I have multiple tinders. A stick of fat lighter, Vaseline cotton balls, wax tinder starter, a candle matches, sweet tinder, char cloth, tow, and birch bark. I like the Stanley cook system as I can boil and cook plus everything nests inside the main pot. I have 2 heavy duty Mylar blankets, large tarp, Titan survival cord, and stakes. I have vacuum sealed extra clothes but need to change that out as my needs have changed significantly in the several years since creating the bag. My EDC is a monster "fanny" pack and works in tandem with the BOB. The first aid kit has been beefed up but needs renewal.the air rifle is a break down. I have a pump version and a CO2 version. Same caliber and a number of cans. There is so much more but that is a list for another time. Good to see you posting. TH-cam has been delinquent in posting when you have a video up. Keep going as we send our best to you and yours.
I love your outtakes at the end. 😂
I've been watching your channel for years I think it's about time to paint that shed lol...
What's the use case for this? If you're keeping it in your vehicle, it seems like the goal is to get from your vehicle to somewhere else, but on foot. How long of a trek are you planning for? If you're planning on essentially hiking somewhere, it might make some sense to include a more robust sleep system - with at minimum a decent sleeping pad that'll keep you off the ground. Another addition that wouldn't add much weight or cost is trekking poles. Falling or rolling an ankle would be less than ideal in all situations.
The reason for that cleaning syringe for the water filter is it can clog. There's vendors of millcreek bags to pre-filter your water but you might cut a leg off those old denims your wife wants to discard and sew one side closed. You can fill that with water and allow it to soak through the denim then drip into a container then run it through the Sawyer. That should remove most of the sediment and save the finer filter some work.
Did they have a Stanley cook set? Waypoint Survival has about 18,000 hacks for it. It is small, but does a great job. After you do all those hacks, you can practically roast a Turkey. 😂😂😂
I have that work sharp knife sharpener and it does amazing for my pocket knife!
I have those REI gloves and they are amazing. REI branded gear is super high quality for the price
I would like to see a bass pro shop version of this. Great content.
Can’t wait to see the ultimate bag!
I will be in the woods for christmas. Wanted to wish you anf your family merry chistmas. I practice once a week with my equipment for the last 32 years.
Charles
@Dm_Nicegram_Sensible_Prepper im not sure if this is what you wanted. Was looking for your emal
I’m really liking that GERBER fixed blade combo
Always enjoy your videos brother. I like the bloopers and the too.
One thing to carry is coffee filters to provide pre-filtering to help preserve the main water filter. Also, spare socks are great, but if you shoes are soaked, you clean, dry socks will instantly get soaked. I carry a couple of small plastic trash can liners. The idea is that when you change your sock you put a liner over the dry sock and then the wet shoe. I think that would help.
I like my old SILVER Compass that I bought decades ago! How about some Ivory Soap to coat the outside of your pot to within 1/4 inch from the top of your pot so you don't have to scrub your soot-covered pot with a scrub pad! With soap and water!
That cooking kit that you got was pretty big, Walmart has an Ozark trail brand pot with a lid, cup, plate and pan that all fits in the pan and it’s about the same width but 1/3 the height
I wasn't in Walmart. Plus we can pack items inside the pot
@@SensiblePrepper I know,I’m just saying they have it. Not that you went wrong with that one
I have that Toaks cookpot and I absolutely love it.
My ferrorod with a high-speed striker is from Nathan 4071 and are EXCELLENT FERRORODS!
I like the bag. It’s not flashy or tactical and looks like it will keep the weather out.
We want to see the ultimate bag!
I love REI but they are never cheap. One thing I have to say for them is they usually have knowledge staff that actually enjoys the outdoors and are happy to help you.
Thanks for the Video. Love REI. I bought most my outdoor gear from Sierra back when they still sent emails with links for an extra %30-%50 off.
I like the regular size sawyer. Sawyer mini did not serve me well. I've used both squeeze and gravity setups. The regular size sawyer is not alot bigger but is ALOT faster. I haven't bought a Sawyer in a number of years so maybe this has changed.
Long spoon recommended for the backpacker pantry/add water bags. If you want a trauma focused med kit check out Refuge Medical.
My concern with the bug out bag in the winter is the warm clothing/bag. They can compress small but if stored that way a long time they won't expand again. Been thinking something like a military wool blanket in a bivy would be a good sleep solution. I have an Osprey Porter 46 that is a duffle/backpack I have enjoyed on many travels. Maybe it would be a good bag to use.
Fun series you have going here. Good idea.
Hey Thank you for the video! Most people don’t even realize how much they have spent……on JUNK!
Looks like a good start on a cold weather gear for your car.
Awesome. Thanks. Only thing I think you missed was a pen to write in the notepad in case of medical emergency.
Great Video Don. REI Is like Costco, the $300 Store.
REI is a PROFOUNDLY anti-Second Amendment company. REI is so opposed to private firearm ownership I stopped shopping there despite my early 80's seven digit co-op number. I refuse to support any American company who fights my right to follow the Constitution.
Perhaps I missed it, but I didn’t see a Bic lighter, or bank line?
60 dividend check coming to you. Good gear and good map resource
Thanks Brother, Nice Set up. Be Safe out there. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas V!
What are those socks made out of? Merano wool?
Looks like the 'lanyard' thing on the fixed blade knife has a whistle on it. Is that correct?
Great video. 🫵🏻🧔🏼👍🏻
Thank you for being a prepper that didn't make it weirdly political.
Merry Christmas Sootch!
I used to work really close to an REI so it was easy to drop by real quick and browse around to try and find some good deals. So to try and make a bug out bag on a budget from there would definitely take time, having to wait for sales and coupons.
The reason the gerbers are cheap is that they are made in china .Once were quality gear, not so much now. The Silky saw is a must have,
Great video! As always.
Thanks Sootch. Awesome video.
Thanks brother for the information!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for the videos! I would like to see the $2500 kit. Would there be some way you could put that together so that we could see? I’m on a constant research for the best of the best cutting no corners and it’s hard to find people that will review expensive gear. It seams most people are looking to get everything as as cheap as possible while I’m interested to see how high end you can get with quality ultralight survival and hiking gear. Again thank you for all you do. It’s very helpful!
As a backpacker who uses premium gear, I’ll tell you that you can get to $2,500 easily.
Zpacks cuben fiber tent: $700
Western Mountaineering ultra lite
sleeping bag: $600
Big Agnes rapide sleeping pad: $200
You’re at $1,500 just in your sleep system. I don’t know what my whole kit costs, but it’s definitely more than $2,500.
@@BacktotheOutdoors Thanks, I know high-end gear is crazy expensive. I just wish more people could make videos about the best instead of cheaper gear. I don't have everything I want due to the price but am always looking and prefer to wait to buy the best than get something mediocre. Thanks for sharing some of what you use!
@@benjamingeorge1810 - no problem. I have a video on my get home bag / emergency kit, but it doesn't contain that super high end gear, mostly because the chances of me using the bag are slim, and if I did have to use it, there's a good chance it would be because i was stranded in a remote area after a backpacking trip, and therefore would also have access to my premium gear.
If I did put together a high end emergency bag, it would look very similar to my backpacking kit. After all, that is essentially what I'd be doing if I were stranded - walking and potentially camping. Granted, this assumes there isn't widespread rioting or some other scenario requiring different tools.
Any time I see a backpacker put together an emergency bag I give it credence because backpackers know what they're actually going to need/use when hiking miles. Otherwise, the bags tend to turn into these random piles of survival widgets that are too heavy and will likely never be used.
@@BacktotheOutdoors You're totally right! I hike as a hobby and camp out sometimes. Most videos of emergency bags are not done correctly. Hopefully, I can finish equipping my bag with some gear soon, and want to make a video about it. Probably very similar to you, my pack is my day hike bag that doubles as an emergency bag or get-home bag. Just the normal gear for a casual hike plus some things that would be more geared to survival and just being comfortable if stuck in a bad situation like a winter storm, lost in the mountains (this has happened to me once), or accident. Could you please share the link to your get-home bag video?
The largest thing you forgot was toilet paper and a shovel!
Just a general observation. Why do all multi type tools have a bottle opener? I honestly don't know of any glass bottles that aren't twist off. I also don't know anybody that carries glass bottles and if you do come across one that isn't a twist off there are multiple different ways to pop it off.
More times than not the bottle opener is also a flathead screwdriver, but I believe the biggest reason this tool is included is just to pad out the functionality of the multi-tool. Not that hard to make an 11-in-one multi-tool into a 12-in-one multitool by cutting out the shape of a bottle opener on one of the existing tools. The biggest selling point for any multitool is how many tools it has or how many functions/tasks it can perform, so simply cutting out a bottle opener shape is quick, cheap, and easy enough to include while adding value to the product. Most American made/bottled sodas and beers are twist-off, and most imported sodas and beers are pop-off tops, so for you to not know of any pop-off glass bottles tells me that you either don't drink beer, or at least not imported beer or American craft brews. LOL
It helps to open cans by making a piercing hole as well.
What is the weight on this pack? Thanks!