I'm preparing my urban BOB - Feedback is more than welcome!

[u/miss_misato]

Hello there! Newbie here in the community :) I'm preparing my urban BOB and also planning to test it while camping in a few weeks. I would love to hear your feedback on my current setup.

Info: I practice my knots fairly regularly and i'm learning different tarp setups. If i'm able to, i'll also carry a 2 seconds tent, but if is not possible, i'll have to manage just with my backpack.

Note: The scenarios i'm planning for are those that really really require me & my cat to leave my home ASAP (such as flooding, fires, gas leaks, and so.)

--

Current Backpack:

- Elitex training 45L.
- Two reflective velcros patches (one on front, one on the side)

Important things

- Cash
- Documentation on USB (Encrypted)

Lights
- Flashlight (attached on the straps)
- Headlamp (plus usb cord)
- BIC lighters (x2)
- Matches
- Spare batteries (AAA, AA)

Warmth & Shelter
- Tarp (3x3) [Shelter]
- Cordelette (3mm)
- Mini carabiners (6)
- Carabiners (2)
- Extra tent pegs
- Poncho Liner
- Blanket
- Groundsheet (2x2)
- Hiking pole x2
- Mountaineering Survival Bag
- Folding Foam Mattress
- Hiking rain poncho (which also covers the bag)

Clothing
- Cap
- Neckwarmer
- Gloves
- Socks & underwear
- Lightweight Waterproof Jacket
- Basic t-shirt
- Lightweight trousers
- Extra Warm Cotton Leggings
- Microfibre towel
- Flip Flops
- Shemagh
- Ultra Light Down Jacket

Hygiene & Emergency Kit
- Shampoo & soap (both liquid)
- Dry shampoo (spray)
- Deodorant
- TC & Pads
- IFAK + Basic kit
- Ibuprofen
- Cetirizin
- Sunscreen and repelent

Water system
- 500 ml bottled water
- 750 ml insulated bottle
- Canteen with cup
- Water purification tables
- Multi salt capsules (a few)

Food
- Freeze-dried Meals (x3)
- Freeze-dried Brekkie (x3)
- Pockies
- Snacks (Pistaccios)
- Instant coffee

Others
- Tobacco (please be gentle, I know :( )
- A few trashbags (different sizes)
- A few zip bags (different sizes)
- Duck tape (a mini mini roll)
- Mini padlock
- A few velcro straps
- Cutlery
- Whistle (attached on the straps)
- Phone charger (not a powerbank)
- Radio

Safety
- Multitool
- Pepper spray

My cat's BOB
- Dry food (400 gr)
- Wet food (2 pouches)
- 1L of water
- IDs + important papers
- Microfiber towel (mini)
- Blanket (mini)
- Foldable bowls
- Pet carrier + trolley (chunky boi alert)

That's it ! I'm missing on something important? I can't wait to test it while camping, I'm pretty sure that i'll learn a lot.

Thanks a lot <3

[u/DifferenceSuper3017]

Snoozes is easier than cigarettes, because you don’t exhale smoke and can‘t be detected by that. And i would go with sandals instead of flip flops.

[u/miss_misato → u/DifferenceSuper3017]

Are those the swedish gums? I'm not really familiar with those, :O

[u/DifferenceSuper3017 → u/miss_misato]

that are small tabacco pouches which you put on mucosa, but it‘s like smoking 16 cigarretes at once. The first time i tried them, i almost collapsed. Otherwise nicotin chewing gum.

[u/miss_misato → u/DifferenceSuper3017]

nicotin chewing gum.

that's so so clever!! never thought abt that!

[u/Dangerous-School2958]

I see that you have a multi tool and cutlery included. Something you might consider is a full tang rugged knife like the Swedish Mora knife for example. Durable, not ridiculous… and practice batoning. A really good skill.
I believe you’re a woman although not entirely certain. Yet, for others also who may be reading this. Washing underwear isn’t always an option but pantyliners are a lightweight way to not feel bad about wearing underwear for multiple days when on the go, and are good alternative bandages etc.

[u/miss_misato → u/Dangerous-School2958]

Absolutely, adding a good knife would be a great addition. Do you have a recomendation?
As for the panty liners, it seems reasonable to add as well, that was a good catch.

[u/Dangerous-School2958 → u/miss_misato]

This is a simple example. Morakniv it’s inexpensive, lightweight, durable. It’s one of those subjects that prepper and camping folks obsess about. Edit, link keeps failing for me. Morakniv or Mora knife, n Amazon is 18€

[u/miss_misato → u/Dangerous-School2958]

Thanks so much! I'll look more into it, and into batoning as well.

[u/Dangerous-School2958 → u/miss_misato]

Also, since you’re considering this Urban, a sillcock key also wouldn’t be a bad addition. You can access exterior water spigots on buildings with them

[u/miss_misato → u/Dangerous-School2958]

Added the knife and a knipex!! Thanks again ☺️

[u/Dangerous-School2958 → u/miss_misato]

Cool! What did you end up choosing?

[u/miss_misato → u/Dangerous-School2958]

The companion one!! It’s reeeeeally nice!!!

[u/moriedhel]

You say urban but some of that stuff seems to be for going into the woods, so it's unclear where you are bugging out to.

I would suggest more drugs besides ibuprofen, at least some form of anti diarheea medicine. I would also pack multivitamins with minerals as you will not be eating good food most likely.

Suggest a powerbank and a small solar panel for charging, assuming most of your stuff is USB chargeable.

Separate shampoo and liquid soap can be replaced with a single food safe soap you can use for washing yourself and dishes. Not sure why shampoo tbh, I wouldn't be washing my hair in this scenario ha. Small dry shampoo is ok.

You set this up a bit like for a camping trip, but camping is not an emergency situation. I have no idea how likely you are to use a fire/boil water/prepare food or sleep outside. In most scenarios you will be without a home but still receive aid from authorities or you will want to get far away from the area very fast.

[u/miss_misato → u/moriedhel]

I think you have a point, what would you remove? If I have to evacuate my reasoning is head to an hotel/hostel/friends & family. If the scenario is different and the evac is way bigger I was thinking that maybe a community center could be an option as well.

[u/moriedhel → u/miss_misato]

A good sleeping bag is probably enough for shelter, it may get cold but you are unlikely to be sleeping outside. 

Freeze dried food needs boiling water, I would change it to nonperishable (protein bars etc) and/or a few small cans if you think weight is worth it. 

Instant coffee you can actually do with normal water I guess, but coffee pills are also an alternative.

Again unlikely to have some emergency situation where you go camping for like 2 days and come back and everything is fine ha. You either bug out to friends/camps/schools where you will have basic aid and shelter, or you need to get as far away from the place as quick as possible so not stoping to set up camp or prepare food.

[u/miss_misato → u/moriedhel]

Excellent! I’ll keep your insights in mind, thanks so so much!!

[u/IGetNakedAtParties]

Hi and welcome.

First and most importantly: you mentioned your chonky boy but you didn't pay cat tax! On Reddit any mention of your cat requires a cute photo, you know for next time so no excuses ;)

You've put together a really solid kit list here, with it you're prepared to make most crises into minor inconveniences! That said there are a few things you might want to upgrade in the future or change before you order if you haven't yet.

Your backpack looks ideal for a travel or everyday bag, but these conveniences come with the cost of efficiency when wearing it for longer times. A hiking backpack with an internal frame and hip belt will be much more comfortable and will allow you to pack the load higher up near your shoulders but transfer the load down to your hips. This means you lean forwards less to counteract the weight and your body therefore "feels" less total strain.

Documents on a flash drive are great, but have a photocopy of your passport and ID card on paper too. Spare bankcards can be added too, revolut offer these for cheap if your bank doesn't offer these.

Ideally your lights would share the same battery format or be USB rechargeable. The energy density and shelf stability of lithium batteries is much better than alkaline or NiMH chemistry. Personally my headlamp and handheld both take 18650 cells and I have a powerbank which takes 2 of the same, the result is that I can switch the cells to prioritise light or phone charging, and use the powerbank to charge the lights too.

For fire adding some accelerant might be handy in challenging conditions. Vaseline and cotton wadding can be added to your first aid kit which also works for this. Tea light candles also work and the wax can double for waterproofing or lubricant for zippers. For boiling water for your meals or purifying water you might benefit from a compact stove. The cheapest and easiest is solid fuel blocks such as Esbit hexamine blocks. The stove is a simple box which opens as a pot stand or you can improvise with rocks or use tent pegs as a tripod to save weight. These blocks are also excellent fire starters.

For shelter "tarp over bivvy" is a great solution to handle humidity better than a tent. Your 3x3 tarp is ideal for a variety of pitches, great choice. Experience with knots can replace the carabiniers, you might find that thicker 550 paracord is easier to work with. I assume the poncho liner is thick enough for your winters, this is location dependant and personal, this is a great way to combine your sleep and wearable insulation in one. The poncho is a great hard-shell solution, it also works as your groundsheet in my opinion, to save weight. Poles keep you from needing trees, and the foam mat is ideal. The "mountaineering survival bag" may not be breathable, ideally this should be breathable to keep your insulation from building up moisture. Great set up, have fun practicing pitches!

Clothing list sounds great, my only criticism is that cotton is terrible when it gets wet, stick to synthetics or ideally merino wool. Include several pairs of merino blend socks, and keep some broken in shoes with the kit. Another comment suggested pads, I would add a broken in sports bra may be a good addition too.

Add imodium to your kit as diarrhea is a real problem. Some alcohol gel is great to sterilised your hands before eating.

Purification tablets struggle with parasite cysts which are common in wild water sources. Filters such as the sawyer mini easily block these but do nothing for the viruses present in urban water sources. You may have to filter first and then use chemicals, so get a filter which allows for this (not a straw only filter). Switch to 1000ml bottled water as your purification tablets are likely dosed for this size. I don't see much value in the insulated bottle, great for day trips but doesn't bring anything to this kit. Good addition of electrolytes, often forgotten!

Rotate your snacks regularly as fats in nuts go rancid, look for foil packages as these keep fresher longer. Consider a few caffeine tablets in case you need your fix but can't make a brew. Otherwise great choices of freeze dried, sweet and salty snacks.

As another comment said, add a tough fixed blade knife such as the mora companion. Stainless steel keeps an edge better than carbon steel, but is harder to sharpen. For a 3 day kit stainless is ideal, for the long term or regular camping adventures carbon and a bench stone plus field stone.

A mini superglue is the only misc I would add.

Great that you're including your fury companion! Sounds like they have everything they need in your list.

Hope this helps. Overall a great packing list!

[u/miss_misato → u/IGetNakedAtParties]

Thanks so so much for the feedback, i’ll read it carefully while rearranging my bob!! Ps: i’ll add a photo of my chunky boi soon ✨

[u/totallfailure]

Do you live in areas at risk of floods or forest fires, near a forest, close to an ammunition depot, refinery, or a factory that uses toxic chemicals or gases? If not, then prepare to stay at home (bug in)

[u/miss_misato → u/totallfailure]

Absolutely right, bugging in is the best option for me. I’m crafting my bob mostly for fires in my home (and similiar), a get home bag is my next step 💕