Messenger Bag for Bugging Out?

[Flash6605]

Hello forum,
I have been doing some looking around on Amazon, and I have decided to try to create a messenger bag (UTG multifunctional messenger bag) bugout bag for a prepper on a budget (sub 150$). Does anybody here use a messenger bag as a bug out bag? What contents should I put in the messenger bag? Should I revert to a molle backpack?

[Jackolas]

I have a Tasmanian Tiger document bag. Awesome bit of kit


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ninja-elbow]

No. But I have tried a day hike with a messenger bag before. It was not very comfortable.

[PistolPete]

I think messenger bags are great as a EDC (Every Day Carry) or GHB (Get Home Bag). They are a nice handy size you can keep with you wherever you go. If you actually have to evacuate your home (Bug Out) I think you'd prefer something that has a larger capacity and distributes weight better. That's my thoughts anyway.

[Rednex]

Im with Pete i have a small messenger bag i edc ,but to bug out i think i need more stuff then that small bag can hold.

[furiousjorge]

i love messenger bags, but they're not comfortable for long walks at all. they're great when you're on a bike and your back is near parallel to the ground. they're also nice if you have to get in and out a lot and don't wanna take your bag on and off.

[itzybitzyspyder]

I keep a messenger bag in my bug out bag.

[livinitup]

as an actual b.o.b.? a messenger bag isnt nearly big enough imo... its supposed to be a 72 hour bag... I dont think you could even fit 3 days of food and water in a messenger bag let alone the rest of your gear. Im actually setting up a bug-out system of bags because I dont think just having 1 for everything is practical for me.

[koolaidND]

as an actual b.o.b.? a messenger bag isnt nearly big enough imo... its supposed to be a 72 hour bag... I dont think you could even fit 3 days of food and water in a messenger bag let alone the rest of your gear. Im actually setting up a bug-out system of bags because I dont think just having 1 for everything is practical for me.

Why wouldn't it be big enough for three days?

Do you need three complete changes of clothes? A cookset and stove? A tent? If you strip your kit down to the bare essentials, you should be fine.

I know I can get the following in my Jansport messenger bag.
One each of the following
- shirt
-jeans
-underwear
Two pairs of socks
Two heat sheets
Small fixed blade knife, Esee 3
Two 1 liter nalgenes
GSI cup
Spoon
Light tarp or a couple garbage bag liners
Folding saw
Small FAK
Small flashlight with extra batteries.
Watch cap
Water purification tablets

Add a wool blanket rolled into a bedroll and you'd have another layer of shelter.

For food I would only pack no cook food. Trail mix, mre crackers, peanut butter, jerky, drink mixes, power bars, etc. a bug out isn't ment to luxurious. You dont need to cook. You can get by on minimal calories for a few days so this diet would be fine.

I see two schools of thought.
1.) make a kit out of a messenger bag because that's all you have and make it work.
2.) dismiss the idea if trying it because you think you need a bag full of tools, comfort items, redundant items.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[itzybitzyspyder]

as an actual b.o.b.? a messenger bag isnt nearly big enough imo... its supposed to be a 72 hour bag... I dont think you could even fit 3 days of food and water in a messenger bag let alone the rest of your gear. Im actually setting up a bug-out system of bags because I dont think just having 1 for everything is practical for me.

Why wouldn't it be big enough for three days?

Do you need three complete changes of clothes? A cookset and stove? A tent? If you strip your kit down to the bare essentials, you should be fine.

I know I can get the following in my Jansport messenger bag.
One each of the following
- shirt
-jeans
-underwear
Two pairs of socks
Two heat sheets
Small fixed blade knife, Esee 3
Two 1 liter nalgenes
GSI cup
Spoon
Light tarp or a couple garbage bag liners
Folding saw
Small FAK
Small flashlight with extra batteries.
Watch cap
Water purification tablets

Add a wool blanket rolled into a bedroll and you'd have another layer of shelter.

For food I would only pack no cook food. Trail mix, mre crackers, peanut butter, jerky, drink mixes, power bars, etc. a bug out isn't ment to luxurious. You dont need to cook. You can get by on minimal calories for a few days so this diet would be fine.

I see two schools of thought.
1.) make a kit out of a messenger bag because that's all you have and make it work.
2.) dismiss the idea if trying it because you think you need a bag full of tools, comfort items, redundant items.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are operating under the assumption that the disaster you are bugging out from will only last 3 days. With that setup any prolonged scenario will only put you in a fema camp.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

as an actual b.o.b.? a messenger bag isnt nearly big enough imo... its supposed to be a 72 hour bag... I dont think you could even fit 3 days of food and water in a messenger bag let alone the rest of your gear. Im actually setting up a bug-out system of bags because I dont think just having 1 for everything is practical for me.

Why wouldn't it be big enough for three days?

Do you need three complete changes of clothes? A cookset and stove? A tent? If you strip your kit down to the bare essentials, you should be fine.

I know I can get the following in my Jansport messenger bag.
One each of the following
- shirt
-jeans
-underwear
Two pairs of socks
Two heat sheets
Small fixed blade knife, Esee 3
Two 1 liter nalgenes
GSI cup
Spoon
Light tarp or a couple garbage bag liners
Folding saw
Small FAK
Small flashlight with extra batteries.
Watch cap
Water purification tablets

Add a wool blanket rolled into a bedroll and you'd have another layer of shelter.

For food I would only pack no cook food. Trail mix, mre crackers, peanut butter, jerky, drink mixes, power bars, etc. a bug out isn't ment to luxurious. You dont need to cook. You can get by on minimal calories for a few days so this diet would be fine.

I see two schools of thought.
1.) make a kit out of a messenger bag because that's all you have and make it work.
2.) dismiss the idea if trying it because you think you need a bag full of tools, comfort items, redundant items.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are operating under the assumption that the disaster you are bugging out from will only last 3 days. With that setup any prolonged scenario will only put you in a fema camp.

Or, that three days gets you to your next cache/BOL/friend's or family's house/wherever you plan to bug out to. You're operating on the assumption that the BOB is all that the user has. The vast majority of disasters require very little but a few changes of clothes, the correct documentation, some water, and a stack of cash.

[PistolPete]

Why wouldn't it be big enough for three days?

Do you need three complete changes of clothes? A cookset and stove? A tent? If you strip your kit down to the bare essentials, you should be fine.

I know I can get the following in my Jansport messenger bag.
One each of the following
- shirt
-jeans
-underwear
Two pairs of socks
Two heat sheets
Small fixed blade knife, Esee 3
Two 1 liter nalgenes
GSI cup
Spoon
Light tarp or a couple garbage bag liners
Folding saw
Small FAK
Small flashlight with extra batteries.
Watch cap
Water purification tablets

Add a wool blanket rolled into a bedroll and you'd have another layer of shelter.

For food I would only pack no cook food. Trail mix, mre crackers, peanut butter, jerky, drink mixes, power bars, etc. a bug out isn't ment to luxurious. You dont need to cook. You can get by on minimal calories for a few days so this diet would be fine.

I see two schools of thought.
1.) make a kit out of a messenger bag because that's all you have and make it work.
2.) dismiss the idea if trying it because you think you need a bag full of tools, comfort items, redundant items.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'd like to see all that put into a messenger bag. I couldn't fit any of the wool blankets I own in either of mine, let alone all the other stuff.

I think you're oversimplifying the responses. If all somebody has is a messenger bag or a duffle bag or a couple shopping bags, it's reasonable to use it. But if a person is buying something as a BOB, a backpack will carry the weight better than a messenger bag or sling bag. I use a messenger bag all the time and like it, just not as a BOB.

[Burncycle]

I like the style of messenger bags but after carrying a duffel bag with a shoulder strap through Chicago's airport, and hiking with a full versapack, I'm pretty sold on backpacks. Absolutely more comfortable.

[livinitup]

Also... although packing 3 gallons ( minimum recommendation for 3 days of water per person) probably isnt the most practical in BOB, I would think having at least SOME pre-packed water would be a good idea... you need some sort of water source to use purification methods, which might not always be around and you might not always have time to procure it.

this is one of the reasons why I dont use a traditional BOB... 99% of any bugout situation (at least for me) will involve my car. Thats why i have a fishing pack, camping pack, clothes/toiletries/fak pack, emergency automobile pack and a food/water pack (and duplicates for multiple cars family members)... I can deploy it all to my car in less than 5 minutes. If I have to ditch the car (which realistically would only happen in 0.000001% of situations) I can at least take what I need from other packs and put it in my big camping pack....or if I need to bug-out for a less than SHTF scenario, I can pick only 1 or 2 packs to take.

I think for a BOB the 1st step people should be taking isnt finding the 1 "right" bag and shoving as much "just in case" crap in there as possible... but to evaluate in what situations you'll actually need to use it, what you need for those situations... and then customize the pack (or packs) based on those situations.

[PistolPete]

I think for a BOB the 1st step people should be taking isnt finding the 1 "right" bag and shoving as much "just in case" crap in there as possible... but to evaluate in what situations you'll actually need to use it, what you need for those situations... and then customize the pack (or packs) based on those situations.

I totally agree. I think one of the most likely things an individual would experience requiring a bugout is a house fire, so I like to plan around that. Especially if you are in an apartment, where a fire in any unit could require an evacuation.

[koolaidND]

Why wouldn't it be big enough for three days?

Do you need three complete changes of clothes? A cookset and stove? A tent? If you strip your kit down to the bare essentials, you should be fine.

I know I can get the following in my Jansport messenger bag.
One each of the following
- shirt
-jeans
-underwear
Two pairs of socks
Two heat sheets
Small fixed blade knife, Esee 3
Two 1 liter nalgenes
GSI cup
Spoon
Light tarp or a couple garbage bag liners
Folding saw
Small FAK
Small flashlight with extra batteries.
Watch cap
Water purification tablets

Add a wool blanket rolled into a bedroll and you'd have another layer of shelter.

For food I would only pack no cook food. Trail mix, mre crackers, peanut butter, jerky, drink mixes, power bars, etc. a bug out isn't ment to luxurious. You dont need to cook. You can get by on minimal calories for a few days so this diet would be fine.

I see two schools of thought.
1.) make a kit out of a messenger bag because that's all you have and make it work.
2.) dismiss the idea if trying it because you think you need a bag full of tools, comfort items, redundant items.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'd like to see all that put into a messenger bag. I couldn't fit any of the wool blankets I own in either of mine, let alone all the other stuff.

I think you're oversimplifying the responses. If all somebody has is a messenger bag or a duffle bag or a couple shopping bags, it's reasonable to use it. But if a person is buying something as a BOB, a backpack will carry the weight better than a messenger bag or sling bag. I use a messenger bag all the time and like it, just not as a BOB.

I know I can get all of that in my bag because I've done it. I should have clarified that the wool blanket should be on the outside worn with its one strap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mikeyboy]

No. But I have tried a day hike with a messenger bag before. It was not very comfortable.

While not a messenger bag, I had a Maxpedition Sitka which is a one strap sling style backpack. I thought it would make a good dayhiking/SHTF tactical bag. The problem is once you put stuff in it of any meaningful weight and you wore it for over an hour or so, it would start to kill your shoulder. I guess the advantage of a messenger bag is you can switch shoulders, but still it would be a PITA unless you are packing some real lightweight gear. A backpack, even a plain ol' jansport schoolbag, it better because it distributes the weight better.

Its a cool concept, but not for day in/day out, long term use.

[PistolPete]

I know I can get all of that in my bag because I've done it. I should have clarified that the wool blanket should be on the outside worn with its one strap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I know you asserted it could be done. I simply commented I'd like to see it. This is the internet after all.

[Flash6605]

I was mainly thinking of using a messenger bag because it's compact. Do you think that you can run very fast while wearing one? Will the bag be constantly hitting your thigh? As for water, I was thinking of having some potable aqua tablets, and a katadyn filter. 2 nalgene bottles seem sufficient for water carrying. I was thinking of latching on a Coldsteel GI Tanto (for the price, it seems like a good value) to the side using the MOLLE straps.

[ninja-elbow]

No. But I have tried a day hike with a messenger bag before. It was not very comfortable.

While not a messenger bag, I had a Maxpedition Sitka which is a one strap sling style backpack. I thought it would make a good dayhiking/SHTF tactical bag. The problem is once you put stuff in it of any meaningful weight and you wore it for over an hour or so, it would start to kill your shoulder. I guess the advantage of a messenger bag is you can switch shoulders, but still it would be a PITA unless you are packing some real lightweight gear. A backpack, even a plain ol' jansport schoolbag, it better because it distributes the weight better.

Its a cool concept, but not for day in/day out, long term use.

The main advantage I have found of my 3 messenger bags I have used over the last 11 years (Chrome, Timbuk, Timbuk - in that order) was ease of access to items in the bag and comfort and balance while riding a bike. On top of that it was fashionable and bus riding friendly.

That said, I just switched back to a backpack for EDC use as my left shoulder is getting old and creaky... the shoulder that was the rest point of my 3 messenger bags over the last 11 years and I injured in the very last mosh pit I was ever in in 2003 (<< long story that one). Doctor said the soreness was due to the injury I took to my ACL joint and wearing a "shoulder bag" on a weakened joint like that just does what it does.

Backpacks are fine though. Bike has a cargo rack now.

[koolaidND]

I know I can get all of that in my bag because I've done it. I should have clarified that the wool blanket should be on the outside worn with its one strap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I know you asserted it could be done. I simply commented I'd like to see it. This is the internet after all.

You'll have to take more word for it. My wife just had our baby yesterday and I'm not going to be home until Friday. I'm not making a special trip across town to pack it up just to earn internetz cred.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Manliest]

I'm having flashbacks to the sleeping bag vs. wool blanket argument.
A messenger bag isn't gonna be sufficient for a BOB. A GHB, sure.

Tapatalk kinda sucks.

[Browning 35]

Is a Jumbo Versipack considered a Messenger Bag?

If so I've used one of those when I'm hunting or hiking before and it's worked out pretty well. Only thing with those is that the comfort with it is directly proportionate to how much shit I jam pack in there.

For instance if I have a water or Gatorade bottle, a few granola bars, a bag of trail-mix, can of dip, a knife, a leatherman, a small first aid kit, a compass, my phone, one box of ammo and a few other odds and ends in there it's fine. However if I try to jam-pack too much shit in there (especially liquid, coins or ammo) and it makes it too heavy then carrying it is way more uncomfortable than carrying a backpack of equal weight simply because of the way that weight hangs on one shoulder. I've tried padding it more, doesn't matter.

So it depends on what all I'm taking. For a light GHB with an emphasis on speed and less weight then yeah it would be fine. If you're packing a little more than the bare bones essentials I'd use a pack instead. Even the cheapest Jansport book bag you find at Target would be better.

[MacAttack]

2dollar messenger bag from the good will store.

Its my vehicle ghb.

One liter bottle of water and a stadium blanket are the two largest items.
After that its a good days worth of food plus a nice 3600 cal Datrex block.
Multi tool and small flashlights.
Fire making gear though more than likely I will NEVER need it.
Cheap rain gear.
Tarp plus 550 cord.
6 pack of hand warmers.
Thermal blanket.
12 water pure tabs.
First aid kit(booboo kit mainly)
Wool socks, gloves and watch cap.
A reload for my CCW and some cash.

If that and my car can't get me through three days then I am in real trouble.