I've been using this EDC bag for a few years now. I have a Get Home Bag in my vehicle because I drive far from home a lot for business. But, I needed a small backpack that I can take anywhere... so this is my EDC bag which is usually under my seat so it's easy to grab. The nice thing about this bag is that it's inexpensive(along with the contents), made of a tough material, it doesn't stand out and also when all of my contents are in it there is still roughly 80% room left. This is great because there's plenty of room to pack random stuff when my daughter and I decide to go fishing or do something fun and I need to pack a small lunch and even a sweatshirt for her and not look out of place.
Bag: Maxpedition Rollypoly Backpack
Contents:
- 2L collapsible water bottle with MSR Aquatabs taped on
- New Millennium Energy Bar (it's hot here in the summer so candy bars melt too quickly)
- Quikclot
- 3ft. Gorilla tape (repairs, bandages)
- Mora 511 knife with ferro rod attached to back
- 55 gallon trash bag (poncho, shelter)
- 25 ft. 550 cord
- lighter
- Timex 1854 Intelligent Quartz (time, compass, temperature, tide)
- Nanolight Streamlight attached to knife lanyard
- Bandages & Neosporin for kids (accidentally left that in the bag)
Comments from Alex:
This is a different approach - pretty much purely an emergency kit, versus a hybrid of daily use with some contingency items added just in case.
I don't know what your daily routine looks like, but most folks end up needing to carry some more mundane stuff with them - whether that's lunch, a work laptop, notebook and pens, etc.
The Rollypoly is a cool contingency pack - for those who aren't familiar with it, the pack folds down quite small and in that mode can be worn on a belt or any PALS/MOLLE surface. Then, if needed, you can deploy it and have a small backpack. But, it might be a bit small and lightweight for being a primary EDC bag.
Having a bigger bag gives you the flexibility to carry your routine gear, with this kind of survival gear tucked away in a pocket or organizer.
From a survival kit standpoint, here are some things to think about:
- The Streamlight Nano is a good keychain or backup light, but I wouldn't want it as my primary. Even a AAA light will give you much more utility and light, though I'd recommend a single-cell AA or CR123A light. As an alternative, the Petzl e-lite is a compact but very functional headlamp. Carry two sets of backup batteries.
- If you are going to carry Quickclot, you should have something to act as a compression bandage to secure it onto/into the wound. Commonly, an Israeli bandage is used, but a bandana, shemagh, or a wrap of gauze material could do the job, too.
- If you're worried about emergency fire starting (lighter, ferro rod), you should probably carry some pre-made tinder, though the Gorilla tape and that ranger band can work in a pinch.
- In terms of Dave Canterbury's 5 Cs for wildrness survival, you're missing a stainless container capable of boiling water.
That's it from me! What does the Tribe say?