When it comes to Bug out Bags, size does matter! So does its weight and volume. You want to make sure that your bag is big enough to fit the essentials, but not so big or heavy that it is a pain (literally) to carry. Too big or too small, and it could reduce your survival chances. In this blog post, we answer the question ‘How big should a bug out bag be?’ for different members of your family. We’ll leave you with a summary chart of exactly what size, how many litres and what weight your Bug out Bag should be. So you can pick out in 60 seconds the best Bug out Bag backpack for your specific needs.
How big should a Bug out Bag be?
There are 3 important measurements to get your Bug out Bag backpack size right: dimensions (length and width), volume (in litres) and weight (kilos or pounds).
In answer to the question ‘What size should a bug out bag be?”, a 72 hour bag out bag should take the following dimensions, weight and volume:
How big should your survival pack be - a summary
| Litres | Size | Weight (flat terrain) | Weight (sloping terrain) | Weight (steep terrain) | Frame Y/N |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man | 40 - 50 | Large | 16 kg / 35 pounds | 14 kg / 30 pounds | 9 kg / 20 pounds | Y - above 20 pounds |
| Woman | 30 - 50 | Small - Medium | 14 kg / 30 pounds | 9 kg / 20 pounds | 9 kg / 20 pounds | Y |
| Child | 15 - 20L | Child size | 10% of body weight | Day pack only | No pack | N |
But it’s not always as straight forward as this table.
To fit well, a Bug out Bag needs to be the right size (in volume or litres), length, and weight for your height and fitness level. Its weight needs to suit the terrain you’ll travel. It should also have the right comfort features.
Getting these things right will mean you can carry your equipment for days, without discomfort or compromise.
Get it wrong, and you may not be able to fit everything in or you’ll end up a pack horse. Both reduce your chances of survival, and of making it to your safe location.
There are 5 critical factors to selecting the right size Bug out Bag backpack.
So, let’s see how to strike the perfect balance.
5 factors to picking the best size backpack for a Bug out Bag
When it comes to deciding how big your Bug out Bag should be, there are 5 factors you must consider:
- The size (height and waist) of the person who will be carrying the bag. A man, for example, will be able to carry a bigger bag than a woman or child.
- How long you need your bug out bag to last. A standard bug out bag should last 72 hours. Your pack should be big enough to carry 3 days worth of provisions.
- How many people it will cover. A two-person bug out bag, or family pack with kids gear, will need to be bigger.
- How long you’ll need to carry it. If you’re travelling by car mostly, you can bare a heavier pack. But if you’re going long distances on foot, you’ll want it as light as possible.
- The terrain you’ll need to cover – whether it’s flat, sloping or steep.
How many litres should a Bug out Bag be?
Backpacks come in litres of volume. The litres determine how much bulk you can put in your back. Things like sleeping bags, tents, food and water that all take up ‘space’. So knowing how many litres you need is important.
How bulky your Bug out Bag provisions and equipment are ‘matters’. And what you pack depends on how long your provisions need to last.
Here is a guide from backpack manufacturers for how many litres a general use backpack should be, depending on how long you’ll travel with it:
- 1 to 3 nights – 30 to 50L
- 3 – 5 nights – 50 to 80 L
- 5+ nights – 80L
Bug out bags are generally packed for 72 hours (3 days) and designed for mobility (travel on foot). So the size (volume) of a 3-day pack should be:
- For a man: 40 – 50 litres
- For a woman: at least 30 to 40 litres
- For a child: 15 litres
Of course, these are guidelines. Whether you can carry a 40L or 50L Bug out Bag backpack on your back will depend on your height too. We’ll explain how next.
How big should a Bug our Bag be?
The volume of a backpack will determine how big it is – its length and width. Obviously, a 50L pack will be longer than a 30L pack.
The right length Bug out Bag backpack for you, top to bottom, depends on how tall you are. Specifically, how long your torso is.
If you’re a short man for example, a 50L pack might not be comfortable because of its length. If your pack is too long, its weight will pull you backwards.
Getting the length right will help you move around comfortably with more weight.
What size backpack is best for a Bug out Bag?
You can find out the length of a good hiking backpack or tactical backpack from its size. Backpacks come in ‘small’ to ‘extra large’ sizes.
The right size and length Bug out Bag backpack depends on your height.
To work out which size is best for your height, measure from the top of each of your shoulders (at the lowest point) down to the top of your hip bones.
Then use this size chart to pick your Bug out Bag size in length and litres:
How to select the right size survival backpack
| Back measurement | Size | Litres |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 inches 38 cm | Small | 30 |
| 16 - 18 inches 40 - 46 cm | Medium | 40 |
| 18 - 20 inches 46 - 50 cm | Large | 50 |
| 20+ inches 50+ cm | Extra large | 50+ |
As an example, if your back length suits a medium size pack, get a 40L pack. The dimensions of 50L pack would too long for your body.
Remember though, it’s a tough proposition to carry more than 35 pounds / 16 kg long distances over flat terrain. Just because you’re tall, doesn’t mean you should buy a 50+ litre pack.
Instead, save some money and just get the pack you need for weight you can carry.
How heavy should a Bug out Bag be?
Your Bug out Bag weight will dramatically impact your mobility. So, how much should a bug out bag weigh?
If you plan to be highly mobile, no matter how tall, strong or able you are, you’re going to need a lighter pack.
You might see a rule of thumb that your bug out bag should not weigh more than 20% of your body weight. For example, if you weigh 80 kg, your bug out bag should not be more than 16 kg.
This is a general guideline for an average size person. It doesn’t apply widely. In my 20s I could walk 5 kilometres or more with a 20kg backpack, weighing around 65kg myself. That’s clearly over 20%.
The trail or track you have to cover with your bug out bag will strongly influence your Bug out Bag weight. If you have steep or rough terrain to cover, you won’t cope with lugging a pack that is 20% of your body weight.
That’s why hiking packs are a good comparison when it comes to Bug out Bag weight. Hikers cover long distances, and rough terrain, on-foot.
Our recommendations for your Bug out Bag weight vary based on the terrain and distance you’ll travel on-foot. Here’s a guide based on real recommendations from real hikers:
- Flat terrain – 35 pounds / 16 kg
- Sloping terrain – 30 pounds / 14 kg
- Steep terrain – 20 pounds / 9 kg
Children’s Bug out Bag weight
It’s widely accepted that a child’s school bag should not be more than 10% of their weight. So use that as a guide for a child’s Bug out Bag weight, over flat terrain.
If you’re travelling over sloping ground with children, think about carrying their provisions with you. You can split them between mum and dad. It’ll be too tough otherwise.
The most important thing about Bug out Bag weight is that you can comfortably carry your bag for long periods of time, over local terrain, without getting dog tired.
The only way to know this, is with experience. Take a pack out on a hike and do a trial run.
The top features of a bug out backpack
How you use your Bug out Bag will point to the features you need. Here are some of the best features to look out for to travel on-foot over long distances or through rough terrain:
- hip belt pockets for easy access to your smartphone or survival tools
- a back frame and hip support / padding for packs > 20 pounds, to minimise sore spots from weight
- an internal sleeve for mobile access to your hydration pack
- mesh ventilation between where the bag meets your shoulder blades, to prevent excessive sweating
- a non-descript bag (non-camo, non-tactical) that won’t hint to others at how well prepared you are (making you a target in a hostile environment).
An insiders golden tip on buying the right Bug out Bag size
Our number 1 tip when it comes to a bug out backpack is: don’t buy the bag until you have what you need to put in it!
Use the parameters in our size guide tables when gathering all of the equipment and provisions for your bug out bag first.
For example, if you’re man, you weigh 90kg and you torso is 19 inches, you know you’re looking at a Large 40-50 Litre backpack that weighs no more than 16 kg.
Buy items for your Bug out Bag that you think will fit within these parameters. Buy the lightest equipment you can afford. Whittle it down to what you really need. Buy equipment that has multiple uses. These choices will save space and weight in your pack.
Here’s an article that lists all the items you might find in a typical Bug out Bag.
Once you have everything together, weigh it all and eyeball how much space you need.
Then buy your bug out backpack!
You’ll be surprised at how much better your bag will meet your needs by following this simple process.
If detail is your thing, there’s a free app called lighterpack that you can use to add the weights of all of provisions and equipment, to try to minimise the weight of your pack.
Packing your bug out bag efficiently
Once you have the right Bug out Bag size, here are a few last tips to help you pack your Bug out Bag efficiently:
- Pack the things you need most at the top
- Pack the heavy things around your hips at the bottom
- Use packing cubes: these are great for organizing your bag, and can help you make the most of the space you have.
- Roll everything: this is a great way to save space in your bag, and prevent wrinkles.
- Choose multipurpose survival gear and tools. You want items that have more than one use. Less stuff and weight you have to lug around!
Conclusion
So, there you have it – our summary table of Bug out Bag sizes, volumes and weights to help you choose how big a Bug out Bag you need. Don’t forget to measure your back before you pick your pack size. And think about the best weight for the type of terrain and distance you’ll cover, with your Bug out Bag on your back. Using the guides above will save you time, help you get the right sized pack, and increase your chances of survival in an emergency or natural disaster.
