When it comes to Emergency Go Bags, choosing the right size is crucial. But how big should a Go Bag be? You’ll find the answer in this article – but in short, it depends. On your height, fitness level, sometimes your gender and even the local terrain. A good go bag must be large enough to hold all the essential items, but not so big and heavy that it becomes difficult to carry. A poorly sized pack could decrease your chances of survival. In this article, we will answer the question of how big your emergency Go Bag should be and provide a summary chart to help you choose the best size for your needs.
How big should a Go Bag be: TL;DR
There are three important measurements to consider when selecting the size of your Emergency Go Bag:
- dimensions
- volume, and
- weight.
Here’s what to look for when buying a pack, and the requisite measurement in units:
| Criteria | Backpack (units of measure) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Length and width (cm / inches) |
| Volume | Litres (L) |
| Weight | Kilos or pounds (kg, lbs) |
In summary, a 24 to 72-hour Emergency Go Bag should have 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 |
However, finding the perfect fit depends on several factors. The bag’s volume in litres, its length, and its weight must be appropriate for your height and fitness level. Its weight should also match the terrain you’re travelling.
And remember to find one with the right comfort and functional features, so you can carry your equipment for days without discomfort or compromise.
So let’s examine the most important criteria for picking the best size To Go Bag.
How to pick the best size Emergency Go Bag
To pick the perfect Emergency Go Bag size, consider the following five key factors:
- The strength (fitness level) and size (height and waist) of the person carrying the bag. Whether you’re tall or short, stout or thin.
- The length of time the bag is needed to last. Do you need your Emergency Go Bag for overnight evacuation, or do you want it to last longer?
- The number of people the pack will cover. Are you packing for just yourself, or will you have a family go bag?
- The length of time the bag needs to be carried. Will you need to carry your pack on your back fir distances, or just to and from your car?
- The terrain that needs to be covered. Will you be covering flat terrain or walking with it up and down hills.
Now lets look at these in detail and apply them to real life.
What size should a Go Bag be? (in volume or litres)
Most backpacks come in litres, and backpack manufacturers offer guidelines for the size of a general-use backpack, depending on how long you plan to travel with it.
The longer you need your go bag to last, the more stuff you’ll have in it. To a point.
Emergency Go Bags are typically packed for 24 to 72 hours. They are designed for short term evacuation into shelters or a family or friends place.
Based on 24 to 72 hours, a backpack size of 30 to 50L should suffice. Now 30 to 50L is a big variation. You might be asking, which is it – 30L or 50L? We help clarify this further down.
If you plan to travel for three to five nights, a 50 to 80L backpack should be enough.
For five or more nights (or if you’re packing for a family), you’ll need an 80L backpack.
Now to get even more specific on the volume of your to go bag, we need to talk about strength or fitness, and then body size.
Manufacturers guidelines differentiate between male and female, when it comes to strength and fitness.
Ideally the size in litres of your Emergency Go Bag (packed for 24 to 72 hours) should be:
| To Go Bag usage | Ideal Size |
|---|---|
| 24-72 hour bag, for a man | 40-50L |
| 24-72 hour bag, for a woman | 30-40L |
| 24-72 hour bag, for a child | No more than 15L |
| Family go bag | 80L |
So now we’re narrowing down pack size. But we’re not quite done.
How big should a go bag be (in length)
As we said, these gender-based recommendations are only guidelines. Whether a 40L or 50L Emergency Go Bag is appropriate also depends on your height.
Or more specifically, your back/torso measurement.
The volume (in litres) of a backpack determines how big it is, but you can get different length packs with the same volume.
Backpacks are usually sized in length from ‘Small’ to ‘Extra Large’.
Getting the right length for your Go Bag backpack depends on your height and torso length.
Using a measuring tape to measure from the top of each shoulder to the top of your hip bones will help determine the right length of pack, for your height.
Once you’ve taken your own measurements, use this table to determine what length of pack is right for you:
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+ |
How heavy should your to go bag be?
Another important factor to consider when choosing the size of your To Go Bag is the weight of the pack when full. The weight or your pack can have a significant impact on your mobility. So, what’s the ideal weight for a Go Bag?
You want a pack to be lightweight, but also sturdy enough to hold all of your essential items. So choose one that fits your body and fitness level, and that is appropriate for the terrain you’ll be covering.
While it’s commonly suggested that your Go Bag should not weigh more than 20% of your body weight, this rule of thumb isn’t applicable for everyone. Your physical strength and the type of terrain you’ll be traversing are the most important factors consider.
For instance, if you’ll be carrying your bag up mountains or through rough bush, a pack that’s 20% of your body weight might be too heavy to manage.
To get a better idea of an appropriate weight range for your go bag, we’ve looked at hiking packs, which are designed for covering long distances on foot.
Based on recommendations from experienced hikers, the ideal Go Bag weight for different types of terrain and distances are:
- Flat terrain: 35 pounds / 16 kg
- Sloping terrain: 30 pounds / 14 kg
- Steep terrain: 20 pounds / 9 kg
These are general guidelines, and you should choose a size that you are comfortable carrying. Personally, I’d probably struggle carrying 16kg all day, even over flat terrain. So I’d opt for no more than 14kg.
If you’re not used to carrying heavy loads, it’s a good idea to practice carrying a backpack. Start with a smaller pack and work your way up as you become more experienced.
If you plan to carry a heavy load, like an 80L family go bag, look for a pack that is made from durable materials, such as high-quality nylon or polyester, and that has reinforced stitching and strong zippers.
Ultimately, the weight of your Go Bag should be based on your personal strength and endurance, the area you’ll be traveling through, how many people you’re packing for, and the distance you need to cover. By packing wisely and staying within a reasonable weight range, you can ensure that your go bag won’t be a burden that slows you down in an emergency.
Other functional features to look for in a good To Go Bag
Size isn’t the only thing that matters.
Function is important too. But what do you need to look for in a good survival back pack?
Firstly, make sure it has hip belt pockets that are easily accessible, allowing you to quickly reach your smartphone or survival tools when needed.
If you’re packing a hefty Family Go Bag, it’s important to look for a bag with a back frame and hip support or padding to prevent sore spots caused by the weight of the bag.
Another important feature is an internal sleeve for easy access to your hydration pack, torch or other equipment you need often.
For comfort, you should look for a bag with mesh ventilation between where the bag meets your shoulder blades to prevent excessive sweating.
How to pack an Emergency Go Bag
In order, this is how to pack your Emergency Go Bag:
- Measure the right sized back pack for you.
Before you buy your supplies, use our size guide tables to work the right bag size – volume, dimension and weight – for you.
Select the right size based on your intended use, body size and fitness level.
For instance, if you’re a fit 90kg man with a 19-inch torso and you need a pack to last a minimum 72 hours, a Large (in length) 40-50 litre backpack weighing no more than 16kg might be right for you.
- Get all of your go bag contents together.
Here’s a list of essential Go Bag contents for you to gather.
Choose lightweight equipment and only gather what is absolutely necessary. This will save you in costs, weight and volume. Opt for gear that can serve multiple purposes to reduce weight and save space in your bag.
After you’ve assembled all your items, weigh them and determine how much space is required.
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 and size of your pack.
- Then buy your back pack.
Use your calculations for bag size and content weight to pick your back pack.
By following this straightforward process, you’ll be amazed at how much more effectively your go bag will fulfil your needs.
Conclusion
It is crucial to choose the right size for your Emergency Go Bag because it can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Packing too much stuff will result in the wrong sized bag. A poorly sized bag could make your bag difficult to carry through an evacuation, impacting your chances of survival. By considering the five critical factors mentioned in this article, you can pick the perfect Go Bag size for your needs. And remember, get your equipment and supplies first using this Ultimate Emergency Go Bag checklist. THEN get your pack to put it all in!
