The Best Get-Home Bag and It’s Under 10lb! (4.5kg) — With Complete List

This is my lightweight urban survival get-home bag, which my wife and I have in each of our cars. I believe this is the best all-round inventory of essential and useful items that may be needed in a difficult situation, and it's the lightest solution I've yet found.

Designed for an urban environment in the southwest desert, these bags should provide for our needs if we have to walk up to 40 miles in or around the city. After a lot of research, careful consideration, and difficult choices from a wide range of possible items, these bags are complete, comfortable, and surprisingly light weight.

Perhaps some of the ideas here will help you create your own bag using this as a starting point.

Here's the complete list, with Amazon links for some specific items if you'd like to order them, or know more about the specific items we're using:

Bag
Sling Bag Shoulder Crossbody Bag
(https://amzn.to/2EB82fr)
extra waist strap (homemade)
carabiner

Shelter & Clothing
Mechanix gloves
(https://amzn.to/2Lrpdk6)
Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite Poncho
(https://amzn.to/2EEztVA)
Tactical Desert Shemagh
(https://amzn.to/2EA6jHv)
Titan Two-Sided Mylar Emergency Survival Space Blanket
(https://amzn.to/2BruRhK)
50 ft 550 paracord
(https://amzn.to/2EDFhPb)
wool socks
zip ties
duct tape

Tools & Fire
Leatherman tool
SE KHK6320 Outdoor Tanto Knife with Fire Starter
(https://amzn.to/2R4D5Gh)
Celestron UpClose G2 10x25 Monocular
(https://amzn.to/2USO052)
Fenix E12 130-Lumen Flashlight
(https://amzn.to/2EDuwwC)
Energizer High Performance LED Headlamp
(https://amzn.to/2LpLmzr)
8.3" X 11.75" Large Premium Grade Fresnel Lens Full Page Magnifier
(https://amzn.to/2EA6OkR)
Cyalume SnapLight White Glow Sticks
(https://amzn.to/2R5DIzs)
spare AA batteries (lithium}
(https://amzn.to/2BuN1iz)
spare AAA batteries (lithium}
(https://amzn.to/2SarBhI)
BIC lighter
(https://amzn.to/2R78YOx)
cotton balls in vaseline
2 x gallon zip-lok freezer bags
cash: 6 x $20 + 40 quarters

Navigation & Communications
Midland GXT1000VP4 36-Mile 50-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio
(https://amzn.to/2R3E2ie)
laminated city & state maps
Basic & Primitive Navigation Guide
(https://amzn.to/2BsuIdS)
Suunto A-30L Field Compass
(https://amzn.to/2LrpiEq)
Bayite Hard Shell Liquid Filled Button Compass
(https://amzn.to/2R3luyI)
UST Marine Micro StarFlash Mirror
(https://amzn.to/2R1z85r)
Binboll Stainless Steel High Decibel Emergency Whistle
(https://amzn.to/2BrtNdB)
Rite in the Rain All-Weather Notebook
(https://amzn.to/2RcCnHn)
Rite in the Rain All-Weather Pen
(https://amzn.to/2Gvec2J)

Hygene & First-Aid
2 x dust masks
sun screen
lip balm
Ever Ready Compression Bandage
(https://amzn.to/2EEArkG)
first aid kit
- band-aids
- ace bandage
- aspirin / ibuprofen / acetomeniphen
- moleskin
- blister protection
- nitrile gloves
- baby wipes
- wet naps
hygiene kit
- toilet paper
- wipes
- hand sanitizer
- soap - button towels
- compact towel
- pStyle (for women)
(https://amzn.to/2S6SzXC)

Food & Water
Slim Line Stainless Steel Water Bottle Canteen - 24oz
(https://amzn.to/2GDim8q)
4-Way Sillcock Key
(https://amzn.to/2UTfiIt)
Aquamira Water Purifier Tablets
(https://amzn.to/2R4Eixj)
Esbit Ultralight Folding Pocket Stove with Solid Fuel Tablets
(https://amzn.to/2ED2Wzk)
plastic spoon/fork combo
granola bars
beef jerky
instant coffee
electrolyte drink mix
sugar packets

Defense
Defense Technologies First Defense OC Stream MK-4
(https://amzn.to/2Sgu22g)

Personal Items
glasses / contacts
personal medications

Also in the car, we carry a few additional items: tennis shoes; jacket; and hat. If you choose, add your gun and a spare magazine.