I’m a professional prepper, and here’s a look inside my go-bag

I have a confession to make: even though prepping is my full-time job, I didn’t really have my go-bag in good shape until this past April. Yeah, I had one, but it was more of an “aspirational” bag — more like “Jon’s survival stash” than the well-thought-out, carefully assembled emergency kit we promote at *The Prepared*. It wasn’t functional, and that needed to change. The motivation came from walking friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers through pandemic-related evacuations from big cities. That experience pushed me to finally finish my go-bag. Now, after building and testing it, I’m proud to say it’s ready. And just as importantly, I’ve got bags for my wife and my oldest daughter. The two youngest will carry stuffed animals, blankets, snacks, and ID — not as critical, but still important. **Read more**: Discover what to look for in a bug-out backpack, and which packs and brands experts recommend. Let me tell you, it feels *great* to have everything in order. There's a real sense of security knowing these bags are packed with thousands of hours of research and expert input. In this article, I’ll walk you through how I built mine — the process, the decisions, and the lessons learned. Here’s what you need to know: - This is a big project. Take your time and do it in stages. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. - Start with the essentials and build up from there. - When in doubt, go with our budget picks. These are products we’d trust in an emergency — you can always upgrade later. - Sort your supplies into boxes first before packing them into your bag. - Tailor our recommendations to your needs, but only if it’s based on rational thinking, not fantasy. - Use a tool like Kit Builder to track weight, cost, and performance — it helps keep things objective. I’m a husband and father of three, so I started with three bags. My own includes a customized Level 3 kit with extra power gear for the kids and tools for myself. My wife’s bag has different versions of the same items, so if something fails, we have alternatives. She also has more hygiene and medical supplies, and her pack is lighter since she’s smaller. Our oldest daughter is twelve and has some wilderness skills, so her pack focuses on the Five C’s: cut, cover, cordage, container, combustion. It’s also used for short trips around town. Before joining *The Prepared*, my go-bag was a jumble of survival gear — mostly focused on fire-starting. After revisiting the checklist, I realized it was way off balance. I had too much of some stuff and none of others. I realized that my family is more likely to be evacuated to a hotel or friend’s house, not hiking in the woods. So I completely redesigned the bag to fit realistic scenarios. I still have camping gear, but my focus is on car-based evacuation to a place with power and shelter. While our guidelines are solid, I made some changes. For example, I ignored the “don’t carry too much weight” rule. My bag weighs over 34 pounds, and with a gun and ammo, it adds up. But I have a plan: toss non-essentials when needed. I’m also looking into color-coded organization to help lighten the load quickly. I also ignored the “no extras” rule, because I planned to ditch them anyway. And while I assumed a car would be available, I also prepared for the possibility of walking by keeping a few key items. Ultimately, I followed the 80-20 rule — focusing on the most likely scenario rather than the ideal one. To start, I printed out two copies of the go-bag checklist and filled two Amazon boxes with gear. I went through my existing stock, checked off items, and ordered what I was missing. I used the Kit Builder tool to track purchases and stay organized. One thing I missed? Paracord. I added that, along with toothpaste, a stove, and other small items. My bag is optimized for in-car evacuation, not a long trek. I chose a tarp over a tent for flexibility, and inflatable sleeping pads for indoor use. I don’t have ultralight gear right now, but I do have mylar blankets — they’re not perfect, but they work in a pinch. I use Kit Builder to manage weight, budget, and product availability. It’s a great tool for tracking what you need and where you stand financially. Even though my bag is done, it’s still a work in progress. I’m considering adding ultralight quilts and an internal organizing system. I also want to add a small tent for better protection in case we end up outdoors. Eventually, I’ll test it on real camping trips to see how it performs. Experience is the best teacher, and nothing beats putting your gear to the test. This journey taught me that preparation isn’t just about having the right items — it’s about making thoughtful, realistic choices that reflect your lifestyle and environment.

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