Hi all!!

I have been for some time now, wanting to photograph and post the contents of my large BOB. I finally had the time over the weekend to do it!! I kinda got a little crazy with the pictures but i thought it was necessary in order to show everything. Enjoy!!

My BOB is a MOLLE style backpack from Cheaperthandirt
I know that the pack's quality is considered "substandard" by many, but it is all my budget at the time could allow. So far it has been a great pack although I have yet to test it in the field. I will most likely upgrade to a new and higher quality pack sometime in the future.



And a side view with a deck of card for a size reference:



The pack has a compartment where a CamelBack bladder could go but I have yet to actually put a bladder in it.

The next pic shows a bit of the two side pocket's contents:


The left pocket houses:

• AG Russell Deer Hunter in VG10 Steel
• Ziplock bag full of 8 Esbit tabs and a mini BIC lighter

The right pocket houses:

• Standard Leatherman Tool (The nice Wave is in the EDC)
  
• "Rite in the Rain" No. 146 Notebook
  
• 4 misc large plastic trash bags
  
• BOB "CORE" kit in Pelican 1020 case (details below)
  
• Misc lengths of paracord

The Pelican 1020 case was detailed in another one of my posts a while back. I have since removed the vial of matches and the ARC AA LED light. I will probably get a Benchmade Benchmite to replace the HUGE SAK in this kit. I added:

• Photon II LED (White)
  
• Large BIC Lighter
  
• $100 in various bills
  
• Small zip-lock bag with several REI storm matches with striker tab
  
• Medium sized Mag/steel rod

I would love to post the newer pics, but i think i have enough pics in this post already...


A pic of the right pocket contents:



The outside small pocket at the top contains:

• Sysnylon pack cover
  
• Black Diamond LED/Incandescent headlamp
  
• SAS Pocket Survival guide
  
• 2 packs of gum
  
• Various energy bars
  
• 2 plastic trashbags
  
• Small AAA LED flashlight from Walmart
  
• Cutter bugspray 35 DEET
  
• Ziplock bag with sharpening stone,mini bic, superglue,and matches
  
• Various lengths of paracord

The bottom outside pocket:

• 100ft black paracord
  
• 2 packs of camping toilet paper
  
• 4 packages of GI Trioxane fuel
  
• Spare prescription glasses
  
• "Croakies" for glasses
  
• Reel of 3 color military snare wire (50+ ft?)
  
• 2 small rolls of camping Duct Tape
  
• 2 person AMK Heatsheet
  
• 1 pair elk skin work gloves

The outside large top pocket:



Contents:

• Silva Landmark Compass
  
• 10 packages Micropur MP 1 water tablets
  
• Kershaw Blackout folding knife
  
• Garmin eTrex Legend GPS
  
• Surefire L1 LED Flashlight
  
• Surefire spares carrier for batteries
  
• ARC AAA LED flashlight
  
• Red cotton bandanna
  
• A state and local map
  
• AMK .9 FAK
  
• SAM Splint
  
• 3 packs Gookinaid Hydralyte Drink Mix (from REI)
  
• Sparky K1 fire starter in leather pouch
  
• Fisher Space Pen from Campmor
  
• Various other pens and pencils
  
• 2 bottles hand sanitizer

And now for the INSIDE of the pack!!

The small top mesh pocket on the inside contains:

• 20 various size zip-ties
  
• "Pocket chainsaw" in tin
  
• Standard Esbit stove with 3 fuel tabs inside
  
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
  
• Floss
  
• Sewing kit
  
• Large bar of soap
  
• Survival sheet (the really loud "crinkly" type )
  
• Bottle of GI storm matches
  
• 3 x 5 Sponge
  
• Survival tent from REI (yellow)

The main compartment of the pack contains (this is the stuff on the floor in the above picture):

• Two 30ml Nalgene bottle with Snow Peak 700ml titanium cup on the bottom of one and 50ft of duct tape wrapped around the other
  
• Grey GoLite Cave 2 tarp/tent
  
• Standard issue GI "Boonie" hat (green)
  
• Pack Towel in mesh bag
  
• Stainless Steel mess kit
  
• Playtypus 2 liter water carrier
  
• Playtypus 1 liter water bag
  
• SOS 3600 cal rations (wow these guys are HEAVY!!)
  
• SOS 2400 cal rations
  
• 3 cotton shirts
  
• 2 pair boxers
  
• Cotton sweatshirt
  
• 3 pair cotton socks
  
• 1 pair wool socks
  
• BEST GLIDE fishing kit (the larger one)
  
• Lid for Snow Peak 700ml cup

THATS IT!!!

Yes, I know what you are thinking, this BOB is pretty heavy. I'm estimating around 45-55lbs.!!! I would like to shave off some weight if possible, but I am use to carrying a heavy bag since I am a student .

I am aware of some obvious problems with my BOB (although i am sure there are more i am missing ), it needs:

• Better material clothing (i.e. NOT COTTON)
  
• Cold weather gloves and watch cap
  
• A Poncho
  
• Possibly a small radio (Grundig 100??)
  
• N95 Masks
  
• Udig-it Trowel
  
• Extra batteries (AA and AAA)
  
• I probably have too many plastic bags and "various lengths of paracord"
  
• A gear repair kit is needed
  
• Excessive redundancy in certain items even for a survival kit?? (i.e. hand sanitizer)??

I am also thinking about ditching the relatively heavy stainless steel cookset and either getting an aluminum one or just not replacing it at all. I purchased the Best Glide Gill Net but it was WAY TOO BIG for this kit.
I have a Becker BK7 that can be added on the exterior of the kit depending on where i am going. I am also looking for a MOLLE bag\pouch that can be attached to the bottom of the pack for additional capacity...

I am concerned with the functionality of my Esbit stove for boiling water. I am not so confidant in it for this job. I may switch in the future to something else...

Questions, comments, ideas,etc. are greatly appreciated as always!!

If you can afford it, buy a Titanium cookset or one larger Titanium "cup" that is designed to be placed on a flame. That reduces the cookset to one piece and reduces weight.

I have a crank/battery operated radio that will also charge my cell phone.

Since Winter is coming on; gloves and hat are most important.

SOS 3600 cal rations (wow these guys are HEAVY!!)

SOS 2400 cal rations: And what do these taste like?

I tasted some 72 hour ration bars, lemon flavored....yes you can live on them...but..

Incidentally, my large BOB is packed in an Arc'teryx Bora 35.

I have a Kelty RedCloud pack that may be the home of this kit soon (especially if I add the proper amount of clothing).

I have heard that Titanium Cooksets may be very light weight but Aluminum kits are better at actually cooking in. All I have every really cooked anything in is stainless steel. I'm looking at the MSR Blacklight cookset .

As far as what the SOS rations taste like: I just got them about a week ago and I haven't opened one up yet. I ordered a whole slew of different brands of rations just to try them. The problem is that when you open them, I think you "expose" ALOT of the ration (like 3 days worth)??? A bit much for a sampling...

Anyway, I will try them and let everyone know what I think

That 'substandard' pack looks pretty good to me. Price doesn't always equate with quality and that goes both ways. My MEC Deluxe bookbag is one of the sturdiest packs I own and it only cost me $35.

I have the same problem with Weight Rusty. In my case it's because of my strong desire to carry the kitchen sink everywhere I go. Upgrading materials (like titanium) will give you some gains but at a cost. Being cheap I find the cost of Titanium to not be worth saving a couple of ounces out of a 50+ lb. pack.

I find the best way to save weight is to get rid of as many 'unitaskers' as possible. Get as much equipment as possible which serves more than one purpose. This is a battle I just started fighting and with this type of gear it's hard.

The pack is pretty good, but I can see how the zippers could cause problems. The stitching isn't the best I have seen either. But for like $49 it really isn't bad. So far it definitely gets a thumbs up.

I guess if I wanted closer to MILSPEC I could dish out like $250+

And by multitasking equipment you mean those whistle\match case\compass\flashlight combos right??

I have the older version of the backpack and it has been used on an almost daily basis for 4 - 5 years now carrying 15 to 20 lbs (and sometimes more) with not even a loose thread. It's too bad that MEC changed the design and eliminated the 3 small back pockets and went to a 1 back pocket design. The only thing it is missing is a padded waist belt...but is still a great pack.

when I say multitasker I'm thinking outside the box...or trying to.

For example. You could use a good candle as a source of light, heat (for yourself or for simmering), or a fire starter...you can even use hot wax in gear repairs.

I learned long ago that MILSPEC does not always equate quality....just ask any active duty or retired service member their opinion on this, I am sure they will agree.

Just remember. The people who make stuff for the military are generally making it because they were the lowest bidder.

Something I don't understand:
people keep posting BOB contents on here with no sleeping bag. What do americans do at night? Can you rely on always lighting a fire and keeping it going with wet wood, if you have right gear, even in the rain? Then sleep next to that? And what about the side not facing the fire? is that what the space blankets are for? You set that up to reflect heat onto you or something?
The Sock