So I came up with an idea for a "Everymans" BOB Based on what many who don't believe a real Full self reliant BOB is needed may find more manageable. Its not a 100% camp in the woods for months on end kit nor is it a camp at all style kit. It contains the basic need of clothing, hygiene products, important documents, irreplaceable family photos, and backed up computer data.

I Built this kit for myself out of need before I actually had a real full on BOB for something to Grab if there was a fire. I wouldn't be able to camp out but I had to run out at night Id have clothing and such at the least. Now since I have a Basic BOB which is merely My camp gear ready to go I use this kit to complete it in a two part style kit.

My Kit Includes

2 Emergency Ponchos
2 Pairs of pants
3 White undershirts
3 Pair Underwear
7 Pair socks
6 Cotton handkerchiefs
2 Cotton bandanas
1 Bath towel
1 Pair Pajama Bottoms
1 Full wool balaclava (A Wonderful Purchase from Kevingg)
2 wash clothes
1 Travel toothpaste
1 toothbrush
1 bar all purpose soap
3 bar Basic soap
1 bar deoderent
1 tube chapstick
1 travel bottle of body powder
Backup Wallet with the usual's
Important document copies
Computer data backed up on a few different medias


This is all within a Gym Bag with the Hygiene items in a matching travel bag inside. The 7 pairs of socks are divided into 3 pair reg socks 3 pair padded sports ankle socks and 1 pair padded reg socks. Dividing up types of clothing for different things can come in handy such as 1 pair pants and 1 pair shorts so on so forth for all items depending on comfort.

Ontopa the bag is a 10$ pair of Converse rip offs from walmart.

The main goal was to have everything including footware to change into if I ran out the house in just Pajamas. The kit and shoes are always in one spot untouched which gives better ability to grab and go without worrying of where or just what I can grab.

The Added idea to this kit was to include clothing for all weather conditions. This way You do not have to switch out or change your bag every season change AND if your house does infact burn down you have a full set of clothing per season on the ready. This comes in great hand between seasons changing as you may change your kit up to summer while the temperature is still fluxing in between the seasons. This can be Done by Including gloves a hat and placing a inexpensive jacket or sweatshirt ontopa (if there is no room inside) the kit.

Well, I am a sucker for kits.

Comments/questions:

Aren't hygiene items part of your BOB?

Isn't at least one change of clothes, including shoes and hat, part of your BOB?

If you have a BOB, would you tie up a hand carrying a gym bag like this?

What about at least rudimentary first aid stuff? Water purification and a bottle or two? Extra charged cell phone battery?

I could go on and on but I guess I do not see why you would not just grab the closest thing you had to a complete BOB in a backpack. Please beat me up on this point.

Nice kit, Frisket. It would be great for a localized situation where you had to bunk with family, neighbours or in a hotel for a while.

The only gap I see is for your upper body. Given the weather in my neck of the woods, I might throw in a fleece sweater or jacket, and a long sleeved shirt or two as well. Since I'm a girl, I'd add a sports bra or two as well. I might sub longjohns for the pj pants too.

You might want to keep the shoes in the bag though. One less thing to grab and corral in a mad dash might be an advantage.

I get that this isn't an equipment based kit but a flashlight might be a welcome addition when sleeping in an unfamiliar place.

As i stated my BOB is more like a camp gear only pre packed in my backpack. Its not full on Clothing hygiene so on so forth kit. I think My wording wasnt as clear so this is my base for the secondary kit that ISNT complete by far I know this because its not made to be. Its a "I have a Hotel/motel friend/family members house to stay in kit. Its mostly a "fire" based kit aswell not a full on the world ended kit. Its mostly ment for people who are not in natural disaster prone areas. I thought long and harrd about who it may be ment for and after awhile i had somthing i figured anyone who says poo poo to a bug out bag may very well agree with. Its not perfect nothing is its also just an idea and ideas are always subject to change with person to person.

True enough I didn't think about that many thanks!

I get what you're saying, Frisket. Getting loved ones to buy-into the possibilty of things going south can be tough. Start talking about equipment and their eyes glaze over. Getting them to understand that they might have to leave the house because of a temporary localized event like a house/apt fire, train derailment, etc. should be easier. These things happen all the time. A kit like this would go a long way to making things more comfortable and it shouldn't invoke too many images of the tin hat brigade.

It's a good list that would be easy to modify for a family. In that case, lovies (teddies, blankies, etc.) would be a smart addition. Even non-prepper parents have been known to stock up on duplicates of these essential items for just-in-case. One left behind teddy and you'll never be caught without again.

Good kit. I think it gives you a 100% headstart over nothing, and can see how it would be an easier sell to the non-equipped. I also think it acknowledges that a house fire or similar is much more probable than TEOTWAWKI. I presume the wallet has a supply of cash?

I think a flashlight, SAK, minimal FAK, bottle of water and a couple of power bars or similar would be a good idea if I was pitching this to the unconverted, but understand you have your BOB and wouldn't want this to turn into a 'stupidly heavy bag of redundancy'

Darn good concept. I think I would go a bit lighter on some items - one change of underwear would be sufficient, ditch the PJ bottoms, a couple of other things that are basically personal preference. I would add a pair of leather work gloves, and a very light FAK. They are likely to come in handy in the situation you are describing.

I have a similar stash in an ActionPacker kept outside the house where I can reach it easily

I would go with quick dry travel clothing.

Two extra sets plus what you are wearing.

Seven pairs of socks seems a bit excessive.

I would pack the means to do laundry in a sink instead.

A great resource for the type of kit you are packing:

http://www.onebag.com/

Seven sounds like a lot until you factor in cold, wet, sweaty and/or dirty.