One of the things I've really been working on is upgrading each piece of gear I own to better stuff. I started out the SHTF bag for cheap with lesser quality items originally.

Just like my EDC knife, I had carried a $24 Smith & Wesson folder for a couple years while the blade got looser, thumbscrew kept falling off, etc... Then I stepped up to a Kershaw Blur Tanto and am much happier with it.

I went from having a contractor bag in the SHTF bag for shelter to having a 10'x10' Silnylon tarp with tieouts. Went from cheaper rope to real paracord. Replaced my crappy FAK with a much better one, etc...

I still want to get a chance one day to actually go out and live off the contents of the bag for a few days.