A few weeks ago friend and I went on a midnight food run to the 24 hour cafe as guys who have had a few beers like to do (don’t worry, We had a DD). On the way there I was freezing. I had a big coat on but otherwise only a t-shirt.
We passed a church where homeless people sleep on the steps and I got to thinking about how painfully cold it was going to be for those people tonight. (It was in the teens and dropping). I started thinking about how that would affect me in a survival situation and if I would be prepared for it.
No One Covers Clothes
Reading forums and other websites you always hear people describing what is in their Bug Out Bag in very specific terms. I have a SOG Seal Pup Knife, a Springfield XD 9mm, I have 150 feet of paracord etc etc. What you also usually hear halfway down the list is “some clothes” or “3 days worth of clothing.”
On that freezing ride to the cafe I wondered how many people keep their Bug Out Bag up to date with the appropriate clothing for the season, and how many people just stuff some good clothes in and never worry about them again.
Plan for the Season
I am not suggesting that you change your Bug Out Bag every week with the weather, but that you should plan for the weather in your area accordingly.
The next morning I immediately starting looking for small light weight but very warm clothes that I could put in my bug out bag. Polypropylene thermal wear is what we always used in Scouts and I can’t think of anything better now. It folds down to nothing, weighs very little, keeps you warm even when wet, and it is cheap. Amazon has a good selection.
Polypropylene or other thermal underwear is likely one of the Top 100 Items that will Disappear First.
Do You Update Your Bag?
How do you keep your but out bag prepared for the weather conditions?
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My name is Lucas and I run SurvivalCache along with the help of several great contributing authors. You can read more on the
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I go through my BOB every daylight savings begin/end and update my clothing for size and for season. Its probably not a bad idea to wash or at least air out your clothing every other month or so to keep them from getting musty.
Survivor_1997,
Great idea about the day light saving time. That is a good mental reminder and a specific time so you won't just keep putting if off a few more days or weeks and accidentally get stuck.
Airing out your clothes is also a good idea, I should probably mention that in the article.
I keep my clothes in ziplock bags in my Bug Out Bag so that idea is probably even more important.
Thanks for the tips,
Lucas
Consider a decent quality pair of the zip off leg pants witn drawstrings at the ankle. Pockets galore and the zip off leg can be secured w/ the drawstring and you have 2 improvised bags.
I like the bags out of the legs idea.
I would prefer to have gaiters rather than drawstrings on the ankles though. I need to do an article about those.
Certain essentials always stay in my BOB when it comes to clothes. I live in a 4 season clime and socks are the most important. I keep lightweight wool, heavy wool, acrylic pairs, midweight thermal top and bottoms, fleece jacket, watch cap, work gloves and polypro liners, and a balaclava. These items are suitable for all season wear. During the Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer the contents change.
Sounds like you are pretty well prepared in that department.
You bring up a good point too. Take care of the extremities: It's amazing how much cold you can withstand if your feet, hands, and head are protected.
I have a fleece pullover, neoprene over socks, a over sized bandanna, and a fleece hood/hat in a Space Saver bag. Once you squeeze out all the air it all takes up very little space and is water-proof. I put that and a fleece blanket (in a water proof compression bag) in a yard waste trash bag in the bottom of my pack. A rain jacket, and a pair of neoprene gloves go in a top pocket of my bag.
Brian,
sounds like a good system. What do you use for your waterproof bags and such?
For clothes I usually just use heavy duty 1 or 2 gallon zip lock bags because it's a cheap way to go.
I use Space Bags. They’re not cheap ($15 buck for three.) You need to get the dual use models if you are planning to re-seal them after you open them. But they’re heavy duty and water-proof until you open the bag.
Cool thanks for the heads up, I will look into those.
They're not cheap but the Space Saver bags that you vacuum the air from really compress a large amount of clothes. Should protect against some critters.
You mean like the ones you use for sealing food?
That sounds like a good idea, but can only be used one, and it's a pretty expensive way to go.
If you get the kind of Space Saver bag, "travel" I think is the term, that you can 'roll' the air out, it is reusable without having to use a vacuum cleaner. It's not the same as the ones used to seal food. You can get them anywhere (Big Lots, Walmart, etc.).
when it comes to cold weather ive always had a hard time keeping my feet and fingers warm but not any more . muckboots for my feet , fleece lined poly gloves let me dig in the snow without getting cold. i also heard that solders in the korean war wrapped heavy wool blankets around their kidneys to keep their core temp high . they said their feet staid warm after that.
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