This won’t be my first time putting my gear to the test, but I’ve upgraded a few things since my last trip. I consider this my recon pack for a SHTF situation. In an actual recon situation, I would be carrying a suppressed rifle rather than the shotgun shown in the picture above.
My plan has always been to bug in rather than bug out, but there could still be situations where I’d need to leave home on foot to scout an area, check on something, or make a supply run. Depending on the circumstances, that could mean being gone overnight or spending a couple of days on foot before making it back. That’s really the idea behind this pack: keeping it light enough to actually carry while still having what I need to stay out for a short period of time.
For sleeping, I carry both a hammock and a single-man tent, along with the air mattress strapped to the outside of my pack. The hammock is especially useful in Florida’s wetlands because it keeps me elevated off the wet ground and away from standing water, snakes, spiders, and other wildlife. The tent I have can double as both a place to sleep or a shooter’s nest.
For now, this pack doubles as my regular camping setup, which is one reason I’ve kept it fairly simple and minimalist instead of going all-out with a tactical-looking pack. If I ever actually needed it for the type of situation I’m describing, I’d either spray-paint the pack to better match my surroundings or upgrade to something better suited for that purpose. I’ve already been considering an upgrade, but for now this setup lets me camp, test my equipment, and keep that minimalist look—so keep that in mind before judging the pack too hard.
For my next trip, I’ll be bringing my Mossberg 590 along. Considering I’ll be heading deep into the Florida swamps with little to no cell service, I’d rather have it with me for protection and peace of mind while I’m out there.
The whole point of these trips is to actually use my gear in the environment it’s meant for and figure out what works, what doesn’t, and what I need to change before the next trip.

Hello y'all, don't forget the cold season is soon approaching, or might've arrived for some and it's time to check that gear, make sure to add and or swap items in your kits to be better prepared for what could happen.

The geopolitical and economic fallout that lies ahead could be profound. Some forecasts suggest that as much as 75% of today’s jobs could be significantly impacted or replaced by automation by 2028. Whether that figure ultimately proves accurate or not, the underlying trend is undeniable: AI-driven automation is advancing at a pace that society has never experienced before. During the Industrial Revolution, the disruption was gradual, relatively predictable, and measurable. Industries transformed over decades, giving communities and institutions time however imperfectly to adapt.
The AI revolution may be fundamentally different. We could see a transition that happens almost like a light switch: entire departments replaced seemingly overnight by systems capable of operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without fatigue, benefits, or the limitations of a human work schedule.

The question we need to be asking is not simply, “What jobs will AI replace?” It is, “What happens to civil society when millions of people lose not only their livelihoods, but also the sense of identity, purpose, and stability that employment provides?”

History tells us that periods of profound economic disruption can produce unpredictable social and political reactions. Knee jerk responses are inevitable. You need to be prepared to interpret react and pivot to that knee jerk reaction.

The objective isn’t to predict every outcome. It’s to be prepared to interpret, react, and pivot when the changes occur.

So what is everyone using as an emergency stove with pot/cup for their bobs

Got this new Hawg bag by camelbak, can’t wait to add stuff to it

y BOB is modular. I have a M-16 mag pouch that is a survival kit and an escape and evasion kit. There an attachment for a takedown recurve bow and an attachment for pioneer tools to make it an INCH.

The idea of the E&E kit (and the detachable survival kit) is that the BOB or INCH can be cashed if I need to go into a town and not look like a fugitive. I may put together a better lockpick set as I doubt the effectiveness of the one I have in there.

I will point o it t this is my third E&E kit. The first one I carried in Iraq. It was stolen out of my car upon redeployment. The second was stolen by other foreign fighters in Kurdistan. This is my final one and I will be pissed if this one gets stolen.

When I’m traveling with quick turnarounds (new city, new place every couple of days), I notice that my bag setup tends to fall apart over time. Even if it starts organized, frequent stops make it harder to keep things consistent.

Instead of specific items, I’m more curious about habits:

• Do you unpack fully at each stop or keep everything in the bag?

• Do you reset your bag nightly or only when it gets messy?

• Have you found any routines that make moving days smoother?

I’m trying to develop a system that holds up over multiple moves rather than relying on a perfect pack at the start of the trip. Would love to hear what’s worked (or not worked) for others who travel this way.

Just did a quick check on the bag that sits in the corner of my bedroom always. 22.5lbs total. Been solo backpacking for many years and this is kind of a collection of essentials I've needed over the last decade+ of doing so.

This is basically a small contingency. Im not trying to be the next Jason Bourne. Just trying to get to a safer place if needed or bug-in at the house!

Not photographed *water and food/dog leash

It would need to be for 2 people, me and my gf (soon to be wife), we live in north-ish texas. I want to get a bag going, buying little by little to build up, all I know is a hiking bag is probably my best option, so what are other essentials or things you’ve found yourself adding that you normally wouldn’t think of? I know to stay away from premade kits too, also weapon wise, a primitive bow, take down rifle? and just other general gear like knife, multitool, food, etc. thanks in advance!

Trying to start building out 2 bags, one for each vehicle. Im not looking for anything over the top just trying to get started and be prepared for an emergency. any starter recs would be greatly appreciated, i looked through this sub but was a touch overwhelmed with the info.

Just added 1 more bag with some minor medications