To bug out or not becomes a critical decision when we are faced with an emergency, disaster or when SHTF. Winter is a season that involves a lot of preparations for everyone. But for preppers, winter preparations don’t just mean planning your winter wardrobe and arranging Christmas decorations. It should also involve carefully organizing a winter bug out kit just in case the unexpected occurs.
25 Winter Bug Out Essentials
Preparing for a winter bug out is a necessary thing to do since we do not really know what can happen during this cold and gloomy season. It is best if we are totally prepared. The bug out items consist of all the necessities one would need in order to survive a disaster for at least 72 hours.
Putting together a winter bug out kit can be a little tricky. That’s because most of the time, it includes specialized gear. You might get puzzled or confused as to what things should be included in this special and essential survival list. We have some suggestions to help you organize your own winter bug out kit.
It may be a long list and you might think you won’t be able to fit all of these items in your bug out bag. We recently wrote a post on that very topic. The fact is that winter weather is unforgiving, not to mention deadly at its worst. We preppers must be ready and have plenty of supplies.
The following is the list of items that are most important to be included in your kit if there is a need to bug out during winter.
1. Winter Bug Out Essential: Hand Axe
A good hatchet with a steel handle that is melded perfectly into the blade is a timesaver, and a life saver. Hand saws and wire saws are mostly a waste of energy. Click here for the full post.
Here is a video on choosing a hand ax for winter bug out survival:
Follow this link to watch the video on YouTube.
2. Winter Bug Out Essentials: The Bivy Sack
A Bivvy Sack (or Bivouac Sack, Bivy Sack, or Bivi) is usually a slip on cover for your sleeping bag to make it warmer or waterproof. An emergency bivvy sack is made so that it can be used by itself. Usually out of synthetic materials that are designed to reflect and hold body heat. Read more…
3. Winter Bug Out Boots
But not just any pair of boots. You need a durable pair of boots that will hold up exceptionally well in the fall and winter. One option is snow boots, but since those only work during the winter, perhaps a better option would be a good pair of mud boots. Mud boots are high (some can even reach your knees), they hold up well both in winter and in muddy terrain, are lightweight, and also easy to slip on and off. Granted, you might not be able to fit a pair of boots in your survival/but-out bag, but at least you can in your car. Click hereto read the whole article.
4. Bug Out but Stay Connected: Communication Devices
You’ll most likely have no cell phone coverage in the backcountry. Two-way radios allow you to stay connected to members in your group who travel at different speeds. They are, however, limited to line-of-sight coverage. Satellite messengers and phones offer an option to communicate with folks at home. See more…
5. Winter Bug Out Essentials: First Aid Kit
First Aid Kits are one of those preparedness items that people often neglect. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to get the same attention that things like survival knives, guns and bugout bags get. But when you think about it, a first aid kit is something that’s probably going to get more use than any other item in your survival stash. To read the article click here.
6. Stay Warm on your Bug Out: Fleece Liner
The idea behind these liners is that you use them inside your existing bag to add around 10 degrees to your bag’s temperature rating. I think it’s a brilliant idea for those that already have a reasonable bag and just need a couple extra degrees to feel comfortable during cold weather. If anyone has some first hand experience using this sort of thing please chime in on the comments with how it worked! Read more.
7. Winter Bug Out Essentials: Food
Three days’ supply of food minimum, (I carry more) to be determined by size and age of family and personal needs.Suggested items• MRE’s (meals ready to eat) or LRPs (long range patrol rations)• Canned food – meats, tuna, sardine, fruits, vegetables chili etc, (I avoid these as to heavy) .• Hard candy dried fruit, etc.• Granola Bars or Power Bars• Fruit bar or fruit rolls• Mountain House or similar freeze dried of dehydrated foods• Jerky or pemmican• Home dried fruits• Beans or pastaClick here for more.
8. Bug Out but Stay Warm: Gloves
Winter outdoor gloves help you survive the cold by protecting your hands and fingers. Courtesy of Preppercentral
Keep your hands warm (and useful)As far as gloves go, we like the Glacier Gloves for their sheer cold and moisture-repelling power, and the Dots Gloves for their ability to operate your cellphone’s touchscreen while your fingers stay encased in comfort. If you’re not looking to fork over $50 or $30 when you’ve got perfectly functional gloves, though, you can throw together some rice-powered, microwave-able mitten warmers. Or, if you’re feeling evil-scientist-y, you can make any pair of gloves work with touchscreens with just a bit of conductive thread. Read more.
9. Bug Out Visibility: Snow Goggles/glasses
Snow goggles ensure your survival in winter by keeping the cold from burning your eyes. Via Discovery.com
Goggles and glasses: Always protect your eyes from sun and wind. There are different lens tints for various weather conditions. Click here to see more.
10. Keep the Cold Out on your Bug Out: Head gear
For those of you who may not be as familiar with winter survival, you may not realize that a very large percentage of your body heat escapes through your head. Something as simple as having a warm hat will also help to keep your core body temperature up. Many people might make the mistake of thinking that they can get by with something as simple as a stocking hat or beanie. This would be fine if you were sure that it wouldn’t snow but you can never be sure of that.What we prefer is a specially designed waterproof hat that has a brim to keep the snow off our faces and necks. The hats that we purchased also have fleece ear coverings and a drawstring to keep the fleece ear warmers tight against our ears and prevent the hats from blowing off in the wind. Read the whole story here.
11. Stay Hydrated on your Bug Out: Insulated Water Bottles
To watch on YouTube click here.
Tip: You may not feel thirsty in cold weather, but staying hydrated is just as important in winter as it is in summer. Drink water (warm or cold), hot tea, or hot chocolate—the latter also provides high-calorie fuel for your outdoor adventure. See more…
12. Winter Bug Out Essential: Jacket
Arc’teryx stuffed its expedition-grade Ceres with lofty 850-fill down and cleverly substituted synthetic insulation in key moisture-prone areas like the cuffs and collar and around the zippers. It’s a puffy that’s ready for the elements and still holds its loft even after hundreds of days cramming it into a pack. Add to that water-resistant Windstopper fabric to ward off slop and this is the coat you want for crawling into a snow cave or belaying at the bottom of an icy canyon. Click here to learn more.
13. See in the Dark: Bug Out Lighting and Batteries
Winter nights are long, so make sure your headlamp and flashlight batteries are new or fully charged before an excursion and always take extras. Lithium batteries perform well in cold weather, but they can overpower some devices like headlamps. Check your product’s manual for compatibility. Alkaline batteries are inexpensive and should work in any device, but they drain at a faster rate.Tip: Cold temperatures decrease battery life. Store your batteries and battery-operated devices inside your sleeping bag to keep them warm. Click here for the full article.
14. Retain Body Heat as you Bug Out: Mylar Blankets
These hi-tech lightweight blankets can be a life saver. They help your body retain its heat. They take up very little space and though they are really hard to refold, they are inexpensive enough to have a few on hand. These would help in the car situation as well. I actually carry a few of these, tucked in my spare, because I don’t want to get caught in the cold without them. Even if it’s just a case of running out of gas or car troubles in winter. Learn more…
15. Bug Out but Know Where You Are: Navigation/Maps
Everyone says you have to have maps of your area in your gear. That’s true, but how much time did you spend deciding exactly what kind of maps to take. If you just stuck a state road map in your Bug Out Bag, then you should reconsider and take the 3 types of maps that should be in your survival gear. Click here to see more.
Here is a tutorial on maps and compasses.
16. Polyethylene Foam lets you Bug Out in Comfort
This is something that’s used to pack things and comes in large rolls. Lightweight, it’s a great insulation to use under your bivvy sack or when sitting down in the cold. I’ve folded 6’ long pieces for each adult family member and a 5’ long pieces for each of the children in half and then rolled them tightly, securing them with 2 rubber bands. I have them wedged under the top flap of the bug out bags. The full story.
17. Winter Bug Out Essential Tool: Shovel
Finally, always include a small shovel in your bag. If you prefer a larger one, just keep it in the trunk of your car. Having a small shovel means you’ll be able to shovel through snow, but even if you aren’t caught in a storm, it will help with setting up a shelter. To read the full post, click here.
18. Fight the Cold when you Bug Out: Ski Mask
I chose this mask because you can wear it three ways: cover the neck, cover the face or cover your whole head. It’s high quality and comfortable so it’s the mask I recommend to my friends. Read more.
19. Winter Bug Out Sled
The last item on our list might leave some a little baffled, but the truth is it comes in incredibly handy for hauling large amounts of gear, firewood or whatever else you pick up along the way. Now by sled Winter Sled I’m not talking about the giant wooden thing children use at Christmas time. Click here to read the whole article.
20. Cold Weather Sleeping Bag: Because You Need Rest When You Bug Out
In order to get the painful part over first let’s talk about your sleep system. This is probably more essential than any other piece of kit in your bag. Now I’m no expert on sleeping bags but I do know the biggest difference in price between most bags is weight.You’ll probably be able to find a bag rated to below freezing for around $100.What you’ll have a hard time finding is one that weighs below 5lbs.When it comes to sleeping bags down filling is king as it provides great warmth while also being incredibly light. Other types of synthetic bags (the kinds for around $100) can match the warmth but don’t hold a candle to weight. In fact most down bags rated for freezing or below weigh on or under 2lbs. The issue however is that many of these bags go for $300 or more. To read the full story, click here.
21. Winter Bug Out Essentials: Snow Gaiters
Survive the cold winter by keeping the ice and snow from your feet and legs with gaiters. Via sectionhikers.com
Dating back to at least the 18th century, gaiters provide a bridge of protection between the wearer’s shoe and their leg. They are an often overlooked piece of outdoor clothing, but benefit the wearer in a number of ways. Read more
22. Winter Bug Out Socks
During the winter, socks are an even more important part of your bag. You can use them on your feet, of course, but they can double as gloves or towels in a pinch. Keep at least a couple of warm pairs in your bag. Click here to read the full post.
23. Winter Bug Out Essentials: Tent
A true winter shelter should have: wider-diameter poles for stability in wind and snow; lots of vents to limit condensation; and numerous loops on the rainfly for anchoring guylines in storms. Also consider that external pole clips make for faster setup in harsh weather than sleeves or internal poles. Size Two travelers need at least 30 square feet of interior space to fit bulky winter gear, plus vestibules big enough for two packs. Pile into a new tent with all of your gear to make sure it fits. Claustrophobic? If living space matters more than low weight, a three-person tent provides ample room for two plus winter gear.See more at: http://www.backpacker.com/gear/backpacks/winter-camping-gear-clothing/5/#sthash.iaTW51m7.dpuf
24. Winter Bug Out Essentials: Tinder
Searching tree wells for dead wood and tinder is all fine and good, but even then, much of what you collect will have soaked up at least some condensation. You need to pack tinder that burns extra hot, or extra long, to compensate for this. The most effective tinder we used included cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, small firestarter bricks (pieces can be shaved off as needed), strike-a-fire tinder (tinder sticks that light like matches), and magnesium shavings (collect shavings into rolling paper and add a chunk of firestarter). Water proof matches and flint are a must, obviously. To see more, click here.
25. Winter Bug Out Essentials: Wool Pants
Protect your legs from the winter cold with winter survival wool pants. Courtesy of American Preppers Network
There is no better option for pants then wool in both a fall and winter environment. Wool is warm, durable, lasts a long time, and is resistant to flame (so you can be close to the campfire). The only downside to wool is that it is very easy to get dirty, but that’s a small sacrifice to make for pants that will keep you both dry and warm. Read more…
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