Gaye Levy
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Let’s face it. No matter how much we hope we will never have to evacuate the comfort of our homes, there is always a possibility that circumstances will require that we gather our emergency supplies and leave on a moment’s notice. When that happens, you want to be ready to grab your spouse, your kids, the family pet and a well stocked bug-out-bag with enough gear to get you by for at least 72 hours.
Where do you start? If you are like me, you started with a very basic kit using items you already owned. From there, you advanced to a more robust pack filled with the esoteric items of survival: an emergency radio, a tactical knife, some rudimentary shelter, a first aid kit, and fire-making supplies.
As easy as it may be to be smug in the knowledge that you now have a Bug Out Bag, over time you are going to want to refresh and renew, or even start over.
Today I am thrilled to present the Tactical Traveler Bug Out Bag from Ready to Go Survival.
The Tactical Traveler – First Observations
This pack is fabulous! Okay, I am done with my review. Just kidding, of course.
My first observation when I took Tactical Traveler out of its box was that everything arrived, all at once, pre-packed in a military-grade Rothco Medium Transport Bag. Now why is this important? Because when I order a “package” of something, I want it to arrive together not piecemeal over a matter of weeks. Plus, having everything packed inside the bag allowed me to see how to take advantage of all of the nooks and crannies of the pack and to maximize its space.
The stated weight of the Tactical Traveler is 20 pounds but just to be sure, I weighed it myself and yes, it was almost exactly 20 pounds. Weight is important because if the pack is too heavy, at best you won’t get far and at worst you will hurt yourself while carrying it. I took a 3 mile hike with the fully loaded pack and had no problems whatsoever. Granted, 20 pounds is not a lot of weight but at 105 pounds, I am on the small side and was concerned about carrying even 20 pounds without straining or tiring.
I need not have worried. The design of the pack is such that you can adjust the straps so it fits perfectly. The other thing is that the pack itself is narrow, meaning you can pass though narrow openings without bumping into the sides. The loaded pack was such a non-issue, carry-wise, that I ended up staying outdoors with the pack on, getting water out of a local pond (actually, quarry nine) and even playing ball with Tucker the dog on the green in front of my home.
The Gear
One of the problems I have with purchased kits is that often times the gear consists of cheap, no-name items being sold at a premium price Not so with the items in the Tactical Traveler.
Here is a complete list of what is included:
1 Mil-spec Rothco Medium Transport Bag
1 205 Piece First Aid Kit
20 Potassium Iodide Tablets 65 Mg
10 Ammonia Inhalants
1 Smith & Wesson Tactical Ops Knife w/ belt cutter & glass breaker
3 Wise Company Meals
9 Emergency Food Bars (3690 calories)-
20 Packets of Emergency Water
1 LifeStraw Water Filter
1 Tactical Flashlight 220 Lumen w/ strobe S.O.S.
1 Compass
1 Windstorm Emergency Whistle
1 SOL Emergency Blanket
1 Aurora Fire Starter
2 Disposable Lighters
1 Pack of Storm Proof Matches 25 pc
1 Pack of Quick Fire Tinder 10 pc
1 Roll Duct Tape 10 yards
1 Pack of Water Purification Tablets
5 6″ Glow Sticks
4 Sets of Ear Plugs
1 50′ 550 Paracord (my review kit included 100’)
10 Large Zip Ties
1 Steel Folding Trowel
1 Tube Tent
1 Mil-spec Poncho
1 Signal Mirror
1 SOL Sleeping Bivvy
6 AA & AAA Batteries
1 Pair Work Gloves
4 N95 Mask
6 Heat Packs
2 5′ Utility Straps
1 Fishing Kit
1 Uvex Goggles
1 Etón Crank Emergency Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power & Cell Phone Charger (add-on item)
1 Gerber Multiplier 400 Multi-Tool (add-on item)
I wish that Ready To Go Survival had been around with the Tactical Traveler when I was first putting my bug out bag together. It would have been a lot easier in the long run to start with all of the gear I needed, nicely organized.
What’s Missing?
No pre-packaged emergency kit will be 100% complete. With the Tactical Traveler I will want to add few personal items such as a flash drive with copies of important documents, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, pet food, No-Rinse bath wipes and prescription meds. And of course, my personal weapon. Extra clothing will need to go in a secondary pack.
It is worth mentioning that Ready to Go Survival will customize a pack for you. So, for instance, if you want 2 rain ponchos instead of 1, no problem. Just let them know.
The Final Word
The Tactical Traveler (or any of the other packs at Ready To Go Survival) would make the perfect holiday gift to yourself or to someone you love.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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385 Responses to “Review: The Tactical Traveler Bug Out Bag”
I would add my compact 5×7 camping tarp for a ground cover or extra shelter, some more emergency blankets, definitely some candy for extra boost when on the move, an extra pair of socks (definitely need dry socks), hand warmers, warm hat and gloves, a small hose (used for drinking, siphoning, etc), plastic bags (tons of uses), bug spray, a metal water bottle (can boil and store water), a small hatchet, a bandana (another multiuse item), headlamp, flash drive( with important documents and pictures), small camp stove with fuel tabs, a wire saw,and some baby wipes. All depending on available space of course. Overall it looks like a pretty well rounded bag.
I would add a buff scarf, wool socks, flashdrive, my weapon, a magnifying sheet, and hat. Oh and my tiny containers of salt, pepper, and oil.
I would add a knife sharpener, waterproof stuff sack and some 12 hour cyalume sticks
For me, I would add a small container with dental fixative and cleaning tablets for me dentures. I would also bring spare eye glasses and a small repair kit for the glasses. I would hate to be virtually blind during a bug out situation. The situation would be stressful enough without being able to eat and navigate.
I would:
1. Make the batteries rechargeable. Integrate your solar power charger such that you could also recharge your AA and AAA batteries.
2. Increase the number of storm proof matches from 25 to 100.
3. Add pencil and paper to your pack!
4. Provide for an optional secondary pack to be added to added to the top that can carry additional food items such as more meals and more food bars. Food will be a big deal, you can’t carry too much of it.
5. Small tube of superglue.
6. Rag.
If you could add the above items you would have a great pack.
Bruce Hayes
307-634-3297
I would add a tarp and tent pegs.
I don’t know what to say these folks put a lot of thought into this bag, and since space would be limited I’m thinking for extras I’d start with a travel pack of babywipes ( field bath and toiletry all in one) wire saw or an attachable hatchet, a military canteen and cup and a stainless steel (like a trash can) that would fit inside the main compartment. The trash can for extra heating water and such and everything in that compartment would fit in the can till it was needed, no wasted space and their light weight and a penny stove for quick heating in a pinch
Socks. Keep your feet dry and warm and you already have an edge.
I would add a magnesium fire starter and some high energy food.
Awesome pack! would add a small stove with mess kit and utensils. Vitamins, books and games(Survival Cards), money, gun and ammo. Some clothing. Thumb drive with important papers and pictures. Thanks.