Pros and Cons of how your BOB looks to others

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Lady Patriot

Lady Patriot

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Joined
Jun 19, 2016
Messages
13
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Southern California
I've read (in other places) some general opinions of the pros and cons of how your BOB looks to others and how it could effect your survival.

My current thoughts are that in a SHTF scenario those who look weak are the ones who will get targeted first by desperate people. That's just human nature, I think, to take the easiest route. So the easiest target would probably be the girl with the soccer mom backpack and not the woman with the tactical gear.

I'm prepping my BOB this weekend and using what I have which is my old military pack. So I would like to hear your comments on this as maybe there are some things I haven't considered.

What are the pros and cons of how your BOB looks to others and how could this effect your survival?
 
Lady Patriot said:
I've read (in other places) some general opinions of the pros and cons of how your BOB looks to others and how it could effect your survival.

My current thoughts are that in a SHTF scenario those who look weak are the ones who will get targeted first by desperate people. That's just human nature, I think, to take the easiest route. So the easiest target would probably be the girl with the soccer mom backpack and not the woman with the tactical gear.

I'm prepping my BOB this weekend and using what I have which is my old military pack. So I would like to hear your comments on this as maybe there are some things I haven't considered.

What are the pros and cons of how your BOB looks to others and how could this effect your survival?
Click to expand...
No doubt, you want to consider how you look. I want to be as unnoticeable as possible. I don't want to look too well prepared nor too casual and unaware. I believe in having two bags as well. The one on me, like your soccer moms tote, with my essentials. Mostly, water filter, fire starter, some form of food,survival tools etc. The main bag can be carried separately. It's got all my main gear and comforts. I like it seperate as I can stash it hidden somewhere, or even drop it in a pinch allowing my escape if needed. In a true emergency, traveling will be dangerous, and best done under cover of darkness and on untraveled trails. Not being noticed at all is your best bet.
 
chances are,the one with the soccer mom backpack will get attacked first..but yet,here's some things to think about,when it comes to the old military pack..will it stand out like a sore thumb in a knitting class,at any given time?are/is there any item(s) showing,on/in it,and shouldn't be?does it yell/scream,i have preps?
 
my BOB is an old mil pack,it's pre-nylon era ;)
I belive I would stand out anyway,it's come through the years that if it goes bad I get the look ;stay away or I'll chop your head off.
one thing that comes in to my mind,a whole lot of packs sold today look "mil stuff" so your old one might not stand out at all,if you used to carry it,do so, your shoulders are already "married" to it :)
 
Lady Patriot said:
I've read (in other places) some general opinions of the pros and cons of how your BOB looks to others and how it could effect your survival.

My current thoughts are that in a SHTF scenario those who look weak are the ones who will get targeted first by desperate people. That's just human nature, I think, to take the easiest route. So the easiest target would probably be the girl with the soccer mom backpack and not the woman with the tactical gear.

I'm prepping my BOB this weekend and using what I have which is my old military pack. So I would like to hear your comments on this as maybe there are some things I haven't considered.

What are the pros and cons of how your BOB looks to others and how could this effect your survival?
Click to expand...


Your BOB should match your environment and Climate M'lady, but you do have choices, Civilian or Military, Tacticool or old and worn looking, Bright and Breezy or Dull and dreary. One American lady I know who lives in New Jersey has her GHB ( Get Home Bag) rather than a BOB, its its a re-enforced cross should messenger bag type thing, and she has tailored it to look positively manky and disgustingly grotty like a Bag Lady ( Female Hobo) her clothes are similar made to look like she is a tramp but the gear is actually first rate gear. She has a slot on her bag that she keeps a 9mm pistol in, but she can also slot the pistol into a slot on her jacket she has made to looj like a tear in the material. She has taken the Grey Man Scenario to its ultimate urban form cos who the hell is interested in a homeless bum? ( She is actually a Paramedic).

Perhaps in So Cal your Bob could be concealed in a Guitar carry rucksack, or a Beach Sports or Surf sports bag, or even a shopping bag so you just look as background and uninteresting as possible. You have to balance being uninteresting and low profile, but offset it by not looking vulnerable. But at the end of the day Lady Luck with decide most things thats why most preppers try to relocate away from danger areas NOW, failing that cache extra kit and supplies along a bug out route so you are not carrying lots of kit with you. Some preppers keep MOST of their gear outside the city limits NOW and only carry EDC gear plus PDW when they begin their bug out.

Being cautious and well informed will probably make the difference between surviving or dying, an unready prepper who waits to long to get out will die even if they have the worlds best kit, but the Prudent prepper who listens to the media and plays it safe will probably be long gone before TSHTF even if its only with the most basic of gear.

Ma'am what I am trying to say is GEAR is only a TINY part of prepping, to get the best out of it you must make prepping a lifestyle choice rather than a hobby or domestic concern. You need a plan.
 
Military packs are not the ideal choice for long term bugging out on foot for that one needs a good hiking backpack that's well padded on the shoulder/hip straps and capable of hugging the back that isn't much wider than the hip, most military backpacks are supported by the shoulders, a major no no on long weighted trekks especially as we get older.
 
My GHB is an ordinary backpack, like a student's backpack. It has a lot of padding in key areas, designed to carry heavy books. Basically, in my Get Home gear, I'd look like a weekend hiker more than a weekend warrior.

Basically, my assumption is that when the SHTF, I'll likely be at work, about 50 miles away from my ranch. My plan is simple, take the truck and get my wife (who is about 10 minutes from me, so also miles away from home), and then get as far home as we can via truck (and one of many alternate travel routes). I assume at some point, we'll have to hoof it. The pack is designed to have enough for both of us to get home over the course of about 4 days or more. Ideally, we'd travel as much as we can, when we can, but it depends on the situation. If too hostile, we'd travel only at night. But the goal is to get back to our ranch.
 
Gazrok said:
My GHB is an ordinary backpack, like a student's backpack. It has a lot of padding in key areas, designed to carry heavy books. Basically, in my Get Home gear, I'd look like a weekend hiker more than a weekend warrior.

Basically, my assumption is that when the SHTF, I'll likely be at work, about 50 miles away from my ranch. My plan is simple, take the truck and get my wife (who is about 10 minutes from me, so also miles away from home), and then get as far home as we can via truck (and one of many alternate travel routes). I assume at some point, we'll have to hoof it. The pack is designed to have enough for both of us to get home over the course of about 4 days or more. Ideally, we'd travel as much as we can, when we can, but it depends on the situation. If too hostile, we'd travel only at night. But the goal is to get back to our ranch.
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You definately don't want to stand out either way, as paramilitary or a defenseless easy target. One thing to consider, what do you do if going back to the ranch is impossible? (Like a nuke plant accident, etc.) Do you have a backup plan, and have you shared it with the rest of the family?
 
One thing to consider, what do you do if going back to the ranch is impossible? (Like a nuke plant accident, etc.) Do you have a backup plan, and have you shared it with the rest of the family?
Click to expand...

Luckily, we're way out of range of any nuke plant accident (even here at work). I can't think of many situations where the ranch would be taken out, and work wouldn't be (as we work more towards the coast). If a nuclear war attack, we'll likely be vaporized at work, this close to Tampa (SAC base). (or at least burned so bad we'd wish we were vaporized)....

That said though, the GHB is also pretty much a BOB as well. If we can't get back to the ranch for some reason, it'll be a plan as we go then. I don't really have an alternate that can be put in action pre SHTF here.

In addition, if a nuclear war seems imminent, we're working from home for a bit....
 
Gazrok said:
Luckily, we're way out of range of any nuke plant accident (even here at work). I can't think of many situations where the ranch would be taken out, and work wouldn't be (as we work more towards the coast). If a nuclear war attack, we'll likely be vaporized at work, this close to Tampa (SAC base). (or at least burned so bad we'd wish we were vaporized)....

That said though, the GHB is also pretty much a BOB as well. If we can't get back to the ranch for some reason, it'll be a plan as we go then. I don't really have an alternate that can be put in action pre SHTF here.

In addition, if a nuclear war seems imminent, we're working from home for a bit....
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I made a concious decision to move here. Great area, plenty of game, no big city, running water, etc. the one thing I overlooked was a friggin nuke plant 60 miles away. If power goes out for a long length of time I would rather not be within two hundred miles of one. I really don't have a plan b either. The best I could do is head for the smokey mountain national park and start over somewhere there. It would take a lot for me to leave here though. I think I was asking as I'm looking for a good idea as well!
 
The setting of that book is about one full county away from me, so fairly close. We're in Hillsborough, but work in Pinellas. About an hour commute each way. (so twice a day, every Mon-Fri). We used to have a nuke plant not too far away, but it's been closed and sanitized for a long time now.

At 60 miles, you're actually 10 miles out from what the plant operators consider as affected areas, though like you, I wouldn't test that....and I prefer at least 100 miles between me and one, in a SHTF situation.

If we can't go to the ranch, then it would be more of a matter of taking some existing, abandoned structure. One with certain attributes:

Fencing
Water Supply
Land for growing
Away from main travel paths
etc., etc.
 
Gazrok said:
The setting of that book is about one full county away from me, so fairly close. We're in Hillsborough, but work in Pinellas.
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Oh WOW, seriously OH WOW you like in the area when the most inspirational book I have ever read is set, how cool is that.
 
Gazrok said:
The setting of that book is about one full county away from me, so fairly close. We're in Hillsborough, but work in Pinellas. About an hour commute each way. (so twice a day, every Mon-Fri). We used to have a nuke plant not too far away, but it's been closed and sanitized for a long time now.

At 60 miles, you're actually 10 miles out from what the plant operators consider as affected areas, though like you, I wouldn't test that....and I prefer at least 100 miles between me and one, in a SHTF situation.

If we can't go to the ranch, then it would be more of a matter of taking some existing, abandoned structure. One with certain attributes:

Fencing
Water Supply
Land for growing
Away from main travel paths
etc., etc.
Click to expand...
And how far did they evacuate from Fukushima? I recently saw a documentary of some people living in the zone near Chernobyl. They went back sometime after the meltdown and are living completely off grid as settlers. I got the impression they were on their own land, and the govt was letting the stay. They had chickens and gardens, and seemed to be in reasonable health. I'm not sure how long before they went back, but either way I've read that the soil holds radiation for a really long time so gardening is out for me.
 
Silent Earth said:
Oh WOW, seriously OH WOW you like in the area when the most inspirational book I have ever read is set, how cool is that.
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That book probably did have an influence on my lifestyle today. I guess it helped make me 'one of them crazy preppers' :).
 
:confused::confused:
Gazrok said:
The setting of that book is about one full county away from me, so fairly close. We're in Hillsborough, but work in Pinellas. About an hour commute each way. (so twice a day, every Mon-Fri). We used to have a nuke plant not too far away, but it's been closed and sanitized for a long time now.

At 60 miles, you're actually 10 miles out from what the plant operators consider as affected areas, though like you, I wouldn't test that....and I prefer at least 100 miles between me and one, in a SHTF situation.

If we can't go to the ranch, then it would be more of a matter of taking some existing, abandoned structure. One with certain attributes:

Fencing
Water Supply
Land for growing
Away from main travel paths
etc., etc.
Click to expand...
I just read they only went a little over 12 miles, or 20 kilometers. I guess when your on an island it's a hard choice. Either way, I feel a little better about 60 miles or so :confused:.
 
jontte said:
seems I have to make my way to the library :)
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If you have been reading bloody Norse Mythology again I'll have a fit. ALAS BABYLON is one of the greatest novels ever written, Along with Down to a Sunless Sea by David Graham, and of course Earth Abides, you need abusing with the rough end of a Pineapple non stop until you have read them.:)
 
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Looking weak or strong has more to do with your looks than your backpack. Most mean biker or gangsta types do not carry a backpack. A backpack, any backpack, can make you a target.

I used to think it silly when people would say stay away from tactical packs, after all, there are many being used in my city. However, there is a difference between using one as a daypack and dressing up 100% tactical. Tactical means tactics anyway, and tough just means, "I'll come back with more of my gang".

My attitude has changed because if I was a cop and you looked like you were a gun guy and had a backpack I'd search you first over the college kid with a daypack. That being said, in SHTF situations where people are starving, you don't want any pack (civy or tactical) to look like you are ready to camp out because campers have food. You want more of a daypack look to you. If you are in a rural area as opposed to city then you can be a bit safer with camping type look.
 
Well, as a lady myself, I don't carry anything tacticool or remotely military. Instead I have gone for civilian type bags. . My GHB is a small 20L Regatta Daysack that is big enough to hold everything I need. Round here we get a lot of DoE outdoor hiker types so I would fit right in I do not have a BOB as such, as I can't see me ever running off to the hills. I do have a larger nondescript trolleybag that contains stuff for evacuation that can sustain us if the need arises.
I think the thing to do is take a look around you at the types of people you live with, and what they carry and take your cue from them.
 
SallyC said:
Well, as a lady myself, I don't carry anything tacticool or remotely military. Instead I have gone for civilian type bags. . My GHB is a small 20L Regatta Daysack that is big enough to hold everything I need. Round here we get a lot of DoE outdoor hiker types so I would fit right in I do not have a BOB as such, as I can't see me ever running off to the hills. I do have a larger nondescript trolleybag that contains stuff for evacuation that can sustain us if the need arises.
I think the thing to do is take a look around you at the types of people you live with, and what they carry and take your cue from them.
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Good analogy for a gray woman prepper.
 
BTW recently read an article by a single lady living in London who keeps her bug out gear in one of those very solid Antler wheeled suitcases, she just looks like any other traveller in London but she has all she needs in this hard shell wheeled suitcase. I thought it rather natty.
 
SallyC, yes too many people think BOBs are run to the hills bags. Bugging out was a military term for when an area got to hostile to Americans. It has nothing to do with camping in the woods per say, it is about getting out of an area back to friendly areas.

In the case of us civies, most would be going to a friends/relatives house or a motel/hotel. The vast majority of North Americans live in cities or subburbs. Pack your bag to meet your needs as to the location you are going to and the length of time to get there.
 
I live in the boonies and if I get caught away from home at most we are talking 20 miles,if the truck is down and I'm a foot yeah the damned dog is with me 20 miles to him is a walk in the park but me not so much,,a knife one shotgun and a fanny pack with ammo and a water bottle some matches and I am headed east,,maybe I should put a bike in the back of that old truck
 
grayghost668 said:
I live in the boonies and if I get caught away from home at most we are talking 20 miles,if the truck is down and I'm a foot yeah the damned dog is with me 20 miles to him is a walk in the park but me not so much,,a knife one shotgun and a fanny pack with ammo and a water bottle some matches and I am headed east,,maybe I should put a bike in the back of that old truck
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You may find one of those cheap folding bikes you could stash in your vehicle in the post christmas sales.
 
grayghost668 said:
I live in the boonies and if I get caught away from home at most we are talking 20 miles,if the truck is down and I'm a foot yeah the damned dog is with me 20 miles to him is a walk in the park but me not so much,,a knife one shotgun and a fanny pack with ammo and a water bottle some matches and I am headed east,,maybe I should put a bike in the back of that old truck
Click to expand...
I'm sure I could hike twenty miles still, but would probably pay for it for a few days! I'm driving up to Asheville today. About a three hour trip each way at 60 mph. That wouldn't be walkable in a day. Here's to not breaking down. I do have a pretty good emergency kit just in case.
 
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