Bug Out Bag Discussion~ Gray Man VS Tactical ~Which Do You Prefer?

When it comes to choosing a bug out bag; do you prefer tactical or do you try to blend in?

If you leave a comment, please state the environment you're in so we know where your perspective comes from.

[dutchcourage]

I am planning to go with 'black tactical', as that seems to be less noticeable than full out cammo. Seeing I live in a mixed environment, meaning a combination of rural but with a lot of small villages closer together than anything in the states. I plan on using a rain-cover for that backpack that does have a cammo patern. That way I can use the black/grey man in cities and towns, while using cammo in the rural areas. Seeing I plan on moving most during the night, that black choice also serves another purpose. I am hoping to find a dual sided rain cover at one point though, one side being cammo, and the other some non conspicuous fashion patern or colour, that way I can hide my bag in both scenarios even more.

[Survivalist]

I like a gray or black colored gray man type bug out bag, not too tactical, or camouflaged. That way it'll work both in urban and wilderness woods environs.

[LeeRalph]

I think it depends on location AND destination. I live in a city..but we are still country enough that Camo is everyday wear for many, not out of place at all..especially in the winter. But in some neighborhoods it would stand out. I agree that in the right situation any bag would draw attention. I was hitchhiking back from California..In Phoenix I ran into some others hitchhiking also. I was carrying my USMC duffle bag. One said "cool bag...can I see how much it holds?"....I split paths with them right there!!! Good Topic!

[thebrizzy]

I have three packs that could be considered bug out bags.
Two are "gray man".
My urban survival kit/get home bag. I would use that for urban survival and emergencies or to get me home or to a supplied bug out location like a family/friends home on foot.
The second is a bag of typical clothing and personal items used to stay overnight(s) during an emergency or just at short notice at a family/friends/hotel/work place. No camping or survival items in it.
The last pack is my camping/extended stay in the wilderness pack. It's high end military tactical so that I can carry a heavy weight comfortably and for durability. It's got everything you'd need to be comfortable in the wilderness plus the means to acquire resources to extend your stay after brought supplies are used up.

[brandonarthurs]

Matters on where you live, whether you stand out with a backpack or not. I live in northern Virginia. A lot of people commute to work on the subways. Between northern virginia and DC almost all people walking around have a backpack/bag of some sort.

[PoverousPrepping]

All of our bags are black tactical. In our area we are south east PA and due to recent events the rebel flag is flown everywhere here. More so than any town in the south I have visited. Camo and big trucks are the fashion statement and so is anything tactical.

[jimibtv]

Well, I kinda got The Best of Both Worlds here on the outskirts of Kansas City. If I go 15 miles south I'm surrounded by lakes and woods, if I go 15 miles north I'm right in the middle of downtown KC. My bag is just a very generic Eastsport backpack but its not hard to spot my canteen, flashlight, knife and other items strapped to the outside of the bag. I do have a camouflage gear tarp that I could put over my bag but in my opinion it comes down to being able to protect your belongings

[normansmith]

One way to negotiate effectively is to constantly evaluate situational awareness and adapt accordingly.

[UrbanSurvivor]

Great video here. I have a tactical looking bug out bag and live in an urban environment but recently purchased a blue rain cover for the backpack to make it look a little more "grey man"

[Ellis]

I live in rural eastern Kentucky and I'm starting to research bug out bags, prepping and survival and I thank you for sharing all the info.

[trentonvet]

I also live in a rural area. I have a tactical backpack. If I were in an urban area I have a brightly colored rain cover that cost very little. I also would hang a pair of flip flops on the bag along with an old beat up aluminum pan. I would wear a red ball cap with a bright yellow shirt and gray and orange tennis shoes. Now my pack doesn't look so tactical. But in my area my bag fits right in.

[naturecallsoutdoors]

I agree with idea of gray man, even more. In Seattle, so a city environment, I was trapped by 2 riots, one lasted 5 days. The biggest advantage was speed and the ability to move and run a long distance. I would need to run at least 12 blocks at times to get away from mobs. If I had a tactical backpack I would have been tackled by huge amounts of people. Even a regular backpack was a target. If I need to get on the road out of town I have normal backpacks with camo raincovers.

[Lellobeetle]

City, I'm surrounded by big hunting and fishing lands.

[TheProtector]

I'm in kind of a mixture. I don't live too far away from heavily populated areas, maybe 10 miles, but I have a lake behind my house and live on a dead end road with woods at the end. I have a Rush 72 pack but have extensive backpacking experience and feel that the pack, especially without a waist strap, would cause too much discomfort. So even a low end backpacking bag would probably work better, because if I did have to go into the city I wouldn't stand out too much if the SHTF, because I would assume the majority of people in the area own backpacks something like that. I would like to find a bag that perhaps rides and appears like a backpacking style but has the internal compartments of a tactical bag. Any suggestions or thoughts on my specific circumstance would be much appreciated!

[amrasurvivalchannel]

Good video I have two alice packs med lg rotate between the two thanks for sharing always learning

[montanahiker]

+countryprepper I live in a urban bug I have a tatical but I don't know what to do go with

[southpawbushcraft]

I have both, so I can carry either. But because I live in Wisconsin, everyone walks around in camo and such all the time every day anyway. Even the kids going to school have camo backpacks etc. So it doesn't matter here what I have.

[Agentdonnielucas]

I live just outside of city limits in a rural area. Best of both worlds, huntington wv. So i can go camo and no one will pay attention. But i will say that i took a tactical pack out on a hike at a state park and felt alot of eyes on me lol. Would prefer a grey bag. Good info

[galenlong]

My entire area is corn and bean fields in northwest Iowa, but the hunting camo stuff is common here too, including backpacks, so That is what I would chose to use, as far as timing a Bug out, I honestly wait for cover of darkness, and move within the shadows.

[grumpyguy]

I am in a small town and it doesnt matter how big or how small in a SHTF if you are carring a backpack the bad ones out there are going to stopyou or at least theh will try but you should try to stay as low key as you can