Let’s Build A BOB, pt 4

Supply Categories to include in your BOB:

Shelter and Bedding

I’m sure most of you that have read this far have been camping at some point in your lives. Or at least “Glamping”, a more glamorous way of camping with all the creature comforts of home, such as an air mattress and nice tent with picnic tables and many other things. Well in a bug out situation, it wont really be ideal to carry all those big heavy things or even have them at the ready. Now in the prepper world, shelter is a heavily debated topic. Some people are perfectly fine just sleeping in the dirt and rocks maybe with a tarp thrown over them, or a makeshift ground pad made of a trash bag filled with leaves. I personally can’t do that without being in excruciating pain and discomfort, making it impossible to get any rest. Needless to say, proper rest is just as important to survival as your tools. Being well-rested will keep you mentally and physically prepared, which also helps morale.

Some simple bedding options that I suggest are a lightweight hammock, or a roll up yoga mat. These are easy to roll out whenever needed, even if it’s just to take a quick nap or rest. I like to use the small blow up mats. They’re small, lightweight and super easy to pack. Another important item to include in your BOB that does not require much space would be Mylar blankets. I recommend you throw a few of these in your BOB, we include at least 2 in our all of our pre-made Survival Kits. If desired, you can also include a wool blanket or sleeping bag. These items would take up more space in your bag though, so it is better suited for a BOB that has external buckle straps. This way you can roll up the blanket or sleeping bag and secure it to the outside of your BOB.

The shelter needs to also be lightweight and packable. These are two primary concerns. As with all of your items in your BOB, quality is crucial. Your shelter needs to be tested and proven to withstand extreme conditions that you could potentially be up against. I highly suggest trying it out in your backyard or on a camping trip to make sure it suits your needs. Your shelter should be quick and easy to set up, even in low light conditions. Take some time to set up and tear down at least a couple times to familiarize yourself with your setup and assure you can do it unassisted. It should not be dependent on certain environmental crutches, you may not get your ideal terrain to set up camp every night. Again, a lot of options will depend on your abilities and needs. Here are a few I’ve tried and highly recommend.

If you choose a tarp-type shelter, you need to purchase a lightweight nylon tarp specifically designed for camping and backpacking. These are much better for a BOB. They are thin, water repellent, durable and quiet to use. Many experienced survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts prefer a tarp shelter because of its simplicity. Though simple, a tarp shelter can be configured in a variety of sets, depending on what is needed. There are many YouTube videos teaching people the different ways to quickly and efficiently set these up.

When you are limited in the amount of resources you can pack, the ability to use an item for multiple functions is a value add to any piece of gear. A lightweight, waterproof tarp is a multifunctional survival item that can be used in a variety of ways in addition to shelter and does not take up much space in your BOB. A tarp can be a very valuable piece in your BOB.

We also have pre-made, ready-to-go Survival Kits available in our shop (under the Merchandise tab).

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 27:5

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