As far as I’m concerned, one of the most undervalued pieces of gear that any prepper could have is the get-home bag. Everybody focuses on the bug-out bag, or BOB, but it’s easy to forget that most likely, you’re going to have to get home in the first place in order to get away.

Because most adults spend a huge chunk of their lives outside of the home, either at work, school, or taking care of various family and recreational activities, having a lightweight GHB that will hold the things you need in order to return to base is essential.

But we’ve got to keep it lightweight so we can move quickly and easily. Lightness and simplicity equals mobility, and that’s what will accomplish the mission. Keep reading, and I’ll tell you about these quick items to include in your minimalist get-home bag.

Shoes/Boots for Walking

Far and away the single most overlooked item in any GHB that I assess. If you work in an office environment or anyplace else where you typically wear footwear that is designed for appearance or status rather than durability and mobility, you simply must include a set of shoes or boots that are suitable for long-distance movement on foot. No exceptions!

Can you imagine trying to go for 10, 20, or more miles wearing heels or loafers? Didn’t think so.

And obviously, use common sense. If you habitually wear capable footwear, you don’t need to put these in your bag.

Socks

Consider socks mandatory in your GHB, whether or not you have good shoes or boots as discussed in the previous entry. The reason is you need to be able to take care of your feet, especially if you are forced to endure a long march to get home.

Having a fresh pair of socks to change into if your first ones have gotten wet or soiled is going to make a big difference, and in certain circumstances, even pulling on an extra pair can give you the padding you need, and the friction reduction, to stave off blisters.

Hat

You must assume that you’ll be moving under the open sky when trying to get home, and for that reason, you’ve got to have a hat to keep the sun off your head, face, and neck.

Yeah, a sunburn might just be an annoyance, but a bad one can be debilitating and will also sap your morale when you desperately need to keep your head in the game and on the task at hand. Include any kind of hat you want, but I recommend one with a wrap-around brim for maximum protection.

Comfy Clothes

This sort of dovetails with the footwear issue mentioned previously. If you don’t habitually wear clothing that is comfortable, flexible, durable, seasonally appropriate, and capable of supporting you as you make a long and arduous hike, include a set you can quickly change into in your GHB.

Consider this an item that you should rotate seasonally. That means lighter, quicker-drying stuff in the warmer months, and warmer, insulating items with additional layers in the winter. Also include outer layers as appropriate.

Gloves

Another mandatory inclusion in any good GHB. There will be tons of things that can slice or burn your hands in a survival situation, and you should especially keep in mind that moving through an urban or suburban area that has been completely or partially destroyed might be a veritable gauntlet of things that can puncture you.

You might fancy yourself a pretty tough guy or gal, but put your ego aside and wear some darn gloves to protect your hands.

Energy Bars

I know that most folks have the idea in mind that a get-home scenario will last a day or two tops and that will be it. Even if it’s a long hike, if you try to go straight through, you can probably make it by then. Probably, yes, and you’re not going to starve in two days, no matter what happens.

Accordingly, some choose to omit any food in their GHB to minimize weight and bulk. This is also a major mistake. You won’t starve in 2 days, but you better believe you’re going to be burning up a ton of energy, and your body needs a steady supply of fuel to operate at a high level.

Throw in some energy bars or high-calorie ration bars so you can keep your fuel tank topped off while you’re making headway. Nothing fancy, focus on longevity and calories with zero preparation required.

LifeStraw

A LifeStraw water filter might seem like another curious inclusion considering a get-home scenario is thought of as short duration, but you’d be wise to have one.

This ingenious gadget can allow you to get a drink from even the most questionable water sources you might encounter on your way, everything from an algae-covered fountain to a nasty mud puddle.

And, of course, it will save you from the germs and other contaminants that are lurking in those sources!

Lighter

There is almost no survival situation that doesn’t call for making fire at some point. If you need emergency heat, light, or signaling capability, fire has been used for countless millennia. It is still useful now. A Bic lighter is all that’s needed, assuming you aren’t living in a truly extreme environment.

Tinder

If you do need to start a fire to keep warm at night- and let’s face it, that might indeed happen- it’s best to have a small supply of tinder so that you can get larger fuel going easily.

Keep a ziplock bag or tin full of corn chips, thin strips of rubber, commercial fire starter fiber, or even dryer lint. This stuff will go up in a flash and burn hot, allowing you to easily ignite larger pieces of wood.

First-Aid Kit

It’s a bit alarming how many preppers I talk to simply have the idea of shrugging off the most minor injuries and ailments in a survival situation.

I can understand that mindset when you’ve got some really big problems to deal with, but that’s misguided. Little injuries like cuts, scrapes, blisters, and more can turn into huge problems if they get infected, fester, or just drive you crazy.

A first-aid kit containing burn cream, bite and sting relief spray, antiseptic pads, band-aids, moleskin, and the like can take care of these ailments before they get too bad.

Sillcock Key

A sillcock key is a special four-way wrench designed to open and close tamper-resistant water valves. These are usually found on municipal, public, and business taps and spigots.

It’s not illegal for you to have, and it will let you access clean water in quantity during a crisis, assuming that the water is still flowing.

City / Area Maps

A set of waterproof maps for your city and surrounding area is just one more resource to help you get home, especially if the landscape has been badly disrupted or if you’re forced to detour radically. If you are a long-distance commuter, include a road atlas of your typical route and surrounds.

Button Compass

If you’ve got maps, you’ve got to have a compass, and the utility and assurance of basic and reliable direction-finding should not be underestimated. You can get one that will clip onto your backpack strap or onto your watch band for added convenience and ease of access.

Flashlight

Not much explanation needed here. Every good prepper knows the powerful, versatile flashlight is utterly indispensable. It will help light your way, illuminate threats before you blunder into them, and it can even be used for signaling over long distances.

I strongly recommend that you choose a model with a long battery life and also multiple output modes so you can dial down or dial up in order to save power or maximize reach and flood as needed.

Tarp

A lightweight, weatherized tarp is a true multi-purpose survival item. You can use it to quickly improvise a shelter, use as a ground cover, waterproof pad, or even for catching rain in a pinch, and it can be fashioned into a sort of poncho or serape in case of a downpour.

Folded up and kept in its factory package, it will take up very little weight and space in your pack.

Hank of Paracord

Another quintessential survival standby. Paracord has countless uses and applications, limited only by your skill with lashings, knots, and other bindings.

A length of 25 ft to 50 ft is sufficient for most anticipated tasks, from impromptu repairs and attachment to fashioning field expedient tools and weapons.

Emergency Blanket

These foil survival blankets are borderline miraculous in what they can do, reflecting up to 90% of your lost body heat back onto your body.

They’re great for keeping warm under all conditions, can be used as a reflector thanks to their shiny surface, and are important for preventing shock when people are hurt or gravely sick.

Wad of Cash

There’s no excuse not to have a lot of cash on hand when there’s trouble afoot. Cash can get you needed gear, resources, a ride, or a favor, and by favor, I mean a bribe if you’re forced to cut through some bureaucratic red tape. I’ll say no more about that.

How much you carry in your get-home bag is up to you, but I recommend at least a couple of hundred dollars.

Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is the single best defensive solution, no pun intended, for dealing with self-defense problems that don’t require lethal force. It can easily shut down a human or animal threat and do so with enough standoff range that you don’t have to get hurt. It is light, easy to carry, easy to use, and legal everywhere.

Keep a small can in your pack if you live in a rural area, and a larger one if you live in an urban area.

Power Bank w/ Cables

If you’ve got a cell phone, it is definitely in your best interest to keep that thing powered while you try to make your way home. Yes, the network might be clogged with traffic.

Sure, it might be down or disrupted. But your phone still offers you a ton of useful capability, and it’s always worth it to keep trying. A fully charged power bank with the right cable and connector for your device can keep you on the air while you are on the go.

The post 20 Quick Items To Add to a Minimalist Get Home Bag appeared first on Survival Sullivan.

By: Tom Marlowe
Title: 20 Quick Items To Add to a Minimalist Get Home Bag
Sourced From: www.survivalsullivan.com/minimalist-get-home-bag-items/
Published Date: Sat, 01 Mar 2025 14:49:44 +0000

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