Get back home bag

[rckeystone]

Your get home bag is way too big and way too heavy. You don*t need very much beyond what*s normally on your person to get home. I did a moderate amount of sere in the Army as a student and as opfor. The students that *made it* through the don*t get caught phase traveled as light as possible and hauled azz. The ones that tried to be all ninja stealthy with extra items were generally caught.

I*ve also busted a lot of bad ass bush as an infantry guy with tons of gear. Assistant m60 gunner was probably the worst. Carrying the spare barrel, tripod, T&E and at least 400 rounds for the pig. I found out pretty quick that wearing a poncho with a pack sucks. You get just as soaked from sweat as you would from the rain. You won*t need it for shelter because you*re going to be hauling ass for home.

You would be much better off with a discreet bag about the same size or less as the old school military butt pack. Throw in some water, a multi tool, maybe a couple magazines and a pack of lighters. If you really want to get fancy, a vacuum packed ifak and a couple drive on rags.

You won*t be in a firefight. If it comes to that, you*re chances are very slim. Your best shot is to haul ass and suck it up. I do have a very nice lightweight poncho that has extra material in the rear to drape over your rucksack. It works great if you*re moving slow or sitting in a fixed position on a recreational camping trip. It*s not in my get home bag.

All very valid points! Thanks for adding to the thread!

MY bag isn't a simple "get home" bag though - more of a general purpose "emergency bag" to be kept in the vehicle.
I've always figured I could "unpack" unnecessary items if I head out on foot.
No, it's not ideal for every person's mental image of what I should have/do, but it's how I'm doing it.

Agreed. All really good points by CDI, and those have crossed my mind over the years being as I'm not exactly 20 years old anymore, and realistically won't be going far with a lot of weight on my back should the need arise.

That said, as EM mentions I also keep the bag in my car as a general emergency bag to keep things together, and have the same thought process that if needed I would lighten the bag if before heading out on foot. I work about 16 miles from home so it's doable for me (I think LOL)

[Emptymag]

I picked this up on clearance for six bucks. Good to have several options for starting fires.
I had seen them before, but wasn't going to pay the original price of ten dollars, but for six? Sure, why not?
Even if I don't keep using the mini-rolls included, the case could be used to store matches or other fire starting materials.

Also note that the bottom portion of the tube is sized perfectly for wrapping duct tape around it to have on hand for emergency repairs, or even as tinder for starting fires.











The product can be summed up by watching the first two minutes.

[Emptymag]

Pro Tip: Walmarts have just started to carry these - and they are far less money than on Amazon!

I had stumbled upon these while looking at YouTube vids. They are sold under many different brand names, but all appear to originate in Europe.
I was just about to start doing the homemade round cotton makeup pad soaked in wax for fire starters, but these make for a super easy, lightweight, and CLEAN product to pack away without worrying about wax melting in a hot car and leaking out of whatever container it's being stored in.

$15 on Amazon
$6 from Walmart









Here's a blog-style review on the other brand I had seen initially
https://www.alloutdoor.com/2021/11/1...tarter-review/

Here's a pretty decent video review.
As expected, they don't last 10 minutes, but the packaged DOES say "up to" 10 minutes, so that's a pretty good indicator not to expect 10 minutes of burn time.

I haven't tried them yet. Will update when I do.

[bogey1]

[free]

Excellent fire starters:

https://a.co/d/1OENAdw
Expedition Solid Fuel - 40 XL Hexamine 1300-Degree Tablets in 10 Retail Packages - Rugged & Submersible Storage Trays for Camping Stoves and Fire Starting, Backpacking, Survival, and Bushcraft.

[Emptymag]

Excellent fire starters:

https://a.co/d/1OENAdw
Expedition Solid Fuel - 40 XL Hexamine 1300-Degree Tablets in 10 Retail Packages - Rugged & Submersible Storage Trays for Camping Stoves and Fire Starting, Backpacking, Survival, and Bushcraft.

Thanks for the input.

How do they compare to the military surplus Trioxane bars? (assuming you have tried them)

I bought a big pack of them decades ago and used them when we went camping. Haven't had any left in years and forgot about them.

[free]

Thanks for the input.

How do they compare to the military surplus Trioxane bars? (assuming you have tried them)

I bought a big pack of them decades ago and used them when we went camping. Haven't had any left in years and forgot about them.

I dunno. These are the only such devices I've tried. They work so well I've never had the need to try anything else.

[Emptymag]

I dunno. These are the only such devices I've tried. They work so well I've never had the need to try anything else.

Makes sense. When something works, there's little reason to try other things.
Reading reviews, it seems they are primarily intended for "stove" use, so if they are going to burn long enough to boil water, they will certainly do well to start a fire.
Bookmarked. I probably don't need them now, but I may order them at some point.

[free]

Makes sense. When something works, there's little reason to try other things.
Reading reviews, it seems they are primarily intended for "stove" use, so if they are going to burn long enough to boil water, they will certainly do well to start a fire.
Bookmarked. I probably don't need them now, but I may order them at some point.

I have plenty. If you wanted to swing by, I'd give you a 4-pack (;

For general campfire, normal conditions use (not really suitable for a GHB), I use this:
Insta-Fire Eco-Friendly... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008Y5A35K...p_mob_ap_share

And for added fun:
Magical Flames Cosmic Fire Color... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2DESFK...p_mob_ap_share

[Emptymag]

I have plenty. If you wanted to swing by, I'd give you a 4-pack (;

For general campfire, normal conditions use (not really suitable for a GHB), I use this:
Insta-Fire Eco-Friendly... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008Y5A35K...p_mob_ap_share

And for added fun:
Magical Flames Cosmic Fire Color... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2DESFK...p_mob_ap_share

I'd give you an orange for it.




I just watched a comparison vid. Looks like those cubes burn nice and long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8XbE_3NqyA