Tell me about a BOB/GMHB

[mr fixit]

So, what type of bag/pack are we talking? Not contents, the container itself.

Are we talking a daypack in the local school colors? How 'bout a cammo daypack? Full size backpack?

Are we more concerned with looking harmless, or are we just gonna throw on the full web gear and LCII and go?

[RT]

just get a reg. backpack like the kid's in school have. then you would fit in with a croud, and not stand out. my 2 cent the GMHB makes better sence after Gary's post about most of our stuff is at home. and FfH did a great post. also check out the link that is from AR15.com good info. ~R guy on AR15 has a sweet set up. so save that link for a rainy day-------rember that the ave. age of us on the files are 30-70. no 18-25. so stay and fight to fat and old to RUN:biggrin:http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=123&t=350370

['TUDE]

IMHO, looking conspicuous is the last thing you want in a populated setting.

I view "preparedness bags" as tools for different situations. Just depends on your own situation, location, distance to safety, mode of travel, duration of leave, etc.

The bags I keep in each vehicle contain the simple items to sustain life for up to three days. This all fits well into milsurp shoulder/first aid bags.

The bags in each of our bedrooms contain same as above plus a change of clothes, composition book, ID, copy of birth certificate, copy of health insurance, shot records, medical history/alergies, and a couple of small "comfort" items chosen by the owner. This all fits well into "school type" nylon backpacks in black.

The bags in my gun room contain everything you can imagine as listed on most lists. These bags range from bat bags to large hiking packs to a large travel case on wheels. All in black.

[Texas Tactical]

It depends on what you want and what your needs are. Do you need to look harmless and blend in or??

I personally use several different GMHB/BOB's. Most of my GMHB's are camelbak's that I can use to store water in along with whatever I'll need for a couple of days to get me home. The camelbaks are a good blend in / look harmless alternative and you can go with most any color other than the camo's and not look military.

For a full BOB.. in my opinion, if you need it, no one's gonna care what kind of bag you're carrying. Go with whatever is the most comfortable to you and suits your needs. Make sure it is something that can take some abuse and will stand up to whatever you have to put it thru. My personal preferences here are the Eagle Industries Becker Patrol Packs and the AIII Large Airborne. I don't need the airborne features, but I like the size and fact that it's a side loader unlike the becker which is only a top loader. Think about what kind of situation you'd need a BOB in and then decide if what you are carrying and how you look is really going to matter. IMHO it's more important to have everything you need to bug out and a pack that can take any abuse you put it thru.

[carguym14]

I think a lot depends on the scenario and where you are (and where you are headed).

I have several packs-most are OD military,some are camo..

My plan is to avoid contact and avoid drawing attention to myself.Flannels,jeans,and carharts,depending on the weather.Look like all the other sheep.

If it's TEOTWAWKI,then anything goes.
I'm not much into the uber-tactical gear-web gear works for me.

I think you are better off maintaining a low profile-blend in.Depending on your area,I see nothing wrong with any old civilian backpack for a get home bag.

Medium speed/medium drag;) .

[Deltaten]

I'd just throw my Deuce gear INTO my BoB,and head for the hills. Farmer's GMHB would be a different stripe.
On the road. in public, or amongst crowds on a train/subway/bus, a school bag or gym bag would be the bee's knees. Low profile, non-threatening, and cheap!

Paul

[762 shooter]

Kifaru Zulu. http://www.kifaru.net/MGzulu.htm
I don't want to look harmless. I have at least one item in the bag that will help me not look harmless. The pack is actually not very conspicuous. I have a few extra pockets on it that help disguise it and it does not look so "Military". But I definitely want to be perceived as a threat by the masses under certain situations.

[Farmer from Hell]

Originally posted by rtgunsmoke
also check out the link that is from AR15.com good info. ~R guy on AR15 has a sweet set up. so save that link for a rainy day-------rember that the ave. age of us on the files are 30-70. no 18-25. so stay and fight to fat and old to RUN:biggrin:http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=123&t=350370

Damn I got some work to do. That guy has it down. Im seriously envious.

Maybe TT can do another group/fal files buy on a pack. Mine is an old book bag basically because I needed something and it made sense and was immediately available. I cant see how a military type pack in a non-camo color would draw any attention.

FfH

[DJ]

I live in rural Western Pennsylvania. When I'm at work I'm 18 miles from home. I'm not too much worried about being inconspicuous, alot of the way I can go cross country and stay off the roads. I bought a camo alice pack off a fellow files member a couple of years ago and thats what I carry for my GMAHB.

[TStafford]

My get me home bag looks just like a workout bag or sports bag and if you open it and look inside you will see my shirts, shorts, and underware which is on top. I hope this keeps most people from looking deeper. On the outside I have some water bottles on one side and OTC pain pills /cold tablets on the other side.

[danimal]

just a little noteworthy something
if your buying a "book bag" type pack for a GMHB
you might want to consider a model designed with a "laptop cell"
I have one from Eastpack like this
the "cell" is an extra padded compart for a laptop and is usually located against the back allowing you to carry some irregular shapes and items that would poke at your back, also the "cell" is usually in the base color of the pack and seals on the inside (zipper or velcro) so this make a nice little "hidden" pocket very suitable for a thin pistol case
I would consider spending a little extra on one of these book bags and getting a name brand (they usually have a lifetime warranty too and only cost about $30)

[Tankdriver]

My GMHB is a Police shift bag. It has lots of internal and external pockets. One thing I really like about it is it has 3 hard plastic plates, one for the bottom and one for each end to where when you open it, it stays open.

I live in Memphis which is on a MAJOR fualt line. Bigger than anything in CA, just has been quit in the last few years. The population is about the same as NO, so I expect the same things to happen. There will be no 3 or 4 day warning when it happens, so I carry more than most people. It may be days before I can get home.

[mosbysmen]

what ever you get , loaded up and then live out of it one friday nite,, hike with it . practice, test it .. if you havent tested it ,it dont work .

[Eric Bryant]

Originally posted by danimal
just a little noteworthy something
if your buying a "book bag" type pack for a GMHB
you might want to consider a model designed with a "laptop cell"
I have one from Eastpack like this
the "cell" is an extra padded compart for a laptop

I've got such an Eastpack bag, and can highly recommend for its intended use. I suspect it'd make a fine BOB/GMHB as well, seeing as how well it's held up over the years, and that it blends in just fine in many settings.

[Sayeret Tzanhanim]

Since I have six kids (!), I have two Pelican cases, 5 gal water jug, two weapons cases and one large Alice ruck.
All loaded according to load plan in a 15 pax Dodge Van. I figure enough BS for a week or so.
But damn those kids can eat...:uhoh:

[MD3C]

MY GHB right now is a Kelty MAP 3500 in Coyote brown. It doesn't stand out too much and seems to be a nice rig. I have several other backpacks and Camelbak packs but this one is less "tactical" looking.
M

[redbear]

Looking inconspicous is right out for me... you tend to stick out carrying an AKM-74!!!

[P.S. I know I know... I'm considering the FAL]

[Farmer from Hell]

Ive been looking at one of these for the past couple months.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/product_images/777/MOLLE-125.jpg

From Cheaper Than Dirt (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?dept%5Fid=602001&sku=MOLLE%2D125&imgid=&mscssid=FU5W8GNQCHF29K3QN6Q7HM1HXEUV17UD).

In brown it would be low enough profile for me.

My school bag is OK but space is a little limited. After reading that thread on AR15.com Ive added some additional items. It also doesnt lend itself to organization as its just one main compartment with a couple small ones on the front.

FfH