A Woman’s Guide to Building a Bug Out Bag

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.”
— Amelia Earhart

Self-Reliance: Every Woman’s Responsibility

When it comes to emergency situations women and men have different survival needs. While many needs are similar, a woman's physiology is different from that of a man requiring us to take into account physical differences and medical needs. Understanding our unique needs is the key to self reliance – it will allow us to build women's specific bug out bags and enable us to use some of our differences to our advantage in a survival situation.

Building a bug out bag (BOB) isn’t about gender—it’s about practicality, preparedness, and self-reliance. While survival is often framed as a masculine pursuit, reality tells a different story: Women will face the same emergency situations men do and women are just as capable of preparing for, enduring, and overcoming SHTF scenarios. The goal of this guide isn’t to advocate a feminist perspective but to offer a realistic and actionable approach to assembling a functional, reliable, and customized Women's bug out bag that addresses our unique needs.

Kyt Lyn Walken, professional tracker, trainer, and preparedness expert.

Advantages Women have in Survival

Women-Specific Items That Serve Dual Purposes

In a survival situation the best gear is the gear you have on you! Many personal care items that we use and carry daily have hidden survival benefits. 

• Lipstick: Can be used to leave a visible message on walls, windows, or mirrors in an emergency.
• Tampons: The highly absorbent nature of tampons have practical applications in wound care. They can also be used in fire-starting with the addition of alcohol and in limited water water filtration.
• Hair ties & bobby pins: Useful for securing gear, setting traps, or holding small tools in place.
• Compact mirror: Can serve as a signal mirror for rescue or checking for injuries.

The Psychology of Appearance

Many survival situations present challenges beyond environmental and infrastructure issues – in many cases interacting with other people is a necessity . Understanding psychology and social norms play an important role in survival situations. Knowing how to use your appearance strategically can be invaluable when negotiating with others, blending in, or deescalating threats.

Choosing a pack to fit your frame and body type is essential to your comfort and safety.

Common Sense and Care in Women's Bug Out Bags

Any bug out bag is useless if it is poorly maintained or inaccessible when you need it most. Here are a the key considerations when building and using not just women's bug out bags, but any bug out bag:

✔ Regular Gear Checks – Inspect your gear periodically. Items can degrade over time, especially in humid or extreme temperatures.
✔ Strategic Storage – Keep your bug out bag in an easy-to-reach location, where you don’t need a ladder or excessive effort to grab it in a hurry.
✔ Dedicated Placement – Avoid moving your BOB around frequently. Find a fixed, accessible spot in your home and keep it there.
✔ Function Over Aesthetic – Forget about whether the bag fits your home’s decor. Survival doesn’t care about personal style—speed and efficiency are what matters in an emergency.

Choosing the Right Bug Out Bag: One Body, One Mind, One Gear

If your bug out bag is difficult to carry it can reduce your speed and maneuverability and lead to injuries. When choosing a bug out bag remember these guidelines.

• Ergonomic and Comfortable – If you can’t carry it for long distances, it’s the wrong bag.
• Adaptable to Your Body Type – Your height, weight, and strength impact what kind of load you can bear. We can train to build strength and endurance, but we can not change our body type and frame.
• Practical, Not Trendy – A stylish pack is irrelevant if it compromises your survival. Focus on function over style.

Lessons from My Own Experience

Over six years, I tested more than 20 different bags. What works at the moment may not work forever. I adjusted my bug out bag choices based on:

• Changes in strength and endurance
• Refining my gear preferences
• Adapting to different scenarios and environments

Women's Bug Out Bad Dilemma: Finding the Right Fit

Most packs are designed for a male frame. Finding the right fit for women's bug out bags can be challenging and can require some trial and error tests to get find a pack that fits right.  During my testing I initially settled on a 100 liter Tasmanian Tiger Range Pack MKII but later switched to a Berghaus Vulcan II Military Rucksack due to:

• Height Issues – The Range Pack MKII is an excellent pack, but its was too tall for my body type, forcing me to keep my head down while navigating rough terrain.
• Weight Distribution – The Vulcan II had better weight balance for my body type and provided easier access to essential gear.

Having a proper fit is just one thing to consider when choosing women's bug out bags we must also consider:

• Capacity : How much space do you need? While it may be tempting to load a large bag, a lighter pack means more mobility and endurance.
• Durability: Look for water-resistant bags made tough materials with reinforced seams.
• Support : A proper waist belt is mandatory to reduce back strain.
• Stealth Mode: Choose muted colors to avoid standing out
• Silent Zippers & Clips: Greasing zippers with wax or flaxseed oil can further reduce noise.

Women's Bug Out Bag Essentials: What to Pack

Bug out bags should be designed to provide everything you need to survive for 72 hours. A 72-hour bug out bag should contain six primary categories. While much of this equipment is general for anyone, having equipment that fits your body type and size is important.

1. Hygiene & First Aid

• First Aid Kit (bandages, antiseptics, medications, painkillers)
• Duct Tape (for improvised wound care, gear repairs)
• Menstrual Supplies
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Hand Sanitizer & Wet Wipes

2. Clothing & Weather Protection

• Dry, Clean Clothes (Utilize a layering system: base, insulation, waterproof)
• Waterproof Jacket & Gloves
• Hiking Boots or Sturdy Shoes (like bags unisex footwear is design based on the male anatomy, ensure you are using shoes or boots built for women)
• Scarf & Hat

3. Tools & Weapons

• Multitool
• Fixed-Blade Survival Knife
• Handgun & Ammo (if trained)
• Cleaning Kit for Weapons

4. Navigation & Communication

• Paper Maps & Compass (GPS is can unreliable in emergencies)
• Fully Charged Burner Phone
• Extra Batteries / Solar Charger
• Watch & Pace Counter
• Permanent Marker & Notepad

5. Shelter & Protection

• Tarp or Tent
• Mylar Space Blanket
• Paracord
• Sleeping Bag (Once again, unisex sleeping bags are designed with men in mind, select a sleeping bag designed for women for optimal warmth and comfort)

6. Food & Water

• Water Purification Tablets / Filter
• Canteens & Collapsible Bottles
• Energy Bars/MREs
• Small Aluminum Pot for Boiling Water

Pro Tip

Leave extra room in your pack for:

• Additional supplies
• Carrying another person’s gear
• Transporting foraged resources (food, tools, or firewood)

Training with your pack is essential to being ready to use it in an emergency. 

Mastering Your Bug Out Bag Through Practice

Owning a bug out bag is one thing—knowing how to use it under stress is another. With out practice carry, accessing, and utilizing the equipment in your bug out bag is becomes dead weight in an emergency. The exercises below will help become familiar with you pack and its contents and help you build your physical strength and endurance.

Training Drills to Improve Preparedness

• Blindfolded Assembly & Retrieval: Practice finding and using your gear in total darkness.
• Timed Load-Outs – Try grabbing and donning your bug out bag in under 60 seconds.
• Weighted Walks – Carry your pack for hours across different terrains.
• Weather Simulation – Test your endurance in rain, cold, or heat.

Tactical Organization: Tips from Anti-Poaching Units

South African anti-poaching teams use an efficient method to prevent gear loss in the field:

• Tie small items to MOLLE straps with thin cords to prevent accidental drops.
• Attach essential gear to fixed locations in your pack for quick access.

Regular skills and fitness training leads to a better state preparedness. 

Final Thoughts: Strength, Adaptability, and Resilience

“Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.”
— Amelia Earhart

Women’s physical strength and endurance limitations compared to men is real, but with proper training and physical conditioning these can be easily overcome. 

• Strength Training – Focus on back, shoulders, and arms to improve endurance.
• Skill Development – Practice fire-starting, first aid, and self-defense.
• Field Experience – Test your BOB in real conditions to refine what works best for you.

Your bug out bag isn’t just about survival gear—it’s a reflection of your mindset, skills, and readiness.

When SHTF, will you be ready? Your preparedness starts now.

About The Author

Kyt Lyn Walken is an official representative and instructor for Hull's Tracking School in Virginia. She is recognized as one of the leading experts on mantracking skills. Kyt trains law enforcement, military, and search and rescue personnel across Europe and South America. Learn more at thewayoftracking.com

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