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To build the right EDC bag you need to consider your environment — those in an urban area require a different kit than those in a rural or wilderness area. Some of us regularly traverse both environments daily. My routine takes me through miles of undeveloped state forests, with little infrastructure or cell reception, to busy suburban and urban streets.
Carrying both a wilderness survival pack and an urban survival pack is impractical, and lugging my full-sized wilderness pack in a busy urban area is uncomfortable and would draw more attention than I would like. To solve this problem, I built a Minimalist Gap Bag to cover my basic survival needs for both environments.
Badger Claw Outfitter’s Rover EDC Pack
Badger Claw Outfitters has a long history of making versatile and bombproof nylon, leather, and waxed canvas gear for hunters, hikers, and outdoor adventurers. The Rover EDC pack is part of BCO’s newer lineup of EDC items that pack the same build quality and intuitive versatility that the brand has become known for.
The Rover measures 18 inches tall, 11.5 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, allowing it to carry very close to your body without adding an unwieldy hump when navigating tight spaces or crowded areas. Despite the slim profile, the Rover offers about 10 liters of storage space providing plenty of room for your essentials and then some.
The front of the pack offers a single zipper pocket to store any quick access items you may need. The interior has no built-in organization, but it does offer some attach points to add a variety of organizers that allow the end user to customize the pack as they see fit and for quick kit swaps.
The straps come equipped with an adjustable sternum strap and can be removed and reconfigured to easily convert the Rover into a sling-style bag. The straps also offer some attachment points for lashing gear or adding small quick access pouches. The Rover is constructed from Cordura nylon, ensuring durability and providing some weather resistance. Like all Badger Claw Outfitter’s products, the Rover is 100 percent made in the United States.
This kit build takes advantage of the Rover’s versatility by utilizing Badger Claw Outfitters’ Admin Panel, a Prototype Admin Panel XL, and Small Zipper Pouch. I’ve also opted to include BCO’s Scout EDC Pouch.
This kit relies on my cellphone being my primary means of communication and navigation. A Dark Energy Poseidon packs 10,000 mAh of spare power to fully recharge my phone and then some. If cell networks go down in an urban area or I am out of service range when traversing woodland areas, the ZOLEO provides a means of backup text communication and allows contact with emergency services through a dedicated connection to the Iridium Satellite network.
For light, I incorporated the ASP Tungsten-C, which packs 600 lumens on high mode and 25 lumens on low. Its Tungsten-C is a durable weather-resistant light, making it ideal for both urban and wilderness use. It can be recharged using USB-C if needed but has a great run time at about 5.5 hours. Being a little larger than a typical pocket-sized flashlight lends to ease of use, especially in high-stress situations where you don’t want to be fiddling to find the buttons.
I also included a standard charging block and extra cords. In urban areas, plugs can be plentiful to top off your electronics. Many municipal lighting sources, like streetlamps, have outlets behind screw panels at their base.
Water and Food
Water is a necessity; unfortunately, it is also heavy. To keep it simple, I carry a Grayl that can both hold water and filter water found in both urban and wilderness environments. I included a silcock key. This small tool allows you to access water spigots that do not have handles, which are often found on the outside of large buildings. I also carry a small container of Bouy Electrolytes to ensure each sip of water is maximizing my ability to stay hydrated.
For food, I generally carry a few shelf-stable protein bars and meat sticks to provide short-term nutrients and fuel throughout the day or in an emergency.
Fire
Having the ability to make fire is well known in wilderness survival, but it is often overlooked in urban survival preparedness. Regardless of where we find ourselves, fire is essential for providing warmth, cooking food, creating light, and can be used for signaling. For fire, I keep a standard BIC lighter, an outdoor Element Sparky Carabiner that has a built-in ferrocerium rod, and Wazoo Firecards that burn even when wet.
Shelter
For shelter, I pack a RAB Siltarp and paracord, setting up a basic tarp shelter to protect from the elements is easily done with a little practice in both wilderness and urban locations. While it is not an ideal long-term solution, a tarp shelter will go a long way to keeping you alive in a short-term emergency.
Tools
A few basic tools can go a long way in skilled hands. For an all-purpose cutting tool, the Knives by Nuge Cub is a utilitarian fixed blade that is small enough to be carried in most jurisdictions, handle all your everyday cutting tasks, and has some serious outdoor and bushcraft capability.
A multi-tool is a simple, but helpful addition to any kit. While multi-tools are not ideal for most tasks, they can make a difficult task much easier in a pinch and allow you to reduce the need to carry many different tools. I opted for the SOG PowerPint; it’s very compact and can be easily opened and closed with one hand, adding to its functionality if one of your hands is occupied or injured.
Knowing how to use lock bypass tools is an essential skill that requires a bit of practice to master but is well worth your time. For me, bypassing locks have come in handy in both urban and wilderness emergencies. Being able to solve simple problems like locking yourself out of the house is a time and money saver. In a true emergency, being able to bypass locks can allow you to pass locked gates, access resources, or escape illegal detention. My kit includes the Tuff Possum Entry Kit, which includes several different picks and bypass tools that can help defeat most common locks.
First Aid
In most cases, simple bandages and over-the-counter medications can handle the bulk of the medical issues we face out there — but being prepared for a debilitating or life-threatening injury is always something we should account for. Beyond the basics for handling life’s little boo-boos, I’ve included a Sunshine Safety BRIK Micro Trauma Kit to tackle major bleeding emergencies.
Final Thoughts
Will the Gap Bag replace a dedicated go bag? Absolutely not, but it isn’t designed too. This Gap Bag is a lightweight EDC option that is easy to carry anywhere you go. The total weight on this build not including water and food, is just 6 pounds. Combine the light load with Badger Claw Outfitters slim profile Rover EDC Pack and you have no excuses as to leave the bag at home, ensuring you are prepared for any emergencies that may occur during a daily commute that takes you through the woods into the city and back.
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