Kifaru ZXR G2 Extended Bugout Bag; Updated 2/15/10

[Tperkins]

*Updates Throughout Thread With More Gear Descriptions*
Well, my ZXR G2 finally arrived a few days ago, and I just got most of my gear together to make my version of an Extended BOB. Right now I dont have the gear to call it a proper INCH, but it is more than just a 72 hour BOB for me.

I would apprecate ANY suggestions, comments, criticisms or "Wow, that's a great idea, I've never thought of that before!" 's.
Hopefully I can evolve this into something like Mag's or Jeriah's threads, updating it as I try out new things and ideas.

I know I am lacking in two or three catagories below, and I'm working on those:
-I have more clothing, I just havent got around to laying it all out yet
-I NEED more/better food supplies, what I have can get me through a couple days at most. I used my last MRE's, I plan to buy a box somewhat soon.
-Weapons; I'm 18. We have two .22's and a good amount of ammo, but it just isnt shown in pictures here. It'll be going in the side pocket of the ZXR if I need to leave. I/My family lives in the city/suburbs so it is most likely we will be bugging out by vehicle; I have my 99' Dakota 4x4 with BOV stuff, and my dad's Toyota landcruiser with tools/large passenger capacity.

The Bag; Kifaru ZXR (Zulu Extreme Ruck) slick; only pouch is a yet to be filled Spec-Ops IFAK pouch, large.


Spec-Ops Pack Rat: My E&E bag / organizer; holds supplies and can be used as a lightweight E&E in a pinch, sans food.

Contents:

-1 Liter Platy Bag
-Zippo in waterproof pouch (Keeps dry plus prevents fluid evaporation)
-Folding, sturdy knife
-(2) Heetsheets blankets
-Small Swiss-Army type pocketknife, now attached to magnesium bar
-100ft Coyote real 550 cord
-(20) Micropur purifier tabs (20 liters of water)
-8 Wetfire tinder cubes
-3-Watt LED (BRIGHT!) AA flashlight, Rayovac
-8 AA lithium battiers (Filter shown are for the AA Maglite that resides elsewhere)

My tent (left) and my 40* bag (right)

Tent is a Marmot Limelight, bag is a 40* Eureka Cheyenne
Poles are not in that tent bag, I'm thinking about how I'm going to carry the tent
Misc Stuff:

(2) 100ft sections of Coyote 550 cord
(12) Lithium AA's
(9) Lithium and Titanium AAA's
(4) CR123's
-Small Stanley Claw-Bar
-3 Small rolls of duct tape
-Smith's Sharpener with diamond rod for serrations
-3 Bic lighters
-Surefire G2 Incandecent
-Surefire Spares carrier with 6 SF CR123's & 4 spares in blister pack box
*Working on figuring out how to fill up the spare space in the battery box, and the box I beleive will be going into an aloksak soon

How I keep my lighters dry and not leaking


Communications

-Radioshack ~20Mile FRS/GMRS radio
-Radioshack Non-Trunking Analog Scanner with telescoping antenna
-Motorola SLVR L7 backup phone & Charger
-8GB iPhone 3G in Otterbox Defender case
All are stored in aloksaks, and the iPhone fits the Aloksak for it snugly and can easily be used with all functions aside from talking.

My portable CB; I dont carry this all the time in my pack, its usually hooked up to a Lil-Wil on my truck, but I can bring it with if need be


My two main knives

-"Shorty" 5.5" Ka-Bar, 1095 Carbon
-Columbia River Knife & Tool Crawford/Kasper Professional, AUS8
-Spec-Ops Brand Sheath

My Admin/Navigation Module

-Garmin 60CSX
-Brunton Lensatic compass with luminous points (charge with light, not tritium) Good compass though
-Ranger Pace Counter (Great for night navigation)
-Rite-In-The-Rain 3x5 notepad & pencil
-Morse Code and Ground-to-Air codes, and on flip side not visable, Body+Mountain rescue codes, and radiation sheilding info

My stove/cooking module; very basic but for now it works

Contents

-Esbit Emergency Stove
-10 Fuel cubes (4 more elsewhere, will add)
-Snow Peak Ti700 Mug/Cup
-(2) P38 can openers

My two "MRE's" until I buy real ones:

Everything is split close to 50/50 for each bag


My water storage

-4L MSR Bladder
-Nalgene (I'm not BPA-free crazy, I just happened to buy those when it was all hyped-up)

[Sifter]

Nice start, Im roughly in the same place you are, still assembling, but have some stuff already.

The one thing I noticed is that you have something labeled "BULB" in your plastic container. Do you not have an LED flashlight? Id recommend one, that way you dont have to worry about it going dark on you when you need it.

[Tperkins]

Nice start, Im roughly in the same place you are, still assembling, but have some stuff already.

The one thing I noticed is that you have something labeled "BULB" in your plastic container. Do you not have an LED flashlight? Id recommend one, that way you dont have to worry about it going dark on you when you need it.

Well it actually holds a spare bulb for my 2 C cell maglite that's in the truck, I just havent taken it out. All my lights are LED's except for the Surefire and the MiniMag I keep as a backup. My plan is to buy one of the Malkoff conversions for the Surefire at some point; its only had about an hour through the current lamp, they estimate it'll go out after ~20hrs

After buying my 99 Dakota for my DD/BOV, im tight on funding; I really want to go out and buy a case of MRE's and stuff about half in here. But they're running at about $90 a box of 12. Or singulary for $12 each.

Also not listed above:
-Inova X5
-Photon Freedom Microlight
-3 small knife sharpeners

[gillis]

Great kit. I'll give you my humble opinion and I know you are looking for advice so in all constructivness.... The bag is really nice. The only suggestion I have is to swap out one Bic for a Ferrocerium Flint Rod. (EDIT: I now notice the magnesium one >.-)

The one thing I learned is that you need bug spray of some kind and if you don't have it you suffer. (Garlic multivitamins will work good too)

Maybe swap out your ziploks for Loksaks. The sent proof ones. Maybe they are called aLokSaks

I have started taking Folgers singles with me so I can "steep" some good coffee. Gives you something to do out there.

Perhaps more sewing and fishing stuff, snare wire, etc. (At least one good needle)

I know you are being careful not to call this and INCH bag but for all extended stay bags I take more preserving salts, wool blankets, socks, and a BIG cooking pot. in INCH situation you will need to render fat and doing it in a tiny pot is next to impossible.

[Woods Walker]

That’s a bunch of electronics but heck the bag has room. You posted about those things lacking so maybe later we will go over that. I would get a closed cell sleeping pad. I would get a Frontier Pro filter straw or maybe a pump as those tabs can take 4 hours before 100% effective. Maybe at a later date replace that mag block with a fire steel. Lithium AA’s rock! Platy bag is nice too. Like the ZXR and old school Ka-bar. Maybe a folding saw or hatchet. Not a big fan of pry bars but that’s just me. A whistle and signal mirror would be nice as sometimes being found is a very good thing. Any FAK stuff?

So far looking good.

[Tperkins]

Woods- forgot to mention I would be adding the FAK details at a later date. I have a small 6x10 MOLLE trauma bag in the truck that will go on when bugging out, but I'm working on setting up a simple FAK for basic stuff. In terms of filtration, I'm actually working on buying the inline filter that goes with the Platy filter system, and making the filter into an inline setup with the MSR bladder. (Which I'll post about here later) Signal mirror was left out; its usually in the admin pouch, and I have a Storm whistle somewhere. I'd like to get a sven saw to put in the side pockets, or a small hatchet, havent decided yet. Also, for signaling, I have a VS-17 panel I just threw in. The Ka-Bar's are just my favorite, I'd like to buy one of the new D2 ones but I have a good knife so I'm putting that money elsewhere for now. Oh, and I am working on getting a Grundig radio or something to replace the scanner, but it really is pretty light if I got it wth lithiums in it. The CB never has gone out with me, it usually stays in the truck, but I posted it just because haha. The spare cell stays in there, charged, since my iPhone battery doesnt last long at all.

For the sleeping thing, I have a open cell pad just not pictured, and I think I'll be buying one of the Z-Lite pads. Im looking forward to my REI rebate and I might apply there for a job so thats 30% off everything, 50% off all REI brand I beleive.


Danny- I have some aloksacks for the important stuff, ie the electronics. The ziplocks I do have are the double zipper freezer type ones. Bug spray is just not in at the moment because its winter here in NE IL. I'm also gonna work on getting a small gear patch/sewing kit together, its a Kifaru so hopefully I wont need it. I do need to pick up something to use as snare wire.

[Stormrider]

I'm 18 too and at roughly the same place on my INCH. I need better defense, shelter, maybe a fart sack, water purification and some $$$ to keep in there...

Very nice though.

[Woods Walker]

I have a D2 Ka-bar in the INCH bag and it’s seems nice but has little field use. I would update with the photos once you pull all of the stuff together. Often I put a canteen in an outside pocket for easy access. Take that nice new pack out in the field and do up a review for the thread if you get a chance. Would like to see that Marmot (Limelight?) in action too. Naturally we would review your clothing system once ready. What type of sleeping bag is that?

Edit.

This hatchet is cheap but darn good. Got two and one has been used often.

http://www.fiskars.com/webapp/wcs/store ... e=products

[1200RT-P]

Nice setup. My flashlights are also supported by Surefire "Spares Carriers" .. i love those little things.

Where did you pick up that mini dry box for the lighters? Sorry if i missed it if you mentioned it already.

[gillis]

Nice setup. My flashlights are also supported by Surefire "Spares Carriers" .. i love those little things.

Where did you pick up that mini dry box for the lighters? Sorry if i missed it if you mentioned it already.

Not to hijack TPerkins answer, but I suprisingly found some similar at office dept. (OfficeMax)

[Tperkins]

Updated; Woods and Danny, a few of your suggestions were added:


Storm Whistle & Adventure Medical Signal-Flash mirror (Need a new one, the polish is messed up)


Photon Freedom Microlight & Inova X5
Complete light list is a Surefire G2 Incan, Inova X5, Rayovac 3-Watt (pictured in E&E) and the Photon Light.


Two pairs of 5.11 Tac-Lite nylon pants and a pair of snow/ECWCS-type pants ( One pair of the 5.11's is in there as a consideration if i need to change out of what I have on for pants)


Base Layer Level 1 ECWCS type plus a fleece baklava


REI jacket (top left) which is very similar to TAD Gear's Sharkskin fabric, along with a long sleeve and a short sleeve moisture wicking shirt. "Level 2 and 3" of my ECWCS


Left to right, top to bottom: North Face Gortex gloves, Black Diamond 400g Polartec gloves with leather palms, coldgear socks, heatgear socks (use as liners), 2 pairs of Hitch Heavy Coldgear socks not pictured, short length wool glove liners, and a TAD Gear merino wool hat (This hat rocks!)


Forgot I had a MSR Blacklite set downstairs with surplus camping gear, I took out the lid and the smallest pot and added it, per Danny's suggestion, and since I got rid of my GI mess kit I needed a shallow wide pan/pot for cooking stuff, I just forgot I had it

[Tperkins]

Woods; Its a Eureka Cheyenne 40* synthetic, not too warm but its the best I got. I'd like a Wiggy.
I have a winter trip planned on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of February, so I will definetley get pictures of the Limelight in the snow in its floruescent orange glory I've taken it out about twice and its a really nice tent, the vestibules are huge on each side, its a really nice full rainfly and you can keep just the rainfly setup for a expedient type trail shelter if you dont want/need to setup the whole tent.
1200- I picked up a set of 3 of those boxes (1 undevided, 1 divided into 4, one into 6) from Cabelas near the tackle box section

[Woods Walker]

Marmot makes nice gear. I believe the poles are aluminum and yes the fly can be used alone which is a good thing.

[1200RT-P]

1200- I picked up a set of 3 of those boxes (1 undevided, 1 divided into 4, one into 6) from Cabelas near the tackle box section

Thanks.

[joekaveh]

First off, kudos to you on being one of the best prepared 18 year olds around. You need a saw/axe Get yourself one of these: http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1600. I'd replace the two knives you have in your E&E bag with a small fixed blade/real SAK. Also I'd get some firesteel in there also either in place of or in addition to the magnesium bar. And to be honest your home made MRE's probably taste a lot better than real ones anyways, so just put other things you like in there and save up for a vacuum sealer if you like.

[Tperkins]

First off, kudos to you on being one of the best prepared 18 year olds around. You need a saw/axe Get yourself one of these: http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=1600. I'd replace the two knives you have in your E&E bag with a small fixed blade/real SAK. Also I'd get some firesteel in there also either in place of or in addition to the magnesium bar. And to be honest your home made MRE's probably taste a lot better than real ones anyways, so just put other things you like in there and save up for a vacuum sealer if you like.

I like the pulled pork MRE's I have the Ka-Bar and my CRKT folder as my main knifes, the other two are just backups.

What is the main difference/advantage of a firesteel compared to a magnesium bar with striker embedded?

[joekaveh]

takes a lot of the shavings to get something going, cause they burn so fast. That ends up dulling your blade. Also the little ferrocium stick falls it with just a small drop to the ground. To me the firesteel + your choice of tinder = Win. I was timing petroleum jelly+ cotton balls to see how long they would burn, after about 3 mins I just put it out 'cause that seemed more than enough .

[Tperkins]

takes a lot of the shavings to get something going, cause they burn so fast. That ends up dulling your blade. Also the little ferrocium stick falls it with just a small drop to the ground. To me the firesteel + your choice of tinder = Win. I was timing petroleum jelly+ cotton balls to see how long they would burn, after about 3 mins I just put it out 'cause that seemed more than enough .

Well, I suppose I'll pick up one of those basic firesteels at REI next time I'm over there haha.

Edit: I'll probably be working on getting a FAK setup this week or weekend, or I might just drag up my old FAK post because it hasnt really changed. Woods, I'd like to do how you setup your FAK on your 72hr BOB with the claymore pouch on top, but I have bags I can use for a FAK before I spend ~$60 on the Claymore pouch. I'll probably keep "Trauma" gear and some band-aids in the pouch outside, and then a longer term type FAK inside.

[aa1pr]

I think you have the basics covered and WW & the folks helped you on the other areas. Nice pack & gear but maybe some fishing tackle?

For the homebrew MRE's maybe you could add some of those foil packets of: spam, BBQ chicken, flavored tuna etc. It would help to provide some real protein in the form of meat.

[Tperkins]

I think you have the basics covered and WW & the folks helped you on the other areas. Nice pack & gear but maybe some fishing tackle?

For the homebrew MRE's maybe you could add some of those foil packets of: spam, BBQ chicken, flavored tuna etc. It would help to provide some real protein in the form of meat.

I'll probably give some fishing tackle a go over the next few weeks; I'd really like one of those ripline survival type fishing things, if yall know what I'm talking about. I do have some canned tuna I can add for now, but I'd like to pick up a few pouches of that BBQ pork MRE, I ate the two I bought at home with good white bread

[gillis]

Lookin good!

Here is one article on how to render lard: Prime lesson for INCH
http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/2008/ ... -lard.html

[Stormrider]

I have both and another benefit of a regular Firesteel is that they're much lighter and more compact than the Magnesium bars. I can keep any firesteel in my pants pocket or around my neck even and never notice it, wheras with the magnesium bars you really notice the weight in your pockets. And since I so rarely use the magnesium, I just keep it in my bag as a backup.

My current fishing kit is just a little box with some tackle and a couple of smallish hanks of fishing line to use...I'm working on making a tube of some sort so I can wrap the line around the outside and cast it that way...and I keep my first aid in an alice mag pouch...obviously I don't have much first aid, but I'm working on it. I'm currently looking for a larger MOLLE pouch to keep on the front of my pack to hold all my first aid.

[Tperkins]

Storm, it isnt super high quality gear but the 5.11 Tactical 6x10 pouches make a good FAK bag, no pockets inside though. Its what I have my "trauma" kit inside. Link: http://tinyurl.com/ylcom3r

Emdom also makes a few nice higher priced but more organizable pouches that could be used for a FAK bag
Link: http://prostores2.carrierzone.com/servl ... ry=Medical

I think down the line I'm either going to go with a Claymore or a Emdom Fattie WL as an INCH FAK, but that'll be over the summer most likley. I'll get a review of my current FAK stuff within a week hopefully.

Oh, and by the way, the first pic on this thread of my ZXR, to the left there is my old black BOB; its now my medic bag. It has all the medical gear I have that isnt in a FAK, tape, bulky stuff, peroxide, cough drops, medications, painkillers, ect. It'll be getting thrown in the truck or carried by another family member if needed. Weight is about 25lbs give or take a few.

[Zoltan]

Tagged for later. Nice looking gear so far.