Despite survival backpacks all having the same function, they can vary quite massively from one to the next.
Keep reading to find out why durability, weight, storage, size, and comfort should be important factors in your decision-making process.
1. Durability and Materials
Buying a durable backpack is essential when it comes to survival situations.
After all, how will you carry all of your survival gear if your backpack straps or seams fail on you?
Make sure the pack you buy is made from tough materials with solid stitching and closures.
Depending on the conditions you may be facing, you may also appreciate a backpack made from at least water-resistant material.
2. Size
Pack size is important because it will dictate how much gear you can take on survival expeditions.
The size also plays a role in how easily you can move about when carrying a heavy load.
The smaller the backpack is, the better freedom of movement you’ll have, but you won’t be able to fit as much gear in it.
If you’re physically fit and strong, you will be able to handle a larger pack size than the next person.
However, you still won’t be as fast on your feet as you would be with a smaller pack.
If you want to stay as agile as possible, try to limit your pack size to 50 liters.
A backpack this size should give you plenty of space for a two- to five-day adventure.
3. Weight
You should also consider how much the backpack weighs when it’s empty.
It can be challenging to find a good balance between tough and durable materials, which tend to weigh more, and a reasonable weight that you can carry.
This becomes especially true when you have all of your gear packed inside and strapped to the bag.
4. Storage
Good survival backpacks will feature plenty of storage options, so you can locate and access exactly what you need at a moment’s notice.
In our opinion, the more pockets the backpack has, the better it will be for keeping your gear organized.
It would be best to look out for extra straps and MOLLE webbing, too, which will allow you to attach and hang belongings from the outside.
This design choice frees up even more space inside the bag.
5. Comfort
Finally, your survival backpack must be comfortable to wear on long journeys.
The back should be padded and ventilated for comfort, and the straps must be thickly padded so that they don’t pinch with a heavy load.
Survival Backpack FAQs
1. Do you really need a survival backpack?
Survival backpacks are usually designed to be more durable than other backpacks. They also often have superior storage options for you to find emergency items quickly.
Whether you really need a survival backpack is a personal decision that you must make. Think about what you want the backpack for and how often you’ll use it so that you can decide if it’s worth the investment.
2. What are the top 10 survival items?
Your top 10 survival items may differ slightly from the next person’s.
After all, what you bring depends on what terrain and conditions you might face in a survival situation.
The items that tend to be most popular include:
- Pocket knife
- Map and compass
- First-aid kit
- Firestarter
- Water purification system or tablets
- Signal mirror or whistle
- Cord or paracord
- Flashlight
- Solar blanket
- Fishing line and hooks
3. What should be in an emergency survival backpack?
As mentioned previously, the items you need in an emergency survival backpack will vary depending on what terrain and temperatures you might be facing.
It will also depend on how thorough you want to be and how long you want to prepare for.
Generally speaking, the most important things to consider when packing your survival backpack are:
- Items to keep you warm and sheltered
- Things to keep you hydrated
- Items to make fire
- Food
- Tools
- First aid
- Navigation and communications
4. What backpacks do the military use?
There are a significant number of backpacks used by the military, depending on the branch and mission.
Alice packs are still widely used in Navy Seals training.
US Army Rangers are apparently now being issued with Mystery Ranch backpacks.
And the first choice among many special ops personnel is the 5.11 Tactical Rush 12 Backpack.
5. What is MOLLE webbing?
MOLLE webbing is often found on military-style backpacks, vests, belts, and other gear.
You use it to attach extra equipment to the item in question, allowing the user to personalize their load with precisely what they need.
MOLLE attachments include water bottle holders, straps, D-rings, weapon sheathes, and other utility pouches.