OK…here’s the deal.

There are a lot of folks in the prepper community talking about all the different kinds of bags out there. The INCH bag is just one more acronym to add to the pile.

There is the Bug Out Bag (BOB), the Get Home Bag (GHB), the Everyday Carry Bag (EDC), and finally the I’m Never Coming Home Bag (INCH).

INCH

All of this confuses the crap out of beginner preppers. It can become overwhelming and even prevent people from getting into the preparedness lifestyle completely.

This is a foul and it needs to stop. Bug out bags and get home bags are great and necessary. The INCH bag, however, needs to be thought about a bit more logically.


INCH Vs BOB

Some people describe the INCH as a bug out bag on steroids. Essentially, it is just a bug out bag, only with more gear than one person could ever carry. One popular website lists so much gear you would need a long-bed pickup to carry it all. Isn’t that what a bug out vehicle is for?

A bug out bag on the other hand is an average sized backpack with enough supplies to sustain a minimum of 72 hours. I think of a bug out bag as a small-enough, and light-enough bag of essential gear to get me from point A to point B.

Why Is the INCH Bag a Bad Idea?

In and of itself, the INCH is not a bad idea as it is essentially a bug out bag with items geared towards longer term survival. My complaint is with the way that people in the prepper community are talking about INCH bags.

Some people are pushing that you should own both a bug out bag AND an INCH bag. There is no need. My bug out bag IS my INCH bag. Chances are, if I am bugging out, there is a serious reason. My home is in danger and may not be there when I wish to return.

INCH Bag

Plan Your Bug Out Properly

The most important thing here is to remember to keep your bug out bag light. Definitely no more than 25% of body weight. Have you ever had to walk for miles carrying a heavy pack. It is not easy and it will lead to injury if you over weight your bag.

Many people have this idea that if SHTF they will grab their INCH bag and go live off the land, Survivor style, for as long as they need to. This plan is not a good one.

The problem with that plan is this…you are not the only one with it.

So picture, if you will, a major disaster strikes the entire country such as a financial collapse. Your neighborhood has become too dangerous to stay in so you decide to bug out to the “woods”.

INCH Bag

Most of the land in the United States is privately owned (61% in 2002) . The rest is owned by the Federal and State Governments. Heading to privately owned land is a bad idea if you don’t know the owner and don’t like getting shot.

That leaves the rest of the Federal and State lands that will be full of other people running around with the same idea as you.

As soon as you start a fire, or fire a gun, hungry people that have run out of supplies will come looking for you. And you just summoned them to you. This is one reason why you should always travel with a group and not try to be a lone wolf, but I will save that for another post.

What Should I Do Instead?

If you have been into prepping for any amount of time you should know that bugging out is your very last option.

Keep your bug out bag light. Pack the essential items for a minimum of 72 hours or however long it will take to get to your bug out location. If that is a full week, so be it, but I suggest having at least another temporary location or supply cache that you can get to within 72 hours.

Bug Out Bag List

The following list is my suggestion for the basic bug out bag essentials. You can add or delete whatever works best for you and your situation. Just remember to keep it light. For more in depth information on bug out bags visit our buyer’s guide.

Clicking on any of the below links will send you to Amazon to check pricing. If you make a purchase we will receive a small commission at no charge to you.

Conclusion

The main take away I want for you is to think about your SHTF scenario planning logically. If you have not spent a night outdoors then don’t plan on suddenly living off the land in the wilderness. This decision could be a disaster in and of itself. Check out our beginners prepping list to get started right.

Plan to bug out to a defensible position with a group. Build a light and easy to carry bug out bag, but don’t go overboard with an INCH bag or some other heavily weighted bag that will draw attention to the fact you are carrying tons of supplies.

Be smart, be practical, and be prepared.