Bugging Out or Bugging In?
Years ago—many years ago—I used to be a backcountry backpacker. I carried 65–75 lb packs on adventures around Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains here in Washington. But once I got into drag racing, I let most of that gear (and the passion for it) go.
In the last few years, though, the passion for the woods has come back, just in a different form. I’ve been doing more fieldcraft and survival work, plus a lot of military-style and tactical training with friends.
Within this group of friends, some are preparing for “bug out” situations, and some plan to “bug in.” We get together, dump our kits out, compare gear, and—most importantly—talk about why we carry what we carry and how we use each item.
One of my closest friends was shocked at how “small” my kit was, but once I explained what I carry, when I use each piece, and the mindset behind it, he was blown away. This is a guy who has spent the last 50 years in the woods—bow hunting, rifle hunting, muzzle loaders, all seasons, all weather. He hikes 20 miles in the snow for fun. He’s crazy, but he’s also one of my favorite humans.
My Survival Mindset
My approach isn’t “bugging out” or “bugging in.” I pack my kit strictly for survival.
As I explained to the group, if I’m out and my Jeep or truck breaks down—or if shit goes sideways and I need to get home to protect my family—that puts me into a mission-oriented mindset. When I’m in that zone, I don’t stop unless I have to. I don’t eat unless I need to. I push through.
So my kit reflects that:
No sleeping system
No tent
Fire-making gear only for emergencies
Space blanket + tea candle for quick warmth
Sawyer water filter (we have water everywhere in Washington)
Pocket stove + fuel
A few calorie-dense foods
If I’m pushing hard to get home, I’m not stopping to build a campsite. But I can build a fire or hunker down if I absolutely must.
I keep my bag small and light so I can move fast, cover ground, and stay concealed. If I hit exhaustion and need a quick nap, I’ll use the space blanket and candle—body heat + that little flame will keep me okay in most situations where I live.
As for food, I usually eat once per day anyway. I can go 2–3 days while exerting energy before it really affects me. That’s not advice—that’s just how I’m built and what I’ve trained for over decades. Everyone’s different.
Bug-In vs. Bug-Out
In our group discussions, we all agree there’s no universal right or wrong answer. It completely depends on your situation and location.
None of us live in major metro areas. A couple friends are in small towns, a couple are rural. We’re not worried about big-city problems like rioting or looting. And Mother Nature in Western Washington is pretty mild—some wind, flooding, mudslides—but no hurricanes or tornadoes.
So our kits, priorities, and plans are different from people in other regions.
If I lived in hurricane country, I’d personally get the hell out—but I can’t tell you what to do. I’ve never lived through one. I grew up in the Midwest, though, and dealt with tornadoes plenty. In that case, you bug in, wait it out, then reassess.
For our situation, most of us plan to stay put until we’re forced to leave. And if that happens, we’ve already decided whose property becomes the fallback point. But no one shows up empty-handed. You bring supplies to contribute. We all know each other’s skills and who takes which responsibilities if things ever get rough enough that we’re all gathered in one place. That’s why we train.
My Personal Plan
Right now I live in town, but soon we’ll be moving to our property in a rural area. We’ve already built part of the setup and plan to keep expanding. The house goes on the market in the next month or two, and once it sells, we’ll live in an RV on the property while building our new home.
Once I’m out there, I’m bugging in. Period.
If things ever go truly south—worst-case scenarios, even “Red Dawn”-type situations—I’m staying and defending my homestead. That’s my line in the sand.
Some of my friends in town plan to grab their gear and head to one of the group’s rural properties. We have a couple of incredibly close friends who plan to stay with us long-term and may eventually build small cabins on our land.
Your Turn
So what’s right for you—and why?
Are you bugging in to defend your home?
Are you bugging out to somewhere safer?
Are you going solo, or do you have a community you train with?
Drop your thoughts. I’m curious how others approach it.
