Best for Hurricanes: Pre-Packed Emergency Survival/Kit Bug Out Bag for 2

Let’s talk disaster supplies kits.

When it comes to disaster preparedness, the US government recommends you prepare a kit that contains these essentials: 

  • Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
  • Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle (to signal for help)
  • Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
  • Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
  • Manual can opener (for food)
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

While those are the essentials, there are additional emergency supplies you might also consider: 

  • Prescription medications. About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for you to refill your prescriptions or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.
  • Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives.
  • Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution.
  • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream.
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet.
  • Cash or traveler’s checks.
  • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container.
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
  • Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes.
  • Fire extinguisher.
  • Matches in a waterproof container.
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils.
  • Paper and pencil.
  • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.

(Source: Ready, Federal Emergency Management Agency)

After spending several hours researching bug out bags and interviewing disaster preparedness experts, we realize that the right bag for you may depend on what disaster you think is most likely.

If you live in earthquake country, disaster preparedness might look different from folks who are threatened by hurricanes. This article tries to cover several common scenarios.

One key decision: should the bag contain food/water or just tools? If you live in a rural area and need to evacuate, our choice would be this bag by Sirius Survival. Yes, it is pricey—but it’s probably the most thorough bag in terms of what you might need to live outside for up to 72 hours. As such, it is an excellent choice for those in hurricane country.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Durable.

• Comfortable backpack.

• Includes emergency food rations and water purification tablets.

• First aid supplies.

• Covers shelter and self defense.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

Best For Backwoods: Pre-Packed Emergency Survival/Kit Bug Out Bag for 2

If you live in a rural area and need an emergency kit for the car or camper, this one would be our choice. No, it doesn’t have food, instead you get a comprehensive collection of tools, from a folding shovel, tactical flashlight to an emergency blanket and even fish hooks! This one would also be great for back country camping (it also includes fire starting tools).

What We Liked

• Compact.

• Lightweight.

• Affordable.

• First aid kit plus survival tools.

What Needs Work

• No food.

• No battery for electronics.

• Could be better organized.

Best for Earthquakes: Complete Earthquake Bag

Unlike other natural disasters that have some advanced warning (think hurricanes), an earthquake may require you to leave your home or office at a moment’s notice. This bag is probably the best bet for those in earthquake country—we liked the emphasis on food, water and first aid. The organization is also excellent. Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Nicely organized with color coded pouches.

• Durable bag.

• Room to add more of your own stuff.

• Includes food and water pouches.

• Hand-crank phone charger.

• Comes in 1 to 6-person versions.

What Needs Work

• More suited to urban than rural folks, in our opinion. That is, there are less survival tools for camping and more emphasis on items like hygiene kits. That’s fine, of course—and may be more appropriate for earthquake survival.

Best Basic Kit: Ready America 72 Hour Emergency Kit

Emergency supply kits can get rather pricey—what if you just need a basic starter kit that covers the essentials? We think this kit by Ready America is a good for a single person to keep at home just in case. No, it isn’t as detailed as other kits, but it might just be the right place to start for folks who want to have some food and first aid supplies in one place.

What We Liked

• Great for starters.

• Sturdy bag.

• Compact, easy to carry.

• Focuses on basics like food, water pouches, light sticks, etc.

• Affordable.

What Needs Work

• Not the best choice for a vehicle, as water must be kept above 40 degrees.

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!