BOB weight range

So I strapped on the BOB for the first time this year and humped it for 6 miles. f I do not have an exact weight but guessing it is around 40 lbs. what are you guys averaging?

I am already thinking of ways to cut some weight.

drop my count of .45 rounds to 50 instead of a hundred. thats about 2 lbs.
mainstay ration bars or actual MRE mountain house something instead of my 2000 calorie homemade MREs which are around 2.5 lbs a piece have 2.
currently my cooking setup with a GI lidded skillet thing is not the lightest nor that compact i can see ways to improve on both fronts there.
nalgene instead of the 2 SS liter bottles I have for water.

Mine is about 35 lbs. If you can go out and use it. that will tell you what you need to change. I have gotten some weight down with titanium cookware and lighter food. I have 2- 1.5 liter bottles of water in mine but when i use it it goes straight into the camelback bladder to get the weight closer to my back and not hanging off with the rest. I also try to stack my bag so the heavier stuff is low and closer to my back.

I want to build a BOB bag. There are sooo many options, bags, sizes, stuff. I dont even know where to start. Damn![Rant1]

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Originally Posted by Heep72

I want to build a BOB bag. There are sooo many options, bags, sizes, stuff. I dont even know where to start. Damn![Rant1]

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First decide what its main use will be. If its for mobility get a 3 day pack. if you plan on staying in or with your vehicle use a large bag or combo of boxes and bags. Mine is set up for mobility. I can have my shoes changed (I carry a spare pair of hiking shoes in my car) pack on and be mobile in less than 5 mins if I need it. Jax has some 3 day packs at a decent price. i think about 40-50 dollars. Trial and error will be your main decision maker. Put stuff in it. Go use it. change what you need to change.

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Originally Posted by 2008f450

First decide what its main use will be. If its for mobility get a 3 day pack. if you plan on staying in or with your vehicle use a large bag or combo of boxes and bags. Mine is set up for mobility. I can have my shoes changed (I carry a spare pair of hiking shoes in my car) pack on and be mobile in less than 5 mins if I need it. Jax has some 3 day packs at a decent price. i think about 40-50 dollars. Trial and error will be your main decision maker. Put stuff in it. Go use it. change what you need to change.

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Not trying to hijack this thread but do you have your BOB geared towards a weapon as well as the essentials?

I have a S&W 686 with 50 rds, a holster, and a couple of speed loaders in mine. Its not geared toward it because I have taken the smith out and put one of my .45s in from time to time.

Waist belt built into the pack is a plus. I hike about 4 miles in the morning at least 4 times a week hauling the BOB just to stay familiar with it. A little running on and off during the hike after I cinch down the shoulder straps to hug the pack to the body. Last time I weighed it it was about 50 pounds. I will be trading ammo for supplies as I acquire them but the extra weight is a plus for the work out aspect of it.

Yes waist belt is a must i agree. I use mine for 2-3 day hikes a few times a year to test and modify whats in it. I also take mine on hikes when I can. There is a thread called bug out bag options in this category. there is a couple pics of my bag in there to give you an idea.

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Originally Posted by Heep72

I want to build a BOB bag. There are sooo many options, bags, sizes, stuff. I dont even know where to start. Damn![Rant1]

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Really good backpack, universal in application. Take it camping, take it hiking, take it as a BOB if and when needed.

Currently Mine is the 5.11 3 day and the belt leaves a lot to be desired a pack with hip pads is in the future. Todays 6 mile power hike was not bad shoulders are a bit sore and I had to adjust things in the pack to keep them from digging in my back. But for the first time out it was decent. If I can keep it under 50 I can manage a full day my fire pack was 45 with out fuel for the saw and PPE.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/...7d90c2bf_z.jpg

Here is mine. I dont know how to post big pics

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Originally Posted by 2008f450

Here is mine. I dont know how to post big pics

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Very nice and streamlined and fairly good for OPSEC. All the cool kids have MOLLE these days.

And I have to say it....

Which pocket does the monkey blanket fit?[Coffee]

It gets rolled up and tied to the outside. Its great for when im camping out. if someone is sneaking up on me i get a couple extra seconds to draw while they try to figure out what it is[ROFL1][ROFL1][ROFL1]

general rule is 20% of your body weight to start. 30% with experience.

This usually winds up to be the opposite. Beginners cram everything they can, experienced want to or need to carry less useless shit.

This does not count a combat loadout of vest and rifle though.

When just backpacking my pack weighs about 35 pounds. That includes my airweight .38 with 2 reloads.

When I pack in the weapon systems it gets much heavier. I tend not to hike with my AR though...

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Originally Posted by Wulf202

general rule is 20% of your body weight to start. 30% with experience.

This usually winds up to be the opposite. Beginners cram everything they can, experienced want to or need to carry less useless shit.

This does not count a combat loadout of vest and rifle though.

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Experienced as in hiking with weight wise?
Got that covered just outta practice

I currently am gathering/creating several different "layers" of a BOB. A large one that can take two people to carry (footlocker sized) where I can throw in the back of the truck an go if time warrants, Plus the Zombie killers (M4/Long range Black rifle/AR pistols) It includes 3 days of food for the family with some luxuries (soap, 1K ammo, some extra water, water purification stuff/and advanced first aid.).

Plus I am gathering a personal BOB for each person like ones you are gathering 10-15 lbs for the little ones, and 40 lbs for the adults. handy in each bedroom for quick grab. They each compliment the large BO"Box" and provide a layered approach to supplies. I also always keep various supplies like extra tools/oil and other consumables in my truck for a long road trip.

Don't forget where you are going to bug out to. Gotta have a plan... ;-)

When Im backpacking for a few days I'd say my pack is around 50, and that's without serious weapons gear, it's not too bad but your not going anywhere fast. I used to do alot of camping In eastern Oregon and water was the biggest burden we would usually carry at least 2.5 gal at a time and cover at least 15 miles a day in pretty rugged terrain. It comes down to your environment a d how fast you want to be able to bug out. Add a rifle to my gear and with ammo I would be adding at least another 10