PrepScore

The go-bag: what to grab in 15 minutes

If you have 15 minutes to leave, there's no time to think. A packed bag decides what you leave with: meds, documents, water, light, cash and a way to charge your phone.

Reviewed October 2026 against guidance from EPA, Ready.gov. Prices are typical ranges; check the live price before you buy.

Quick picks

Prices are typical ranges. Buy links are affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate, PrepScore earns from qualifying purchases. Disclosure

How much you need

Bag weight
<20% body weightLighter if you might walk.
Water
1 liter + filterWater is heavy; a filter extends it.
Cash
$200 to $500Small bills.
Check-up
Every 6 monthsSwap seasonal clothes, food and meds.

When it matters

How important each item is in each kind of emergency.

All items, all emergencies
Go-bag importance by scenario
ItemOutageGrid downEvacuateShelterBad waterEarthquake
Packed go-bag
N95 masks
Cash in small bills
Document copies
Critical Important Useful
  • Packed go-bag: With 15 minutes of notice there is no time to pack. A bag by the door decides what you leave with.
  • N95 masks: Wildfire smoke, quake dust and illness. Cheap, light and badly needed when you need them.
  • Cash in small bills: Card readers and ATMs need power and network. Cash keeps working.
  • Document copies: Insurance claims, aid applications and re-entry checkpoints all ask for ID and proof of address.

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Start here

Cheap, high-impact basics everyone should own.

Ready America 72-hour kit

What it is
A pre-packed backpack with water pouches, food bars, light, first aid and blankets.
Why
The fastest way to go from nothing to a usable bag today.
Watch out
Low-quality components. Upgrade the light, first aid and filter over time.
$40 to $80Best for: Starting from zeroCheck price on AmazonAffiliate link

N95 masks (3M Aura or similar NIOSH-approved)

What it is
Respirators that filter fine particles from smoke and dust.
Why
Wildfire smoke and quake dust are dangerous. Cloth masks don't help.
Watch out
Look for the NIOSH approval marking. Fit matters; they don't seal well over beards.
$15 to $30 for 10Best for: Every bag, every personCheck price on AmazonAffiliate link

Waterproof document pouch

What it is
A fire-resistant, water-resistant pouch for ID copies, insurance and a USB drive.
Why
Documents are what you need most after an evacuation.
Watch out
Encrypt any digital copies.
$15 to $30Best for: Every householdCheck price on AmazonAffiliate link

Step up

Where most prepared households land.

Comfortable 30 to 40 L backpack (Osprey or similar)

What it is
A real hiking pack with a hip belt.
Why
Weight on your hips is the difference between walking two miles and twenty.
Watch out
Blend in. A low-key color draws less attention than tactical gear.
$100 to $200Best for: Building your own bagCheck price on AmazonAffiliate link

Leatherman Wave+ multi-tool

What it is
Pliers, knives, drivers and cutters in one tool.
Why
Handles the hundred small fixes an evacuation throws at you.
Watch out
Remove before air travel or entering government buildings.
$90 to $120Best for: Every bagCheck price on AmazonAffiliate link

Go-bag checklist

Tick items as you pack. Your progress stays in this browser.

How to choose

  • Build around what can't be replaced: meds, glasses, documents, phone and charger.
  • Pack for your climate and season. Swap clothes twice a year.
  • Keep it where you'll grab it: by the door, in the car, or both.
  • Make one per person. Kids can carry their own small bag with comfort items.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Packing a 50 lb bag you can't walk with.
  • Forgetting meds because they're in the bathroom cabinet. Keep a reserve in the bag.
  • Tactical-looking gear. It makes you a target and is often heavier.
  • Never checking the bag. Food expires and kids outgrow clothes.

Questions

What's the difference between a go-bag and a bug-out bag?

Same idea. A go-bag holds what you need for about 72 hours away from home, packed in advance so you can leave immediately.

Are pre-made emergency kits worth it?

As a starting point, yes. They get you something today. Plan to upgrade the flashlight, first aid kit and water filter over time.

Sources

We check this guide against these sources when we review it. Read how we research and review.

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