Because I live in a remote area, my emergency pack is a small sling bag for unsupported wilderness treks and/or staying put for 72 hours (could be longer, but I'd be getting pretty hungry). I use it any time I'm leaving the local area in my truck. To get home if I'm working here locally is- at absolute worst- a 7 mile hike. I can do that in about an hour (or two if it's really hot) with a 20 oz. water bottle and a sturdy pair of shoes.
If you need a waist belt, you probably need to re-evaluate what you have in your pack. Also make sure you're in the shape to carry a bag that heavy over the distance you expect (e.g. go out there and try it- I'll bet you're not as good as you think, unless you backpack/ruck on a regular basis). My fully loaded "get home" bag weighs 16 pounds including water, and I could lose 2-3 of that at least, if I had to. I could also stuff the whole bag, or just its contents, into a normal looking backpack for more "grey man" look.
"We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." -Benjamin Franklin
Bookmarks