Get Home Bag (GHB): What It Is & How to Build One
A get home bag (GHB) is one of the most practical: and most overlooked: preparedness tools for working adults. Unlike a bug out bag designed for evacuation, a GHB is purpose-built for a single scenario: you are at work or in your car when an emergency occurs, your normal transportation is unavailable, and you need to get home on foot. This guide explains exactly what to pack, what bag to use, and why every commuter needs one.
The GHB vs BOB difference is primarily one of purpose and weight. Your BOB gets you away from home. Your GHB gets you back to it. Both are essential, but they contain different things and live in different places.
GHB vs BOB: Key Differences
| Feature | Get Home Bag (GHB) | Bug Out Bag (BOB) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Get from work/car to home | Evacuate from home to safety |
| Duration | Hours to 1–2 days | 72+ hours |
| Weight | Lighter (10–20 lbs ideal) | Heavier (25–40 lbs) |
| Where kept | Car, office desk, or locker | Home, staged near exit |
| Primary need | Navigation, water, shoes, comms | Full survival: shelter, food, water, tools |
| Appearance | Should look like a work/gym bag | Can be tactical |
When Would You Actually Need a GHB?
Get home bag scenarios are more common than most people realise:
- Major earthquake: Roads damaged, bridges closed, public transit stopped: you’re walking home from downtown
- Widespread power outage: Traffic signals out, gas stations closed, trains not running: getting home on foot or by bike
- Terrorist attack or civil unrest: Public transit suspended, roads blocked, you’re 10 miles from home
- Blizzard or ice storm: Your car is stuck or roads are impassable: you walk or shelter temporarily
- Major flooding: Normal routes flooded, bridge closures add miles to your route
Most of these scenarios last 12–48 hours: which is exactly what a well-packed GHB is designed to handle.
What to Pack: Complete GHB Contents List
Water (Priority 1)
- Water (1.5 litres in a quality bottle): enough to start your journey
- LifeStraw or Sawyer filter: source and filter water from any urban source (fountains, streams, puddles)
- Water purification tablets (backup): compact and lightweight insurance
Food (Priority 2)
- High-calorie bars (2–4): Datrex, Clif, or similar: eat on the move
- Trail mix or nuts (1–2 packs)
- Electrolyte packets (4): walking miles in heat depletes electrolytes fast
Navigation (Priority 3: often underplanned)
- Printed maps of your city and home route: three alternate routes, not just the fastest
- Compass: orienting a map when landmarks are obscured
- Your home address and key waypoints written on paper
Footwear & Clothing
- Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes or boots (pre-packed): the most important single addition to any commuter GHB; your dress shoes or heels are not an option for a 10-mile walk
- Extra socks (wool or synthetic)
- Rain poncho: getting soaked slows you down and drops body temperature
- Warm layer: a packable down jacket adds warmth for <1 lb
Communication & Power
- Fully charged power bank (10,000 mAh)
- Phone charger cable
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (small, not full NOAA unit) for news
- Emergency contact card (printed)
- Whistle
Light & Safety
- LED headlamp + spare batteries
- Emergency mylar blanket
- Personal safety item (legal in your jurisdiction)
First Aid (Compact)
- Blister treatment kit (moleskin + bandages): blisters are the #1 GHB injury
- Small first aid kit (25–50 pieces)
- OTC pain reliever
- Prescription medications if applicable
Cash
- $50–$100 in small bills: gas stations and convenience stores may accept cash only during power outages
Choosing Your GHB Bag
A GHB should look unremarkable: a work bag, a gym bag, or a normal everyday backpack. Avoid military-looking tactical bags for this application, especially in urban environments. You want to move through a chaotic city without drawing attention to your supplies.
Ideal GHB characteristics:
- 20–30L capacity: enough for everything above without overpacking
- Comfortable to carry (padded straps, sternum clip)
- Not obviously tactical or military in appearance
- Durable: it lives in your car and gets occasional abuse
Recommended Products
Osprey Daylite Plus 20L
The Osprey Daylite Plus looks like a normal daypack, handles a full GHB load comfortably, and is built to last. 20L is the right size: enough for everything, not so big it looks suspicious. The AirSpeed back panel keeps you cool during a long walk.
- 20L: perfect GHB capacity
- Looks like a regular daypack
- Osprey quality: lifetime guarantee
Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe
The single most important GHB item is a pair of broken-in, waterproof walking shoes. The Merrell Moab 3 is the best value waterproof hiking shoe available: comfortable enough for all-day wear, grippy enough for urban debris, and waterproof for wet weather. Pre-break them in before leaving them in your bag.
- Waterproof membrane: dry feet for miles
- Vibram sole: grip on debris and wet surfaces
- Break in before packing: they’re comfortable but need a few walks
Get Home Bag FAQ
How far should a GHB be designed to take you?
A GHB is typically designed for a maximum 25–30 mile journey: the typical outer limit of a metro commute. Most people can cover 15–20 miles in a day on foot under normal conditions. If you live farther from work, consider building a GHB that could sustain you for 2 days, which expands your range to 30–40 miles. Include a folding bike in your office if your commute is extremely long.
Should my GHB be in my car or at my office?
Both, ideally, or at least whichever is closer to where you are most often. If you drive to work, keep it in the car: you’ll have it whether you’re commuting or running errands. If you take transit, keep it at your desk. Some serious preppers keep both: a lighter kit in their bag daily and a more complete kit in their car.
What’s the most important thing in a get home bag?
Comfortable walking shoes. Nothing stops a GHB scenario faster than blisters or sprained ankles from inappropriate footwear. Dress shoes, heels, or flip-flops are not walkable for 10+ miles. A pair of broken-in trail runners or hiking shoes in your GHB is the single most impactful addition you can make.