Best ready-made go-bags and 72-hour kits (2026)
The Red Cross suggests a 3-day supply for evacuation, and Ready.gov says to keep your kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers so you can leave quickly, with smaller kits for work and the car. A ready-made go-bag is the fastest start. Here's how the popular ones compare, and what each leaves out.
By PreparedStates editors · Updated October 22, 2026 · 4 products, 2 of 4 price-tracked
Our picks
EVERLIT 72-Hour (2 people)
A ready-made bag for two
Photo: RedforaRedfora CAREforce (1 person)
A well-reviewed one-person kit
Ready America 70180
The cheap starter bag
All 4 compared
| Kit | People | Days | Food included | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2 ppl · 3 days · 2 x 3,600 kcal ration packs A ready-made bag for two | 2 ppl | 3 days | 2 x 3,600 kcal ration packs | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A 72-hour bag for two with ration packs, water and basic gear. Like every ready-made kit, check the water: a few pouches is nowhere near Ready.gov's gallon a person a day. Best for A ready-made bag for two Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you'd rather build a bag with better tools. | ||||
1 ppl · 3 days A well-reviewed one-person kit | 1 ppl | 3 days | — | $135 at Redfora Checked Oct 22In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A one-person, three-day kit from a company that specializes in disaster kits. Add your own medicines, documents, cash and extra water. Best for A well-reviewed one-person kit Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you're kitting out a family of four: price up a family kit. | ||||
1 ppl · 3 days · 1 x 2,400 kcal ration pack The cheap starter bag | 1 ppl | 3 days | 1 x 2,400 kcal ration pack | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A budget one-person bag with a 2,400-kcal ration pack and 6 water pouches. Fine as a start, but 2,400 kcal is 1.2 adult-days, and the water is a small fraction of 3 gallons. Best for The cheap starter bag Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if it's your whole plan: add food and water. | ||||
3.5 | — | 3 days | — | $229 at Uncharted Supply Co. Checked Oct 22In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Uncharted's SEVENTY2 range is the premium end of ready-made kits, with better gear than budget bags. The Core is the cheaper version; its page doesn't say how many people it's for. Best for Premium build, premium price Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you're on a budget. | ||||
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Before you buy
Check the water first.
Three days for one person is 3 gallons by Ready.gov's measure; most kits include a few small pouches. Add bottled water, a filter, or both.
Check the food: a 2,400-kcal ration pack is about 1.2 days at 2,000 kcal.
Add more bars or pouches if the kit is light.
Add the personal items Ready.gov lists
Prescription medicines, copies of documents, cash, glasses, phone chargers, and supplies for babies or pets.
Keep one by the door, and look at it once a year
Ready.gov suggests rethinking your kit every year as your needs change.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labelled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →
Related kit comparisons
Common questions
What should be in a go-bag?
Ready.gov's basic list: water, food, a radio, flashlight, first aid kit, batteries, whistle, dust mask, wrench or pliers, can opener, local maps and a phone with chargers and a backup battery. Add medicines, documents and cash.
Are ready-made 72-hour kits worth it?
They're a quick start, but most fall short on water and include basic gear. Use one as the base and add what's missing.
How much water should a 72-hour kit have?
Ready.gov says a gallon per person per day, so 3 gallons for one person for three days. That's too heavy for most bags, so carry some and add a filter.
Where should I keep a go-bag?
Somewhere you can grab it on the way out, like near the main door. Ready.gov also suggests smaller kits at work and in the car.