What’s In Your “Get Home” Bag These Days?

[BlueMarigold]

Lately I’ve been rethinking what I carry in my get home bag—especially after seeing how unpredictable weather’s gotten. I’ve added a lightweight rain poncho, a small Sawyer filter, and some extra local maps (phones can’t always be trusted). Still torn on the value of carrying spare batteries versus a tiny solar charger. How often do you all rotate stuff out, and what have you found

 

[ChrysanthiDream]

Extra socks and a packable hat became must-haves for me after last spring’s storm. Anyone actually used their solar charger in real conditions yet—did it keep up?

 

[TeaTimeTalisman]

Lately I’ve been rethinking what I carry in my get home bag—especially after seeing how unpredictable weather’s gotten. I’ve added a lightweight rain poncho, a small Sawyer filter, and some extra local maps (phones can’t always be trusted). Still torn on the value of carrying spare batteries versus a tiny solar charger. How often do you all rotate stuff out, and what have you found

A lightweight rain poncho is one of my non-negotiables too, especially after that downpour last fall left me soaked. Maps are smart—batteries and apps love to quit just when you need them most. I actually prefer carrying a handful of spare batteries over a tiny solar charger, since

 

[PrepperLinda65]

Extra socks and a packable hat became must-haves for me after last spring’s storm.

Extra socks make such a difference, especially if you end up walking longer than planned or get caught in a surprise storm. I always stash a dry, cushy pair at the bottom of my bag—cold, wet feet can turn a manageable hike home into a miserable ordeal real fast. The

 

[ChamomileCraze]

Adding a few herbal salves and a tin of chamomile tea bags is my quirk—nothing beats warming up after a cold trek. Anyone else keep herbal stuff handy for comfort?

 

[BlueHarborTea]

Extra socks and a packable hat became must-haves for me after last spring’s storm. Anyone actually used their solar charger in real conditions yet—did it keep up?

I tried using a small solar charger last summer when we lost power during a heat wave, and honestly, it was pretty hit or miss. On sunny days, it did top up my phone, but it took much longer than I’d expected—definitely not a quick fix. Cloud cover made it almost useless, which worries me since storms are usually when I’d need it most. I still keep it in my bag because it doesn’t weigh much, but I also carry a fully charged power bank as my “main” power option.

Extra socks are an absolute must, especially after wading through a muddy field last spring—wish I’d had a second pair then! The packable hat is a good idea too, both for sun protection and warmth if weather turns cold unexpectedly. I like to rotate clothing and snacks every season so nothing goes stale or out of date—plus it's an excuse to check that everything's still dry. Wondering if anyone has found a solar charger that works better on cloudy days? If so, I'd love to hear about it before I invest in a new one.

 

[BlueSkyWanderer]

Herbal salve is a great call—arnica or calendula go in mine for scrapes and aches. Anyone ever try making your own in bulk, or is it not worth the mess?

 

[MarigoldBreeze]

How often do you all rotate stuff out, and what have you found
A lightweight rain poncho is one of my non-negotiables too, especially after that downpour last fall left me soaked.

A lightweight rain poncho is a must for me too—there’s just no substitute when the weather turns on you suddenly. I check my bag every season and usually swap out snacks, batteries, and meds, but the poncho stays year-round. The only downside is making sure it doesn’t get bunched up or stuck at the