Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission when you click a link and make a purchase. Thanks for supporting PriorityPrepper.com!
In addition to food and water, you need a complete change of clothes in your 72-hour kit — underwear, socks, and shoes included.
If you face any sort of natural disaster, chances are good that you’ll want to change your clothes as soon as you get to safety. You might be wet, sweaty, or very dirty.
Even if your clothing is unaffected, you’ll still want to change your clothes at some point during those first 72 hours. Plus, if you need to evacuate and you’re still in pajamas, you’ll have a change of clothes available.
Now, there’s no need to go out and buy new clothes for your 72-hour kit…
Any old pair of pants and a t-shirt will do. Comfort is more important than style during an emergency!
Here are some tips on choosing clothes for your 72-hour kit:
- Choose lightweight clothing. You may need to carry your pack and you don’t want heavy items weighing you down.
- If you live in a cold climate, put a jacket in your 72-hour kit. Always plan for the weather.
- Long pants are best because you can wear them comfortably in the summer and winter. If you are someone that gets very hot, consider putting some zip-off, cargo pants in your 72-hour kit so you’re ready for any weather.
- Don’t forget to include hats, jackets, gloves, sunglasses, etc.
- Keep your 72-hour kit clothes in a plastic bag so that they stay dry. You can purchase large ziplock bags for this.
72-Hour Kit Clothes for Kids
Ideally, you should be updating your 72-hour kit every six months — food and water need to be rotated out. If you have children, this is also a good time to check the size of their clothes.
It’s hard to predict when your children will go through a growth spurt or how much they will grow in six months. Therefore, try to choose clothes for their 72-hour kit that is on the large size. It’s also a good idea to put bright-colored clothes in your kids’ packs so you can spot your kids quickly in a crowd.
If you have extra space in your 72-hour kit, you could include extra clothes for your kids. Clean clothes are a small comfort that can help a lot during an emergency.