Toilet Paper- If your ass stinks, few survivors are going to care and I don’t think the zombies won’t eat you if you don’t wipe. Plus your body won’t be creating much waste as you run for dear life. Of course, this depends on what you choose to eat. Both MREs and powerbars will give you the shits if you live off them (but MRE’s come with toilet paper and powerbars have wrappers sooooo…). Any way, go old school use a leaf or a newspaper- tough guy.

Extra Change Of Clothes- Extra weight, little gain. Socks are the only exception. Change em when you can, wash the dirties where you can wring em out and let them dry as they dangle from your pack. Everyone should listen to Angryvikingman abou the underwear. Spandex running shorts for all you serious hoofers- though they have to be on you and not in your pack, to work.

Saws?- Cable saw, if you really need a saw.

Tarps and Ponchos and E-Blankets?- Pick one boy scouts!

Blankets and Sleeping Bags?- If you got a good coat, you won’t need that extra weight. Put gloves and a raghat in the pockets. There’s your blanket. Merry Christmas.

Tents?- jordan knows what thats all about. Poncho or tarp, sticks and string. There’s your tent. Happy New Year. Now are you really going to sleep in it? You cant see them, they can see you…hmmm

Mess kit?- Yes it’s nice, but is it essential?

Paracord?- Yes it’s nice, but is it essential?

Blowtorch?-?????????????WTF????

NO HIKING RACKS or RUCKSACKS- if you need metal support for your pack that can withstand weights of 100 lbs, you are planning to carry way too much shit. This rig will reduce your climbing, speed, endurance and manueverability. But of course, it’s all about what you have planned. No, wait, I think I’m starting to like the idea of a guy weighed down with 100lbs of crap running behind me, taking one for the team.

Crowbars- useful, a good 36 inch hard tool steel crow bar is a good weapon and can open stuborn doors. Would get heavy though, this is a must have in a group. Give it to the strongest guy. What about the holster?
Axes/Hatchets- also a good idea, may be better than the crowbar. Don’t forget quality and comfort. Get the axe that loggers use, not the bargain bin special.
Bolt Cutters- not recommended for smaller people because they are unweildly as weapons and heavy- but definetly throw em in your vehicle. The 48 inch ones will shear most locks, chains and bolts with ease- even the cheapies
Machettes- I think it’s a good last resort, if you got nothing else. Doubt if it will be much good against the undead though- good against looters, sadists and irresponsible asshole partymembers.
Swords- Good. The problem is most swords are peices of crap. My rule of thumb with swords is you get what you paid for. If it costs under a hundered- it’s pure crap. Others, the blades maybe good but the handles are ridiculous or sketchy. Katanas seem like a good option, because they are light- but you really need to develope some experience with them. The undead are not going to be afraid of you twirling a shiney peice of metal. And swords don’t come with magickal powers.
T-Bones/ Kobutans/ Rodney King Swatters or RKS (I hope this catches on) I like these, they are good for offense and defense, they are easy to use, make and become profficient with. They now have extending versions to help alieviate on of this weapon’s biggest problems- it’s holstered ungainliness.
Bat- You know why, but I would like to suggest a youth’s bat. It is more compact and manueverable.
MREs- They are way better than anything commercial, but don’t go overboard. The next best thing are nutri grain bars and ramen noodles ( as previousley suggested by a clever individual)
Extra Ammo- Now it will be hard to get to, but all remaining space, in the pack, should be filled with ammo.

I’m not oppossed to ropes and firestarters and what have you, I just think that as an individual you should be more concerned with weapons, water and provisions- and only enough water and food for a few days. You will more than likely spend time foraging, scavenging and hunting. If you need the finer things, get in a group and divie them up- but expect to lose them, if the person is swarmed or falls over a ledge.

1) Get a CamelBak Pack with a few extra pockets, a small or medium sized one, not the Backpacks with the bladder pockets inside. If you can’t fit the “essentials” in these small packs, then it really isn’t that essential. Now you can either take out/ not use the bladders and use the extra space, or routinely clean and change the water until z-day (like anyone would do that) These are low profile and allow you to do combat rolls and even protect your spine. Try it out.

2)Armbands and armstraps can carry all those goodies like tools and firestarters, extra ammo and what not. They can also act as a tactical and practical armor against bites (which seem more likely to happen to limbs in my opinion) There are some that can be bought as is, modified, or you can have them custom made (or make them yourself) Don’t forget to try them on, and make sure they are comfortable and you can secure and easily retrieve the accooterments. Use velcro or quick snap plastic buckles for quick adornment.

3)For the extreme gadget freak the above concept can be applied to harnesses, belts and leg straps

4)Footware- get a good pair of Swat boots- water resistant, side zipper(with zipper secure strap) slip resistance sole (that resembles a sneaker ) with some good inserts. Composite toe is nice too. These cost about 100, but last a really long time. I wear mine on a regular basis. Break them in, and if you aren’t like me, keep them next to your pack. Good foot wear is essential, in any combat situation.

5)Zip a coat over your pack with the pack’s top handle sticking out the neck. This way you can just grab and go, put the coat on when you have time, or as you move. You should only have to change the coat twice a year. A warm snow jacket for fall and winter, and then a long sleeve hoodie for the spring and summer’s cool nights.

This is getting kinda long so I’ll post the rest later.

They don’t feel pain = Fire not good

Also, any form of fuel that would be used as a flammable weapon would surely weigh too much.

And like some of you have said, Crowbar/axe is of great use.

And remember to use red lights. or a red light filter your light sources. That is because the higher frequencies from the white or blue lights require much larger amount of time for a persons eyes to become accustomed to darkness. The lower frequencies like Red allow for better light sensitivity so that your peripheral vision outside of the light, and if the light is turned off isn’t impaired as much or for as long.

Depending on the magnitude of the infestation you might have to keep on the move alot over the first few days. We’re talking a jump from the normal daily usage of around 2-3000 calories for a normally active person to around 4-6000 calories depending on circumstances. Power bars will only get you so far, and will not provide proper nutrution. Power bars are a nutrition _supplement_, and not a _substitute_. Ofcourse a power bar is more handy when you cannot make a stop at all, but your rumbling stomach could get you killed ;)

Proper MREs can use both cold and warm water. There are even MREs coming with a filter system that will allow you to use your own urine as a source of water.

I’ve actually tried surviving on power bars over a 4 day period (In times of no money..). Result? The shits. You do _not_ want the shits when on the run!

Experience. That is, take just your customized kits and spend some time in the ‘wild’. It is unlikely that everyone will have the possibility to just spend a weekend regularily, but those that can, should.
If you have a cabin or similar, that is good. Alone or with others, go to the great outdoors. You will see for yourself then what you need, and what is not quite that needed of the things you thought vital in your personal version of the kit.
Forget the car, walk from your house all the way if you want it closer to ‘realism’.

Some experience leads to a sense of some control.
Enough experience, and you may have some control.
Lets face the facts, your own adrenaline overdosed self can be as much a threat as a asset, without control.

I hope this makes sense in english, as we both feel it is as important as adding a map to the pack.