Now that’s a discrete pack
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Now that’s a discrete pack
Kitty KamoNow that’s a discrete pack
I have a bag for everything. A ghb can be smaller like a standard book bag like the one I use to carry stuff to work in, and in my opinion, doesn't have to have a lot of features. I live 8 miles from work, so I'm not concerned with making a shelter, copious amounts of water or food. A simple compass, topo map and/or road map of the area of travel, simple first aid kit, knife, light, and a couple of spare mags for the pistol I lost in a boat fire. Basically I'd load it with stuff I have in my vehicle on any given day and I'm good.
For me, a bug out bag will certainly need to be bigger, and have more features, such as some type of suspension system to support the extra weight of the contents of the bag. In it I'd have the same items as my ghb as the core components, but I'd add more water or ways to treat it, some food, some type of shelter system, extra clothing (jacket, socks), etc...
If you are concerned with blending in, then anything from a reputable brand will work fine. Plenty of people have and use North Face, Osprey, Kelty, Mountain Hardwear or other outdoor manufacturers backpacks everyday carrying stuff into their workplace.
Ninety percent of the people I work with carries some type of backpack into work and to their work area. Just look around while you are in town or the city, and you'll see people carrying backpacks everywhere. I think I scored my backpack used off eBay for $20 or so (probably $100 or more new), so I'd look there.
For a bug out bag, I'd recommend at least a bag that caters to a day hike. They typically have a suspension system for support and can comfortably carry 20-25lbs, without being huge or standing out.