For a grab-bag - especially for something fitting the "get home" scenario - my preference is for bags that are not overtly "tactical." In situations of social unrest, my main plan would be to blend-in as much as possible. While I believe that overt gear has its place, being able to navigate under-the-radar through a throng of protesters or even violent rioters - avoiding conflict if at all possible - in my view is the best way to fulfill the "get home" mission.
Two of Paul Howe's Panteao Productions'
Make Ready videos, "Civilian Response to Active Shooters" and "Vehicle Defense," covers his selection criteria for civilian vehicle-based "get home bags," as well as how he stages them.
They're a bit dated, but if you can get them for under $15, I'd say it's worth the price (and don't forget the unmatched "Combat Mindset" segment; that's worth it, at
any price).
A lot of mid-grade and high-grade modern sporting/hiking bags are built very tough, and sometimes the only thing that separates them from their "tactical" sisters/cousins are simply colorways and a few bands of MOLLE. Mystery Ranch, Karrimor SF, and Kifaru, for example, while all offering military/hunting bags, also offer feature-rich and extremely sturdily built bags that appear much more "civilian." If these are too pricy, Paul Howl's recommendations of shopping for durable consumer-grade sporting bags and inspecting them first-hand for features should be taken to-heart. [
The flip side of this argument is that "military chic" is a real thing these days, and everything from camouflage to "laser cut MOLLE panels" are now featured on everything from sporting goods to kids' school-packs. One can very reasonably argue that as long as you don't go overboard (i.e. are toting around an obvious gun-bag), no-one will necessarily give such bags a second look. ]
In terms of on-body gear, again, I'd again choose to be discrete. Reputable low-profile Level IIIA soft-armor aren't cheap, but many will be nearly unnoticeable under a relaxed-fit shirt. Similarly, a reputable set of Level IV hard armor plates can be low-profile enough, with the right carrier, to all but disappear under the ubiquitous hoodie or sweatshirt.
Realistically, I want my "get home" gear to as much as possible be complimentary to my EDC gear. In so much a PCC or PDW may really turn the tide when in a bad way, I think it's much more likely that if I were in such a dire situation, I likely would not have carried sufficient ammo (in my "get home bag") to shoot my way out, even with a long-gun. I'd much rather devote that space and weight towards medical, potable water, foul-weather clothing/sleeping/shelter solutions, and high-energy non-spoilable food.
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Sorry for straying off-topic. 😅
Going back on-topic....
^ This bit of history remains among my favorite "concealable" chest-harness system.
That said, as you can see, it is just a load-bearing system - no armor capabilities.
Many modern carriers like the First Spear Slick or the LBT Slick Plate Carrier can be paired with various single-stack chest carriers or items like the Vertex/Unity Clutch to make for a very low-profile kit. Similarly, low-pro carriers like the Ferro Slickster or Shellback Low-Vis will offer you the ability to use more traditional placard systems, which you can deploy from within your go-bag.
