I once wrote a book about how to make your own outdoors equipment [The Budget Backpacker, Winchester Press, 1977 ]. I was also a contributing editor to the original SURVIVE magazine.
So you could call me a "Gear Head",
and you could call me a "Survivalist".
And you could also call me CHEAP ...
[ after all, there is BUDGET in the book title ]
The book is long out of date, but many of the ideas in it are still current [ you can see some ideas on using webbing to attach accessories that predates Molle ]. It also has some pretty timeless advice on survival kits .... make them modular and stacking [ belt/pack/car/ Home kit aka Closet full of nasty bits / all the way up to a 4X4 camper loaded with everything ready to go in the driveway].
I currently have all my chit together man, and I try to keep it in one pile ... my wife is afraid to go in that particular closet ...
Question:
"Why do you have a GAS MASK IN THERE, HONEY?? ...
notice the voice rising on the last part of the question.
Answer:
" Remember Mount St Helens?? "
{absolutely free Marriage Counselling advice ...
do NOT say
" Because I might need it to hold off the SWAT team when they start chucking in tear gas" ...
that way lies madness. ...
and very expensive divorce lawyers}
[;{)
In any case. the simple answer is, just like fire insurance, and a 12 Ga in the tent when camping, I sleep better at nights knowing that stuff is immedately available.
Anyhow,
if you want something special in the way of a load bearing vest, why not make it yourself. If you can find a copy of my book, there are patterns you can start with. A couple of hours work, a few $$ for materials, and "walla", you can end up with exactly what you want. Every pocket custom built to precisel fit YOUR persnal gear, and located EXACTLY where you want it.
These days, my spare time is worth more than money, so I don't make much stuff up any more. Especially when the Chinese will provide a finished product for less than my cost for materials
That being said, I have recently re-investigated load bearing vests for motorcycling, mountain biking, hiking etc. It is nice to have all your survival gear in one place, hanging in the closet, ready to walk out the door with you on a moments notice. And a vest can carry a whole bunch of small items, immediately and individually accessible.
Want the binoculars or the gps or the radio or the balaclava or the gloves or the Amber shooting glasses and the ear plugs or the Quck Cuffs [ oops .. that just slipped out ... of COURSE, shooting glasses and earplugs and gloves and a balaclava might NOT be seen as appropriate survival gear for a vist to the local 7-11]... they are right there, right now ... if [IF ] you remember which pocket [ and there may be DOZENS of pockets ] you put the darn things in.
I also have several belt packs and back packs to supplement the vest if appropriate, but more and more I am reaching for the vests rather than something else.
For those that wanna play "Tactical Wannabe", the UTG "Tactical" vest provides everything you need to carry all your ammo, magazines, radio, etc. It is decent quality, it is cheap, and it comes in several colors. Of course, it does scream TACTICAL WANNABE!!! It does say to every cop who sees you " Well I may not have a gun on me at the moment ... but you better check just to make sure." Not really appropriate for a visit to the mall.
For those that prefer a more subdued "civilian" fashion statement, I found a great vest at Walmart. It is sold as a fishing vest, but I have everything from my GPS, Radio, first aid kit, Goretex shell rain jacket and pants, and a few other surprises in the many pockets.
This particular vest does not SCREAM;
"I am a TACTICAL kind of guy ...
you better check me for a concealed gun".
With its basic Earth tones, highlighted by very attractive Orange stitching , It sort of murmers;
"I am an Outdoorsy kind of guy ...
probably just on my way to go fishing."
You can wear it on a motorcycle [ the right kind of MANLY Dual Sport/ world touring sort Like a BMW 1150 GS ] or a bicycle [ a dirt covered Mountain bike with bags ] and people will admire you for your adventurous appearance, rather than call the cops on you {My GAWD, Officer, he is wearing CAMMO, AND HE'S GOT HARD, HEAVY BULGY THINGS IN HIS POCKETS!!!! }
Check out the Walmart Vest ... well worth the price ...
if the Orange stitching doesn't clash with the rest of your "survival" wardrobe.
[;{)
LAZ 1
how could they not meet the hunting regulations
