- Joined
- Jun 19, 2007
- Messages
- 1,066
Idaho Jarhead and Knife Hunter.
Here is a link to it. http://www.specialforces.com/store/catalog/product_26225_Search_and_Rescue_Vest.html
This was the best design I could find without going full up modular which gets expensive fast - to the tune of $500+ for the base vest and all the pouches.
I have found that gear selection is like an evolution. Never ending. Currently I favor the vest over the pack for a couple of reasons.
I need to pont out that this vest is designed for limited endurance missions. In no way will it replace a full up pack. As I have it configured I can spend 24hrs in the field in relative comfort. 48hrs with a few modifications but with a reduced comfort level over say a properly equiped backpacking set up.
What I like.
Balance - better weight distribution from front to back makes cross coutry travel and general manueverability easier. Additionally I find I have a better sense of how much additional space I occupy but not having a large pack on my back. Also depending on the vehicle ie truck/helo I can mount up without having to remove all my gear which can be an advantage.
Accessability - this is the biggest factor. I no longer need to stop and a) remove my pack or b) have someone else dig through my pack for gear. Also having several smaller pockets makes oganization easier
The front pockets hold items such as food, compact binoculars, radio, GPS, spare batteries, leatherman, spare flashlight, compass, whistle, basic first aid supplies, sunglasses, chap stick, sunscreen, insect repelent etc...
For less often needed items that still need to be accessible the kidney pockes are great. In there are items like chem lights, flare gun, another spare flashlight, nomex baraclava for helo ops, tent stakes, spare carabiners, fire building supplies, hand warmers, warm gloves, watch cap and canteen cup. (i'm sure I fogot something)
The back portion is for rarely needed items and also has a hydration bladder sleave. The "packpack" expands or contracts depending on how what I need to carry.
(Just so you know the above items is not a complete list of everything I carry. That would be a thread all of its own)
Protection - I have found that being 80% wrapped in 1050 denier ballistic nylon offers some added protection from abrasions and jabs from sticks. Also in the cooler and wet months we get here in Washington State I get some added protection from the wind and rain and stay warmer.
Additions - I have added a padded blackhawk belt to it and a small knife holster to the front of the large pocket that has molle style loops. Mine is from a company I won't do business with again but is similar to ones offered by Maxpedition and can be worn verticall or horizantilly on a belt. I also have a old style GI butt pack that I can add to it via the belt.
It does have it's faults.
Color - When I bought mine it was only offered in OD green, black and orange. While orange is the most visable I could not stand the way it looked and went with the black. Also our team colors are yellow and black. I have been slowly added reflective elements and patches to make it more visable and non-military looking. It is not easy since I have no sewing skills and I hate taking it out of service to have it worked on.
Pocket design and location - My biggest issue with it is the location/construction of the radio pocket and the back pocket. The radio pocket appears to have been designed around a Bendix King or other massive radio. My little VX-7R gets completley lost in such a large pocket. The back pocket is expandable and when it is not expaneded it is held down by velcro. The down side is that if you only have it half filled it either won't velcro down so then it flops around or it comes unvelcroed on its own. The short term sollution is to add straps with quick release buckles and use them like compression straps. Also the design of the back does not lend itself well to expansion as the molle loops are conected to the epandable section of the back pocket. Due to the issues with it expanding on its own it does not work well.
I have a long term solution to the back pocket and radio pouch issues. I just need to sit down with River-8 (who makes his own gear to include vests) and do some redesign and modification. Figuring out how to carry the Ak will probelly be part of that proccess and maybe I finally will get going on the project. Overall I have been pleased with the vest and it is very well built.
Other comments
Also it does not have the same load bear caracteristics of a regular pack. the down side is you are limited on how much you can carry. The up side is it really makes you take a hard look at what you are carrying and forces you to cut the dead weight and useless gear. It also gives me an excuse to buy supperlight weight (and expensive) gear.
I would like to learn how to make my own gear as I know I could come up with better designs for the SAR community. Most of the gear I have seen is adapted form military or hunting and becasue of that has shortcomings.
Wow this turned into a much longer post than I planned. I hope this was not to much info.
Here is a link to it. http://www.specialforces.com/store/catalog/product_26225_Search_and_Rescue_Vest.html
This was the best design I could find without going full up modular which gets expensive fast - to the tune of $500+ for the base vest and all the pouches.
I have found that gear selection is like an evolution. Never ending. Currently I favor the vest over the pack for a couple of reasons.
I need to pont out that this vest is designed for limited endurance missions. In no way will it replace a full up pack. As I have it configured I can spend 24hrs in the field in relative comfort. 48hrs with a few modifications but with a reduced comfort level over say a properly equiped backpacking set up.
What I like.
Balance - better weight distribution from front to back makes cross coutry travel and general manueverability easier. Additionally I find I have a better sense of how much additional space I occupy but not having a large pack on my back. Also depending on the vehicle ie truck/helo I can mount up without having to remove all my gear which can be an advantage.
Accessability - this is the biggest factor. I no longer need to stop and a) remove my pack or b) have someone else dig through my pack for gear. Also having several smaller pockets makes oganization easier
The front pockets hold items such as food, compact binoculars, radio, GPS, spare batteries, leatherman, spare flashlight, compass, whistle, basic first aid supplies, sunglasses, chap stick, sunscreen, insect repelent etc...
For less often needed items that still need to be accessible the kidney pockes are great. In there are items like chem lights, flare gun, another spare flashlight, nomex baraclava for helo ops, tent stakes, spare carabiners, fire building supplies, hand warmers, warm gloves, watch cap and canteen cup. (i'm sure I fogot something)
The back portion is for rarely needed items and also has a hydration bladder sleave. The "packpack" expands or contracts depending on how what I need to carry.
(Just so you know the above items is not a complete list of everything I carry. That would be a thread all of its own)
Protection - I have found that being 80% wrapped in 1050 denier ballistic nylon offers some added protection from abrasions and jabs from sticks. Also in the cooler and wet months we get here in Washington State I get some added protection from the wind and rain and stay warmer.
Additions - I have added a padded blackhawk belt to it and a small knife holster to the front of the large pocket that has molle style loops. Mine is from a company I won't do business with again but is similar to ones offered by Maxpedition and can be worn verticall or horizantilly on a belt. I also have a old style GI butt pack that I can add to it via the belt.
It does have it's faults.
Color - When I bought mine it was only offered in OD green, black and orange. While orange is the most visable I could not stand the way it looked and went with the black. Also our team colors are yellow and black. I have been slowly added reflective elements and patches to make it more visable and non-military looking. It is not easy since I have no sewing skills and I hate taking it out of service to have it worked on.
Pocket design and location - My biggest issue with it is the location/construction of the radio pocket and the back pocket. The radio pocket appears to have been designed around a Bendix King or other massive radio. My little VX-7R gets completley lost in such a large pocket. The back pocket is expandable and when it is not expaneded it is held down by velcro. The down side is that if you only have it half filled it either won't velcro down so then it flops around or it comes unvelcroed on its own. The short term sollution is to add straps with quick release buckles and use them like compression straps. Also the design of the back does not lend itself well to expansion as the molle loops are conected to the epandable section of the back pocket. Due to the issues with it expanding on its own it does not work well.
I have a long term solution to the back pocket and radio pouch issues. I just need to sit down with River-8 (who makes his own gear to include vests) and do some redesign and modification. Figuring out how to carry the Ak will probelly be part of that proccess and maybe I finally will get going on the project. Overall I have been pleased with the vest and it is very well built.
Other comments
Also it does not have the same load bear caracteristics of a regular pack. the down side is you are limited on how much you can carry. The up side is it really makes you take a hard look at what you are carrying and forces you to cut the dead weight and useless gear. It also gives me an excuse to buy supperlight weight (and expensive) gear.
I would like to learn how to make my own gear as I know I could come up with better designs for the SAR community. Most of the gear I have seen is adapted form military or hunting and becasue of that has shortcomings.
Wow this turned into a much longer post than I planned. I hope this was not to much info.
!!
)