How to carry urban survival gear?

This thread prompted me to take inventory of my various BoB's in the vehicles, house etc. I typically do this at the start of the winter season but with the 3 day Holiday I had the extra time to spend.

My main kit is stored in an ALICE pack but I need to re-think this as it is heavy enough to be uncomfortable to hoof it for any great distance. I think the mre's will need to be replaced with something more on the lines of granola bars and the like. Since I also have a folding shovel and short Ontario Collins machete attached, this also adds to the weight especially if I add additional ammuniton for both pistol and assault rifle.

Ideally, I will still have my Suburban as my primary transportation but in the event I don't, I may need to divide this main kit into a couple of smaller bags to be carried by wife and child.

Any ideas for a good suspension style pack on a family budget would be appreciated.
 
hatchetjack said:
This thread prompted me to take inventory of my various BoB's in the vehicles, house etc. I typically do this at the start of the winter season but with the 3 day Holiday I had the extra time to spend.

My main kit is stored in an ALICE pack but I need to re-think this as it is heavy enough to be uncomfortable to hoof it for any great distance. I think the mre's will need to be replaced with something more on the lines of granola bars and the like. Since I also have a folding shovel and short Ontario Collins machete attached, this also adds to the weight especially if I add additional ammuniton for both pistol and assault rifle.

Ideally, I will still have my Suburban as my primary transportation but in the event I don't, I may need to divide this main kit into a couple of smaller bags to be carried by wife and child.

Any ideas for a good suspension style pack on a family budget would be appreciated.
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One of the schools I attended in the military required us to hump a ruck extensively (about 50lbs plus weapons etc). There were a lot of different packs represented there and we found the most practical to be the good old Large Alice. Anything w/ an internal frame just beat the Dogsh8t out of you. Unfortunatly I don't think there is any way to carry that much gear comfortably.
 
What I found to be good for me is to layer my BOB. Taking into consideration that the vehicle you use is part of your BOB, I put shovels, axes, large saws and other heavy to tote gear, in the back of our pickup. In my BOB rucksack, I carry a Buck made T-handled saw, a garden spade and a large knife, but can also grab a Wetterlings large hunters axe from the vehicle. That way if I have to lose the vehicle, I can grab water instead of tools while on foot. My ruck carries most of the bulk items like sleep mat, extra clothing, sizeable FAK, Food kit, Fire kit, water purification, shelter, etc. I also carry a small rucksack attached. That way if I have to drop weight for any reason, I can put the essentials into the smaller rucksack and drop 15# of weight. I also wear a travelers vest full of the individual pieces of need to have gear, which duplicates many of the items that I carry in the ruck. Then as my Every Day Carry gear, I carry the bare essentials like fire, tinder, knife, cordage and can strain water. From my EDC up, each part of the BOB is enhanced by the next and duplicates the most needed gear. It allowed me to get my total weight down to under 40# including small axe, weapon and ammo, that I had to carry on my back. By going to the smaller rucksack, that total weight figure drops to under 25#. I am still working on it, breaking it down, eliminating items I don't use on dry runs and re-evaluating the gear that I do use.

My wife has her own stuff, more condensed to keep the weight down, but her gear also breaks down to a shoulder bag and belt kit. Her gear matches my own and even though she rarely goes out with me, she has become accustomed to the gear and can use it. If our daughter were still a child, she would have her own pack and it would contain the gear that she would need to survive and she would know how to use it with confidence.
 
I had not thought of the traveler's vest to augment the BoB which is why it's always good to ask the questions...

I'll trim the contents of my main ALICE into a layered system. I like the concept of a few redundant items in the vest so that will always be there. I think I need to find the weight I can actively manage and trim the fat off from there.

Another concept I failed to consider is the vehicle as part of the BoB system. It is the carrier for the big stuff and luxury items that are not total essentials.
 
I have survival gear on my all the time... even when I went to highschool people thought it was a little weird, but when they started needed things to see in the dark, cut stuff or repair something, they started warming up to the idea. I always have a Leatherman multi-tool and Pocket Maglight on the belt. Then I've got the Smith and Wesson flip knife in the back pocket. Around the waist is a side-pack with one main section and 3 smaller pockets; perfect for a small sized first aid kit to treat medium sized wounds. When biking and going out, I have a pack I designed specifically to mount in front of the handlebars and that holds repair kits and more tools, and various weapons. I normally just stick everything else in a backpack.
 
TheMaskedMarauder said:
I have survival gear on my all the time... even when I went to highschool people thought it was a little weird, but when they started needed things to see in the dark, cut stuff or repair something, they started warming up to the idea. I always have a Leatherman multi-tool and Pocket Maglight on the belt. Then I've got the Smith and Wesson flip knife in the back pocket. Around the waist is a side-pack with one main section and 3 smaller pockets; perfect for a small sized first aid kit to treat medium sized wounds. When biking and going out, I have a pack I designed specifically to mount in front of the handlebars and that holds repair kits and more tools, and various weapons. I normally just stick everything else in a backpack.
Click to expand...

Take care in California with gravity knives. They are illegal! If your S&W is a liner lock that's loosened up, get a hex wrench and tighten it back up. Otherwise, you're a felony waiting to happen. Especially with their gung ho Homeland security squads running around now-a-days. If you have a fixed blade, it has to be worn on your belt in plain view, again, a felony if it isn't.
 
Lobo103 said:
One of the schools I attended in the military required us to hump a ruck extensively (about 50lbs plus weapons etc). There were a lot of different packs represented there and we found the most practical to be the good old Large Alice. Anything w/ an internal frame just beat the Dogsh8t out of you. Unfortunatly I don't think there is any way to carry that much gear comfortably.
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There are many civilian packs designed for 50lb+ loads and used by the military. The alice pack is gone way of the horse and buggy as they say. ;)

My favorite is the Kifaru brand of packs. My cousin who is a black ops operator type uses these with great affection. Quite common these days to have civi gear in the military.

www.kifaru.net

Skam
 
gravity knife? Not sure with that term. You mean spring loaded assistant? I'm referring to just a plain flip knife... which I didn't carry around school. Yeah, laws everywhere are getting a little rediculous. I'm sure if I were a terrorist I would either have done something already while the timing was still good or I'd be packing more than a knife. Bigger fixed knives are a little scary; I wouldn't want to be wearing one in public, as much as I wouldn't want to see anyone else in public running around with one.
 
If your knife can be opened without having to use a thumb stud or your fingers, as in flipping the wrist to open it, then it's illegal. If it's a butterfly knife, even worse. They've been illegal for a lot of years. Just a friendly warning.
 
I don't agree, Skam. I just can't gey those close fitting packs to fit and feel right. I have a medium ALICE with upgraded pad, straps & belt, and it locks on to my skinny little body and does not hurt a bit. Kifaru is great gear, no question. But down here, it is hot more than not, and the ALICE stands off from your back and vents. It holds about 35 pounds right now, and sure you feel it, but what else you gonna do? I've got a little 'tactical' day pack, that is good for 25 pounds max, but I lose more water in sweat than I can carry.
 
randjack said:
I don't agree, Skam. I just can't gey those close fitting packs to fit and feel right. I have a medium ALICE with upgraded pad, straps & belt, and it locks on to my skinny little body and does not hurt a bit. Kifaru is great gear, no question. But down here, it is hot more than not, and the ALICE stands off from your back and vents. It holds about 35 pounds right now, and sure you feel it, but what else you gonna do? I've got a little 'tactical' day pack, that is good for 25 pounds max, but I lose more water in sweat than I can carry.
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Packs are like a lot of things especially boots! they don't fit everyone. If you find something that fits you well and can go forever in then buy 3 of it and never switch.

Lucky you to have such a good fit.

Skam
 
Okay, nice. I carry around a knife that requires the thumb-catch. That takes a bit off my mind. During the raining season I'd haul a duffle bag around school which had spare clothes, not to mention school books, and laptop etc. I'm pretty sure that stuff clocked in somewhere around 40+ lbs.
 
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