LBEs and backpacks?

[Daniel L]

Hi all,

This may sound like a dumb question, but since I don't have any military experience, I'll ask anyway!

I've just purchased a South African LBE set (suspenders, belt and pouches, not the vest type) for carrying survival stuff - and want to know how are you supposed to wear a pack with it or is it designed to replace a pack? (ie does one wear one or the other?) This question applies to other LBE systems as well...

Or do military packs attach to the suspenders?

Thanks,

 

[V Shrake]

As with most things in Life, it depends.

Actually, you CAN wear a pack with LBE, but it can be troublesome. If your LBE doesn't have a buttpack, all you have to do is make sure none of the side pouches encroach on the space the pack will take up. Also, it helps if the pack's hip belt rides a bit higher than the LBE's pistol belt, so that they don't interfere with each other. I've never worn SA web gear, so you'll have to experiment. If you use a medium ALICE, without frame, it should ride high enough that it will clear your buttpack. If you use a frame, you'll have to drop the buttpack down lower to clear the frame. Hope that helps.

 

[OwenM]

If you loosen the straps on the LBE, so the gear on the belt hangs low, and don't buckle the belt, you can wear it with a pack without too much discomfort. This way, you can leave the fanny pack on, too, and just give the suspender straps a pull when/if you ditch the pack.
I can't imagine wanting to wear both

btw, I have not used SA gear, only US, and don't know the difference-just assuming it's similar.

 

[Daniel L]

Thanks guys. One the SA web gear that I have, the pockets are padded and pretty much fixed (sewn) to the belt. It's comfortable since there is actually padding on the innerside of the belt where the pockets are. It's quiet as well.

The only US gear I'm familar is the type with metal clips on the suspendedrs / belt which make a lot of noise when moving around.