Molle Packs vs sport/technical outdoor packs

[scpower]

Discretion is important. Here in this part of the US many areas are heavily used. If you stand out from the crowd in a bad way complaints will be filed. Camo itself is just cloth, like guns camo doesn't think and act on its own. But if you wear too much camo in say a National Forest the ranger is liable to here from people who don't like what they see. It is better to blend in and not have big brother looking over your shoulder. I spend a fair amount of time in the outdoors, sometimes driving forest roads. When I have seen a dozen 20year olds all wearing camo, driving camo painted trucks all covered with mud I always hope that other people don't see them. These guys haven't been treading lightly, they have been driving off the roads and probably leaving garbage where ever they have been. Worse they have shot up or torn down the National Forest signs. Sometimes camo just screams out asshole.

If in your area camo is ok then no problem. The clothing is durable and comfortable. When it comes to gear such as backpacks what you carry does make a statement. Just make sure is is the right staement.

Thanks for the reply 2dogs, like I said, I am just curious. Let me ask you something, I hear this kind of thing alot from people who live in California, you know the "I can't wear my pocketknife if it is showing" comments. Why is it do you think that CA is like that? Just more sheeple? or are there alot of a**holes that ruin it for everyone else and give knifenuts and people who are into "tactical" stuff a bad name?

Thanks again

 

[hikeeba]

I agree with points made on both sides of this topic.

People's attitudes and perceptions vary greatly across the country. I believe it is up to the individual to assess their own situation and determine what is socially acceptable wherever the hike, camp, etc. After that determination is made, it is up to the individual to act - or not.

Some folks are very conscious about how they appear to others, and some aren't. That's going to happen, and as long as laws aren't being broken, or established codes (Scouts?) aren't violated, I see no problem.

Also, how the individual carries or conducts himself/herself also does a lot to affect the perceptions of others.

I may go on a an overnight trip or several this year sporting my ACUPAT pack. Here is WI we do not have vast open public lands for hiking and camping. We need to go to designated State Parks, and camp in designated areas. Seeing some sort of camo pattern around here isn't unusual in my experience. It also isn't unusual to see a pocket clip hanging outof a pocket, a Leatherman sheath on a belt, or even a small fixed blade on a belt ( a hunting knife, usually worn by younger folks to more or less look/feel cool, from what I've seen , anyways). I may have a tool clipped into my pocket, but fixed blades are always stowed in the pack and out of sight. That's the step I personally take to 'blend in.'

Carry yourself as a responsible, level-headed, confident, and compassionate person, and I doubt people will look at you funny, regardless of what color or pattern your pack is. I do realize there is another side of that coin, and there are folks out there who are offended by anything. This you cannot help.

 

[2dogs]

SC it isn't just one thing or one group of people who cause trouble. Personally I hate putting people into groups like I just have. I think it is more a gut feeling many people have when they see someone who is vastly different from them. People feel more comfortable with their own kind. While people here might decry racisim and claim not to be a racist they won't drive through a certain part of town because of "those people" that live there. That attitude along with the ability just to pick up the phone and make a complaint call have ruined alot of what might be termed persuit of happiness.

Add those things to the fact that in America very few people feel they are responsible for their own actions. If I'm driving while I'm shaving and run into the car in front of me and spill my coffee on myself I turn around and sue McDonalds for the coffee being too hot. Too many liars, oops I mean lawyers, yeah probably but that is because there is plenty of business.

Bottom line... blend in, take care or yourself and be resposible for your actions, act based on honor not fantasy, don't blame others for your screw ups, don't accept blame when you are right. Live like a man, not like a mall ninja.

 

[scpower]

SC it isn't just one thing or one group of people who cause trouble. Personally I hate putting people into groups like I just have. I think it is more a gut feeling many people have when they see someone who is vastly different from them. People feel more comfortable with their own kind. While people here might decry racisim and claim not to be a racist they won't drive through a certain part of town because of "those people" that live there. That attitude along with the ability just to pick up the phone and make a complaint call have ruined alot of what might be termed persuit of happiness.

Add those things to the fact that in America very few people feel they are responsible for their own actions. If I'm driving while I'm shaving and run into the car in front of me and spill my coffee on myself I turn around and sue McDonalds for the coffee being too hot. Too many liars, oops I mean lawyers, yeah probably but that is because there is plenty of business.

Bottom line... blend in, take care or yourself and be resposible for your actions, act based on honor not fantasy, don't blame others for your screw ups, don't accept blame when you are right. Live like a man, not like a mall ninja.

I hear what you are saying 2dogs, it is a shame that it has come to such a state where nobody takes personal responsibilty anymore. There was just an incident up here where a man sued the owners of some property because he injured himself on his dirtbike while riding on their property. His lawsuit claimed "they did not do enough to prevent me from riding on their property", so it is somehow their fault that he wiped out while trespassing. It actually makes me a little sick to think there are people like that out there.

As far as blending in goes, isnt that what camo is for!!! Just kidding! I would say that I blend in quite well in my normal daily life, but when I am out in the bush or camping, that is the one time that I really don't care if I blend in or not. I guess I am lucky in that there are very few areas in BC where you will find too many people in the bush. Canada is very anti-gun, but (apart from customs) is ok with regards to knives and camo clothing etc. This is just my observation of course!

 

[Tohatchi NM]

If you want your pack to be more discrete, I'd go with a solid color (black or tan in preference to OD green). You can further de-mil it with a patch or two - use velcro if you don't want it to be permanent. I don't remember if the new camelbacks include velcro, but TAD Gear has lots of gear with velcro loop for temporary patches if you need ideas. You could use scout patches, flags, national parks, states, animals, etc. Music stores often have ecclectic patches - bands, cartoon characters, skulls, etc.

Military gear is useful, because it's usually well built, functional, and made in the USA. However, full tactical gear in a picnic area or on an easy day hike raises some eyebrows for me. I have to wonder if such a person was issued their stuff and spent time in it, or if they're just in the weekend warrior club. Then again, full-on gear weenie who just stepped out of the REI catalog with everything shiny and new raises eyebrows too. Either way, you should find gear that works - not buy it for color or hype. That usually results in an ecclectic mix of things, including some mistakes, and some that are more patch than original.

Personally, I like all my stuff to ride in the pack, without things flopping on the outside to fall off, get damaged, or shift the balance. You do sacrifice the accessibility and modularity of the MOLLE system, though. Good luck finding something that works.