my gear for outdoors/camping

A

ajcz

Joined
Oct 14, 2005
Messages
661
 
I don't know a thing about the first bag, but I use the second bag and it's a good one. Loaded, mine weights just about 25# without water.

The M65 jacket (Netherlands) is probably cut big so layering can be done. My American M65 will keep me dry in a lite rain, but heavy rain requires rain gear.

The Mora knife will serve you well.

The Swedish cook gear is excellent, but a bit heavy. The trangia stove will work well for you. Practice with it so you know exactly how much fuel will be needed for your trips.

Weight of the shelter may make it prohibitive for hiking or bugging out and there is little protection from the moist ground, so you may want to add a ground tarp.

Paracord is a good choice for cordage. Lots of uses and it has plenty of strength. I added natural Jute twine to my gear as well.

No experience with glowsticks. I carry a longlife candle that gives light and heat.

Have you given any thought as to what FAK (first aid kit) you'll add? Firestarting tools? Water treatment/purification? Flashlight? Navigation tools?
 
I picked up 3 of their Guide Gear bivy sacks. They work great. I don't sweat them up at night. I use the bivy, tropical weight bag, and a poncho.

Shelter halves are heavy, get a poncho instead. It does the same thing as the shelter half but you can wear it. My daughter and I snap ours together to just like shelter halves.

I would skip the glowsticks personally. For their size and weight you could have an LED flashlight that will be far more versatile.

I second Longbow50 about the German pack. In fact I'm probably going to order one myself. Stay away from a four-pack deal on backpacks. If one of them isn't attractive enough to convince a buyer, why would you need four?

One suggestion is the US Army canteen and canteen cup. Maybe I'm just old school. They're a great piece of kit.

+1 on the mora clipper, paracord. Mac
 
For an emergency waterproof tarp/shelter, go to Walmart's paint section. Look for the clear disposable plastic drop cloths, they're in a pack the size of a paperback novel, but give you a sheet of plastic about 10 or 12 feet square. To suspend them like a tent, put a small smooth round peble on it to tie off to.

The army field jackets are great, I've sworn by them since I got issued my first one. To waterproof it, use the same stuff they re-proof waxed cotton raingear with.

You can't go wrong with a Mora.
 
i got a army canteen and cup and i have a fak and ill look into the army poncho
and ill go for the german bag then but i mainly wanted the messkits for the stoves any other recomendations on jackets though?
 
I bought several (4-5) of the first pack that you show (the vinyl swiss) three years ago to keep as "spare kits", ended up giving away. It's frame was extremely uncomfortable for me, and the vinyl smelled. I bought the german ruck on advice from this group, and I still use it as a carry-on for boating or other outdoor activities. Been contemplating a second for a snow scare add on for the jeep.

Anyone know of a cheap source of used poncho liners?
 
Surplus stuff is not always a good deal.

I like the cut (allowing movement) of some
military clothing. Not all is cut this way.
US field jackets and US BDU are cut for action.

The wind-breaker is new and may be a good deal.
The jacket is used and at $29.9x is too much money.

Try on a field jacket or windbreaker:
a friend's field jacket, or go to a surplus or other store.

Make sure you can wear a jacket/windbreaker with plenty of
under garments, like sweaters. In general, a bigger garment
is better, unless you are going to do rigging, rock climbing, etc.,
where the loose-fitting garment would become entangled.

Ordering this kind of stuff mail-order (or internet) is not so good.
Sizes are often misrepresented or garments accidently mismarked.

In any surplus store, it is common to find a medium marked as
large, for example. Try some stuff on, and measure other stuff
against that known garment. Using a tape measure is very practical.
Take your time; measure twice.

Some surplus stuff stinks of mold or preservative. Some is so bad
that you cannot even wash it out. Some has no smell at all.

I have used shelter halves, and they are barely OK. They were
designed so you only needed one per person: you could always find
a buddy or take one off of a dead body. This is not a perfect theory
in the army, and definitely not good for recreational packers.

As a poster noted, a poncho, is much more versatile and lighter.
Woven Polyethylene Tarps are available in many sizes and colors;
they are very light and very cheap. Do a google search.

If you are really into mil-stuff, you might consider a European mil
poncho that can be a shelter half. You could get 2, and they would
not be too heavy. I cannot remember which country made these.
Maybe the guys on this forum can supply more info and a review.

Keep your mind open for good non-mil stuff also.

Good luck.
 
fnc said:
I like the cut (allowing movement) of some
military clothing. Not all is cut this way.
US field jackets and US BDU are cut for action.
Ordering this kind of stuff mail-order (or internet) is not so good.
Sizes are often misrepresented or garments accidently mismarked.
Click to expand...

Along with the other concerns, I want to stress the size issue. All of the German and British stuff I've tried on at the local surplus store, and the Russian stuff I orded online, ran at least a size small compared to American stuff, especially BDU's. Even compared to a dress shirt, they're a size smaller. Order BIG (if you wear a medium, I'd suggest getting XL in the euro stuff. If you're 6'4" and 220# like me... their XL shirts make decent vests.) and be prepared to deal with mustiness.

Having said all that, euro surplus stuff can be a really good deal. It's well-made and functional, based on what I've used and seen. If I come across one of those Brit or Croatian M-65-type jackets that fits me, I'll snag it up quick :thumbup:
 
any ideas on what would make a good homemade alcohol stove filler i heard fiberglass insulaltion or perlite any others?
 
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