Survival Vest

W

wade

Joined
Sep 22, 2005
Messages
493
Im going to buy this vest, after searching for months its the only one I like. So, I would like some help with what to put in it, and how to configure it. I will also get a belt for it which will also have pouches, and possibly tatical drop leg rigs. I have the basics covered, first aid kit, very extensive survival kit(thank to everyone here, and a few books), gear repair kit, rain gear, water proof tarp, para cord, bivy sack, compass, brew/cooking kit, knives big and small, flashlights, ect.... I can post a gear list later. I also am thinking of puting a springfield XD and a few mags in there, and my springfield M6 survival rifle, it should fit in the back pouch. I do most of my outdoor adventures in the mountans of the NW, Cal, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, so Im not too worried about desert survival. I want this to be a part of my bugout system when its not being used for hunting, fishing, and hiking/exploring. So let me know if you have any ideas for me as to what esle I should consider for my vest system, or not consider. Thank you.

Link to the vest
http://www.specialforces.com/store/catalog/product_26225_Search_and_Rescue_Vest.html


Link to the drop rig.
http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/t...x=summit jackal&backto=/agcatalog/results.tam
 
Do you think that you'll lose mobility by carrying your gear out in front of you? That's something that I found when I tried a couple of tactical rigs on. They seemed to limit my upper body mobility some. In an emergency, you will certainly be suspect for packing a weapon by the authorities and with the mindset that's taking place in DC these days, what with the passage of that new law, maybe even considered an enemy combatant.
 
Well I am going to uese it for mostly big game hunting, fishing and hiking. I get pretty extream when I go out, I like to hike forever, not the car camping kind of guy if you know what I mean. I have considered the LEOs and other pricks that want everyone unarmed in an emergency, Ill deal with that when the time comes. For weight, I want to keep it as light as possible, most of my gear is very light anyhow. However I am still young (20) and in good shape, Im a college wrestler. So I think I can handle a good load, besides I do a lot of backpacking. I want to keep it under thirty pounds, but we will see what it ends up being. I might go with out the drop leg sys, undecided on that still. So, besides survival gear basic daypack, and hunting/fishing gear as well. Possibly enough for a few days.
 
Longbow's got a good point - a bug-out rig should ideally be low profile. Better to look like an average camper than a paramilitary survivalist. In fact, even when no crisis is occuring, you are likely to attract unwanted attention wearing that sort of rig.

For the money that vest costs, you can get a really nice, high-end backpack that'll comfortably support 30 to 40 pounds. And no one will look twice at you walking around with a backpack - even if you're in the middle of a city.
 
wade said:
Well I am going to uese it for mostly big game hunting, fishing and hiking. I get pretty extream when I go out, I like to hike forever, not the car camping kind of guy if you know what I mean. I have considered the LEOs and other pricks that want everyone unarmed in an emergency, Ill deal with that when the time comes. For weight, I want to keep it as light as possible, most of my gear is very light anyhow. However I am still young (20) and in good shape, Im a college wrestler. So I think I can handle a good load, besides I do a lot of backpacking. I want to keep it under thirty pounds, but we will see what it ends up being. I might go with out the drop leg sys, undecided on that still. So, besides survival gear basic daypack, and hunting/fishing gear as well. Possibly enough for a few days.
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Yep, I kind of figured that you were young and an outdoorsman. Been there myself at one time. Now I'm an old fart and an outdoorsman. :D

The weight should work well for you. Not too much and spread out. I decided against going with a tactical looking rig, simply because it would attract attention to me. So I went with a travelers vest in OD. I got it from Woolrich for about $30.00 and it holds all the small items and keeps them separated and organized very well. To that I added a small day pack for the larger items like Jacket, poncho, etc. and a belt, which holds a sidearm when hunting and my knife. I've been stopped, simply because of the size of my knife in the California Mtns., so I really think that there are areas that you will have harassment problems.
 
Well, my bug out bag is one of my old backpacking backpacks, just like you said it wont get a second look. But for hunting and fishing, I hardly ever see anyone else out there and they are all packing guns and knives too, kind of makes me feel right at home. I will also be going into law enforcement in about two years so........hopefully it wont be a problem that my rig is a little high profile.
 
This business of what draws LEO attention is strange.

I once passed a prfectly normal-looking guy being questioned by a Park Ranger about his standard Ka-bar. My backpack had a 18"-blade machete on the side of the back -- where tent poles might go -- on the same side as the Ranger. The machete had the handle painted orange and almost all the puke green sheath was there to be seen. The ranger looked right at me, and I thought "Oh boy! Now I'll be hassled." But he just nodded at me and went back to giving the other guy a grilling over "such a big knife." :confused:
 
Thomas Linton said:
This business of what draws LEO attention is strange.

I once passed a prfectly normal-looking guy being questioned by a Park Ranger about his standard Ka-bar. My backpack had a 18"-blade machete on the side of the back -- where tent poles might go -- on the same side as the Ranger. The machete had the handle painted orange and almost all the puke green sheath was there to be seen. The ranger looked right at me, and I thought "Oh boy! Now I'll be hassled." But he just nodded at me and went back to giving the other guy a grilling over "such a big knife." :confused:
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Maybe that guy with the Ka-bar who was getting hassled gave off a wierd vibe. LEOs are charged with protection and their lives hang in the balance of how well they execute their duties. They tend to be very in tune with the vibes other people give off - the subtle clues of body language that most people never notice.

If you don't give off the wrong vibe, you could probably walk around dressed in camo BDUs with a sword strapped across your back. But if you give off a vibe that triggers a LEOs "spidey-sense", they'll probably hassle you about a pair of nail clippers in your pocket.
 
Looks like a well-designed and thought out product. I bought a tactical vest when I was at a gun show in CA that cost no more than $50 and was modeled after a Blackhawk vest that costed about 4-5 times more. It was high quality, and I wish I remember the brand name so at least you would have an alternative for a cheaper price.

Would wear it when I go out shooting, but not for general outdoor activity because of the unwanted attraction potential as others have mentioned above. Camoflage in and around populated areas means not looking like a threat even when fishing or backpacking. If SHTF, then I say who cares, pull out your best battle gear.
 
I just bought a ripstop nyln fly fishing vest for wandering around my area. Though it's OD green, it does look like a fly fishing vest, and if I get wet, the nylon will probably dry out fairly fast (only not next to a fire:eek: ).

I have everything I need to spend an emergency night or two outside, but I have VERY carefully screened for weight. (Mora vs. Becker type stuff)

To anyone who wants to try "Vest packing" should heed the words, "Go light, young man." Too much weight in a vest is more miserable than too much weight in a back pack. Keep it light and scrutinize every oz. :cool:


Clint Hollingworth
The Wandering Ones webcomic
http://www.wanderingones.com
 
Macclint said:
I just bought a ripstop nyln fly fishing vest for wandering around my area. Though it's OD green, it does look like a fly fishing vest, and if I get wet, the nylon will probably dry out fairly fast (only not next to a fire:eek: ).

I have everything I need to spend an emergency night or two outside, but I have VERY carefully screened for weight. (Mora vs. Becker type stuff)

To anyone who wants to try "Vest packing" should heed the words, "Go light, young man." Too much weight in a vest is more miserable than too much weight in a back pack. Keep it light and scrutinize every oz. :cool:


Clint Hollingworth
The Wandering Ones webcomic
http://www.wanderingones.com
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I used to use a fishing vest many, many years ago. This is what I've been using for the last 5 years or so. Keeping the gear lite weight and not stuffing the pockets full, keep everything separate and organized, without making the wearer look like the pillsbury doughboy.:D

vestkit002.jpg
 
Longbow, if you don't mind, what new law was passed in DC?

By the way, I've got almost the exact same vest in black, and another similar in OD. I wear them almost daily, around the house, into the woods, rifle range, into town, most recently at a casual cocktail party. Had them about 8 years. I should probably get around to washing them.
 
I'm thinking about a good vest from Duluth Trading Post also. Lightly stuffed, as my backpack is pretty well stocked.

You guys have had some interesting experiences with rangers! I've been approached, and shot the breeze with several many times, and they didn't even look twice at the Casull on my hip in several National Forests in Colorado. I also keep my hands away from it and am friendly when talking to them.

One time a buddy and I were target shooting in the Pike National Forest, and observed all the rules carefully. Someone didn't appreciate the noise, and called the police. We got a visit from the sheriff and forest rangers. We were polite, they were polite, they noted that we kept everything very clean, we picked up our brass (I reload), and we bid each other good day.
 
seems like a heck of a lot of money to carry what a simply book bag sized back pack would carry. I would suggest a upland hunting coat coupled with a good quality back pack would a lot more for a lot less.

need not be a huge bag either, just something small maybe containing a camalbak bladder. I think this vest is just a device to separate you from your money.

I have used a good 30 L pack for weekends and long weekends with every thing i needed. small stove, bivy tent, sleeping bag, water filter, food clothes for weather. needing more just means you have not thought about what you need vs what you want.

I use a large duffel for my BOB, actually a hockey bag, as it allows me keep all the basics together ready to grab. now before you all say its too big, remember that i am in minnesota, wear a suit or similar to work most days and need to be able to grab one item that has boots, jeans, outerwear, food, camping all in one package to get out the door. from there, I can sort what stays and what goes with me. For me, a BOB covers not only SHTF or EOTWAWKI scenarios as well as urban complications. train cars on fire, tornado, gas leak/spill, where we are going to live somewhere else for 2-5 days. So we plan for both in one bag. It is easier to drop a few items on the road side than wish you had them.

If you plan that way, with a minimum SERE kit contained in a more developed camping/bob package, you hve both bases covered. Let me also say, I have experienced being forced out of my house, and working in areas where hundreds of thousands were displaced. Planning on a minimum of five days away is pretty easy and will keep you going for longer if you need it.
 
Here is my woods-running tote. It has an adjustable shoulder strap, a rear strap that can be fastened to the belt to secure it from swinging, inside pockets, and fully loaded weighs about three pounds including a water flask. I believe it is a Swiss military bag of some sort, medical or gas mask.


Codger
 
Nice bag Codger_64. What material is it? I've seen similar that were a heavy weight wool, but they were out when I put my order in.
 
Codger, I love that bag, where did you get it?
I just got a long, heavy wool overcoat, that was also Swiss military circa WWI, and that bag looks like it would go with it very well. I'll have to try to find one.
 
Guntotin_fool said:
seems like a heck of a lot of money to carry what a simply book bag sized back pack would carry. I would suggest a upland hunting coat coupled with a good quality back pack would a lot more for a lot less.
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No kidding. $50 at a regular sporting-goods store will get you everything that vest offers and more. (Fishing vest! maybe not as rugged but just as functional.) For $240 you can easily outfit yourself with an ALICE pack, complete web gear and a set of BDU's. Not to mention most of what you want to stuff all those pockets with. You can design this in "layers" so the BDU's have what you need for 24 hours, the web gear has enough for a rough weekend, and the pack has enough for a week or more, including very basic rations.

No matter how you look at it, there's a lot better ways to spend your money, unless you're a full-time SWAT guy who actually needs a tactical vest.
 
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