Bug Out vest?

Kit, Clothing, Tools, etc
User avatar
Hoipoloi
Posts: 157
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 1:03 pm
Location: West Midlands

Re: Bug Out vest?

Post by Hoipoloi »

I like the idea of these vests but I'm a jacket type person and it would be a problem either under OR over a jacket. I think the only suitable attire would be to wear it over a jumper or fleece jacket and have a poncho for bad weather.
My prepping consists of bugging out by bicycle so any comments are likely to be based on that scenario.
User avatar
Captain Darling
Posts: 229
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 10:45 pm
Location: 1st star on the left, straight on till morning.

Re: Bug Out vest?

Post by Captain Darling »

Vests are a good way of carrying kit, easily accessible, even weight distribution, and they're ace if your in a vehicle for prolonged periods of time.

It is a good item of warm kit is an assault vest :-P, also it can act as a bit of protection from punches or even stabs (depending what's in the pouches).

However, I think you will look out of place and can draw unwanted attention to yourself especially in DPM or even black or Hi-Vis as you'll look like a squaddie or a copper.

Fishing vests might be a alternative, or 5.11 do make a slightly less tactical looking variant.
Cutting, combustion, cordage, container, cover.
dazthechippy
Posts: 180
Joined: Fri Jun 07, 2013 7:47 pm

Re: Bug Out vest?

Post by dazthechippy »

Agree with the Captain...I have an army chest rig. 3 pouches on the front and 2 on the sides almost under the arms. At the moment its DPM but i will change it to a grey colour by spraying it with car primer to help blend in and avoid being taken for army/police.

Its role is a 24 hour get home bag and it lives in the van. Its got a bit of food, multitool, FAK, water, poncho in it - all the usual GHB things but is very scaled down. I wear it low down on my belly and can cover it with a big raincoat so I just look overweight. Its geared towards constant movement (walking home) and is comfyish to wear.

Its not as big as an assault vest (I have one of those too in DPM and its staying in the garage as it screams ROB ME and looks army).

The thing here is if you're gonna have a camo element to your load carrying kit is to make sure nothing else in your get up looks military like trousers or jacket. The best thing with a chest rig/assault vest is you can make a run for it relative speed if you need to and can always ditch your rucksack for your followers to pick over whilst still keeping some kit about you.
DarkArcher777
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2014 6:16 pm
Location: Area 3

Re: Bug Out vest?

Post by DarkArcher777 »

i didn't think of removing the dividers it makes sense as i'm never going to be using the ammo pouches to hold magazines.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, Give a man religion and he will starve to death waiting for God to feed him.

Why are stupid people so fertile?
DarkArcher777
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2014 6:16 pm
Location: Area 3

Re: Bug Out vest?

Post by DarkArcher777 »

dazthechippy wrote:Agree with the Captain...I have an army chest rig. 3 pouches on the front and 2 on the sides almost under the arms. At the moment its DPM but i will change it to a grey colour by spraying it with car primer to help blend in and avoid being taken for army/police.

Its role is a 24 hour get home bag and it lives in the van. Its got a bit of food, multitool, FAK, water, poncho in it - all the usual GHB things but is very scaled down. I wear it low down on my belly and can cover it with a big raincoat so I just look overweight. Its geared towards constant movement (walking home) and is comfyish to wear.

Its not as big as an assault vest (I have one of those too in DPM and its staying in the garage as it screams ROB ME and looks army).

The thing here is if you're gonna have a camo element to your load carrying kit is to make sure nothing else in your get up looks military like trousers or jacket. The best thing with a chest rig/assault vest is you can make a run for it relative speed if you need to and can always ditch your rucksack for your followers to pick over whilst still keeping some kit about you.

i think a change of colour is definitely in order as i'm not a fan of camo anymore and yes i does make you look like a squaddie.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, Give a man religion and he will starve to death waiting for God to feed him.

Why are stupid people so fertile?
User avatar
Plymtom
Posts: 2670
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:11 pm
Location: Plymouth

Re: Bug Out vest?

Post by Plymtom »

DarkArcher777 wrote:i think a change of colour is definitely in order as i'm not a fan of camo anymore and yes i does make you look like a squaddie.
Duck Dynasty and Wild West Alaska are the best things to happen to Cammo gear IMO I still don't wear it though but it says they know where food comes from, they're not playing soldier they're getting lunch ;)
I have a strategy, it's not written in stone, nor can it be, this scenario has too many variables, everything about it depends on those variables, being specific is not possible.
iceprep

Re: Bug Out vest?

Post by iceprep »

I do like the idea of these and would consider getting one of the black vests, toying with the idea of doing a Coast to Coast run, this may present some solutions for carrying some gear on me. And the price isn't too bad either.

http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/ ... 88011.html
jansman
Posts: 13692
Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:16 pm

Re: Bug Out vest?

Post by jansman »

Those black ones could get you mistaken for a suicide bomber imo.
In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: It goes on.

Robert Frost.

Covid 19: After that level of weirdness ,any situation is certainly possible.

Me.
User avatar
Briggs 2.0
Posts: 675
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:35 am

Re: Bug Out vest?

Post by Briggs 2.0 »

Plymtom wrote:
DarkArcher777 wrote:i think a change of colour is definitely in order as i'm not a fan of camo anymore and yes i does make you look like a squaddie.
Duck Dynasty and Wild West Alaska are the best things to happen to Cammo gear IMO I still don't wear it though but it says they know where food comes from, they're not playing soldier they're getting lunch ;)
Real Men wear RealTree, don't ya know. :-)
Off-Grid & Living Outdoors
User avatar
Plymtom
Posts: 2670
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:11 pm
Location: Plymouth

Re: Bug Out vest?

Post by Plymtom »

Briggs 2.0 wrote:Real Men wear RealTree, don't ya know.
I like it, and yet I don't think I'd feel comfortable in it, being a dedicated avoider of fashion :lol: it's funny because the belt bag and heavy rock t-shirts and hoodies I wear make me stand out a bit, and yet I don't feel out of place, ask me to dress like a soldier, or a hunter, my first thoughts are I would feel like a fraud, my second is I would not blend in, in your little corner of the world Briggs the point is it's yours and you would dress for your activity, could I wear real tree around the town... not without the beard ;)
I have a strategy, it's not written in stone, nor can it be, this scenario has too many variables, everything about it depends on those variables, being specific is not possible.