Bug Out vest?

[DarkArcher777]

I have an army assualt vest with built in water bladder that i havent used since my cadet and airsoft days and was wondering what you all thought about the idea of a bug out vest. I know this isnt a new idea but for a short term bug out i think it may work. The weight is evenly distibuted across your body and it is far easier to find what your looking for quickly it can also carry a daysack on the back single or double. what do you all think? All input is welcome

Dark Archer

[DarkArcher777]

this is a picture of the assualt vest i have.

http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/ ... wgod51IA9A

[Devonian]

Pretty sure there's been a discussion on this recently, but opinions are divided.

For me it's not something that I would ever consider, for me it sends out totally the wrong message about who you are, and worse still has the potential to make you a target for those low lives who want what you are carrying as you are very clearly 'geared up' and must carrying items that will be useful to them....

I prefer to keep a low profile and will stick to an discrete backpack like 95% of the population.

[DarkArcher777]

Pretty sure there's been a discussion on this recently, but opinions are divided.

For me it's not something that I would ever consider, for me it sends out totally the wrong message about who you are, and worse still has the potential to make you a target for those low lives who want what you are carrying as you are very clearly 'geared up' and must carrying items that will be useful to them....

I prefer to keep a low profile and will stick to an discrete backpack like 95% of the population.

thats a very good point not sometihmg i had considered

[jansman]

Now I used to have one of these and it is rather spacious. Especially the water bladder. However,I am very 'Grey Man' these days, so I have a green photographer/fishing vest-a bit like your Dad wears(who am I kidding! ). *I * have the opinion that the military look could cause you problems SHTF. But please do not let that stop you from developing your kit. I think the vest(however you do it) is a good lightweight proposition. I do not like the idea of 70lb bug out bags!
What will you carry?

[DarkArcher777]

i would still want to have a bug out bag ready the vest would be more of a 24 hour kit or even a car option. i want it tocontain everything to sustain me for 24 hours

[jansman]

I think that with some thought, that vest could sustain you for 72 hrs. Statistically that is the time for most emergencies. Aviators use these. I remember reading about an Alaskan pilot who lasted three weeks in the wilderness as a result of his survival vest. He had to ditch his plane and he was wearing his kit.
My own vest carries a swiss army knife(a proper one) a lighter(disposable) a magnesium firestarter, a match safe, an LED Lenser torch, a whistle,2 mylar space blankets ,a good length of paracord, 2 heavy duty bin bags, a Shemagh, an army poncho, small first aid kit, Trangia mess tin, Sawyer water filter/syphon pipe and a nalgene water bottle. Also some tea bags and a couple of lifeboat rations. Some cash also.
All packed into that fishing vest, no one would know what you are carrying-and you look like... Your Dad!

[Moxy]

I have been dreaming of getting the civilian lab covert rg loader but its a bit pricey for me right now. Not sure of the amount of space in it but I'm sure by putting your mind to it you could rig it up as a 'get home vest'. It looks to be nice and discreet hence the 'covert' so shouldn't draw too much attention, which the assault vest definitely would. Worth a look anyway.

[Plymtom]

I like the grey man approach being stuck in a city, however these vests with all the bells and whistles appeal to the gear nerd side of us all, so lets imagine a compromise.. an over coat or cape type thing, or one of those fold up rucksacks to stick it in, a nice strong supermarket bag weathered so you look like a tramp but once away from danger you can wear your kit all organized.

[IfInDoubt]

I used to have a web-tex (shudder) version of this vest, It was actually pretty well thought out and used to live in the boot of my vehicle as a 'get home vest' it held a LMan wave and Surefire 9p on the right hand top, head torch and prismatic compass on the left hand top, the larger six pockets (dividers removed in magazine pockets) held, waterbottle and cup, poncho+cordage, firelighting kit. hi energy food, compact binoculars and a med/trauma kit, tucked inside were a pair of gloves and hat suitable to the season, even with the 2 litre(ish) bladder it didn't weigh much and felt as though I could move pretty well with it.

I do agree though that if you were hiking along the motorway wearing a DPM vest you would attract some unwanted attention however the genius is that 1) it an be worn under an oversized coat (or the poncho) and/or 2) the exact same vest is available in black or very similar styles available in hi-viz yellow.

I think the idea has some merit