The Field Gear / Battle Rattle Thread

I've been experimenting with field gear since 1983. I've owned every conceivable type of gear from every conceivable country of origin over the past 33 years. An exorbitant amount of money and time have gone into my current gear selection.

Here's what I've concluded (and own):

COLOR / PATTERN

One color or camo pattern won't work for every season and environment. I've settled on:

COYOTE BROWN or COYOTE TAN... General Purpose Low Profile



MULTICAM ... Fall / Winter & Mixed Urban


WOODLAND ... Spring / Summer


CARRY SYSTEM

How do I carry my gear?

1) Battle Belt
2) Chest System

CHEST SYSTEM OPTIONS

I use different systems for different purposes.

PLATE CARRIER ... Static home defense against armed aggressors.
CHEST RIG ... Mobile and Bug-Out.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is an example of my complete Static Defense / Low Profile multi rifle caliber set up:



PLATE CARRIER

London Bridge 6094A with Spartan Armor Plates
Tactical Tailor Hydration Carrier with Source Bladder
(3) Tactical Tailor Triple Rifle Mag Pouches

Plate Carrier Note: I need to add a dedicated "IFAK blow out" kit.

BATTLE BELT

Tactical Tailor Padded MOLLE
Tactical Tailor Triple Handgun Mag Pouch
Tactical Tailor Triple Rifle Mag Pouch
(Not pictured / installed) 762Tactical Dump Pouch
Diamondback Tactical Utility Pouch
SpecOps Combat Master Sheath
Safariland 6004 Holster
Tactical Tailor Trauma Pouch

Holster Note: I use lightbearing and non-lightbearing holsters. Both are pictured.


This is designed for my 7.62 Scar and all 5.56 Rifles. My other setups are designed for 5.56 only. I also have specialized gear for civilian hiking, etc.

I have complete gear sets in Multicam and Woodland also.

Now it's your turn...post your pics and descriptions.

Amazing in northern minnesota.

The reptilian patterns are very interesting.

I like Greasers color pick.

I've spent a lot of time testing patterns, and every time I determine micro patterns work great at very close range, but don't work as well at distances. Oddly, woodland with its huge pattern almost always comes out on top.

MARPAT is a micro pattern that looks neat, but isn't very functional at over 10 yards.

Were you ever able to test out the Old Vietnam era Tiger stripe pattern?

Multicam has won every time for fall.

The more I look at my Foliage color Malaga the more I like it.

I did test tiger stripe once, and found it to be too dark.

I like Maxped's foliage for civilian usage. It doesn't draw attention but can help conceal you in a mixed environment. It isn't very effective in the woods or during winter. It is a specialized color for me...my EDC where I don't want to look like a crazy camo clad guy.

^^^ Exactly! I just want to look like an old fat guy shuffling along.

My poor wife has had to follow me around dozens of times in dozens of environments taking pictures of me wearing different colors and patterns.

She agrees 100% that:

Woodland is by far the best in spring/summer
Multicam is best in fall/winter

This is an aggregate decision. Some patterns work better for highly specialized environments (e.g. some of the civilian tree patterns work really well if you stand next to a tree, but move into an open field and they fail).

Oddly, another pattern that performed really well in fall was the old Austrian "pea" camo. It's a weird pinkish with purple "blob" pattern that I think heavily influenced multicam.

When I use to contribute to survival forms I probably posted 30+ threads for camo tests.

Found a picture online...

You wouldn't think that ^^^^ would work but it did.

IF I had to choose between the two as my only options, I THINK I would choose the Multicam. Not based on anything scientific, just personal observation/preference. I think that the Multicam would work best as a year round pattern whereas the woodland would stand out in winter specially where the Multicam with it's somewhat lighter colors would look more like debris or dead leaves/limbs.

I could see that pattern working in certain environments. Around here and your Area as well.

Micro patterns like CADPAT, MARPAT, etc all turn into their base color over distance.

Multicam does this to a smaller degree. Multicam appears light tanish at 100+ yards which works well in brown veg. Multicam' advantage is the versatility.

Multicam works well in every environment I've tested it in, but usually isn't the best in green weeds.

If I were going to pick ONE color/pattern it would be Multicam.

ATACS FG is another good "one only" pattern, but the availability of quality gear and uniforms makes it a non starter.

I've said for years that one of the best "Camo" clothing for a "City" setting, specially at night is blue jeans. Dull color, and will blend in with different sections of the city.

EXACTLY!

When I tested ATACS FG it looked really light in summer woodland veg. I felt like an Easter Bunny.

I bet your "Photographer" thought you were a cute bunny though.

It would probably help if you would quit wearing those Footie Pajamas.

Don't judge.

Haha, I was gonna say this from a guy that wears fairy wings! But I thought I looked really cute in them.

I really don't know what to say.

believe it or not one fall up until norther BC my one brother was wearing Tiger stripe and it worked well

One thing that sometimes gets missed is good hunting camouflage

A lot of it is designed to trick hunters into spending more money
however some of it is very good

German flectarn (sp?) Works well around here for a good portion of the year

13 years ago in Hawaii when I was slightly into paintball I liked to wear the tiger stripe camo. I got hit alot because the locals told me "hey bruddah, da yellow in y'camo makes you stick out like a sore tum!" Apparently it looks yellow in a tropical environment.

For spring/summer/fall here on the gulf coast I like woodland. For winter I like faded woodland. I will say that regular woodland and rip-stop woodland fade differently. Regular fades to have a bit of a blue tint to it. Rip-stop is more tan-brown.

The power in the neighborhood just went out. Thank goodness for flashlights!

I still have the tiger stripe camo in my attic.

Adam,
Faded woodland is very effective. The older version of it (after ERDL and before the "current" version) had more brown and less black. I always liked it. Ripstop does fade to a grayish-green-brown.

I've experimented with soaking woodland in a VERY VERY VERY MILD bleach solution. My results weren't great, but I think I could have perfected it.

I've probably tested 30 patterns and colors. I'm totally committed to coyote brown & tan, multicam and woodland.

I love multicam but it is scarce and spendy.

The trouble with the tiger stripe camo is that the pattern runs horizontally, while in Nature most things seem to run vertically.

That's right, they DID run vertically! Duh.

I've pretty much moved all my "Grey Man" clothes to the dark brown spectrum too.

I have two dogs, a solid black (black lab) and a brindle mastiff. when I let them out at night, the brindle (stripes are vertical) is much harder to see than the solid black dog.

In a city environment, maybe blue jeans or khaki pants would offer a better blending combination. But in the suburbs or a lightly wooded neighborhood area I think a person dressed all in dark brown would be a much better option.

Also, why the big trend with tie downs on non-drop sidearm holsters? To me, the straps chafe, restrict movement, and are generally uncomfortable to wear.

I've recently decided to decrease the spare mags carried on my battle belt for my glock 17 to two. Then I filled that recently vacated belt area with another 5.56 mag carrier. I figured that 50 round of 9mm is plenty of ammo for my "last ditch" defensive weapon, but you can NEVER have enough ammo for your primary offensive weapon.

Arch, why no battle belt suspenders? Does the plate carrier interfer or make them to uncomfortable wear? I don't have a plate carrier but back (wayyyyy back) in the day, the old flack vests and pistol belt harnesses where compatable. The suspenders made a handy place to carry a knife and today, a mobile com device. Plus I love how the suspenders make the belt so much more comfortable to wear.

Having tech problems with this forum.

I had a long response but it said it was posted and it is not...

Short version:

The leg strap keeps the holster from flopping around. The holster feels too loose without it.

No suspenders are needed. The belt load isn't that heavy and the belt is padded. I've used many kinds of suspenders, and own a thin pair that is compatible with my PC...just don't need them.

I don't want any superfluous kit.

Side: I prefer to wear my sidearm slightly below my hip line so it's easier to access (esp with a PC). I don't like drop leg, but 3-4 inches below waist line is ideal for me.

My triple HG pouch allows me to carry a flash light in one pouch.

Mastiff, I got a "Leg strap" from Arch a long time ago, and it is the boss for long items, or things you don't want to flop around. The one I got has really good heavy elastic as part of the strap and allows the strap to stretch with you as your leg moves and as you squat/set down. It's really comfy.

They also have a non-slip coating on the inside...keeps them from riding up.

What knife you have in the pic Gary? Rodent 6?

Yeah I had forgot about that. THAT is a very important part of it as well. It won't slide down your leg thereby making it tighten up from sliding down like paracord or something will.

Rich, yes sir - Rodent 6. Perfect knife for a battle belt.

OR maybe the S6! I MIGHT change out my Muppy on the Malaga for my S6. What do you think?

The S6 is a beast, and would be a good choice. I have no experience with the Muppy.

The Mud Puppy is a really good knife. 3.5 inch 154CM blade with mudders. I REALLY like this knife but the more I thought about it the more I thought it might not be enough knife for a Just In Case.

I am sure that the S5 or the War Dog would work just as well and either one of them would be longer bladed. I'm just not totally sure, the S5, S6, Muppy or Wardog. BUT for some reason I just don't think I would be comfortable batoning the Wardog. I know that sounds stupit, but...

My bad news knives are my Bandicoot or Winkler Belt Knife. Both are great blades.

Ideally I would like to use my Boss Street, but at .220 inch it is just heavier than I like in a knife that size.

Just looked at the SMKW site. I can get the Pathfinder canteen cookset (39oz wide mouth canteen, 25oz cup, stove (all nesting together, with the carrier for $50.00). I can add the canteen lid and bottle hanger and get it all for $60.00. IF I remember correctly, I can get a Military discount so it will be less than that. So I think that is the way I will go. I can put it on my Malaga OR on the belt. We will see.

I've found that multi-cam is my general use. Woodland for spring summer. I also love A-tac FG but never have found it available on the gear I like.

GD, don't know what you are looking for, but try here.
http://www.militaryluggage.com/A-TACS-Bags-Packs-Cases-s/1857.htm

GD,
I'm the same as you: MC for general (and fall/winter), woodland for spring/summer.

I also love A-Tacs FG, but the cost of clothing is really high and gear is non-existent....in the style and quality I demand.

You can mix coyote brown and/or tan in with any of the above.

If I were going to pick one it would be MC.

I think you should go ahead and pick. On a completely unrelated note, know anybody that has some woodland gear (not clothing) that needs a new home?

Adam,
I have some extra woodland gear...PM me what you're looking for.

I think multiple patterns are warranted in my AO.

I agree, but the army loves multicam. I can't have that stuff in my house.

I liked it before that.

For the record, I don't like MARPAT either. I dislike it slightly less than I do ACU.

Hahahahaha

Just cause you're a Jarhead you think all the other services are Pansies! I'll have you know we're not! I (Air Force Retiree) had to suffer through a week long stay in the hospital in SEVERE pain!
Worse hang nail I ever had.

I remember that! They were talking about lowering the flag to half staff to honor your bravery. I heard that you went back to work after only a two week recovery time. The courage and dedication that must take is amazing.

Did you get any disability for that?

During one of those times where people were shooting at each other (Dessert Storm?). My unit was forward deployed to Germany. When we arrived, I found the air conditioning was broken in my hotel room. Luckily, the concierge found a fan for me to use for the two days it took to fix the A/C.

But even with the fan, the ice in my iced tea melted at an alarming rate. I even sweated a few times! I just attributed it to the horrors of war and suffered in silence.

I think trying to force one pattern of camo is unrealistic unless you're in Antarctica or CERTAIN PARTS of a desert (even deserts have varying vegetation). WW2 Germany had "reversible" camo wherein one side was Spring/Summer and the other Fall/Winter. They also issued one side white / one side camo.

I don't necessary advocate reversible, but multiple patterns is required for most of us. In my area we experience:

Winters = brown trees, dead brown brush, green conifers.
Spring = lush green trees, brush, and multicolored flowering trees.
Summer = dark green trees, matured dark brush.
Autumn = multicolored deciduous leaves, dying brush, green conifers.

All seasons have agricultural fields (corn and soybean)...so mud, bright green starts, dark green plants, and brown died in place plants.

To accommodate the varying environment I have to have multiple options.

Woodland is extremely effective in summer, and effective in spring.
Multicam is extremely effective in late fall, and effective in winter.
White is extremely effective in...snow.

If I wanted to have five patterns this is what I'd have...

Snow = Whites / Splinter Whites
Winter = ATACs
Spring = CADPAT Danish M84 or ATACS FG
Summer = Woodland
Fall = Multicam

This would be a monumental logistical issue, and would cost a fortune. That's why I've settled on Multicam and Woodland. They're readily available, and 100% functional.


EDIT: I wrote CADPAT, but meant Dane 84.

Danish M/84 is a neat BRIGHT SPRING GREEN pattern. I had bought some CADPAT to test hence my comment above. The Danish M84 was much more effective, and insanely hard to get.

CADPAT is a micro pattern, which generally speaking I've found to be effective at close range, but dismal at distance.

M84 is a macro pattern, and more effective.

I like all this gear talk, even if I don't now what some of them are. It's nice to have dreams that can be somewhat realized.

IF I could just find a buyer for my other kidney I'd be able to get all the gear I (Probably won't) need, but would like anyway.

I also found a set of suspenders (H harness) to attach to the web belt. Forgot I had that. Maybe I DO have the fixins for a good Belt Order setup. I've got a few pouches I can stuff all kinds of things in.

SO I found a pack I referenced in another thread, and My Web belt with two Canteens with nesting cups. The H harness (OR Y harness, don't remember which). At least 4 pouches about the size of a canteen carrier. Hmmmm I guess now I need to concentrate on a holster for my Beretta PX4 and mag pouches.
I have a molle vest (civilian version, SWAT Black) that I was setting up for a Grab and go vest for my 9mm pistol and carbine setup. BUT I was never really satisfied with it. Now this Belt and harness set up I found MIGHT be just what I was wanting for this combo. I've got a nice Blackhawk "Butt" pack I could put on it between the canteens and that would let me carry a ton of more stuff.

Hmmm think on this I must.

According to Gary I have the ALICE 2 belt, the poly whatever web belt with the plastic buckle and all those eyelets surrounding the belt. Oh and I've also got a REAL OLD Cotton belt. Now that one is comfy! BUT I kinda baby it cause I don't think it will last all that much longer if I started using it to much. Oh and I've got this molly "Converter" that will allow you to attach a regular knife sheath to molly gear.

I will have to get to brain storming all this stuff once we get back from the Smoky Mtns.

During the Air Force chocolate chip era (six color desert camo pattern) which was replaced by the desert camo uniform (three color pattern), we used a green checked poncho/pants for desert nighttime camo. Was supposed to defeat night scopes used at the time.

So even the best seasonal daytime camouflage pattern may be unsuitable during nighttime ops.

"Night Desert".

I liked the smock.

I remember those! Had a pair once. Made the mistake of putting them in the dryer and they "Shrunk" up. They'd probably fit Gary if I still had them.

Funny, kind of story.

When Hurricane Andrew tore up South Florida I got sent down there from Pope AFB (Think Ft. Brag) to be one of the folks overseeing the flghtline operations to get everything up and operational. We had to get runway/parking areas for the planes fixed and cleaned up of debris. Had to get all the runway/taxiway/parking ramp lights replaced and operational and all kinds of stuff. I spend severall hours over the month in a Huey/Kiowa flying over the airfield at night counting operational lights so we would know what classification we were up to.

ANYWAY, somewhere along the line someone stole my uniform cap (we were wearing woodland camo BDU's. Well I of course got yelled at by a butter bar (2lt). I tried telling him it got stolen but he didn't care, he WAS an officer after all. Well I went over to what was left of the supply building and finally found a boonie hat IN DESERT CAMO! After about a week everybody knew that AF Sgt wearing Woodland Camo with a Desert camo hat. Heck, even the General gave me a hard time (good naturedly, he understood). That's where I kyped er ah aquired one of my web belts (I actually have 3) Oh and the Generals 2qt canteen. Hey, he was a General they would get him another one.

So the truth comes out...

I just wanted your tax dollars bought equipment to get used and not just rot away into nothingness.

Skunk you ever work with any ALCE/TALCE units?

Yes, I was associated with them while stationed at Pope. I was also used to picking up objects that weren't there from the special ops ramp! I think the change to jeans and flannel shirts were a nice touch. But I think the beards might have been rather hot.

Of course IF that were to have ever happened.