FL Survival / A Survival Community
Survival Gear, Weapons & Deals => The Gear Rack => : Sentry September 10, 2014, 12:55:17 PM
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http://offgridsurvival.com/militarybags-vs-civilianbackpacks/
Military, hiking or hunting packs; which backpack is going to hold up when you need it and which pack is right for your unique situation? Both have their pros and cons, and to really figure out what’s right, you need to know exactly what you’ll be using it for.
•Are you planning to use this bag on a regular basis? Is it something you plan on carrying in and out of work, school, or wherever you travel?
•Is this bag’s primary purpose bugging out?
•How much gear do you plan on carrying, and how important is organization?
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My addiction uncovered....... I seem to feel a pressing need to have one of every kind.
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Something to think about..
Using a military pack for a temporary bug out situation or even a get home bag definitely has its benefits. One of the things that concerns me the most about them is that they attract attention..Sometimes not in a good way either.
I used to carry one as a day pack on trails and I would get all kinds of comments about "oh you look prepared.." "I know who to find if I need something."
Sounds silly but this can put you in a tricky situation if not careful.
I prefer day packs, They allow you to be more gray man IMO. For long term SHTF I will take my military bag, but for my 72hr BoB I just use a 35l day pack.
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My GHB is a racquetball bag. Holds what I need to get home, but small. My BOB is a woodland camo Molle Riflemans pack. Not sure I would carry it very far, but I have a number of 2 wheeled carts that do not put much stress on my bad back.
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I have always heard the argument (as posted by hiking4life above) that you may draw unwanted attention if you have a military style pack. I was thinking about that. I wonder if carrying a techie, military style pack would make you less of a target because you look more badass? Just a thought.
Personally, I think you would be a big target no matter what type of backpack you have. Well, the first three days you'd be OK, but after that you'd be a target.
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I agree with Ex. Anyone who even has the appearance of possessing resources of any type will be a target, and the longer an event drags on, the more this will be true. I also think there will be an appearance of being a badass like he suggested, but after enough time, people are going to risk taking on the badass looking dude (or chick) for a possible meal.
It's my opinion that the best bag to have is the one that will hold up the longest, after being put through all kinds of hell. It just so happens that bags like that are military (or utilitarian at best) in origin or style. That's just the price you pay. Of course, there are exceptions, but you will pay a premium for that.
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I agree with Ex. Anyone who even has the appearance of possessing resources of any type will be a target, and the longer an event drags on, the more this will be true. I also think there will be an appearance of being a badass like he suggested, but after enough time, people are going to risk taking on the badass looking dude (or chick) for a possible meal.
It's my opinion that the best bag to have is the one that will hold up the longest, after being put through all kinds of hell. It just so happens that bags like that are military (or utilitarian at best) in origin or style. That's just the price you pay. Of course, there are exceptions, but you will pay a premium for that.
I could be wrong. But you just contradicted yourself.... Im confused ???
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I could be wrong. But you just contradicted yourself.... Im confused ???
Mission accomplished.
I guess my ultimate point is that if you look supplied, you will be a target. The style of your bag won't much matter.
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Something to think about..
Using a military pack for a temporary bug out situation or even a get home bag definitely has its benefits. One of the things that concerns me the most about them is that they attract attention..Sometimes not in a good way either.
I used to carry one as a day pack on trails and I would get all kinds of comments about "oh you look prepared."
Military gear looks like military gear because it's either OD green or it has a camo pattern.
So if you don't want to look like you're ready for WWIII but still prefer the durability and utility of military gear - DYE IT A DIFFERENT COLOR.
Brown, black, gray, etc., - single neutral or earthtone colors (aside from green) don't suggest "military" but they still don't stand out...
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Something to think about..
Using a military pack for a temporary bug out situation or even a get home bag definitely has its benefits. One of the things that concerns me the most about them is that they attract attention..Sometimes not in a good way either.
I used to carry one as a day pack on trails and I would get all kinds of comments about "oh you look prepared."
Military gear looks like military gear because it's either OD green or it has a camo pattern.
So if you don't want to look like you're ready for WWIII but still prefer the durability and utility of military gear - DYE IT A DIFFERENT COLOR.
Brown, black, gray, etc., - single neutral or earthtone colors (aside from green) don't suggest "military" but they still don't stand out...
Mine is black..But it still has the military style, which is what I was referring too..
I've seen plenty of military gear in black, brown, gray, etc..
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The last few I have purchased have been in Coyote. It is a darker sand color, not quite brown. I like it because it blends well with the underbrush in this area.
I honestly believe we over-think some of this stuff.
We worry how our pack will "appear" when we should be focusing on not being seen. :D
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The last few I have purchased have been in Coyote. It is a darker sand color, not quite brown. I like it because it blends well with the underbrush in this area.
I honestly believe we over-think some of this stuff.
We worry how our pack will "appear" when we should be focusing on not being seen. :D
I agree, just wanted to give a side view of what it would look like with a military bag in the middle of densely populated city or suburban area :D
I'll stick with my backpacking knowledge ;)
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Something to think about..
Using a military pack for a temporary bug out situation or even a get home bag definitely has its benefits. One of the things that concerns me the most about them is that they attract attention..Sometimes not in a good way either.
I used to carry one as a day pack on trails and I would get all kinds of comments about "oh you look prepared."
Military gear looks like military gear because it's either OD green or it has a camo pattern.
So if you don't want to look like you're ready for WWIII but still prefer the durability and utility of military gear - DYE IT A DIFFERENT COLOR.
Brown, black, gray, etc., - single neutral or earthtone colors (aside from green) don't suggest "military" but they still don't stand out...
Mine is black..But it still has the military style, which is what I was referring too..
I've seen plenty of military gear in black, brown, gray, etc..
I know that milgear can come in those colors. I'm talking about the PERCEPTION of it being military equipment.
An ALICE pack in OD green or a camo pattern LOOKS LIKE A PIECE OF MILITARY GEAR. Dye it brown or gray and it just looks like an old backpack - maybe left over from when you were in the Boy Scouts.
To most people.
Especially at a distance.
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Thats my thinking... The average person doesnt have a clue what Military Pack lOoks like.... Now If I add other battle rattle to it, it might raise some eye brows....\
Think about it,
SHTF, you are bugging out. Are you really walking around in your beach shorts sun visor, weapon packed away? I think not... If its hit the fan, who cares what you look like? Its about being defensive, protecting what you have. If you are concerned with people figuring out that you are the only person on the road that day that might have something, because you have a back pack... Then you are better off sitting out the game that day...
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If TSHTF and I have to walk out, I am going to try to avoid trouble (and other people) as much as possible. I'll be wearing low-key, nondescript clothing with colors that don't draw attention. I will be wearing a single, small rucksack (my BOB) and my defensive weapon will be a 9mm in a waistband holster uunder my shirt.
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I will be wearing a hospital gown (open in the back) and trailing "Quarantine/ hazmat" tape stuck to one foot.
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I will be wearing a hospital gown (open in the back) and trailing "Quarantine/ hazmat" tape stuck to one foot.
Oh yeah baby show that tail, that way all the pervs chase you and not me...
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I forgot to mention the big fake skin lesions and hacking cough.
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That would probably work. Noone would come near you. I heard somewhere a plan to mimic a homeless person....
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Gonna order signs from the CDC to put around the house.... "Infectious disease quarantine area- do not approach" That plus some quarantine flagging....... maybe a skeleton in a hazmat suit (with a tear in it) to drape dramatically across the front step
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Something to think about..
Using a military pack for a temporary bug out situation or even a get home bag definitely has its benefits. One of the things that concerns me the most about them is that they attract attention..Sometimes not in a good way either.
I used to carry one as a day pack on trails and I would get all kinds of comments about "oh you look prepared.." "I know who to find if I need something."
Sounds silly but this can put you in a tricky situation if not careful.
I prefer day packs, They allow you to be more gray man IMO. For long term SHTF I will take my military bag, but for my 72hr BoB I just use a 35l day pack.
not one question to me on my keltyfalcon while humpingit along the FT.
i see plenty of alice packs...and other "military" gear on the trails though.
camo is common even in school bags.
how you carry yourself is what will raise flags shtf..a pack is a pack
"whats homey got in there.." is the key thought process not " oh look he's got a multicam tactical tailor three day ruck he must be ready for shtf..lets attack him.."
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i think if your really interested in looking inconspicious carry a guitar shoulder case... nobody will even notice a duffas dumb enough to carry a guitar when shtf.. but on the interm i do have both types of cases military and civilian hicking packs depending on the situation like a ghb is military and my bob is but the family has regular hikeing bags so i can go either way... If your a lone wolf looking like you have stuff no matter how bad ass you look a group of people semi armed with half a brain could ambush you.... but the reality is in the long term the only people left will be the wolves so it wont matter what you look like i think you will need the gear that will last...
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I will be wearing a hospital gown (open in the back) and trailing "Quarantine/ hazmat" tape stuck to one foot.
Thats actually pretty good. Unless you travel through crazy town, then you might have followers... We may as call you Twitter then... ;)
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Something to think about..
Using a military pack for a temporary bug out situation or even a get home bag definitely has its benefits. One of the things that concerns me the most about them is that they attract attention..Sometimes not in a good way either.
I used to carry one as a day pack on trails and I would get all kinds of comments about "oh you look prepared.." "I know who to find if I need something."
Sounds silly but this can put you in a tricky situation if not careful.
I prefer day packs, They allow you to be more gray man IMO. For long term SHTF I will take my military bag, but for my 72hr BoB I just use a 35l day pack.
not one question to me on my keltyfalcon while humpingit along the FT.
i see plenty of alice packs...and other "military" gear on the trails though.
camo is common even in school bags.
how you carry yourself is what will raise flags shtf..a pack is a pack
"whats homey got in there.." is the key thought process not " oh look he's got a multicam tactical tailor three day ruck he must be ready for shtf..lets attack him.."
I think that's true. The way you act and move through an area will attract more attention than what you carry. I still contend that the first three days you'll likely be able to travel without incident... in most areas. Of course there are certain areas now that I wouldn't walk through, with a pack or without!
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Expendable, I think you are totally correct. There are places that will "take a while" to become dangerous and there are places even cops are afraid to go into now.....................
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Expendable, I think you are totally correct. There are places that will "take a while" to become dangerous and there are places even cops are afraid to go into now.....................
both are correct here... i do believe after the 3 day mark its going to be the sheeple panic day... even when Wilma blew thru here it was pretty much a jovial experience until around the 2nd night going into the 3 day people started to get a little stressed/panicky you could feel it and hear it in there voices when we were hanging out talking at our make shift coffee stand in front of the house... long term saying about a week or so without any facilities or services and no hope i believe no matter what you carry you present yourself as a possible target for any desperate person or vigilante looking for targets of opportunity... this being in a normal suburbia reaction from normal people... things will be differant in those neighborhoods where even right now under normal conditions cops or normal people wont go into.... but eventually those people will be wondering out of their hell holes either on foot or however and bringing their troubles to other neighborhoods..
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Been hunting some of the surplus stores and scored some nice bags. Picked up two USMC Assault packs ($35 a piece) and a Tactical Tailor Malice pack ($70). The Malice pack had some stitching failure but Tactical Tailor has a lifetime warranty so sent it back to them and just received it back like brand new, zero out of pocket they picked up shipping.
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I'm throwing into myakka's thought, who plans on being seen! I have two of the large Alice packs. Off the internet complete with frames for $21ea. plus shipping. They both had little if any wear. Both had a name spray painted. I've not even bothered to paint them out. I have 26 miles to go when I start. Wife is on board with the logical aspects. She has also been nursing for 25 years and knows meds and built up a substantial supply. The doc she has worked for has been real good about making her diagnose symptoms and treat various needs over the years. Youngest son is also on board and is in much better shape than I am. When you deer hunt the idea is not to be seen. Son and I have and can take deer when we want them. The biggest two needs for the first year we have in place are water and shelter. Back off and not seen from the road. The entrance to the 23 acres is overgrown and does not look used. I also have several large cedar logs up the hill from the entrance to be rolled into place making it less enticing to enter.