Bug Out Vest?

Jake Balam · March 21, 2011, 01:11 AM

So my boss on a whim bought me this http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/VEST160-1.html

While I think its cool, and it is a gift I appreciate, I don't see myself commandoing out and wearing this to the range every tuesday (but who knows, I might)

So, my question is, has anyone ever thought of a bug out vest?

What would you put in all those pockets.

I have a few extra mags, not enough that I would want to keep my vest stocked at all times.

I don't own a rifle, so all those AR 15 mag holders are free.

So, any suggestions?

Navy joe · March 21, 2011, 01:39 AM

First I'd trade it for a wearable that might keep me warm, a little dry and look a little less obvious. Army field jacket is pretty good, need something other than camo though. There are plenty of commercial jackets out there with lots of pockets that don't look GI Joe. Pockets will have an Adventure Medical Bivvy sack, same brand emergency blanket, a few heavy duty contractor trash bags, 50ft of paracord rolled up, little basic survival kit, spare knife, and a vacuum bagged firestarting kit.

egor20 · March 21, 2011, 01:48 AM

One of my farm hands wears one of these.

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=406533

It doesn't scream "Mall Ninja Rambo. You can wear it around the "Polite" people, and still have a somewhat "Bug Out" system.

Jake Balam · March 21, 2011, 02:57 AM

Ya, but again this was a gift from my boss who supplies my ammo and signs my paycheck, can't trade it or buy a new one

gearhounds · March 21, 2011, 05:48 AM

These vests have their uses, generally to be put on before a known op or action. Since I wear a duty belt, I would have use for the holster, but for a specialized action, the rifle mag pockets are nice.

We carry a jump bag in our cruisers that contain spare pistol and rifle mags, box of pistol ammo, blood clot trama kit, maybe a granola bar or two, small bottle of water.

Yellowfin · March 21, 2011, 12:50 PM

Things I put in chest rig pouches for various purposes, depending on what I'm doing, as when not in range use it's my field pack for hunting and hiking:

1) First aid stuff like Israeli bandages, emergency heat blanket, hemostat, small bandages, tape, etc.
2) spare flashlight
3) spare poncho
4) spare knife
5) a bundle of cord/thin rope
6) distress signal whistle
7) zip ties and marking tape
8) snacks

Chest rigs are GREAT for hunting, and it really surprises me more places like Cabela's and Bass Pro don't make them instead of fanny packs and their other belt harnesses which have everything backwards and out of reach instead of immediately handy and out of the way of your backpack, treestand, rifle sling, etc.

phenrichs · March 21, 2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Things I put in chest rig pouches for various purposes, depending on what I'm doing, as when not in range use it's my field pack for hunting and hiking:

1) First aid stuff like Israeli bandages, emergency heat blanket, hemostat, small bandages, tape, etc.
2) spare flashlight
3) spare poncho
4) spare knife
5) a bundle of cord/thin rope
6) distress signal whistle
7) zip ties and marking tape
8) snacks

Chest rigs are GREAT for hunting, and it really surprises me more places like Cabela's and Bass Pro don't make them instead of fanny packs and their other belt harnesses which have everything backwards and out of reach instead of immediately handy and out of the way of your backpack, treestand, rifle sling, etc.

+1

DAdams · March 21, 2011, 01:41 PM

I bought one myself just for the heck of it. Actually I bought it last year as part of my Ultra Right Wing Halloween outfit, and I was able to wear it again after a November Election celebration party. Most people are fascintated to know such things are available to the general populace.

I have used parts of it in a Maxpedition bag I carry for emergency purposes/day hikes.

Get an AR or Mini so you can use those large magazine holders.

Put it on a hanger and clip on a pair of pants and head profile and put it a semi dark room to chase off possible intruders.

If things did get ugly in reality I would wear it. Stuffed mostly with magazines and the holster would take a PM9 or BERSA Thunder easily. I have set of 5 mile walkies, there is a space for those too.

They are not that expensive so I guess if you do nothing with it, it is no big deal. Not something you can wear to the mall or grocery store without raising a ruckus.

egor20 · March 21, 2011, 01:50 PM

Put it on a hanger and clip on a pair of pants and head profile and put it a semi dark room to chase off possible intruders.

I had a lousy day today, Thanks....... I needed the laugh.

Claude Clay · March 21, 2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

What would you put in all those pockets.

in one pocket goes the list of whats in all the other pockets

BitterTait · March 21, 2011, 07:29 PM

Cleaning supplies.

Picked up a chest bandoleer on surplus on a lark quite some time ago. Had no real reason for it, just thought I'd get $3 worth of amusement out of it. Ended up setting it up as a Tactical Cleaning Chest Harness. Various cleaning fluids, sponges, rags, trash bags (including one hanging in literal dump pouch configuration), and a CO2 BB pistol in the hoster, with CO2 cylender but no BB's for high-impact, low-drag de-dusting. The radio pouch fit the MP3 player, and the mag pouches granola bars for impromptu snack breaks.

Not only did it help speed up cleaning, the look on the housemate's faces was priceless.

Navy joe · March 21, 2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Cleaning supplies.

Picked up a chest bandoleer on surplus on a lark quite some time ago. Had no real reason for it, just thought I'd get $3 worth of amusement out of it. Ended up setting it up as a Tactical Cleaning Chest Harness. Various cleaning fluids, sponges, rags, trash bags (including one hanging in literal dump pouch configuration), and a CO2 BB pistol in the hoster, with CO2 cylender but no BB's for high-impact, low-drag de-dusting. The radio pouch fit the MP3 player, and the mag pouches granola bars for impromptu snack breaks.

Not only did it help speed up cleaning, the look on the housemate's faces was priceless.

Pretty funny. I think you could be a youtube star were you to produce a tactical home cleaning video. Be sure to pie those corners before you dust them.

Yellowfin · March 24, 2011, 09:41 AM

Big +1 on surplus rigs. I picked one up a couple weeks ago and the shipping cost as much as the item did, it was that affordable--and shipping is that expensive these days, but oh well. I'm definitely planning on getting a couple of extras to use for grab and go first aid kits to keep in cars, and maybe one extra.

Ben Brown · March 29, 2011, 11:35 PM

I tend to carry most of my bug out gear daily on my person and in my briefcase or backpack. Not paranoid, its just that most of the stuff that's really useful is useful most days (knives, multi-tools, fire starters) thus it's tested and I'm familiar with their use.

March 21, 2011, 01:11 AM	#1
Jake Balam Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: 360 Washington Posts: 160	Bug Out Vest? So my boss on a whim bought me this http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/VEST160-1.html While I think its cool, and it is a gift I appreciate, I don't see myself commandoing out and wearing this to the range every tuesday (but who knows, I might) So, my question is, has anyone ever thought of a bug out vest? What would you put in all those pockets. I have a few extra mags, not enough that I would want to keep my vest stocked at all times. I don't own a rifle, so all those AR 15 mag holders are free. So, any suggestions? __________________ Patiently awaiting the zombie apacolypse.

March 21, 2011, 01:39 AM	#2
Navy joe Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2001 Location: VA, USA Posts: 1,804	First I'd trade it for a wearable that might keep me warm, a little dry and look a little less obvious. Army field jacket is pretty good, need something other than camo though. There are plenty of commercial jackets out there with lots of pockets that don't look GI Joe. Pockets will have an Adventure Medical Bivvy sack, same brand emergency blanket, a few heavy duty contractor trash bags, 50ft of paracord rolled up, little basic survival kit, spare knife, and a vacuum bagged firestarting kit. __________________ FY47012

March 21, 2011, 01:48 AM	#3
egor20 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,824	One of my farm hands wears one of these. http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=406533 It doesn't scream "Mall Ninja Rambo. You can wear it around the "Polite" people, and still have a somewhat "Bug Out" system. __________________ Chief stall mucker and grain chef Country don't mean dumb. Steven King. The Stand

March 21, 2011, 02:57 AM	#4
Jake Balam Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: 360 Washington Posts: 160	Ya, but again this was a gift from my boss who supplies my ammo and signs my paycheck, can't trade it or buy a new one __________________ Patiently awaiting the zombie apacolypse.

March 21, 2011, 05:48 AM	#5
gearhounds Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2011 Location: M'burg WV Posts: 332	These vests have their uses, generally to be put on before a known op or action. Since I wear a duty belt, I would have use for the holster, but for a specialized action, the rifle mag pockets are nice. We carry a jump bag in our cruisers that contain spare pistol and rifle mags, box of pistol ammo, blood clot trama kit, maybe a granola bar or two, small bottle of water. __________________ Busting thugs since 1992

March 21, 2011, 12:50 PM	#6
Yellowfin Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2007 Location: Lancaster Co, PA Posts: 2,311	Things I put in chest rig pouches for various purposes, depending on what I'm doing, as when not in range use it's my field pack for hunting and hiking: 1) First aid stuff like Israeli bandages, emergency heat blanket, hemostat, small bandages, tape, etc. 2) spare flashlight 3) spare poncho 4) spare knife 5) a bundle of cord/thin rope 6) distress signal whistle 7) zip ties and marking tape 8) snacks Chest rigs are GREAT for hunting, and it really surprises me more places like Cabela's and Bass Pro don't make them instead of fanny packs and their other belt harnesses which have everything backwards and out of reach instead of immediately handy and out of the way of your backpack, treestand, rifle sling, etc. __________________ Students for Concealed Carry on Campus http://www.concealedcampus.org "You can't stop insane people from doing insane things by passing insane laws--that's insane!" - Penn Jillette

March 21, 2011, 01:41 PM	#8
DAdams Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2007 Location: East TN Posts: 521	I bought one myself just for the heck of it. Actually I bought it last year as part of my Ultra Right Wing Halloween outfit, and I was able to wear it again after a November Election celebration party. Most people are fascintated to know such things are available to the general populace. I have used parts of it in a Maxpedition bag I carry for emergency purposes/day hikes. Get an AR or Mini so you can use those large magazine holders. Put it on a hanger and clip on a pair of pants and head profile and put it a semi dark room to chase off possible intruders. If things did get ugly in reality I would wear it. Stuffed mostly with magazines and the holster would take a PM9 or BERSA Thunder easily. I have set of 5 mile walkies, there is a space for those too. They are not that expensive so I guess if you do nothing with it, it is no big deal. Not something you can wear to the mall or grocery store without raising a ruckus.

March 21, 2011, 01:50 PM	#9
egor20 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,824	*Put it on a hanger and clip on a pair of pants and head profile and put it a semi dark room to chase off possible intruders.* I had a lousy day today, Thanks....... I needed the laugh. __________________ Chief stall mucker and grain chef Country don't mean dumb. Steven King. The Stand

March 21, 2011, 07:29 PM	#11
BitterTait Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 144	Not the answer you were looking for, but Cleaning supplies. Picked up a chest bandoleer on surplus on a lark quite some time ago. Had no real reason for it, just thought I'd get $3 worth of amusement out of it. Ended up setting it up as a Tactical Cleaning Chest Harness. Various cleaning fluids, sponges, rags, trash bags (including one hanging in literal dump pouch configuration), and a CO2 BB pistol in the hoster, with CO2 cylender but no BB's for high-impact, low-drag de-dusting. The radio pouch fit the MP3 player, and the mag pouches granola bars for impromptu snack breaks. Not only did it help speed up cleaning, the look on the housemate's faces was priceless. __________________ Powered by VI!

March 24, 2011, 09:41 AM	#13
Yellowfin Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2007 Location: Lancaster Co, PA Posts: 2,311	Big +1 on surplus rigs. I picked one up a couple weeks ago and the shipping cost as much as the item did, it was that affordable--and shipping is that expensive these days, but oh well. I'm definitely planning on getting a couple of extras to use for grab and go first aid kits to keep in cars, and maybe one extra. __________________ Students for Concealed Carry on Campus http://www.concealedcampus.org "You can't stop insane people from doing insane things by passing insane laws--that's insane!" - Penn Jillette

March 29, 2011, 11:35 PM	#14
Ben Brown Junior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Posts: 3	Bug out I tend to carry most of my bug out gear daily on my person and in my briefcase or backpack. Not paranoid, its just that most of the stuff that's really useful is useful most days (knives, multi-tools, fire starters) thus it's tested and I'm familiar with their use.