Tactical Vest: Practical and Nifty, or Overkill?
Aug 11, 2014 18:34:30 GMT 10
You Must Enter A Name, Frank, and 1 more like this
Post by Ausprep on Aug 11, 2014 18:34:30 GMT 10
Source: preparedforthat.com/tactical-vest-practical-nifty-tacticool-overkill/
Tactical vests are intended to make it simple to carry extra magazines, flashlights, canteens, and a variety of other objects and tools that you might need on a moment’s notice. Basically an extension of your survival backpack, a vest allows you to keep important or commonly used items ready to roll without needing to spend 10 minutes digging through pockets to find your multitool or an extra magazine. As such, they’re often extremely helpful for those who serve in the military as they’re often called to go into a combat arena where seconds count an digging through a pack is simply not possible. For a prepper, though, is an expensive vest truly going to be useful or is it too much? Let’s take a look and see if you need a tactical vest or if it’s just a “nice to have”.
The Common Uses for Tactical Vests
To determine whether or not a vest is practical, it’s best to see what they’re usually used for. Here are some of the more common uses:
Help carrying additional items. Whether you use MOLLE velcro strips or pouches and clips, a vest is usually used to carry various useful items outside of your backpack.
Quick access to basic supplies. As mentioned above, tactical vests are great for keeping certain useful items within reach.
Quick to put on and light. In the event of a need to quickly grab gear and run off into the night, you may not even have the luxury of grabbing a heavy backpack. Being able to count on a few essentials in your vest can make it easier to get out the door quickly without loosing all of your supplies.
Concealment for weapons. Although some use the vest to help hold weapons in the open, others like the way that some vests cover holstered pistols and other weapons and take advantage of that fact.
Substitute backpack for certain applications. When you’re dealing with lots of small parts and pieces (repairing vehicles for instance) those pockets some in handy for tools and the parts you’re removing/reattaching. Much easier than digging in a pack looking for a nut or bolt!
Arguments Against Them
With the advantages listed, it’s only right to show the common downsides to using a tactical vest:
Military look is very distinctive and threatening to many. Most people who see a fellow pop out of his house wearing a vest laden with mag pouches and assorted gear are not going to just dismiss it and move on! For police and other enforcement personnel, a report of someone wandering around “with a rifle and military gear” may well ring some alarm bells if the situation has not yet escalated to full SHTF.
Placing objects on the front of the vest can make proning difficult or even painful. Try dropping rapidly to the ground wearing several 30 round magazines on your chest and let me know how you’re feeling right after you land. Setting aside the potential to pinch skin or cause bruising, too many objects on the front of the vest could even prevent you from getting as low as possible, potentially exposing you to enemy fire.
Extra expense. A vest is naturally going to cost money, and a quality tactical vest can come with quite a price tag. Some argue that the expense of a quality vest is a waste.
The Verdict: Vest or No Vest?
From everything I have seen, it seems that most people who purchase tactical vests currently use them only for training as they’re impractical (and in terms of legality, even dangerous) for common use. However, I have also seen that many purchase “less tactical” vests (designed to look more like hunting or fishing vests, lacking camo colors or MOLLE straps) for everyday use. As such, the question of whether or not to buy a vest depends on your own needs. Do you plan on needing quick access to multiple magazines or other gear? Do you plan on being in a combat or dangerous situation where you might need a vest to hold gear while still camouflaging you? You may well need a tactical vest for the future SHTF event.
If not, though, or if your tactics rely more on remaining hidden rather than showing yourself as a tactical “operator”, then another less tactical option may be better suited. Vests in plain colors, hiking backpacks, and other means of carrying valuable items without looking/acting like a paramilitary prepper are definitely valuable options. Incidentally, they are also cheaper oftentimes, since they’re more limited in function and don’t need durable camouflage paint applied.
Tactical vests are intended to make it simple to carry extra magazines, flashlights, canteens, and a variety of other objects and tools that you might need on a moment’s notice. Basically an extension of your survival backpack, a vest allows you to keep important or commonly used items ready to roll without needing to spend 10 minutes digging through pockets to find your multitool or an extra magazine. As such, they’re often extremely helpful for those who serve in the military as they’re often called to go into a combat arena where seconds count an digging through a pack is simply not possible. For a prepper, though, is an expensive vest truly going to be useful or is it too much? Let’s take a look and see if you need a tactical vest or if it’s just a “nice to have”.
The Common Uses for Tactical Vests
To determine whether or not a vest is practical, it’s best to see what they’re usually used for. Here are some of the more common uses:
Help carrying additional items. Whether you use MOLLE velcro strips or pouches and clips, a vest is usually used to carry various useful items outside of your backpack.
Quick access to basic supplies. As mentioned above, tactical vests are great for keeping certain useful items within reach.
Quick to put on and light. In the event of a need to quickly grab gear and run off into the night, you may not even have the luxury of grabbing a heavy backpack. Being able to count on a few essentials in your vest can make it easier to get out the door quickly without loosing all of your supplies.
Concealment for weapons. Although some use the vest to help hold weapons in the open, others like the way that some vests cover holstered pistols and other weapons and take advantage of that fact.
Substitute backpack for certain applications. When you’re dealing with lots of small parts and pieces (repairing vehicles for instance) those pockets some in handy for tools and the parts you’re removing/reattaching. Much easier than digging in a pack looking for a nut or bolt!
Arguments Against Them
With the advantages listed, it’s only right to show the common downsides to using a tactical vest:
Military look is very distinctive and threatening to many. Most people who see a fellow pop out of his house wearing a vest laden with mag pouches and assorted gear are not going to just dismiss it and move on! For police and other enforcement personnel, a report of someone wandering around “with a rifle and military gear” may well ring some alarm bells if the situation has not yet escalated to full SHTF.
Placing objects on the front of the vest can make proning difficult or even painful. Try dropping rapidly to the ground wearing several 30 round magazines on your chest and let me know how you’re feeling right after you land. Setting aside the potential to pinch skin or cause bruising, too many objects on the front of the vest could even prevent you from getting as low as possible, potentially exposing you to enemy fire.
Extra expense. A vest is naturally going to cost money, and a quality tactical vest can come with quite a price tag. Some argue that the expense of a quality vest is a waste.
The Verdict: Vest or No Vest?
From everything I have seen, it seems that most people who purchase tactical vests currently use them only for training as they’re impractical (and in terms of legality, even dangerous) for common use. However, I have also seen that many purchase “less tactical” vests (designed to look more like hunting or fishing vests, lacking camo colors or MOLLE straps) for everyday use. As such, the question of whether or not to buy a vest depends on your own needs. Do you plan on needing quick access to multiple magazines or other gear? Do you plan on being in a combat or dangerous situation where you might need a vest to hold gear while still camouflaging you? You may well need a tactical vest for the future SHTF event.
If not, though, or if your tactics rely more on remaining hidden rather than showing yourself as a tactical “operator”, then another less tactical option may be better suited. Vests in plain colors, hiking backpacks, and other means of carrying valuable items without looking/acting like a paramilitary prepper are definitely valuable options. Incidentally, they are also cheaper oftentimes, since they’re more limited in function and don’t need durable camouflage paint applied.
