Combat vest versus backpack (1 Viewer)

[MBS]

Hello,

As a nature observer I have to lug a lot of things around: GPS, map, compas, notebook, flask, VHF transceiver, binocular...

With a backpack or a knapsack, the problem is to reach these items after having "buried" them in the backpack (or knapsack).

You have to put the backpack down, open a side pocket, or the main body, to extract what you need, to close what is open and to put on the backpack...

When you no more need the item, you have again to put the backpack down, to open again the side pocket, or to open again the main body, etc.

First this is noisy, second this is quickly tiring, and always awkward.

How to simplify things?

With the use of a combat vest (I am not sure this is the good word in english): a light vest with many pouches all around, allowing me to "stock" all I need, keeping them to hand, quickly, easily, silently.

My model is without any pouch in my back, so I can also carry a backpack where only non-immediate items are stocked (waterproof poncho, spare clothes...).

As most of combat vest are camo or khaki, they are sober in the outdoors, also...

By,

 

[John P]

How to simplify things?

You need a partner, keep your stuff in their backpack and your partners stuff in your rucksack. Access is easy then.

I do the same as you; a multi pocketed waistcoat (combat vest) and a rucksack for the bigger stuff that's not needed so often.

 

[MBS]

Hello John,

You reinforce my opinion (and choice) of such an equipment.

May I suggest that, with a combat vest and a backpack, it is possible to leave the backpack, well hidden, somewhere (to enter a waypoint, or take good landmarks, is heartily recommended), and to move with only the combat vest.

By,

 

[Keith Dickinson]

I'm another that uses a combat vest, although now I've got the sco-pac for the tripod I can no longer take a haversack so I am looking into getting a belt-type haversack.
Like the idea of stashing the haversack but feel that in the UK it wouldn't stay hidden long.

 

[jurek]

I'm not sure how good anglers are in combat, but such vests are usually sold in angling shops.

 

[Farnboro John]

I always use such a vest, and make a point of always having the same things in the same pockets so I can find them without taking my eyes off a bird.

John

 

[Tero]

As long as you do not go too far with the combat image.

We have a sort of division around here: camo, hunters, drab one color, birders. Even down to the scope. So in one regular birding spot some camo dudes had their scopes set up. They sat there by their trucks an hour and drank coffee. Finally I figured it was some hunters using their scopes to scope eagles. Hunting must not be good, or off legal days.

 

[temmie]

My advice:
Take less stuff. Stuff is bad (say this five times before you leave on a day out)
Stuff breaks, scratches, falls, you will eventually lose it, and it's expensive.
Take silent footsteps,experience, persistence and patience with you. A binocular will do most of the job, and that one you carry all the time around your neck.

The more you take, the more food/water you need to keep your energy level high enough. stuff slows you down, travel-light! So need to take food with you the whole time. Have good breakfast and hide your food for the evening somewhere on the way back. Take copies of books/maps when in the field. You won't bother if you tear them, they become wet, etc.
I would fancy a combat vest for sound recording equipment though... tempting... ;-)

 

[MBS]

Hello,

As far as weight, less is always better... However, for safety, significantly if wandering alone in the nature, it is necessary to get lumbered with: water (2 litres in summer), mobile phone, GPS (above all if the landscape is not rich in obvious landmarks), waterproof poncho, etc.

In the Alpes, for instance, during a standard sunny summer day at an altitude of 1500 metres (about 4500 feet high), the temperature can be of 25 centigrade degrees (about 77° F) or more. Less than two hours later this temperature will have dropped down to 10 or 5 centigrade degrees (about 50° F or 41° F), with heavy winds blowing, showers pouring heavily from the sky, while lightning strikes around you, and the horizontal visibility is less than fifty meters. This, because summer storms can develop very quickly (in less than one hour, sometimes).

Vacationers and tourists going for a walk wearing shorts, short-sleeved shirt, sandals, sunhat..., can find themselves in distress (mainly due to hypotermia and exhaustion) in such circumstances.

To avoid this kind of hell, it is necessary to carry equipement allowing to endure bad weather and perhaps to spend all a night in the nature, safely. Even if the weather looks so harmless and pretty, and even when the scheduled duration of the trip is of few hours.

Because of this you have to carry more than you need, if all go well. It is like the parachute: perhaps you never will use it, but if you have to, you will be very happy to wear it. The absolute priority, in the nature, is to remain warm and dry, I think...



As regards combat vests, this is something to use only in quiet countries, and not in other ones, for obvious reasons... Olive green or dull brown are good neutral colors, without a too definite military look. If it is a camo model, I think that a DPM version is more sober than other ones.

By

 

[snowyowl]

I use vests a lot. I can carry extra lenses etc very conveniently that way. The other thing I use is a waist belt with pouches, like a fanny pack but with more pockets. Some even have a place for a water bottle. I find this more effective that a backpack for short outings.
I use camo a lot and find it very useful especially in a blind. I cover my face so that the bird or animal doesn't see the flash of white in the dark blind.

 

[fugl]

I use a special "birding vest" made by an American outfit (I don't know if its ships outside of NA) called "Big Pockets" which I recommend highly. Lots of pockets, and very durable--I had one for years of very heavy use before I had to replace it. Very lightweight & comfortable, wearable both in winter (over a heavy coat) or in summer (heat retention properties negligible).

Anyway, here's the company URL for anyone who wants to check it out : http://www.bigpockets.com/

 

[MBS]

I use a special "birding vest" made by an American outfit (I don't know if its ships outside of NA) called "Big Pockets" which I recommend highly. Lots of pockets, and very durable--I had one for years of very heavy use before I had to replace it. Very lightweight & comfortable, wearable both in winter (over a heavy coat) or in summer (heat retention properties negligible).

Anyway, here's the company URL for anyone who wants to check it out : http://www.bigpockets.com/

Hello,

The problem, with purchases made in USA, this is the cost of shipping, even through USPS, and much worse with UPS. Let us add customs duty (for the equipment and the shipping), plus documents costs, plus VAT...

In short, between the price in USA and the price delivered in EU, the coefficient can be up to x 2 (or more...).

By,

 

[borealowl47]

combat versus backpack

Hi,
The problem with backpacks is the time, you only might have only a few
moments with a bird,just getting it off your back might be to late(scope,camera etc)!But vests have problems too bigger pockets!


Darrell

Merry Xmas!

 

[Lucky Carl]

Obviously this all comes down to personal choice and the conditions. Being in hot or humid conditions my preference is to carry as little as possible on my back and definitely not a heavy vest with hundreds of pockets to search through for that one elusive item. Also, the straps of a back pack often clash with jackets with pockets filled with lots of 'stuff' in them and can prove a bit uncomfortable.

My personal preference is for a waist belt for my camera gear eg 'Lowepro Off Trail' I also have a drink bottle and GPS attached to this. I find I can carry a fair bit of weight around my waist without really noticing it. This also allows plenty of ventilation to your upper body to keep you cool and its not too constrictive allowing you to move freely and quickly when chasing that elusive grasswren through the spinifex grass;-)

If required I then combine this with a backpack for non-essentials (jackets, food, ID books, safety gear etc). I find that the back pack actually sits on the camera bag on the waist belt thus relieving the weight on your shoulders.

This option also seems to work well with binoculars as they dont clash with whatever you have in your vest pockets (less noise and annoyance).

Good luck!

Carl

 

[statestat]

Just wanted to add that another option for real hot and humid weather is what we call a 'turkey vest', it has many, many, pockets and is made of mesh so it is very cool. As a bonus they usually have an attached flip-down seat cushion. Have to have some comfort. Look in Cabelas on-line catalog, usually the cost is reasonable especially if you buy off-season (not in the spring).

 

[Atricapilla]

I use vests a lot. I can carry extra lenses etc very conveniently that way. The other thing I use is a waist belt with pouches, like a fanny pack but with more pockets. Some even have a place for a water bottle. I find this more effective that a backpack for short outings.
I use camo a lot and find it very useful especially in a blind. I cover my face so that the bird or animal doesn't see the flash of white in the dark blind.

I second this advice,my fanny pack will take all I need to carry for everyday photography/digiscoping and a little bit more,I even have enough room for my camo netting mossy suit and breakfast/ lunchbox.

 

[tdodd]

I can't stand backpacks for working from, for all the reasons stated in the first post. I used one like that once and vowed "never again". I use a Domke Photogs Vest and/or a Think Tank belt system. I also have a Lowepro Slingshot 200, which is a big improvement over a regular backpack, but vests and pouches are now my preferred kit carrying solution - if I am working in the field, or at a wedding, for example. For simple A-B transport a backpack is still the better choice, IMHO.