MOLLE vest for camping

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bitter1

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Mar 3, 2008
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it occured to me that a MOLLE vest can be bought for a pretty good price (around $40 or so). With the various pouches and availability of accessories that you can buy for it seems like a good thing to have for some of the needed items like canteens, even knives (with the appropriate sheath) can be attached to it. I could very well be wrong about the idea of having a MOLLE vest, or even backpack but if the military uses em it must be worth something to us civies.

Eric
 
You know.... I've thought about the same thing, but concluded that a backpack is just more cost effective. The cost of all the pouches is just too high for me as compared to that of a backpack. One more consideration to think of is the 'sheeple' component. The vests are primarily for military use... and may scare the sissys... er... sheeple (of course, that could also be seen as a benefit;):D).

One thing I really do like about the MOLLE vest is that you can better "balance" your load vs. a backpack. That is, you can put equal weight on your front, as you have on your back.

As far as the military is concerned, I can see how all those magazines stacked across your belly and chest could slow down an enemy bullet.

Just my thoughts.... I decided to stick with the pack.
 
aye i might try out the molle vest and i have a friend in the reserves and ill see it i can "borrow" a couple pouches when i see him next. I'm already going to be trapsing around in come Croatian camo and a shemagh around my neck(i like them and find them useful for various thing's be it i was born in california and live in Texas and am of German descent and a christian).

Eric
 
ive been looking all over the internet for a good chest rig/ vest. i decided i didnt want anything too tactical looking so im going with an old chicom sks chest rig (believe it has 8 same-size pockets "big enough to hold a soda can"). i plan to: beef up shoulder straps, take off a couple side pockets, sew on webbing for other pouches/ sheath/ flash light, add a map pouch behind the rig, and put a buckle on the back.

i enjoy diy stuff and these chicom chest rigs cost around $10-$15. i know, not all molle, but kinda the same idea.
 
chuck buck said:
ive been looking all over the internet for a good chest rig/ vest. i decided i didnt want anything too tactical looking so im going with an old chicom sks chest rig (believe it has 8 same-size pockets "big enough to hold a soda can"). i plan to: beef up shoulder straps, take off a couple side pockets, sew on webbing for other pouches/ sheath/ flash light, add a map pouch behind the rig, and put a buckle on the back.

i enjoy diy stuff and these chicom chest rigs cost around $10-$15. i know, not all molle, but kinda the same idea.
Click to expand...

Hey bro, check this out.... maybe something you are looking for.

http://www.usmilitarysurplus.com/surpluscatalog/default.php?cPath=174_49
 
And i wasn't thinking of replacing the backpack with the MOLLE vest I was just thinking that it would be a nice complement to it
 
As one who's worn an IBA/MOLLE vest for a year and half, they are much better than the older flak vest, but not something I would carry over to outdoors activities. Now, if you're looking at a chest harness setup like a Tactical Tailor MAV (I use the split front two-piece), than it's much more feasible. I haven't used one for backpacking or camping, but I have used a scaled down one for hunting. The nice thing is that you can use it in conjunction with a pack AND use the pack's waist belt since the chest harness sits above the waistline. Do know that they are great at retaining heat, so summer time use would really be uncomfortable. The concept is a lot like the old photographer's vest...having pockets strategically place to carry your gear...good weight distribution and easy access while on the move; it works for some. I try to divest myself as much as possible from the Army look when I'm outdoors...it invariably surfaces, but I prefer a lower profile...

ROCK6
 
Check out the SAR Vest fellow forumite hwtsaur uses in this thread. You can see the vest here.

anim_STSARV.gif


Not cheap, but looks like it would be pretty cool.

-- FLIX
 
ouch i just hurt myself looking at that price, its a nice vest though i have to give it that.
 
The best of both worlds:

http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=NEW&C3=&C4=&LV=2&item=24185&prodid=24185^8^01RTL&
 
bitter1, I had the same idea a couple years ago. I've done some experimenting with a few set ups. My current for the last year is the TT MAV 1 piece http://www.tacticaltailor.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=126

Advantages I like:
- fits under backpack straps.
- balances load on the body (front & back).
- less load on the back means smaller pack.
- MOLLE system allows many configurations (I also use an Eagle Becker MOLLE of Kifaru Zulu pack).
- the stuff I need access to is right there...no dropping packs to grab a snack, map, etc.

Some cons:
- it's hotter (a summer issue).
- the 1 piece TT MAV isn't as easy to doff as the 2 piece (but I didn't want to lose attachment point space taken up by the buckles).

For an idea of the set up, see the pic. This was my load for a 2 1/2 day, 53 mile hike. Max load at start was ~35 lbs. Maybe 1/3 of the weight is in the MAV.

Bottom line, I like the set up and will continue using it.

QT080501002.jpg
 
I have a vest, thou it only has the MOLLE attachements on the back. The Front has several pockets ready for use. I originally bought it for playing paintball (Been playing off and on since 94). I havent used it for a while, but I took it out a few weeks back and thought about using it for light duty camping.
The biggest issue I have with it is the heat it retains. Not bad in the Spring or Fall, but Horrible in the summer time. And honestly, I don't like that the pockets in teh front aren't adjustable. The Molle style would take care of that, but with fixed position pockets, they interfere with my arm movement enought o be annoying. I will post pictures if I can ever replace my Digital camera..

But in general, I like the idea of a Molle step up that can be customized based on weather/season, and time on the trail. I was also thinking they could easily be modified for ARES/CERT use.
 
bitter1 said:
it occured to me that a MOLLE vest can be bought for a pretty good price (around $40 or so). With the various pouches and availability of accessories that you can buy for it seems like a good thing to have for some of the needed items like canteens, even knives (with the appropriate sheath) can be attached to it. I could very well be wrong about the idea of having a MOLLE vest, or even backpack but if the military uses em it must be worth something to us civies.
Click to expand...

I have had the same idea a few months ago. My starting point was my new rucksack which has a waist strap. Because of that I couldn't carry my knife on the belt anymore. Further, I didn't want to drop my backpack every time I needed a small item of my gear. And I didn't want to carry the rucksack all time, even after I had put up my camp.

First I thought about a Molle leg base for a knife and a small pocket. But then I had the 'glorious idea' of a MOLLE chest rig. I bought it and it fits perfectly. But yes, the impression is a bit militaristic. ;) But it works and has the further advantage that I can carry it above my rain jacket and rain trousers if needed.

The chest rig is the flecktarn version of this model. Its great plus is that it has no fixed pockets like most other military models, only MOLLE strings. So I can adjust it to my needs.

Here's a pic of the loadout:

__IMAG0033.jpg


1 - Cell phone (+ waterproof pocket)
2 - Map (+ waterproof map case)
3 - Rite in the rain notebook
4 - Water bottle (U.S. military model, 1 litre)
5 - Fixed blade knife (RAT Cutlery RC-4 :thumbup:)
6 - Compass (a Recta model)
7 - Survival kit (fire starter, matches, lighter, signalling mirror, water purifier, etc. pp.)
8 - Swiss army knife (Victorinox Hercules)
9 - Flash light (a Boker model)
10 - Carabiner

The four pockets on the left side were made by Tasmanian Tiger, the military and LE branch of the German Tatonka company. Good and inexpensive (compared to Maxpedition or other manufacturers).
BTW: I love the MOLLE system. :cool:

And here you can see me wearing the chest rig together with the rucksack (the latter also a Tasmanian Tiger product). Not a beautiful picture, I know. ;)
 
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