Utility Belts - Seriously

[Tristar777]

Hi. I like to carry my main gear on my belt or webbing. I broke my collar bone 2 years ago so needed to take the main weight away from my shoulders. LBE/Alice and British webbing systems do this really well. And hey, if it worked for Batman and Otzi why not me!?

[Rick]

The main weight should not be on your shoulders. It should be on your hips with your shoulders just balancing the load.

[ninjasurvivor]

A belt is a bad place to carry gear. Now maybe a side arm or a knife or individual items, but not ALL of your items. It interferes with your arms and legs as you walk.

[Rick]

8,744,000 Viet Nam vets might not agree. I have to hand it to you though, you have some different ideas.

[ninjasurvivor]

8,744,000 Viet Nam vets might not agree. I have to hand it to you though, you have some different ideas.

Combat applications are different. They need to carry as much gear as possible and have it easily accessible at all times so they don't have to stop and open up their ruck. That means a canteen, ammo, pistol, knife, etc.

Your average wilderness enthusiast can afford to pack their gear around their torso and carry it more efficiently. They won't have the same needs as a solider.

[Rick]

I've spent many an overnight using LC1 gear and no backpack and there are a few on here that have done the same. The very same system works very well in civilian life. Is you position based on opinion or experience?

[crashdive123]

I have a set-up that consists of a green web belt, and a Y shoulder harness. On that system I currently have two, one quart canteens with cups and several bags of various sizes. I can carry enough for a day hike or an overnighter. None of it interferes with my arms or legs.

[ninjasurvivor]

I've spent many an overnight using LC1 gear and no backpack and there are a few on here that have done the same. The very same system works very well in civilian life. Is you position based on opinion or experience?

Its my opinion based on my experience. When I was a teen I got all my stuff at the Army Surplus store. I had all the WWII/Vietnam belts, canteens, and pouches. I wore it, used it, and it worked. But I remember issues with stuff getting in the way a lot. And the belt and gear was unwieldy when I took it off. Stuff would fall out, get crud on it. It just wasn't the best way for me to transport gear.

I now use basic small backpacks. Yes, you have to stop and take them off your back to get your gear out, then put them back on, which is also a pain in the butt. But there's always going to be a trade off. I prefer all my stuff on my back out of the way, considering I can also carry much more. Easy to store it and keep the dirt out, that way I don't get a muzzle full of mud every time I set my belt on the ground and my pistol eats a dirt sandwich.

[Rick]

Then the best you can say is it doesn't work for you rather than a broad statement that it's a bad place to carry items.

[ninjasurvivor]

Then the best you can say is it doesn't work for you rather than a broad statement that it's a bad place to carry items.

If somebody wants to wear a belt then more power to you. I'm just saying that for me, and my frame, the belts and associated kit I've worn in the past aren't as good as other options I've come across. To put it into perspective, most of the well known survival guys, like from TV, youtube, etc., do not carry gear in that manner. They use haversacks and backpacks.

As resent as yesterday I was out in the field on my hands and knees, sitting in the sand, working on some bushcraft projects. The space I was in was very restrictive and I could not afford to have anything around my waist restricting my movement. For me its a practical consideration, not just an arbitrary opinion on style or whatever.

[finallyME]

never mind

[Tristar777]

Hi. I always find that those people that are into Bushcraft have a problem with military gear. Not all but a good percentage. I use the military gear as stated above cos it works for me, is good quality and will last my life time and is inexpensive. JMHO.

[ninjasurvivor]

Hi. I always find that those people that are into Bushcraft have a problem with military gear. Not all but a good percentage. I use the military gear as stated above cos it works for me, is good quality and will last my life time and is inexpensive. JMHO.

Bushcrafters have different skillsets, needs, and motives. That changes the type of gear they'll need. Sometimes military gear can work for them. It may be a little too hardcore for most tho.

[Tokwan]

I am ex Military and love using the utility belts. However, I use my paracord belt as my utility belt. I can insert a few things such as fishing hook and weights into them. I however minimize items on the belt to only a knife, a machete, water bottle and cords. The rest I carry in a waterproof backpack (aquapac wet and dry) or a waterproof waist pouch.

[sjj]

edited......

[Tokwan]

Yep..that is only for emergencies. However, I do carry paracords and diassembling the belt is a last resort.

[1stimestar]

Sometimes it is not a matter of just opening up your back pack as it is really packed.

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I used this set up for years. It was a perfect size for a day pack. The water bottles would hit the top of my thighs when climbing steep mountains though. But then I would just swing it around to my back.

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[Tokwan]

Great pic. I love ur walking stick.

[1stimestar]

Thanks. The one at the top is now retired and hanging on my staircase as decoration. I carved on it over several camping trips. It also has leather, fur, and beads hanging from it. It's about 20 years old now and that was its last trip, into Denali National Park.

The second one was just a stick I was playing with in my campsite as it is really too big for a walking stick.

[ninjasurvivor]

1sttimestar, do you like walking sticks that are chest level or shorter, or do you normally like them to be taller than you like walking staffs?