I love a good piece of gear as much as anyone else. But I've noticed, I'm a lot happier when I use it. I have some gear that I paid money for that I barely take out of the rack. This both concerns me and intrigues me. It concerns me because I paid money for it, and it's not getting used. It intrigues me for the same reason. Why am I not using this piece of gear I paid for? This has spawned a whole different outlook on equipment for me.
This sounds a lot like common sense, but I bet you have a piece or two of "cool guy gear" stashed away in your locker that's not getting any day light or hard use. I'm not saying one should drag their 6,000 liter high mountain ruck to the range every time and practice ready ups with it... Although that probably needs to be done at least once. I'm saying a reviewing of your primary equipment is a good idea.
I started with my belt. I use a Hard Point Equipment Orion (Top). Left to right: I have two HSGI 2RP's (which I will gladly trade someone for either Hard Point UMC's or regular double tacos. The 2RP's are just not my style) Followed by a knife, and an EPIC blowout kit. I use a Maxpedition gear slinger as a dump pouch. You also see a USGI canteen pouch and a Galco kydex holster for my M&P full size. The canteen pouch either gets a Clean Canteen or doubles as a small admin/mission specific pouch. I usually sequester a large amount of survival kit on my person - in my smock and trouser pockets, so a belt pouch isn't needed. This belt was stripped down from 1 HSGI Double taco, two HSGI 2RP's, a knife, an EPIC, a BLACKHAWK! butt pack, a canteen pouch, a Bladtech Glock 19 holster, and two pistol magazine pouches. Why strip all that off? Because it wasn't a part of my main mission. This belt is my go to belt for all things shooty and scooty. It needs to be sleek and smooth. Having excessive magazines, additional pouches that don't need to be there and just over thinking the loadout in general can cause huge problems. In my experiences at the range it's been eye opening. A lot of the equipment on the old configuration could easily be carried on a plate carrier, or in a back pack. No need to clutter up my waist with magazines I don't need yet. This belt will change yet again, very soon. More on that in an update.
Different mission, different equipment...
As you can see in the picture my Orion is pretty basic. Just enough to get me out of the fight by eliminating the threat. If I have a substantial change of mission from an urban break contact scenario to a long range patrol for instance, I'd be packing substantially different. Lets say the mission calls for 6 days of recon, near a clean water source with up to six other personnel. No problem. Just change up my belt a bit... Or, have specific equipment for that mission. The belt on the bottom isn't anything special. It's a USGI web belt with the side release buckle. The good old 3 inch OD monster. From left to right: Three Tactical Tailor 3 mag pouches; Gerber survival knife; BLACKHAWK! butt pack; Tactical Tailor admin pouch; USGI canteen pouch; compass pouch. Each of these pouches has a specific job to do. No ancillary pouches here. You're probably wondering where the pistol holster is. Well, I don't tend to carry a pistol on my waist or thigh when I'm walking long distances. It would most likely find a home on my chest rig or plate carrier as that would very likely be very lightly pouched as well. It may even get put in a holster on my assault pack or in my ruck. This belt's specific mission is to stay in the fight. Nine mags of 5.56, or six mags of 7.62 exceeds most unit's standard combat load, and that's just on my belt. If I perceived a more target rich environment, then additional mags would get stuffed into pouches all over. But 6-9 is usually plenty. If you start getting close to four mags and haven't already put feet to your egress route then it's time to consider plan "B" and "C." One upgrade will be coming soon. A triple shingle to go behind the three mag pouches. This allows for quick and easy access to magazines without flaps getting in the way.
Each belt has specific mission and environment in mind. It may seem broad but when you consider the difference between staying in the fight and getting out of the fight, you're now beginning to narrow down your mission parameters, which will help get you a better focus on the mission being accomplished, and the equipment you may need to help you do that.
Keep your equipment mission and environmentally focused. Have equipment that works for you, and fills gaps, not creates more. Cool guy gear is awesome, and fun to collect, but how much of it are you using?
This sounds a lot like common sense, but I bet you have a piece or two of "cool guy gear" stashed away in your locker that's not getting any day light or hard use. I'm not saying one should drag their 6,000 liter high mountain ruck to the range every time and practice ready ups with it... Although that probably needs to be done at least once. I'm saying a reviewing of your primary equipment is a good idea.
I started with my belt. I use a Hard Point Equipment Orion (Top). Left to right: I have two HSGI 2RP's (which I will gladly trade someone for either Hard Point UMC's or regular double tacos. The 2RP's are just not my style) Followed by a knife, and an EPIC blowout kit. I use a Maxpedition gear slinger as a dump pouch. You also see a USGI canteen pouch and a Galco kydex holster for my M&P full size. The canteen pouch either gets a Clean Canteen or doubles as a small admin/mission specific pouch. I usually sequester a large amount of survival kit on my person - in my smock and trouser pockets, so a belt pouch isn't needed. This belt was stripped down from 1 HSGI Double taco, two HSGI 2RP's, a knife, an EPIC, a BLACKHAWK! butt pack, a canteen pouch, a Bladtech Glock 19 holster, and two pistol magazine pouches. Why strip all that off? Because it wasn't a part of my main mission. This belt is my go to belt for all things shooty and scooty. It needs to be sleek and smooth. Having excessive magazines, additional pouches that don't need to be there and just over thinking the loadout in general can cause huge problems. In my experiences at the range it's been eye opening. A lot of the equipment on the old configuration could easily be carried on a plate carrier, or in a back pack. No need to clutter up my waist with magazines I don't need yet. This belt will change yet again, very soon. More on that in an update.
Different mission, different equipment...
As you can see in the picture my Orion is pretty basic. Just enough to get me out of the fight by eliminating the threat. If I have a substantial change of mission from an urban break contact scenario to a long range patrol for instance, I'd be packing substantially different. Lets say the mission calls for 6 days of recon, near a clean water source with up to six other personnel. No problem. Just change up my belt a bit... Or, have specific equipment for that mission. The belt on the bottom isn't anything special. It's a USGI web belt with the side release buckle. The good old 3 inch OD monster. From left to right: Three Tactical Tailor 3 mag pouches; Gerber survival knife; BLACKHAWK! butt pack; Tactical Tailor admin pouch; USGI canteen pouch; compass pouch. Each of these pouches has a specific job to do. No ancillary pouches here. You're probably wondering where the pistol holster is. Well, I don't tend to carry a pistol on my waist or thigh when I'm walking long distances. It would most likely find a home on my chest rig or plate carrier as that would very likely be very lightly pouched as well. It may even get put in a holster on my assault pack or in my ruck. This belt's specific mission is to stay in the fight. Nine mags of 5.56, or six mags of 7.62 exceeds most unit's standard combat load, and that's just on my belt. If I perceived a more target rich environment, then additional mags would get stuffed into pouches all over. But 6-9 is usually plenty. If you start getting close to four mags and haven't already put feet to your egress route then it's time to consider plan "B" and "C." One upgrade will be coming soon. A triple shingle to go behind the three mag pouches. This allows for quick and easy access to magazines without flaps getting in the way.
Each belt has specific mission and environment in mind. It may seem broad but when you consider the difference between staying in the fight and getting out of the fight, you're now beginning to narrow down your mission parameters, which will help get you a better focus on the mission being accomplished, and the equipment you may need to help you do that.
Keep your equipment mission and environmentally focused. Have equipment that works for you, and fills gaps, not creates more. Cool guy gear is awesome, and fun to collect, but how much of it are you using?