Hey, you never know when you'll need it.

September 10, 2005 12:54 AM

I carry a rather large assortment of really strange stuff with me on a daily basis. Surprisingly, I actually use most of it. However, I've found that I've pretty much maxed out my current arrangement (cargo pants + a cheap tactical vest). Unfortunately, I've just purchased a wearable keyboard for my PDA. Help me expand my carrying capacity!

I just ordered a FrogPad today so that I can actually use my Zaurus with some level of efficiency. I'm also considering adding in a Modular Leg Rig (scroll down) on which to mount the FrogPad, and the PDA when it's not in use. I'm waiting to get the FrogPad before I order it though, so that I can test a few different configurations and determine how big the thing is.

As a result of this new move into wearable computing, I've started thinking about all the shit I carry with me on a daily basis, where I carry it, how often I actually use it, and working out how much it interferes with my existence. Here's what I've got:

• Cigarette lighter, right hip pocket. (Hourly; not at all)
• Pocket knife, right hip pocket. (Daily; not at all)
• Money/Transpass, right hip pocket. (Daily; not at all)
• Pen, right hip pocket. (Daily; a little)
• Cigarettes, left cargo pocket/left vest pocket. (Hourly; somewehat)
• Wallet, right ass pocket. (Daily; a little)
• Cellphone, left hip pocket. (Daily; somewhat)
• Lockpicks, left cargo pocket. (Monthly; somewhat)
• PDA, right vest pocket. (Daily; considerably)
• Sunglasses, left vest pocket/left cargo pocket. (Daily; considerably)
• A fullsize handgun, right cargo pocket/right hip. (Never; quite a bit)
• Spare magazine, left hip pocket/right vest pocket. (Never; somewhat)

In addition to those daily items, I also occasionally carry: a medium Moleskine notebook, a paperback novel, miscellaneous small purchases (USB cables, velcro, a CD, etc.), spare cigarettes, beverage bottles (temporarily), and random scraps of paper with supposedly-important things written on them. These incidental items generally require reasonably large pockets, and must not interfere with my standard gear.

Now, in terms of relative importance, the following things are mandatory: lighter, knife, money/Transpass, fags, wallet, cellphone, PDA, and sidearm. That leaves lockpicks, sunglasses, and spare mag as basically unnecessary. I'd prefer to keep them, but I'm perfectly willing to ditch them.

I've also noticed the following: anything rigid that I put in my stomach-level vest pockets gets in my way when I'm seated at a classroom desk or a table. The only areas of my vest that do not interefere with anything are on my upper chest. Anything on my thighs is fine, although my lower right thigh (just above the knee) is generally taken up by my weapon.

Now, this loadout really only applies for "doing daily shit" situations. Like, going to school (sans sidearm), bumming around town, getting lunch, running errands, drinking beer with my friends. It doesn't apply to social situations, going out dancing, or any situation in which looking like a freak would be seriously detrimental. That said, while I'm willing to give up a lot of what remains of my normal-factor for the sake of efficient gear placement, I would prefer to keep things discrete. If I can't have discretion, I demand ultra-efficient and urban-commando chic. So, I'm trying to find a solution to this whole situation.

First, I hate bags. They're really completely irritating to get stuff into and out of, and I'm constantly afraid that I'll lose them. Basically, I prefer to wear my gear as opposed to carry it. If it's attached to my body (and spread out), I can ignore the weight, and it doesn't wear me out as I wander through this world. A bag concentrates all of that mass into a single point, and throws me off balance.

I like vests. They're fairly all-weather, although I can't wear them in the hottest of days. They also provide decent firearms concealment when I carry on my hip, which makes life easier in that regard.

My current vest is poorly engineered, and abysmally constructed. So, the options I've come up with are as follows:

• ScottEVest. This would be a fairly discrete option, and the wiring channels are a nice touch. However, it's fairly expensive. It's also too "nice" to modify and reengineer without having to maintain its look.
• 5.11 Tactical Vest. Not so discrete, but definitely still within the realms of not-a-complete-freak. Cut long, so it's nice for weapon concealment. It's also the cheapest option by far. But, it's not fundamentally different from the cheapo tacvest I have right now which isn't working particularly well.
• A Modular Tac-Vest (scroll down). This provides me with by far the most freedom to design my own setup, since I can just buy whatever pouches I might need. It also gives me the option of attaching my FrogPad to my chest without modifications to the garment, which might work out well. However, it's the most expensive option (once I start adding in pockets). It also puts me so far into freak land that I'd better start carrying a compass: I'm fairly comfortable there, but I'd probably never get laid again.

Aside from vests, I seem to lack enough imagination to actually come up with any solutions. Do ya'll have anything? Any miraculous solutions you've tried, and come to love? I'm open to anything, lay it on me. Please!

**F-LINK: a601jo4-: How do you carry your gear?**

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Response by poster: Whoops, sorry about the F-LINK thing. Ignore that.
posted by Netzapper at 12:56 AM on September 10, 2005

It sounds like you need a Bat Utility Belt.

By the way, don't get caught with the lockpicks unless you are a licensed locksmith.
posted by caddis at 5:19 AM on September 10, 2005

If you want to keep carrying the gun get a holster. I can only imagine how uncomfortable walking would be with a heavy metal object bouncing around my knees and thighs. It would also protect the gun and make it easier to access if it became necessary to do so.
posted by I Foody at 6:58 AM on September 10, 2005

How about a Oakley Adaptable Payload Vest. Let arimathea know if you successfully order one.
posted by squink at 7:03 AM on September 10, 2005

Consolidate items.

Get rid of the separate PDA and the cellphone, and buy a Treo 650. If you prefer Windows to PalmOS, wait for the Treo 670 to arrive.

Dump the cigarette lighter and the pocket knife, and import yourself a Victorinox SwissFlame.

Eliminate the separate money/transit pass and wallet, and buy something like the Coach Slim Card Case.

Are the lockpicks sufficiently small that they could be kept in a flat pouch/envelope pasted into the back cover of the moleskine? And another in the front cover for various small scraps of paper?
posted by Danelope at 8:01 AM on September 10, 2005

I walk around with a lot of crap, too, and my solution is Carhartt pants (good pocket space, without being cargo pants) and a belt with several sheaths, the kind of sheaths that come with good multitools. Grenade pouches that are sold at military surplus stores work, too.

Yeah, the belt ends up looking similar to Batman's, but it makes it easy for me to carry around a multitool, knife, screwdriver, maglite, hex bits, crescent wrench, PDA, assortment of pens and a pack of cigarettes without being terribly noticible or getting in the way of things.
posted by cmonkey at 8:18 AM on September 10, 2005

Response by poster: I Froody, it is holstered, actually. It's in a jerry-rigged, but very functional, thigh holster inside the pocket. When it's on my hip, it's in an IWB holster. Sorry for not making that clear.

squink: Oooh! That's nice.
posted by Netzapper at 9:03 AM on September 10, 2005

Ditch the extra magazine. I tend to think that if I'm in enough trouble that I need a second mag, I'm probably in more trouble than a second mag is going to save me from.

But then, I get 14+1 with my 9mm, I don't know if I'd feel the same with, say, a compact .45.
posted by crabintheocean at 11:41 AM on September 10, 2005

Where do you people live, and what do you do, that you feel it's necessary to carry a gun all the time? That's just completely outside my life experience.
posted by Zair TL at 1:01 PM on September 10, 2005

Well, this isn't helpful, but can I ask what you do?
posted by number9dream at 1:03 PM on September 10, 2005

I carry my Glock 19 with 15+1 and 15 in stow, certainly gets heavy, but I deal with it. As well, I usually carry pepper spray and some zip cuffs. Juding from your list, the handgun is probably taxing you quite a lot. I know it does me. Although, theres not much help for that. I have a lot of luck with a smaller backup gun on my ankle, which I wear about 95% of the time. Try relocating the handgun to the small of your back with a paddle holster. The weight is very well handled there. Everything else should go into some effective cargo pants. You might have to modify them yourself to add some extra pockets inside pockets.

Best of luck, be careful out there.
posted by sled at 1:58 PM on September 10, 2005

I love my Scott eVest.

They do carry a "covert" line (here and here) that provides easy access to a side holstered weapon.

I have the shell and fleece. I can wear them each individually (the shell has a few more pockets) or with the fleece as a liner (providing something like 42 pockets combined).

They also now carry an expensive solar panel that attaches to the shoulder region allowing you to recharge electronics when you are outside.

They tend to have a 40% off sale every 4-6 months or so.
posted by i love cheese at 2:40 PM on September 10, 2005

Already familiar with this resource?

You sound really serious. Web belt w/ suspenders concealed by a light jacket? I think they have an assortment of colors.
posted by snsranch at 4:56 PM on September 10, 2005

Curious, are you guys undercover cops? Why are you carrying guns everywhere?

Sorry to derail, but I'm with Zair on this one.
posted by jikel_morten at 7:32 PM on September 10, 2005

Yeah, I agree with crabintheocean - ditch the extra magazine. I find that the zombie soldiers usually drop one after you shoot them anyway.
posted by poweredbybeard at 8:36 PM on September 10, 2005

Since a bag is out of the question, although that's what I carry - a soft-sided leather briefcase for work and a Camelbak for fun - you may want to think about a shoulder rig.
US Calvalry as metioned above is a great source along with Brigade Quartermasters and Blackhawk. These are two companies that make shoulder holsters for your tech gear E Holster and Civilian Labs. A light jacket over this setup would minimize the "freak factor" and allow you to distribute the weight evenly. You may have to move your pistol to a waist carry, but you should also check out Docker's Mobile Pants - if you can still find them.
posted by marc1919 at 8:51 AM on September 11, 2005

So.. uh.. do you guys live in a conflict area? Or do you just enjoy playing at being a commando?
posted by flippant at 2:17 PM on October 3, 2005