Chest Rig outfit

[Limaed]

Following on from some of the other threads about using webbing for Bushcraft I though I share my idea's on using a chest rig.
A pal of mine gave me his old Arktis rig, not surprisingly from Arktis it's very well made and in good condition despite seeing a bit of active service:

View attachment 10072

Anyway I though I could use it for evening walks or going out in the summer where I don't need lots of gear. I normally use a Munro or Sabre depending on the time of year, projects etc but liked the idea of a limited outfit.

So here's the stuff:

View attachment 10073

Top pocket: map in waterproof case
RH large pouch: 58 mug, crusader cup & spoon
Centre right: knife, Laplander, cord & fire lighting kit (ferro rod, Chaga, amadou, steel)
Centre: torch and brew/snack kit
Centre left: FAK & compass
MOD survival knife
LH large pouch: Field guides and metal cup lid

Thoughts on selection of gear:

Map:I don't use this often as I usually know where I'm going but it gives me peace of mind to be able to give an accurate grid if I have an accident.

Water bottle, mug, snacks etc: So I can have a hot or cold brew or bite as I wish.

Knife, saw, fire kit, cord: Fire lighting, carving you name it!

Torch: Always good to have a torch if you decide to stay out after dark

FAK & compass: Carry a knife, carry a first aid kit. This is mostly based on patching myself up (FFD, plasters etc). Compass goes with the map & has a whistle attached.

'MOD survival knife: Great for splitting, heavy work

Field guides: practicing skills, learning new plants, fungi etc. I can get these out without taking the rig off.

If it looks wet I can leave the field guides behind and pack a basha (webtex) in the LH pouch. I'm still in two mind whether I need the MOD knife, despite rarely seeing anyone where I go I like to be discreet and this is supposed to be a lightweight summer outfit! Much as I love it the MOD knife is a big heavy lump.

Surprisingly the chest rig is more comfortable worn on my back so this is how I'm going to use it. I've not tried it out yet but think it should be fine. I'm still wondering whether I would be better just using my daysack but it's nice to have a tinker with different ways of doing things.

Anybody else use a similar setup, anything else you would or wouldn't carry?

 

[bushwacker bob]

Read your field guides at home,then you wont need to take them with you and your kit would weigh 40% lighte.r

 

[Tristar777]

Hi. At the end of the day, if it works for you use it!

 

[ex Member swampy99]

I too am going down the chest rig route. One of the reasons I have done this is that I can drive my jeep while wearing it and if anything goes wrong when Im off road I have my bush kit on me and no possibility of loseing it. Plus if I am going more than 1k away from the car Ill take it as you can get turned around in the bush/rainforests here quite easily.

Any time longer out or longer walk I then go to the belt kit +.

I once had the arktis allen belt kit. It is just a chest rig with a belt and as you say a nice bit of kit.

 

[Chiseller]

I use mine for carrying nets for terrier work sometimes, its great for blackberry picking aswell, I just stick Tupperware type flasks in it, makes picking and storing a doddle.
Always good to have a field guide with you for them ' now what do we have here ' moments :thumbup:

I've a Highlander poncho that only takes half a pouch up.

Sent from my HTC Explorer using Tapatalk 2

 

[bushwacker bob]

If it aint a blackberry you recognise, don't eat it it. You could look it up when you get home.

 

[Corso]

I realy like the idea of chest rigs and planned to knock something up using TacticalTaylor molle and a few admin pouches but since seeing the hillpeoplegear.com website I'm thinking of going down that route

 

[Twodogs]

I used a set of ribz on my last outing , works for me ,

 

[johnboy]

Are those the big Ribz or the small ones??

 

[Twodogs]

Big mate , work very well

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

I use the same ribz as those, much better than the chest rig option though both solve similar issues.

 

[oldtimer]

Where do you get ribz from? Looks like a good idea. I use a fanny pack with a home made clip system to fit pack harness to wear on front. Works wel but not ideal. Two dogs, I note the hat you are you are wearing. i like the Tilley you sold me but my pack hits the rear brim and knocks it off. Is this why you sold it?

 

[Twodogs]

Hello mate
My ribz were from ebay ,
The hats a Norwegian Army job ,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NORWAY-NO...ctables_Militaria_LE&var=&hash=item1c256c62a0

 

[geordienemisis]

That's a canny set up you have in the rig, Sometimes all you need with you are just a few items. I use the side pouches of the Berghaus MMPS as a day sack and find this is the job. I used to use belt order when I was in the green & have found myself thinking of going back to belt order as its non-restrictive in what you can get up to and its always there whereas with a back pack you have to take it off to access the items inside. irate:

 

[Paullyfuzz]

Each to their own, all part of life's rich tapestry, but I can only see a military use for chest webbing. I can't think of any other reason I'd want to wear it other than to look like I was in the military.

 

[widu13]

Each to their own, all part of life's rich tapestry, but I can only see a military use for chest webbing. I can't think of any other reason I'd want to wear it other than to look like I was in the military.

Just like those that practice Bushcraft want to be just like Ray Mears?

 

[Native Nathan]

I have both a Chest Rig and a Cop Vest,

I have to say I like them both but IMO the Cop Vest is Superior.
By using the Cop Vest or the Chest Rig it frees up a lot of room in my daysack, allowing me vital room for my most important comfort Item ....... My sleeping bag.

I have toyed with the idea of using a softie jacket and softie trousers instead of a sleeping bag but it wasn't for me.
But while typing this another idea popped in there try ditching the sleeping bag and use just the Hammock and underquilt, I'll let you know how it goes..

 

[Paullyfuzz]

Just like those that practice Bushcraft want to be just like Ray Mears?

Yep, thats sad aswell !