I've been using/experimenting with webbing and pouch systems since around 1986 when i left school!
my reasoning because it's tough, you always know where everything is, and it's comfortable.
this is the list of stuff i've bought and tried:
WW2 ammo pouches.
british 72" pattern webbing (v rare now!)
british 58" pattern used in and out of the army i.e. CEFO and CEMO.
US ALICE webbing
DPM COP vest
South african vest (brown nylon)
PLCE Webbing (including bergen and side pouches)
PLCE Chest webbing
a US SWAT type vest((black) simular to PlCE vest)
my copy of an SAS belt order as seen in Combat and survival Magazine.
:yikes: :shock: why so many?
because my kit has changed along the way.
in the last couple of years my attitudes have changed alot! even since joining this forum!
my current kit is vastly different it is:
one belt pouch about ammo pouch sized, and a waterbottle pouch (PLCE type) that's about it! neither pouch looks like army issue kit and i would happily wear the smaller one to do my shopping, it isn't overtly obvious, it sort of looks more like a camera pouch.
(it's actually an ARKTIS Ammo pouch bought for £2.99!)
my attitude now is:
yes, webbing is handy, strong, well designed etc etc, but however you look at it, it is very, very, obviously a military item designed to hold essential items for war!
that's not what i'm about, and never have been, (ok, barring military service but i wanted to be a medic).
ideally we could all wear exactly what we want, but realisticly anywhere but right out in the sticks webbing to joe public says (especially in the current political world) :
survivalist, soldier wanabe, possible threat, mis-understood, wierd, and simular.
frequently complete strangers have said things like:
"we're in the army now",
"do you want to be in the army",
or "you think you're in the army"
i used to ignore the comments, but what image did i put across?
after many comments like that i opted to use the webbing after dark, which of course must have only looked worse, a man walking round looking like a soldier at night in the woods/country would worry me!
for years i have been on the other side for webbing, i can still see it's usefulness, but even in the woods image is a factor even if we don't want it to be!
after spending time with bushcraft as a hobby/lifestyle, i have decided to try to represent "bushcraft" in a more aproachable way.
Hopefully now any person can walk up to me without any negative preconcived incorrect ideas about me.