Which belt and pouches for cold weather belt order?

[Imagedude]

In cold weather environments you are constantly adding or removing layers to regulate your temperature. This makes pockets less than ideal for carrying lighters, penknives, GPS etc as you can't predict which layer's pockets will be the most accessable at any one time. Wearing your vitals on a belt worn over your outer layer seems to be the best solution as it allows you to quickly reposition your gear as you adjust your layers.
What I'd like to know is what would be a suitable belt and pouch combo that would allow me to carry 2x Zippos, a can of lighter fuel, a small torch, GPS, penknife, notepad, mini 1st aid kit, sunglasses, spare batteries, a 500ml waterbottle and a fixed blade on a dangler sheath?

 

[Barn Owl]

A good bridle leather belt with a sporran type poss' pouch,holds all bar the knife on the dangler and water bottle in appropriate holder.

Or what about a waistcoat/gilet?

I have a country innovation in l/weight cotton and one in ventile.

 

[spandit]

Are Zippo's plus fuel quite heavy? Wouldn't a Clipper be more convenient?

Anyway, the SnugPak response pack looks like a useful piece of kit

 

[johnboy]

One option is a 'bum bag' of some discription. The Land SAR boy and girls use that set up over here for 'survival' type kit. The zips might be a bit of a fiddle if you have mitts on..

Another option might be an easily adjusted belt and a couple of pouches... Say a roll pin type belt and a couple of old PLCE water bottle pouches... I'd look for nylon fabric pouches as they'll absorb less water if subjected to melting snow etc and will dry more quickly and weigh less than the older canvas based stuff.

Or you could make a twin ring belt from a length of webbing and a couple of rings this is easily adjusted and comfy to wear add one of those NZFS type pouches that Woodlore sell and you'll have a workable solution...

Cheers

John

 

[Imagedude]

I'm more of a 'one pouch - one function' type of a guy than a 'cram everything into a bumbag' person.

Also, my days wearing military style belt order or photographer's vests are long gone and best forgotten.

 

[Greek1983]

I would go for a MOLLE Padded Belt with or without suspenders, and then attach the necessary MOLLE pouches.

For instance:
http://www.rvops.co.uk/molle-yoke-with-molle-battle-belt-olive-2616.html

 

[_mark_]

Swedish Leather Ammo Pouches?

 

[Teepee]

Are Zippo's plus fuel quite heavy? Wouldn't a Clipper be more convenient?

One of the things to come out of the arctic course was the need for a petrol lighter, they'll save your life if you need to light a fire in cold and damp conditions as you can hold a flame under tinder until its dry enough to ignite. A clipper will overheat quickly.

If you take a dunk in icy water, the gas won't vapourise as its cooled down. Hanging it round your neck wont help as the water gets in there too.

I left my little Imco petrol lighter at home in favour of a decent gas one hung round my neck.

Never again

 

[Barn Owl]

What about a shoulder type cartridge bag?, maybe a larger game bag if carrying water.

 

[Imagedude]

What about a shoulder type cartridge bag?, maybe a larger game bag if carrying water.

They tend to get in the way when you are bending over.

 

[spandit]

They tend to get in the way when you are bending over.

I've wondered whether you can get one with a belt clip to stop that happening

 

[wildrover]

Does it have to be leather?

What about something in nylon?

Maxpedition do a massive range of sizes and shapes.

Apologies for the lack of pics.

Belt

http://www.uktactical.com/acatalog/Blackwater_Riggers_Belt.html

Waterbottle pouch
http://www.heinnie.com/Maxpedition/...axpedition-1-Qt-Canteen-Pouch/p-289-582-4086/

Pouches of various Sizes and configurations

http://www.heinnie.com/Maxpedition/Maxpedition-Pouches/Maxpedition-Five-by-Three/p-289-582-3475/

http://www.heinnie.com/Maxpedition/...on-Strobe--GPS--Compass-Pouch/p-289-582-4259/

http://www.heinnie.com/Maxpedition/...Tear-Away-Waterproof-Map-Case/p-289-582-4602/

http://www.heinnie.com/Maxpedition/...xpedition-5x7x2-Horizontal-GP/p-289-582-4034/

http://www.heinnie.com/Maxpedition/Maxpedition-Pouches/Maxpedition-7-x-5-x-4-/p-289-582-3486/


ATB
Chris

 

[Barn Owl]

They tend to get in the way when you are bending over.

Well I'd have to refer to the old fashioned but hey it works, Sam brown belt and shoulder rig type set up?

 

[Smith28]

What about a Ribz mate?

 

[Corso]

I use a fjallraven reporter vest for my odds and ends and a claymore bag for my mess tin/waterbottle

 

[snozz]

I've wondered whether you can get one with a belt clip to stop that happening

I've had a barbour bag like this for years. http://www.barbour.com/mens-clothing/bags/wax/accessories/thornproof-tarras-bag-medium. And it's perfect for a day out. It has a brass ring on one side (for a folding landing net i guess) but you could fasten that to your belt to stop it slipping.
I do like belt pouches, but you can quickly look like a squaddy when you have 3 or 4 attached

Snozz

 

[Hetzen]

One like this has ticked the right boxes for me so far.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shoulder-Hiking-Camping-Travel-Digital/dp/B005MYAZ36

Like yourself, I wanted something to carry what I had in my pockets when taking the dog for a walk, which included an iphone and spare battery, water proofs, etc. You can get GI bottle in the main pouch no problem, although a 1l bottle inside a cup would need a modification to secure the flap. Would look quite easy to do.

It holds a reasonable amount of weight because the belt rests on your opposite hip bone, not like a response bag that wanted to pull your trousers down. It also has a leg fastener to stop it hopping about if that's an issue. But the main thing is that you can wear this with a rucksack with hip support, as the pouch hangs lower than the waiste line.

I've put some punch eyelets on the flap of mine, and threaded through some elastic cord to act as a jacket lash which seems to work.

 

[johnboy]

Mmmmm thinking about the issue..

I'm left with the following options....

Waist bag of bum bag ( not favored as have to cram stuff in)
Belt with pouches attached ( a bit to military looking)
A shoulder type bag of one sort or another ( gets in the way while bending down)

What about non military pouches on a belt.... Or is that not an option....

 

[Imagedude]

What about non military pouches on a belt.... Or is that not an option....

That's the idea, but which pouches?

 

[johnboy]

That's the idea, but which pouches?

Good question.... The issue is the whole belt kit idea has never caught on in the civvi outdoor world so you either seem to have surplus kit, tacticool stuff for mall ninjas or leather hand worked stuff for 'bushcraft'.

Lowepro did make a webbing set up for photographers with pouches that stuff is very good quality but it's designed for protecting cameras and lenses etc...

Maybe just plump for a eclectic mix of stuff on a belt, you can get pouches for gps's and torches, etc....

Or you could look at the hunting pouches Which are really popular here.

http://www.ridgeline.co.nz/catalog/product/rugged-manuka-pouch.

The Woodlore ones are just really NZFS pouches with a RM logo on.....

Or crack out the cordura and sewing machine....


Edited to add that these folks have some cordura pouches in non military style and colours.

http://www.toughtraveler.com/remed.asp