[the other one]

Good day to you, gentlemen.

Here's the thread where you're cordially invited to post up gear and equipment that you have, want, and most especially... would recommend to others. Pictures are encouraged. Airsofters and wannabe's need not apply.

[JackH (Banned)]

Combat Fanny Pack.

[UNDRPRVLGD_V2]

^ Owned

[the other one]

My favorites:


Knives:
Benchmade Nimravus fixed blade. Love it, except that the sheath button release is backwards for how I release it.

Benchmade auto folders are also awesome. I've owned two, loved both, but lost both.

A knife company that comes highly recommended is Strider, which will be my next knife... but they're even more pricy than the benchmades.

Boots:
Danner ain't bad (and can actually be worn in a Marine uniform), but my favorite pair so far is my current deployment boots: Rocky's VS2's with green superfeet insoles. Comfy Comfy.


Socks:
SmartWool. Great socks, comfy, breathable, and I have worn some pairs multiple days in a row in Afghanistan (including patrols) without problems. I rock the "Ph.D" and the medium cushion hiking models. They are very expensive though, at nearly $20 a pair. Can be found at REI and other stores.


Clothing:
I'm in civvies a lot (I've worn cammies 9 days total, over a five month span), but on deployment, I love my frog cammies (Marines).
And the Frog fleece is money. I have been searching the surplus stores to find one for personal use, since it looks like a civilian fleece.

I almost exclusively wear underarmour boxer briefs (red or gray band, not the blue). Comfy, wicks sweat, and smells better than cotton ever will after a week of patrolling. No, they're not flame retardant, but fiery explosions are far less common now, and everything else I wear won't ignite me. I risk it.


Shades:
Oakley. Get on standard issue and get you some.

Watch:
I have and wear a suunto, with all of it's crazy compass and altimeter and barometer madness. My personal opinion, after having mine die on me mid-deployment... is that the money spent really isn't worth it. Get a g-shock with compass if you want to be highspeed, or just get a $30 timex, which works just fine. I wore a timex $35 watch for four years straight with no problems at all, until the strap broke. Damn good watch.
my watch:



Flak:
Most of us can't choose, but for the Marines who can do this... take the MTV cummerbund, and put it on the eagle plate carrier we get issued. Then take off the shoulder pads, and tape some good soft foam on the straps with tan duct tape, while still allowing it to unbuckle. This makes it smaller, more comfy, and...well....higher speed than the normal fobbit.

Helmet:
Can't choose 'em, but I bought one of those tan elastic bands for the helmet, and wrote my name, last 4, blood type, kill roster number, and NKA (allergies). Works great for that type of info.

Magazines:
Magpul Pmags. End of story.
But, if you're not able to get them, then get yourself some magpul followers for regular USGI mags. They help a ton, and pass the "push down with finger" test, which most all stock mags fail.


And the combat fanny pack trumps all.


....and I'll add more to this as I think of more.

[russianlegiontimi]

hope you dont mind i steal your list to make my own favorites...

[SniperForce-Duffek]

Best chin strap you can get.


http://www.afmo.com/Ops_Core_Head_Lo...echinstrap.htm

[UNDRPRVLGD_V2]

^ looks comfy

[russianlegiontimi]

Knives:
Personally, I'm a HUGE fan of Special Operations Gear. They're durable and are easy to use. A solid choice for a combat knife would be the Ka-Bar, but if you're in the army and carrying that, then you'll get **** on all the time.

Boots:
Im gonna agree with the other one on this, Danner is pretty nice. I'm actually wearing them right now. They breath well, they fit like a tennis shoe, and aren't too heavy. Ive heard some good stuff about the converse boots and rocky's. But there are plenty of people who just put new in-soles in their issued boots and drive on.

Socks:
I love the Under Armour socks. Great for ruckmarching, they have a really nice feel to them which is a bit hard to get used to but once or twice through the wash will break them in nice and well.


Clothing:
Being in the Army, the ACU's are phasing out, and the multicams are a new thing. The multicams look cooler, but the ACU's just seemed to fit better. And in Helmand, the only camo that truly blends in is the marines' tan camos. The flame retardant stuff seems to make a lot of people itch, because of all the chemicals. For staying warm, I prefer the fleece, but in Germany, I love the snowman suit jacket, its gotta be one of the warmer jackets ive ever had.

Shades:
Oakley FTW. **** ESS, **** revision.

Watch:
I rock a G-Shock (rhyme unintended), but watches are a preference. Timex is good. If you're a real baller, order a black rolex. But on army money? hell to the no.

Flak:
When I was in South America we had a choice on a few different ones. A lot of people liked the feel of the new-ish IOTV, the four plate system. I'll admit, it is pretty nice. The stomach strap really kept it centered and on tight, along with the side protection which was nice. But some people just like the old IBA's.

Helmet:
I wore the SF PASGT Half head helmet in SOUTHCOM, along with the Night vision mount, Surefire, name band, and all the other stupid stuff we have to have on. But now I'm back to the ACH, with the surefire and NVG.

Magazines:
Magpul is pretty awesome, but I'm a tapco guy myself. But along with that, I do have the Magpul ranger plates on my Tapco's.

[russianlegiontimi]

Originally Posted by SniperForce-Duffek

Best chin strap you can get.


http://www.afmo.com/Ops_Core_Head_Lo...echinstrap.htm

for that price? ****, alright ill buy one.

[the other one]

Good post, bro.

You don't have to follow my format, though... I just started listing stuff as I thought of it.

[russianlegiontimi]

thanks. But I'm what we call.... lazy. This is my first POG deployment, its like a ****ing vacation. Convoys once or twice a week, only get hit like once every two weeks... wayyyy better than last OEF.

[the other one]

Writing gear:

"rite in the rain" goes without saying for paper.

I use two pens almost exclusively: the black Bic round stick (1.99 for 10 pack), and Sharpie double-tipped permanent markers.

The Bic pens are cheap and reliable, and write on just about anything... Cloth, skin, and all types of paper. Plus, they don't bleed or smear like most pens. The sharpies have the regular permanent marker tip, and a super fine (like a regular pen) tip on the other side. These are money, and serve as a back-up pen if needed.


Sharpie:


Bic:

[Viper37]

Hyperlinks need to be a must to post in this thread. Just saying.

[russianlegiontimi]

www.rangerjoes.com

they'll have the basics for anything you need. But more specialized stuff, we'll provide a compilation of sites.

[UNDRPRVLGD_V2]

I hated that store while I was at benning. Their prices blow and the serviced sucked

Im so getting the helmet chin strap though

[russianlegiontimi]

diamondbacktactical.com
patriotoutfitters.com
tacgear.com

and plenty more when i get bored again

[the other one]

Packs:

Mysteryranch.com

3 day pack w/BVS (comfy while wearing body armor):

[UNDRPRVLGD_V2]

I want to get some 511 pants for the range

[JackH (Banned)]

tactical tailor is a must.

[UNDRPRVLGD_V2]

Originally Posted by JackH

tactical tailor is a must.

I'll be going there this weekend

[JackH (Banned)]

I'm jelly