Which area are you in?

Rob,

Dear God Man! Those were just things I thought you should consider. Perhaps you'd consider sending me a large box of cash? <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Since you seem to be soliciting ideas/suggestions, here are a few more:


Get that locking folder yet?

All of your clothing, it seems, is synthetic. Darn nice synthetic clothing, and you seem to have the concept of layering down nicely, but synthetics have at least one disadvantage--someone here on the forum (I believe it was Jet) calls them "melting burnables". Don't get me wrong, I own and use synthetics, but I try to only wear them as intermediate layers, or when threatened by rain. I've had molten plastic splashed on me, it ain't fun. I can't, and don't want to, imagine that feeling on a significant portion of my body.

I have an Esbit, and use it frequently, but wouldn't rely on it as my one and only stove. Particularly when so much of your food is of the "add water and heat" type.

Speaking of one and only, your water carriers all seem to be of the flexible plastic variety. Once again, I have those and use them, but I'm reminded of the "having all your eggs in one basket" expression. Maybe add a canteen? Or a Nalgene bottle? Something a tad more sturdy for backup? Something easier to pour from when making oatmeal and coffee?

I noticed in your profile that you spend time "chasing a toddler". Have you made emergency plans for your family? Lots to consider there. Lots of guys here on the forum have families (myself included), and I'm sure that advice/suggestions will flow in if you ask.

Take care,

Andy

Hi Abe,

Thanks for the input.

I'm shopping for locking folder this weekend. Don't know if I'll necessarily buy this weekend, but it sure is fun to look around! <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I guess the fact that most of my "adventure" clothing is synthetic and the water containers are soft reflect the fact that backpacking is my primary leisure pursuit, where, as you probably know, things that are quick-drying and lightweight are highly desirable. Its hard to make lightweight rain gear out of cotton! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> So, what types of non-synthetic outer layers would you suggest? Cotton-canvas BDUs come to mind, or perhaps ye olde Carhartt coverall.

I actually used the Esbit exclusively for 2 nights on the Appalachian trail (Dick's Creek to Unicoi), and also used it exclusively for a 4-night trip to Cumberland Island. I do have an MSR Whisperlite and 22 oz. fuel bottle for heavier camping. That might be something to consider for a bug-out scenario.

Its kind of funny. I use Nalgenes around the house and in the car to have a refreshing beverage on hand, but they don't seem to find their way with me backpacking. Car camping is another story, however. Again, your point is well taken about enhanced durability being desirable for bug out gear.

We do have family plans in place for various scenarios, all the way up to making our way to a family member's house who has a huge generator, stocks of supplies, and, um...multiple personal defense items. I'd definitely be interested in hearing what sort of plans other parents/spouses have made for their troop.

If you are really in a fiery environment, you turn to yet another synthetic - Nomex. Working for the NPS, Nomex is required for wildfires - long sleeve shirt and pants, and also for helicopter work - the milspec Nomex flight suit or equivalent. In those environments, it is a good idea to be sure you are wearing nonsynthetic underwear and sox. Also pay attention to shoes and shoe laces - most modern lightweight hiking boots will degrade in significant heat (the glues holding everything together just melt). Leather laces are much preferable to nylon.

For normal use, I don't worry about it, although one of the biggest hazards is that an errant spark from the fire will melt/burn a hole in your super expensive, high fashion fleece.

Rob,

As Don pointed out, the synthetic issue probably isn't that big of a deal. I tend to be a little paranoid about certain things....

BDUs are fine in fair weather, aggravating when they get wet, problems when cold and wet. Do a search here, the subject has been covered in depth by people who are both more knowledgable and articulate than I.

Carhartt is great stuff, but expensive, and it suffers from one of the same problems as BDUs. Namely, cotton. Carhartt has been covered here as well.


In late spring and summer, I wear synthetics and cotton. Late fall and winter I wear syntheics and wool. Generalized, but basically accurate. Raingear for both.

Take care,

Andy

Thanks. I'll poke around the forum archives for those discussions.

Along this line, does anyone know what GIs, especially arored types, are wearing in Iraq now? Cetainly they are in an environment where they have to think about flammability.

Armor and aircrew wear nomex. Everyone else wears BDU's.

Aircrew are not permitted to wear anything but cotton, leather, wool, and nomex while flying.

Yep, in sharp contrast to my backpacking clothing, I wear natural materials almost exclusively when flying.