ATS Warbelt- Does it fit into my preps?

[sigboy40]

I have been debating adding an ATS Warbelt to my preps.
http://www.atstacticalgear.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=ST-2603
I would use a Bianchi Accumold holster as the inner belt.
On it I would set it up similiar to the old ALICE gear, 2 canteens, small butt pack, FAK, survival kit, knife, multitool and pistol.

I would use this as a day hiking and hunting rig. Most of you know that I believe in a modular approach to my preps, so this would essentially be a heavy first line, and the order would go as follows:
Warbelt
Chest Rig
GHB
BOB

EDIT- I really dont see any real world use for my chest rig. The odds of me using it in anger are almost nil. This would give me a gear set up that I would actually use in the real world. I can drop the pistol and hike a public trail, I can hunt with it and carry the essentials, etc.

For a chest rig I use an issue FLC, or Riflemans vest as it's sometimes called. I tried putting my canteens on it, but I have a problem reaching them for use. The FLC won't ride low enough for it to be used on my waist, or else I would just do that.

My biggest fear is that I may have to move fast and be stuck with very little survival gear, I have tried building a complete vest around this pronciple and was not very successful (see my sig).

If I was to go this way the GHB in my sig would be replaced with a bigger bag and run about 15 pounds of gear. It would have enough gear for a fairly comfortable night out. Basic shelter, food, etc.

My BOB is an external frame pack, I should get that post going to give you a better idea about it.

What say you? Am I trying to create a problem for this solution? Should I just set it all up in a day pack and run a normal EDC first line?

[Deschain]

I think that you should drop a chest rig from survival preps. If you have a chest rig, you're going to a gunfight, so prepare for that separately. Otherwise, a heavy beltline is a pretty good idea, I think. However, in order to not end up with suspenders and have it essentially BE the old ALICE rig, you'll have to lighten it up.

Deschain

[Murph]

Didn't you have a hunting belt setup, or am I getting confused with someone else?

[oldsoldier]

I think that you should drop a chest rig from survival preps. If you have a chest rig, you're going to a gunfight, so prepare for that separately. Otherwise, a heavy beltline is a pretty good idea, I think. However, in order to not end up with suspenders and have it essentially BE the old ALICE rig, you'll have to lighten it up.

Deschain

+1. A chest rig, you are either in, or going to, the fight. I run a warbelt & chest rig for range time, but it doesnt really figure into my preps, unless I am REALLY bugging out. I also have 2 chest rigs-a light one, thats simple, and easy to conceal (my Blueforce Gear 10-speed), and a traditional one, with a hydration bladded (Condor chest rig). I also run a warbelt with 2 pistol mags, 1 M4 mag, a blowout kit, my pistol, a flashlight, and I suppose, if needed, I COULD throw a knife on there-but I usually carry one anyway, so its not really needed. I can easily carry a backpack with this setup, if needed-even with the chest rig, I suppose.
My suggestion-run the beltrig as light as possible. Extra mag for your rifle, one or 2 for your pistol, a FAK, and a flashlight. Thats about as basic as you want to go. Too much more, and your pants will fall down. Think DEfensive, not OFFensive.

[Hooligan]

I think the warbelt is a good idea. You could also use it to hold things and use it for E&E. You can still have some gear even if you have to drop your bag for some reason.

[Noven]

https://docs.google.com/View?id=drnhb8z_235dq6w3df6

Here is a good review of a war belt by Tactical Yellow Visor.

[sigboy40]

My suggestion-run the beltrig as light as possible. Extra mag for your rifle, one or 2 for your pistol, a FAK, and a flashlight. Thats about as basic as you want to go. Too much more, and your pants will fall down. Think DEfensive, not OFFensive.

Maybe I wasn't clear in my post. The Warbelt would be for e&e gear only. It is not an offensive gear set up, that is what my chest rig is for.

Murph, I had a hunting rig set up, it turned into a small BOB, weighing in at over 20 pounds. This time I was going to learn from that lesson.

[sigboy40]

I'm still not sure if the need is really there or if I'm making one up. Myabe I just need to hold off for a bit.

[Hooligan]

I think it could come in handy as a light weight E&E belt or a pistol belt. There are a lot of things you can use it for. Have a small first aid kit on it. You could even have a small kit like a ritter survival kit on it. It wont be as good as your bag but it would be a good backup if for any reason you get separated from your bag. I just think a belt can be a very versatile part of your prep kit.

[Murph]

Did you happen to see my thread on Pistol Belts?

http://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/view ... 18&t=61809

It might help you with ideas.

I'd imagine a belt with several pouches 3"x5" would look pretty discreet, but still be able to carry a fair amount of gear without getting over burdensome.

Edit:
Maybe something like this:
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/FOU ... -7p123.htm
Or:
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Tac ... -7p415.htm
Or:
http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/5x7 ... -7p767.htm

More Edit:
Kinda like Chewbecca's bandoleer, but except around your waist.

[retrospeaks]

sig-

my current funds are being saved to purchase a warbelt myself for purposes similar to yours. i live in a densely populated area, so staying light and low pro would be the way for me if i needed to get out of dodge. right now i figure putting a holster, few mags, buttpack for e&e/survival items, and a good multipurpose knife on the belt would survive for a first line if i have to ditch everything else.

[sigboy40]

Kinda like Chewbecca's bandoleer, but except around your waist.

I was thinking Bat Belt, but yours works as well.

My First aid kit for sure, and I also was going to include this small PSK http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=53433&hilit=+survival+kit
The rest would just be the basics. I am going to mock it up when I get home with my regular belt.
I am trying to avoid a repeat of this http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=57490&hilit=+survival+kit

[omega_man]

Have you given any thought to a waist/fanny pack? I used one while for E&E gear while in the Marines and still carry my essentials in one for hiking/camping. They are unobtrusive and you can still run a pistol/war belt or backpack waistbelt over one without being cumbersome. I just posted my BOB and included my waistpack. I agree with layering gear in case you find yourself without a ruck.

[sigboy40]

I just about have myself talked into this.

The next question......Nalgenes or Canteens?

[Murph]

I just about have myself talked into this.

The next question......Nalgenes or Canteens?

Neither... Go with two empty Platy bags and your Frontier Pro Filter. It'll keep the weight and space down.

[sigboy40]

I just about have myself talked into this.

The next question......Nalgenes or Canteens?

Neither... Go with two empty Platy bags and your Frontier Pro Filter. It'll keep the weight and space down.

The odds of me ever leaving without them full is very slim. I dont have water just around every bend like some people I know



Here is what I was thinking, only updated into a warbelt, and with all matching pouches.
From left to right:
Pistol mags
Pouch with Rangefinder, compass, etc
Flashlight
canteen
PSK
multitool
pistol
misc pouch

[Murph]

I just about have myself talked into this.
The next question......Nalgenes or Canteens?

Neither... Go with two empty Platy bags and your Frontier Pro Filter. It'll keep the weight and space down.

The odds of me ever leaving without them full is very slim. I dont have water just around every bend like some people I know

Good point about limited water sources in Texas. I totally forgot about that.

I've used, Canteens in the past, then Nalgenes, but lately I've been playing around with Camelbak's bottle. Camelbak's bottle is taller and slimmer, but only tops out at 750ml, as opposed to Nalgene's typical 1000ml. I looked it up, and 1qt USGI Canteen is roughly 946ml. But for some reason the Camelbak seems to fit easier in and out of pouches make for the Nalgene's. So I think it really comes down to how you want to manage the limited space on your belt with the various sizes of your water container options.

As for your belt setup as pictured... Depending on how it sits on your body I might consider swapping the places of the Rangefinder pouch and the Canteen. You'd probably be reaching for the canteen more, so closer to the front would make it easier.

[Old_Man]

Camelbak makes stainless and plastic water bottles with the bite valve. Couple of models come with internal filters.
http://www.camelbak.com/en/sports-recreation/bottles.aspx

I've got a couple of the 1 liter models....so far they are great.

[TDW586]

I can't answer whether a first line belt fits into your preps; IMHO, it basically fits into everyone's preps, but that's your decision.

What I can say is that if you want a first line belt, an ATS War Belt is an excellent choice, as good or better than any on the market. And at less than 40 bucks, I don't see any reason not to give it a try.

[sigboy40]

What I can say is that if you want a first line belt, an ATS War Belt is an excellent choice, as good or better than any on the market. And at less than 40 bucks, I don't see any reason not to give it a try.

Now thats some sound logic!

My biggest worry right now is that I will over load it in the back and the weight wont balance in the front. Two Canteens of water is 4 pounds. Of course, we never had problems in the army when we didnt have ammo, so it may be an adjustment issue. Or I just plan on not putting a butt pack on and keeping it light.

[northernxposure]

I just about have myself talked into this.

The next question......Nalgenes or Canteens?

Possibly a Nalgene Oasis?

NXP

[Jeriah]

Short version:
I think it'll be handy for hunting and hiking; not sure how it fits into the modular approach to gear.

Long version:
Here's the issue with this question for me. The warbelt/pistol belt is awesome. I was totally worn over to their utility for fighting and training seeing my MilCopp classmates with them. Running a drop-leg holster, dump pouch, and mag pouches off my pants belt was definitely less than ideal. So for that kind of stuff I'm a total convert. I would use it for a pistol, dump pouch, pistol mags, multitool, IFAK, and anything else you need that doesn't go on your chest rig. My chest rig is, at present, just for rifle mags, which makes the modularity thing pretty easy: if I'm bringing the rifle, I bring the chest rig. If not, I don't. Sounds like you have a similar sort of plan re: your chest rig.

So with the ATS Warbelt, it would be very handy if you did some tactical training, competition, or anything like that. And I can see the utility of it for hiking and hunting: when I do short hikes, I really hate having a pack on my back. I'll often borrow a fannypack from my Grandma. Lately the convenience of a Camelbak has won me over so I wear an Omega Thermobak Storm 3L whatever. So when I hike in the desert or Yosemite or whatever, I'll wear my Camelbak for water and then borrow my grandma's fannypack or something if I need to bring a snack. A well kitted-out Warbelt would fill this role awesomely and look more awesome and let you carry more stuff if desired. So I'm in favor of this.

Now, with either of the above roles (fighting/training/competition on the one hand, and hunting/hiking on the other), you could add a daypack or light ruck if you needed a couple day's worth of light trail shit. Maybe 20-40lbs of stuff, in a pack with no waist belt, or a stabilizing (non weight bearing) waist belt. So that's good.

The problem for me, and this relates to the external frame BOB you were talking about, is that if you want to rock a pack with a weight-bearing waistbelt, you can't ALSO rock a Warbelt. So, if we saw the pack in question, that would address this issue.

So this is the question, regarding modularity: if you carry a pack with a weight-bearing waistbelt, and you have to ditch the pack, what's your first line gear?

If your pack doesn't have a weight-bearing waistbelt, then you can disregard this issue, although I am still trying to figure it out for myself. In which case, sorry for the derail.

[sigboy40]

So this is the question, regarding modularity: if you carry a pack with a weight-bearing waistbelt, and you have to ditch the pack, what's your first line gear?

If your pack doesn't have a weight-bearing waistbelt, then you can disregard this issue, although I am still trying to figure it out for myself. In which case, sorry for the derail.

Is it not the same problem that we have with a daypack? Other then a lightly loaded chest rig, our choices are limited. So I normally clip my daypack onto the outside of my main pack.
Like this:

I am actually thinking about updating it with a Lightfighter bag. That should give me a bit more room. The main bag is a 3000 cu inch Condor 3 day bag attached to a Cabelas Alaskan Guide Frame. My plan is to put the belt over the bag and clip it in like I do my daypack.

[Jeriah]

That's an interesting solution.

In my crazy dream world, Kifaru and ATS would collaborate on a way to use the warbelt AS the load-bearing belt on a pack.

Just imagine it...you put on your EMR or whatever, and the belt is loaded up with your first line gear, and then you want to ditch your ruck, so you just click a couple heavy-duty buckles and it drops free, leaving you with just the waistbelt. Want to put the ruck back on? You just back up to it and click it back in.

I can't figure out how it would be possible, but if it were...hot DAMN.