WOMEN ONLY - gear for the ladies

[arrowolf]

And finally, a war belt may have issues, as women's hips curve far more than men, so keeping the gear on the thighs with drop panels and holsters might work better, anyway...

She wears a duty belt with a pistol, every day, and shes worn my ATS belt. She likes it.

The shoulder bag mag carrier is hilarious, but kinda along the lines of ILL GET HER A PURSE, BITCHES LIKE PURSES.

Not this bitch.

[B3]

I don't think of anything I'd rather wear less than a tactical corset OR a bandolier type rig. I'll admit the tactical corset looks great, but it's expensive and just not practical. The bandolier rig would flop around (even with a waist strap or something) and I think the single strap running across one side of the neck would chafe horribly. I generally don't carry a purse and I don't see why I would want to carry something that looks and functions like a purse--especially during a "run & gun" class. That's just my personal preference--the tactical corset or the bandolier may work out great for some people.

And I am sick to death of hearing about the tactical corset

[arrowolf]

And I am sick to death of hearing about the tactical corset

Yup. Every guy who posts about it acts as though it's some "new" discovery he's just made and gots to show everyone else. Not much new under the sun on this board. That movie fantasy shit might fly on the big screen but I don't recall many women dressed like Alice walking around after Katrina. Nor many men decked out like Mad Max either. Most of us gals already know how difficult it is to be taken seriously as a prepper without looking like a PAW Crack Whore on top of it. Let's try to keep the gear forum for legitimate discussions and keep the tactical corset in OTD.

[NoAm]

And I am sick to death of hearing about the tactical corset

Yup. Every guy who posts about it acts as though it's some "new" discovery he's just made and gots to show everyone else. Not much new under the sun on this board. That movie fantasy shit might fly on the big screen but I don't recall many women dressed like Alice walking around after Katrina. Nor many men decked out like Mad Max either. Most of us gals already know how difficult it is to be taken seriously as a prepper without looking like a PAW Crack Whore on top of it. Let's try to keep the gear forum for legitimate discussions and keep the tactical corset in OTD.

AMEN Sisters!
We took our Girl Scout Troop to Savannah, one of the courses we attended was about fashion through the ages. They had a portion of the course where they discussed corsets. They are horrible for your spine (saw the x-rays to prove it)! Of course you have the initial "Hmmmmmmmm!" feeling when you put it on and it feels pretty good on your back, but after awhile to imagine being in that torture device for any amount of time was just, meh. Much less trying to be any kind of tactical! Maybe a good decoy use but that is about it.

[SeerSavant]

I really never thought of it as a purse?

Sorry, trying to help... Fact is, I've never really considered a chest rig for the women... my wife chose a shoulder bag to carry her incidentals (she would be carrying a marlin, although when finances get better, we will shop for a decent carbine for her) and she and I have talked about something closer to the shoulder bag variety...

Right now she has a shoulder bag like this;


But she currently is in a Lever Action mode, I'm trying to convince her to upgrade to a AR or AK or similar gun, but for what she has, this bag works for her...

Also, she's right at 5 foot tall, and about 110, so my Arsenal is too heavy for her... We've been talking about a pistol caliber carbine, but right now it's not at the top of the priority list.
I did get her kinda interested in a Tantal, though...

[crypto]

Okay, so heres another item for women that will put the mags in front of the girls instead of under them:

http://www.lapolicegear.com/shellback-g ... t-rig.html



This is a bib-type rig in that instead of shoulder straps it has one neck strap and one back strap. It comes in 2xrifle + 2xpistol or 3x rifle or 6x rifle.

It can also be employed over the shoulder if one so desires.

Going price seems to be about $65.

The wife didnt like the idea of the neck strap, but some others may not mind.

[B3]

This rig is the one I was issued back in 1998 or so:



What it has going for it is that the mags are stacked horizontally and slightly canted upwards. The mag pouches are on the front of the chest and can be accessed from either side while allowing for variations of the body. Plus, grenade pouches (having had to carry live frags from time to time) is an added "peace of mind so I don't blow myself up" bonus. They are also good for carrying random items including, but not limited to: the Charms candies out of an MRE, gum, chap-stick, etc. when not encompassed with things that go KA-BOOM.

What it *doesn't* have in it's favor that it is supposed to be integrated with a pistol belt and it has flaps instead of bungees. Apparently the new hotness is to have a separate mag carrier and a "war belt". I like the idea of having said war belt that can be worn with or without a mag/plate carrier, but the LBV was leaps and bounds over the old Y-back ALICE suspenders and front hip mag pouches.

YMMV

[PotatoMuncher]

This rig is the one I was issued back in 1998 or so:



What it has going for it is that the mags are stacked horizontally and slightly canted upwards. The mag pouches are on the front of the chest and can be accessed from either side while allowing for variations of the body. Plus, grenade pouches (having had to carry live frags from time to time) is an added "peace of mind so I don't blow myself up" bonus. They are also good for carrying random items including, but not limited to: the Charms candies out of an MRE, gum, chap-stick, etc. when not encompassed with things that go KA-BOOM.

What it *doesn't* have in it's favor that it is supposed to be integrated with a pistol belt and it has flaps instead of bungees. Apparently the new hotness is to have a separate mag carrier and a "war belt". I like the idea of having said war belt that can be worn with or without a mag/plate carrier, but the LBV was leaps and bounds over the old Y-back ALICE suspenders and front hip mag pouches.

YMMV

I miss mine from BCT in 2005 If you take your time, you could adjust it to fit absolutely perfectly, with or without an IBA.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

[snip]...she would be carrying a marlin, although when finances get better, we will shop for a decent carbine for her...[snip]

A Marlin IS a decent carbine. Just sayin'

I like the bandoleer/purse idea. I carry a man-purse rather often, and I've considered gutting a copy of it, reinforcing it (to retain shape) and stitching in tacticool shit, likea Glock holsater, mag pouches, a FAK pouch...basically an inside-out chest-rig, only without the primary mags and disguised as a canvas man-purse, with requisite moto-patches on the outside.

Just a thought, for the purse-type guys and gals here.

[SeerSavant]

[snip]...she would be carrying a marlin, although when finances get better, we will shop for a decent carbine for her...[snip]

A Marlin IS a decent carbine. Just sayin'

I like the bandoleer/purse idea. I carry a man-purse rather often, and I've considered gutting a copy of it, reinforcing it (to retain shape) and stitching in tacticool shit, likea Glock holsater, mag pouches, a FAK pouch...basically an inside-out chest-rig, only without the primary mags and disguised as a canvas man-purse, with requisite moto-patches on the outside.

Just a thought, for the purse-type guys and gals here.

She thinks so too... one of our plans is to get her a lever in .357 to match her revolver...

Honestly, she's a pretty crack shot with a lever, and I've seen her keep shots in the 9 ring with a 2 1/2 inch snubby at 10 yards... She's never been a fan of black rifles, but after a few range trips, shes grown very fond of my SGL, it's just too big for her...

Correction, the gun is fine, it's too long for her... I know we can fix the length of pull, she probably would be good with something just short of the standard Warsaw length, but the weight up front is what is hard for her to support...

My eventual idea is to SBR a Draco and see how she likes it...

If she doesn't.... Well... I wouldn't mind a Draco...



O.T. she doesn't have the need for anything close to battle rattle at the moment, but I am curious as to how a curvy woman would best carry the extra mags and such... I actually like the Grab and Go, and would like it for what it is, a last minute, err, grab and go option...
But I'm wondering...


Chest size aside, why wouldn't a standard bib style mag holder, like an eagle or beez work, if you simply rode it a little high, so that the mag mouth was over the boobs instead of under them?

Maybe this is a harness issue and not a bib issue?

Just throwing it out, honestly curious, so no oaf patrol needed...

[arrowolf]

I've had a severe neck injury so wearing anything puts pressure on the back of my neck (like the bib shown) is right out. I've also had to have both shoulders scoped. So, I have a lot of issues to deal with when trying new equipment. I've got a regular Condor MOLLE vest with attached pouches. It's ok and that's all. I can't adjust the shoulders enough to make it short enough for my upper body. Not a issue unless I attach my pistol belt. Then it sits above my shoulders completely and will pinch my neck. The Rhodesian vest gives me a more freedom of arm movement. It carries 4-6 AK mags easy. It has 2 grenade pockets which will hold 6-8 shot shells. Then you still have several other pouches/pockets for other gear. It cinches up tight and doesn't bounce around when it is. I'm a pretty big gal too. It works well for me. I've been through several different types of of gear from a few different manufacturers. No, it's perfect for every situation but this style has worked the best consistently for me.

[coyotebc]

Figured I'd check this for the fiancee, as she doesn't read the forums, despite my urging...

Anyhow, not that I think this is a particularly useful invention, I'm wondering, could most ladies manage storing the N95 masks, um, in the, uh "same location"? Seriously- I've seen some women store stuff in their cleavage that I'd never even think to ask if they had, everything from a hanky to a handgun (and not some pocket pistol, either! ) Seems to me the shape of the masks and the bra cups would, for the average lady, be pretty compatible.

Just a piece of trivia here.
According to a 3m rep that did my respirator instructor training years ago, the original press used for making the N95 respirator (she was showing a model 8210) was modeled after an "A cup" size bra press (or mold)

My brother's ex is a very outdoorsy type of woman, she loves hunting, camping, 4x4'ing you name it.
She is in good shape, but due to a car accident, she has trouble with her right shoulder (3 or 4 operations on it).
She is also very well endowed (larger than DD, custom bra shops type), none of the usual guy type rigs would work for her.
Over the years she tried many options, however she did try an LBV type set-up of my brothers that she really liked.
We bought her one for Christmas with a belt 2 years ago and she loved it.
After her and my brother broke up she joined the military and she is now back east.
My wife and her are still friends, I will ask her if she has any pictures on how she has it set up.

However it was set-up more as a day-pack/survival type rig (it was for hunting) but it may be worth looking at.

[congochris]

Okay, so heres another item for women that will put the mags in front of the girls instead of under them:

http://www.lapolicegear.com/shellback-g ... t-rig.html

That looks pretty similar to the spec ops MOUT rig I picked up. Straps are different though. The MOUT rig straps cross in an X on the back. I bought it simply because I didn't have anything else and it was on sale cheap. My problem is that it's floppy as hell. Makes me wonder if boobs wouldn't help fill the "dead space" and make it fit right. May have to ask my wife to try it on.


And in case anyone took the tactical corset post seriously.. well, I don't know what to tell you. It's the most ridiculous piece of "tactical" gear I've ever seen. Outside of a movie prop I can't think of a single good use for it.

[CorvusEffect]

I don't think of anything I'd rather wear less than a tactical corset OR a bandolier type rig. I'll admit the tactical corset looks great, but it's expensive and just not practical.

To be perfectly honest, I just designed and constructed my own tactical corset ($400 is waaaaay too much for something I can do in 20 hours and a fraction of the cost). Real steal boning in one is the stupidest thing a woman can wear for a combat situation, but I have discovered some pros to the concept.

- They are made of heavy duty material (military grade cordura) that is difficult to get through with most standard weapons and absorbs some of the impact. Better a bruise then a bleeding wound.
- You can wear whatever you want under or over it.
- The close fit means it doesn't shift out of place while running, jumping, rolling, fighting, or whatever-ing.
- Made without steel boning and one doesn't have to worry about an inability to breath because of over cinching. Also the clips make it easy in and out.
- They keep the girls in place. I don't know about you, but that's an issue for me and the added help is nice.
- The MOLLE does what MOLLE does best, customization. Granted, I prefer the angled MOLLE over the horrizontal, but that's me.

So far, those are the perks I've found and enjoy thus far. I will, however, add one more thing; Everyone is different. I'm not saying you HAVE to like the tactical corset because I do, just saying why I like mine.

[taskforce71]

Figured I'd check this for the fiancee, as she doesn't read the forums, despite my urging...

Anyhow, not that I think this is a particularly useful invention, I'm wondering, could most ladies manage storing the N95 masks, um, in the, uh "same location"? Seriously- I've seen some women store stuff in their cleavage that I'd never even think to ask if they had, everything from a hanky to a handgun (and not some pocket pistol, either! ) Seems to me the shape of the masks and the bra cups would, for the average lady, be pretty compatible.

I work in a store and (ugh) lose count of how many times women use their bras instead of a wallet. Which begs the question, WHY do women carry purses if they stuff the money under their shirts? It's no fun touching sweaty dollar bills when the temperature hits 99 outside and they've been running up and down the shopping mall.

[crypto]

So far, the front-runner is this http://www.spectergear.com/593.htm

Not overly huge or complicated, doesn't look like a hot mess with straps and bungees, and looks like it will ride high enough to contain the girls

Just ordered this:

https://www.spectergear.com/v/vspfiles/ ... 593-2T.jpg

We'll see how it does.

[crypto]

And, just ordered a ATS war belt for first-line gear.

[B3]

Got the chest rig, hydration pack, and "war belt" mostly assembled. Everything seems to play together nicely, but we shall see what happens when I actually have to run around and stuff. I should put my gear on and go mow the lawn--that will draw strange looks from the neighbors and hopefully give me an idea of whether it works or not.

[sturmotter]

I remember once seeing a portable willy or whatever you call them on some netsite I've long since forgotten the name of - basically a contraption that allows women to pee standing up and without taking their trousers down. Does anybody have any experience with them and what are they actually called? My wife would like to get one, because it would make some things somewhat easier/more discrete when camping, hiking or attending a rock festival...

[wee drop o' bush]

I remember once seeing a portable willy or whatever you call them on some netsite I've long since forgotten the name of - basically a contraption that allows women to pee standing up and without taking their trousers down. Does anybody have any experience with them and what are they actually called? My wife would like to get one, because it would make some things somewhat easier/more discrete when camping, hiking or attending a rock festival...

This? My friend goes to a lot of music festivals & has tried one.

http://www.shewee.com/

[sturmotter]

My wife would like to get one, because it would make some things somewhat easier/more discrete when camping, hiking or attending a rock festival...

This? My friend goes to a lot of music festivals & has tried one.
http://www.shewee.com/

Yes, like that. I think it looked a bit different, but the idea was the same. So it's NATO approved, even.

[wee drop o' bush]

My friend swears by them, but she did say it took a bit of practising before she was confident to use it at a music festival

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Forward deployed ladies often received the GoGirl model.

[B3]

*sigh* I had a nice write-up all ready, but I guess I closed the window before I hit Sumbit. Dammit.

TL;DR version

Full rig--Specter chest rig 4-mag carrier, ATS war belt with Safariland Raptor holster: