I have a question and would like to get some opinions. Which is better for survival situations civilian camping gear or military gear? For example a red civilian rucksack or a olive drab military A.L.I.C.E. pack, or a flannel shirt and denim pants or woodland camo fatigues? What are the advantages and disadvantages of civilian and military gear? (I am asking this because I was thinking you would kind of stand out in the crowd wearing camo fatigues and carrying a military pack full of gear, but you would look normal wearing a flannel shirt and denim pants and carrying a backpack, but that could also be a big disadvantage when on patrol in the woods, maybe the civilian stuff for bug-out and the military stuff when you get to that retreat in the middle of nowhere?) Any suggestions or comments?  

I have a question and would like to get some opinions. Which is better for survival situations civilian camping gear or military gear? For example a red civilian rucksack or a olive drab military A.L.I.C.E. pack, or a flannel shirt and denim pants or woodland camo fatigues? What are the advantages and disadvantages of civilian and military gear? (I am asking this because I was thinking you would kind of stand out in the crowd wearing camo fatigues and carrying a military pack full of gear, but you would look normal wearing a flannel shirt and denim pants and carrying a backpack, but that could also be a big disadvantage when on patrol in the woods, maybe the civilian stuff for bug-out and the military stuff when you get to that retreat in the middle of nowhere?) Any suggestions or comments?   LJ, Good questions. I would tend to say stay civilian. However, I woudln't have bright colors. My opinion, why stand out at all? Keep the pack a brown, tan, or other natural color. Red? I wouldn't. Same with tents, and clothing. I wouldn't go military on my stuff. Not that the military stuff isn't good since some of it is. However, trying to hoof it out of town wearing cammies with a G.I. pack is going to make you stand out. Not a good idea if it's a stuff hitting the fan type of situation. Besides, if it's a free-for-all collapse, there may well be folks around who are going to shoot feds or folks dressed like feds. Friendly fire will drop you just as quickly as hostile fire. My opinion only. No experience here  since I have not been in a collapse situation anymore than anyone else here. Let's hope my theories are never tested. Regards, Tom

I have a question and would like to get some opinions. Which is better for survival situations civilian camping gear or military gear? For example a red civilian rucksack or a olive drab military A.L.I.C.E. pack, or a flannel shirt and denim pants or woodland camo fatigues? What are the advantages and disadvantages of civilian and military gear? (I am asking this because I was thinking you would kind of stand out in the crowd wearing camo fatigues and carrying a military pack full of gear, but you would look normal wearing a flannel shirt and denim pants and carrying a backpack, but that could also be a big disadvantage when on patrol in the woods, maybe the civilian stuff for bug-out and the military stuff when you get to that retreat in the middle of nowhere?) Any suggestions or comments?   My webpage.  Under construction, but worth a look..... http://members.tripod.com/~Christian_Patriot/ When government tax agents carry guns and wear black ski masks to hide their faces,  the evil has become institutionalized. And when those government agents shoot nursing  mothers and burn women and children alive over $200 tax matters, then you have a government  that is out of control. John Ross

I think to some extent you answer your own question regarding clothing, it depends on your situation.  I almost never wear cammies because of the situation where I live, you're quite likely to get popped at, if seen in military duds.  I like BDU trousers though, in black.  They are light, durable and dry quickly.  Many civilian items are of higher quality than their issue cousins and if they can be found in neutral shades are preferable.  Two caveats however,  civilian camping gear of good quality is massively expensive when compared to surplus military and the cheap far-eastern copies are useless.  The second problem is actually finding civvy gear in a neutral colour, it seems to me that pink, purple and red are the most popular colours for rucksacks and all weather gear, there are some exceptions though Buffalo produce most of their range in black/charcoal grey and Snug-Pak have a range of clothing and sleeping bags in black called Black to Black  both of these companies also have military ranges which are of high standard but have the same tactical problems as that associated with their issue counterparts. Outside of clothing there is really no civilian alternative to issue L.B.E but once you start wearing it you'll look like a para-military even if it's coloured bright yellow anyway.  Civilian cooking equipment and food is unparalleled in the military but comes at a correspondingly higher price. Civ. maps and compasses are generally better for use by non military types, unless you are familiar with the use of mils and the Georef system. So all in all I feel you pay your money and take your choice, it boils down to ascertaining the tactical situation you feel you are most likely to be in and purchasing accordingly, some level of compromise may have to be decided upon - but that is the essence of preparedness....

maybe the civilian stuff for bug-out and the military stuff when you get  to that retreat in the middle of nowhere?) Any suggestions or comments? This is one option.  I sort of go a similar route.  My clothing is typically the khaki or OD fatigues.  However, I have two small duffel bags that sit next to each Bug-out bag.  One contains the neutral clothing, the other contains military BDU's.  As a rule, my webgear goes in my bag. . .unless it's a total warzone out there, and then I'll wear it (along with the BDU's).  All I have to do is grab the appropriate bag with the clothing for the situation and go. Hope this helps. Please send a copy of any comments or replies to my email address as well as posting them to the group. Geoffrey L. Hardin, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

(I am asking this because I was thinking you would kind of stand out in the crowd wearing camo fatigues and carrying a military pack full of gear, but you would look normal wearing a flannel shirt and denim pants and carrying a backpack, but that could also be a big disadvantage when on patrol in the woods, maybe the civilian stuff for bug-out and the military stuff when you get to that retreat in the middle of nowhere?) Any suggestions or comments? Being a seventeen year old young woman of small stature, I doubt I will be wearing any BDU's for a while, if ever, simply because it would make me stand out more than any man wearing them would. The last thing I want in such a situation is attention. Also, the likelihood of me trekking through the woods in need of clandestine at this point is small to nil. However, I have looked around and found some clothes that are civy enough no one will think it strange to see me in them (I sometimes go grunge, anyway, although with the advent of such films as Clueless that _style_ has long since gone into the annals of fashion blasphemy...but I digress). They will give me good protection and not wear out easily. These I keep in my bug out bag where they will be used if need be to give me cover in a wilderness situation where it is better to use the wilderness camo _style_ to camouflage yourself than the urban camo of normal clothing. I sincerely hope I never have to use them, and doubt that I will. But then again, my plans seem pretty different than most others on this ng.                 Life's tough, pray hard,                    Amber Satterwhite                    a.k.a. Oiled Lamp