That's a good platform to have though, especially at your age. It gives the older guys a platform to teach you skills and other things

That's what I'm hoping happens with more camping. Practicing lighting fires, cooking food, making shelters, etc. will help me get better but there are still skills I don't know that I'd love to learn.

What type of tarp/poncho would you recommend? A heavy canvas one or a lighter ripstop one?

I like the light ripstop just because they dont get weighted down like canvas does when wet but one of both is good as well, that way in the winter time you have multiple layers

I think I'll start with the ripstop since it's a little cheaper and will be a little more useful this summer

That's for sure, lots of paracord is good as well

I got 100ft of black paracord from walmart today cause it was cheap

But I should get some more, mayne some real rope too

Lol did you accidentally buy the 1050 cord like I did one time? I picked up a pack of 2 nylon rope at menards 2 weeks ago for 6 bucks lol

Probably. It was $6

Lol you'll know the difference when you go to use it 🤣🤣 I went to wrap a knife handle and it was a huge

Lmao

I learned pretty quick to read the labels instead of assume in the right stuff.

Lmao it's thick as fuck

But thats ok. I don't plan on wrapping knives or anything so ot should be fine

Lol it's good for hanging things!

Yea my plan rn is to carry paracord and twine from hay bales

Twine is really good fire starter as well! Good multi purpose stuff

That was my hope. I really need to cut down my B.O.B. it has way to much useless shit in it

Yea I'm in the same boat, that's why I want to get out and use them

I think thats the biggest reason it's uncomfortable. It could probably be half the weight while still containing everything I need

Lol that very well could be.

Do yall run plate carriers or chest rigs and why?

Plate carrier. I run in mine regularly so I’m fairly fast in it. Makes me feel safer.

Do you run it pretty slick? I've been looking at getting a plate carrier but been flooded with super over priced ones and was just curious as to what people run or have any suggestions

Ferro concepts slickster is best bang for buck but they're sold out rn just like everyone else

Yea I've seen them and not entirely sure how I feel about running a slick loadout like that. Then again, it comes down to style, preference, mission and roll

I only have one triple mag pouch on my front. The rest is on the cummerbund or the belt

I also have a hydration source on my back but that’s only another inch out.

@kilowatt cocktail I run a ferro plate carrier I’m still playing around with wether or not I want to carry a “combat load” (210 Rounds)

But I agree with style, preference, mission and roll. But the modularity is really appealing

See my ideal load total is 300, I know the true combat load is 210 but I know as ass load of people who went over seas and they said 210 wasnt enough at all. On top of that I'll run a mag pouch on the back of my carrier for papa Kalash so that he will have atleast 1 extra mag if he goes black on ammo

That’s smart with the buddy mag I’m debating getting a back Panel that can hold 3 mags

It might not be a bad idea but I would consider a day pack, that way you can hold some loose ammo, food, breaching tools or other misc. Items instead of wearing an over carrier bag just for comfort

Yeah it’s all ideas I’ve been playing with

Honestly if you can I think it would be best to carry at least 210rounds in mags and an equal amount of rounds on stripper clips

I wish there was a way to do it all and not have to choose one over the other without being super bulky. It's not a bad idea. Loose rounds are a pain but you also dont want to be reloading in the middle of a conflict

Yea. Sadly with 0 combat experience I have no idea how fast I'll go through rounds in a fight, or even if I'll last long enough to shoot them all

Ideally In a fire fight you would have others with you and possibly other elements. Working with a squad and utilizing talking guns to suppress the enemy and conserve ammo but that’s getting into tactics and such

Yea. It would be really nice if there was someone in Iowa who would teach us tactics for fighting. Like I know a few basic things but not enough