Line Gear. Discussing the concept and application

[mitunnelrat]

As I stated in another thread, there is a website that was my first introduction to line gear.
Line Gear

Its definitely not an area I'm well versed in, but the basic idea follows the old country proverb of not plaicing all of your eggs in one basket, and each level expands up on the last.

First line for me (as I'm developing it now) is a minimum of kit that is an expansion and reorganization of the items I EDC on an ATS warbelt. It would be quite easy to use a standard trouser belt to achieve the same end, but I figured I'd probably forget to remove the suspenders needed to support the weight - and look like a total geek. Nah! I know I look like a geek already, so that wouldn't bother me! Reality is I like the idea of have a single assembled unit I can easily don and doff as its needed.

Second line is your main fighting rig. It serves to support your primary weapon. Mine is currently an FLC with 3x double magazine pouches across my chest from left to right, and a similarly sized trauma kit pouch on the far right. I saw some information somewhere discussing a reasoned layout to a 2nd line system. It puts your ammo and such on your off hand side for easy access and reloads, and put support items - like trauma kits - on your strong side. It made sense and is something I thought worty of consdieration and passing along to anyone learning to set their gear up. As always, test and train to find what works for you. And again, don't take my word for anything on this topic! I am but an egg...

Third line is your sustainment equipment. In my case, my BOB, though I'm set up to run an abbreviated version as the situation dictates.

Finally, I've seen a signature line on another forum that fully applies to this topic, and sums up all I've said here:

Survive from your pockets, fight from your vest, live from your pack.

So yeah... I was mechanized during my enlistment, which makes this a foreign concept to me. If I wanted something I just pulled it from one of the supplemental bags I'd thrown in my trailer or crammed into my vehicle. I'll take all the advice/ input I can get on this subject.

[LUNCHBOX]

You should always set up your rig to be comfortable and functional. I base this on a right hand strong side for me... AR mag pouches left front, pistol mags right front, right side secondary weapon by dropleg or strike mount, trauma kit left rear, gp pouch right rear with survival items, bladder carrier in the back-bladder transferable. Pack fully stocked with a few extra mags. Some goodies scattered throughout your person. I could go on and on but this is my plan.

[mitunnelrat]

Thanks LUNCHBOX! You said what I was trying to impart much more succinctly and clearly... If I can get some further input though, I have a sneaking suspicion that I may know why you specified your water bladder is transferable. Am I safe in assuming its because there's no comfortable way to leave it in the chest harness once you shoulder a pack?

[Fatty]

I have my system set so I can undue it from the back of my Lbv and transfer it either onto or inside my pack. If you like thesounds of that, either get a pack that is camelback compatible (comes with extra compartment to hold it and has openings for the nozzle to go through. Or make the openings yourself if you already have your bag acquired. Versatility is the universal language amongst gear queers

[The Stig]

I'm not really sure how to organize this into specific lines although I understand the concept.

I guess it depends on the nature of the SHTF event.

Should be it post hurricane and I just want to be armed I'd go with my edc setup: Glock 23 in RCS Phantom IWB, Liger gunbelt, surefire LED light, pocketknife dejour

I can add any number of man-bag/murse setups to augment this.

Should it be post hurricane with active looting, or general civil unrest "somewhere in the area" I'd go with:
* EDC Arrangement
* BCM-03 MSF Harness for AR mags, IFAK
* Any number of man-bag/murse setups as needed

Should it be post hurricane looting, civil unrest in my specific area:
* ATS Warbelt with G23 in Safariland ALS holster, Marz combat medic 3 mag shingle/med kit, small Maxpedition pouch for rifle lube/cleaning patches, Tactical Tailor Glock mag pouches, TT utility pouch for white smoke grenade
* BCM03 harness
* Any number of man-bags/murses as needed


Should it be all out, American has melted down, Max-Max, I'm holding out for Captain DeMetrie:

* ATS War Belt
* BCM harness
* Maxpedition Condor II "fighting bag" with change of clothes, ammo, additional smoke grenade, additional med supplies, etc
* ACH Helmet with ESS goggles


I've recently added a set of plates to my armory. I'm waiting for the Blue Force Gear LMAC to be released in tan so I can begin to tinker with my first plate carrier rig. Once it's figured out it will replace the BCM harness in the total MadMax scenario.

[LUNCHBOX]

Thanks LUNCHBOX! You said what I was trying to impart much more succinctly and clearly... If I can get some further input though, I have a sneaking suspicion that I may know why you specified your water bladder is transferable. Am I safe in assuming its because there's no comfortable way to leave it in the chest harness once you shoulder a pack?

Yeah, not comfortable with a pack and you will probably bust it also. You could run a compatible pack or pick up one of numerous different camelbaks out there. I run a Blackhawk Raptor as my EDC, its bladder compatible. I noticed in your field exercises that you brought everything but the kids (lol)-if you want to add a water bladder to that let me know....I turn bladder carriers away all the time, ACU but could be dusted to change the color.

[LUNCHBOX]

Thanks LUNCHBOX! You said what I was trying to impart much more succinctly and clearly... If I can get some further input though, I have a sneaking suspicion that I may know why you specified your water bladder is transferable. Am I safe in assuming its because there's no comfortable way to leave it in the chest harness once you shoulder a pack?

Yeah, not comfortable with a pack and you will probably bust it also. You could run a compatible pack or pick up one of numerous different camelbaks out there. I run a Blackhawk Raptor as my EDC, its bladder compatible. I noticed in your field exercises that you brought everything but the kids (lol)-if you want to add a water bladder to that let me know....I turn bladder carriers away all the time, ACU but could be dusted to change the color.

[mitunnelrat]

Hey! It wouldn't be like that if I didn't have to carry so much redundant garbage to test and review! Or at least that's what I tell myself! lol...

But yeah, I really am still just a babe in the woods, and working on reducing size and weight as I go. Good thing I don't have a Kifaru EMR or something, right? At least I can now honestly say I'm a year round camper and not an armchair commando. Its definitely a learning process though, and there's a reason I have a line or two of me bitching about how difficult the hike in was. I did get a bit more experience in effective packing this week, so that should reflect well on my next mock BO as well. More effectively using a line system should help with weight distribution as well.

By the way, I had my suspicions due to limited experience in mock ups at home. I had rigged my (empty) Ambush to my FLC, and it was definitely not workable with my other packs, so a carrier would be awesome! Thanks for the offer.

[LUNCHBOX]

Tunnelrat, pm inbound.

[apssbc]

When I carry my gear I have gone as light weight as possible. On my person I have very basic shelter needs and some high energy foods and fire starters. I can survive off just my clothes.

I carry a small LBV with Med kit, 2 Pistol mags, 6 mags for my M1A, a combat knife, Canteen with cup (the canteen cover carries water purification tabs and a fire starter), I also have a compass and pace counter. I replaced my chest rig so I can keep my chest and abd open and as slim as possible. Snipers do not keep their chests stacked with mags because because its hard to crawl in the dirt without being seen with a bunch of shit on your chest. I crawled hundreds of yards with my chest rig and ended up bringing many plants, sticks, and other garbage with me. I was not able to keep quiet or make proper use of micro terrain due to my chest being held in the air. Now I am silent and very stealthy.

My pack carries extra ammo and all my other gucci gear I can easily live without. It has a grab and go bag attached with a more complete survival kit so I can grab it in a hurry without going through my pack. In the end I can be comfortable with the clothes on my back and my battle belt and still survive. Minimalism works very well.