Comparing web gear

[rationtin440]

I'm not sure if this has been done before, but seeing pics of housil's weekend activities and the different vehicles and gear in the photos made me think of something that I welcome everyones' im-put for. For those in forums from the UK and other countries including US, what are the good and bad features of different web gear currently issued and as far back as the 1980s? I personally find the UK stuff to be very good but I also like some aspects of Bundeswehr and other countries' stuff as well.

[housil]

Well, I used Bundeswehr webbing before, but all the pouches on/at the back and the hips were unsuitable for using while sitting in a vehicle. In Afghanistan, our soldiers wear "vests" so I did lot´s of browsing until I found what I was looking for:



It holds the radio, has all the pouches at the front and a pouch all over the back:


Also map pockets inside etc.

Instead of using the regular Bundeswehr rucksack:

it has no hip belt, just a "hip string", so it really hurts on your shoulders wear it for long hikes, I bought me a smaller one:




That one is big enough for your needs of a short trip (one or two nights) and a smaller summer sleeping bag.

[rationtin440]

Thanks for reply housil, and that system you have looks pretty comfortable. I have tried various MOLLE (US) and UK webtex vests for hiking and such and they seem to work better than the web gear that US forces were issued during most of the cold war. Another thing I was curious about; Bundeswehr canteens vs U.S. canteens, what do you like or dislike about each?

[SierraTangoDelta]

I'd post pictures if I could, but I'm an ALICE kinda guy. I usually wear it over my Body Armor, but other than that I run just the belt in conjunction with my eagle Industries MBAV.

[housil]

Another thing I was curious about; Bundeswehr canteens vs U.S. canteens, what do you like or dislike about each?

In person, I like (and use) the US more than ours.


The US one is bigger and made from plastic - so it´s easier.

but

the biggest advantage of the Bundeswehr one is, once filled with water, put it in a fire to heat it before you put it in your sleeping bag as a hot water bag

[sodjer]

hey housil, i didnt relise the german army still used ally water bottles i thought they had move on like every body else, stupidly to plastic.are these waterbottles available new ,and without the mess kit.
by the way,do you live near bad kissingen,i was there in late may at the abenteuer and allrad show,but we got flooded out,boy did it rain,we saw little of the show ,but i intend driving over next year.my son also wants to do the nijmegen marches(i was a regular there in the 90sand have been threatening to do it again)
he says he can walk his old dad into the ground,ha kids today

[housil]

hey housil, i didnt relise the german army still used ally water bottles i thought they had move on like every body else, stupidly to plastic.are these waterbottles available new ,and without the mess kit.

You get them everywhere. The mess kit comes always with the bottle. I never saw a new one (for sale), but you can browse for a pretty good one.

by the way,do you live near bad kissingen,i was there in late may at the abenteuer and allrad show,but we got flooded out,boy did it rain,we saw little of the show ,but i intend driving over next year.my son also wants to do the nijmegen marches(i was a regular there in the 90sand have been threatening to do it again)
he says he can walk his old dad into the ground,ha kids today

Bad Kissingen is just a 45min drive far from us and I know that Allrad Show (I have 2 4WD vehicles)
If you go there next year, let me know. I´ll bring you a Bundeswehr water bottle there

[sodjer]

yes ill be there next year ,like i say i think ill drive,flying is to much hassle,100 k drive to airport ,stuffy cheap flight ,100k drive from airport,same back and then you see something you want and cant get it back home if you need anything british you have 8 months to think

[housil]

Remind me in 7 month!!



Did you know that area is a former US installation?

[sodjer]

i did nt know,i ll start web research during the winter and make a tour off it all. my service in bfg(british forces germany)was mainly in the north, gutersloh,hanover and the border, and in the west ,cologne and vogelsang,on the belgian border.good times ,my friend ,good times.