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Posted: 7/19/2010 8:32:54 PM EDT
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Before I ask specific questions, I want to ask if this general idea is workable.
First some information. I am a 43 y.o., slightly overweight (on my way down) male with sever lumbar back problems. My previous idea of a bug out 'bag' was a 2000 cubic inch pack into which I could take everything but the kitchen sink, including a couple of rifles. Now with my lumbar back issues, my 7 y.o. daughter can carry a heavier pack then me on most days. Sooooo, is is possible to put together a 'Bug Out Belt'? Obviously many compromises will have to be made. I do not need to 'go prone' or other tacticool stuff. I need to carry enough stuff to survive for a few days. My family (hopefully) would be able to carry the larger stuff. As far as weight on my shoulders/back/spine, I need to limit it to carrying my rifle a hydration system and a sleeping bag (old Wiggies that rocks), the rest of the weight needs to be on my hips and legs. All suggestions appreciated. After I work this out, specific questions will be forthcoming. PS A TIGHT belt is an advantage to me. Pulling in the abdomen helps support the back. |
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1. Start doing sit-ups and push-ups to work on the lumbar problem.
Tightening the core muscles is the key. 2. Look into putting together a war belt. I like the ATS warbelt. Use a good inner supporet belt such as the Blackhawk enhanced military web belt. Then you can add puches to fit your needs. |
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Moving the weight from the shoulders to the hips will help, but if you're going to pack enough stuff for "a few days" you'll have a belt falling around your ankles from the weight...you're still going to needs shoulder straps to support the weight. Just something to keep in mind.
The very first project I ever built (as a novice gear maker) was a "Get Home Belt"! It looked like crap and when I look back I lmao at the sewing (or lack there of). However, the idea had/has merit. It had a large butt pocuh and several specific pouches the customer required due to using a bolt gun as his weapon of choice. Decide what you absolutely need to survive for 2-3 days. Then save a bunch of money and go buy an old ALICE gear setup of Belt and Y Harness. Judiciously add a butt pack and various appropriate pouches until you can fit what you need and carry it without pain. Somewhere around here is a thread about old school ALICE gear setups that would include many examples of what I am talking about. The only reason I would see an advantage to a new style MOLLE "war belt" would be the lumbar support it might add if built with that in mind. There are a lot of choices... Good luck |
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Quoted:
Moving the weight from the shoulders to the hips will help, but if you're going to pack enough stuff for "a few days" you'll have a belt falling around your ankles from the weight...you're still going to needs shoulder straps to support the weight. Just something to keep in mind. The very first project I ever built (as a novice gear maker) was a "Get Home Belt"! It looked like crap and when I look back I lmao at the sewing (or lack there of). However, the idea had/has merit. It had a large butt pocuh and several specific pouches the customer required due to using a bolt gun as his weapon of choice. Decide what you absolutely need to survive for 2-3 days. Then save a bunch of money and go buy an old ALICE gear setup of Belt and Y Harness. Judiciously add a butt pack and various appropriate pouches until you can fit what you need and carry it without pain. Somewhere around here is a thread about old school ALICE gear setups that would include many examples of what I am talking about. The only reason I would see an advantage to a new style MOLLE "war belt" would be the lumbar support it might add if built with that in mind. There are a lot of choices... Good luck I'll see if I can find the ALICE gear thread. Lumbar support from the belt would be a plus that may make it worth the additional expense. |
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Just my opinion, but I think you'll need to carry more than whatever you can fit on a belt and might need to re-look at backpacks. I've been told that the good ones do place more of the weight on your hips and not on the shoulder strap so you might need to talk to some serious backpackers about it. I know that it will cost you more money to get a good pack with a waist belt and possibly a frame but it would be money well spent.
Mystery Ranch, Kelty, or Kifaru might be good places to start. |
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Quoted:
1. Start doing sit-ups and push-ups to work on the lumbar problem. Tightening the core muscles is the key. 2. Look into putting together a war belt. I like the ATS warbelt. Use a good inner supporet belt such as the Blackhawk enhanced military web belt. Then you can add puches to fit your needs. What he said. Also change the diet to lose the excess weight. Most back problems can be cured by losing that beer gut and exercise. Im 38 and drive a truck but I value my health and PT every freaking day and watch my diet. I dare say many 20yr olds couldn't keep up with me. Anyway look into this: http://milspecmonkey.com/weargear/packsbags/212-jax-pax-packs-bug-out-belt http://jaxpaxpacks.com/bugoutbelt.html |
| Consider replacing the belt in the above rig with a narrow weight lifting belt. I think Jax does custom so if you explain the situation he could make the loops wider if they aren't already wide enough to accomodate the belt. Not to beat a dead horse but I would consider the weight and the exercise because it's not going to get better and back support belts are actually a detriment since the muscle don't have to do the work they atrophy and you are worse off. Good luck. |
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Quoted:
Just my opinion, but I think you'll need to carry more than whatever you can fit on a belt and might need to re-look at backpacks. I've been told that the good ones do place more of the weight on your hips and not on the shoulder strap so you might need to talk to some serious backpackers about it. I know that it will cost you more money to get a good pack with a waist belt and possibly a frame but it would be money well spent. I have such a pack. I was a serious backpacker for many years when younger. My equipment is dated, but was among the best when I bought it. It does, as you say, put most/much of the weight on the hips. I even had the hip belt modified by The Wilderness Store (where I bought it) long before anyone outside of Phoenix knew who they were. If we truly face TEOTWAKI, I'll load up on the Vicodin and put on the pack. I am looking to put together a belt for 2-3 days. Something I can put in the trunk. My 'Bug Out Duffel' will include this belt, the handgun, maybe a rifle, etc. Something to get me home if I am away. |
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Quoted:
Consider replacing the belt in the above rig with a narrow weight lifting belt. I think Jax does custom so if you explain the situation he could make the loops wider if they aren't already wide enough to accomodate the belt. Not to beat a dead horse but I would consider the weight and the exercise because it's not going to get better and back support belts are actually a detriment since the muscle don't have to do the work they atrophy and you are worse off. Good luck. I am working on the weight. Going from an active, on my feet, mechanical repair job to sitting in a desk as a college student didn't help. I use a belt very rarely. Usually for something like mowing the yard. Riding mower bouncing (I modified seat springs to help) is a bitch after an hour. I have built up the abdominal muscles quite well, but those are not aerobic. I now have access to a great gym at the university. I was actually looking at some of the recumbent bikes, etc. today to get rolling on an aerobic exercise plan. Thanks for the leads, I will check them out now. Regards, Mike |
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F5,
The Jax link is a great place to start! Thanks. I don't have the knowledge to put together such a belt in a short period of time. I hoped this thread would move me in that direction. Jax seems to have a great product that will do almost everything I THINK I need at the moment, and he will do custom work. I have sent him an email and hope he can help me out. His site also has a lot of good ideas and some links that let me quite a few other ideas. Thanks again! |
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Quoted:
F5, The Jax link is a great place to start! Thanks. I don't have the knowledge to put together such a belt in a short period of time. I hoped this thread would move me in that direction. Jax seems to have a great product that will do almost everything I THINK I need at the moment, and he will do custom work. I have sent him an email and hope he can help me out. His site also has a lot of good ideas and some links that let me quite a few other ideas. Thanks again! Happy to help. Surprised I remembered it. Just remember stumbling across it on milspec monkeys site. Again you are very welcome and I hope it works out for you. |
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A few short notes. 1) I hear you on the back, but some people just don't get it. I have an associate with nerve damage who needed a NO recoil handgun. I asked about the 5.7, and several people were like "tell him to toughen up!"  2) There is an entire sub-hobby called ultra light backpacking. Google the term and bump around a bit. These guys deal in ounces. Even if you don't go with any type of backpack or harness, the belt packs and contents you choose can really save some stress if you are thoughtful. 3) The Viet Cong used bicycles to move tons of supplies through jungles, loading them up way past capacity and walking them beside them rather than riding them. You could work with this idea, or even check out some 3 wheeled pedal cycle options for carrying loads when/where cars and trucks are not an option. 4) ETA just get a Chevy Tahoe with a Truck-Vault.  |
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