How much gear is "enough?"

[Endymion]

Apparently I've started the downward spiral into gear-whoring. It was a very short while ago that I thought "Meh, this sub-$100 vest is good enough for me... and I'll just wear civvies outdoors."

Then an even shorter while ago I picked up a set of ACU and absolutely love it. The cut feels good, and despite what the detractors say I really like the pattern. No, it isn't good for woodland, but it feels good and works okay in light snow.

I saw an Eagle vest similar to my cheapie one for sale and decided "Hey, why not try the real thing?" I'm sure many of you have a similar experience. Once you've felt quality, there's no turning back.

Just over the weekend I picked up a set of real MARPAT over at Army Outfitters. **shameless plug!** I have no relation in any way to this place but I remain impressed by the service and selection - the people there are great and they get new stuff in all the time.

Damn if I'm not going to mortgage myself over there... they also had Pantera, ACU helmet covers (I prefer the boonies myself), and if you haven't tried an issue field coat yet I highly suggest it. I've been wearing one in universal since the weather cooled off and just picked up one in black for my father. He suffers from arthritis and year after year has struggled to find just the right coat - warm enough to allow him not to have to wear more than 2-3 layers underneath and yet allowing him to remain mobile. It speaks volumes that he finds this one warm and comfortable.

On the topic of boonies, I highly recommend the MARPAT for comfort. It has an extra lining inside where your head rests and also up front at the forehead. It's incredible how much of a comfort difference this makes.

I'm seriously looking into an analog BDU pattern now. What's your favourite and why? Under what conditions do you find it the most effective?

I've also been researching vests/pouches/MOLLE and have yet to find something I really like for outdoors. My issue is that I'd like to crawl around and go prone more but I find that mags stored in pouches up front feel like they get in the way. As much as I love the TT pouches with the cord retention over the pocket flaps, I'm afraid they'd allow the mags to get pretty dirty and worn while crawling. Any suggestions or preferred setups?

This has been a random message from an at-home sickie for the day.

[Kuraitenshi]

Never too much!!
Go Otaku;>

[swatt13]

oh ya man, its an addiction, ive been into airsoft for 2 years and ive already bought 5 vests, 4 bdus, 6 guns, countless accessories.... i cant help it.

just like to clarify, i have been trying to cope and manage, ive sold 4 of my vests, 2 of my outfits, 4 of my guns.... im slowly getting help.

[thephenom]

No gear is ever enough, and there isn't such a thing as too many guns.

The trick is finding a balance between the two. My balance is more toward guns.

[jakster]

When you can't close the closest door or look over the pile of kit it might be enough

[herr baron]

can't go wrong with the phantom CIRAS. I prefer coyote brown but its all good.

[amano999]

I have no balance at all. My BDU is a cheap pair of boots, cheap pants, cheap vest and a black shirt from Old Navy.

It's been playing about 6 months and I have ten guns tho, so and still don't care about my gear. :P

More gun = more fun!

[Batman]

rookies

[Greylocks]

I'm the far opposite. What you see in my picture is pretty much it. Sometimes a DPM jacket gets added. Never had a need for anything else.

[Mantelope]

You have enough gear when you forget if you've got carpet or hardwood.

[BloodSport]

gear is cool, but when you carry enough guns that you can't see your gear then it becomes an issue.

[Brian McIlmoyle]

The 95 pattern DPM smocks at Army Outfitters are great.. well designed, effective and functional.

I pair mine with standard CAD OD pants.. and an OD boonie ..
I typically run light so I stuff my mags in the very roomy pockets ( room for 6 mags ) they will even take AK mags. and go with a pistol belt and a drop pouch. You can carry one mage in each pocket.. 4 +1 in the weapon if you are worried about rattle.

Army Outfitters has DPM smocks , shirts and new gortex shells in stock

get in there

2 pairs of Woodland BDUs, jungle an danner boots, camelbak, couple t-shirts an a pair of ALICE webbing an a MOLLE FLC vest with pouches, patrol cap, boonie hat , TT 3 Day Assualt pack, and a ABS helmet + cover plus AEG an 12 mags is all I need for airsoft. Plus a few small pieces of kit for the wet/cooler games.

When I go on tour though... I will be gear whoring pretty good haha.

[bruce]

Sometimes I wish I never found out about airsoft.....

I'm at a point where I have to choose either a gun or the gear. I can't afford to buy both at the same time. I've only bought one replica gear and that was the FSBE vest from G&P. Now it's all SOTech, TRE, TAG, HSGI, or Eagle.

My latest purchase of the Eagle CIRAS and Eagle pouches in RG, is over a grand. I saw it on a Thankgiving sale with 10% off at one of my usual US online retailer. Worse thing is, I had to shop at 3 stores to get all my Eagle RG pouches.

Further more, our team changes BDU patterns like a baby needs to change diapers. Off cause the BDU and gears have to match color.

I like to use MARPAT in the summer and Multicam in the spring and fall.

I'm still at a point where I'm hoping to find the perfect setup. Only way to do that is to buy more! :lol:

[medhatboy]

Originally Posted by swatt13

oh ya man, its an addiction, ive been into airsoft for 2 years and ive already bought 5 vests, 4 bdus, 6 guns, countless accessories.... i cant help it.

just like to clarify, i have been trying to cope and manage, ive sold 4 of my vests, 2 of my outfits, 4 of my guns.... im slowly getting help.

Yes Jonas, I've got the same problem, 3 vests, 8 sets of BDU's, 6 different types of combat boots, counting my GBB"s, 10 guns, and lots more accessories on the way as I type. AND THERE IS NO HELP FOR ME.