Modified clothing for the prepper

[NorthernRaider]

[Scythe13]

I love my bladerunner hoodie! The Kevlar lining makes it extra warm as well! It's really good for snowboarding (or skiing, for the girls haha, I'm kidding) incase you glance up against a branch when going off piste. I've had a few waterproof tops ripped up and I believe my BR jumper (no longer in use due to being ripped to crap on the outside, but not inside)has saved me from many stitches!!!

Take note though, it's not stab proof!

[Ferret]

Oh my gosh. There was I thinking about food, animals, shot guns etc and it never occured to me to think beyond hiking boots and a waterproof jacket.

Actually your post kind of scared me. There is too much to think about and I can't do it all. So where is the best place to start? I have downloaded the various essential kit lists so I suppose that is my starting point but sometimes it all seems rather daunting. Especially to a non expert like me. Hey Ho, we all have to start somewhere .

[Tarrel]

So where is the best place to start?

That sounds like the start of a long discussion! I'm sure there are many of the gurus on here who will share their experiences and viewpoints, but my start point was "what am I prepping for?"

I happen to believe that slow, grinding erosion of our society and systems, leading to periodic shortages, power-failures, etc. is more likely than a sudden catastrophic collapse, though there are others that see it differently. So, I tend to prep for short-to-medium term shortages of food, power, fuel and water.

The next thing is "what are the basic necessities?" Water, food, shelter, warmth and security. So, how might these be threatened in some of the scenarios one can imagine? Events over the last few years have shown how easily these basics can come under threat; Tewkesbury floods (water shortage due to pumping station flooding - now there's an irony if ever I heard one!), government-initiated fuel shortages (this year), fuel-protests in 2000, meaning supermarkets were a day or so away from running out of food, riots last year (security).

So, how would you cope if the "tap was turned off" on any of these basic necessities? The rest follows logically; stockpiling non-perishable food for several weeks at least (others would say longer). Storing, or at least having a way to purify, water. Having a way to cook and, ideally, heat your house (camping stove, woodburner, etc). Having plenty of warm clothing, blankets, etc in case the latter is not possible. Maintaining a low profile and not advertising what you have, and finally, having an escape (bug-out) plan in case the situation worsens and you can no longer safely remain in your home.

Northern Raider has some amazingly comprehensive notes and ideas (as have others) which you can access by searching the forum, but having a strategy or game plan is important before getting hooked into the detail IMO.

Hope this helps.

[NorthernRaider]

Oh my gosh. There was I thinking about food, animals, shot guns etc and it never occured to me to think beyond hiking boots and a waterproof jacket.

Actually your post kind of scared me. There is too much to think about and I can't do it all. So where is the best place to start? I have downloaded the various essential kit lists so I suppose that is my starting point but sometimes it all seems rather daunting. Especially to a non expert like me. Hey Ho, we all have to start somewhere .

Start by stepping back, slow down, NO I mean slow down properly go and have a cupper. OK now start making a plan on paper.
Things to consider

Heat
Light
Water
Food
Fuel
Clothes
Tools
Medicine
Transport
Home / Shelter

Slow down again, now you can take your time and read through the forum cherry picking the useful bits, you can go to the downloads bit on the Home page and find more info, and when you are comfy with the forum and us loons if you want I will send you a copy of my free preppers guide as a very very basic foundation to work from.

If you go to fast you will get fed up and disheartened.

[Highlander]

Oh my gosh. There was I thinking about food, animals, shot guns etc and it never occured to me to think beyond hiking boots and a waterproof jacket.

Actually your post kind of scared me. There is too much to think about and I can't do it all. So where is the best place to start? I have downloaded the various essential kit lists so I suppose that is my starting point but sometimes it all seems rather daunting. Especially to a non expert like me. Hey Ho, we all have to start somewhere .

Start by stepping back, slow down, NO I mean slow down properly go and have a cupper. OK now start making a plan on paper.
Things to consider

Heat
Light
Water
Food
Fuel
Clothes
Tools
Medicine
Transport
Home / Shelter

Slow down again, now you can take your time and read through the forum cherry picking the useful bits, you can go to the downloads bit on the Home page and find more info, and when you are comfy with the forum and us loons if you want I will send you a copy of my free preppers guide as a very very basic foundation to work from.

If you go to fast you will get fed up and disheartened.

Good post,.... rushing can often send you down the wrong route