Grey Man- Under Your Coat

[NorthernRaider]

Grey Man- Under Your Coat
NR

With regards to the low profile “Grey Man” philosophy of low visual impact dress and behaviour for preppers I did a bit of experimentation this afternoon with the able support of my son.

I wanted to know how much EDC or Bob gear a prepper could wear about him that still allowed him to move and walk normally without drawing attention to him or herself.

Rather than go through all the ins and outs I think it’s easier if I just move straight onto the findings.

Remember these findings are averages and approximation that will vary from prepper to prepper depending on build, gender, shape, weight and age. Your mileage may vary so experiment for yourself but for 5ft 11 me weighing 14 stones my finding were thus

Wearing Cargo Pants then changing to Wrangler jeans I could most comfortably keep a 4 inch lock knife, butane lighter, multi tool on the belt, flashlight on the belt, cash in my pocket and small nylon wallet still move effortlessly without bumps or bulges from kit being noticeable.

The belt worn tools vanished completely when I put a Sweat shirt over the top, same effect with a micro fleece to, same effect happened with a Poly-cotton hoody.

I found that regardless of whatever else I wore I could easily wear a small Silva compass, plus puri- tab capsule and mini sharpie as a necklace around my neck completely out of sight under a V neck Polo shirt.

Moving on I then found I could wear a multi pocket travellers / photographers vest containing light sticks, map, folded bandana, dust mask (disposable) more puritabs, 3 granola type nutrition bars, spare batteries, micro AM /FM radio, mini pry-bar etc UNDER a plain, boring, black uninteresting and unadorned fleece jacket that will attract little attention..

Gloves, watch cap etc sat comfortably in the pockets of the fleece.

Now the interesting bit,

I measure up myself wearing my DPM NATO wind proof smock I’ve no doubt most of us have similar large bad weather coats like Gore-tex jackets with numerous pockets. I could easily add more food and supplies to the smock without the pockets looking bulky or loaded.

THEN, I found that after doing some measuring up and with the aid of a sling and providing that I did not draw in the waist or hem draw elastic cords on the smock far in theory I could fairly well conceal an short Air Carbine (even easily if it had a folding stock) but bending over would be an issue.
I estimate using figures off the web that I could also probably conceal a Boomslang folding and telescopic crossbow under the coat with better mobility than with an air rifle.


Summary
So if a prepper found him or herself stranded in a built up area when the SHTF and needed to get out on foot without attracting attention to themselves a bit of judicious dressing and packing could see them walk to safety fairly well equipped and without advertising their status.
Naturally in 2011 UK this won’t work if you try to use many forms of public transport as the authorities regularly have operational security checks at transport hubs to hunt Islamic extremists and other nasty people