Best SHTF clothes question and discussion

[NorthernRaider]

I often wear kit that is loosly and often badly named as tactical, but basically the " Tactical" nomenclature refers to the stuff being made with military or security forces in mind, EG Civilian cargos are often poly cotton with 30 mm belt loops, no or few re enforcing patches etc and will often have cargo pockets without pleating or bellows thus rendering them cosmetic. Where as the tactical spec cargos are likely to be made from ripstop cloth UV treated, some are flame retardent, 45 mm re-enforced double belt loops, double or triple stitching on all seams, better quality wear bands on cuffs and hems, more pockets designed for SPECIFIC items etc.

I like em primarily cos they are tougher than many civilian brands and more useful. But they are often more expensive to a point being prohibitively so, so I only buy em if they are on offer and for most EDC duty I wear stuff like Craghopper Kiwi cargos..

The tactical / Military or Nato spec "tag" can often be beneficial if you are selecting gear that MUST be reliable, EG you can go into town and buy a cheapo rucksack that looks really pukka but will fall apart in no time at all, or you can spend a bit more and buy a used ex forced ruck that is built to an internationally recognise specification for the type of construction, wear characteristics, damage rsistance etc. And if your rich you can buy the NEW Nato numbered kit and KNOW its going to do the job and take away the guesswork

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GG Asks "I'm quite a newbie prepper, as many of you will no doubt be aware but I do have a question about this thread. What on earth difference does it make what clothes you wear when the SHTF?"

A great deal Sir,
(A) You may be wearing it continiously for weeks so it needs to be durable, tough, reliable and capable of staying together when heavily soiled.
(B) Garments like Fleece Joggy bottoms and Denim jeans are a ferkin liability especially when when cos they soak up water like a sponge and more than double in weight and take an epoch to dry, Propperly selected clothing will be water / UV resistant, Abrasion rsistant, quick drying, low noise etc and at lot more useful with plenty of securable pockets.
© Military and Civvilian expedition and spots clothing is designed primarily to be comfortable and practical to carry out heavy work in when worn most civvy clothing is designed to look pretty and not be protective or functional.

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Proper motorcycling gear is completely unsuitable for many prepping roles, its ideal for motorcycling but not walking or working, its designed to keep strong wind and rain out and its does this well but it also traps sweat in.

Cammos over biking gear would see the average prepper on foot suffer fom heatstroke in pretty short order.

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Companies like 511 and outer outdoor specialist clothing often do a modified range of civilian apparel that is produced to a higher spec than normal clothing, Jeans, Cargos, shirts, jackets that for example have hidden pockets for concealling radios and cell phones in, or even gun and flashlight and knife pockets. some come internally wired to I Pods and phones can be used with the wiring concealled.

Sometimes they are slash / stab resistant or fire resistant, most come with double or triple taped seams, wider belt loops and extra padding or double layers. But to look at they look just like ordinary everyday street clothing.

Lots of preppers like this better quality gear because they can carry a full EDC kit without it being noticable

Pistol Magazine
Knife
Multi Tool
Flashlight
Spare batts
Compass
Radio
3 G phone
Shades
Gloves etc
all in pockets n pouches specifically designed and located on the garments to provide maximum concealment but instant access.

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At the end of the day though its best that preppers dont all dress the same or look like they are paramilitary ( thats why I dont like black)
and of course we all have different kits, different methods of transport, live in different regions and have different priorities and different budgets.