Apocalypse Outfits
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Riffing off Seawolfs post apocalyptic thread of a few weeks back, the cultural differences around the world and based around my own unhealthy obsession with zombie movies, I was wondering what of your gear would you wear and grab in the event of the end of civilisation?
The scenario is this, it has all come to an end via nuclear war/ the living dead/ natural disaster/ kaiju. You have to get the hell out of Dodge before you and your nearest and dearest are toast, you have a few hours at best to assemble a personal survival kit from what is in your house…..what do you grab?
If you give this some serious thought, think about what you own and where you live, what is most likely to be of long term use to you and also consider the people you're likely to have with you (family), how can they help or hinder? We're not just thinking clothing here, we're thinking EDC for the long term that you can carry comfortably to give you long term survival prospects. Obviously there is specialist survival gear available out there that would probably suit the purpose really well, but unless it currently resides in your house then you cannot include it. Also, assume that you will pick up food and drink along the way.
It will be interesting to see the difference between people in Europe, the USA, Asia and Australia in terms of what we view as "essential" to our long term survival prospects.
The categories to cover should be….
Clothing
Footwear
Luggage
Tools
Health
Weapons
MiscellaneousThings to consider are…
Longevity
Weight
Space
Variety of uses
Ease of use
Ease of repairSo let's hear them and your reasons for carrying them, I'll start.
Jacket
Trophy Reservoir Hood, it's black so easy camo in most urban and rural settings, it's waxed and waterproof, it's light but warm due to the flannel lining (including the hood), and it has zip and clasp fastening, so you have a back up if you break the zip. Multiple large pockets which can be accessed in various ways and it has no unnecessary attachments to make it bulky or cumbersome if you need to move fast. Plus it can fold down really small when not needed.
Top Layer 1
I was going to go with my RRL navy liner jacket as it is pretty warm and fairly lightweight, but it's is too stiff and hard to pack, plus the quality is not amazing so it would not last a terribly long time. So, I will go with my Jelado hoody, it feels like I'm wearing my bed when I wear this because it is so warm and thick. Plus I can get it packed down to a really small size in a pinch.
Top layer 2
Plain IH tee, the old none loop wheeled style. I bought this from Chris for not much money and it is my go to tee for many reasons but the main one being that it does not lose its shape at all and is extremely comfortable.
Packed for top layer
Black Momotaro tee
Uniqlo Heat Tech L/S tee greyBottom Half
My IH MBB's. Reasons are simple, they feel like sweatpants rather than jeans, they're warm but breathable and they're built to last. I could crawl through rubble or climb a tree in them with confidence I believe.
Packed for bottom layer
Black Nike sweat pants, simply because they are really comfortable and take up virtually no room when packed.
Footwear
Whites Bounty Hunters, they're bomb proof and the most comfortable footwear I own for mile after mile of pounding pavement or tramping through forests and fields. No back up.
Hat
Trophy wool watch cap for cold weather, Wtaps commander hat for sun protection.
Gloves
Burton/ Idiom Gore-Tex lined leather gloves.
Bag
Goruck GR-1, tough as old boots, multiple pockets, decent storage and comfortable for a long distance carry.
Miscellaneous none clothing items
Stainless steel flask - air tight seal and does not rust.
Mini mag light - great, tough, bright small light
24 pack of Duracell AA batteries - for the light
Case knife - Great blade with multiple uses
Swiss Army knife - Multi tool and sewing kit with leather and denim needles.
Mini Tool Kit - Really small and contains multi head screwdriver, small hammer, hacksaw, snips, adjustable pliers.
Mini hatchet - Variety of uses.
First Aid Kit - Plasters, bandages, dressings, anti septic wipes, safety pins, cotton wool.
Medication - 200 Paracetemol, 200 Aleve, 200 Tramexamic Acid (helps blood to clot), Amoxicillin, Penicillin (anti biotics, as many as are in my medicine cupboard)
Waterproof trouser linings
Waterproof matches
Sterilising tablets
Steel Bowl, Spoon and fork
4 pairs of socks
4 pairs of boxer shortsWeapons
Hatchett - as mentioned above
WW1 Bayonet - strong short sword
Steel wire - Easy strangulation
Case knife - as mentioned above -
do you have to carry all the gear
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I guess you could steal a trolley from Tesco.
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Maxi pads and tampons are handy if you get shot/stabbed. Don't ask me how I know this
Soap
A firesteel
A plastic flask is lighter than a metal one. We have one that's essentially a thick plastic bag that folds up that we use for the dogs water when we go to the park
Skip the case knife and just stick with the Swiss Army Knife. Bring a small sheet of sandpaper to keep your tools sharp. Since you don't have any real weapons, maintain the tools you can use to make real weapons
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I also tend to stay away from cotton clothes if I'm going to be out in the field for the long term. It weighs a ton when it gets wet, and takes forever to dry when compared to synthetics. The first thing I would grab would be my Polartec fleece from Tadgear. I have a few pairs of BDUs lying around here but I can't tell you the brand. They're also probably from TAD
Shelf stable food is another thing I would place a lot of value into. I have a few MREs lying around here, and some dry biscuits. I used to have some deer jerky but I ate it all during football season. All things I would place more value in than batteries. Not only can I use it to feed myself, but use it to trap animals/people I need something from, but it can be used for bartering
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I knew you'd embrace this Doug
Unfortunately you're listing things I do not have in my house, so for this scenario they're as much use to me as a dolphin. My lack of "real" weapons is made up for by my lack of natural predators, I live in middle England where our greatest fear is 9 stone teenagers driving tiny cars with ludicrous attachments too fast in second gear.
Top tip on the tampons though, they will be in my shopping cart.
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Not that you'd notice (yes, of course we have soap…..and dental care).
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Like soap would be important in the zombie apocalypse. Last place I want the walking dead to find me is naked and in a shower stall.
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Oh, and I don't know what else I'd carry, but I'd follow Will Smith's lead from I Am Legend, and wear my Palladium boots. They're super durable and, importantly, lightweight.
After all, the first rule of Zombieland is Cardio.
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I also tend to stay away from cotton clothes if I'm going to be out in the field for the long term.
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I have a few pairs of BDUs lying around here but I can't tell you the brand. They're also probably from TADDo you have non-cotton BDUs? There's generally at least some cotton in all the ones I'm familiar with.
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i bet you if i stole a trolley from tescos it would have one wheel that diidnt work properly there by hampering my escape
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Ok, Sainsburys.
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I also tend to stay away from cotton clothes if I'm going to be out in the field for the long term.
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I have a few pairs of BDUs lying around here but I can't tell you the brand. They're also probably from TADDo you have non-cotton BDUs? There's generally at least some cotton in all the ones I'm familiar with.
From the way they feel, I'm guessing it's some sort of blend. I honestly don't know where I left them. I'm hoping that if there's a zombie apocalypse I'll have time to find them
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I actually keep a basic medical kit in my car at all times, along with a locking knife, a flashlight and duct tape. In the winter, there are base layers for Jody and I, as well as a jacket and boots for the dog.
While a zombie apocalypse is highly unlikely, I like to be prepared if shit happens and I need to walk home from work (25 miles). I was smart enough to stay home that day, but check out the events in the DC Metro area during "Snowpocalypse"
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This is the water bottle I was talking about
I use it all the time in non apocalyptic situations. Also, if it springs a leak when I need it…duct tape...see, there's a method to my madness
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Yeah Doug, I'm guessing poly-cotton.
I used to rock 100& cotton rip stop BDUs, loved them.
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when you say you can pick up food and drink along the way does that inclede the wine dept at waitrose or not
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No, only fruit juice and canned milk….because I make the rules in an end of the world scenario
