Prepping is the act of staying well prepared in the event of war or an emergency.  That being said, preppers are a fickle bunch.  We run the gambit from veggie growing gardeners who want to provide for their family to full-out “I’m ready to fight during the end of days” warriors. Tactical gear is important for all but the most hippy, peace-loving among us preppers.  Whether it’s just a firearm to protect your home and loved ones or a full-up kit to survival a worst case scenario, I’ll help you determine what you need to feel comfortable and secure

Tactical Gear For Preppers?

Tactical gear is designed to accompany you in some situations, give you a quick and easy access to your tools/ammo and also give you a perfect chance of coming out of a dangerous situation alive.

Why do preppers need tactical gear?  First and foremost, it’s good to understand that this gear is used by military as well as law enforcement personnel. The reason why tactical gear is ideal for a prepper is because they help stay alert and defend your position in case of a disaster.

The reason why preppers prefer tactical gear over more commercial gear is because of its high-performance features. Preppers understand the many functions and tasks this gear is capable of performing without getting damaged.  The fact that military and law enforcement personnel rely on it proves its rugged and durable nature.

What Is The Best Tactical Gear?

Although there is a wide range of tactical gear available, not all are necessary in the life of a prepper. There is special gear you’ll need to consider for combat and there are those pieces of gear you can live without. I don’t actually mean the real thing (military personnel going on a mission) when I talk about combat. I’m referring to potential riots, clashes or even misunderstanding in a government where a state of emergency is issued. With those situations in mind, I can quickly highlight some of the tactical gear that may benefit preppers. These include:

• Tactical Plate Carriers
• Assault Packs
• Tactical Helmets
• A Side Arm
• Tactical Boots
• A Knife
• Hand / Eye Protection
• IFAK
• Camouflage Suits

Tactical gear is much better than commercial gear due to its tougher fabrics, versatility and diversified features.  All of these items help to keep you protected and armed in case of a bad scenario.

Tactical Plate Carriers

A tactical plate carrier is an essential piece tactical gear that protects you against lethal gunshots. Plate carriers have a variety of uses such as paintball and law enforcement uses. Tactical plate carriers are categorized into four major sets which include premium plate carriers, camouflage vests, modular chest rigs and law enforcement vests.

Assault Packs

Assault packs are perfect for prepping activities. These units come in a variety of different sizes and are widely used in tactical missions, technical jobs, and other law enforcement activities. Always check on the quality, durability, weight, and comfort when purchasing an assault pack. Other factors you need to consider is whether your assault pack has multiple compartments and its ability to offer comprehensive storage in a wide range of settings.

Tactical Helmets

Helmets help to protect your head from any possible injuries while relocating/searching. Always make sure that it’s tested and designed to offer maximum protection to your head without exposing you to any serious head injuries when choosing a helmet. There are several types of tactical helmets designed to suit a particular mission. Some of these helmets including Advanced Combat Helmets (ACH), Modular Integrated Communications Helmets (MICH) and Airsoft Helmets are available in most military outlet stores at affordable prices.

 Tactical Boots

Tactical boots are used by law enforcement personnel, the military and firefighters to protect their feet against dangerous elements. They are available in a range of different types and designs to perfectly suit your intentions. Common types of boots available in the market include standard issue tactical boots, jump boots, tanker boots, desert boots and jungle boots.

Standard issue boots are made of waterproof leather material and are designed to offer maximum protection to your ankle and toes. These boots are suitable for all-terrain use and are best for combat and high altitude training.

Jump boots are designed for airborne forces and paratroopers. Introduced during WWII, these tactical boots have extended lacing and rigid toe caps to protect your ankle and toes against any injuries in case of a rough landing.

Tanker boots are made of fireproof hard leather that makes them resistant to high temperatures and unable to allow dangerous chemicals and spills reach your feet. Designed with straps instead of laces, these boots are perfect for heavy use due to their tough characteristics.

Hand / Eye Protection

Your hands and eyes are the essential weapons you own. It’s therefore important to keep them safe and in good working condition when using your tactical tools. Tactical gloves are made of high-quality materials such as nylon and leather.  They are traditionally used by firefighters, medical and military personnel. The various types of tactical gloves include all-weather shooting gloves, Condor Tactician gloves, KTS100 HWI Gear mechanical gloves and Blackhawk gloves.

Choosing the best ballistic glasses is another important aspect you need to consider as a prepper. Depending upon the environment, tactical goggles can offer a wide range of protection from sand and dust particles to small bomb fragments which can cause total or partial blindness to one’s eyes. Some of the best tactical goggles to consider include Pyramex I-Force Safety Goggles, ESS Profile TurboFan Goggles, ESS Fight Deck Military Goggles and Bolle X1000 Tactical Safety Goggles.  

Final Thoughts

There is a lot of other tactical gear which preppers can use to their advantage. Before making your purchase, however, it’s important that you figure out which loadouts are perfect for your intended purpose. Since these pieces of gear are relatively expensive, always look for loadouts which will suit your body type and needs. If you are interested in this kind of topic, then head over to solidgear.net for more information. 

Extending the life of your tactical gear is very essential, their ‘costliness’ being the main reason. Replacing them or buying new ones may not always be possible. So, it becomes important for you to take care them as well as possible.

The question arises here as how to take care of this precious gear? Have a look at these pro-active tips that can help you in maintaining the integrity of your tactical gear.

Different Types Of Tactical Gear

Boots

Allowing your tactical boots to get wet on a consistent basis will likely damage them over time. Follow the following tips to prevent your boots – arguably your most important piece of tactical gear – from losing their ‘health.’

• When your boots get wet, take out the shoe pads immediately and allow them to dry naturally.
• Do not wash your heavy boots ever in a washing machine as it will deteriorate the quality of your boots.  It will also bang up the washing machine from the inside – neither of which is a desirable outcome.
• It is always judicious to hand wash your boots yourself if you do not have access to an industrial machine.

To clean the boots, wipe off any loose dust from the sides and soles of the boots using a damp sponge. Clean the inserts with a small brush. Then blot a little all-purpose leather cleaner and wipe using circular strokes. Allow the boots to air dry and then buff the leather sections with polish.  This process will make them look new almost instantly.

Firearms

Firearms are an important part of the defensive suite. Few things are built to last forever and firearms are no different. However, with a little attention, your firearms can extend the life of this tactical gear and possibly even allow it to protect your family for generations.

Firearm maintenance is all about lubricating or oiling them on a regular basis. Paying attention to the following critical parts is important:

• The bolt should be kept healthy by applying a light coat of oil with a silicone cloth.
• If the firearm possesses a bolt carrier, it should have a very light coat of oil and then wipe it clean. Too much oil here will snag the particles that will gum up the function of the bolt.
• To clean the bore, pass swabs through them until they come out clean.
• The trigger mechanisms of the firearm must be wiped clean, cleared of debris and have very little oil.
• Apply a very light coat of oil if you have metal riding on any moving metal, and let it sit.

Knives

With time, knives lose their shine and become blunt. Cleaning helps them to stay in their original form. Sometimes, a dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp knife if you fail to maintain them properly. Keeping your knife spotless and smooth-running is the best way to prevent oxidation and allow this key piece of tactical gear to stay fully functional. Let’s see how.

• Rinse the knife blade under the running water to remove any loose dirt or hard residue. Dry it thoroughly after rinsing and then apply a small amount of oil to the blade. Gun oil, or machine oil can be used for this task.
• To get your knife sharpened like new, consult a professional staff member at a cutlery store near you or you can try this great knife sharpening kit.

Body Armor

Body armor is defensive clothing that is designed to save your life from ballistic rounds and in some cases puncture wounds.  It can be the last line of defense in your tactical gear arsenal. To extend the life of your body armor you can:

• Ensure that you keep them clean, dry and store them away from the direct sunlight.
• Make sure you do not bend them, store them lying flat.
• Keep the armor separate from other items in your trunk to ensure that nothing slides over them.

When it comes to cleaning the armor, consider these few things:

• Never use chemical products like bleaches to clean them. Also, do not wash them in a machine.
• You must clean the removable panels of the carrier (special threat plates, armor panels). You must take them out from the carrier and wipe them down carefully. ALWAYS refer to manufacturer’s instructions.
• After cleaning with the sponge, make sure you wipe off the left-over liquid and spot-wash the carrier, and allow it to dry on a flat surface before you replace the panels.

Note: Do not dry your carrier in a machine dryer or in direct sunlight. Also, never leave it dipped in standing water for long periods of time.

Conclusion

Remember, you must always spend the time to care for your tactical gear if you want them to function continuously at high levels of performance. Proper care will guarantee longevity, sturdiness, and above all, dependability.

Boots are a key component to any suburban homesteaders closet. Whether you’re working in the yard, shoveling the driveway, hiking, hunting, fishing or just hanging around, keeping your feet warm and dry is essential to being comfortable. In today’s post, we see if the ALTAI FM Tactical Boots meet the demands of today’s suburban homesteader.

Product Description

The ALTAI FM Tactical Boots are light, durable boots designed for folks who spend a majority of the day on their feet. They are breathable and waterproof at the same time thanks to the leather toe and SuperFabric^® uppers. ALTAI provides the following description of these boots:

• Light at only 650 grams – 23 ounces (size 9)
• Waterproof / Breathable Bootie
• NO Break-in Period
• Highly functional Upper with SuperFabric^® Material
  • Abrasion Resistant
  • Quick Drying
  • Stain Resistant
  • Air Permeable
• Vibram^® Outsole – Hiking Tread
• Slip Resistant
• Crimped Laces
• Speed Lacing – Metal Eyelets
• Padded Nylon Tongue
• Waterproof Leather Toe

The Pros

Right out of the box, I noticed the weight of these boots – or, more accurately, the lack thereof. I’ve grown up in the trades and have always had a few pair of boots in my closet. The ALTAI MF Tactical Boots are, by far, the lightest ones I have ever owned.

The second thing I liked about the ALTAI MF Tactical Boots was the fact that they truly have no break-in period. I took these boots on a five-mile hike the first time I wore them. While I knew I was possibly setting myself up for major blisters, I wanted to see if their claims of no break-in time were real. Not only did I not have blisters at the end of the day, I didn’t have that typical “swamp feet” feeling you can have at the end of a hike. The breathability of these boots is also the real deal.

Finally, I really like the Vibram^® outsoles. I have yet to slip on something while wearing the ALTAI MF Tactical Boots and I credit this to the Vibram^® outsoles. Not only are they grippy, but they are light, cushioning and have the ability to be very quiet in the woods.

The Cons

My biggest complaint about the ALTAI MF Tactical Boots was that, in order to wear these boots comfortably, you have to wear socks that come up past the top of the boots. This complaint may sound a little strange, however, I am used to wearing socks that stop just higher than my ankle. I have worn these socks with many different boots without experiencing discomfort. I could not wear the ALTAI MF Tactical Boots with similar socks. Once I bought socks that went this high, this complaint went away.

My other complaint about the ALTAI MF Tactical Boots is the look. Yes, I know, they are tactical boots. However, if they were available in a color besides black, I believe these boots would look less out-of-place and ‘blend in’ more for those of us who are not in fields where tactical looks are an everyday occurrence. I was asked multiple times on one hike if I was a member of the military based solely on the boots I was wearing. Would I not wear the ALTAI MF Tactical Boots simply because of this fact? No. However, ALTAI may consider color options to open up their sales to non-tactical operators. For instance, a desert tan version which looks similar to a traditional work boot would not look out-of-place in most suburban settings and may open up sales in new markets.

Overall Impression

The bottom line on the ALTAI MF Tactical Boots is that they are light, durable, supportive boots that can be worn for long durations without discomfort. They stand up well to the abuse around a normal suburban homestead as well as more traditional outdoor activates such as hiking.

I recommend the ALTAI MF Tactical Boots without reservation to law enforcement, first responders, military personnel and the average joe. These boots will keep your feet dry and your ankles supported while also providing a cushioned walking experience.

Where To Buy ALTAI MF Tactical Boots

• ALTAI MF Tactical Boots can be purchased through the ALTAI Gear Website or through Amazon. Both have them listed for $129.
• The socks I mentioned can be purchased through Amazon.

Full Disclaimer: ALTAI provided me with a pair of ALTAI MF Tactical Boots free of charge. I was not paid for my review nor was I obligated to post only a good review of these boots. The Amazon links above are affiliate links and the ALTAI link is not an affiliate link.