24 Hour gear to wear with blue BDUs

Started by Jaison009, July 23, 2013, 06:55:17 PM

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Mela_007

I am just beginning my Fam/Prep for GTM3 so I am currently gathering my gear.  Our squadron was given 4 black Tactical vests.  I know orange vests are listed for each member.  I have an idea, but I'm wondering if it's a tacky idea or even within regs.  Could these Tactical vests be dyed Orange (done well of course) with reflective tape added...bringing them into compliance and appropriate use for our squadron GTMs?  It just seems they would be perfect for the 24-hr gear (or most of it), and it seems a shame to waste them.
"Worry is the Darkroom in which negatives develop."  -Unknown

jeders

If you can find a way to dye them so that it doesn't fade away or chip off, then that would be a wonderful idea. The problem usually is though that it wears down and ends up looking like garbage, usually sooner than later. As far as regs, it won't qualify as ANSI Class II I don't think, but that's really only needed when you're actually standing next to a highway. That said, as long as it looks like it could pass for class II, i.e. reflective stripes laid out in the correct pattern against a contrasting fluorescent color, then you should be good.
If you are confident in you abilities and experience, whether someone else is impressed is irrelevant. - Eclipse

arajca

1. You can't dye black nylon orange.
2. Just adding reflective tape won't bring them into compliance. ANSI 2 standards require a specific amount and pattern.

Eclipse

As said, they will never technically be ANSI II vests, since they will have never been tested.

It's certainly possible to take clothing and equipment which is already close, and get it to be ANSI II "compliant", and then it's a local "stickler" issue as to whether it would be a problem (doubtful).
But in those cases we're talking about adding more stripes, or similar, basically updating something which is probably acceptable most days as-is, anyway.

But with both said, it's not possible to take a piece of black clock and die it orange or yellow in a way won't look absolutely horrible, but more importantly
be compliant.

"That Others May Zoom"

SarDragon

Dying anything that's already black will only make an uglier black thing. Dying any other color to a new color also ends up with something really ugly, in a color that you did not anticipate, usually something approaching brown.

Dye also only really works on non-synthetic fabrics. Nylon, polyester, etc., are colored as part of the manufacturing process, and aren't dyed in the traditional manner. As for stuff that fades away or chips off, that's more like paint or some other coating. That doesn't work because it's really hard tocover a dark color with a lighter color.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

jeders

So after a quick Google search, there are several dyes on the market that claim to work on Nylon, in particular a brand called Dylon. Dylon also has a pre-dye product that is supposed to remove existing dyes from fabric, not sure how well that would work on Nylon, but it's their. It's a UK brand but is available at Jo-Ann Fabrics. If there's a store near you, it might be worth a few dollars to test this stuff on one of the vests. Just a thought.
If you are confident in you abilities and experience, whether someone else is impressed is irrelevant. - Eclipse

Eclipse

I think you're just going to wind up with ruined vests - you'd be better off finding some HardKewl Airsofters and selling them to
pay for vests more well-suited to the task.

"That Others May Zoom"

Mela_007

Thanks for the replies.  I just hated seeing the vests just collecting dust. Sounds like it won't work, but the idea of selling them to help buy appropriate vests is a good one. I'll talk to the Commander and ES Officer.

By the way, where does the ANSI II requirement show?  I recall one of the officers mentioning new vest requirements at a meeting. I have the task guide (2004), but just orange vest with reflective is mentioned.
"Worry is the Darkroom in which negatives develop."  -Unknown

Eclipse

The vest requirement is in 62-1, the Safety reg.

"That Others May Zoom"

jeders

If you are confident in you abilities and experience, whether someone else is impressed is irrelevant. - Eclipse

SarDragon

Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

jimmydeanno

Quote from: Jaison009 on August 06, 2013, 06:12:03 PM
So this is what I decided on. Top Load Web Gear Pack, The Pack Shack http://www.supplycache.com/prodinfo.asp?number=604-38201. I got it on clearance in yellow for $96 and can use it multi purpose. Don't think I could beat that considering how much True North, Coaxsher, etc all go for. I wanted an older FSS yellow forestry webgear and pack setup but could not find one in my range.I did consider the vest really hard but decided that this with the detachable main pack would meet my needs for CAP and for the civilian side.

This is very similar to the pack I got a few years back.  It has worked really well for me.  The butt pouch fits a nice little first aid kit, and some other random stuff in the velcro portion designed for the fire tent.  On mine, the side pockets up top fit nalgene bottles nicely, but I have a bladder that I put in mine that works good, too.  I think you'll be happy with it.
If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law. - Winston Churchill

Mela_007

Thanks, I'll re-read 62-1.  I must have missed it the first time. 

I've been considering packs too, and I think I'll take your advice here...and wait.  Get my qualification and see what works, what others have, and what I feel I need (or want).  I have a couple small backpacks that I think I can use for the short term, so I appreciate the candor (though it was advice for someone else at the time).
"Worry is the Darkroom in which negatives develop."  -Unknown

ReCAP

Interestingly, the Radians folks seem to be willing to customize their ANSI class 2 vests:
http://www.my-viz.com/custom/productinformation/how-to-create-a-design

Looks automated but when you get to the end it just goes to a human for quoting. 

Gear is such an individual and continuously evolving thing that its hard to define exaclty the right vest with all the right pockets that's not going to change tomorrow. 

We need an ANSI compliant MOLLE vest...