Finally going to start playing Airsoft, so time to get on the Forum. Here's the gear I'm looking at...

[Hotel Charlie Hill]

Hey everyone, I'm gonna list all the stuff I'm thinking of ordering. My primary (assault rifle), secondary (smg), and pistol are already on their way.

I'm looking to fulfill two roles - recce/marksman, able to transition to door-kicker/assaulter. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Based on pics I've seen, you all probably have much needed expertise (i know I will DEFINITELY need help picking out comms gear that will actually function together). As well, I'm going to be sticking as much as possible to Cadpat TW because that is hands down the best imho. This is quite long and drawn out, perhaps somewhat entertaining, but please don't feel obligated to read it just because I'm new.

Without further ado:

Sling for the primary weapon (m4,aeg) - RapAdjust 2 Point Sling - I am not a fan at all of 3 point slings, don't like having anything up the side of the weapon in my working space. This one looks great in the vid, quickly cinching it in tight if need be, or letting out the slack. Cat's meow right there

Sling for the secondary (smg) - I'm looking at this Dual Bungee 1 Point Sling but it looks sold out. If I can't get it, I'm going with an Olive Drab Voodoo Tactical Bungee Rifle Sling. I admit though that with both of them, the attaching mechanism looks potentially unreliable. This one looks pretty good too though. Anyone ever order from these guys at SpecWarfare Airsoft before?

I ordered a FAST helmet with side rails from Capital Airsoft, and I'm gonna put some stuff on it. Firstly though, should I leave it OD Green or cam it up with some spray paint? It's only going to be utilized for the assaulter role so I'm not too worried about cam. I'm posing this question for the purpose of LCF, lol! That being said, a touch of cadpat digipat with some stencils? or maybe with some fine mesh? or leaves and twigs? I'm going to have to decide before I cover it with gucci bits. That being said, I'm thinking of attaching on it the following:

Red Helmet V-Lite Marker, and a second blue one. That way if I can be id'd during night assaults, or be the on either end of an advancing assault party as cut-off for the overwatch laying fire on the objective. In the rear I will likely put a ballast pouch, and above that a Hel-Star 5 IR/Green light.
HL1-C-TN Surefire Helmet LED Yeah, I'm actually going to splurge and get the real thing for this.
L3G24 NV Mount - I MAY in the future invest in a monocle for night games... Unsure if I will buy a dummy mount or a sturdy one. Depends on whether I get an authentic monocle.
'Velcro Set' for the helmet (hence why I need to decide if I'm painting it)
Might get the 'premium version' Suspension/Retention system for the helmet if it isn't comfortable for long periods

For elbow pads I'm definitely going for the Nightcrawler Tactical Elbow Pads. Pet Peeve over the years is elbow pads that constantly pinch the inside of the elbow. My neoprene hellstorm pads are great, but they're tan (and falling apart). Also snagged a pair of multicam pads once, not sure what brand, looked like this, but the straps velcro'd together and seemed to come undone so easy (and no, that's not me trying to sell elbow pads via eBay... just the only picture I could find of them).

I've had many knee pads over the years and they all have the same problem of pinching the back of my knee. In hindsight and after seeing a few different videos, I think it's possible that I wore them a little too high with the top strap above the joint whereas it appears people mostly wear them just below. In my experience everyone always wore them like I did, so I'm not sure... Some people criss-crossed the buckles to avoid the pinch, but that didn't seem effective. Most of us just dealt with it. The Hatch pair I once had (a lot like the common altac) weren't very good. The neoprene hellstorms I had to match my elbow pads weren't very good. I had a tailor sew buckles into my pants so that I could attach them directly to the front of the knee without having a strap and buckle go around the back and that was pretty sweet. The UltraFlex III's caught my attention... But i've decided to put my money on Arc'Teryx's LEAF Knee Caps. They look uber cool too. From time to time I've actually thought about looking at the kneepads worn by carpenters and tilers. Those guys obviously know what they're getting because being down there for hours every day doing floors ruins you. But these LEAF ones should be good (and I stumbled upon Damascus, and that's who made those elbow and knee pads I didn't like)

I've had Hellstorm gloves (which are awesome), aviators which were decent and comfortable especially in heat, but offer no protection against sharp edges and abrasive surfaces. I've got a pair of Hatch Kevlar duty gloves which are great, but offer no dexterity. I have a pair of leather driving gloves which I've never used... So I'm going to try the Arc'Teryx Tactician AR gloves. They look pretty sweet.

For carrying glowsticks and for LCF (I hope?), I'm ordering the MOLLE PALS Radius Stock Class Gauntlet

On the other arm will be the TYR Tactical Commander's Arm Board, unfortunately not in CADPAT.

For my Fighting Kit, I'm building everything around the HSGI AO Small Chest Rig (only 8 columns of MOLLE! I want to keep it simple and as light as possible. I have the tendency to go out there with far too much kit, weighed down like crazy. Going to stick with mission essential). I considered the BFG Rackminus briefly and it sure does look light... Also the SOE PALS mini looked good.. but we'll see. Anyone using these?

Attached to that for comfort on the traps (shoulders) will be the HSGI Modular Padded Shoulder Harness. I've marched with heavy FFO for a while in the past and the better the yoke, the easier it all is and the more my mind is on the task at hand so I hope it's good.

On the backside will be my Hydration Pack (this one by SGS). Part of me thinks I should stay with HSGI and get this one but I had my heart set on something I could tuck my helmet into while in 'green phase' mode of operations. I'm hoping the mesh pocket will do the trick. I'm also hoping I can attach it all together with the chest rig. It will likely involve some spare webbing, buckles, some guntape, a gerber, and a lot of patience and ingenuity... But if it all comes together, it'll be worth it. They say the kit doesn't make the man, but in my experience it can sure multiply his effectiveness. And the wrong setup will really hamper him. I'll of course have an Insulation Tube Cover as well.

In the front above the harness will be an admin panel. I'm leaning heavily towards the MOLLE MOD Map Torch Admin Panel at Airsoft Club. For six bucks I may not be able to trust my life with it (as the sewing falls apart all around me), which makes me consider the HSGI Mini Modular Admin Pouch, but then I'd have to go get another flashlight pouch OR carry it elsewhere on my person, AND I'd be sacrificing more velcro LCF Patch space, right?

Underneath the admin panel from left to right (looking down at the mini chest rig I'm wearing) will be 2 HSGI X2R TACO Mag pouches. One pouch will carry 2 spare mid-cap mags for my primary, 2 spare smg mags. Not a TONNE of ammo, but I've never been one for spraying and praying anyway. I also think the best tactic is to win the firefight asap by suppression and advancing. We'll see how it works out.

Beside that will be the 3/2 Ammo Mag Pouch which will serve as a Scope pouch if I remove it from my primary to go to iron sights for CQB.

Lastly will be a PRR Radio Pouch or a Large Radio Walkie Talkie Pouch (this one looks better) depending on what radio system I go with. I'm trying to envision it and it may prove awkard... I mean I certainly don't want a whip sticking in my face. Perhaps I'll end up moving the radio pocket to the rear of the harness snugged up against the hydration carrier... and then I'll end up adding a spare pistol pouch to the chest rig, or maybe a miscellaneous pouch, or another double mag pouch... Any thoughts?

suspended from both the Hydration pack and thechest rig will be my Suregrip Padded Battle Belt. When tac-vests started getting huge, everyone thought they were the coolest thing. So did I. But I found it cumbersome for getting in the prone, ESPECIALLY for crawling long distances. As it is, I'm hoping my double-stacked mags won't pose a big inconvenience, but I'm thinking as long as from my mid-abdominal region and below is clear, I should be alright. honestly, looking back at the good ol' Canadian Forces webbing and yoke, if you had that set up right, it was sweet. Hence why I'm opting to carry more gear on my belt than on a full vest/harness system as is very popular these days. It's also nice to look different and stand out The belt is held together with that 'Cobra' belt or something. That looks like a great belt.

Holding up my trousers will be the Tactical Operators Rigger's Belt.

And keeping the battle belt snug against my body will be some SOE keepers attached to the riggers belt. To make it all the way around they need to be about 9", so I think I'm going to email them and find out (they don't have specs listed).

As stated, the front is going to be bare for the purpose of crawling and low profile in the prone. Starting on my left hip (looking downwards at my belt) will be the Lobster Trap Dump Pouch.Even doing a deliberate reload under duress, I don't want to waste the time putting mags back in a pouch, nor do I want to grab an empty in the heat of it.

Behind the dump pouch will be a lone double m4 pouch to hold one of the following: Tornado Impact Grenade, Smoke Grenade, or thunder B (I will be carrying 2 of each because distraction devices are a must have for room clearing when it's thick. Why enter a room under fire when you can frag or disorient first I figure, right?

The next pouch is a double M4 Mag Pouch.

Sitting in the center will be my CTS Patrol Pack (for the purpose of a 'butt-pack'). I'll be able to hold quite a bit in this but because it's longer than it is wide like the traditional butt-pack, it will take less space on my belt. Next comes the second double m4 mag and single m4 mag pouches to hold the remaining three grenades.

My right hip will have a 6280 Safariland Mid-ride Holster on it. I've got a blackhawk thigh rig I use for pistol shooting and paintball, and it's quite comfortable and effective, but I still find with a lot of crawling around that it flops about and tends to slide to the front of the thigh. With this system, I'm hoping the holster will stay high and out of the way. Apparently it still flops a bit on the run, and this dude wrote in a blog how you can jerry rig your own thigh strap into it (the strap sits much higher than with a traditional rig, but looks comfortable and effective still).

Although I'm not a fan of thigh rigs, on my left side under the dump pouch will be a panel strictly for carrying light objects like glowsticks that can be tucked into the MOLLE. This shouldn't pose any problems.

I'm opting out of carrying any spare pistol mags. If I'm going from my mains to my pistol, I should be planning things to get to cover to reload the primaries. The pistol is last resort in my mind (although I recognize it's effectiveness in clearing and CQB). There are 22 or so columns on the battle belt so I may not have room, but if I choose to, I'll get a single Ops Universal Pistol Mag Pouch, or perhaps a double which will sit on the left in front of the dump pouch (or up on the chest as stated earlier in the event of the radio pouch going in the back).

Depending on scenario rules, if likelihood of contact with enemy is extremely low (ie: deployed as recce far from the action), I'll be wearing some Oakley shooting glasses (if they're up to ballistic spec and that's within the rules of the organizers), so I'll need a cover to protect my goggles. So I'm going to buy this cover.

In this role I'll also be do,nning a boonie hat. This one looks great and even has a smaller than standard brim (meaning no need to alter it with a needle and thread). May also don a BDU Cap from time to time because I think they look sharp.

That leaves us with the BDU's. This will be tough. Having a 36" inseam and long arms, it's impossible to find what to wear. I think anything I pick up will require tailoring, taking in, and altering. Anyone have any experience with the following:

Tops - Tactical Top 1, Tactical Top 2. I'm considering one of the following instead (although moving through brush or crawling with light jersey knit cotton may not be wise, although it'd look cooler while fulfilling the assault role I think. Top 1, Top 2.

Variety of pants here and they all mostly the same although probably measured, cut, and sewn very differently. Fortunately I think I have some cadpat material lying around so they can add an inch or three to the legs for the benefit of my long legs hehe Pants 1, Pants 2, Pants 3, Pants 4, Pants 5

For my comms I already own a Rap4 Throat Mic with SOCOM ear piece which I bought for paintball (and never used), but I may simply replace it (unless I can find a system that compliments it) I think it's 1 pin motorola or something... I don't know, what do you guys think? Throat Mic to COMTAC when I transition, or PPR to COMTAC, or just stick with a PPR the whole time? Seems to me that COMTACs would be tough to hear ambient noise in even if they function duel-purpose as electronic hearing muffs like real Peltor hearing protection. I'm looking at the following, but someone has already suggested I stick with a PPR for a while, and that may be a good idea. I can always get COMTACs later, true? PRC 152, PRC 148, COMTAC II, COMTAC II, U94 PTT (does this double-pin connector mean it won't work with those PRC radios?), Whip would be cool yet I have no idea if it would go with either of these radios... And of course Fast Adapters for COMTAC.

But if I go the PRR route, Bowman Elite II, PRR package, or this. Not sure where to begin (not to mention most of this kit is sold out anyway...)

I'm also looking for a Cadpat Rucksack cover (heard about the recce dets being sent on ICEBACK and started jonesin'). I've got an Arc'Teryx Bora 80 but it's a civilian model. Found these guys but not sure if it'll be quite large enough at 22x20x19". It's got a bungee retainer but that doesn't guarantee the dimensions will fit... Just know it would be great to ruck out and do some sneakin' n peakin'.

Alright, that's all I got. Yes the novella is all done being written. If you've read it all I trust it's because you found it interesting and you enjoyed it. If you were gritting your teeth due to the length but wanted to help, I really appreciate that (but you didn't have to).

Thanks all.

[Ricochet]

Avoid Cadpat like the plague, it doesn't work, and the Forces are dumping it anyways. It's great to be patriotic, but choose Airsoft effectiveness. Start of with a solid transitional camo such as multicam, etc. There is more and better quality gear to choose from by a large margin.

[DustMagnet]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Avoid Cadpat like the plague, it doesn't work, and the Forces are dumping it anyways.

Regardless, before you jump into your pattern of choice this is an interesting (and very long) read: http://www.hyperstealth.com/camo-improvement/index.html

Your environment in Fort McMurray should dictate what camo you use. And don't worry about the gear - it doesn't need to be in the camo pattern, just a matching color.

[localfreerider]

I have worn CADPAT
My friends being less well equipped wore there jeans and sweaters.
They told me I was invisible at 50 feet unless I was moving.
On the other hand I saw there colorful tuques from miles away.

Camo depends on environment but I can tell you that CADPAT works very well in Canadian boreal forests.

[Cliffradical]

Go to a few games and talk to people before you buy anything. Safety gear and a gun will get you playable, but you won't know what does and does not work for you until you've hit the field.
Most guys will be happy to offer advice, and it will save you money and time.

[Cobrajr122]

It looks like you have really done your homework on this one.

The only thing I can really add is - comms

I would suggest just getting a Puxing 888K + the U94 and whatever headset you settle on.

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Avoid Cadpat like the plague, it doesn't work, and the Forces are dumping it anyways.

CADPAT works very well...
The CF just bought into a lengthy contract to update the cut of CADPAT and its only just hitting the troops. CADPAT is here to stay for many years to come.

[Wrath144]

The only fake cadpat I'm capable of recommending is the Rap4, or CP Gear (not even really fake). Everything else just looks like shit. Personally I'd buy the Rap4 pants and CP Gear shirt.
You probably don't need elbow pads unless you plan on roller skating.
Looks like you're buying 80% or more real gear, if you do that and then buy chinese crap for the rest (a la airsoft-club) you will most likely hate it and then buy real eventually anyway. Buy real, buy once. Not to mention it holds its value if you don't like it.
+1 for Puxing 888. Wouxun is also good.

[Hotel Charlie Hill]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Avoid Cadpat like the plague, it doesn't work, and the Forces are dumping it anyways. It's great to be patriotic, but choose Airsoft effectiveness. Start of with a solid transitional camo such as multicam, etc. There is more and better quality gear to choose from by a large margin.

I already own multicam and I don't think it works so hot. I admit it looks cool (especially with all the SF guys toting it in pics), but cadpat works incredibly. Digital cam is the way to go. The human eye sees a million pixels horizontally, and so things in the distance are pixelated, and camouflage that plays off this works better. I realized this when I first saw cadpat being used (most effective in coniferous forests, but still quite effective in deciduous). The black is never pure black, so it matches the dark shadows in nature, whilst the green matches the leaves and bush that isn't in the shade.

Also, it's not about patriotism, I just think it's the best (although I'm told pencott greenzone is the new best thing, and it does look pretty effective).

Originally Posted by DustMagnet

Regardless, before you jump into your pattern of choice this is an interesting (and very long) read: http://www.hyperstealth.com/camo-improvement/index.html

Your environment in Fort McMurray should dictate what camo you use. And don't worry about the gear - it doesn't need to be in the camo pattern, just a matching color.

Really interesting read! I'd seen that a few years back (but admit I never read it al at the timel, lo. Did now though and will read the remaining studies at some pointl). It's such a shame the US Army puts lives at risk by spending billions to make somebody's 'friends' wealthy by issuing non-effective camo BDU's, only to need to turn around and spend billions issuing new stuff (again likely making someone's friends very wealthy)

Fort McMurray will probably work well with Cadpat (just like the rest of the world with brown dirt and dark bark and green trees I've been warned about how brown our spring and fall are, but I've got multicam and a bunch of coyote brown kit already.

Don't worry about cam'd gear? I was told it's good to keep it flat colored so that it doesn't clash if I change the camo of my BDU's when seasons or playing fields change. Is that what you mean? I think the more cam the better. It's why people have taken on spraying their weapons, and why for generations soldiers have wrapped their weaponry and kit in natural vegetation, isn't it?

Originally Posted by localfreerider

I have worn CADPAT
My friends being less well equipped wore there jeans and sweaters.
They told me I was invisible at 50 feet unless I was moving.
On the other hand I saw there colorful tuques from miles away.

Camo depends on environment but I can tell you that CADPAT works very well in Canadian boreal forests.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Cliffradical

Go to a few games and talk to people before you buy anything. Safety gear and a gun will get you playable, but you won't know what does and does not work for you until you've hit the field.
Most guys will be happy to offer advice, and it will save you money and time.

That's good advice, Cliff. Thanks But although I'm new to airsoft, this isn't my first rodeo hehe. I've been around kit for a while and I know what works and what doesn't. I'm pretty sure most of what I've picked out will serve me well. It's a bit heavier than I'd like, but will contain everything I know I'll need, especially for scenario games if I'm able to fulfill the roles I hope to.

Truth being what it is, while playing paintball MILSIM style, I was just too heavy to compete with all the speedballers and their fannypacks and running shoes. I changed kit and everything for that game, but this will be more for the sake of milsim I'm thinking.

Originally Posted by Cobrajr122

It looks like you have really done your homework on this one.

The only thing I can really add is - comms

I would suggest just getting a Puxing 888K + the U94 and whatever headset you settle on.

CADPAT works very well...
The CF just bought into a lengthy contract to update the cut of CADPAT and its only just hitting the troops. CADPAT is here to stay for many years to come.

I'm going to wait on the comms for now, mainly to get opinions from guys I play with, so thank you for your suggestion because I will definitely remember it when I ask questions of other players.

The CF wants more cadpat? Didn't the guy above say they're 'dumping it'? I find it likely it's staying. The Arid Region stuff is excellent until our guys find themselves in wooded areas. I'm not familiar with the Panjwai area where we are in Afghanistan, but it's probably better than the green gear. The TW Cadpat is awesome everywhere else though. Another dude was telling me MARPAT is better, but I disagree..

Originally Posted by Wrath144

The only fake cadpat I'm capable of recommending is the Rap4, or CP Gear (not even really fake). Everything else just looks like shit. Personally I'd buy the Rap4 pants and CP Gear shirt.
You probably don't need elbow pads unless you plan on roller skating.
Looks like you're buying 80% or more real gear, if you do that and then buy chinese crap for the rest (a la airsoft-club) you will most likely hate it and then buy real eventually anyway. Buy real, buy once. Not to mention it holds its value if you don't like it.
+1 for Puxing 888. Wouxun is also good.

Ah, too late... I bought a slick looking tactical suit from A1-Tactical. Hope it matches and doesn't fall apart, lol. I decided against an OTW shirt because although they look cool, the jersey knit cotton portion just doesn't look like it'll protect against abrasion well if I'm crawling through stuff. I do understand that often times the cadpat pattern of knockoff stuff looks really blurry... oh well.

hehe, I ended up only buying that admin panel. There's a couple other pieces that aren't that hot, but I think they'll suffice (ie: triple mag pouches x 2 to be used for various grenades on my battlebelt, and one double m4 pouch to be used to hold my primary weapon's scope if I go to iron sights).

Thanks also for the comms suggestion. And thanks to everyone for your comments. look forward to seeing you out there!

[Cliffradical]

Awesome. If you've got the background, then your Christmas list does indeed look solid. Have fun out there!

[Kokanee]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Avoid Cadpat like the plague, it doesn't work, and the Forces are dumping it anyways. It's great to be patriotic, but choose Airsoft effectiveness. Start of with a solid transitional camo such as multicam, etc. There is more and better quality gear to choose from by a large margin.

I just love it when people on this board who have no idea what they are talking about decide to type stuff out and remove all shadow of a doubt about them being idiots...

[pugs144]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Avoid Cadpat like the plague, it doesn't work, and the Forces are dumping it.

Go beat your face.

[J-Man19]

Wow, that was uncalled for.

Back on topic: If you decide to get into the wonderfully expensive world of night vision drop the extra cash on a real mount. The knock offs are junk.

[DustMagnet]

Originally Posted by The_Canuck

Don't worry about cam'd gear? I was told it's good to keep it flat colored so that it doesn't clash if I change the camo of my BDU's when seasons or playing fields change. Is that what you mean? I think the more cam the better. It's why people have taken on spraying their weapons, and why for generations soldiers have wrapped their weaponry and kit in natural vegetation, isn't it?

I meant choose your gear based on effective function versus camo pattern. There might be things that you can get in OD that you can't get in CADPAT for example.

If you want gear that works across patterns I've read that Coyote Brown is a good choice.

[mcguyver]

I live in the same type of environment as the OP. Cadpat is hands down the worst camo for our area. We did testing on this some years ago. Marpat woodland and Multicam were the best performers over a much wider range of seasons and terrains, which can vary from dense bush with jungle undergrowth to tundra with jackpine to grassland to desert in just a couple kilometers.

It would be best for the OP to travel to a game or event with other established players in this area. We have been here for a long time, we kinda know what works. And what works i Ontario doesn't necessarily work well here.

[nardac]

Seems to be an awful lot of thought about gear and yet haven't played? I'd say go play a few games with experienced guys, that is the best way to learn what works and what doesn't.

Night vision is great if you have deep pockets, but how many night games do you plan on attending in a season realistically? Be patient young grasshopper, then you won't regret expensive gear purchases you use very little