I have a Berghaus Vulcan rucksack because I like the flexibility it provides - it has 2 x 10l side pockets which can zip off and be used as a day pack. I'm in the market for a new purpose-made daypack and I'd like to get one which is compatible with these side pockets (these are made to an MOD standard called PLCE - Personal Load Carrying Equipment) but of course, the only bags you can get only come in olive green or worse, camo. The military stuff out there (or at least the better stuff) is obviously built to fairly high specs, sensibly designed and is often a lot cheaper than the civilian consumer versions. This is all very well, but how do I avoid looking like a cadet on a D of E expedition out on Kinder Scout or more importantly, like a mercenary when travelling in Nepal or other politically slightly dodgy areas. So, can you tell me any good ways you have thought of to make yourself seem non-threatening to the local warlords?
Here are some of my own ideas... o Showing a flag on your backpack. (a UK flag is not currently going to be of much use for this purpose! My wife is a Kiwi, so I would feel OK about using a NZ flag as an alternative, but this too has a UK flag in the corner, and I wouldn't want to rely on some grunt's knowledge of the flags of the world to this extent, especially considering that ANZAC troops are used anywhere UK special forces are deployed - how about a peace flag or a flag of the local country?) o Sewing on some kind of patch to the rucksack o Getting the manufacturer to make one in blue or red or whatever. (I'd be keen to hear if anyone has had any success in doing this) o Changing the colour of the gear (paint, dye, whatever)
Hi Henry, on no account would I use anything that resembles military or actual military kit on a trip abroad, especially third world countries, due to the current situation and also the threat of being accused as a spy or merc! Local warlords as such will play on this to no end, and no amount of flags etc. stitched on will convince them otherwise. After all you will only be trying to hide the fact, that is the way they will see it, regardless! Military kit is good and fairly strong, but it is far from comfortable, and I always use civi kit when I go out walking (yes, I am H.M Forces), because it is far more comfortable. Dying it is an option, but it depends on how it turns out, and this all goes back to you trying to hide your identity, if you can see where I am coming from? My only advice, and something we have taught civilians from NGO (Non Governemnt Organisations)in the past is to wear fairly subdued clothing, no horrendous bright colours, and no flags! Stash your money all around your kit(useful if you have to bribe your way, it does happen!),don't have anything with the red cross on it, otherwise you are now a doctor!
If you need any more advice, just ask away, above all enjoy yourself, and buy a civi daysac, the new issued ones are naff!
Would wholeheartedly agree. (Also HM Forces - military kit is erm, adequate, but there is better designed, manufactured and coloured kit out there.)
Lets face it if you can afford to go to Nepal, you can afford to spend an extra £50 on a rucky that won't make you stand out.
In fact when travelling abroad it's worth attracting AS LITTLE attention to yourself in anyway possible!
Oh and to be non-threatening...when you talk to ANY locals, always take off your sun-glasses. That way the local types can see your eyes...and have a go at learning a few words of the local lingo. At least enough to buy someone a beer. (If they allow alcohol in your chosen country!)
I appreciate your comments. I should point out that in this case I would be looking at getting something by Bergahus, Karrimor or Snugpak, not issue kit. The attraction is, as I say, to do with the flexibility of the zip-off pockets and being able to have a range of options for different occasions – but I guess these pockets can be strapped on to any rucky with compression straps. Maybe a bit flappier, but it is a solution nonetheless.
The only other military kit I have is a pair of German gore tex trousers – I challenge anyone to find a new pair of civilian gore tex trousers for £35! These at least are kind of grey olive green – I avoided the (even cheaper) UK DPM ones for the reasons we’re talking about here.
Dying stuff would seem like a good idea, but I’m afraid the only colours you could get OG to go would be darker OG or black, or possibly some kind of nightmare gothic purple.
Good point about sunglasses and being non-threatening. Hope I didn’t come across too spiky on this message board, though!
No probs Henry! The point about the sunglasses makes me smile- we were not allowed to wear them in Iraq (humanitarian phase, after the war!), because the locals thought they were x-ray, and that we were looking at their genitalia!!! Also tops off was another big no no, and showing the soles of your feet! I would think that would be the same for all muslim countries.
Enjoy your trip mate, where are you going?
On the daysac option, I am sure Karrimor do a large bergen which has a zip off daysac option, or it maybe MacPac, I will have a look for you.
Supose if you were wearing normal clothes etc n just the pack was issue coloured you might be ok. Other than that you could always try attaching bits of civi gear like bright yellow mat etc to it.
In fact we’re planning a bit of a world tour. Probably to include Europe and then later on Nepal / Bhutan / Ladakh / Tibet area. Possibly, after discussion with a chum who used to be a mountain trek guide in the Atlas mtns, we might do something there, too.
I’m doing all this with my wife, so hopefully that’s one more thing that will make me look less like a squaddie, though in this day and age, I suppose that isn’t quite the guarantee it used to be!
I was trying to be succinct, I am writing this on my own time you know. But to add to other's, there are Countries which will not let you in wearing camouflage gear (suppose depends on how good it is, they might not see you sneaking past).
Karrimor do a daysac called the Sabre 45 modelled on the Hot Rock series of daysacs with a fformat frame. It has side zips that are compatable with the side pockets of both the Vulcan and British PLCE side pockets. It is olive green and retails for around £80, F&T stock it. Being HM Forces myself, I agree completely with all the comments about not looking military in third world countries. However, the Sabre 45 looks like a large climbing daysac in olive green so should be ok.
sorry mate, but i think you'd be better off ditching the military (or just green) gear during 'exotic' travel. however much you try to cover it or convert it, it still looks military. this can make your trip nasty, brutish and short - or nasty, brutish and very, very long depending on who you are unfortunate enough to bump into on your travels.
remember that in the areas you have talked about some of the beligerents make the iraqi army look like the brigade of guards, just a single piece of quasi-military gear would draw immediate and hostile attention to you - and you do not want that to happen. in the current political, military and economic climate it would be an entirely irresponsable risk to run.
sorry for being po-faced about this, but discretion is the better part of valour - and being alive.
