The term tactical means “concerning to or constituting tactics.” Tactical is more a mindset than an accessory. This is also known as a tactical mindset. When you think this way, you’ll realize that your tactical gear should be centered on your tactics to save your life.

Before you plan to buy tactical gear, you need to reconsider whether it fits your situation and whether it is something you need to win over the situation.

 Most people are focused more on finding what they think is the right equipment such as guns and gear. That’s why they lack in other departments. Weapons and ammunition are unquestionably very important.  That being said, weapons are not the only things you need.

Tactical lifestyle is about obtaining the right balance in every situation. You win battles with guns and grunts.  You win wars with logistics. Winning of a war for food, water, and safety requires you plan to the right budget.

This article is not focused on budget planning for food. It’s about saving your budget for all other equipment required to survive in all situations. Your main motivation is to survive and not just to win the fight. You have to plan your tactics accordingly.

Tactical Gear For Your Defense

 As mentioned above, your main goal is to survive and not to win. Therefore, you should carry all the necessary equipment (including weapons) to survive in the situation. Some examples of “Must Carry Equipment” are:

• Extra ammo for reloading your weapon
• Magazine Pouches For Modern Rifles
• Medical Kit
• Knife
• Compass

In addition to the above items, you should consider your situation and decide if you need to add the following tactical gear:

Plate Carriers

Plate carriers are an alternative to the heavy, burdensome flak jackets. The small size and weight make it easy for the soldiers to operate it. Plate carriers are the best tactical gear for both police and military because of the mobility and protection they offer.

Plate carriers quickly become uncomfortable and you will soon be sweating your butt off. Plates are not the best idea for home defense as they are heavy, fragile, and expensive as well.

Load Bearing Vests

Load Bearing Vests, or LBVs, are similar to plate carriers. While similar, LBVs are indeed a better option than plate carriers if you don’t want some form of body armor. An LBV is a nylon vest with a Molle or PALs system to hold gear but it doesn’t have a spot for plates.  They do provide a similar mounting system for ammo and gear that plate carriers do. At the same time, they are more comfortable and less expensive than plate carriers.

Belts

Tactical belts, which have a MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) or PAL (Pouch Attachment Ladder) System, are popular among infantrymen for carrying equipment.

The reasons the belts are widely used is due to the ease of access and the capability to carry a fair amount of payload. It becomes easy to climb in and out of vehicles or move out of buildings and tight locations. They are perfect for carrying an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) because it becomes easy to access it by simply taking off the belt.

 These belts can be stashed in a backpack and easily used whenever you need them.

Leg Rigs

Leg rigs are a more luxurious option as they are not required and don’t provide any utility that belts and LBVs or plate carriers do.  With that in mind, it is easier to draw a handgun from a leg rig. Another option can be to use a waist holster which is available at half the price of leg rig and it is bit difficult to pull a magazine for a reload from the leg rig.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot of tactical gear above and beyond weapons and ammunition that you should consider.  Also remember that, while tactical gear is quite important, an even approach to prepping is required to meet the demands of a SHTF scenario.

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.