Traditional vs. Modern

Let’s face it, we’re all gear junkies. I like anyone else enjoy looking at knives, guns, packs, clothes and the list goes on and on for outdoors gear. I’m a huge fan of older gear because it has been time tested and has a nostalgia about it. My go to for the most part have been ALICE packs because that’s what I’m used to and they have been reliable in their use with so many folks. So on my journey back into the outdoors, I've found myself often stuck between traditional maybe even retro as opposed to modern packs. Who doesn’t love good waxed canvas or oilskin?

Is this an age old debate or a struggle for most?  Personally, I have been back and forth with this for a while now.  Recently, I was in the market for a new pack, and I had been eyeing a very traditional looking pack with a fairly high dollar value and described as an “heirloom” quality pack.  I still have a desire to own this pack for sure, I have researched it, asked about it, had friends who own that brand attest to how well made their packs are.  I also have friends who attest to the quality and functionality of a newer style pack and how well it performs.  Both have great reviews and fanfare, so I know either would be a great purchase.  So now is it about price point, or durability, or functionality, or customization?  It’s just a back pack, how hard could this be.  

Well we’re gear junkies, we have to dissect the type of fabrics and stitching, so we’re looking at every facet to poke holes in our decisions!   

To be honest, what it came down to for me was functionality.  A more modern pack is a little more customizable, a little more modular.  It wasn’t about cost (I’m always looking to not spend so much), or look, or even brand.  It truly became about what was best to suit my needs for a “buy once, cry once” type of purchase, to allow me to have what I consider the four season pack for me.  

I started thinking about this, and realized I struggle with this for most of my purchases for gear and equipment.  Is this knife traditional looking enough for me, am I looking for an optic or how well it’s made?  Does it hold an edge, is it durable, or is it the next catch all tool?  Sometimes we go down the rabbit hole of ridiculousness.  Does this rifle have the look I want, does that even matter so long as it shoots true?  Crazy thoughts sometimes.  The first rule of being cool is looking cool right?

I think the look of things appeals to us, a lot of us strive to learn the old ways, but does that mean we have to carry traditional only?  Does it make your experiences in camp any better or worse if you use a oilskin trap, and use an air mattress to save your back?  I think the old timers would have loved some modern comforts they were not privileged to have, like instant flame.  Just some thoughts...how do you feel about Traditional vs. Modern?

REPs to pREP

 

REPs (REPair, REPurpose, REPlenish, REPlace, REPetition) to pREP

The below discussion/examples include home, vehicle, pack but can be used for any situation by using your imagination.  I chose to use home/vehicle and pack because during any given time we spend the majority of our time in our home or vehicle and typically we have a pack in our vehicle or on an outing:  

REPair:  Sounds pretty obvious, but looking over your gear and ensuring it is serviceable and in good working order like maintaining your knives by sharpening, honing, stropping and oiling.  Is your clothing good to go or does it have holes or is it worn out, maintenance of equipment, oil changes for your vehicle, maintenance of your home (leaks, power, water heater etc), if you have a generator is it serviceable.   

REPurpose:  What gear do you have that is multi-use?  You have Meal Ready to Eat in your pack, what can you do with the heavy plastic bag it is wrapped in?  Most of the time we field strip them, losing a heavy duty plastic container, which can be used for water collection or collecting tinder/kindling and keeping it dry.  The boxes that the meal is in can be used as tinder material.  We are looking for multi-use items, like using a shovel as a pan to cook, and an axe to chop small wood and kindling for a fire. 

REPlenish:  A lot of folks keep bug out, go bags, everyday carry bags or whatever you want to label them as.  I often wonder how often do they use the items in it?  I have always been taught to train like you fight, so when you have items that you exhaust like consumables and perishables you have to replenish your supply prior to the mission.  Some examples in an outdoor setting are batteries, food, cordage, medical/medications (expired), tinder materials, Bic lighter fluid, matches, fatwood, charred materials and so on.  

REPlace:  Look for damaged/broken gear, bulbs for lights, irreparable items.  Some more considerations could be seasonal items, such as switching out to a lighter sleeping bag for summer, or a wool cap for winter.  Cutting tools (buck saw vice folding saw) axe for hatchet or large saw.  So many items can be switched out regardless of circumstances.  

REPetition: Simply do it over and over until you know exactly what is in your gear and it's state.  If you have never heard of the 5W's, you need to know them for your gear, who, what, when, where and why.  Create the muscle memory, so that you can get gear day/night without having to see it in the event you forgot to REPlenish your batteries, which of course you did not because you followed the REPlenish part.   

One last nugget that I hope helps you out:  Remember to INSPECT what you EXPECT!