Winter Load out for M4/M16?

[Robcat]

Out here in Florida it is Hot and Humid so i run a customized MOLLE belt system with combat suspenders so i can vent heat, which i would assume would be the opposite for snow...

What kind of load out would be appropriate for the winter out there?

Since you guys said you run Tricolor Woodland I am already gonna send that and a German Flectarn uniform out there but I will need to build a kit as I do not want to have to explane why i have a military set up in my carry-on (do not trust the airlines enough to transport a $200 combined  custom built kit...

So any suggestions for a big guy? Vest system, cross draw, Old School H harness, carry satchel or tactical man purse?

Help me out as this will be my first time airsofting in a snow environment...

[Bluewolf]

If it is up here In Nor-Cal plan on being a winter/snow/rain event in December.
Having said that I'd maybe plan on 'layers'. A good set of Under Armour "Coldgrear" or Cabela 'knock-offs" would be ideal. They have multiple types for activity levels, I used a medium level layer as I did a lot of work outside in the winter so I did not want to overheat. By layering if you get too hot you can shed clothing. If you have too much bulk you will only burn up so I'd not try and play with the "puffy-down" jacket.

Wool. Wool will keep you warm, its what was used in WW2, and If you are wet your body will keep your temp at a more comfortable level (but I'd try and stay off the snow/ground/ice water :)

Can't say enough about weather treating your clothes. Treat your clothes with some good Fabric sprays.
It helps keep me dry as possible. I've spent many a days working in wet weather for 13hours 7 days a week.
http://www.trek7.com/products/aqua-armor-for-snow-and-gear.

Ad-hock Camo. As far as I know the Germans did with what they could. A 'white' bed sheet will work wonders for snow camo (remember to treat your sheet with Fabric spray...a cotton sheet will only make you miserable.)

And finally, a little hidden treasure to help your hands and feet....
http://www.rei.com/category/40004095
most of these will last you 6+ hours of nice warmth. They are activated by when you open them to the air. I like to put the feet stickies on both the top and the bottom of my toes. It will help vastly! One hand warmer will do but keep another around.

We have some pretty good Army surplus stores around so some cheep boots will work. If you wanna spend the more money Muck boots will work better and keep your feet dryer. We have a feed store here in Nevada county that stock them regularly for about $100 bucks.

Who do you plan on staying with in your trip?

[Robcat]

My wife is from Reno so I will be staying with my parents in law.
I have boots out there already they are real tree but they will work.
I do not think i will make the Cimmarians event as it is not in the budget...
But I am gonna try to make it out there on the 10th ans drive up the 11th...
I will look around and see what else i can do for the 18th in regards to airsoft.
Thanks for the info on the weather proofing spray.

[Komissar]

If not attending the Cimmerian OP (WW2) then you don't have to worry about genre loadout.

All other (modern era) winter events, I wear 'under armor', under BDU's.
I carry two pair of shooting gloves, and pack a pair of cold weather (snow) gloves. (change them as often as they get wet)
I pack a military grade coat that can be worn under my kit or packed in it.
All of my kit stays the same, water, food, ammo, mags, compass, red rag, knife, watch, goggles, cover.
(I also add hand warmers to my kit in winter)(having food to snack helps keep you fueled and warm)
In winter and rough terrain I wear two pair of socks, one of which is military grade or wool. I carry a dry, third pair in winter.
Lastly, in snow, I wear 'Sorel' snow boots, (good quality ones) instead of standard boots.
In wet and cold conditions its good quality boots and gloves to keep dry. That is the key. A warm dry hat helps too!

[Robcat]

Will you guys be playing on the 18th?

[Phoenix]

While everyone tackled the uniform and load out I will add my expertise: the airlines, checked baggage and carry-on luggage. Since I work for TSA this is solid info.

Checked baggage: Gets lost a lot less of the time than it seems, ESPECIALLY if you're taking a direct flight or making one lay-over. For the most part its perfectly safe to transport most anything through checked baggage. Heck...I've seen cremated remains in checked baggage. All of the stuff in checked baggage is insured and often for a lot more than your claim. Just read the fine print and ask questions. Airsoft guns do NOT need to be declared. There is no limit on airsoft guns in a bag. The only thing you can not take with you is the compressed gas of choice for your gas guns.

Carry-on: Unless what is on your kit is a real (or constitutes as a reasonable replica of) firearm/blade weapon/explosive or poses some other direct threat to commercial aviation or aviation security then not only do you have no worry about having it in your carry on, but you also need not explain anything to anyone.

Hope that helps, feel free to ask me any questions or visit TSA.gov for their checklist.

[Robcat]

well since I would like to play with my man Komissar keep me in the loop, I am starting to save my pennies now as I want tio have a blast when I go out there be it DRAEX or Cimmerians still trying to get a line of an M-series around here i can fix up and ship out o the Inlaws.

[Robcat]

t-minus 10 and counting... 10 hours till lift off... should be landing in Reno around 11:30 am tomorrow...
super excited about this trip... i am also bringing the camera so i can be a combat photographer... this time tell Katie to pull the trigger if i am not on her team and in her sights...lol

[Robcat]

Okay... I feel bad harassing Kossimar via text with all my questions...lol so final check on what i have and if i need anything else.

Tac-Gear:

Hydration-vest with utility pockets of varying sizes

Magazine Pouch

Dump Pouch

Compass

Stopwatch (for synchronization and time keeping)

Wristwatch

Whistle (incase I get lost...lol)

Motorola Talkabout with FRS/GMRS and subchannels

Multitool

(Should i bring a knife?)

Camera Bag ( as long as the CAA is okay with it, I will be taking pictures as a combat photographer when we are not in Combat)

Airsoft:

M16A3 w/ M203 and 5 high Capacity Magazines

3 batteries in Individual Ziplock bags to prevent water/snow damage

Three Bags of .20 Bio BB,s

Aluminum Training Blade

Two point tactical sling

Clothing:

OD Wool Watch Cap

Black Baklava

Bugz Goggles (ordered yesterday, should be here Wednesday)

Woodland Goretex Wet Weather Top w/Hood

Woodland BDU Top

OD BDU Bottoms (going to weather treat them tomorrow)

Goretex Snow Boots (realtree but dont bust my balls about it I didn't buy them)

Snow Gloves

Fingerless Wool Gloves

4 Pair Boot Socks

Top and Bottom Cold Gear Thermal Under Garments

 

Aside from Food is there anything else i should consider?

 

[Spartan]

I think a knife is a good idea. it is helpful for tasks, and you never know when you need one.

[Komissar]

Rob, . . . T-2.

Any knife is good, and a means to make fire. Not that we need to, but better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Your load-out is solid. Just what I would expect from a Marine. Glad to have you an board, this will be big weather I hear. Call if you need anything.

And yea, the Cimmerians will enjoy having some photos. (Gotta have some of your first Cimm OP). Bring it!

 

Careful what you ask for. Did you see her work on Hi-Cap? Good thing she's with us.

[The Dwarf]

Bring your penguin suit if you have one....if you don't then; socks are a huge part of a winter loadout. I can't stress enough how important warm feet are. I have seen to many people not bring extra socks and there day just ends up misserable. Bring socks.

[Robcat]

Just got a pair of "Swamp" colored snow pants... closest to OD i could find and they were 50% off SCORE!

hopefully here work on high-cap was in vengeance for that septum shot... lol

really looking forward to this...

bought a Gerber multi-tool in place of a knife and i have a magnesium/flint stick for flame