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Three Surprisingly Utilitarian Prepper Supplies

The value of a prepper supply really lies in how versatile and utilitarian it is, right? Therefore, the more uses a supply has, the more value it has in your prep stockpile or bug out bag.

It’s hard to beat these three. Cheap and universal as they are, there’s probably more they can do than that they can’t.

Duct Tape

Available in a wide range of colors and patterns, duct tape is a cloth-backed pressure sensitive tape that utilizes strong adhesive and which resists tearing. Originally used to secure ducts (hence the name) duct tape has a thousand and one uses for preppers, including but not limited to the following:

Emergency clothing hemming (if the hem fails or drops)
Repairing/patching holes in fabric
Treating warts
Preventing blisters, soothing hot spots
Creating rope and makeshift cordage
Creating a makeshift clothesline for drying clothes
Trapping flies and other pests; place the adhesive side up around the garbage or around rotting fruit and the flies will get trapped there
Lint or pet hair removal
For extra grip to help open a jar
As a makeshift tool handle wrap to provide extra traction
Sealing cracked plastic, caulk or plaster
Stopping small leaks in hoses, water bottles and other vessels
Snow and pest-proofing pants (wrap duct tape around where your pant leg meets your boot)
Splinter removal
Patching together broken items
DIY camo job, if the duct tape is finished with a camo pattern

This list only scratches the surface of the utility of duct tape – it has many more uses in addition to these!

Vaseline

Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly, is a mix of mineral oil and wax, and, like duct tape, is invaluable as a prepper supply. Here are some of the top uses:

Moisturizing dry skin and lips
Treating/sealing small wounds and burns
Prevent chafing (simply apply to affected areas)
To lubricate squeaky wheels or hinges (just do not put in locks!)
As a fire starter (simply rub some vaseline into a ball of lint or drop a dab on newspaper and it will extend the burn time
To soften stiff leather (neatsfoot oil is better for this, though)
As a makeup remover (most oil-based makeups are soluble in vaseline)
To soothe razor burn
To treat mild sunburn
Apply it to metal tools and hardware to prevent rust and corrosion
Remove scratches, scuffs and watermarks on wood and leather
Lubricate stuck zippers

Like duct tape, vaseline has many more uses than those that are covered here!

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol, typically isopropyl, like vaseline and duct tape, has a long and interesting list of uses around the home. As a prepper supply, rubbing alcohol can be used:

As a deodorant; simply dab it on underarms to kill smell (it will dry out your skin though so use sparingly)
Can also be used to deodorize shoes and boots
To disinfect surfaces
To remove ink, oil, and other stains
As a DIY stove fuel (or lamp fuel)
To clean steel, glass and other surfaces, and to remove smudges
To disinfect small wounds
As an astringent; topically, rubbing alcohol can help with oily skin
Removing residues; as a powerful solvent, rubbing alcohol can be used to remove gummed up adhesive and other residues

Of course, isopropyl rubbing alcohol has many more uses than what are covered here, but this is a good start, and it is in an invaluable prepper supply.

Gear Up with Prepper Supplies

If you’re looking for prepper supplies like these and others, such as tools, first aid kits, and MREs, check out Fatigues Army Navy online, or, if you’re in their area, in Hawley, Pennsylvania.

They carry an exhaustive list of valuable and practical prepper supplies that can’t be done justice here.

For more information about Alice Pack and Jungle Boots please visit:- Fatigues Army Navy & Surplus Gear Co

Shopping Kids’ Combat Boots by Condition and Intended Use

No two pairs of kids’ combat boots are alike, and therefore no single pair will perform admirably well in all weather conditions.

The pair you outfit your kid with should depend on when and where the kid is using them. Let’s take a closer look at this.

Kids’ Combat Boots: Jungle Boots

One broad category of kids’ combat boots are jungle boots. These boots perform best in hot conditions, both wet and dry, as a matter of fact.

Most jungle boots are made with vulcanized rubber lug soles, with a shank (usually steel) that provides rigidity, support, and rebound. They provide good support and traction in all conditions but are optimized for earth, not blacktop.

They’re also made with vented uppers. Typically, jungle boots have canvas or nylon panels on the shaft of the boot, which allow for moisture that’s been absorbed to be wicked away easily. As a result, jungle boots are quick-drying in hot, wet conditions (such as those you’d encounter in the jungle, hence the name). They also provide good breathability and ventilation in hot, dry conditions.

They’re also usually crafted with aluminum hardware that is corrosion resistant, further improving their utility in wet environments.

This makes jungle boots good outdoor wear in the summer months. However, as they are usually not waterproof, and worst of all, have no insulation, they are not good as winter footwear.

Patrol/Duty Boots

Patrol or duty boots usually have black leather (or synthetic uppers) and cup soles with a less aggressive tread than jungle boots. Sometimes they have an even less aggressive wedge sole.

While they perform well and offer good traction on all surfaces, they are optimized for use on finished surfaces; either indoors, or on blacktop or pavement. This makes patrol or duty boots preferable for use in developed, urban environments.

Otherwise, patrol and duty boots may be either lightweight or waterproof and insulated, so with respect to that, they can be practical at any time of year.

For Winter Wear: Go Insulated and Waterproof

One important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a new pair of kids’ combat boots is what time of year they will be worn.

If your kid will be outside in the winter – either playing airsoft, camping, hiking, or something like that, then getting an insulated pair of waterproof boots is a must.

Many combat boots are designed for hot conditions. As a result, sometimes logger boots or hunting boots are better in the winter months as these are (typically) waterproof and well-insulated. Most of them also have aggressive lug soles that perform better in undeveloped conditions.

Another note, though this doesn’t have to do with the boots themselves. If your kid will be outside in cold conditions, set him or her up with two pairs of boot socks; one a liner sock, the outer sock a thick wool sock to add insulation.

The liner sock will wick away sweat; as for wool, it outperforms cotton in every way. Wool socks can even get wet and will still retain the majority of their insulative properties; cotton will not. Keep that in mind if you buy your kid a pair of new winter boots – keeping warm is not all about the boots!

Get a New Pair of Kids’ Combat Boots for Your Kid

Not sure where to start your search for a new pair of kids’ combat boots? Make it easy on yourself and start at Fatigues Army Navy. They sell a wide range of kids outerwear and boots, with a wide collection of jungle boots, duty boots and more in their catalog. Or, if you’re in their area, visit them in Northeast Pennsylvania.

For more information about Camouflage Pants and Camo Shirt please visit:- Fatigues Army Navy & Surplus Gear Co

Shopping Smart for a Concealed Carry Jacket: Essential Advice

Fresh off the CCW Course? Just entering the market for a concealed carry jacket?

Not all are created equal, so don’t just buy anything. Hopefully this short guide will help you make a wise choice.

Avoid Buttons!

Buttons may look snazzy, but they are something you will want to avoid on a concealed carry jacket at all costs.

The reason? They compromise your access to your weapon, and that can seriously put a life or death limitation on the utility of your jacket.

First and foremost, the jacket should enable easy, effortless access to your weapon, period. All other features, functionality, and fashion come as secondary characteristics.

What you want is a jacket with a zipper. It might not look as slick as a button-up jacket, and yes, zippers can jam, but they are much easier and more intuitive to use than buttons.

Shop a Size Up

The thing about a concealed carry jacket is that no single jacket can literally do it all.

You can either get a really heavy jacket that will keep you warm in the winter, but which will be burdensome to wear the rest of the year – or you can get a jacket that’s comfortable in the summer but too light for the other seasons.

Our recommendation is to get a three-season jacket. One that’s ideal for fall and spring, and not too heavy for summer.

But here’s the catch – you have to order a size up. That way, you’ll have enough room underneath for layering.

It solves the seasonal dilemma, and it also ensures comfort without compromising access to your weapon.

Look for One with More Than Enough Room

Naturally, any concealed carry jacket that you seriously think about buying should have more than enough room for your holster or a dedicated pocket

But that’s not good enough. Look for a jacket with additional pockets for magazines or other tools, or, if it becomes necessary, one that’s simply big enough to add a utility belt or something else underneath.

One thing is imperative. This jacket has to make your lifestyle easier, not complicate it, and oftentimes one of the most important things is access to the gear you need.

Don’t Try to Do Too Much at Once

Last but not least, don’t try to do too much with this jacket. It’s your first purchase. Don’t expect it to be perfect.

It just needs to be comfortable, provide you with easy access to your weapon, and protect you against the elements.

You’re never going to get the perfect jacket – for instance, as covered previously, one that’s going to work in all seasons. You’re going to have to make compromises somewhere.

Just don’t make compromises on any of the pointers in this article. Make sure there is support for your weapon, room for accessories (notably spare mags), and avoid buttons.

Anything else is in your wheelhouse. And remember, you’re allowed to get more than one! If the first jacket you get isn’t all you’ve ever dreamed of, relegate it to another role and get a new one. It’s as simple as that.

Where to Get Your Next Concealed Carry Jacket

Looking for a new, high-quality concealed carry jacket? Check out what’s in store at Fatigues Army Navy. Not only do they carry a wide range of jackets and shooting accessories, they also represent the top brands, like Rothco.

Check out their catalog today and see if there’s anything in there that appeals to you. There more than likely is and it’s just waiting for you to discover it.

For more information about Camo Shirt and Army Jacket please visit:- Fatigues Army Navy & Surplus Gear Co

Top Camo Patterns and Best Environments to Use Them in

Camouflage is nothing new, and it’s been around for as long as people have been trying to conceal their positions, either from wary game or from an opposing military encampment.

So you have, as a conservative estimate, almost a hundred years of modern patterns to sift through – just modern patterns – if you want to find something that works for you.

Well, consider these, as they are some of the best, and some of the most versatile overall.

MultiCam

MultiCam is one of the newer camouflage patterns out there and was developed by the United States after it was determined that UCP (everyman’s “digital” camo) was highly ineffective.

The cool thing about MultiCam is that it is designed to work well against basically any color backdrop with the exception of snow. Apparently, your brain sees only the colors in the pattern that match the backdrop and psychologically fills in the rest.

MultiCam also evidently works well at close ranges – a unique feature among camouflage patterns.

US Woodland

This is a classic among classics, which was in service between 1981 and 2006, and which is still widely used by sportsmen and MilSim aficionados around the world – among others.

In fact, it has been so widely used that it is the blanket pattern that most people think of when they hear the very word “camouflage.”

It consists of an interlocking pattern of irregular macros and micros ranging in color from black to beige to dark green.

It works best at intermediate to far ranges, and against a predominant green or dark backdrop, which makes it useful in most wooded locations. The one issue is that up close, the pattern tends to break down and become more visible.

Realtree EDGE

Realtree EDGE is probably Realtree’s most popular camo pattern and is effective during most seasons at both close and long ranges.

It contains lifelike micros of sticks and leaves, against a somewhat brown-ish backdrop, making it effective in late fall, winter, and early spring.

It’s just one camo pattern produced by Realtree, though – there are many other good ones.

Mossy Oak Obsession

Mossy Oak Obsession, designed more for sportsmen than for the military, is composed of more lifelike micros against a natural-colored background.

You can actually discern tree bark, twigs, sticks and leaves among the micros, with a predominantly brown and green background.

It is highly effective in most wooded settings, even better than US Woodland. The one problem is that it’s only effective in the early spring and summer when there is a lot of green in the woods.

MARPAT

MARPAT, short for “Marine Pattern,” was the first digital camouflage pattern adopted by the Marines in the early 2000s.

It’s like a darker and more effective version of UCP that is more effective in shady, wooded locations, and which one print you like the other one will.

Tiger Stripe Camo

Tiger Stripe camo, which was developed during the Vietnam War and was intended to conceal a wearer in a jungle, is very like US Woodland in color and pattern, except the micros and macros are slashed, like tiger’s stripes, rather than being irregular in form.

Tiger Stripe camo in an appropriate colorway can be highly effective in wooded locations, just like US Woodland, Mossy Oak, and Realtree camo.

Kryptek Highlander

Kryptek Highlander is a highly effective camouflage pattern for high, dry locations, such as the American West, and especially in the winter. Part of the efficacy of Kryptek patterns (not just this one) has to do with how Kryptek uses an amalgam of sharply defined and hazy micros and macros to create the illusion of depth, making it effective at both close and far ranges.

Be Hidden

If one of these camo patterns isn’t for you, rest assured there’s one out there that’s good for your intended use. You just need to find it – so get looking.

For more information about Kids Combat Boots and Camo Shirt please visit:- Fatigues Army Navy & Surplus Gear Co

4 Underutilized Camping Essentials Worth Their Weight in Gold

Spring is right around the corner (actually it’s technically already here even if the temperatures don’t seem to agree) and that means it’s almost time for spring camping.

Naturally, you need the tent, the sleeping bag, some firewood and firemaking essentials, food and water, appropriate clothing, camp tools, and light.

But these are the obvious must-haves. What other things should experience teach you never to hit the woods without?

Well, start with this list.

Shemagh Scarf

It would be easier to make a list of things a shemagh scarf isn’t than to make a list of things it is useful for. This is the do-all garment/apparel accessory that has a billion and one uses.

Originally called a keffiyeh, the shemagh scarf was made from cotton (most modern examples still are) and was worn in arid, middle eastern regions to protect the wearer from sun, wind, and sand.

But for the modern camper, a shemagh scarf has many other uses. It is not only a headwrap, it is also a light blanket, a pillow, a sling, an impromptu basket for gathering berries and other vittles, a napkin, a blotter, a rag, and so much more.

A Single Cast Iron Pan

Yes, cast iron is heavy, but it is also so much better for camp cooking than ultralight gear – and if you’re car camping, there is not a single reason out there to bring along one of those thin aluminum nightmares. It’s cast iron all the way.

For one, cast iron is thick and durable enough to use when cooking right over (or on the coals of) a campfire. Cast iron is also consistent, you can use steel implements on it, and it’s easy to clean; in fact, you shouldn’t use soap on it, making it the ultimate piece of “junk it in the trunk and go” cookware.

A Solar Power Bank

Have you ever had a camping excursion in which your phone, flashlight, or speaker died? It’s not the end of the world but it can still be unsettling in the woods when your lifeline is stone dead, even if there are no other hiccups.

This is why a solar power bank is the ultimate solution. Unlike other conventional power banks (which can also die, especially in frigid temperatures) if a solar bank dies, you just need to put it out in the sun for a few hours to bring it back up to speed. It’s a failsafe against total loss of power while camping.

A Collapsible Trench Shovel

After a solid fixed blade, a collapsible trench shovel just might be the next best camp tool out there.

For one, you can use these to dig fire pits and latrines. But it doesn’t end there. Most trench shovels have sharpened edges that can be used in lieu of an ax, knife or hatchet for clearing wood, preparing firewood, and making camp furniture. Some even have serrated edges, too.

A collapsible trench shovel can also be used to excavate shelter, dig out of snow and clear ice, and to tend and work the coals of a fire. In fact, some folding models can even be upended and used as impromptu stools.

Where Can You Get These (and Other) Camping Essentials

Looking for camping essentials like a shemagh scarf or a collapsible trench shovel? Get them online at Fatigues Army Navy, alongside a huge catalog of other reasonably priced milsurp and camp gear.

For More Information About Utility Belt And Shemagh Scarf Please Visit:- Fatigues Army Navy & Surplus Gear Co