Backup change of clothes?

[rob_s]

BOB, vehicle, whatever. Do you keep a change of clothes with you?

I'm thinking of putting a full change of clothes in the car for a variety of purposes to include having evac'd somewhere and just wanting a fresh set, to walking under a paint bucket at work, to whatever multi-letter fantasy scenario may come up. I was planning on sealing it up with a food saver kind of deal, notching the corners so it can be torn open without tools, and sticking it in my bag that stays in the truck.

Thoughts?

Ideally it would be clothing that can pass for multiple situations. I'm thinking tan or khaki pants, possibly commercial cargo pants, and a lightweight polo. Maybe some of those britches that you can remove the legs and make shorts? Nothing that looks too "tactical" but still want the ability to tote some things if need be.

For outerwear I'm thinking that if I need a coat or jacket I'll have that with me already, plus I'm in SE Florida where it just seems to get hotter all the time. I also already keep limited rain gear in the pack anyway.

A spare pair of socks, underwear, and possibly an undershirt, probably all Under Armor or a knockoff of same.

Some kind of nylon belt that's not too tactical looking but can be used to support a pistol, light, spare pistol mag, and possibly a carbine mag. Something like the Wilderness Frequent Flyer would seem to be a good all-around.

Kind of torn on shoes as well. On the one hand it would be nice to have a spare pair, especially if I found myself going from work attire to needing to hike, but on the other hand they will add bulk and cost.

Which brings up a good point as well, which is cost. Obviously having a complete change of TAD gear clothing, a Cobra-buckled belt, a pair of Keen boots (although I admit these would be damn cool if fit properly) would add up in terms of cost.

Arbitrary price limits for everything I think would go
Pants - $50
Shirt - $25
Under - $50 (for the set)
Belt - $30
Shoes - $50 (if included)

Or a total overall budget of $200 or so.

For me personally, this set of clothes would probably get rotated pretty frequently. Range nights after work I'd just bust open the bag and wear everything rather than try to remember to pack, but I'd still want it sealed in case I went a few months without rotating.

[MarshallDodge]

A good pair of shoes and socks would be where I would spend the most of my money. I try to keep a jacket, sweatshirt, t-shirt, socks, underwear, and a pair of jeans in my pack. You may want to keep a pair of shorts considering your climate.

Everything I carry is out of my "seconds" collection which is pretty much anything more than a couple years old so it is all broken-in. No reason to spend $200 on something that will sit in a pack.

[rob_s]

I'm not necessarily going to go buying all new, just trying to give a general target.

All the Under Armor stuff, for example, is stuff I already have and can use.

[Zhurdan]

Out here in Wyoming, it's essential to carry extra clothing. One bad snow storm where you get stuck will make you a believer. I've got one of those vacuum sealer bags and I keep the following in it:

-Long sleeve shirt
-Pants
-Socks
-Underware
-Toothbrush and paste
-Warm hat
-Spare gloves
-Hard candy

Being cold isn't so bad... being cold in wet cloths is a killer.

I vacuum pack it and it sits in the trunk next to a small shovel and an extra pair of work boots. It's not only handy for when you get stuck in the snow or break down, but pretty much any time you might have to stay over a night when you didn't plan on it (road closures and such). A coat is always in the car.

The vacuum sealer bags are great. They compress quite well and take up far less space than a duffle bag. I got them off of an infomercial. (Is it just me, or do some of those infomercials make more and more sense as you get older?)

It's a good idea.

[Outlander Systems]

I wholeheartedly endorse underarmour undergarments.

I keep an old flight suit and a spare pare of boots in the truck, in the event I'm getting into something nasty and don't want to ruin what I've got on.

In the BOB, I keep:









+ 1 Set of Woodland BDUs.

Fresh clothing can help you feel less like an animal and more like a civilised human.

[bkb0000]

i have a spare set of dry clothes in the truck about 50% of the time- the only reason it's not 100% of the time is because i generally have to use the spare set at least once a month, then forget to replenish.

a lot of guys just drive home all wet and muddy... i HATE being wet. working while wet is one thing, but sitting in wet clothes for an hour drive home at the end of the day is no bueno.

[K.L. Davis]

bagged up and sealed in both of my vehicles...

Sweats
Polo Shirt
T-shirt
Pants
Socks
Undies
Pair of tennies

ETA: Retired set of coveralls, poncho and work gloves in the tool bag

Also handy... Space Bag

[00leland00]

I keep a clean t-shirt and pair of socks in my GHB, there's always some type of fleece and rain jacket in the truck. Just like MarshallDodge stated above, they're just ones that fit but i don't wear everyday, so they're not missed. Maybe throwing a dryer sheet in with them before you seal them up would help keep them "fresh." Just a thought.

[Outlander Systems]

Maybe throwing a dryer sheet in with them before you seal them up would help keep them "fresh." Just a thought.

Great idea!

[Iraq Ninja]

Is underwear really needed, especially in humid climates? It would be the first thing I would leave out if space is short.

Maybe its the Ranger in me, since we tended to not wear underwear on long missions. Felt better and made it easier to drop a load quickly if needed. Tight underwear in the jungle also tended to attract bugs, mites, and ticks.