Load Bearing Suspenders and Belt instead of Strap
Sep 2, 2014 14:31:00 #
kpassaur
Loc: Valrico FL
On the posts here I have seen a lot of people that are ex-military and hopefully one of you can answer a couple of things for me. As I am getting older it is getting more difficult to go out on a hike with a camera with a long lens on a sling strap. I have read about all kinds of straps, holsters, etc and it seems everyone thinks they have the best idea. I was thinking that no one anywhere knows more about going out for a hike loaded with equipment than a soldier.
I have a Think Tank holster but I use it with an over the shoulder strap or for storage. I have tried it on a belt but it kept falling down as it seems it is smaller underneath my belly and the belt has a tendency to go there. So I was thinking a belt and suspenders and I saw military surplus pistol belts that are wide and you can get suspenders. Advertisements mention Alice and Molle I dont know what the difference is so perhaps someone could help with that.
Anyway, when I was looking at the suspenders They have a loop in the center of the back and loops in the front. I have some of the things you screw into your tripod socket for a strap and I was thinking why not put a cord through one and clips on both ends and clip them onto the suspenders. If done that way I would think since it is in the center of the back the weight would be even on both shoulders. Then I read any weight on your shoulders is bad for your back and you should have it on your waist. So does the weight go on your shoulders with the suspenders or on the belt with the suspenders only function being to keep the belt from falling down? I have seen them called load bearing suspenders so it makes me think it goes on your shoulders not your waist.
I'm thinking I could use it with the Think Tank holster on the belt or on a cord that attaches to the loops on the suspenders. I was also thinking I could easily attach another cord to the other side and bring two bodies. Naturally since it is military I know you can get a canteen for it. I was also looking at some of my lens pouches and it appears they could be placed on the belt as well.
Im thinking that you can get a belt, suspenders and canteen for $20 and the quality Im sure is as good as anything on the market. Lowepro wants about $100 for a belt and suspenders or you can get a vest and a belt for $150.
I'm thinking this would be a completely flexible system; you could attach anything as I have seen little pouches that attach as well. If you dont want green they have them in black for swat teams but they cost a couple of dollars more (I have not seen a black canteen). Im thinking it would be as good as any modular system out there if not better at about 10-20 percent of the cost. Any and all thoughts on this would be appreciated.
I have a Think Tank holster but I use it with an over the shoulder strap or for storage. I have tried it on a belt but it kept falling down as it seems it is smaller underneath my belly and the belt has a tendency to go there. So I was thinking a belt and suspenders and I saw military surplus pistol belts that are wide and you can get suspenders. Advertisements mention Alice and Molle I dont know what the difference is so perhaps someone could help with that.
Anyway, when I was looking at the suspenders They have a loop in the center of the back and loops in the front. I have some of the things you screw into your tripod socket for a strap and I was thinking why not put a cord through one and clips on both ends and clip them onto the suspenders. If done that way I would think since it is in the center of the back the weight would be even on both shoulders. Then I read any weight on your shoulders is bad for your back and you should have it on your waist. So does the weight go on your shoulders with the suspenders or on the belt with the suspenders only function being to keep the belt from falling down? I have seen them called load bearing suspenders so it makes me think it goes on your shoulders not your waist.
I'm thinking I could use it with the Think Tank holster on the belt or on a cord that attaches to the loops on the suspenders. I was also thinking I could easily attach another cord to the other side and bring two bodies. Naturally since it is military I know you can get a canteen for it. I was also looking at some of my lens pouches and it appears they could be placed on the belt as well.
Im thinking that you can get a belt, suspenders and canteen for $20 and the quality Im sure is as good as anything on the market. Lowepro wants about $100 for a belt and suspenders or you can get a vest and a belt for $150.
I'm thinking this would be a completely flexible system; you could attach anything as I have seen little pouches that attach as well. If you dont want green they have them in black for swat teams but they cost a couple of dollars more (I have not seen a black canteen). Im thinking it would be as good as any modular system out there if not better at about 10-20 percent of the cost. Any and all thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Sep 2, 2014 14:38:26 #
kpassaur wrote:
On the posts here I have seen a lot of people that... (show quote)
I have no military background, but what you're describing sounds like something very similar to a carpenters workbelt. I know from experience, even if you wear suspenders with one of these, the weight itself is still carried by the belt (hips), the suspenders are only there to keep the belt from sliding down!
Sep 2, 2014 15:08:47 #
kpassaur
Loc: Valrico FL
Thank you for your response.
That makes sense but how come you see so many backpacks with no belt or with a chest strap that is no where near the waist?
Perhaps you need to somehow balance the weight between them. LowePro makes two different belts one is very wide and I think it would hold up a lot of weight. If that is the case why doesn the military use ones that are narrower.
I'm completely clueless here as you can tell.
That makes sense but how come you see so many backpacks with no belt or with a chest strap that is no where near the waist?
Perhaps you need to somehow balance the weight between them. LowePro makes two different belts one is very wide and I think it would hold up a lot of weight. If that is the case why doesn the military use ones that are narrower.
I'm completely clueless here as you can tell.
Sep 2, 2014 15:43:34 #
Actually the suspenders are best when you get old for a simple reason, the weight is distributed from the shoulder down and your body works differently.
If you remember when you and I were young, lifting things was easier when using our legs (not our back - as bending over) but to carry something the weight was on our shoulders, not our head or arms both being too weak.
Another issue that you have not mentioned but also important... The straps must be wide as not to cut into the shoulders. The belts wideness is not really important. I remember a military belt that had steel reinforced 2 vertical holes every 2 inches and were really convenient not only as a belt to slide things in but also hang other stuff... They did not have suspenders but these could be made using two more belts (suspenders), using the described holes. As these belts were wide...
Anyway, that is my take. Suspenders and supported wide belt = good ergonomic device.
If you remember when you and I were young, lifting things was easier when using our legs (not our back - as bending over) but to carry something the weight was on our shoulders, not our head or arms both being too weak.
Another issue that you have not mentioned but also important... The straps must be wide as not to cut into the shoulders. The belts wideness is not really important. I remember a military belt that had steel reinforced 2 vertical holes every 2 inches and were really convenient not only as a belt to slide things in but also hang other stuff... They did not have suspenders but these could be made using two more belts (suspenders), using the described holes. As these belts were wide...
Anyway, that is my take. Suspenders and supported wide belt = good ergonomic device.
Sep 2, 2014 15:47:05 #
kpassaur wrote:
Moderns back packs have two straps, one across the chest to prevent off shoulder slippage when walking, climbing and so forth and one wide, padded belt around the west to allow for hip support and relieve tension on the column vertebrae. Ergonomic again.Thank you for your response.
That makes sense but how come you see so many backpacks with no belt or with a chest strap that is no where near the waist?
Perhaps you need to somehow balance the weight between them. LowePro makes two different belts one is very wide and I think it would hold up a lot of weight. If that is the case why doesn the military use ones that are narrower.
I'm completely clueless here as you can tell.
That makes sense but how come you see so many backpacks with no belt or with a chest strap that is no where near the waist?
Perhaps you need to somehow balance the weight between them. LowePro makes two different belts one is very wide and I think it would hold up a lot of weight. If that is the case why doesn the military use ones that are narrower.
I'm completely clueless here as you can tell.
Sep 2, 2014 15:50:54 #
kpassaur
Loc: Valrico FL
Rongnongno wrote:
I remember a military belt that had steel reinforced 2 vertical holes every 2 inches and were really convenient not only a belt to slide thing in but also hang other stuff.
Thank you for your reply
The suspenders I saw clip into those holes. They were padded and appear to be exceptionally well made. In other words that loop on the suspenders is not going to pull apart with the weight of a camera.
Sep 2, 2014 15:53:12 #
kpassaur wrote:
Thank you for your reply
The suspenders I saw clip into those holes. They were padded and appear to be exceptionally well made. In other words that loop on the suspenders is not going to pull apart with the weight of a camera.
The suspenders I saw clip into those holes. They were padded and appear to be exceptionally well made. In other words that loop on the suspenders is not going to pull apart with the weight of a camera.
Padded is the keyword here. If they are wide on the shoulder... Go for it and post the link as many folks would be interest by your find.
Sep 2, 2014 16:43:21 #
Rongnongno wrote:
Actually the suspenders are best when you get old for a simple reason, the weight is distributed from the shoulder down and your body works differently.
The belt's wideness is not really important. I remember a military belt that had steel reinforced 2 vertical holes.... and were really convenient ..... to slide things in but also hang other stuff...
The belt's wideness is not really important. I remember a military belt that had steel reinforced 2 vertical holes.... and were really convenient ..... to slide things in but also hang other stuff...
This might have a different interpretation with a non-American, an English audience, or other communities beyond UHH.
Interesting perspective though...., it could certainly add to the noise discussion....
And, I certainly would not support the idea of posting pictures to this thread....
:)
Sep 2, 2014 18:01:16 #
Peterff wrote:
This might have a different interpretation with a non-American, an English audience, or other communities beyond UHH.
Interesting perspective though...., it could certainly add to the noise discussion....
And, I certainly would not support the idea of posting pictures to this thread....
:)
Interesting perspective though...., it could certainly add to the noise discussion....
And, I certainly would not support the idea of posting pictures to this thread....
:)
You have watched too many James Bond films, the gun holster attached to suspenders at thigh level . . .
Sep 2, 2014 18:19:48 #
Peterff wrote:
And, I certainly would not support the idea of posting pictures to this thread....
:)
:)
Did you mean not?
Sep 2, 2014 21:13:57 #
OddJobber wrote:
Did you mean not?
Well I guess that might depend on how you look in suspenders....
Sep 2, 2014 22:14:44 #
Sep 2, 2014 22:53:01 #
However long ago you were in the military, you seem to have forgotten that military load bearing equipment was never intended for comfort, just to get you there alive. Two more pistol belts over your shoulders? Even the military never suggested that in the last 100 years.
Quit cheaping out and go with a system designed to carry photo equipment, not canteens and pup tents and your mess kit.
Quit cheaping out and go with a system designed to carry photo equipment, not canteens and pup tents and your mess kit.
Sep 3, 2014 02:31:35 #
Sep 3, 2014 06:29:39 #
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