Why you can depend on military gear out bush

Why I Take Military-Grade Gear on Solo Bush Trips (And Why You Might Too)

There’s a certain romance in “ultralight everything” and minimalist kit lists. And I’m not here to knock it—light gear has its place.

But when I’m heading out on my own, especially into rough country or uncertain weather, I lean hard toward something a bit less trendy and a lot more dependable: military-style field gear.

Not because it’s “tacticool.” Not because it’s camo. But because it’s built for hard use, repetitive abuse, and the kind of conditions where failure isn’t just inconvenient—it can become dangerous.

The truth about solo trips: you don’t get a second chance

When you’re alone, you don’t have:

• A mate to lend you a dry layer

• Someone to carry part of the load

• A spare buckle, strap, or battery “somewhere in the group”

• Another tent, tarp, or stove to fall back on

On your own, reliability matters more than aesthetics.

And that’s where military-designed kit earns its keep.

Why military gear makes sense in the bush

1) It’s designed for hard use (not gentle weekend handling)

Most civilian outdoor gear is designed for performance, comfort, and weight savings. Military kit is designed for durability under abuse.

That means things like:

• Heavy-duty stitching and reinforcement where it counts

• Materials that resist abrasion, tearing, and repeated rubbing

• Hardware that’s less likely to snap when cold, wet, or under load

• Designs that assume you’ll be crawling, dragging, dropping, and snagging

You might carry a little extra weight. But you’re often buying peace of mind.

2) It’s built around function, not fashion

Military systems tend to be:

• Modular (pouches, belts, packs, attachments)

• Repairable (field fixes actually work)

• Consistent (design philosophy across product lines)

• Proven (designed for people who can’t afford kit failures)

In the bush, that translates to better load carriage, better access to critical items, and fewer “where the hell did I pack that?” moments.

3) It’s not “just camo”

A lot of people avoid military gear because they think it’s all camouflage and that feels wrong for recreational hiking or bushcraft.

Fair call—but modern field gear usually comes in practical, non-camo colours like:

• Ranger Green

• Coyote Brown

• Black

• Earth tones / muted solids

You can build a low-key, bush-appropriate setup that doesn’t scream “army” from a kilometre away.

Reliability matters even more when you’re leading others

There’s another side to this that doesn’t get talked about enough: reliable gear isn’t only important when you’re solo—it’s just as important when you’re responsible for a group.

When you’re running training, leading a course, or guiding people through strenuous activities, your kit is part of your duty of care. Participants are watching you, relying on you, and often borrowing confidence from the way you operate.

The last thing you want is basics failing at the worst moment:

• A pack strap tearing when you’re moving fast between activity stations

• A buckle blowing out half way through a long navigation leg

• A pouch ripping loose when you need your first-aid kit now

• A cheap rain layer wetting out and leaving you cold, miserable, and distracted

• Gear failures turning into unnecessary delays, frustration, or safety risks

When you’re leading, you’ve already got enough to manage—weather, timelines, group dynamics, fatigue, minor injuries, hydration, morale. You don’t need “my gear just fell apart” added to that list.

Solid kit means one less variable. It keeps your head in the job and your attention on the people, not on repairs.

The brand I trust: Platatac

If you’re going to invest in gear you’re trusting your comfort and safety to, the supplier matters.

The company I recommend most is Platatac—an Australian owned and operated business that supplies reliable field gear to military and police forces around the world.

My trust in them isn’t theoretical. It’s earned.

A quick personal history

I’ve been using this style of kit since the early 90s. In 1992, I bought my first kit from Platatac—an old-school gabardine SAS smock—and a chest rig in British DPM. That purchase taught me what “properly built” feels like.

Since then, I’ve owned and used a lot of different gear across a lot of different conditions. Over the years I’ve accumulated plenty of kit, and I’ve recommended Platatac gear to customers and peers many times—because it holds up, and because it’s designed by people who understand what field work actually does to equipment.

What kind of Platatac gear is worth looking at?

If you’re building out a dependable bush kit, here are the categories I’d pay attention to:

Clothing that survives the scrub

• Field shirts and smocks that don’t tear the first time you brush past scrub

• Pants with reinforced stress points

• Layers that still function when wet, muddy, or trashed

Packs and load carriage that don’t punish your body

• Rucksacks designed for long carry, not just “looks good on Instagram”

• Harnesses and straps that don’t slip under load

• Systems that let you access essentials without emptying the whole pack

Webbing, belts, and chest rigs for smart organisation

This is where military kit shines: you can keep your “survival layer” accessible.

For example:

• Water treatment and a metal cup/pot in a consistent spot

• Fire kit always reachable with either hand

• Torch/headlamp, spare batteries, and first-aid where you can grab them fast

For normal bush trips, plate carriers are not something most people need. But if you’re browsing their range, you’ll see them—because they build for professional use too. Just don’t confuse “available” with “necessary.”

How to choose military-style gear without overdoing it

Start with the problem you’re trying to solve

Ask:

• What fails on my trips?

• What annoys me every time?

• What do I need to access quickly?

• Where do I consistently get wet/cold/sore?

Then buy to solve those issues—don’t buy a whole “system” because it looks cool.

Don’t ignore the trade-offs

Military gear can be:

• Heavier

• Sometimes hotter (depending on fabric choice)

• Occasionally noisier than ultralight materials

• Overbuilt for casual day walks

So choose intentionally. For solo overnighters in rough weather? Worth it. For a casual stroll? Maybe not.

Keep it respectful and low-profile

In public or populated areas, full camouflage and overtly military styling can draw attention you don’t want. Earth tones and sensible configurations keep things calm and socially smooth.

The bottom line

When I’m out on my own, I want gear that behaves like a good mate: dependable, predictable, and still working when the conditions turn ugly.

And when I’m leading others, I want the same thing—because reliability is part of professionalism, safety, and setting the standard.

If you’re looking for gear you can depend on—from clothing to rucksacks, web gear, chest rigs, and more—go have a look at Platatac.

PS: I don’t get any kickback from this. No affiliate links, no clip, no arrangement. I’m recommending them because I trust the kit and I’ve seen it perform over time.