Protective gear...
At some point, someone will have to leave the safety of their defensive position, and go out among "them". Proper planning, equipment, and tactics can go a long way towards prevention of being bitten, but practically speaking, it's not a matter of IF you're going to get bit, so much as WHEN...
Short of a suit of chain mail (heavy, hot, and almost impossible to find), what can be done to protect against being bitten?
Prior to Z-day, I was an avid motorcyclist...sportbike scum, in fact. Survival on two wheels also requires some protective gear...(if you'll note my profile pic, that green jacket is not just a fashion statement). The same leathers that protect my hide (in the event I find myself sliding along the asphalt at 80 mph with 400 lbs of bike acting like some giant, horrific cheese grater) is also excellent protection against a voracious zombie's choppers. Add leather pants, boots, gloves and a helmet, and you're armored up as well as can be expected.
Be advised - not all leather garments offer the same level of protection - the thinner leather vests or chaps may not stop a determined ghoul (and what zombie ISN'T determined?) from getting through to your tender skin. Also - remember at all times that there will still be vulnerable areas, where two garments come together (neck, waist, wrists & ankles).
In colder climes, this ensemble makes perfect sense, but in the warmer regions (like here in Florida), such an outfit could be considered far too hot... all I can say to that is, in the sportbike community there's a saying; "It's always better to sweat than it is to bleed".
Short of a suit of chain mail (heavy, hot, and almost impossible to find), what can be done to protect against being bitten?
Prior to Z-day, I was an avid motorcyclist...sportbike scum, in fact. Survival on two wheels also requires some protective gear...(if you'll note my profile pic, that green jacket is not just a fashion statement). The same leathers that protect my hide (in the event I find myself sliding along the asphalt at 80 mph with 400 lbs of bike acting like some giant, horrific cheese grater) is also excellent protection against a voracious zombie's choppers. Add leather pants, boots, gloves and a helmet, and you're armored up as well as can be expected.
Be advised - not all leather garments offer the same level of protection - the thinner leather vests or chaps may not stop a determined ghoul (and what zombie ISN'T determined?) from getting through to your tender skin. Also - remember at all times that there will still be vulnerable areas, where two garments come together (neck, waist, wrists & ankles).
In colder climes, this ensemble makes perfect sense, but in the warmer regions (like here in Florida), such an outfit could be considered far too hot... all I can say to that is, in the sportbike community there's a saying; "It's always better to sweat than it is to bleed".
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ADAST Special Forces Unit 343 on -
I say it depends if you live in florida much like i do you will notice hot weather is often, I would travel at night with an equipment vest, a bdu some elbow and knee pad, helmet and gas mask and just throw in a hk416 in there
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Herring on -
I'm wearin my black or gray cargo pants, a thermal shirt, a hoodie, and some gloves. I might throw in a bandana for kicks, but I'm not too worried about being bitten, unless I'm house clearing or something of that nature, then I'll wear something a little more protective.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Rolin on -
If I am not an avid motorcyclist, so I have to improvise. I use a roll of duct tape and some closed-cell foam pipe insulation on my forearms and then treat a zombie attack like a dog attack, let them bite the foam, then kill.
If you are overwhelmed by zombies, protective clothing can give you protection from bites, but you still could be bludgeoned and have your shoulders/knees dislocated.
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Permalink Reply by WarMarshall on
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this is my OLD set up. i mention this because after running around in the leather jacket, tact vest, canvas shirt, riot gear, 5.11 pants and other things mentioned, i found i lacked alot of mobility.
i have since removed the leather motorcycle jacket completely (the specific problem was that it hindered my ability to climb. it caused the molle vest to ride up and my gear would get shifted inconvienietly.) the riot gear on the forearms and shins is very light, but for some reason they still hinder my running ability. it's as if they throw off my balance. i have removed all but the left forearm guard. this i kept because it is very useful as a shield substitute. (i have actually tested this with someone swinging a baseball bat at it)
i have added a neoprene full face cold weather mask, and a pair of damascus Nitro kevlar hard knuckle gloves. the gloves are cut resistant to 40 PSI.
my point to saying all of this is that i found the wieght of all my gear to be too limiting. (fully loaded it wieghted about 80lbs) i changed EVERYTHING, even the weapons i carry because my ideal choices (homemade warhammer and ak-47) were simply too heavy to carry for long periods of time. i have reduced that wieght down to about 40lbs without losing any functionality of the previous equipment. having more doesn't necessarily mean better. (the friends on here who know me in reality would shit themselves after seeing i wrote that)
but i am a large guy. even in good shape i would never make a fast runner. i need more protection, and can carry quite alot. but a balance needs to be made to maximize mobility more than speed i feel.
what good is making it to a tree first if the gear i wear won't allow me to climb up it without killing myself?
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Permalink Reply by The Bruin on
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If you shaved your head we could be brothers...I would be the uglier brother no doubt...lol
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Permalink Reply by WarMarshall on
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ha! i actually have shaved my head, but not bald. i keep it at a #3 on an electric razor.
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Permalink Reply by josh smith on -
i've got all the protective gear i need in my good pair of boots, as in if zed gets near me i'm running the fuck away until i can squeeze off a round at him and hopefully i'll be somewhere sustainable and not have to go outside the wire
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Permalink Reply by WarMarshall on
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i'd prefer more protection than just boots. you gotta factor alot in... i mean... are you going buck-wild-nekkid? surely you have pants and a shirt? if so, what kind would maximize your durability and versatility?
here in texas i'm used to the sun and high winds, and the sand that stings. there is no way in hell that i'm going into a survival situation without a long sleeve shirt if i can help it. better to be slightly hotter (even though canvas is surprizingly breezy) than have to worry about oozing blisters from the sun being infected by blowing dirt.
these are the things i think everyone overlooks on this site. everyone is so concerned about weapons and music, they don't think about the luxuries that will be important and are easily obtainable by simply planning a little ahead.
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Permalink Reply by josh smith on
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ok then let me revise my statement my boots and cammies, plenty of pockets long sleeves also can roll them up if need be they are easy to move in, comfortable, durable, and if they get dirty nobody will ever know, plus i already have multiple pairs of them
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Permalink Reply by WarMarshall on
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yea. that works. and they're durable as all hell, no? i've always been a little offhand when it comes to "zombie" protection. because human mouths are niether strong or sharp. if your clothing can stop a dogs bite, it's way more than enough to stop a zombie. but you still have to factor in that scratches happen even if penetration of the clothing doesn't occur, and if the virus seems through the cloth... you're still just as screwed.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Herring on
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Part of why I'm not looking to be wearing too much, I like being able to move better than being protected by something that I may not need to protect myself against.
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Permalink Reply by Severthespine on -
The best approach to fighting Zeds would be optimized mobility, they dont require sleep, food, water, they do not tire out. I personally would invest in some kevlar reinforced gloves, a set of hiking pants with strengthened knee and ass patches, a good belt is a huge must, most of all your clothes must fit but not be loose.
The major advantage we as humans possess over those who have turned is our ability to rationalize and coordinate specific details, our minds are the best weapon but once in a while you have to rely on your equipment. If it isnt suited for you then you are at a loss to begin with, however we never know what will happen so a well rounded outfit must suffice. Any vest I wear would have to be a molly system, mags at my waist and nothing on my pistol side to cause delay during transition to side arm weapon.
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