Your bare head and face will be exposed to extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions. If you’re spending many hours outdoors, you’d be wise to protect these areas. A good cold-weather gear hat can prevent heat loss through your sensitive scalp. A balaclava does the same for your face. A scarf can offer versatility—cover your head, your face or simply your neck depending on the circumstances.
#4: Weapon and Equipment Considerations
An important part of seasonal tactical preparation is caring for weapons and equipment. Cold weather and outdoor exposure can have a debilitating effect. One of the biggest issues is condensation. If you’re outdoors in the cold for a time and then go into a warm home, the firearm you carry may experience condensation. This will expose the firearm to moisture. When you then go back out in the cold, the moisture can very well freeze, which can jam up the internal mechanisms. This could lead a firearm to become unreliable.
We recommend that you equip yourself with a high-security holster when you’re carrying in the autumn or winter season. Accidental falls are more common at this time of year, as you may find yourself walking across icy or wet surfaces. A good holster can prevent accidental discharges. We’d suggest a holster with a thumb-release safety strap for most use-cases.
You can also choose to store your firearm in your tactical backpack. The 14er Tactical Backpack provides a convenient CCW pocket that is easily accessible. You won’t have trouble drawing your weapon when you need it, but it will be safe and secure in the backpack until that situation arises. Of course, the backpack also allows you to appear more discreet when carrying a firearm, which can be preferable at times.
#5: Field Shelter and Emergency Gear
Whether you’re doing disaster preparation or getting ready for an outdoor trek, you’ll want to prioritize shelter in your autumn tactical checklist. Shelter building and setup is one of the essential survival skills you’ll want to master as either an outdoor adventurer or tactical survivalist. It becomes especially important in fall and winter, where low temperature conditions can turn outdoor exposure through the night into a perilous ordeal.
Ideally, you should be packing a high-quality tent that serves as cold-weather gear. In general, a tent comes with a rating that tells you how suitable it is for sheltering in the cold. A 4-season tent can provide the highest level of comfort against low temperature extremes. On the other hand, a 3-season tent may be a better option for fall. It is more lightweight and comparatively more breathable. If you don’t plan on experiencing outdoor survival in deep winter or extreme cold conditions, it should serve well enough.
Once you’re well-prepared with shelter, clothing, accessories and other fall tactical gear, you’re ready to face the season head-on. But don’t forget that you also need to be equipped with tactical training and knowledge. It’s imperative to master the essential survival skills, such as setting up camp in harsh conditions. You might even want to brush up on your self-defense skills!
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