diff --git a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
index f2a9c131cc..4a8460635c 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(preferences_datums)
 	///loadout stuff
 	var/gear_points = 10
 	var/list/gear_categories
-	var/list/loadout_data = list()
+	var/list/loadout_data[MAXIMUM_LOADOUT_SAVES]
 	var/list/unlockable_loadout_data = list()
 	var/loadout_slot = 1 //goes from 1 to MAXIMUM_LOADOUT_SAVES
 	var/gear_category
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(preferences_datums)
 				//calculate your gear points from the chosen item
 				gear_points = CONFIG_GET(number/initial_gear_points)
 				var/list/chosen_gear = loadout_data["SAVE_[loadout_slot]"]
-				if(chosen_gear)
+				if(islist(chosen_gear))
 					loadout_errors = 0
 					for(var/loadout_item in chosen_gear)
 						var/loadout_item_path = loadout_item[LOADOUT_ITEM]
@@ -910,6 +910,11 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(preferences_datums)
 					dat += "</tr></table>"
 				if(LOADOUT_CHAR_TAB)
 					dat += "<table align='center' width='100%'>"
+					dat += "<tr><td colspan=4><center><b>Loadout slot</b></center></td></tr>"
+					dat += "<tr><td colspan=4><center>"
+					for(var/iteration in 1 to MAXIMUM_LOADOUT_SAVES)
+						dat += "<a [loadout_slot == iteration ? "class='linkOn'" : "href='?_src_=prefs;preference=gear;select_slot=[iteration]'"]>[iteration]</a>"
+					dat += "</center></td></tr>"
 					dat += "<tr><td colspan=4><center><i style=\"color: grey;\">You can only choose one item per category, unless it's an item that spawns in your backpack or hands.</center></td></tr>"
 					dat += "<tr><td colspan=4><center><b>"
 
@@ -3240,6 +3245,14 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(preferences_datums)
 						preferences_tab = text2num(href_list["tab"])
 
 	if(href_list["preference"] == "gear")
+		if(href_list["select_slot"])
+			var/chosen = text2num(href_list["select_slot"])
+			if(!chosen)
+				return
+			chosen = floor(chosen)
+			if(chosen > MAXIMUM_LOADOUT_SAVES || chosen < 1)
+				return
+			loadout_slot = chosen
 		if(href_list["clear_loadout"])
 			loadout_data["SAVE_[loadout_slot]"] = list()
 			save_preferences()
diff --git a/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm b/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm
index 6c65cc0720..d457f85e07 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm
@@ -911,10 +911,13 @@ SAVEFILE UPDATING/VERSIONING - 'Simplified', or rather, more coder-friendly ~Car
 			belly_prefs = json_from_file["belly_prefs"]
 
 	//gear loadout
-	if(S["loadout"])
+	if(istext(S["loadout"]))
 		loadout_data = safe_json_decode(S["loadout"])
 	else
-		loadout_data = list()
+		var/list/make_new[MAXIMUM_LOADOUT_SAVES]
+		loadout_data = make_new
+	//let's remember their last used slot, i'm sure "oops i brought the wrong stuff" will be an issue now
+	S["loadout_slot"] >> loadout_slot
 
 	//try to fix any outdated data if necessary
 	//preference updating will handle saving the updated data for us.
@@ -1094,6 +1097,8 @@ SAVEFILE UPDATING/VERSIONING - 'Simplified', or rather, more coder-friendly ~Car
 	vore_smell = copytext(vore_smell, 1, MAX_TASTE_LEN)
 	belly_prefs = SANITIZE_LIST(belly_prefs)
 
+	loadout_slot = sanitize_num_clamp(loadout_slot, 1, MAXIMUM_LOADOUT_SAVES, 1, TRUE)
+
 	cit_character_pref_load(S)
 
 	return TRUE
@@ -1278,10 +1283,12 @@ SAVEFILE UPDATING/VERSIONING - 'Simplified', or rather, more coder-friendly ~Car
 
 
 	//gear loadout
-	if(length(loadout_data))
+	if(islist(loadout_data))
 		S["loadout"] << safe_json_encode(loadout_data)
 	else
-		S["loadout"] << safe_json_encode(list())
+		var/list/make_new[MAXIMUM_LOADOUT_SAVES]
+		S["loadout"] << safe_json_encode(make_new)
+	WRITE_FILE(S["loadout_slot"], loadout_slot)
 
 	if(length(tcg_cards))
 		S["tcg_cards"] << safe_json_encode(tcg_cards)