View Full Version : chest rig/plate carrier
im trying to decide on a few load out. i ideally would like to be able to wear it with a several day backpack. im not sure if the best route would be a chest rig of sorts with the option to wear armor in a separate vest should i ever need to, or just get a plate carrier. i prefer maneuverability and lightweightness versus large amounts of room for tons of pouches. i also don't prefer chest rigs that have straps ONLY on the back. i like at least some molle stuff on the back and i feel it gives them more support. anyone have any options?
You could do a plate carrier and get a backpack that attaches to the carrier via the molle system.
You could do a plate carrier and get a backpack that attaches to the carrier via the molle system.
I doubt a large enough pack though. Most that attach are like 1000 cu
I run a TT plate carrier and can toss a pack on over it. Works well.
I run a TT plate carrier and can toss a pack on over it. Works well.
Does it fit fairly snug even without plates? That's one issue I've noticed with some. Some don't cinch down enough
blacklabel
11-01-2011, 21:45
i like at least some molle stuff on the back and i feel it gives them more support. anyone have any options?
How does that work while wearing a backpack? I would think that molle pouches on the back would be exclude the ability to wear a backpack.
How does that work while wearing a backpack? I would think that molle pouches on the back would be exclude the ability to wear a backpack.
nah not at all you just need it to be snug and fairly thin. troops wear packs with full on plate carriers full of molle webbing, its just not ideal in most cases. most chest rigs have molle but its thin so it fits under the pack without much problem. im sort of wondering if leaning towards chest rigs is the best, because i can buy a vest to wear under it but without the armor a chest rig might be a lot more comfortable. im not sure.
Does it fit fairly snug even without plates? That's one issue I've noticed with some. Some don't cinch down enough
Why wear a plate carrier if there are no plates in it?
ShooterJM
11-02-2011, 10:14
Depending on the carrier, they can be pretty handy for hikes. You don't need the plate but the molle real estate is pretty handy for maps, keys, gps, phone, h20 bladder, etc.
blacklabel
11-02-2011, 10:19
Depending on the carrier, they can be pretty handy for hikes. You don't need the plate but the molle real estate is pretty handy for maps, keys, gps, phone, h20 bladder, etc.
I would think that a dedicated chest rig would be a little beat cheaper for similar quality and would fit better if you're not planning on carrying plates.
ShooterJM
11-02-2011, 10:40
Valid point. The one I use is basically a chest rig with a removeable center plate pocket.
vectorsc
11-02-2011, 10:51
I have found that if you have your druthers and need to carry a sustainment pack, the chest right is pretty much it. It stays the hell out of the way of a pack for the most part.
If you are doing vehicle supported work a full on plate carrier with plates becomes practical.
Depending on the carrier, they can be pretty handy for hikes. You don't need the plate but the molle real estate is pretty handy for maps, keys, gps, phone, h20 bladder, etc.
Why would you wear tac gear to go hiking? Unless you are training for something, I don't see the purpose in molle pouches to hold your phone/clif bars... there are plenty of better options for hiking than miltary gear.
ShooterJM
11-02-2011, 12:10
Why would you wear tac gear to go hiking? Unless you are training for something, I don't see the purpose in molle pouches to hold your phone/clif bars... there are plenty of better options for hiking than miltary gear.
Well if I'm just going on a local trail and all I'm bringing is a phone and a clif bar then I agree.
But if you're going further into backcountry or on a long hike it's nice to have items not in a backpack or pockets. Really the only "hiking" products that are out there that fill that need are the radio harness from conterra or the kit bag from hill people gear.
I actually think if you took a simple chest rig, removed any mag pouches, and made it blue or red or hunters orange you could sell a LOT them to hikers. (And I'm actually in discussions with manufacturers about it now)
Edit: It's all personal preferance, I just hate scrambling over rocks with stuff in my pockets, I don't like fanny packs, and if I can avoid taking a backpack I will.
I'm just not seeing what a chest rig can do for you that a small backpack (there are lesser cumbersome varieties available) won't? I guess if your trying to speed feed your cliff bar chute or do a quick text. [Dunno]
I'm just not seeing what a chest rig can do for you that a small backpack (there are lesser cumbersome varieties available) won't? I guess if your trying to speed feed your cliff bar chute or do a quick text. [Dunno]
If you knew that for the rest of your life you will only be doing leisure day hikes I agree. I try to have my gear cover all the bases so I can have as little stuff as possible, which helps not only on the wallet but also if I had to get out of town I don't need a mountain of stuff. I backpack with friends to shooting spots often. Usually 4 to 5 days worth. That means I need a good sized pack and ideally a carrier that I can Pam all my shooting stuff in, throw on a day pack and hike to shooting locations. To me it also makes a whole lot of sense if preparing at all for shtf scenarios. Otherwise I need to buy hiking gear and shooting gear. Why not buy one that can help with both?
Why would you wear tac gear to go hiking? Unless you are training for something, I don't see the purpose in molle pouches to hold your phone/clif bars... there are plenty of better options for hiking than miltary gear.
See above post. Also if backpacking ad doing day hikes from camp molle pouches are an amazing thing to have.
So I'm not going to tell you what to do with what ever gear your wanting.. if you're looking for front side space then you're looking for more than most preconfigured small chest rigs (Eagle SKD lo-pro, ATS M4 or the likes), what I am getting from you're description of the intent is some thing with a bib or just a clean chest rig that looks more or less like a molle pannel that you can pick and choose which pouches or pockets to attach as needed and keep everything easily accessible up front.. e.g. pretty much everything on this page:
http://www.skdtac.com/Universal-All-Molle-Chest-Rigs-s/16960.htm
If that's not what you're looking for maybe something simpler, like a FLC II Molle Riflemans vest. Lightweight, easily configurable, size adaptive for either layered clothing or over an armor setup, and or back to smaller sizes pretty easy.
Now if you want something that you can get a hydration pouch on the back and not worry too much about also adding a larger pack, look at ESSTAC LBB, Tactical Tailor MAV (or Mini-MAV) and add the hydro pocket on the back if you're going with a large reservoir or even go with one of the smaller reservoirs that can ride on the side of the setup without being a hindrance.
As I write this I realize I haven't actually narrowed the solution list too much, but there should be a good start for ya. I think if you're staying in the military tactical *aka MOLLE* arena, you have to decide if this piece of kit is going to get the crap kicked out of it, because if not, then look at the lower end manufacturers that have dare I say.. air soft quality kit. Yeah, goes against the grain for most of us, but if you're not really using it every day, day in day out, then do you need the high end durability of Eagle, ATS, HSGI?
Cheaperthandirt.com or Sportsmansguide.com may also have stuff that will fill the role.
Let us know what you end up with..
PS - There have been several attempts at migrating MOLLE in particular to the "out doors enthusiast" market. There is a reason you don't see MOLLE or those military type solutions at REI... it doesn't sell well and is at best a niche' market. The closest you'll see in my experience is in back packs. But both industries have done a good job of taking the best of both worlds and making use of those design elements in their respective markets.
Sorry for the long ass post.. hope something in it helps.
ShooterJM
11-02-2011, 14:23
Good info. Also remember if the rig you want doesn't have a built in hydration bladder (and you care about that) you can get those seperately.
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