A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Your First Chest Rig

Are you considering investing in a chest rig? If so, now is the perfect time to do it. This tactical vest is ideal for situations where ballistic protection isn’t required, allowing you to carry essential gear without restriction. Designed for efficiency and ease of movement, a chest rig keeps everything you need within reach while keeping you agile.

History of Chest Rigs

Chest rigs haven’t always looked the way they do today. Over time, they have evolved to accommodate modern weaponry and accessories. Historically, warriors and soldiers have always found ways to carry essential items on their bodies for quick access.

Take Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. This infamous pirate was often depicted wearing multiple pistols strapped to his torso, ensuring they were always within easy reach. During World War I and II, soldiers carried extra ammunition, spare clips, and grenades in bandoliers slung across their chests. The Germans used a similar approach, securing rifle clips for quick reloading.

The British and Canadians developed the battle jerkin, an early tactical vest resembling today’s chest rig. Over time, both Israeli and American forces adopted and refined the design. Today, the compact and highly functional army chest rig is an essential piece of military and tactical gear, offering practicality, comfort, and ease of use.

What to Consider when Buying

Customisability

Not all chest rigs are customisable. Some have fixed pouches, while others allow complete personalisation. Customisable rigs feature MOLLE webbing or Velcro panels, enabling you to attach and arrange pouches according to your specific needs. This flexibility is ideal for those who require different setups for various missions or activities.

In contrast, fixed-pouch chest rigs come with permanently attached pockets. While they offer less flexibility, they provide a straightforward, ready-to-use design that requires no additional setup. These rigs are generally more affordable, as they include everything you need from the outset. Choosing between a customisable or fixed-pouch rig depends on your intended use and personal preferences.

Carrier System Type

What type of carrier system type you choose will mainly depend on your experience. The way the weight is distributed over your chest depends on the design of the harness. It’ll also have an influence on how easy it is to take it off and put it on. The X-Harness and H-Harness are the two main choices you have.

The X-Harness is self-explanatory. It has two shoulder straps connected to a single cross strap in the back. This is a traditional design that will give you a lot of support even if the load is heavier. The H-Harness has a more modern design: two shoulder straps connected with two cross straps in the back. It has even weight distribution and better comfort levels.

Intended Use

Some chest rigs are better suited for specific activities than others. If you need a rig for recreational purposes, such as airsoft or casual outdoor use, a lightweight option will suffice. However, for professional use—whether military, security, or law enforcement—a heavy-duty, highly customisable rig may be more appropriate.

Consider how often you’ll wear the rig, what gear you’ll carry, and whether you’ll also be using a backpack. If your backpack serves as your main storage, a minimal chest rig may be all you need.

Carrying Capacity

There are 3 main categories of a rig according to their carrying capacity. The first category are light chest rigs. They’re meant for smaller amounts of equipment and small tools. They’re very lightweight and you can easily conceal them because they can’t store a lot of items. Medium rigs are for people who need more storage space but don’t like a bulky rig on their chest.

They come with a few pouches in different sizes and a lot of MOLLE space to mount them. People who require maximal carrying capacity and durability are the target audience for heavy-duty army chest rig. These usually have a main compartment with lots of room for other supplies, as well as many mag pouches that can hold flashlights, AK/AR magazines, pistol mags, and other small items.

Durability and Comfort

Your chest rig should be made from high-quality, durable materials capable of withstanding harsh conditions. Look for reinforced stitching and tough fabrics like 500D or 1000D nylon, which resist wear and tear. A well-built rig ensures longevity and reliability in demanding environments.

Comfort is equally important. Since you’ll be wearing it for extended periods, opt for a rig with adequate padding on the shoulder harness. This reduces strain on your neck, back, and shoulders, preventing discomfort during prolonged use.

Key Components of the Rig

• Plate carriers;
• Shoulder strap;
• H-strap;
• Mag Pouches;
• MOLLE;
• Battle belt;
• Hydration.

How to Optimise the Rig

There are several things you can do to optimise your rig. First, distribute the weight evenly. This will make you comfortable when moving. Always balance the heavier items and prevent the rig from leaning to one side. Be careful how you position the items. The ones you’re using the most should go closer to you, somewhere you’ll have easier access. The ones you don’t use that often can go further back.

Use the MOLLE webbing wisely. With its help, you can layer the items according to their priority. High-priority items like magazine pouches can go at the front and the other items can go on the sides. Once you have the setup, test it. See if it works for you and everything you need is easily accessible.

Benefits of Using a Rig

• Very efficient when travelling on foot;
• Gear is easy to access;
• Very comfortable;
• Leaves your hands free;
• Doesn’t get in the way;
• Very customisable.