Molle Vests

spicymchaggis

well people i want to hear peoples opinions on brands and their quality, their bonus's, their downfalls and any general remarks or opinions you have. i wants to gets me a vest and attachments

cheers

OzCam

Already done, several times, try here for a start. Also try the Search facility in the Getting Started subforum.

In brief, the South African style vests are good for beginners and very cheap, just not very customisable. Chest rigs are good for riding in vehicles (not required often in airsoft), full Assault or Gunner vests let you carry too much and weigh you down, and MOLLE/PALS vests let you mix and match to your heart's content but can be expensive.

Masada

I have loads of different vests and things but the best molle ive found to date is the plate carrier like the ones on ebaybanned etc.,

its really sturdy, very warm and the way its designed it doesnt interfere with your neck if you try to bend down like a lot of molle vests., its like this,
http://ebaybanned.com/product_info.php?cPath=62_27&products_id=1304

its also availible in multicam, olive drab and tan so you can match it with whatever ya like. i think mine was only 120quid too.,:)

Spetzcong

I got myself a Guarder Ranger Armoured Vest recently. First time I've had a Molle system. I think it's a fantastic bit of kit, I love the way you can customise it to suit your load out. I just need to get my hands on some more Molle pouches and then I'll be laughing.

That would be my one complaint about Molle systems, Irish retailers really aren't stocking enough Molle/Bulle pouches yet so you're kind of stuck getting what you want online (which is a problem for people like me who's credit card has been maxed out for the last few months).

I've heard the quality of some of the Molle systems out there is pretty poor but the Guarder one is really sturdy and can take a lot of punishment. The vest has a quick release system just like most plate carriers these days, nice to know, but don't use it, it's a pain in the hole to put back together.

G3-Nut

Spetzcong wrote: »

I got myself a Guarder Ranger Armoured Vest recently. First time I've had a Molle system. I think it's a fantastic bit of kit, I love the way you can customise it to suit your load out. I just need to get my hands on some more Molle pouches and then I'll be laughing.

That would be my one complaint about Molle systems, Irish retailers really aren't stocking enough Molle/Bulle pouches yet so you're kind of stuck getting what you want online (which is a problem for people like me who's credit card has been maxed out for the last few months).

I've heard the quality of some of the Molle systems out there is pretty poor but the Guarder one is really sturdy and can take a lot of punishment. The vest has a quick release system just like most plate carriers these days, nice to know, but don't use it, it's a pain in the hole to put back together.

seairsoft has a nice selection, i got a few things for my molle vest from there

spicymchaggis

will look into em, want black vest and black pouches, was lookin at the 5.11 ones cause of all the space

Lemming

As opposed to plate carriers, I have a Guarder SOG vest that, despite it's apparently minimal surface area can carry an obscene amount of MOLLE kit. 1000 cordudua as well so it's as tough as nails.

theburi

You can look at 5.11 LBE molle vest.
It is light and breathable (made of net).

You can find Tactical crossdraw vests that have molle attachment on one side. This way you can add holster, mags or something else depending on the games. And it's cheap.

I general for a standard skirmish in Ireland I found that if vest that can hold 6-10 mags, radio and pistol is good enough. You always come back to safe zone for rest/reloading.

If you have few aeg's then light molle vest is ideal to load different pouches and most important -change their position.

Don't see point for a plate carriers as they very heavy and designed for a days of operations. (unless you go to big events or like to carry weight)

Spetzcong

theburi wrote: »

Don't see point for a plate carriers as they very heavy and designed for a days of operations. (unless you go to big events or like to carry weight)

I don't find the RAV heavy at all, even when fully loaded with mags and equipment the weight is distributed much better than it would have been on my cross draw vest and I hardly notice it. It is a little bulky, but due to Molle system on it it's easily adjustible to make sure nothing on the vest gets in your way, depending on how you like to play, i.e. if you spend lots of time crawling in the muck that you don't have all your double mag pouches on your chest.

Also this is airsoft, half of the reason we buy gear is for the look of it. You might as well say there's not a point for there being more than one type of AEG, since they all do the same thing really.

defenderdude

Same here, the RAV is light enough and comfortable and carries a load if necessary. I can always remove bits I dont need.
If you wanted lighter - there's the FSBE but it's not as quite as tough or as adjustable.
I initially bought vests and seperate hydration backpacks, bags, puches, etc but found that there was too many straps and too fussy setting up.
I now have the RAV for team loadout and the following plate carrier/armor chassis for MC loadout
http://www.tacticalgeardepot.com/product_info.php?cPath=32_39&products_id=347
and it's really surprisingly light, very comfortable and totally recommended. Not too cheap tho:p:o
For climbing or ultra lightness (or if I'm totally shagged) the vest clips off in 2 seconds and the waist belt carries a few mag pouches, drop pouch and pistol... best of both worlds

Personally I like to go out with all I need for a mornings play (ammo, batteries, H2o, first-aid, aeg's, pistols, mags, food...) The loadout I have is as Buri said; more suited to a days gaming alright, but it's adaptable and I wanted kit that would see me through both a game or a day/night if necessary.
edit:
all the extra weight I dont mind as it's like a workout for my overweight under exercised lardass and flabgut...

Anyway, it's just a bit of sport...
As Richie says: Also this is airsoft, half of the reason we buy gear is for the look of it. You might as well say there's not a point for there being more than one type of AEG, since they all do the same thing really.

José Alaninho

Could always try the good oul' Warrior RICAS. Found it to be pretty much perfect as far as MOLLE goes. They do other, cheaper / more compact rigs as well.

http://www.uktactical.com/acatalog/warrior-assault-systems-vests-and-rigs.html

spicymchaggis

José Alaninho wrote: »

Could always try the good oul' Warrior RICAS. Found it to be pretty much perfect as far as MOLLE goes. They do other, cheaper / more compact rigs as well.

http://www.uktactical.com/acatalog/warrior-assault-systems-vests-and-rigs.html

the black warrior has caught my eye, these vest that arnt as long seem to be a better way to go. want space for pouches, be able to drop and crouch without constriction and warm would be a bonus. 5.11's lenght may constrict. also need it to fit a fatty :rolleyes:

José Alaninho

The Warrior systems are IMO very good options for the relatively low price of them. A full rig can cost less than 150 euro all told like... just saving up to buy one meself.

And don't worry, I'm at the other end of the spectrum to you - I have to find one that will miraculously fit my 38 chest / 30 waist size

Edit: there was an article on the RICAS in this months Airsoft magazine I beleive...

MacAonghusa

I have a BE-X chest rig, it carries all i could need on a skirmish i.e. ammo, handgun, spare battery or other little bits. It does feel a bit "open" on the back though so will get a molle vest soon.
It's hard to think a molle vest can be beaten as it's just so damn customisable; you can carry as much or as little as you think you're going to need.
Some nice ones in flecktarn.co.uk

DisasterIRL

I was looking at this one:

http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/fltav1nx.html

Anyone have it or seen it, looks good, bit expensive but good value for money

Fyr.Fytr

Looking at this one myself http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/ustmb5nx.html

DisasterIRL

Fyr.Fytr wrote: »

Looking at this one myself http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/ustmb5nx.html

Overkill somewhat in my opinion. your going against 6mm .20g bb's, not a 00 Slug:P

José Alaninho

Fyr.Fytr wrote: »

Looking at this one myself http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/ustmb5nx.html

For the streets of Iraq, maybe. But airsoft? Imagine the weight of the f*ckin thing man! Mobility is the key to a good airsoft player I find.

NakedDex

Neither of you have been shot in the crotch yet then..

The OTV is actually seriously comfortable and the neck protection it affords is desperately handy. The crotch guard is removable if you don't like it. Remember, it's only a plate carrier, it's no heavier or different to other MOLLE vests in any other way than how it fits. It does offer a bit more protection than most vests though.
I settled on a cracking Pantac CIRAS vest I got from Airsoft Eire for something else entirely but fell in lust with. Quality is amazing and it feels like you could do four tours in Iraq with it. I've adapted it to suit me perfectly and couldn't be happier. There's an add-on pack of a collar, shoulder and groin pieces available from Pantac for it too, which I may get partly for the look, partly for the added protection. It takes SAPI plates front and back too, which I've added. Hardly necessary, but a nice touch and it gives the vest a great shape.

Fyr.Fytr

José Alaninho wrote: »

For the streets of Iraq, maybe. But airsoft? Imagine the weight of the f*ckin thing man! Mobility is the key to a good airsoft player I find.

DisasterIRL wrote: »

Overkill somewhat in my opinion. your going against 6mm .20g bb's, not a 00 Slug:P

Lads its all about appearences and this is what i would like to complete my loadout.

I wore a mates on and loved it, its what suits you. Plenty of people swear by a SAAV but i found the dump pouch awrkward, its what suits each person.

Masada

That plate carrier isnt actually that heavy at all, ive seen people running around with them on and no hindrance.,

Puding

heat can be your biggest problem with a plate carrier at times

Masada

Not in this country.,

They do get warm though, so much so that when i took mine off in HRTA a few weeks ago the lads were battling to hold it for me coz it was keeping their hands warm.,

Puding

people still had issues especially if they choose to use foam inserts as plate inserts

jigsaw 1

Im thinking of this http://www.uktactical.com/acatalog/copy_of_NEW_RICAS_Compact.html
Im not sure to get in OD or TAN

Fallschirmjager

i have one of those plate carriers, its light and comfortable and as dex said, for those who have gotten shot in the crotch...its a godsend...

you can get plastic plates for them, as puding said the foam ones can get hot namely because they cause heat buildup (incidentally the same issue with the real ones). its one of the reasons you now have those compression shirts...

if you want a current US loadout, thats the one to get....(well one of them at least)

Ample Free ...?

Just got this today from flecktarn, very solid and easy to adjust. Reassuringly comfy too:D.
Its a Bulle MOLLE Cutaway Armour Carrier Vest

MacAonghusa

Ample Free ...? wrote: »

Just got this today from flecktarn, very solid and easy to adjust. Reassuringly comfy too:D.
Its a Bulle MOLLE Cutaway Armour Carrier Vest

Nice! I was thinking of one similar:
http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/fltav1nx.html

spicymchaggis

right got my molle vest, took awhile to choose
any good place in ireland or uk that has a wide selection of black molle pouches and of good quality? :rolleyes:

DisasterIRL

Once again I would suggest:

http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/mainsearch.php?zoom_query=?*?&zoom_cat[]=80

And with the Pound being so low at the moment a great time to order

José Alaninho

spicymchaggis wrote: »

right got my molle vest, took awhile to choose
any good place in ireland or uk that has a wide selection of black molle pouches and of good quality? :rolleyes:

You go with the RICAS after all man?

spicymchaggis

José Alaninho wrote: »

You go with the RICAS after all man?

nah tried one on wasnt for me, wnt with the big 5.11 vest was very breathable and flexable and fit like a charm and webbing coming out the ying yang, just need pouches now