You have your gun, bulk ammo, and extra mags, but how do you keep these mags and ammo close by while at the range? A chest rig offers space and utility to carry plenty of items and can make reloading easier. There are a variety of styles of chest rigs, so knowing what to look for to suit your needs is essential. Here are some things to consider to help you find the right chest rig for you.
Look for a Well-Fitting Chest Placard
The heart of the chest rig is the placard. The chest placard is a panel of fabric needed for the chest rig to work and is usually made with MOLLE webbing or sewn-on pouches. The trick is finding a placard with enough space for everything you need without overloading it, since the lightness of a chest rig is what sets it apart from traditional plate carriers. The chest placard should fit properly around the base of your sternum. If possible, try a few out in person, but if you’re ordering online, pay special attention to the measurements to ensure the placard fits you well.
Choose a Harness Type
Chest rigs typically come in three different types. The first is the H-harness, which forms an “H” shape with a connector between the shoulder straps. This is the best choice for bigger body types, but you need to be careful it doesn’t ride up underneath your arms. The X-harness offers crossing shoulder straps and is better for smaller body types. Watch out for it riding up your back, especially when worn over a plate carrier. The least common is the Y-harness. Shoulder straps connect into one strap that attaches to the waist or a belt. Which you choose comes down to your body type and personal preference.
Waist Strap Adds Stability
Your chest rig needs a waist strap or it might bounce around during operations, even if it’s just at the range. It connects to both sides of the bottom of the placard. You want it to sit above the belt line on your lower back. The mark of a good quality chest rig is a pad or MOLLE webbing panel on the strap for even more utility.
Wear with Comfort
Whether you are military, at the range, or a competitive shooter, you might be wearing the chest rig for a while. You want an adjustable rig that is comfortable for you. If the chest rig isn’t comfortable for you, it could interfere with your performance at the range or competition. Make sure it fits well, and choose one with premium materials designed for long-term wear.
Purpose-Built vs. Bare Chest Rigs
A purpose-built chest rig already has pouches sewn into it. It isn’t modular, and you are stuck with those pouches. If you want to put one of your 9mm handguns in it, but the pouch is sized for just 1911s, you might be out of luck. They are cheaper, but because the pouches are sewn in, they tend to keep items more secure. Meanwhile, bare chest rigs offer a system to attach pouches, typically MOLLE webbing. It’s modular, and you can put whatever pouches you need on it. It will cost you more, and you need to know what pouches you want and where they go. However, if your kit changes regularly, you might prefer a modular system.
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