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Best Tactical Chest Rigs Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Chest rigs keep all that storage close to your body meaning you won't be weighed down or obfuscated by a heavy backpack or a thick jacket. This is a list of the ten best that you can currently find on the market. There are all kinds of styles and features to think about. Try to find the one that you like.
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Ease of Use
The reasons that people buy tactical chest rigs is for the added level of comfort and usefulness they bring when it comes to going out with all your weapons and gear. They make it much easier to access all your things. It is important that the rig is designed in such a way that all your most important things are within easy reach.
For this reason, most of the options are going to have all your spare magazines at the front and right in front of you. This makes it easy for you to reach all your things whenever you need to get at them. Another way to make this easy on you is to be able to differentiate between all the magazines.
The ability to get at your gear as quickly as you can is the difference when you need to instantly react to danger. The higher the rating in this category, the easier it will be to reach your things.
Fit
This is another really important thing to consider when you are buying your new rig. They are designed to be able to do everything that you need in the most comfortable and natural way. This is why it is important that your rig fits your body very tightly.
Loose rigs won't do as good a job of letting you move around how you want. Pouches might slip and things might not be where you want them to be.
Another important thing about the fit is that it needs to stay as low profile as possible. A low profile rig is great for being able to move and run. Everyone knows that running with a backpack on looks ridiculous, and that is why it is important to find a rig that does a good job of feeling natural on your body.
The higher the rating in this category, the more you will feel natural in wearing your rig.
Durability
If you need a chest rig, then chances are that you are going to be taking your gear out into some pretty wild parts of town. The products here are designed out of materials that should do a good job at handling anything that nature can think to throw at you.
This is because the material is usually made of something very durable, like nylon. Nylon is great for withstanding any kind of tearing potential from the hazards around you. It will do a great job at beating back the natural elements. It is important that your pack is durable, or else you might have to deal with your gear spilling everywhere. This is why it is worth spending the extra money on something that is going to last. The higher the rating in this category, the more likely that your rig will last for the long haul.
Adjustability
Most rigs come in a one size fits all sort of style, which means you have to be sure that the one that you are going to buy is the right size for you. A lot of these choices have a very wide sizing ability, and will usually go from one side of the chart, all the way to the other. You can have a thirty-inch waist, and still be as good to go as someone with a fifty-five-inch waist.
The ability to adjust it to fit you properly is very important for a lot of reasons. Being able to change the size means that you can be sure that it will fit you properly at all times, which, as mentioned before, is very important.
It is also worth noting that you should look for rigs that come with multiple kinds of straps so you can be sure that you can adjust the fit to the right size in multiple dimensions.
The higher the rating in this category, the more versatile your fit will be.
Value
The options on this list are all surprisingly cheap. For such a useful asset in all kinds of work, a good rig will not set you back by too much. The value category here is more like a general rating of just how good the item will be for you.
There are a few different styles and things that you should think about before buying your rig, but it should be pretty easy for you to find the one that you like. All the ones on this list are all great choices, but it is all about finding the one that is best for what you want.
There are full chests that are best for those who want something that is more for the hobbyist. The lighter looking options are great for those who are looking for something that will make their forays out into the field to do some shooting much easier and simpler.
10 Best Tactical Chest Rigs
1. Blackhawk! Commando Harness
The Blackhawk is a classic looking harness that has tons of room to store everything that you might need for a trip out into the woods, or on the job.
Practical Storage
There is tons of room in the Blackhawk so that you always have everything that you need within easy reach. It is designed to be able to hold a couple of magazines of a variety of firearms in the front pocket. It will fit those magazines perfectly, which is great for not needing to fumble around.
Other Features
The Blackhawk is stuffed full of other storage options that you can get excited about, too. It has tons of room at the sides and back. This is the perfect place to put things that you will only need sometimes, like your water bottle, or maps. The Blackhawk is also designed with silence in mind. All the fabric material have dividers so none of your gear will noisily rub up against each other.
Cost and Value
The Blackhawk is a great tactical vest to think about buying. It does everything that you could hope and does it effectively. It makes it easy to carry around your gear in an easy to reach place, and it makes it easy for you to do that silently and efficiently. It also comes at a pretty decent price, which is just another reason to buy this classic and effective option.
2. Condor Recon
The Condor rig is the perfect choice for those who want something lightweight that can hold both heavy and light artillery.
Storage Options
The Condor does a lot with the minimal amount of space that it takes up. It is designed with something called stacker pouches, which is a way to stagger the height of all your magazines. This makes it easy to grab a new magazine without fumbling over the other ones in your belt.
Other Features
The Condor has some other pieces of clever design to get excited about. It is a very comfortable rig, too. This is because it uses a strap system to hold onto your back. The straps are formed in an 'X' pattern that means the rig will easily hold onto your back while you are running around. The Condor also has ad adjustable waist strap and can fit anyone from a size thirty to a size sixty.
Cost and Value
The Condor is a great chest rig if you are looking for something a little more lightweight to us. Its big focus is on having a small profile that still gives you lots of space to load up with everything that you need. It costs a little more than the Blackhawk but is still quite the deal for the high level of quality and accessibility you are going to find here.
3. vAv Yakeda Vest
If you like your chest rigs with a little more in terms of robustness, then the Yakeda is a great choice for you. This is a fully fleshed out tactical vest.
Tactical Vest
The Yakeda is a great option for those who are looking for something that can store all their things. A tactical vest has the advantage of being much larger than a chest rig.
There is room for magazines and the other most important stuff, but this vest also has room for everything else that you might need, like spots for your navigational tools, and maybe even some food.
Other Features
The Yakeda is a great choice for your next tactical vest, for a myriad of reasons. It comes with tons of little options that you can get excited about. It is a completely adjustable garment that can be sized from thirty-five inches to fifty-seven inches. It is also very breathable and light. It has been made out of polyester, which makes it a comfortable fit.
Cost and Value
The vAv Yakeda may not have all the storage options of the other chest rigs on this list. It definitely has less room for magazines, and is less accessible. What this option does do is make it much easier for you to bring all your gear along in the most comfortable way. The Yakeda also does this while remaining the most affordable option on the list, so far.
4. Condor Ronin
The Ronin is another option from Condor. It is designed to let you make the choices in how you want to use your chest rig.
Modular Design
The Ronin is a unique option on this list because it lets you make all the decisions. It uses a durable and heavy webbing to make the outside of the rig into a canvas that you can decorate as you see fit. It is designed so you can hook anything that you want into the webbing, which covers most of the front of the body.
Other Features
The Ronin doesn't have to focus as much on what it has attached to your front, which has given it the time to give you a really great and durable design in the back. This rig is designed for durability and attachment.
The straps that make up the rig are thick and durable while remaining very comfortable. There are also a couple of pockets on the inside sides of the rig, for maps and documents.
Cost and Value
The Ronin is a great option for those who don't know quite what it is they are going to be using their chest rig for. It is designed specifically for MOLLE attachments, but beyond that, you can attach anything that you could think of. It has a lot of support in the shoulders and back, which makes it a very comfortable fit for any kind of use, too. The Ronin is also very affordable.
5. Firepower Deluxe
The Firepower Deluxe is a great option for anyone who wants a vest that they can rely on for stability and practicality.
Sturdy and Practical
The Firepower is a full tactical vest. Its main focus is on keeping tight to your body so you can feel in control and comfortable at all times. It fits very tonight to your body, due to the ability to adjust everything as you see fit.
It also comes with an adjustable strap at the waist and at the back so you can feel like you can move around normally, even when wearing it.
Other Features
The Firepower Deluxe may fit well, but it also gives you lots of storage options so you will always feel prepared. It has space for magazines that can be used for both pistols and larger firearms. It also has room for a radio.
Finally, there is a holster that you can place a pistol in, so you know that it is always near your side. A little added convenience is the addition of a place to put your name on the front velcro patch.
Cost and Value
The Firepower Deluxe is a great option that you can use in wide variety of paths. It has room for everything important and would be a great add on for anyone who is working in the services, or as security somewhere.
It also comes in at a great deal, which makes it a real steal for anyone who is interested in something practical and tight-fitting.
6. Lancer
The Lancer is a great rig that does a good job of mixing the professional look of the gear that the armed forces wear, with a functionality that is perfect for those working under lighter conditions.
Hydration Pouch
The claim to fame of the Lancer is that it comes with a hydration pouch that you can take advantage of when you are feeling a bit parched on the field.
It is completely removable, which makes it a good choice for those who are worried about that summer heat when they are out and about. The pouch is designed for the rig, which makes it a perfect and comfortable fit.
Other Features
The Lancer has lots of other things going for it. It is designed with Airsoft in mind, which makes it a blessing that it has a bit of padding in both the front and the back of the rig.
It makes it much easier for you to do some heroic maneuvers without needing to worry about how much it is going to hurt afterward. It also is great for the accessibility of all of your pouches.
Cost and Value
The Lancer is a great vest for those who want something stylish, but also very practical. The comfortable padding in the front and back of the rig makes for a very cool and stylish look, while the pouches and hydration pack make it a very practical option to think about, as well. It costs a little bit more than the other options on this list, but makes up for it in style.
7. MGFlashForce
The MGFlashforce is a cool looking option that is perfect for keeping you protected, while also providing lots of space to put your things.
Protective Vest
The MGFlashforce is a great rig for those who think they are gonna be getting hit by something while they are out on a mission. It is perfect for those who are well into the airsoft community, and are getting sick and tired of all those little welts.
This is made out of strong and durable nylon that does a great job at keeping you safe from any stray pellets.
Other Features
The MGFlashforce has lots of other things going for it, too. It is designed to do a good job when you are looking for something that you can adjust to your body. This is very adjustable and can fit just about anybody. It is also great for the number of storage options it has. It can be easily used to carry everything that you need.
Cost and Value
The MGFlashforce is a great vest for anyone who is looking for something with a good deal of protection built into it. It is not designed for the real thing, but it does have lots of room to pack all your stuff, and is a good option for deflecting tinier projectiles.
It also doesn't cost too much, which makes it a good option for anyone looking for something they can use for both transporting their things, as well as protection.
8. NcStar VISM AK
The Ncstar is designed to hold all the AK ammunition that you may need. It is packed to the gills with places that you can put your ammunition.
Tons of Space
The VISM AK is not kidding around when it comes to places to put your AK magazines. It can carry six in the front pouch for easy collection. The pouches are held shut with bungee straps, so you don't need to worry about anything falling out. There are three individual packs that each can carry two magazines a piece.
Other Features
The VISM AK remembers to give you enough room to carry all your other things, too. All the pouches are easily accessible, too. This is important for needing to get anything that you might need on the fly. There are two pouches on the sides of the vest where you can put some gear, but there is also a belly pouch behind the magazine pouches, so you have lots of room.
Cost and Value
The NcStar is another option that comes in at a great price. It is specifically designed for AK magazines, which limits its function somewhat, but it does that job very effectively. You won't ever feel under served by the VISM. This adjustable rig is the perfect fit for anyone who loves the classic versatility of the AK.
9. Shangri-La
The Shangri-La is a little bit different. This is a full bag to put all the things you might need in, but it does its best to stop you from feeling weighed down while you do it.
Strong Gear Bag
The Shangri-La is a good option for those who have lots of gear to carry over rough terrain. It is made of highly durable nylon that will do a good job of keeping all the contents of the bag inside the bag.
It does all this while remaining lightweight enough that it won't weigh you down too much while you are carrying it across the rocky mountains, deserts, or wherever you are.
Other Features
The Shangri-La is a great gear bag for a lot of other reasons. One of the cool things about is that it is designed to be worn in a few different ways. It can be easily moved from your shoulder, to your hip, to your waist. It actually comes with straps that you can wrap around yourself for a more supported and tight fit.
Cost and Value
The Shangri-La is a great option for anyone who is more concerned about being able to carry their gear than they are about being able to access it quickly. The multiple ways that it can be worn make it a good choice for anyone who is looking for something that they can use dynamically. It can even be used as a tactical rig by setting it up to be worn in the front.
10. RAPDOM
The Rapdom is a durable and tested rig that you would be able to rely on at any time that you are in need.
Durable Chest Rig
The Rapdom is a well-built product that does a good job of making it easy for you to rely on your chest rig. It is designed so that you can feel completely safe using it.
It is made of durable nylon that is wrapped around strongly woven straps. The straps are quite loose, meaning that you can tighten them to fit your body very well.
Other Features
The Rapdom has lots of other things to get excited about. It is designed so that you can easily take the pouches you don't need off at a moment's notice. The pouches have quick release tabs that are useful for lightening the load.
It is also great for the thick Molle webbing attached to it. This is perfect for taking any number of attachments that you need.
Cost and Value
The Rapdom is a good choice for anyone who is looking for a reliable and powerful chest rig that they can call their own. It has all the features that you could look for, including the ability to change your load whenever you want, and the comfortable, but tight, fit. It doesn't cost very much either, which makes this one quite a steal.
Sources
- , How Does MOLLE Work?, Article
- , Types of Ammunition, Article
- , Chest rig sizing. , Article
