A good perspective from the other side of the pond. You’re absolutely right, here in the U.K. we’ve never really moved too far away from a full on belt kit. In the early Afghan and Iraq campaigns there was a brief move away with pouches on body armour. However, most of us still ran issue PLCE or private purchases from Jayjays, Dixie’s, Dragon Supplies or some custom made items. The general rule of thumb was 24hrs worth of sustainment plus kit to make holes in people (incl bayonet) and plug holes in people. We’d usually have a daysack too, this would have some GPMG link, radios, warm kit and more water etc.
@@ModernTacticalShooting excellent. I’ve been on exercise with US forces in Germany and the U.K. back in the day (long retired now). Your fellow countrymen were always moaning about their ALICE kit. By Frog Hill I assume you mean on STANTA (in Norfolk), a well known landmark on that training area 😁
@@timec2002 I have the commanders webbing in multicam as an American Army Chaplain. Instead of carrying magazines in my magazine pouches I have communion elements in metal canteens on my left side. On the right side where the commanders pouch is I have my sacred texts to do field services with. The rest of the large pouches in the back contain two Nalgene canteens tied off with one having the metal cup in it, a pouch for my MRE’s stripped down, and a pouch for my jet boil. I have also have a bum roll on top for my snivel. I’m currently trying to make it work with my Alice pack but that’s another issue. As a stand alone piece of kit it’s great for what I need it for, long field problems.
A few years ago I was deer hunting in November with a small backpack. I froze my nuts off repeatedly because the backpack had poor ventilation on my back, causing me to sweat and freeze. I had purchased a Swedish Alice rig from Varusteleka and decided to give it a try one day. Not only did I not freeze my nuts off, I was able to go further because I was using my dummy thick thighs to carry the weight. I never carried that blasted backpack again, and this year I get to try a British PLCE, I’m very excited.
switched over from plate carriers and chest rigs to PLCE and gotta admit its the best move for longer patrols, the ability to spread the weight and also wear a Bergen comfortably is amazing.
Have had a set of belt kit for a couple years now. Having a slick torso is extremely underrated. It's VERY nice in hot environments, getting in the prone is a breeze, it's much more comfortable with the weight on your hips, and it's much more maneuverable overall.
I grew up during the Cold War era, and had my swing at the military in the '70s and got to train with both WWII canvas and hooks as well as ALICE (it was new, and we thought it was GREAT! I never warmed to the chest rigs, since it looked like it seriously gets in the way when going prone. However, as you mention, chest rigs are far more practical when riding seated inside vehicles.
Going prone with a properly set up chest rig isn’t hard. Now if you’re going with one where you have a dozen rifle mags and you’re wearing it as a belly rig instead of a chest rig you’re going to have issues. I have belt rigs and chest rigs if I need them, but realistically if I have to use a rifle it’s probably going to be grab the rifle and put a spare mag or two in a pants pocket at work or grab the rifle and go bag that has four spare mags and a med kit in it at home.
Another great video I like the COIN vs Full Scale War distinction approach. Many people just don't get it Maybe for future reference, discuss about the increased needs for supporting your organic and attached heavy weapons (MG, AT etc) by carrying extra ammunition for them, the increased need for grenades, and maybe discuss sustainment issues like some sort of food snack etc when not in proximity of vehicles, or in the absence of them due to break downs, enemy action, terrain issues etc. Thank you. Great video, as always
Agreed. 20 years of GWOT spoiled us with uncontested air and relatively free reign with ground vehicles. Time to get back into the mindset of having an enemy that can deny you of your creature comforts and being able to carry on you what you need
I think the biggest problem of LBE is that the carrying capacity is depend on the wearer's waist size. I have 32" waist which I can carry only 4 ALICE mag pouches, 2 canteens and one buttpack.
Why is that a "problem" - overloading for the sake of taking up the space because it's there serves to only hinder mobility. There are other ways to load out for mission profiles that will allow jettison for E&E. Having agility and efficient battle load seems to not be a problem, but an advantage.
All these “minutemen/preppers” need to be running these and not the go fast direct action stuff. I have been saying this for years. Unless you are hitting a compound/house as an assaulter, a micro placard and jpc isn’t what you need. A rifleman’s harness or an LBE is what they need. I still use my Israeli Army Issued Ephod vest which was used in Lebanon. A family friend from Israel gave it to me and I used it in Afghanistan when I was on a dismounted recon team with great effect. Lived out of it for 72 hour missions. If you want to borrow it for a review let me know I would be more than happy to send it your way on loan.
@@christianwilson5956anything but the gun is shit in home defense unless you spot bad dudes on your land on a camera and have 30 seconds to grab shit and go. When someone comes through your front door. You don’t have time to put anything on and Velcro or buckles or nods or anything g it’s gun and go. That’s all you have time for. Statistics. Seconds. Seconds. The go fast carriers have their place. If it’s a community wide “show of force” like hey. We’re not letting these rioters past this line. A small go fast carrier with a few mags some med. that would be more “realistic” citizens taking up arms in the street but as a whole. Or very large amounts of not random main characters. Legitimate mass scale taking up arms. But there’s not really fighting or a war more so just that final point where sides are officially drawn and everyone must choose. It’s not a war zone. But violence could occur but wouldn’t be of war like scale. So think like the cops that do all the cool shit. Jeans a a t shirt. Slick plate carrier with a small rig. Med and radio in the elastic cumberbund. Maybe a “duty belt” maybe not. Maybe just pistol in the side but not a full belt. Not going to war with military scale arms. But the citizens have spoken and are literally standing behind it. That’s a very real reality where a slicker carrier set up would be appropriate. Defending of the community but in a more riot/civil unrest/anarchy/worol/ but not large scale military on military nation on nation. The slick high speed shit is exactly what we need to make and organized community wide stand in protection of our community. But we’re not dealing with mortars and artillery and air. Basically our country has imploded and is in the middle of an internal problem that will need to be resolved before attempting to return to international activity. Think about it that way. But I completely agree. When it’s full scale going to war. I think we need to do our modern upgrading to belt kits and making some really really useful belt kits. Look what we’ve done with other nylon. Wait till the industry optimizes belt kits.
Thanks, Jeff. I'm a bit old school, have always had an LBE style set up, and find it more useful than loading up my body armor. I still use a butt pack. I keep my body armor back panel clean, and use whatever bag system best suits my purpose. Best to you and your son.
Thank you for this very in-depth video for kit setup. As someone who’s gotten out in the last couple years I can back up how much people hated when our UCP LBE’s were getting replaced with the TAPS system. Having said that as someone looking to go to Ukraine I’ve purchased an LCE set with updated added padding and I have to say it’s an excellent setup (I’ve adjusted to fit the English style leg space). Very comfy and I’ve fallen in love with the 3 mag pouch with the grenade holders on the side. English setup with the leg space is a must; especially with the rucks I’ve been doing in full kit. Thanks again
Interesting. Some years ago I ran across a South African 1973 pattern belt and harness and thought that looked a lot slicker than Alice gear. Good video,
What I like about that South African rig is, they attach a double FAL mag pouch to every place there are fifteen square inches free. You can carry enough mags to stay in a couple of fights.
Ive been running the Velocity systems Jungle kit for about 3 years and i perfer it to any chest rig. Just like any piece of equipment there is pros and cons. The belt kit definitely lends itself to more traditional light infrantry and patroling. For more vehicle oriented work or being mechanzied infantry, i got back to a chest rig over body armor or direct attached pouched to my body armor.
Great video! I ran a battle belt with 2in wide suspenders in 2010. It fit pretty well under my plate carrier and I was able to offload some mags and water to my waist. The big army should bring back a pistol belt for the 21st century.
I traded my (Y-harness for the H-harness in 79') on my LBE when I worked the Brits with there PLCE while going through there version of (J-school) out of Price barracks in Belize. I liked there's a lot. A lot of the chest rigs is do to changing tactics, Everything is mechanized, motorized or air assault now Great job brother
I did a very similar thing with that ATS harness on my war belt. Really makes it truly “load bearing”. I like how easy it is to quickly put on and take off too.
Old guy here. I never saw ALICE gear (Marine) until after I got out. I learned in a new career that required similar wear, to replace ALICE clips with modified cable binders that did not hurt me to wear. I also learned to push the mag pouches out so I was flat to the ground. Y (later) H harness, older GI pistol belt, two, three mag pouches, my old Kabar (hard sheath), two canteens (one metal with cup), fold up drop pouch, pistol & at least 1 extra mag, old version IFAK. On the harness, a tourniquet and combat compress. Radio on top rear left harness strap, taped on radio pouch. I modified a butt pack to suspend down and ride on the canteens for mission gear or a meal, etc. We don't wear that gear for comfort but it worked well for me. We later went to loaded vests but I kept my "patrol harness" to mission specific duties. Still have it.
I served 1978-2004, light infantry and Joint SOF; wore my ALICE LBE with my uncle's WWII/Korea pistol belt the whole time. Fast forward to this past weekend: I participated in the Legion Memorial Run and Gun with an ATS LBE nearly identical to your set up. Very happy with the results. Lessons Learned: will upgrade to the wider belt from ATS vice slim HSGI version; ATS suspenders, canteen and admin pouches all excellent; will consider changing from HSGI TACOs to ATS ammo pouches; still working on the best system to waterproof and carry radios (Ham and GMRS handheld; Ideas/suggestions?).
Good stuff. It’s funny to see how trends are cyclic. Went from Alice to Molle, moving stuff to PC’s so you could just put on one set of gear. I think part of the invention of the TAPS was to give troop’s something that could be worn alone or with PCs. I think that was a carry on if the trend of wearing everything on your PC. I imagine lots of folks are realizing you can wear a slick (or minimally loaded) PC with LBE/LCE/belt kid. Eventually big army will catch on and the next iteration of gear will go back to a belt kit.
this aged great. IIRC the 25th Infantry Div was currently testing an iteration of the "Jungle Kit", which is basically a modernized belt+harness MOLLE compatible kit that has additional clipping/hooking points for the belt and suspenders in order to set it once and then quickly adjust it to be worn standalone or on top of a slick/slightly rigged plate carrier, as a replacement for the TAPS
When i worked for a armed alarm response company I modified my security duty belt after the a.l.i.c.e. system with suspenders with nine pistol mag pouches, collapsible baton, pistol holster, radio, flashlight, ifak and cuffs.
Great video. I agree 100%. Wish I would have known better during my time. Because of your videos, I tried the ATS route when building a LBE. Turned out to be too pricey for me sadly. I picked up a UK belt kit and can see why they like them. Plus, this doubles as my hunting kit.
We had ALICE LBE at Benning and during the 68W course at Sam Houston in 2007, but that was only initial training. I've been meaning to put together a belt kit setup for awhile. Thank you for doing one and showing that you don't need to carry everything and the kitchen sink.
you can get the PLCE belt kit system with no pouches on it and you just add what you need, where you need it. Its backed with excellent cushioning and the leading edges are angled so you can climb obstacles or ascend steep terrain without your belt kit crushed against your legs. Also, their yoke system has the same awesome padding. You really should check it out. Much more comfortable and distributes weight better
Love the belt kit. I've been wanting a smersh for the longest since I run AK. It seems practical for civilian use over all the "high speed" operator stuff or giant chest rigs.
Excellant upload! Idea of British PLCE paired with a modular plate carrier is intriguing! The one you assembled lets call it an American PLCE looks really good!
Thanks for the content! Getting a bungie or 2 right around that kit helps stop it from slapping around when running. They also make a handy way of securing local foliage for cam.
Great topic for a video and a very important one at that! A lot of people focus on their gear but not on what they're going to put it in, let alone how they're gonna carry it. I didn't my LBV but I never liked having a lot of equipment in my front and opted to put the on the sides and cargo pockets in a very similar way. I hope your son finds it useful!
I am running a very similar belt kit from ATS because of your info, one thing i really enjoy is with the front being free it allows you to wear a fanny pack if you so choose. I run one for a makeshift ifak thats easily accessible on or off and easily removeable. I also keep some gummy bears, lighter, glow sticks, headlamp in there. Great info. Definatly gonna snag that rear removeable pouch you're running
I've been wondering something like this myself. I've seen videos from ukraine and had the opinion to change my set up. Battle belt with pistol and pistol mags. War belt with extra mags to replace mags on the armor. This really helped me to realize that I was going in the right path. LETS GO !!!!
As a prepared citizen, I have found I absolutely love my PLCE rig. In the heat and humidity of FL it allows the body to breath so much better. It can fit my AR mags, or 308 mags. Plenty of belt support with the 6 harness points of the yoke. With the "hippo" pad and straps to hold it all together with no flopping the entire system becomes part of your body.
We just called what we used in the mid 70's to mid 80's LBE, or our common GI name "web gear" . my feeling on it was that it worked no need to fix what ain't broke.
Great video as always. Glad to see some of the more "retro" styles making a comeback. Do you have or plan to have any videos regarding split front vs. regular chest rigs and harness types? Thanks!
I still use my old PLCE stuff for camping. It combines with the bergan side pouches. Ive sent a lot of them to ukrainians as well as they seem to really like them
I've always been a BIG fan of the old A. L. I. C. E LC-I & II Gear, depending on which item we're talking about. I once looked at some type of Rhodesian chest system with side mounted pouches but this one (the one YOU'RE talking about in this video) seems like a super upgrade from what I've had. May give it a try. Thanks
I wound up with a hybrid LBV-LBE with a butt pack that allowed me to go prone fairly well and carry my fudge rounds. It even worked with RBA, but it was weird to jump. Worked great with a ruck, either large ALICE or Lowe.
Oh this is really good. You already taught me how good a padded belt is like the ATS because you said you slept in it. Definitely turned be away from the two belt (inner and outer) system. Jungle belt with padding plus a chest rig is king I think. Now if you have to go in a vehicle, well, You can take it off temporarily. We won't be fighting from our vehicles, just traveling with them. So it makes sense to me. Just debating the British Jayjays or RTS padded belt. The Jayjays is 2 molle positions taller.
The 'push' away from harness/belt rigs really came about with advent of 'full body armor' which made it difficult to get a belt over the early lower abdomen/groin armor. Frontal body gear attachment became incorporated when GWOT armored vehicle patrol/assaults were the norm (as you stated). MOLLE made attachment to modern and reduced coverage PCs standard and the transition from FLCs over slick body armor to direct mounting on the PC. Once the waist area was once again open real estate pistol belts made a comeback which evolved into full battle belts being worn with PCs - at least for spec-ops. I'm in full agreement with Jeff on the harness/belt 'reentry' for infantry. It simply carries better for the grunts on foot. I can also see units of armored vehicle assault teams that may still need to wear gear 'frontal style' for seating purposes (why trash an idea that worked?).
Don’t feel bad I still call them Mayflower 😂. I have a belt like that for my bump in the night invasion except I’m using HSGI. IFAK, GP pouch, a dump, 3 pistol/rifle double stack 2 single pistol tacos with a knife. Glock 21 and an 11.5 AR. Hope to never need it. Guess it’s skirmish belt then.
What I love about such rigs is that you can run them together with a slick plate carrier, giving you a option for armor depending on mission WITHOUT needing to swap all your gear around from one system to another you either wear the PC or you dont, but all your pouches are with the LBE setup.
Having been a cop from 2001 to 2012, I always wore a gun belt. I recently went back to that, like you have here, in addition to my plate carrier. I sent a photo of my belt layout to Tim Kennedy (yes, his comments on AR15s in civilian hands notwithstanding, he is a friend of mine). He said he thought that I had to much on my belt and I have less stuff than Jeff does here. I didn't change my loadout when he said that, mainly because I'm used to wearing a belt with a ton of crap on it. Glad to see Jeff has adopted this type of system.
When I first went in the Army it was the LBE, then the LCE, even though nothing had changed. We used to have to have 2 sets, 1 for the field and 1 for inspections or you had to keep the meat hooks on the harness. When I got to SF it was a mix of LCEs and LBVs. I was out medically by the time that GWOT happened and plate carriers came into use so I never wore one.
@@ModernTacticalShooting I went in the Army to the 82nd Airborne in 1983, SF in 1988, but was injured on a HAHO jump in November 1992 so my career was short. I admire the hell out what you guys did post 9/11 and was seriously jealous over the gear. Love your videos, I really do get a lot out of them.
The one thing the u.s. military got right was the triple mag pouches on the alice gear. 3 pouches and one in the gun is 10 mags. Not bad for 3 pouches. Thanks for the great videos!!
I bought an M1956 pattern set of webgear with an M61 buttpack for my hunting trips. Holds all my equipment nicely, the 1956 mag pouches are a bit big, but I use them to hold things like my matches, esbit stove etc. One pouch would be used to hold strip clips for my M48, and generally the weight distribution was good.
I was with the 82nd Airborne back in the 80s. I carried my very olde H Harness cotton webbing system with modified M16 mag pouches. We cut out the inner mag dividers and loaded our mags in butt up for loaded and open top up for emptied. I had four 3 mag pouches, 2 on each side behind my hips to allow prone. 2 canteens on the sides behind the mag pouches and a butt pack in the rear. I had a shoulder slung butt pouch and a large ALICE ruck with extra mag pouches and canteens in 2 litres with my olde wooden handled E-Tool and a M1 Garand Bayonet mounted on the E-Tool as it was meant to be. We rolled heavy and jumped and humped a ton of gear. Our sustainment plan was to be independent without direct support for the duration. I began as the Ammo Bearer for a M60 Gun Team and had to carry more ammo for the Gun and the Tripod and T&E and Spare Barrel Support Bag. For my entire 25 year career, I maintained and utilised my H Rig and refused to adapt to the new garbage gear. I still have it as it was my personal kit from Fort Bragg. It worked and after many jumps and humps it remains fully functional. The Ruck I mounted on the olde Nam era radio frame as I broke every standard frame with the weight of the Pig Kit.
I'm still partial to the German KTS 90 style belt kit/LBE. It's is very flexible and most pouches are free of velcro. Oh, and it has the best camo pattern for central Europe ever, flecktarn.
I started with the 82 pattern webbing in Canada, very similar to the ALICE gear but plastic tabs instead. We drooled on the same kit and I find myself 20 years later building myself a patrol rig, now know a jungle gear. Classic don’t die :P
Bravo-Zulu! that was an OUTSTANDING Presentation and you gave me allot of great information. I am retired NAVY now but I still like to train and I have been looking for a good way to carry a standard loadout without a plate carrier. I have a couple of great quality chest rig but I have to be careful because of a Spinal Cord injury and I do not want to end up in a wheelchair so I have been looking for something that will distribute to weight better.
Interesting. I agree the Brits have perfected the fighting system. I was in in the 70s. I run an old M56 canvas H suspenders attached with paracord to a Condor gun belt. I run mostly MOLLE pouches but alsoALICE pouches that are zip tied onto the belt. I put a one point buckle attachment for my rifle on the H harness to get rid of the sling. On the belt I use 3 SAW pouches, 2 Alice Canteen pouches, 1 GP MOLLE canteen pouch as a bigger IFAF, and 3 MOLLE Magazine Flap pouches. And a small Compass pouch as well. SAW pouches can carry items for fighting, sustainment, and items for core temperature control. Its a simple rig and inexpensive. I wear it low so I can wear a plate carrier or medium pack or both. If I ever have to patrol I will be dismounted.
Thanks for sharing very good info. I just received a complete war belt set up with pouches & harness from ATS Tactical Gear. I order the Ranger Green. As a Iron worker for 33 years walking high steel and wearing a structural tool belt that carried a 8 pound beater (slag hammer) Spud wrenches, bull pins, sleever bar and a separate bag full of 1 1/4'' bolts,nuts and washers weighing in at close to 36lb. I thank it is safe to say i know a good quality belt and harness when i see one and i would recommend ATS Tactical Gear any day. Thanks you sir. Cowboys in the sky Iron Worker Local 395. Jeff B.
My jaw dropped when I saw your picture from your army days My son took over ODA3122 in 2018! I was in back in the 80s and only used H strap rig that I got yelled at because it was the Vietnam era shoulder straps but they were perfect.
I've been expirementing with the spear issue padded belt and the chest rig, I like both but couldn't get them to work while worn together. This seems like a great way to blend the two.
Good set up. Great idea/ info. I’d say a good chest rig that you can use stand alone or over a PC along with a gun belt that you can use with any option or alone is a good way to go. I have survival gear on my belt and CR and space on the back of my PC if I need tools or more water. Then add an assault pack and I’m set.
Today in Ukraine we are using a lot of similar systems, but now it`s almost always with kevlar inside. And one more detail -- coomon is the puch for empty mags. They are foldable lightweight compact but able to transport some unexpected stuff. You see the puppies and kittens often in those))
As an Aussie I first started with belt kit. As a MWD Handler the belt kit was the only way to carry for long range patrols. LBV with 6 mags on the chest. 4 or 5 minimi (200link) pouches and 4 canteens. Was a mimimi pouch at the front on each side then two canteens each side and 2 or 3 more minimi pouches at the back instead of a bum pack. Have enough for me and the dog for 24hrs maybe 48 and up to 12 30 round mags. Add a camel back and had a little more storage. Then I went to a battle bra set up with 6 mags, 2 canteens and misc, along with a camelback with food I could add a ‘war belt’ to take me to 24-48 again. Later on it was a plate carrier or battlebra especially when vehicle mounted. All would allow me to carry a 110lt(6700ci) Alice pack for 72 plus hours, longest I went was 10 days without resupply with that kit. The belt kit/battlebra/plate carrier was always for emergency. I own ate and drank from a camelback/Alice/3 day pack. The water and food on my body was for emergency. It was interesting to go through all the changes and running different rigs for different things.
So somehow, I'm still issued an FLC, which has its place, but I wanted to be independent, so I bought a TAPs myself and chopped it up. Basically, I totally re-did the harness and added a fixed camelback pouch on the back. It's way more comfortable than a stock TAPs. I find it way better than belt kit for working in vics, especially humvees and MATVs while also wearing body armor. Jungle rigs just sit in such a awkward spot in a truck
Oh, wanted to throw this out there: the Pattern 83 battle jacket. One of those "old" systems that seem to keep working well. Designed to work with a pack for long patrols, the jacket itself carrier 12 R4 magazines and the end users liked em. It wasnt a belt based system, but it distributed weight pretty well and had enough pockets for magazines and food for days. No body armour, just a rifle and snacks.
I also had LCE in the Army in the mid 1980's- two magazine pouches, two canteens, butt pack, two compass pouches, first aid kit, knife. Those damned Alice clips wore holes in me... I remember talking to my Dad, who fought in Korea (USMC), and he thought the mag pouches towards the front were a real problem, because you couldn't get flat when you were getting shot at. He had his radio shot up several times, and had the heel of his boot shot off once. He was an ANGLICO Marine. I like how Jeff's rig allows room at the front of the waist so you can get completely belly down. Body armor came after my time, but I could see a loaded up chest rig presenting the same problem my Dad spoke of.
To me it is called 782 gear " Marines " I have a couple of sets " latest style " I like the fact it lets you get prone and it is quickly and easily removed for rest or equipment access without having to remove your plate carrier / armor. I have a 100 liquid ounce water reservoir on the back of mine, because I live in Florida , and you are not going far without plenty of water.
this is why i never got rid of my HSGI warbelt. mine fits the same way yours does, and occasionally i get chastised for it "not fitting" and i tell them i do it this way for better mobility, just as you have it setup.
If you like a good belt kit you should take a look at jayjays brecon commanders webbing, I’d say about 80% of all the blokes in the infantry get a set and for good reason!
First video of yours that ive watched. Not bad boomer, not bad at all. Very informative and well explained especially when you related with your past experiences.
I went through BCT and Medic school with ALICE and LBV88's, got to my unit and was issued the MOLLE II set. Since I've gotten out I've own a lot of different systems but I've always gone back to the FLC. It's not perfect but, it can be configured in various ways. I run everything around the waist and leave the chest empty. I tried the TAPS, it always pulls down in front, a better harness would have improved the system. I also have a SORD patrol harness, its great if a little heavy, but its overbuilt and would last a very long time.
So they don't issue the FLC anymore? Say what you will about it, but the dang thing was versatile. Great for medics and grenadiers especially. The wide, flat shoulder straps were nice and you could rotate the inner belt and make a psuedo chest rig.
Claims to be LARPing Was literally a special forces solider in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jeff, you are humble guy and I mean that in the most respectful way possible.
Great video and quite informative. Ive been in the mind set of a LBE setup combined with my plate carrier for awhile now. Main use equipment on the belt, armor carrying more ammo for situations when its called for. Suspenders are nessacary for a true belt kit, I dont know how people plan to run around and do much without them and then your belt sliding down off your hips. Cheers man!
You get that rig, you only need an Assault pack small on a Alice pack frame. I ran my pack like the old LRRP guys did. You kept the meat, and shitcanned everything else but the basics. I ran mine like that in Afghanistan, because of the transport, and the mobility. (I lived on choppers and planes more then I cared to.)
Really like your videos, I also really like the ATS gear and have a full blown belt lbe setup and a chest rig setup. I would like to see you review and discuss the ATS Raid 2 pack.
![АЛАУДИНОВ у Скабеевой: эти их ВСУ нас НЕ ДОГОНЯТ 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/an0anqU4WGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
A good perspective from the other side of the pond. You’re absolutely right, here in the U.K. we’ve never really moved too far away from a full on belt kit. In the early Afghan and Iraq campaigns there was a brief move away with pouches on body armour. However, most of us still ran issue PLCE or private purchases from Jayjays, Dixie’s, Dragon Supplies or some custom made items. The general rule of thumb was 24hrs worth of sustainment plus kit to make holes in people (incl bayonet) and plug holes in people. We’d usually have a daysack too, this would have some GPMG link, radios, warm kit and more water etc.
I worked with Britts during Invasion of Iraq and for the record I attended jump school in England with 2 Para! Ive jumped into Frog Hill.
Jayjays Commanders Webbing for Life!!!
@@ModernTacticalShooting excellent. I’ve been on exercise with US forces in Germany and the U.K. back in the day (long retired now). Your fellow countrymen were always moaning about their ALICE kit. By Frog Hill I assume you mean on STANTA (in Norfolk), a well known landmark on that training area 😁
@@felixdewinter3484 100%, I’ve still got a DPM set of Jayjays commanders webbing that is years old, but has plenty of life left in it. 😁😁
@@timec2002 I have the commanders webbing in multicam as an American Army Chaplain. Instead of carrying magazines in my magazine pouches I have communion elements in metal canteens on my left side. On the right side where the commanders pouch is I have my sacred texts to do field services with. The rest of the large pouches in the back contain two Nalgene canteens tied off with one having the metal cup in it, a pouch for my MRE’s stripped down, and a pouch for my jet boil. I have also have a bum roll on top for my snivel. I’m currently trying to make it work with my Alice pack but that’s another issue. As a stand alone piece of kit it’s great for what I need it for, long field problems.
A few years ago I was deer hunting in November with a small backpack. I froze my nuts off repeatedly because the backpack had poor ventilation on my back, causing me to sweat and freeze. I had purchased a Swedish Alice rig from Varusteleka and decided to give it a try one day. Not only did I not freeze my nuts off, I was able to go further because I was using my dummy thick thighs to carry the weight.
I never carried that blasted backpack again, and this year I get to try a British PLCE, I’m very excited.
Dummy thicc..
Whats a swedish alice kit?
@@planetcaravan2925 Ur mom.
@@Tux7.62brooo 😂
switched over from plate carriers and chest rigs to PLCE and gotta admit its the best move for longer patrols, the ability to spread the weight and also wear a Bergen comfortably is amazing.
Have had a set of belt kit for a couple years now. Having a slick torso is extremely underrated. It's VERY nice in hot environments, getting in the prone is a breeze, it's much more comfortable with the weight on your hips, and it's much more maneuverable overall.
I use something called the Smersh. It’s russian so you can’t get it anymore, but very well setup on the hips.
I grew up during the Cold War era, and had my swing at the military in the '70s and got to train with both WWII canvas and hooks as well as ALICE (it was new, and we thought it was GREAT!
I never warmed to the chest rigs, since it looked like it seriously gets in the way when going prone. However, as you mention, chest rigs are far more practical when riding seated inside vehicles.
Going prone with a properly set up chest rig isn’t hard. Now if you’re going with one where you have a dozen rifle mags and you’re wearing it as a belly rig instead of a chest rig you’re going to have issues.
I have belt rigs and chest rigs if I need them, but realistically if I have to use a rifle it’s probably going to be grab the rifle and put a spare mag or two in a pants pocket at work or grab the rifle and go bag that has four spare mags and a med kit in it at home.
@@kiloalphasierra 👍
Another great video
I like the COIN vs Full Scale War distinction approach. Many people just don't get it
Maybe for future reference, discuss about the increased needs for supporting your organic and attached heavy weapons (MG, AT etc) by carrying extra ammunition for them, the increased need for grenades, and maybe discuss sustainment issues like some sort of food snack etc when not in proximity of vehicles, or in the absence of them due to break downs, enemy action, terrain issues etc.
Thank you. Great video, as always
Agreed. 20 years of GWOT spoiled us with uncontested air and relatively free reign with ground vehicles. Time to get back into the mindset of having an enemy that can deny you of your creature comforts and being able to carry on you what you need
Well said
Exactly what I was looking for. You hit all my questions before I could even ask.
I think the biggest problem of LBE is that the carrying capacity is depend on the wearer's waist size. I have 32" waist which I can carry only 4 ALICE mag pouches, 2 canteens and one buttpack.
same goes for chest rigs and BA though
Why is that a "problem" - overloading for the sake of taking up the space because it's there serves to only hinder mobility. There are other ways to load out for mission profiles that will allow jettison for E&E. Having agility and efficient battle load seems to not be a problem, but an advantage.
@@TheDabernet It does if you want to pack more stuffs on LBE for whatever reasons.
@@carradio2011 Yeah, that's the only solution I can think of. I just got a Spiritus split rig which work great and really remind me of LBV88.
swap that to 2 saw pouches, 2 canteens, a buttpack, and two more saw pouches on the buttpack for GP.
All these “minutemen/preppers” need to be running these and not the go fast direct action stuff. I have been saying this for years. Unless you are hitting a compound/house as an assaulter, a micro placard and jpc isn’t what you need. A rifleman’s harness or an LBE is what they need. I still use my Israeli Army Issued Ephod vest which was used in Lebanon. A family friend from Israel gave it to me and I used it in Afghanistan when I was on a dismounted recon team with great effect. Lived out of it for 72 hour missions. If you want to borrow it for a review let me know I would be more than happy to send it your way on loan.
In my opinion micro placards are only really useful for home defense if you are a civilian.
@@christianwilson5956anything but the gun is shit in home defense unless you spot bad dudes on your land on a camera and have 30 seconds to grab shit and go. When someone comes through your front door. You don’t have time to put anything on and Velcro or buckles or nods or anything g it’s gun and go. That’s all you have time for. Statistics. Seconds. Seconds. The go fast carriers have their place. If it’s a community wide “show of force” like hey. We’re not letting these rioters past this line. A small go fast carrier with a few mags some med. that would be more “realistic” citizens taking up arms in the street but as a whole. Or very large amounts of not random main characters. Legitimate mass scale taking up arms. But there’s not really fighting or a war more so just that final point where sides are officially drawn and everyone must choose. It’s not a war zone. But violence could occur but wouldn’t be of war like scale. So think like the cops that do all the cool shit. Jeans a a t shirt. Slick plate carrier with a small rig. Med and radio in the elastic cumberbund. Maybe a “duty belt” maybe not. Maybe just pistol in the side but not a full belt. Not going to war with military scale arms. But the citizens have spoken and are literally standing behind it. That’s a very real reality where a slicker carrier set up would be appropriate. Defending of the community but in a more riot/civil unrest/anarchy/worol/ but not large scale military on military nation on nation. The slick high speed shit is exactly what we need to make and organized community wide stand in protection of our community. But we’re not dealing with mortars and artillery and air. Basically our country has imploded and is in the middle of an internal problem that will need to be resolved before attempting to return to international activity. Think about it that way. But I completely agree. When it’s full scale going to war. I think we need to do our modern upgrading to belt kits and making some really really useful belt kits. Look what we’ve done with other nylon. Wait till the industry optimizes belt kits.
Belt/chest rigs is what we were issued in the 1970s, so its good to see modern versions with better materials and design elements making a comeback!
Thanks, Jeff. I'm a bit old school, have always had an LBE style set up, and find it more useful than loading up my body armor. I still use a butt pack. I keep my body armor back panel clean, and use whatever bag system best suits my purpose.
Best to you and your son.
Thank you
Thank you for this very in-depth video for kit setup. As someone who’s gotten out in the last couple years I can back up how much people hated when our UCP LBE’s were getting replaced with the TAPS system. Having said that as someone looking to go to Ukraine I’ve purchased an LCE set with updated added padding and I have to say it’s an excellent setup (I’ve adjusted to fit the English style leg space). Very comfy and I’ve fallen in love with the 3 mag pouch with the grenade holders on the side. English setup with the leg space is a must; especially with the rucks I’ve been doing in full kit. Thanks again
what do you mean by english leg space?
Interesting. Some years ago I ran across a South African 1973 pattern belt and harness and thought that looked a lot slicker than Alice gear. Good video,
What I like about that South African rig is, they attach a double FAL mag pouch to every place there are fifteen square inches free. You can carry enough mags to stay in a couple of fights.
Ive been running the Velocity systems Jungle kit for about 3 years and i perfer it to any chest rig. Just like any piece of equipment there is pros and cons. The belt kit definitely lends itself to more traditional light infrantry and patroling. For more vehicle oriented work or being mechanzied infantry, i got back to a chest rig over body armor or direct attached pouched to my body armor.
Great video! I ran a battle belt with 2in wide suspenders in 2010. It fit pretty well under my plate carrier and I was able to offload some mags and water to my waist. The big army should bring back a pistol belt for the 21st century.
I traded my (Y-harness for the H-harness in 79') on my LBE when I worked the Brits with there PLCE while going through there version of (J-school) out of Price barracks in Belize. I liked there's a lot.
A lot of the chest rigs is do to changing tactics, Everything is mechanized, motorized or air assault now
Great job brother
I did a very similar thing with that ATS harness on my war belt. Really makes it truly “load bearing”. I like how easy it is to quickly put on and take off too.
Old guy here. I never saw ALICE gear (Marine) until after I got out. I learned in a new career that required similar wear, to replace ALICE clips with modified cable binders that did not hurt me to wear. I also learned to push the mag pouches out so I was flat to the ground. Y (later) H harness, older GI pistol belt, two, three mag pouches, my old Kabar (hard sheath), two canteens (one metal with cup), fold up drop pouch, pistol & at least 1 extra mag, old version IFAK. On the harness, a tourniquet and combat compress. Radio on top rear left harness strap, taped on radio pouch. I modified a butt pack to suspend down and ride on the canteens for mission gear or a meal, etc. We don't wear that gear for comfort but it worked well for me. We later went to loaded vests but I kept my "patrol harness" to mission specific duties. Still have it.
I served 1978-2004, light infantry and Joint SOF; wore my ALICE LBE with my uncle's WWII/Korea pistol belt the whole time. Fast forward to this past weekend: I participated in the Legion Memorial Run and Gun with an ATS LBE nearly identical to your set up. Very happy with the results. Lessons Learned: will upgrade to the wider belt from ATS vice slim HSGI version; ATS suspenders, canteen and admin pouches all excellent; will consider changing from HSGI TACOs to ATS ammo pouches; still working on the best system to waterproof and carry radios (Ham and GMRS handheld; Ideas/suggestions?).
Great info, thanks.
Good stuff. It’s funny to see how trends are cyclic. Went from Alice to Molle, moving stuff to PC’s so you could just put on one set of gear. I think part of the invention of the TAPS was to give troop’s something that could be worn alone or with PCs. I think that was a carry on if the trend of wearing everything on your PC. I imagine lots of folks are realizing you can wear a slick (or minimally loaded) PC with LBE/LCE/belt kid. Eventually big army will catch on and the next iteration of gear will go back to a belt kit.
this aged great. IIRC the 25th Infantry Div was currently testing an iteration of the "Jungle Kit", which is basically a modernized belt+harness MOLLE compatible kit that has additional clipping/hooking points for the belt and suspenders in order to set it once and then quickly adjust it to be worn standalone or on top of a slick/slightly rigged plate carrier, as a replacement for the TAPS
When i worked for a armed alarm response company I modified my security duty belt after the a.l.i.c.e. system with suspenders with nine pistol mag pouches, collapsible baton, pistol holster, radio, flashlight, ifak and cuffs.
Great video. I agree 100%. Wish I would have known better during my time. Because of your videos, I tried the ATS route when building a LBE. Turned out to be too pricey for me sadly. I picked up a UK belt kit and can see why they like them. Plus, this doubles as my hunting kit.
Those AK mag pouches are mighty fine, though. May have to splurge.
We had ALICE LBE at Benning and during the 68W course at Sam Houston in 2007, but that was only initial training. I've been meaning to put together a belt kit setup for awhile. Thank you for doing one and showing that you don't need to carry everything and the kitchen sink.
you can get the PLCE belt kit system with no pouches on it and you just add what you need, where you need it. Its backed with excellent cushioning and the leading edges are angled so you can climb obstacles or ascend steep terrain without your belt kit crushed against your legs. Also, their yoke system has the same awesome padding. You really should check it out. Much more comfortable and distributes weight better
Love the belt kit. I've been wanting a smersh for the longest since I run AK. It seems practical for civilian use over all the "high speed" operator stuff or giant chest rigs.
I've looked at the smersh also
Excellant upload! Idea of British PLCE paired with a modular plate carrier is intriguing! The one you assembled lets call it an American PLCE looks really good!
Thanks for the content! Getting a bungie or 2 right around that kit helps stop it from slapping around when running. They also make a handy way of securing local foliage for cam.
Great topic for a video and a very important one at that! A lot of people focus on their gear but not on what they're going to put it in, let alone how they're gonna carry it. I didn't my LBV but I never liked having a lot of equipment in my front and opted to put the on the sides and cargo pockets in a very similar way. I hope your son finds it useful!
Everyone seems to hate on in but the FLC does a great job distributing the weight and keeping straps from getting tangled or bunched up.
I am running a very similar belt kit from ATS because of your info, one thing i really enjoy is with the front being free it allows you to wear a fanny pack if you so choose. I run one for a makeshift ifak thats easily accessible on or off and easily removeable. I also keep some gummy bears, lighter, glow sticks, headlamp in there.
Great info. Definatly gonna snag that rear removeable pouch you're running
I've been wondering something like this myself. I've seen videos from ukraine and had the opinion to change my set up. Battle belt with pistol and pistol mags. War belt with extra mags to replace mags on the armor. This really helped me to realize that I was going in the right path. LETS GO !!!!
Always like seeing those a2 fsb still being rocked. Thanks for your vids, been experimenting with this idea awhile.
As a prepared citizen, I have found I absolutely love my PLCE rig. In the heat and humidity of FL it allows the body to breath so much better. It can fit my AR mags, or 308 mags. Plenty of belt support with the 6 harness points of the yoke. With the "hippo" pad and straps to hold it all together with no flopping the entire system becomes part of your body.
We just called what we used in the mid 70's to mid 80's LBE, or our common GI name "web gear" . my feeling on it was that it worked no need to fix what ain't broke.
Amen brother still got my issue web gear from the 1980,s
Great video as always. Glad to see some of the more "retro" styles making a comeback. Do you have or plan to have any videos regarding split front vs. regular chest rigs and harness types? Thanks!
Planned videos for split chest rigs? No, but if I ever get one sure
You were running hi speed stuff, as a grunt running 4 day ops on the ground…I would’ve really liked this. Wish we knew then what we knew now!
I still use my old PLCE stuff for camping. It combines with the bergan side pouches. Ive sent a lot of them to ukrainians as well as they seem to really like them
Praying these make a comeback because they make so much sense.
Love that Raid skateboard in the background 🛹
I've always been a BIG fan of the old A. L. I. C. E LC-I & II Gear, depending on which item we're talking about. I once looked at some type of Rhodesian chest system with side mounted pouches but this one (the one YOU'RE talking about in this video) seems like a super upgrade from what I've had. May give it a try. Thanks
Lot of ANZAC SAS guys are seen running “jungle belts” with plate carriers as well in the mid 2010s
I wound up with a hybrid LBV-LBE with a butt pack that allowed me to go prone fairly well and carry my fudge rounds. It even worked with RBA, but it was weird to jump. Worked great with a ruck, either large ALICE or Lowe.
Oh this is really good. You already taught me how good a padded belt is like the ATS because you said you slept in it. Definitely turned be away from the two belt (inner and outer) system. Jungle belt with padding plus a chest rig is king I think. Now if you have to go in a vehicle, well, You can take it off temporarily. We won't be fighting from our vehicles, just traveling with them. So it makes sense to me. Just debating the British Jayjays or RTS padded belt. The Jayjays is 2 molle positions taller.
The 'push' away from harness/belt rigs really came about with advent of 'full body armor' which made it difficult to get a belt over the early lower abdomen/groin armor. Frontal body gear attachment became incorporated when GWOT armored vehicle patrol/assaults were the norm (as you stated). MOLLE made attachment to modern and reduced coverage PCs standard and the transition from FLCs over slick body armor to direct mounting on the PC. Once the waist area was once again open real estate pistol belts made a comeback which evolved into full battle belts being worn with PCs - at least for spec-ops. I'm in full agreement with Jeff on the harness/belt 'reentry' for infantry. It simply carries better for the grunts on foot. I can also see units of armored vehicle assault teams that may still need to wear gear 'frontal style' for seating purposes (why trash an idea that worked?).
Don’t feel bad I still call them Mayflower 😂. I have a belt like that for my bump in the night invasion except I’m using HSGI. IFAK, GP pouch, a dump, 3 pistol/rifle double stack 2 single pistol tacos with a knife. Glock 21 and an 11.5 AR. Hope to never need it. Guess it’s skirmish belt then.
What I love about such rigs is that you can run them together with a slick plate carrier, giving you a option for armor depending on mission WITHOUT needing to swap all your gear around from one system to another
you either wear the PC or you dont, but all your pouches are with the LBE setup.
Thanks for the video, it is difficult sometimes to get a grasp of the size through online websites that just show the equipment by itself.
Perfect timing - I'm putting together an ALICE kit for hiking/larping. Solid info
Recently got a Russian SSO Smersh kit to run an AK and it definitely takes some getting used to compared to all your kit on a plate carrier.
Same here. Once I got used to it I Love mine.
Having been a cop from 2001 to 2012, I always wore a gun belt. I recently went back to that, like you have here, in addition to my plate carrier. I sent a photo of my belt layout to Tim Kennedy (yes, his comments on AR15s in civilian hands notwithstanding, he is a friend of mine). He said he thought that I had to much on my belt and I have less stuff than Jeff does here. I didn't change my loadout when he said that, mainly because I'm used to wearing a belt with a ton of crap on it.
Glad to see Jeff has adopted this type of system.
Sure, we all have opinions on gear. Still comes down to needs and situation.
@@ModernTacticalShooting Couldn't agree more, brother.
When I first went in the Army it was the LBE, then the LCE, even though nothing had changed. We used to have to have 2 sets, 1 for the field and 1 for inspections or you had to keep the meat hooks on the harness. When I got to SF it was a mix of LCEs and LBVs. I was out medically by the time that GWOT happened and plate carriers came into use so I never wore one.
We were same era
@@ModernTacticalShooting I went in the Army to the 82nd Airborne in 1983, SF in 1988, but was injured on a HAHO jump in November 1992 so my career was short. I admire the hell out what you guys did post 9/11 and was seriously jealous over the gear. Love your videos, I really do get a lot out of them.
JayJay's commander webbing is absolutely fantastic
The one thing the u.s. military got right was the triple mag pouches on the alice gear. 3 pouches and one in the gun is 10 mags. Not bad for 3 pouches. Thanks for the great videos!!
I bought an M1956 pattern set of webgear with an M61 buttpack for my hunting trips. Holds all my equipment nicely, the 1956 mag pouches are a bit big, but I use them to hold things like my matches, esbit stove etc. One pouch would be used to hold strip clips for my M48, and generally the weight distribution was good.
El sistema VIRTUS del British Army es muy bueno y completo.
I was with the 82nd Airborne back in the 80s. I carried my very olde H Harness cotton webbing system with modified M16 mag pouches. We cut out the inner mag dividers and loaded our mags in butt up for loaded and open top up for emptied. I had four 3 mag pouches, 2 on each side behind my hips to allow prone. 2 canteens on the sides behind the mag pouches and a butt pack in the rear. I had a shoulder slung butt pouch and a large ALICE ruck with extra mag pouches and canteens in 2 litres with my olde wooden handled E-Tool and a M1 Garand Bayonet mounted on the E-Tool as it was meant to be. We rolled heavy and jumped and humped a ton of gear. Our sustainment plan was to be independent without direct support for the duration. I began as the Ammo Bearer for a M60 Gun Team and had to carry more ammo for the Gun and the Tripod and T&E and Spare Barrel Support Bag. For my entire 25 year career, I maintained and utilised my H Rig and refused to adapt to the new garbage gear. I still have it as it was my personal kit from Fort Bragg. It worked and after many jumps and humps it remains fully functional. The Ruck I mounted on the olde Nam era radio frame as I broke every standard frame with the weight of the Pig Kit.
I was a Paratrooper with 3/325 1/508 94-97!
This seems like a much better over all option than a standard chest rig
I'm still partial to the German KTS 90 style belt kit/LBE. It's is very flexible and most pouches are free of velcro. Oh, and it has the best camo pattern for central Europe ever, flecktarn.
I've been using an ATS warbelt with different harnesses for 2 years now. Belt kit is the way
Love the British belt webbing. PLCE 🇬🇧
I started with the 82 pattern webbing in Canada, very similar to the ALICE gear but plastic tabs instead. We drooled on the same kit and I find myself 20 years later building myself a patrol rig, now know a jungle gear.
Classic don’t die :P
Bravo-Zulu! that was an OUTSTANDING Presentation and you gave me allot of great information. I am retired NAVY now but I still like to train and I have been looking for a good way to carry a standard loadout without a plate carrier. I have a couple of great quality chest rig but I have to be careful because of a Spinal Cord injury and I do not want to end up in a wheelchair so I have been looking for something that will distribute to weight better.
Interesting. I agree the Brits have perfected the fighting system. I was in in the 70s. I run an old M56 canvas H suspenders attached with paracord to a Condor gun belt. I run mostly MOLLE pouches but alsoALICE pouches that are zip tied onto the belt. I put a one point buckle attachment for my rifle on the H harness to get rid of the sling. On the belt I use 3 SAW pouches, 2 Alice Canteen pouches, 1 GP MOLLE canteen pouch as a bigger IFAF, and 3 MOLLE Magazine Flap pouches. And a small Compass pouch as well. SAW pouches can carry items for fighting, sustainment, and items for core temperature control. Its a simple rig and inexpensive. I wear it low so I can wear a plate carrier or medium pack or both. If I ever have to patrol I will be dismounted.
Thanks for sharing very good info. I just received a complete war belt set up with pouches & harness from ATS Tactical Gear. I order the Ranger Green. As a Iron worker for 33 years walking high steel and wearing a structural tool belt that carried a 8 pound beater (slag hammer) Spud wrenches, bull pins, sleever bar and a separate bag full of 1 1/4'' bolts,nuts and washers weighing in at close to 36lb. I thank it is safe to say i know a good quality belt and harness when i see one and i would recommend ATS Tactical Gear any day. Thanks you sir. Cowboys in the sky Iron Worker Local 395. Jeff B.
My jaw dropped when I saw your picture from your army days My son took over ODA3122 in 2018! I was in back in the 80s and only used H strap rig that I got yelled at because it was the Vietnam era shoulder straps but they were perfect.
Son running 3122! That's awesome!
I've been expirementing with the spear issue padded belt and the chest rig, I like both but couldn't get them to work while worn together. This seems like a great way to blend the two.
Very nice
Good set up. Great idea/ info. I’d say a good chest rig that you can use stand alone or over a PC along with a gun belt that you can use with any option or alone is a good way to go. I have survival gear on my belt and CR and space on the back of my PC if I need tools or more water. Then add an assault pack and I’m set.
Today in Ukraine we are using a lot of similar systems, but now it`s almost always with kevlar inside. And one more detail -- coomon is the puch for empty mags. They are foldable lightweight compact but able to transport some unexpected stuff. You see the puppies and kittens often in those))
As soon as I saw your thumbnail I was like ya early 90s infantryman
Perfect timing for this video looking for been looking for some input on belt kit! What’s old is new again.
Excellent video brother. Great points. Miss my old setup from the Army 87-91. I thought it worked great.
As an Aussie I first started with belt kit. As a MWD Handler the belt kit was the only way to carry for long range patrols.
LBV with 6 mags on the chest. 4 or 5 minimi (200link) pouches and 4 canteens. Was a mimimi pouch at the front on each side then two canteens each side and 2 or 3 more minimi pouches at the back instead of a bum pack. Have enough for me and the dog for 24hrs maybe 48 and up to 12 30 round mags.
Add a camel back and had a little more storage.
Then I went to a battle bra set up with 6 mags, 2 canteens and misc, along with a camelback with food I could add a ‘war belt’ to take me to 24-48 again.
Later on it was a plate carrier or battlebra especially when vehicle mounted.
All would allow me to carry a 110lt(6700ci) Alice pack for 72 plus hours, longest I went was 10 days without resupply with that kit.
The belt kit/battlebra/plate carrier was always for emergency. I own ate and drank from a camelback/Alice/3 day pack. The water and food on my body was for emergency.
It was interesting to go through all the changes and running different rigs for different things.
I actually really like the TAPS
So somehow, I'm still issued an FLC, which has its place, but I wanted to be independent, so I bought a TAPs myself and chopped it up. Basically, I totally re-did the harness and added a fixed camelback pouch on the back. It's way more comfortable than a stock TAPs.
I find it way better than belt kit for working in vics, especially humvees and MATVs while also wearing body armor. Jungle rigs just sit in such a awkward spot in a truck
Always good content. Thoughtful, and based in reality.
Oh, wanted to throw this out there: the Pattern 83 battle jacket. One of those "old" systems that seem to keep working well. Designed to work with a pack for long patrols, the jacket itself carrier 12 R4 magazines and the end users liked em. It wasnt a belt based system, but it distributed weight pretty well and had enough pockets for magazines and food for days. No body armour, just a rifle and snacks.
I also had LCE in the Army in the mid 1980's- two magazine pouches, two canteens, butt pack, two compass pouches, first aid kit, knife. Those damned Alice clips wore holes in me... I remember talking to my Dad, who fought in Korea (USMC), and he thought the mag pouches towards the front were a real problem, because you couldn't get flat when you were getting shot at. He had his radio shot up several times, and had the heel of his boot shot off once. He was an ANGLICO Marine. I like how Jeff's rig allows room at the front of the waist so you can get completely belly down. Body armor came after my time, but I could see a loaded up chest rig presenting the same problem my Dad spoke of.
I bought one of those Blackhawk OD belt pads to put on my ALICE rig. I'm an ol er vet. I just love ALICE.
Very good insight on how to set been getting into a belt kit, its nice but trickier to set with I bein shorter
Love ATS gear. Great group of people with awesome gear.
Agree
yep the UK belt is great kit, built one with BDS tac gear
Been working on a jungle rig with an ATS H harness, gonna have to pick up some of those neato convertible mag pouches. Love it!
To me it is called 782 gear " Marines " I have a couple of sets " latest style " I like the fact it lets you get prone and it is quickly and easily removed for rest or equipment access without having to remove your plate carrier / armor. I have a 100 liquid ounce water reservoir on the back of mine, because I live in Florida , and you are not going far without plenty of water.
10 liter? 100 liter is over 25 gallons at 8 pounds per gallon.
meant to say fluid ounces, I also have what is called the Camel Back " squad back " I think it holds 200 ounces.
Thank you I to keep going back to the ALICE stuff. I just bought my first plate carrier to play with, we will see how it goes. Thank you for the info.
And old MACV SOG setup for mag pouches, they would use canteen pouches. They could hold up between 4-6 mags.
Luckily, we have modern pouches now! However I did use a modern molle canteen pouch for shotgun rounds early days Iraq.
comboing a belt with a a chest rig or plate is defiantly a good consideration, fills the role the a assault bag would
Assault vests/OP's vest will make comeback just look at what the brits were using very early on in Afghanistan and before that.
this is why i never got rid of my HSGI warbelt. mine fits the same way yours does, and occasionally i get chastised for it "not fitting" and i tell them i do it this way for better mobility, just as you have it setup.
belt kits are the way for such a wide spectrum of warfare
I found this video informative and entertaining
Love your content! Interesting learning about the PLC. I like how you can change the magazine inserts for the akm or ar. great video jeff
Thank you
If you like a good belt kit you should take a look at jayjays brecon commanders webbing, I’d say about 80% of all the blokes in the infantry get a set and for good reason!
First video of yours that ive watched. Not bad boomer, not bad at all. Very informative and well explained especially when you related with your past experiences.
Thanks?
I went through BCT and Medic school with ALICE and LBV88's, got to my unit and was issued the MOLLE II set.
Since I've gotten out I've own a lot of different systems but I've always gone back to the FLC. It's not perfect but, it can be configured in various ways. I run everything around the waist and leave the chest empty.
I tried the TAPS, it always pulls down in front, a better harness would have improved the system.
I also have a SORD patrol harness, its great if a little heavy, but its overbuilt and would last a very long time.
So they don't issue the FLC anymore? Say what you will about it, but the dang thing was versatile. Great for medics and grenadiers especially. The wide, flat shoulder straps were nice and you could rotate the inner belt and make a psuedo chest rig.
Talking with current army soldiers, there's also a split front TAPs harness for airborne troops.
Claims to be LARPing
Was literally a special forces solider in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Jeff, you are humble guy and I mean that in the most respectful way possible.
Great rig
Great video and quite informative. Ive been in the mind set of a LBE setup combined with my plate carrier for awhile now. Main use equipment on the belt, armor carrying more ammo for situations when its called for. Suspenders are nessacary for a true belt kit, I dont know how people plan to run around and do much without them and then your belt sliding down off your hips. Cheers man!
Great video, I’m always looking forward to learning something new.
You get that rig, you only need an Assault pack small on a Alice pack frame. I ran my pack like the old LRRP guys did. You kept the meat, and shitcanned everything else but the basics. I ran mine like that in Afghanistan, because of the transport, and the mobility. (I lived on choppers and planes more then I cared to.)
Really like your videos, I also really like the ATS gear and have a full blown belt lbe setup and a chest rig setup. I would like to see you review and discuss the ATS Raid 2 pack.
I'll let ATS know