Quick review

[doc_newstead]

If I can get my act together, I'll write up a proper review of my new rig/webbing this weekend. In the meanwhile, here's a brief rundown of what arrived in the post this morning.

 

Arktis Norloose (NL) rig

 

I decided to get the NL rig because of a variety of reasons, the most overriding being that I've always wanted one

 

As you might already know, I have a lot of British gear (and not just a few S95's from the market either), but I've never actually owned a PLCE kit. I've wanted to get one, but I fancied getting something a bit different. According to the excellent Arktis catalogue, the NL rig "centred on a requirement for a rig that could be worn as either chest rig or slung down low to the waist". As I already have two chest rigs, and like them, this seemed like a fair choice.

 

 

Ordering

 

The NL rig cost me £90 from Shocktroop.com, one of the few people in the UK who seem to sell the rig on-line. The site is neatly laid out, but at present seems to be having a few problems. Lets hope they get sorted Item was ordered on a Thursday, arrived next Friday.

 

First impressions

 

I went for the olive variety, as it will allow me to use the rig with various camo's, and because I think OD looks cooler

 

It's hard to tell what you're looking at when you get new vests, because they're all crunched up, so later on I'm going to fill it up to get it looking full

 

The rig boasts:

 

2 x Large zip pocket

2 x Grenade pouch

2 x Ammo pouch

2 x 2-clip ammo pouch

2 x FFD

2 x Slant utility

2 x Retaining clip

Interior belt loops incorporate Arktis composite belt

 

 

Overview:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/dr_...ifle/ark001.jpg

 

Rear of rig - note that yoke can be removed and pouches worn as belt, for lighter load-outs:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/dr_...ifle/ark007.jpg

 

Interior belt loops:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/dr_...ifle/ark002.jpg

 

Zip pocket:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/dr_...ifle/ark003.jpg

 

Retaining clip:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/dr_...ifle/ark004.jpg

 

Adjustable mag pouches - can apparently take G3, Galil, AK, M16, SA80 mags, etc:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/dr_...ifle/ark006.jpg

 

Loop and D-ring for hydration tube - very handy:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/dr_...ifle/ark005.jpg

 

Grab handle:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/dr_...ifle/ark008.jpg

 

I'll do a proper review later, with smaller, in-line pictures.

 

ta,

doc_newstead

[TMC]

Looks pretty darn good, and wouldn't look out of place on UK, US or any other camo, actually...

[doc_newstead]

It holds 8 M16 mags I've found out, with smaller pouches for pistol mags, or sundry items (strobe, radio), etc.

 

I like the grenade pouches, they have a strap to keep the grenade from flying off. The utility pouches are pretty sizeable. I've got a mess-tin set, hexi burner and KFS in one, canteen in the other. I could easily cram a few ready-meals in on top of that.

 

I'm trying to attach my Hump (Arktis watter bladder) to the yoke. The yoke has press-stud locking tabs for this purpose by the looks of it. The straps need tying up though, as their is a lot of excess on them. Will have to crack out the recce tape later.

 

The rig isn't too well padded though. It would be worth using the internal belt-loops to add a hippo pad or similar.

[doc_newstead]

I thought that some of you might at least want to cast your beady eye over this My uncle modelled for me (40 last month), so be kind eh?

 

The spiel:

 

2 x Large zip pocket

2 x Grenade pouch

2 x Ammo pouch

2 x 2-clip ammo pouch

2 x FFD

2 x Slant utility

2 x Retaining clip

Interior belt loops incorporate Arktis composite belt

The rear webbing adjustment allows room for the attachment of additional utility pouches

 

Front of rig: twin 4x M16 (adjustable to everything in-between) mag pouches, clips (for my gloves there), zip pockets. Yoke has D-rings and loops for hydration tube.

 

 

Zip pocket:

 

 

Grenade pouch:

 

 

Side of rig: slant utility pouch, clip pouch (for M9 mags I assume, though I used them for sundry items), and FFD pouch.

 

 

Rear yoke: Pretty standard PLCE yoke

 

 

Yoke has press-stud loops for hydration pack:

 

Studs -

 

 

Arktis pack on -

 

[Skarclaw]

I'm torn between getting one of those in flecktarn or getting this: http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/fltvv1nx.html

 

Looks very nice though.

[doc_newstead]

I *will* submit a review to Arnie soon, I promise

 

That vest looks more modular than mine, and is no doubt designed to fit in with current Bundeswehr pouches better too. I guess it's up to you what you want really; that vest carries a lot of ammo! (Saying that, mine carries 8 mags too)

 

My rig is closer to PLCE beltkit in ethos than an assault vest; for carrying lots of weight a long way. The first thing people comment on is how when they were wearing the rig it felt fine, but when they take it off to hand it back to me, they didn't realise how much weight it had in it

 

Skarclaw, if it were me, I wouldn't make a decision until seeing both, or at least a fair review of that TT vest (I'm trying to be objective with mine, rather than saying 'it carried one magazine for 20 metres, so it's brilliant!!!1111 '). I have to say though, I'm a sucker for a classy assault vest

 

If you have trouble sourcing the NL rig in flecktarn, drop Arktis an e-mail. They will take a while to respond (give it a few weeks), but they've put me in touch with a few dealers when I couldn't find certain items in their catalogue.

[Skarclaw]

If a mod is reading this post, you know what to do.

 

(internet error)

[Skarclaw]

I found a site that stocks flecky nl rigs in germany, denmark or sweden, I can't remeber.

 

So I can pay the 99 pounds+ P and P from flecktarn.co.uk, or 94 pounds+ shipping+ tax from where ever the nl rig comes from.

[doc_newstead]

I heard you the first time I assumed you were UK; you should put your little flag up if not