Webbing or Vest

[IWarriors]

So what do most people use, do you prefer to use webbing or assault vests to carry equipment and mags?

 

I think personally am going to go with webbing, but assault vests do look cooler, the only down size to wearing them I would think if you going prone, anything you carrying is going to be pressing up against you, unlike webbing where the load is at your sides.

 

 

 

 

[shmook]

both.

 

depends on what im doing.

 

sniping, its a belt kit, with pouches to the sides and rear, for the reason you mentioned.

 

door kicking? ciras. woodland grunt? arktis vest

 

edit: this shouldnt be in reviews it will get locked or moved...

[RC-1138]

I've always preferred vests (Both tactical and Plate carriers w/ MOLLE) since they feel more secure (I've had many ALICE clips sheer on me).

[Pkekyo-Nor]

Plate carriers, armor carriers and chestrigs <3

[Punkypink]

IWarriors:

 

I suppose part of your preference is due to your experience in the cadets?

 

I'd like to point out there is a reason why most modern armed forces have moved to vests nowadays and also a reason why cadets continue getting webbing: because it has become outdated and thus surplus.

 

You really should enter airsoft with an open mind, and not seek to recreate the "cadet experience" you know.

[Shriven]

Punky, they get vests now because they require armour for doorkicking, not because they're the best thing around. Crawling around in the woods is a job for webbing.

 

However, I still use a plate carrier for just about everything, but I run it with a belt kit as well.

 

[Punkypink]

Punky, they get vests now because they require armour for doorkicking, not because they're the best thing around. Crawling around in the woods is a job for webbing.

 

However, I still use a plate carrier for just about everything, but I run it with a belt kit as well.

I disagree that webbing is for crawling in the woods and vests for urban. The Singapore Armed Forces, *suitcase* as they may be, specialise greatly in woodland and jungle fighting(as you would imagine of a military based in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia). They have recently switched over to vests as well despite the fact that SAF soldiers need to go crawl around in the woods. Given the small stature of most asians, webbings tend to end up with the ammo pouches at the front anyway and not at the side, and thus make near as no difference to comfort when prone, and ease of access to mag pouches when prone.

[IWarriors]

Just because they are using vests in a tropical rainforest, doesn't make it right or practical, if a vest is full, then it's going to stick out a little and when you going prone, it's going to press against you and be uncomfortable, in theory, while webbing the load is normally at the sides and back.

 

I believe it really is a case where you fighting and the mission and what role you play, not all missions call for webbing and may require vests etc.

 

It's just nice to know what most users here are using, personally I be getting both since the only two sites close to me is one outdoors and the other is a CQB site.

[Punkypink]

Well you have to consider that they can't have just made the decision to change lightly, given the financial costs and logistical demands of such a decision. To assume they must be wrong because theory doesn't coincide with reality would be a bit arrogant.

 

Fact is, if you're not a person with a large waistline, your mag pouches will be more at the front than sides, and trust me, having been in service during the webbing era, it is just as uncomfortable to me as vests are for going prone.

 

Remember, theory is nice, but practical experience usually shows up what theory may have missed out.

[IWarriors]

In my experience when you are standing up the pouches are around abouts at the front sides, but going prone, they move to the side, it all depends how you set up the webbing.

[Punkypink]

In my experience when you are standing up the pouches are around abouts at the front sides, but going prone, they move to the side, it all depends how you set up the webbing.

Not if your waistline is small. On me, the mag pouches on a webbing system sits on the front and dig painfully into my hip bones when prone. There simply is no space for them to move to the side.

 

Nice if you've got a fuller waistline, but not everyone does. If webbing works for you, theres really no need for a poll is there? You know what works for what(i.e. vest for CQB webbing for woodlands).

[RWJP]

I'm a Webbing man myself (PLCE for the win). Like you, I find that I prefer the pouches around my sides and back, so I can go prone comfortably.

 

Saying that though, I intend to get myself a vest system of some description (I've been drooling over the Warrior stuff on UKTactical for too long!) for CQB as I find that webbing is a bit too bulky in confined areas.

[Seraphim989]

When I run all my G36 mags, I need lots of space, so I run web gear under a vest But They both have their place. Vests look far nicer, and carry more, but its nice to run light every once in a while. I use web gear for my DMR set ups

[mikoyan99]

I wear webbing, but only because I wear historical loadouts. If I was going for comfort, i'd certainly use a vest, or at least more modern webbing (P58 can be horrible stuff)

-Matt

[weegee]

It depends on what role and sometimes the climate. If I'm doing OPFOR or if it's very warm, or cold and I need something to fit over a parka- I will go with webbing. For my "Good guy" or CQB loads, it's a Marom Dolphin vest. (Extremely comfy.) Most of the time, I tend to go with function over duplicating a specific loadout.

[signal319]

My own experience in the cadets has been like with everyone else - webbing as the way forward because it puts all the load to the sides and back so it doesn't dig in when going prone. And nine times out of ten in the cadets you find yourself going prone a lot more to take cover, when considering the environments in which cadets go (e.g. Catterick, STANTA, etc) and when doing section battle drills and what not.

 

I have a small waist myself - I am extremely slim but I don't have a problem - my Junior Leaders issue PLCE webbing fits me nicely (apart from the QR buckle coming slightly loose).

 

I have experienced both webbing and vests and I must say vests are more comfortable to wear, although they lack the amount of space that my current webbing holds. That said, webbing is designed for 24 hours worth, and this is not really necessary for an airsofter who can have all his/her food and water back in the safe zone.

Vests are more suitable for CQB/FIBUA because they don't have a tendency to get in the way quite so much when up against a wall and don't "catch" on awkward bits and bobs in an urban area.

 

Also, the Spanish fly tabs on webbing are a pain in the *albartroth* on exercise and it's even worse in airsoft when everyone's got velcro and can get in and out of their pouches in a jiffy, while I just sit there faffing about ...

 

I think once I have to return my JL kit, I will invest in an assault vest, because it's just so much more comfortable and practical and I don't find myself going on the ground quite so much in airsoft ... Simply because I can't be bothered most of the time

[Seraphim989]

Also, the Spanish fly tabs on webbing are a pain in the *albartroth* on exercise and it's even worse in airsoft when everyone's got velcro and can get in and out of their pouches in a jiffy, while I just sit there faffing about ...

 

What are you talking about?!? Those things are amazing. Velcros so loud when youre trying to pull out an extra mag while sneaking up on someone. I love all y German gear because its soooooo easy to get into the pouches with the fly "buckles" Ya, it takes more time to close them, but its so easy to open them. I love them

[Horse]

I have several for different loadouts - but my go-to rig is an Arktis 1602. I have used more rigs than AEG's trying to find the right one. This is such a personal decision. Each person wears weight differently etc. For me nothing beats the Arktis 1600 style rigs for long term comfort, storage space etc.

 

 

[askeytheman]

Just last weekend with my UOTC unit I was given an additional vest to wear under my webbing, as pointman in a company attack in an OBUA environment I was given a tonne of T-bangs. Needed more space to carry my lovely kit..

 

I find that webbing (PLCE) is not to be sniffed at, its fantastic stuff, and the additional room given in a vest was enough to allow me to carry anotehr 4 magazines (total 10), 6 t-bangs and 2 smoke grenades. More than enough kit.

[Agent Hunk]

I have used more rigs than AEG's trying to find the right one.

 

I know the feeling....

 

But generally I use a chest rig as its more adaptable for my needs. I can run it with or without armor and going prone isn't an issue because its not bulked up. But I also use a belt for my pistol and most of its ammo because I need both at the same time so why not put them on the same line.

 

If I played in rougher terrain I might use a split front rig or webbing though. But most of what happens qualifies as direct action in airsoft anyway so I love my chest rigs for that.

[signal319]

What are you talking about?!? Those things are amazing. Velcros so loud when youre trying to pull out an extra mag while sneaking up on someone. I love all y German gear because its soooooo easy to get into the pouches with the fly "buckles" Ya, it takes more time to close them, but its so easy to open them. I love them

 

Granted, but when you're actually in contact and the emphasis is on speed of reloading and the enemy know where you are, you want something fast. The extra noise made by velcro is not really an issue in that case.

Spanish fly tabs are fine for my utility pouches, because I'm not in and out of them very often, but I think quick release buckles would be more appropriate for ammo pouches.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love PLCE, it's durable, effective and has LOTS of room, but the tabs are just a pain to close.

[3vi1-D4n]

You can have the best of both worlds for both vest and webbing, especially in airsoft.

 

An old rig like a Ephod A11/Singaporean SBO is for me the best AR15 Rig by far. It is a vest+ webbing combination where it has a traditional harness but the pouches sit between your waist and the lower part of your rib cage. It keeps your upper body ventilated while still allowing HSLD because its a vest.

 

It features:

- Super heavy construction, we are talking about nylon thats thicker than the canvas for sails.

- Extremely low profile, 2 AR15 mags per mag pouch and doesn't bulge out to bother you going prone. Pouches are velcro.

- Holds 8 AR mags or 12 SMG mags, or 6 AR/9 UZI mags with sidearm

- Generous and large comforter

- Holds 2 Litres of water, 2 grenade pouch 1 small util pouch and a large util pouch to hold whatever else you need.

- Can add utility belt for attaching extra stuff

- Enough for 24hrs worth of stuff in a rig thats 20% smaller than the PLCE.

 

Best of all in Singapore they are $50-60 SGD each ($35USD), new.

 

 

[Skarclaw]

Don't think it makes too much of a difference to be honest. I have a set of russian SMESH webbing which is very secure and its pretty much perfect for woodland, the pouches are too my side and I have canteens and a bumbag on my back, holds quite alot of stuff, its fairly low profile and I can go prone alot easier. Having said that, I'm in the process of buying a split chest rig, I'll probably start on the back and move outwards, cause I just prefer it like, but whatever. I don't really see the point of something like a platecarrier in woodland - unless you are doing an impression. I'd try and avoid stuff on your chest for woodland, but thats just me.

 

 

Is having stuff on your front a terrible idea for woodland - no not completly.

Is webbing out of date - no, its not.

[Jin15]

I voted for "Other". My vote going for a 5.11 tactical vest for short games when you want to run light and a plate carrier loaded with the pouches of your choice for when you need to be in it for the long haul

Chest rigs can be good as well, but I personally find most of them put a lot more strain on my neck than I'm comfortable with tolerating for hours at a time.

 

Edit: Worth mentioning is that I've never been able to get along with webbing or any kind of belt kit, due to the fact that I have unusually slender hips. This means that belts generally don't support my pants incredibly securely unless I cinch them down painfully tight, so any gear that would rub against my hips & belt area results in my pants finding their way towards the ground in short order

Thus, all my gear choices have to be systems that would not rub against my hips or belt line for the sake of saving myself from discomfort and personal embarrassment lol

[The lolinator]

I use a chest rig at the moment for everything. It's light and carries all I need. However, I voted both as I intend (when the money comes in) to buy a set of PLCE webbing for when I am sniping as at the moment it is rather uncomfortable to go prone