Well, as a guy who has made a few of these things, I'd say that it all depends on you and what your day looks like. I would say that if you're on your feet for most of the time, a full, wrap-around reinforcement is the best set up. However, if you are sitting, working from vehicles, then you might want a break at the front, to allow the rig to flex somewhat.
I would say a full wrap-around is optimal for fighting, but the flexible break in front is optimal to wearing the damn thing all day.
So you have to decide what's best for you.
I have made rigs for security forces, where they sat in "ready rooms" or drove around in vehicles. I've also made rigs for guys on roving foot patrols or gate guard duty. Sometimes the same guys had both duties.
When we look at EDC, you have to determine what resembles your every day and equip accordingly.
And just human nature, when you first start to carry, you are equipped for some running gun battle, with all the hard core stuff. But then as the years wear on, you relax that a bit and start wearing stuff that's a bit more comfortable. The trick IMHO is to find some happy medium.