Posted: 12/18/2009 10:08:35 AM EDT
|
I read some great reviews on this unique chest-harness. They call lit a front pack and it has a split front (zips closed). A guy did a review and wore it around town under a shirt/jacket and it went unoticed by the sheeple. I ordered one and will try it around the area hiking. Looks good for boating as well and can be worn with a pack. Seems like a more discreet (as opposed to a fighting chest harness loadout) way to carry your line-one gear when backpacking or doing urban trekking...
RIBZ Front Pack ROCK6 |
|
Quoted:
Reminds me of the Navy Pilots survival vests. That's kind of what I was thinking...this could be a very nice, discreet way to carry your essential gear. From the pictures you can really load it up or just keep it minimally loaded and more concealable. Once I get it and load it up for a few hikes around the house, I'll post up a short review. ROCK6 |
|
Good idea. Of course, a surplus MOLLE FLC (dyed if you like) outfitted with the appropriate-sized pouches would serve as well, if not better. Not to mention the FLC, being MOLLE, is user-configurable.
Keep in mind that going prone with such load-carriers must be tested, so potential problems cam be avoided. |
|
Quoted:
Good idea. Of course, a surplus MOLLE FLC (dyed if you like) outfitted with the appropriate-sized pouches would serve as well, if not better. Not to mention the FLC, being MOLLE, is user-configurable. Keep in mind that going prone with such load-carriers must be tested, so potential problems cam be avoided. Someone gave me a FLC (at least I think that's what it is... some kind of load bearing harness anyway) and I'm still not sure what the hell to do with it. It's wadded up in the closet right now. |
|
Salomon has a sports (Mtn biking, running) pack called the Raid Devil.... that integrates a chest pouch into the pack for quick access items like food...compass.....map case. The chest pouch can be removed if less gear space is required. I've run, paddled and biked in mine for miles and it's very comfortable.
This is a brilliant idea....especially since it's clear you can wear it and then throw on a backpack.....if you were in a bad spot and had to dump and hide you main pack for speed etc. you will still have this one for weapon...extra mags...blade...smail firestarter kit.... Great tip thanks.... |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Good idea. Of course, a surplus MOLLE FLC (dyed if you like) outfitted with the appropriate-sized pouches would serve as well, if not better. Not to mention the FLC, being MOLLE, is user-configurable. Keep in mind that going prone with such load-carriers must be tested, so potential problems cam be avoided. Someone gave me a FLC (at least I think that's what it is... some kind of load bearing harness anyway) and I'm still not sure what the hell to do with it. It's wadded up in the closet right now. This thread:http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=10&t=270564 might give you a few ideas. |
|
Quoted:
Good idea. Of course, a surplus MOLLE FLC (dyed if you like) outfitted with the appropriate-sized pouches would serve as well, if not better. Not to mention the FLC, being MOLLE, is user-configurable. Keep in mind that going prone with such load-carriers must be tested, so potential problems cam be avoided. I was looking for something in the opposite direction of "tactical". I've used the FLC and it's okay for what it is, but not something you can wear under a coat...the RIBZ just looks much more svelte and has narrow should straps for wearing under a pack's shoulder straps. I'll reserve judgement until I get it in hand, loaded up and give it a work out. ROCK6 |
Well my RIBZ arrived this morning (pretty quick delivery). I still can find my camera cable so no pictures (and there are about another 30 boxes to unpack ).
It's 420 construction, so it seems pretty thin as compared to most of my more durable gear. Stitching seems okay...nothing too robust looking; we'll see how it holds up over time. I wears like a vest and the construction will lay quite flat depending on the contents...the bellow pockets do look like they'll take a lot of gear. Simple construction and the two back straps have velcro backing and adjust for fit. The two should straps are very thin webbing; they'll wear well under a pack's straps, but on the flip side, too much weight won't be comfortable at all. I'll get it loaded up and weigh it...if I can find my stinking camera cable, I'll down load pictures (or I'll use the camera on the phone). ROCK6 |
| Looks great, though I would personally be worried too much about the prone thing (it's very, very rocky where I live) and also, in the warmer months, wearing this + a backpack would might seriously increase the heat load...is it mesh backed or anything to help air circulation of just plain nylon? |
|
If the RIBZ will be worn in an environment where quickly going prone is at all a liklihood, then perhaps certain precautions should be taken.
First off the RIBZ ought not be stuffed so full as to render a decent prone shooting position difficult or slow to assume. Hard, sharp-edged objects should be avoided, or at least wrapped in some sort of material that will dull their sharp edges. Fragile equipment, or equipment that will not withstand the user's weight being placed on them suddenly and unrestrained, should be carried elsewhere. Some of these constraints can be overcome by packing relatively soft material in the center, which would take the brunt of force when going prone, and hard gear off to the sides. In fact, a clever user could configure the RIBZ as sort of a chest pad, which might be useful when on rocky terrain. Users might consider adding some foam padding, such as cut-up GI sleeping pads to the front of, the rear of, or both front and rear of the pockets of the RIBZ. Such would serve to protect equipment, the user, or both, respectively. While the padding would reduce the carrying capacity slightly, it is light, and also has some floatation capacity. An innovative user might configure the RIBZ, perhaps with some modifications, into a personal floatation device. The pix do not reveal it, but drain holes/grommets in field packs/pouches is an essential feature. If the RIBZ lacks these, such can be added without too much trouble or expense. Based on the photos, perhaps two 1/4" ID brass grommets for the large pockets, and one each for the smaller ones. Another question is how the large pockets are secured, or compressed. I don't see any sort of compression straps, nor is any sort of provision for internal subdivision mentioned. If one were carrying one large, relatively dense object in one of the large pockets, such as a canteen, is there anything to prevent it from shifting around as the user's body shifts? I don't mean to sound like I'm unjustly knocking the device, but these points should be addressed. Of course, all the above pointers pertain to tactical vests and the like, so the basic principles are not new. |
|
Quoted:
If the RIBZ will be worn in an environment where quickly going prone is at all a liklihood, then perhaps certain precautions should be taken. First off the RIBZ ought not be stuffed so full as to render a decent prone shooting position difficult or slow to assume. Hard, sharp-edged objects should be avoided, or at least wrapped in some sort of material that will dull their sharp edges. Fragile equipment, or equipment that will not withstand the user's weight being placed on them suddenly and unrestrained, should be carried elsewhere. Some of these constraints can be overcome by packing relatively soft material in the center, which would take the brunt of force when going prone, and hard gear off to the sides. In fact, a clever user could configure the RIBZ as sort of a chest pad, which might be useful when on rocky terrain. Users might consider adding some foam padding, such as cut-up GI sleeping pads to the front of, the rear of, or both front and rear of the pockets of the RIBZ. Such would serve to protect equipment, the user, or both, respectively. While the padding would reduce the carrying capacity slightly, it is light, and also has some floatation capacity. An innovative user might configure the RIBZ, perhaps with some modifications, into a personal floatation device. The pix do not reveal it, but drain holes/grommets in field packs/pouches is an essential feature. If the RIBZ lacks these, such can be added without too much trouble or expense. Based on the photos, perhaps two 1/4" ID brass grommets for the large pockets, and one each for the smaller ones. Another question is how the large pockets are secured, or compressed. I don't see any sort of compression straps, nor is any sort of provision for internal subdivision mentioned. If one were carrying one large, relatively dense object in one of the large pockets, such as a canteen, is there anything to prevent it from shifting around as the user's body shifts? I don't mean to sound like I'm unjustly knocking the device, but these points should be addressed. Of course, all the above pointers pertain to tactical vests and the like, so the basic principles are not new. Not knocking it at all...just good questions and valid points of consideration. On each side, there is a long pouch, that has a zipper facing the center. The main/upper pouch opens at the top and does have elastic pouches inside to secure equipment. I had the exact same concerns about the drain grommets and heard somebody put them in...I think this is an option they should include when ordered. Regardless, I plan to have them added to the main pouches. It's not waterproof, so your essentials would have to be placed in Ziplocks or other water proofing containers. Much like a split-front vest, you can unzip the front and wear it like a regular vest making it easier to get into and up from a prone position. Raf is correct that you could just use some padding for any hard objects. One user carried his pistol in the lower left, long pouch and had it wrapped up in a Sham-wow...it wasn't a speed draw setup, but served his purposes well. I don't know about carrying a water bottle...I have one of those flat plastic flasks which may carry better. I didn't get it loaded up today, but when I do I'll give it a walk around the lake and out in the boat. Again, this isn't a field fighting setup, more of a backpacking/hunting and even urban system to carry your survival essentials. is it mesh backed or anything to help air circulation of just plain nylon?
It's an open-backed setup. The pockets wrap around the sides and there are two horizontal straps that connect them and the two shoulder straps. I've worn enough tactical chest harnesses to know that you're going to heat up and I expect this to do the same depending on your level/type of activity. It's nice and cool out now, but I'll throw my pack on to try it out as well. ROCK6 |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Good idea. Of course, a surplus MOLLE FLC (dyed if you like) outfitted with the appropriate-sized pouches would serve as well, if not better. Not to mention the FLC, being MOLLE, is user-configurable. Keep in mind that going prone with such load-carriers must be tested, so potential problems cam be avoided. Someone gave me a FLC (at least I think that's what it is... some kind of load bearing harness anyway) and I'm still not sure what the hell to do with it. It's wadded up in the closet right now. This thread:http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=10&t=270564 might give you a few ideas. I'm just not tactical enough for a rig like that. I was thinking of putting a couple of pouches big enough for a box of shotgun shells on the belt and a long dump bag arcross the back and making it my new bird hunting vest, but that'd probably make some folks around here's heads explode. Problem with that is that then I'd have to buy a couple of mag shingles just for the hell of it, which starts me down a road that ends with me posing for pictures in full on airsoft-fu gear, and worried about finding someone to watch my 6... and that's just not a road I wish to travel (I'd have to kick my own ass). Besides, the payback I'd get from weekend warriors I've made fun of in the past would be just too painful. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Good idea. Of course, a surplus MOLLE FLC (dyed if you like) outfitted with the appropriate-sized pouches would serve as well, if not better. Not to mention the FLC, being MOLLE, is user-configurable. Keep in mind that going prone with such load-carriers must be tested, so potential problems cam be avoided. Someone gave me a FLC (at least I think that's what it is... some kind of load bearing harness anyway) and I'm still not sure what the hell to do with it. It's wadded up in the closet right now. This thread:http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=10&t=270564 might give you a few ideas. I'm just not tactical enough for a rig like that. I was thinking of putting a couple of pouches big enough for a box of shotgun shells on the belt and a long dump bag arcross the back and making it my new bird hunting vest, but that'd probably make some folks around here's heads explode. Problem with that is that then I'd have to buy a couple of mag shingles just for the hell of it, which starts me down a road that ends with me posing for pictures in full on airsoft-fu gear, and worried about finding someone to watch my 6... and that's just not a road I wish to travel (I'd have to kick my own ass). Besides, the payback I'd get from weekend warriors I've made fun of in the past would be just too painful. That's fine. Mebbe you should sell/swap/give it away ––they're not terribly expensive nowadays–– and let someone else get some use from it. Wadded up in your closet does no one any good. |