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A full tactical rig setup is a common sight for military members and police officers, but you don’t have to have one of these professions to own one. In fact, there are tons of reasons to purchase a chest rig, as well as all the other items that go with full tactical gear. Thankfully, if you’re new to setting up your rig or just want a refresher course if you’ve been out of the service for a while, we can help you get everything you need. From extra pouches that provide plenty of storage space to a knife and sheath, body armor, and more, the beauty of a properly assembled tactical rig is that you can choose exactly what you need and where it goes. However, there are still some best practices you can follow to make the process easier, and here is what you should know.
1. Decide on a Loadout
The first step when building out your entire tactical setup is choosing what you want to keep with you. A chest rig is designed to be a lightweight, load-carrying harness that carries all of your mission-critical gear. There are options that wrap fully around your torso, as well as those that cover the front and back of your body while leaving the sides open. If you can’t try chest rigs on to decide what you like, consider your use case. Less covering and padding is better for long marches and minimal gear, while a bulky chest rig can support more weight and withstand greater punishment. The color of your chest rig is also crucial, as picking one that matches the rest of your uniform can help you blend in and remain camouflaged.
Once you’ve picked out a rig, the next step is determining what you want to attach to it. Most of them have tons of MOLLE connection points, allowing you to secure a variety of pouches, holsters, sheathes, and other items directly to your chest. First, if you’re going to be in any environment with firearms or potential danger, you should keep a medical pouch or first aid kit, such as an IFAK, on your rig. An Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) can contain a variety of supplies, but usually resembles a trauma kit that lets you treat injuries in an emergency. Next, you’ll want plenty of magazine pouches and ammo pouches to ensure you never run out while you’re in the field. Finally, everyone who is going out on a mission or even just training in a field should have a reliable knife for cutting bandages, chopping sticks, and any number of other small tasks. With the main items handled, you can start adding on extras, such as navigation supplies, flashlight, glowsticks, snacks, spare batteries, gloves, rope, and other supplies you might need.
2. Balance the Weight
Adding even small items to your chest rig raises your overall weight, which can add up quickly and drain your stamina fast if you’re not careful. This is especially true if the weight of your gear isn’t distributed evenly across your chest rig, as you’ll end up straining some muscles faster than others. Fortunately, you can learn to balance your gear and rig easily with a little practice. First, the most important step is to keep your center of gravity even and stable. This means placing your heaviest objects in a single layer around your upper stomach and chest. Specifically, you’ll want to place your loaded rifle magazines and extra ammo in these spots, as these are often the heaviest items you’ll have to deal with. Additionally, avoid attaching pouches to the front of other pouches, especially around your stomach and spine, as this shifts your center of gravity forward and can potentially cause you to fall. Instead, you should try to present as close to a flat profile as possible on the front and back of your rig.
After arranging everything, the next step is to make sure your straps are properly positioned and secured. Your chest rig should be snug, but it shouldn’t restrict your movement, breathing, or ability to shift into different stances, such as going prone. You want the rig to fit high and tight in the center of your chest, just slightly below your collarbone. This helps ensure it doesn’t shift and move too much when you’re hiking, keeping everything secure. One tip for getting the best fit is to make sure your chest rig is fully loaded with all your gear, put it on, and then tighten the straps. This works better than putting it on and tightening it before loading your gear, as the extra weight changes how it fits. Finally, test out your rig and do some light calisthenics or movements, such as jogging, jumping, crouching, and crawling to see if you identify any issues that you can adjust before you’re in the field.
3. Streamline Everything
The primary benefit of a chest rig is keeping everything you need as close to your hands as possible so that you don’t have to worry about fumbling through a backpack in intense situations. Following that logic, you want everything to be in a natural place that you can grab without thinking. You also want to eliminate any issues before they pop up on their own. For example, if you’re going to be carrying a CamelBak or other hydration system, opting for a chest rig that integrates these devices or is designed to work in conjunction with them is an excellent choice. In this case, you’ll want to thread the hose of your hydration system through your gear and away from any pouches or other pieces of gear that could pinch, kink, or otherwise damage the hose. This is especially useful if you’ll also be utilizing radio and communication equipment, as these wires are extremely sensitive. As you’re putting everything on, make sure you keep all the wires separate and straight. There are plenty of ways to secure the wires to the rig so that they’re not flapping in the breeze, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, double-sided tape, and more, so explore your options to figure out what works best for you.
Streamlining doesn’t just mean making sure your wires aren’t crossed; it also refers to making your movements as efficient as possible. In this case, the best strategy is to practice using your rig after you get it put together. From quick reload drills where you drop the mag from your rifle and get a new one from your pouches to testing yourself by grabbing your essential items from their locations as fast as possible, the goal is to build muscle memory. This is crucial in stressful situations, as your body can move before your brain catches up with you, making sure you have the gear you need as quickly as possible. Additionally, if you’re going to be with a group of people, coordinate with them to make sure you’re not bringing too many redundant items. While everyone should have a first aid kit and extra ammo, not every member of your squad needs to bring larger tools, as this adds unnecessary weight for everyone. Instead, you should split the group into individual positions, ensuring everyone brings what they individually need, as well as a piece of what the group needs as a whole.
Tactical Gear for a Great Price
Here at OpticsPlanet, we’re proud to offer a huge range of tactical and military gear to help you get everything you need. Whether you’re shopping for a brand new ballistic helmet, a bulletproof vest, or a rifle scope for your favorite firearm, our team has assembled a wide variety of gear from the best brands in the industry. Check out everything we have to offer today to make sure you’re ready for anything.
